Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Few Year-End Thoughts from Confessor Thomas, and a Happy New Year to All Confessors



A few weeks ago, Thomas the Confessor left a couple of interesting, nicely-composed comments that I stored away for rebroadcast.    It's a backward look and I thought NYE was an appropriately nostalgic juncture to brush them off and display them.  They are lightly edited and reformatted for clarity:

It's funny how so much changed so quickly. The Littlest of Ones went from Skip Bayliss proclaiming they'll kick everyone's butt on D1 to packing out road shows in a few months. It went from a startup that no one in the industry thought would last 6 months to leading the pack within a few years. It had a fairly steady stream of turnover and tweaks outside The Musketeers until BaD hit the scene in 1999. It's also seen the metamorphosis of some hosts. Some for the better, some not.

It's gone from a primarily caller-driven station to a primarily talent-driven station. And it has trend-setted and set the bar for nearly all other sports/guy talk stations in America. But, to my mind (a la Jerry Jones), the biggest change has to have been what has occurred with/in technology.

My D1P1 status allows me to go back and map out every jump in technology we've had over the last 20 years. It's breathtaking. The effect it's had on The Ticket and the listener, too, is breathtaking.

It seems like yesterday when Sideshow Bob was faxing in to THL on a daily basis. Outside of Fax Fodder, mind you. Now, many below the age of 35 have very little, if any, idea what a fax machine or a fax is. The internet was almost all dial up. At least it was for 99% of all home service. We all had Internet America (local outfit) or AOL for a provider. It was slower than molasses, and there wasn't that much on there yet as far as time wasting goes.

Most of the sports, entertainment, and news stuff that was being discussed came from ESPN and the news. Which meant that both listener and host pretty much knew the same thing at the same time. Which also meant that everything was current and therefore the discussion had more urgency and zip to it. It was more of a conversation, and not a commentary like it is now. It also made you feel more a part of it. And with the way the interaction between host and listener was back then, you actually could be a part of it.

Now it seems like the majority of the listeners, specially the younger ones, only care for the bits or the outlandish, the shocking statement. And the drops.  I get it. I really do. But you rarely get that warm and fuzzy "I'm a part of this" feeling from the interaction between the hosts or between host and listener anymore. Sometimes you do, but it's very rare.

What does this mean? I'll take a stab at it. Hopefully it makes sense.

Like [an earlier commenter] said, remotes were different then. THL really did hang out afterwards. Most were in restaurant-bars or bars. Not only that, but also the younger and/or single guys used to make no secret about where they hung out at and/or where they were going to hang at on such and such a night. You could easily have some suds and a conversation with Junior, Gordo, Followill, Doogie (if any of you remember him), sometimes Expo, and sometimes the (at that time) producer, Cat.

Greggo was an 817 guy then. He had his own longtime running buddies. But he sure would sit down with you after a remote. Rhynes was married and had not yet hit his belated midlife crisis. Like [the earlier commenter] I also suffer from Good Old Days Syndrome. But it was THAT good, people. Truly it was that good. When Rhyner issued his "there'll never be anything like it again once it's gone" statement, for me, "it" left the building around 2006.

It was the immediacy of the on air conversation, due to both host and listener knowing the same things at the same time, and its making you feel like you were having it with the hosts that also made the conversations and friendships after the remotes come about. Without [that immediacy], it would've been like it is now at a remote or a station-listener event (I go to most of them). Which means that the hosts are friendly but mostly guarded in nature, and when the remote or event is over, so too are they. Work is over and they're outta there. Just like the other stations do and have always done (been to several old-days Galloway and others remotes so I know what I speak of).  

I wonder whether the listenership would have had such loyalty early on if [remotes hadn't had that personal flavor they had at the beginning]?  It was that loyalty and host-listener bunker mentality that made it what it is. The bunker mentality still exists. You read it here in the comments whenever someone even hints that another station isn't so bad.

We'll never know.

Thank you Thomas, and thanks also for permitting me to spotlight your comments, which of course you didn't.  See where he went with that?  He found a source for the intimate relationship between hosts and P1's in two places:  (1) The relatively primitive state of sports news in the very early Internet days meant that you were learning it when the hosts were, which led to greater identification between listeners and hosts in the context of the shows themselves.  This was enhanced by the greater emphasis on callers and faxers.  (2) This schlopped over to the personal contact that remotes afforded.  He wonders (I'm extrapolating a little here, Thomas, please excuse me) if The Ticket would have exploded with the intensity of its early, loyal listeners if the technology were then as it is now.  As he says, we'll never know.


