Friday, March 9, 2007

Radio Call in Shows - What's the Point?

I’ve been listening to Vancouver sports talk radio lately, and wonder out-loud why these so called sports fans call into these type of programs.


Listening to banter or analysis from the ‘experts’ is one thing, but why I would have the need to call into the radio program, get my 20 seconds of air-time and have the host or co-host berate me for what I have to say makes no sense.
Often times the hosts don't even bother listening to what the caller is saying!

Do these callers have no life?

Do they have no one to talk to, and the radio call-in show is their only outlet?

Listen to Dan Russell’s show from Vancouver and you’ll get the idea.
Share your opinion, and if it differs from his an argument ensues.
I like Dan, and have met him on many occasions when he does the play-by-play for W.H.L games on Shaw.
But the call-in portion for me is a waste of time, and simply is – bad radio.

It may work successfully in other markets, but in Vancouver it's just WRONG!

The same holds true for the Canucks broadcasts.
All they use callers for is for filler, until the game starts or they can find someone more qualified to speak on the game.
Last night they had two callers on 10 minutes before the drop of the puck, and each caller got in maybe 20 seconds to express themselves.
What’s the point?

I saw in the paper yesterday that long time Canucks color man Tom Larschied is about 98 percent sure he will retire at the end of the season.
Larschied has held the post for 30 year’s, and on the air is still going strong at 67.
I’ve never been a huge fan of his, but for an old-school guy, he brings some excitement to the game.

For the love of God, do not put Ryan Walter with John Shorthouse next season.

I know he's play one million games in the N.H.L, but Walter is as dry as a fart.

Listening to the Canucks game last night from Phoenix was painful.
No Larschied wasn't the problem, John Shorthouse was.
I think I call a game that slow when I’m deathly ill.
My voice would feel like a million bucks if I put that little effort into making it even halfway inticing for the listener.

The Regina Pats are preparing for the playoffs in a different way.
Instead of shaving their heads or dying their hair a different color, the Pats players have decided to get perms.
Most of the player have jumped on board, including former Rocket Kirt Hill.
I guess they are having a hard time persuading Troy Ofukany, but I’m sure he’ll come around.
What do the Rockets do come playoff time?
Nothing!
Rockets G.M Bruce Hamilton doesn’t want any of his players looking un-professional at anytime over the course of the season, playoffs included.

Speaking of Bruce, I spoke to him Wednesday about why, unlike other teams, do the Rockets fail to retire players numbers?
Hamilton quickly asked me, “so who’s jersey number should we retire”?
Ryan Cuthbert?
Bruce says no one has made that significant of an impact on the organization that a jersey number should be retired.
He simply says that’s what the wall outside the Rockets dressing room is used for.
If you’ve never seen it, the wall has sketched paintings of significant players who have worn a Rockets jersey over the years, including Scott Hannan, Gavin McLoed, Ryan Cuthbert, Josh Gorges, Scott Parker and Kelly Guard.

If you missed it today, the Everett Silvertips have lost the services of forward Andrej Fiala for the rest of the season.
The 19 year-old euro has elected to leave the team and is headed back to the Czech Republic for surgery on his ailing knee.
The Tips are disappointed that he’s pulling the shoot on them this late in the season, considering he was taking cortisone shots to keep the pain away and according to team doctors wasn’t doing any further damage to the knee.


Why do W.H.L fans hate the Everett Silvertips so much?
Because they win?
Oh sure they whine a bit more than the average team, but they are a solid organization who have built from within, and when they have seen a hole in their roster they've been able to fix it with a solid trade.
If you've ever spoken to Tips Coach Kevin Constantine, you will find out how smart a man he really is.
Don't judge him alone for his tirades on the bench, this guy knows the game inside out, and can motivate like no other.
That said, a first round matchup with Spokane or Tri City in the opening round is nothing short of scary.

No comments: