This site tends to be a defender of the Hardline against the apparently
increasing number of Confessors who are dissatisfied with the show. But I was puzzled at WOMM on Friday.
Mike started out somewhat slowly and hesitantly by saying that he
thought he might be interested in the new Bond movie, which he did not name. He
had seen a documentary on the franchise.
As soon as he mentioned Bond, Corby jumped in and that was pretty much
all we heard about what was on Mike's mind. It was Corby and Danny for the rest
of the segment. With Mike saying one
memorable thing:
Up to that point, no one had named the movie.
Until Mike finally did:
"Sunlamp."
Several questions occur to me.
Did Mike really think "Skyfall" was named "Sunlamp"? Or was this a part of his emerging seeming-more-addled-than-his-actual-years
persona bit?
Was the Bond franchise on Mike's mind at all? Or was this a complete
Friday give-up?
Was this the OverCorby? Or (my
weakly-held view), sensing that Mike had absolutely nothing on his mind
respecting the announced Mind-topic, was this Corby jumping in to rescue a
segment that had already begun wobbling dangerously?
Sometimes I worry less about their show prep exams than their mind prep.
Man, that was one mess.
*
* *
One more thought: Am I correct
in recalling from various remotes of all the shows that Mike is the only Ticket
host who does not have the Internet running in front of him? (I have never been
to a Norm remote.)
Given the man's talent and the years of incredible entertainment he's
given us, do we even care that he does not much bestir himself for the show
sometimes? That he even seems to take
some pride in being culturally unaware?
I'm not sure I do. But then, I don't mind the OverCorby as much as some others seem to, and I do think the OverCorby is sometimes just him pulling a segment back from the abyss. And I don't mind Mike's too-old-too-early bit. To me, it
still has the flavor of a bit and has not crossed the line into disrespect to
both his colleagues and the P1. After
all, his "Sunlamp" reference did make me laugh as I was cruising up
75.
But I understand the contrary argument.
Whenever they have a webcam running, Mike appears to be using a laptop. Don't know what he's got it tuned to.
ReplyDeleteThen my recall is faulty.
ReplyDeleteI think the vast, vast, vast majority of Mike's brain farts are internet distraction related. Excepting Joan Rivers, I know of no other 60-something person who is so on top of and into (and he is) celebrity/hollywood gossip, stories, and photos. That guy is so self-aware. You can be damn sure that he knows when and where he's being discussed on the interwebs. There is, to take a Corbyism, NO DOUBT that he reads this blog at least once per day. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that all the hosts pop by here at least once per day.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I think you're right that Corby and Danny rescue segments from Mike's distracted mind. Unfortunately for Corby, it comes off as if he's taking the segment over. Mike's just not engaged. When he is, he's sharp as a tack. There's no mistaking it when he's interested. It's a shame he's no longer interested more often than not. But that's where things are at with The Hardline.
In a way, Mike is like Cubes. They both seem to need enemies to thrive, to create. It used to be the bunker mentality of The Little Ticket. The Ticket vs. the sports radio establishment. Once they became the establishment, he gradually checked out more and more, filling the void with silly tribute bands (sorry tribute bands are silly, and to continually form new ones is, well...), TMZ talk, and talk of the same 4 musicians. What's on Mike's M/mind is that there really is nothing of interesting. The man is bored and it shows. He needs a challenge. Some one or thing to go up against, the conquer. He tried going against Cumulus for awhile. Not so much anymore. Even he knows when the opponent is too formidable. In sum, I think we're stuck with disinterested Mike until he decides to retire.
You're overestimating how big this site is. I'm sure the minions check in every once in a while. Jer, Grubes, and some of the others who aren't in the spotlight have commented from time to time. I'm sure the main hosts are aware of the site, but don't care enough to check in.
ReplyDeleteIf someone was talking about me, I'd probably know the site was here and would check in, at least occasionally. But I'm not in that situation, so it's definitely a "looking at it from the outside" view. Can't really speak to it unless you're in the minor celebrity atmosphere. For all I know, they might not care what the general public cares about them and don't care to know.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. I'm guessing that a host or two may check in a little more frequently, but in general I'll bet 1215 has it about right. If a Major Host is mentioned, one of his colleagues or minions might bring the article to his attention.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, getting Ticketarians to read the site is not its goal. While we may get the occasional on-air mention (and it's damned rare), and while I've heard a couple of things on the air over the years that reflected something written here, in general the site is not what I would characterize as influential. And, as I've noted before, I'll bet each host and the Pan-American CTO gets more emails each day than I get hits.