          Buckle up, confessing Buttercups, round up a designated driver, and get home safely tonight.  See you in 2014, and Thank You for Shopping at My Ticket Confession.

          Happy New Year.


109 comments:

  1. Is there general agreement that the Drydock shows were pretty good?

    An interesting development -- Jake was noticeably losing his voice by the end of the show yesterday. We don't consider the adjustments that may have to be made for individuals unaccustomed to talking for 3+ hours a day.

    In any case, I thought Shake and Cirque performed admirably, and I enjoyed hearing Norm in the morning.

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  2. @Plainsman

    I agree with you on TSJ. Its been must listen radio for me and I even found myself streaming it around my house (which I never do). They strike a very good balance for me when it comes to sports and entertainment talk. While driving the other day with TSJ my wife asked, "Who are these guys? Are they replacing that annoying guy?"

    Overall Dry-Dock has been a success. Thanks guys!

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  3. TSJ has been excellent. So good in fact, that don't be surprised if they're given a weeknight show (perhaps cutting into, eliminating, or moving the Top Ten to the wee morning hours), biding time until Norm is told to retire or a host/show decides to move on. But what I really see happening for TSJ is them being poached by another station, Cumulus or otherwise, local or "foreign" market.

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  4. I feel lucky as hell that the Ticket has remained so nearly intact after so many years. That the quality would slip over such a long period is a given -- that the whole thing hasn't fallen apart completely is amazing.

    Sturm's a douche.

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  5. So blinded by brand loyalty over here. TSJ is worth a listen, sure, but it doesn't have close to the power or talent of the prime shows. Jake is a 2 or 3 at best, maybe a step or two above what he is now. Bass...awful, I'll set his Top Market ceiling at doing midday tickers...oh wait...

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  6. Oh Gavin! You waste your down time between commercial breaks posting such hurt butt comments on a blog about a competitor? How sad.

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  7. I would argue The Shake Joint is clearly better than anything on the Fan. Jake blends good sports analytical talent with a touch of cultural hipness - something the ticket doesn't have much of.

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  8. I do agree with everyone who says the shake joint is very listenable, but I just can't get past sean bass...
    I know I'm in the minority, but I wish they would have kept TC with Jake. I would much rather hear those two together than being force-fed Sean Bass.

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  9. Meh. I am looking forward to drydock being over with. Not a fan of the JV guys. Respect them for what they do, but its not the same.

    Aaron,
    Ditto on the Sturm thing!

    Stay hard and Happy New Years gents!

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  10. Heard a Rumor that Dongovan's contract is up at the end of this year?

    Anyone got any info? Did he re-up?

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  11. Jake seems much more informed and intelligent than most of the people working at the ticket.

    Bass is a spare.

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  12. Seabass is not a spare. You SB haters are insane. He actually has a more balanced view of sports than your precious Jake. Jake is informed and intelligent. But not "much more" than most at The Ticket. The "seems" part of your equation is important. Just because someone speaks in a deep voice and with a conviction that dares anyone to challenge him doesn't mean what's being said is correct. Jake is very much a Cowboys and Mavs homer. To the point where it prejudices his views at times. Jake is greatness. But just like every host, he's not without his flaws too.

    12/31/851 Where did you hear this rumor? I don't see how Donnie was left off of the Ticketstock 20th anniversary song. If it was a mistake, it was a helluva mistake, but one easily fixed. It wasn't fixed though. So I have to think it was done on purpose. I believe Donnie was on the final Cowboy post game show. That doesn't mean much, though. If his contract wass up at the end of the year, that last post game show would've fallen under the umbrella. Besides, Donnie doesn't seem like an f it I'm outta here so why fulfill my duties to the end kind of guy. Also there's the fact that for the first time ever he wasn't a major dry dock fill in player. He didn't fill in once. I have to think that RW would've known about this in some capacity and would've teased something about a Ticket host potentially leaving if there was something afoot. Then again, RW did tease that a local host would be moving to a different gig/station. Maybe Donnie's getting his own 103.3 (now under the Cumulus branch here in Dallas) show and will no longer be a Ticket employee proper/co host of BaD? Perhaps that's the move RW referred to a week or so ago? And then again, if so, and seeing how RW operates, I'd think he'd be teasing the item to high heaven (especially with today being 1/1/14) in order to drum up some paywall biz. Whatever is going on, it seems funny. If Donnie isn't going anywhere/has no contract issue, then why was he left out of the lyrics? He's a weekday, full fledged co host of a show, not a JVer or a purely weekend host. If there's nothing to this, then what does it say about the CTO's (Cat and Rich included) feelings about Donnie/Donnie's value to Cumulus? I just can't believe that they absentmindedly forgot to include his name in the song. (Which means so did Gordon, George, and whoever else was involved in writing it--all of them had to collectively leave out Donnie "on accident.") More so, I can't believe they'd omit Donnie's name and NOT see how they screwed up and NOT go and immediately fix it if it weren't purposely done. Something ain't right. And again, if it is all an egregious mistake, one made by every party involved and one that went unnoticed after the umpteenth time of playing it by every party involved......then what does that say about Donnie's value and standing? Something ain't right, folks.

