Thursday, June 25, 2009

Fairness Doctrine Gone Wild


In a rather twisted use of the Fairness Doctrine, News Talk Radio 1370 WSPD, is choosing to balance the level of intelligence that is normally heard on the "Eye on Toledo" show in the evening by allowing me to guest host the show on Friday, the 26th.

Now those of you who know me know that I have never hosted anything more complicated than a backyard cookout, and that my experience in radio is ... listening to it.  On top of that, I will be subbing for fellow blogger (and good friend) Maggie Thurber, promising comparisons that will not flatter yours truly.

So for those of you who are interested in listening to a train wreck as it happens, for those of you who would like to hear the level to which mass media can sink in Toledo, for those of you interested in watching a person commit social suicide live and on the air; I recommend that you turn your radio on Friday evening to listen (and even participate in the festivities if you choose). Living outside the range of the WSPD transmitter is no excuse either, as you can go to WSPD.com and click on the "Listen Live" button at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

11 comments:

Winky Twinky said...

Congrats!!! and Good Luck...I'll be tuning in.

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

Amigo Tim,

"So for those of you who are interested in listening to a train wreck as it happens, for those of you who would like to hear the level to which mass media can sink in Toledo, for those of you interested in watching a person commit social suicide live and on the air; I recommend that you turn your radio on Friday evening to listen (and even participate in the festivities if you choose). Living outside the range of the WSPD transmitter is no excuse either, as you can go to WSPD.com and click on th "Listen Live" button at 6:00 PM Eastern Time."

Thanks for the heads up..., I LOVE train wrecks!

(Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh...)

Umm, will you be at the Death Star like Maggie was, or where Fred & Brian do their shows (away from the direct influence of "corporate" radio)???

Timothy W Higgins said...

Dave,

My Daddy always told me that if I couldn't be amazing, I should at least I should try to be amusing. We'll just have to see.

As to location, Maggie liked working at the Death Star and chose to do so. I certainly have nothing against the it(though the view from the other is phenomenal), and it's kind of neat to be working in the same area as the call screener and board person.

I'm a one shot wonder here though, so I suspect that the concept of choice will never come into the picture.

Roland Hansen said...

To Tim Higgins, who is the Amigo of my Amigo Hooda Thunkit aka Dave Zawodny, who is the Amigo of Tim Higgins who is the Amigo of Roland Hansen who is the Amigo of Tim Higgins,

What fairness? It's nice to know the world is still crazy, at least when it involves an Amigo.

Best wishes. And be nice. You have my reputation to maintain for Dave Z who keeps --- well, you know our Amigo Z the Dave --- Now, where was I?

Break a leg. Is that a good thing to wish? Why oh why are there all these Roland's Ramblings going on in this comment. If I figure that out, I promise not to tell.

Gosh, I feel so honored to know a radio personality such as you. Just think: Tim Higgins the Celebrity.

What's the name of that reality television show? I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here! Well, look out here comes Tim Higgins.

Let's Ride

Jay Ott said...

I'm not sure about the exact influences of Brian Wilson, Program Director of WSPD, but I know enough about radio history (to be dangerous) that the way "old timers" operated back in the day, was to recruit "new blood" by giving people opportunities--even if it meant that they failed.

These days, that kind of graciousness is rare, but appreciated not only to whom these kinds of opportunities are extended, but listeners as well.

This was the same philosophy of Long John Nebel as well as Sam Phillips of Sun Records. Without that philosophy we might have not gotten Elvis.

Timothy W Higgins said...

Jay,

At this point, I'm going to take a shot and try and have some fun with this opportunity. Hopefully, the listeners won't be too disappointed.

One thing I believe that I can guarantee them however is that i am no Elvis.

Judy said...

Good luck Tim, La Senora De Su Amigo!

Winky Twinky said...

Bravo Tim!! I only got to listen for a half hour because it was my grandson's birthday, but CONGRATS!! on your debut! You did very well...I got quite a chuckle out of the liberals born nine months after the alien invasion.. I think we'll be hearing more from you on the radio again soon :-)

bobthedad said...

I enjoyed listening enough that I hope you get invited back. Nice job!

Timothy W Higgins said...

WT,

I had a lot of fun this evening, and while I couldn't hear myself, they tell me that I did OK.

I too enjoyed the Alien thing...

As for the rest, that's up to WSPD and Brian. Feel free to write in if you like me as sub.

Timothy W Higgins said...

Bobthedad,

Never having done anything like this before, I have to tell you that it was the toughest 46 minutes of my life. I enjoyed it however, and believe that I can do better with practice and repetition.

The bar is set high for Eye On Toledo, but I have to admit that I hope for the opportunity to try it again.