So you and I, we're pretty much just part of the Ticket background noise. Which, owing to its appalling signals, is considerable.
Just before WOMM today, Mike mentioned that they will be discussing Neil Young's B-Day. I wonder if they're just messing with those that can't stand that kind of talk. Then again, maybe I'm giving them too much into that they might be checking in here. Who knows...
ReplyDeleteUm, okay, so what interests you (Plainsman) and the rest of the commenters is what? If whether hosts visit this site, and if so, how frequently? I guess the rest of my HSOs were pretty lame or old hat. Alright. While it might not be a goal (per Plainsman), it sure seems to grab your and others attention when it's mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMike has an iPad in front of him today .
ReplyDelete@edfes
ReplyDeleteI'll bite, pal.
From the original computer to computer jr. to all the other various computers and now iPhones and iPads he's talked about over the years, I'd say yes, I agree with you, most of Mike's lapses are due to internet distractions. I'll even go so far as to say that, yes, Corby probably does get a little too much grief for what appears to be him taking over a segment when in reality he's rescuing one. I don't know this to be true, but there have been times that it sure seems this way on air. Because Mike, as I'm typing this, seems to be pretty f'n engaged during this Cowboy segment. And I don't sense Corby taking over anything. Indeed, he's complimenting what Mike is saying; Mike is leading this segment, make no bones about it. So, OK, you have a point on that one, too.
As to Mike needing a nemesis to take real, overall, interest goes: It's a theory. It's not a bad one. And you make a few decent points. Though I think you miss the mark where music and playing in bands are concerned. Music is a part of Mike's fiber. Plus, what's the difference between a tribute and a cover band? They both play other bands songs. Most bands are cover bands. All orchestras are, if you will, cover bands. So what? It doesn't lessen the violinist's musicianship or improvisational skills, does it? Of course not. Same goes with the guy pounding the skins for a Rainbow tribute band. Sure, there's a chasm between the musicianship of a violinist in the DSO and the fiddle player for a John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band, but who gives a rat's a? No one, unless you're an asshat.
Do you now find yourself as having been taken seriously, edfes? I hope so. Good morning to you.
edfes, my good man, what's gotten into you?
ReplyDeleteYou want people to notice your stuff and say stuff about it? OK, I get that, you're a good Confessor, tell you what: Next time you have an extended thought about some Ticket subject, don't comment -- email it to me, and I'll run it as a post.
An edfes . . . ed-itorial.
I'm serious, I'm always looking for ways to reduce my MTC workload.
I'm might be in the minority, but I actually enjoy the Neil Young and other music topics. But then, I'm a fan of Neil Young.
ReplyDeleteI would not be surprised at all if mike heard the WOMM theme song, looked at the webpage he was on, saw an ad for Skyfall for a nano-second and that became the topic yesterday. He only looked at the ad long enough for some word association, but not long enough to memorize the title of the movie.
ReplyDeleteAs for corby having to rescue segments, that's a significant reason for his promotion. There are plenty of times mike starts a segment sounding pretty enthusiastic about leading the discussion, and the first hesitation or breath mike takes is an opportunity for corby to break in and take over the rest of the way. How much more interesting would the music segments be if it were just mike and danny in the discussion? Yesterday corby claimed Paul McCartney is the only classic rock artist left who's death would get front page coverage by all major news outlets. Mike and Danny jumped his a$$ pretty quickly on that. He says crap like that all the time - and no, that is not part of his charm.
I'll stick to commenting, thanks. My point was that the thrust of my comment pertained to the topic at hand, and yet, the only thing that garnered your and others attention (except Charlemagne) were two lines about Mike and other hosts visiting this site. Which I find a bit amusing since you put on this winsome aw shucks lil' old me schtick when it comes to Ticket personnel visiting, talking about on air, or lurking around this site; that while flattered, it's neither an aim of the site nor something you give two thoughts to. But of all the HSOs I put forth in my comment, those two throwaway lines were what you glommed on to. Fine. I appreciate the offer, but like I said, I'll stick to commenting.
ReplyDeleteedfes, I'd like to be the first to welcome you to The Internet. Have a look around and let us know if you have any questions.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way things work in open discussions, homey. You may write the most eloquent, well-reasoned 15,000 word treatise ever composed and you'll get two dozen responses complaining about a misplaced comma that devolves into butt jokes and is capped off by some moron invoking Godwin's law. It may seem at times that this site is one tangent after another, but I think that's one of its strengths. The fact that you got a response at all is to be considered a good thing.