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  13. I do not believe Donnie is going anywhere. He was on vacation just like everyone else was. Yes, he did the post game show and also did several live appearances while on vacation.

    All RW does is throw stuff out there to get people to look at that abortion he calls a blog. Yes, he made reference to a new sports station starting up at the first of the year and a local host moving over there-hell, this could be any one of a number of the fired spares at RW's former gig. I doubt it is RW as he would be bragging to high hell about getting a gig. Maybe Grandpa Urine?

    If Donnie quits being on the air with BaD, then we will know he is gone.

    By the way, I just don't get all of the vitriol towards Sean Bass. He doesn't bother me in the least, and I think he does a fine job.

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  14. My thanks to 258 and Big Jim Jack for sticking up for Sean Bass. I don't know where all the Sean criticism is coming from. In the past we've seen criticism that he is dismissive of people who disagree with him, but to tell you the truth, I haven't even heard THAT to any degree I would deem unusual for a guy who has opinions he thinks are right.

    Jake and Sean strike me as equal partners on The Shake Joint, and equally good. I could listen to that show on a regular basis (and did, some, during Drydock). So I just don't have a feel for people's problems with Sean. I'm wondering if there isn't some special pleading here, or maybe some P1's have had some specific negative experience with him. If so, I haven't heard about it.

    While we're on the subject: Aaron A. and others, why is Bob Sturm a douche? He's one of the treasures of the station. Sure, has an idiosyncrasy or two, but that's why The Ticket's The Ticket. And he's aware of his reputation as as Sports Bully and just a bit on the thin-skinned side, and he acknowledges it in a humorous way from time to time.

    So, instead of name-calling, if you have an issue with a host, you know we're pleased to air it if it's respectfully offered. Thanks.

    I have wondered whether we might see one of these JV shows counterprogrammed on ESPN, although it seems extremely unlikely. Or maybe the Ticket Chick show or some version of it that doesn't feature chicks identifiable as Ticket Chicks. I can't see Donnie being banished to that fever swamp.

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  15. I vote for a jenhatesfun + tweetkatylou show.

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  16. So what, then, do you make of Donnie being left out of the song that will go down for posterity as the official commemoration of The Ticket's 20th Anniversary? Donnie IS a weekday host. He IS a part of the "D" in BaD Radio. Hell, we've been told as much by the same (very dated) promo for almost 5 years (has it been longer?). So him being left off has to mean something. Either he's not considered a part of the Varsity (but rather a peripheral to it) or he is but the CTO (and the other hosts I would imagine would feel the same) deems him not to have been around long enough to warrant being included in such a monumental moment in the station's history, or he's out of there (or at least was or was likely to be at the time of recording). And there's the mistake angle, which, as I said in my other post, is so ridiculous that it's almost an impossibility. No matter how you come at it, something reeks here.

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  17. As a preemptive answer to the "oh you're just rumor mongering, you foiled antennae wearing conspiracy theorist" I say this: Your beer league softball team wins the championship. A group photo is taken. You've been on the team all season long, played every game, contributed, the whole nine yards. The photo comes back and you, who sat in the center of the first row for the photo, has been photoshopped out. Do you think to yourself "this means nothing, it was merely a mistake"? Of course you don't. Of course it means something. It wasn't a mistake. Such a thing is purposely done.

    It doesn't mean that Donnie is gone. It can mean a lot of things. But one thing is for sure, whatever it means, it isn't positive for Donnie. At least not in my opinion. And I think it sucks. I hope there's no trouble or that he hasn't moved on (however it came about). I've come to enjoy his work. Took me several years to get there, but now that I'm there, I'd hate to see him either go or thought of as less than equal to any other daytime host. Personally I can't see anyone at The Ticket treating or thinking of him as such, so my best guess is that something is up contract wise. To the point that he was left off the song. Okay. I'm done. I guess we'll see tomorrow. . . . . . . .

