Airwaves: December 24, 2010
Dr. Laura Gets High
The last week of December is the last week you’ll be able to hear Dr.
Laura Schlessenger on terrestrial radio. Beginning January 3rd, she’ll
be exclusive to Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.
Note that I said she’ll be exclusive to Sirius/XM, not that she is “moving” to
the subscription service, as has been reported elsewhere. Her show has actually
been on satellite for years, the same syndicated program heard through December
31st on KFWB (980 AM). Now that she’ll be exclusive, it just means
you need to a subscription to hear her, the same as with Howard Stern.
And, while some will trumpet the change as some great win of good versus evil,
I am going to go out on a limb and state for the record that I like Dr. Laura,
and I enjoy her show, no homo.
Is she a hypocrite because, for example, she constantly tells women to stay
home with their kids instead of working when she herself did not? Maybe. But
name a popular talk host who isn’t. I enjoy the show because she often
gives decent, commonsense advise ... and it’s a kick to hear callers who
ask questions in which they should know better not to ask of her.
Personally I think many of those who attack her -- and their are many, many
people who do -- attack her more because she is a successful woman than anything
else. Some of the comments I have read regarding her on the internet are essentially
vile, and I sincerely doubt that the same comments would be made about her
if she were male.
And the fact remains that she is one of the most popular talk hosts on radio,
with an estimated audience of 8 million. So, on the eve of this historic event,
I wish Dr. laura the best. Her show will run on Sirius Channel 102 and XM Channel
155 from 11 am to 2 pm local time.
What About KFWB?
Dr. laura’s departure from KFWB means a few changes on the talk station
in limbo. Dave Ramsey goes live (instead of taped) from 11 am to 2 pm, Bob
McCormick preceds Ramsey with Money 101 9 to 11 am, and life coach
Les Brown will follow Ramsey from 2 to 4 pm. You may remember McCormick from
sister KNX (1070 AM); his Money 101 segments on that station
will continue.
Why did I say KFWB is in limbo? Simple: owner CBS is still over the station
ownership limit in Los Angeles and the station is still up for sale. When of
if it ever happens is unknown; I just wish that CBS took the same diligence
of delay in San Francisco as they did here ... then we’d still have the
legendary 610 KFRC with us.
Static
Loud, intermittent static is affecting AM radio reception for at least one
reader who loves in Pomona near the LA County Fairgrounds and the Pomona Valley
Hospital. It happened during Summer and went away at the end of October. Any
radio engineers want to take a crack at this? The reader says the static affects
all AM stations.
Predictions
I’m not expecting much to happen in 2011 ... perhaps a few minor changes,
but no major upsets. What I’d like to know is twofold: What do you think
might happen and more importantly what would you like to have happen in local
radio? Votes will be tabulated, kept in a safe in downtown New York City and
reported here in the next week or so. Send your predictions and wish list to
rwagoner@cox.net.
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Copyright © 2010 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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