The NFL rundown segment on Monday was awful. Corby and Mike were obviously skimming a game recap for the first time on the air.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if the Unticket has the audio Bob and Dan were talking about during GNO? The one witth Bob getting mad at Dan for bringing his dog to a remote. Thanks! After hearing them talk about it, I would like to hear it.
ReplyDeleteI'll give you the link if you sign a name other than anonymous
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletethanks edfes, appreciate it. guess ill just try and find it myself.
ReplyDeleteI back ya Shaggy.
ReplyDeleteHuh? Exactly what did you ask me, 8:10 Anon? I can't believe you deleted my "bird rhymes with jerk" comment, Plainsman. I thought it was pretty clever. Especially in light of birq's 5 sentence comment that consisted of nothing but zingers and what was is essence the questioning of my intelligence. Didn't think my one line was too terribly offensive, considering.
ReplyDeleteSorry, meant "bird rhymes with jerk" comment; not "bird."
ReplyDeleteDamn you, autocorrect. I give up.
ReplyDeleteI'll tolerate a certain degree of sarcasm (birq somewhat pushing the envelope in that regard this time out), but name-calling is out. I used to allow some name-calling, too, but it proved an unwise policy.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as you can see, it is sometimes deucedly difficult.
So let's knock off this particular topic. Can't someone give anonymous the idiot-dog BaD link? It's out there, someone's got it, even if Shaggy wants to hold it hostage to his no-Anons philosophy, which he is free to advance on this site if he does so peaceably, as he has to date.
If Anon wants it so badly, I suggest he or she go to the Unticket site and request it. ap and dywpp are accommodating young men. Heck, they even have a request form posted up. So there you go, Anon. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteme thinks that noone can find the audio, thats why noone is posting it.
ReplyDeleteWe're having fun here, no? I thought we were having a good time and now I'm a jerk. Seriously, though, we're having fun, no?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theunticket.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/moron_dog.mp3 is the moron dog segment. It's part of the Spare Me CD, which is also hosted at The Unticket: http://www.theunticket.com/spare-me-ticket-cd/
Get your pom poms outta my face, birq. And I'm not kiddin'.
ReplyDeleteIsn't good to be able to laugh a little?
Day #2 without Greggo on RAGE; anyone know why?
ReplyDeleteThey are referencing him (i.e. "When Greggo is here......") so probably no big deal but have not heard an explicit reason for the absence.
IJS
I'm sure he on the sick, Cat. I'm sure the puppy faces are dancing in his head. Whatever the deal is, that dude misses more time from work due to this that and the other than anyone I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteFrom the comments made prior to and during the letter of suggestions from a listener that Corby read, it's pretty obvious that Rhyner doesn't care for listener input or opinion, period. Which leads me to believe that if he is aware of this site, he must loathe it.
They killed me today. One too many Stones segments. Even if it wasn't a full Stones segment. Like Dr. Salmon, I'm gone. From here on out, I'll turn on Sirius and listen to some jams once WTDS is over. Thanks, Hardline, you bunch of a-wipes. You killed the show for me. I know you don't care. Mike doesn't give a rats a about anything except watching crap about bands from his wheel house on t.v. and dvd. That and play cover songs from those bands. Nice way to spend your golden years, I guess. Screw you, Rhyner.
ReplyDelete"Accommodating young men" -- I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I haven't been monitoring requests in quite some time, and I really wish I could get back to that. The reality is that in 99% of the cases, a quick Unticket/Google search would yield the result, or the audio archives will have it.
Fortunately, DP's far more proficient that posting than I am, plus he isn't sitting behind a firewall for most of his working day. He's a good-good-strong-have in the truest sense, plus he can drink a fifth of whiskeyyy, every day, before lunch.
I must say, while I wouldn't have put it as bluntly as he did, I'm right there with rhyner never died. It's as if THL is trying to test the limits of their listeners with this Stones, Young, stuff. I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd say Mike is trying to get the CTOs to offer him a retirement buyout package; and most likely a sweet one at that. With the exception of his Cowboy talk after the last loss, he's flat out been a poor host for a long time. He doesn't care about the listener, on any level (unless you're someone useful to him-e.g.,, local musician), and it shows. Heck, he seems to flaunt it proudly. Like rhyner never died, I'm out, as well. Actually, I bowed out last Friday. Even Mike's greatness during that week's Monday show couldn't save my listenership. I now flip over NPR or 88.1 (KNTU) once WTDS is over. So far, I have turned down the volume during HL Top Ten segments. Why? Because I know what they'll be about, and I know they'll bore me to tears. I'm tired of hearing about their niche tastes. They've forced it on us to the point where you wonder if they live in a little bubble.
ReplyDelete