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  18. Maybe this will shed some light on Donnie's status.

    From Bob's Twitter:

    Cung's Majors Pool ‏@MajorsPool 1h
    @SportsSturm Well done sir. Didn't think I'd run into a Porno for Pyros reference today. Skating a full strength tomorrow?


    Bob Sturm ‏@SportsSturm 1h
    @MajorsPool yes



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  19. Full strength can mean Bob and Dan. Besides, I can't imagine that if there is something going on with Donnie that Bob would say so to some dude on Twitter.

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  20. I recognize that you could be correct and interpreting these potential signs and signals accurately, but my personal opinion is that you are making much out of very little. Again, we'll find out tomorrow, but I just don't see it.

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  21. Perhaps, but I just don't see how anyone can say that leaving a regular weekday host out of a time-capsule-esque-this is an important part of the history of The Ticket "artifact" is a very little thing? I'm only guessing at what it might mean. The only thing I'm claiming is that no matter what it means, it isn't positive. If you or anyone can make the opposing argument, by all means go for it. I'd love to hear it. Love to be convinced otherwise. My little brain isn't capable of seeing how this is totally inconsequential. This just doesn't "happen" in businesses like this one.

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  22. For what it's worth, I heard that promo MANY times before I went into personal drydock and never noticed that Donnie wasn't mentioned until I saw you wonderful people say something about it.

    But I also freely admit that after a while it kind of turns into white noise for me.

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  23. @722 Yes, it is curious that Donovan is not mentioned in the Ticket Stock song. Donovan is a host, but is he considered a part of BaD Radio proper, or is he more like Corby was prior to Greggo's firing? Corby was a part of The Hardline, but he wasn't Hardline, proper. See the difference? I have to think that this is what's going on with the song in question. As you wrote in one of your earlier comments, if there was some scuttlebutt about Donovan or any Ticket personnel leaving, Richie Whitt would have been all over it in hopes to garner a larger, paying readership. I will admit that you make some interesting observations. After all, the promo that has been played for a few years now says to the effect "Now there are two 'D's' in BaD Radio: Dan and Donnie." Perhaps that answers the question I posed above? Perhaps. I also find it curious that such a tailor made My Ticket Confession topic has scantly been addressed by The Plainsman. This, I would think, is the very sort of speculation that he would find most inviting. Yet he says nothing more than a scant line about Donovan not being ESPN fodder. What, with his recent and past communications with Cat and other Cumulus employees, could it be that The Plainsman has obtained certain knowledge that he would rather not give out - or was asked not to discuss?

    One more item. I e-mailed Cat my thoughts on Ladies Be Trippin'. When and if I do hear back from him, I will share both my e-mail and his response.

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  24. I don't make much out of subtle hints, mainly because I am privy to no inside information and do not know any station employees. Still, you could be on to something. We'll see. Rather than a counter, here a couple of thoughts.

    Returning from breaks, Dan routinely reminds the listener that they are listening to 'your friends, Bob and Dan and their friend, Donovan'. Both Bob and Dan refer to the show by their names only. I like Donny, but he still seems like a plus one to BaD - not a host.

    I think it was last spring that George and Craig began to reference Gordo as a Muser rather than adding 'and the Great Gordo' on to the end of their signatures. They often now offer up the clunky 'Dunham, Miller and Keith'.

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  25. Thanks for the thoughts, JAP1. You are correct in what you say about BaD. But as TS (and as I did earlier) the long playing and played out promo for Donnie's joining BaD paints a different picture. When you see a promo picture for BaD all three are in the photo. Same goes with The Musers (from their onset, not just post D, M, & K), and there's never been any doubt that Gordon is a host. We can both agree that we'll most likely have the answer tomorrow. Something tells me that this thread is going to be referenced to/the topic addressed no matter what the story is.

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  26. When did Corby come into the Hardline mix? When did Donnie become part of BaD?

    Could it be Donnie isn't mentioned because he wasn't part of the formative years of the station?

    Just a thought.

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  27. Ok. Ok. Ok. Long time since I last made a comment, but I've been following the comboxes regularly. This is an intriguing thread, indeed. Seems like there could be some bite to it. If so, the anon who kicked it off ought to be given full credit. If not, then banned. Kidding.

