Howard Stern just said that he plans to have a show on Sirius right after his show with the audience criticizing what they just heard.
That’s new. Imagine if a paper ran just one page every day with critiques from its readers. And, no, I don’t mean letters to the editor, picked like ripe apples and all shined up. I mean handing control of that page over to outsiders to say what they will about what we do. Imagine if CBS News gave the public its say on its show. It’s not unlike comments on a blog. With speed that often amazes me, you’ll join in and skewer or even agree with what I’ve said in this post. Apart from the trolls — whom everyone knows are trolls (except for the trolls themselves) — what’s to fear? Howard’s not afraid. What about you, big, old media?
Great idea! But they’ll never go for it if people can be anonymous and allowed to say whatever they want. Such circumstances always seem to result in a great majority that simply wants to flame, rather than provide constructive criticism or praise. Of course, if participants have to put their face behind their words, maybe it will be a different story.
Tell ‘em, Fred!
Considering the fact that most of the listeners that follow Stern over to Sirius will be his hardcore fans, I doubt this show will prove to be anything more than an echo chamber.
Sounds like a good idea, but I doubt it will work.
Oprah’s done that for years. It’s called “After the Show” and it’s aired on the Oxygen network. It’s taped immediately following the main show and usually includes that show’s guests as well.
Mike: Stern’s fans can be brutal. That is what comes with loyalty — in any business with any product: If people feel as if they own something, they hate when it goes astray.
Jumpcut: Thanks. I’ll watch.
Mike, I have to agree with Jeff and completely disagree with you on this one. For every positive call or email that gets on the Stern show, there’s at least one of the same that he puts through or reads that completely trashes him or something he did. Howard can fly off the handle at personal attacks sometimes, but criticism of his show is something he’s never been afraid to hear or play.
Guys, I’m not saying that some of the listeners go off on Howard from time to time. I’m saying that I don’t think those are the ones who will be following him to Sirius.
Jeff, I’ve taken you to task about your non-sexual crush you’ve had on Howard for some time now. But I was a loyal listener of his since I could drive, and then was back in 87. Stern lost me when he became a raving anti-Bush conspiracy theorist.
Oprah after show is a poor example of what Stern is proposing. No need to watch Jeff. It’s not as if anyone dare take on Oprah. And even if they did they wouldn’t run it.
>>> Oprah’s done that for years.
How long before Howard claims he invented this?
>>> Tell ‘em, Fred!
Nice
“Hoo hoo, I used to tie a bandana around my listeners and have ‘em criticize me…I’ve done it ALL.”
It’s a great idea for big media. Two questions:
1. In local markets, would you keep reading the page if it became something of an exclusive home for 15-20 people who respond to everything they see in the paper?
2. If the page were an unfiltered digest of reader opinion, would a reader who wrote something that got the paper into legal trouble help pick up the bill?
Oh please, this is so not new.
C-SPAN has done this for years by allowing listeners to call in and comment (i.e. rant) about the political ’show’ that just occured. Talk radio also.
And I have to say that most such rants, although mildly amusing for their stupidity, are boring and bad television/radio.