    I think a mountain is being made out of a molehill. IMO one of two things is at play. 1. It was a mistake that no one picked up on and if so no one cares because it's just a promo song that will be erased or lost sometime down the road anyhow. Or 2. Donnie isn't considered part of BaD proper; and so, he wasn't included in the lyrics. If Donnie was a member of BaD proper, then why does he do as many promos and fill ins as any run of the mill JV? You don't see Corby or Dan at The Men's Club or the Exxon in Mansfield from 6:30 - 8:00 4 nights a week. Once in a blue moon, yes, but not consistently. Donnie does. Just like Tom and Ty do. He does things that the other main weekday hosts don't. Leads me to believe that he's not part of BaD proper. Which makes sense why he wouldn't be in that awful song.

    Ladies Be Trippin' I be not listening to. Heard the mix with Sports Saturday and couldn't stomach the fight. Don't get it. Maybe Cat's getting a new wife or something else out of it?

    Here's to wishing for a HL 2014 reboot. It needs it, badly. Stale. Stale. Stale. Stale. Never thought I'd say this, but I got my fill of Danny over 2013. He's great in doses, interjecting HSOs here and there. But there's a reason he's not a host. Orphanage doesn't count as a show. Hour and fifteen once a month isn't hosting a show, it's killing time.

    Sean Bass is greatness. Jake is almost greatness, but not quite there yet. He will be as soon as he drops that goofy faux Brooklyn accent that he puts on from time to time. You're from Tarrant Co, bud, not Bensonhurst. Eventually someone in the biz who he'll listen to will clue him in on this one. Shakejoint is excellent and only getting better.

    Looking so fn forward to hearing those Musers gently do their thing in the early am hours tomorrow.

    Here's to another year of The Ticket and MTC. Happy New Year, all y'all!

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  28. Neither was Bob nor Dan, for that matter, Gopher.

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  29. Wow. I get in trouble when I speculate, and when I don't. A few observations:

    I only hear from Cat when he has something to which he wants to respond, which isn't often. When he does, I ask his permission to pass it on, and if he's OK with it, I do.

    I don't have any pipeline to any other CTO. I have no inside information about Donovan.

    It is well documented that I am a very bad P1 generally, but if someone were to ask me if all hosts were mentioned in all TicketStock promo songs, I would say -- nah. Of course, I can't remember any of them except the Chocolate Rain one and I don't remember its lyrics. Is it in fact the case that all hosts including Donovan get a mention in each TicketStock promo?

    Speaking of being a bad P1, I hadn't noticed whether the station is still running the long-running "double D" promo. Is it?

    Of all of the evidence leading to the Donovan speculation, the one of greatest interest is that the one where Cung's Majors Pool asks Bob if he's (they're) "skating a full strength tomorrow" and Bob says "yes." The question suggests someone is thinking they might not be, and the answer suggests that whatever led to that thinking has been resolved. My speculation is that Donovan's contract was up and he was in the middle of getting another one done, and it got done, and it will be bidness as usual tomorrow, but during that period of uncertainty his role at the station was not publicized. Just guessing here.

    Wonder if Cung was reading these comments. Is this a topic elsewhere on the Internets?

    Also: Unless Donovan has a killer, unmatchable offer elsewhere -- not a crazy idea by any means (see http://myticketconfession.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-will-create-first-black-ticket.html), the CTO would be unlikely to allow its sole black voice, and a pretty popular one, to escape.

    If I hear anything, I'll let you know.

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  30. I want to say that RW mentioned the whole Donnie thing in one of his stories during that whole BAD contract situation. He mentioned that Donnie's contract was up at the end of the year and that it would be interesting what they would do with his contract.

    Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

    I'd really hate to see Donnie not part of the show. IMO, Sturm comes across like a "know it all" "I'm right, you're not" .. same with some of the JV'ers. Sturms long winded questions kill me.

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  31. Good call on Donovan's contract. Soooo glad RW didn't apply his paywall to old posts (just kidding).

    http://www.dfwsportatorium.com/2013/06/breaking-news-bad-radio-on-verge-of.html

    "Meanwhile at The Ticket, I hear they'd be replaced Monday by a list of candidates including Rich Phillips and Donovan Lewis, the third member of BaD Radio whose contract isn't up until January."


    Plainsman: I wasn't at all referring to you in regard to having inside information - if that is what you are implying. I was only trying to explain to the Anon that I am not making much out of the song leaving out Donovan.

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  32. I think The Plainsman was referring to me regarding the having and/or withholding information. I made mention of his dealings with Cat in my last comment.

    The more I think about it, which is admittedly not that much but enough to make now two comments on, I'm not sure if the contract issue and the song are merely coincidental. Though I will say that it's quite a coincidence.

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  33. Gopher, I'll tell you when Corby came into the mix......WAY TOO SOON!!!

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  34. Apparently there's some sort of P1 email distribution list, and this got sent out:

    "All of your favorite Ticket guys have finished up their holiday vacations and are back in place with piping hot HSO’s.

    5:30-10am: Dunham and Miller and Gordo
    10am-12noon: Norm Hitzges
    12-3pm: BaD Radio with Donnie Doo
    3-7pm: The Hardline"


    with this pic included:

    https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/JPRr_ZXgi8Usx2PBmq4S0RDIsW9pNIrokmlfYS3M4WLMdj2HY6gtSt1f9GMMkMHkglgzWANnYRFfJ8LvNBhy98SQI81Uyk7PsGee21H0osOWFCDh67Q=s0-d-e1-ft#http://contentz.mkt51.net/ra/2013/19759/12/7676279/images_Al.jpg

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  35. Sorry, here's a pic link that should work

    http://contentz.mkt51.net/ra/2013/19759/12/7676279/images_Al.jpg

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  36. Am I hearing those James Roman come-work-for-i93 ads correctly that (1) radio sales experience is preferred, but it's OK if you have experience in (2) healthcare recruiting or financial services? What kind of gig is that?

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  37. It gives you a glimpse into just how far reaching and permeating the new health care law is. Nothing will be untouched by it, and that was the whole point of it in the first place.

    As to Donnie: Nice detective work, Shaggy. I think you've answered the question. Donnie is a BaD plus one, not a co-host. Thus it makes perfect sense why the Ticketstock song wouldn't include his name.

    Happy New Year, Confessors.

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  38. Am I hearing those James Roman come-work-for-i93 ads correctly that (1) radio sales experience is preferred, but it's OK if you have experience in (2) healthcare recruiting or financial services? What kind of gig is that?

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  39. They need people that will bang the phones. By calling out recruiting and financial services, they are expanding their cast net to others that make a lot of cold calls.

    Not sure how this goes back to Obamacare, but I suppose it looks like a nail to those with a hammer.

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  40. I think Donovan not being in the song may have just been precautionary, as they didn't want him included if his contract hadn't been renewed. As for his role on the show influencing whether he was included--Cat and Rich Phillips were included, though perhaps only because it was an animal-themed spot (Cat and Duck).

    Also, if you look at the Ticket Website, it describes The Musers the same way as Bad describes Donovan:

    The Musers: Dunham and Miller with Gordon Keith

    BaD Radio: Bob Sturm and Dan McDowell with Donovan Lewis

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  41. It sounds like they got rid of Donovan and replaced him with someone who sounds just like him.

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  42. It is AMAZING how much conjecture goes into something as simple as a third wheel being left off a schticky promo. Granted, that's the genius of the ticket, they've got you guys hooked. Anyhoo, I can tell you that Cat didn't think twice about not including Donnie in that promo. The fact his contract was up, and he was left off the song, and on vacation, are all individual circumstances that have brewed into a buttf*** for you guys to quack about.

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  43. It didn't take Corby long to become an insufferable douche.

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  44. Again, Gavin, (we know who you are, 1258) why do you spend your breaks commenting on a blog that has nothing to do with either you or your station? So sad.

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  45. I never claimed that Donnie was gone, I only wondered aloud. I also said, probably too many times, that no matter what the reason he wasn't included in the song, it isn't a positive thing. Before I say this next tidbit, I want to preempt it by making it known that I like Donnie and I've come to enjoy his work. But look, ever since the first day he was sort of one day dumped on Bob and Dan like a young mother abandoning her baby on a stranger's door step (it came off that way to most listeners and both B and D have said as much themselves), The Ticket, and all that it entails, has gone out of its way (and has so for years now) to let everyone know that Donnie is every bit the BaD host as either Dan or Bob is; that he is every bit a part of what makes The Ticket great as every other player. He has not been portrayed as a plus one; he has not been portrayed as a JV; and he has not been portrayed as a yuck monkey. Donnie has been named a co host of BaD. "Now BaD has double d's, Dan and Donovan" is how the still to this day played promo, not "and now with yuck monkey, Donnie Doo" or something along those lines. He is included in every major trip. Bob and Dan don't go to the Super Bowl without Donnie. You know who has? THL sans Danny. Why? Danny isn't a host.

    So 1/2/1228, if what you claim is correct, then you make my point about how Donnie is actually viewed. The difference between how we the listener has been made to see him (a part of BaD proper) by virtue of The Ticket's years on end campaign for us to see him in such a light, and the indifference of Cat (that is if you know what you speak of, which I do question) is not a good thing, on any level. You seem to have missed the boat on the point of the thread, by the way. But seeing how you appear to be someone who dislikes this site and its commenters, and yet you keep commenting yourself, well let's just say logic, and by extension being a close reader, doesn't seem to be your "forte."

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  46. Gents, whether Donnie is or isn't a co-equal host, or perceived as such by the CTO, or by Bob and Dan, or by the P1, or by himself, isn't much of a topic, certainly not worth getting exercised and all personally-insulting and deleted about.

    Let's move on to something of more importance, if there is any such thing in the universe.

    We're just glad he's back, right?

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  47. Whatever the internal politics, if there are any on this matter, I'm glad everyone is back from dry dock. TSJ filled in admirably. As did Rhads, Rich, Doocy, CdS, et al.

    The only gripe I'll make is about Corby. Not Corby himself, but rather those who constantly, daily, almost hourly, make some negative comment about Corby. There's a difference between making a criticism and merely flapping your gums just because you can. Corby does deserve criticism at times. But more often than not he delivers solid sports and guy talk. It seems like the Corby haters are a small but extremely vocal group. If the hundreds of negative comments posted here were a true indicator of how the majority of the P1 felt, I think you'd see at the very least a bit of a modification in Corby's presentation and attitude. We haven't. THL's ratings have never been stronger. 2013 was a banner year for that show in that regard. I can't imagine 2014 being any different. Point being, the vast majority of listeners embrace and dig what Corby does. The ratings, the Snake chants at events, etc., say it all, and they say it in a much louder and more meaningful way than the small but fierce hater camp.

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    Replies
    1. I agree with what Anon 8:12 says. Most embrace him, my goodness the guy has 43k twitter followers.

      Delete
  48. I usually punch out when corky starts blabbering about his off-hours frat-boy endeavors, but I happened to get distracted and left him on in the background today. It's good to know Larry Lacewell drunk-dials corky while he's flying shotgun in Barry's Cessna to taste-test the 2013 vintage at the Switzer family vineyard. Corky is the kind of guy who wears a t-shirt with his own face on it.

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  49. "But look, ever since the first day he was sort of one day dumped on Bob and Dan like a young mother abandoning her baby on a stranger's door step (it came off that way to most listeners and both B and D have said as much themselves), The Ticket, and all that it entails, has gone out of its way (and has so for years now) to let everyone know that Donnie is every bit the BaD host as either Dan or Bob is; that he is every bit a part of what makes The Ticket great as every other player. He has not been portrayed as a plus one; he has not been portrayed as a JV; and he has not been portrayed as a yuck monkey. Donnie has been named a co host of BaD. "Now BaD has double d's, Dan and Donovan" is how the still to this day played promo, not "and now with yuck monkey, Donnie Doo" or something along those lines. He is included in every major trip. Bob and Dan don't go to the Super Bowl without Donnie. You know who has? THL sans Danny. Why? Danny isn't a host. "


    Oh really? You might want to consult the BaD Radio page at theticket.com:

    "Donovan Lewis
    Donovan is the show's "Yuk-Monkey" in the Ticket lexicon, and delivers the show's opening punchline. He transferred to "The Ticket" in 2006 after working for sister station KDBN "93.3 The Bone", where he was known as "The Bone Brotha." He is known to his audience on "The Ticket" as "The Great Donovan," "Donnie-Doo", or "Stink". A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Donnie has several regular segments, including Daily Donovan, where he visits a variety of sports and sports-related topics, Ask a Black Guy, and Ghetto Jeopardy."

    By the way, just because a guy is a yuk monkey doesn't mean they're not a vital part of the show or that they don't go on road trips. Corby was the Hardline yuk monkey when Greggo was still there, and they always traveled together. And Gordon is the Musers, yuk monkey, and also always travels with them.

    So yes, Donovan is the BaD Radio yuk monkey. (no racist)

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  50. "Uncle." Good work, Shaggy. I can't argue with that evidence. Donnie's the BaD yuk monkey. The only thing I will say is that The Ticket sure is confused in how it wants the listener to perceive Donnie. On one hand they imply he's a host (long playing and way past due promo), and on the other he's dubbed a yuk monkey on the BaD page found on the station website.

    I will now go and make myself a warm glass of shut the hell up, thank you very much.

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  51. I remember Corby getting booed at a few functions back in the day. There was some clown standing close to us at some Ticket event that would scream You suck Davidson! It was pretty funny actually.

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  52. If I'm looking for engaging sports talk, I turn on bad. If I'm looking for hilarious guy oriented banter, I'll turn on one of the corby driven segments of thl. Corby is hands down the biggest reason I've stayed a p1 over all these years. Without him I wouldn't listen half as much as I do.

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  53. I follow several Ticket hosts (and whatever you want to call the non-hosts) on Twitter but Corby isn't one of them.

    I'm sure his tales of the Sugar Bowl will be can't miss radio.

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  54. @427
    I really don't think you know who I am, and my name is definitely not Gavin. I would make my name public if I thought everyone here could be mature about it, but I don't. I come here because I grew up with the Ticket. I loved the ticket every bit as much as you guys do now. Nothing KTCK has done has made me turn away. I just found something newer and fresher, and that speaks more to my demo. I come here because I find it fascinating how die-hard KTCK has molded you all. This site's function speaks more to the station than it does it's own operator or contributers. I wish all the bigs in the metro had a place like this, but none of them have the power of the little one. I frequently offer real, insider views, but it's usually met with yawns. I should expect this, since I remain anonymous and call BS on a lot of your theories. I'll view from afar from here on out.

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  55. Well, whaddya know - they redid the Ticketstock jingle, and it's now tolerable! Let's see if you agree when you hear it.

    FWIF, I was listening for a mention of Donnie this time around, but didn't hear one.

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  56. I heard a portion. of it. It had some "fakes" like Michael Irvin singing it. Good stuff.

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  57. Good Lord, 10:58 (Jan. 3), get over yourself.

    By all means, please do "view from afar."

    I swear, some people. . . . .

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  58. Oh, OK, 1058 - aka Mr. Mature Insider Who Deigns To Grace Us With His Presence. This IS your handiwork:

    " Anonymous said...
    It is AMAZING how much conjecture goes into something as simple as a third wheel being left off a schticky promo. Granted, that's the genius of the ticket, they've got you guys hooked. Anyhoo, I can tell you that Cat didn't think twice about not including Donnie in that promo. The fact his contract was up, and he was left off the song, and on vacation, are all individual circumstances that have brewed into a buttf*** for you guys to quack about."
    January 2, 2014 at 12:58 PM


    OK, voice of maturity.

    With the very few exceptions of a couple of on again/of again trolls and the every now and again testy back and forth, this site, when compared to the rest of the combox world, is absolutely mature, respectful, and often insightful. Speculation in of itself is neither immature nor irresponsible. It only becomes as such when it is done so for negative purposes, and when it is totally unfounded. Guess what? I was wrong (h/t to Shaggy), admitted it, and moved on. That's how things on the whole are done here at MTC. It's why we come here.

    Plus 1 what YOKO YOLO said.

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  59. HAHAHAHA too funny! Do you know who I am???? Well I'm not gonna tell you!!!!!! Well played insider dude. NOT.

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  60. Anyone know why THL ended early today? I am hearing Rotten Radio at 6:23 PM.

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  61. It's supposed to be the Cotton Bowl.

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  62. Maybe Corby had to get to Jerryworld before kickoff.

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  63. Count me amongst the people who listens to THL more now that Corby is a host. There does seem to be a small yet vocal group of Corby haters. It seems to me that it's a lot of D1P1's who still hold Corby responsible for the Greggo thing. Which is funny because Greggo has proven in the past few years that he was responsible for his own undoing. I like Corby's non-sports travel stories. Are they a little name-droppery? Sure. But (unlike some of Greggo's tall tales about his baseball playing days) they are all true. Would I like to be chauffeured to a game by Barry Switzer? Yeah. But that's not going to happen so I do enjoy hearing stories about it. The ratings tell the tale. THL is still the king of their time slot so it's hard for me to believe I'm the only one who isn't completely anti-Snake.

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  64. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  65. "This comment has been removed by a blog administrator."
    Ooh somebody got a smackdown from the Pman. At 334A no less. There is a greater than zero chance that booze was involved.

    For all the speculations I still think Donnie Do is not going anywhere. Did anybody else hear him talk about the move from The Bone to the Ticket when he was on with Norm? I had never heard the full tale. Everybody was getting the axe and he gets moved to BaD. I wonder if Big Dan Bennett was responsible for that decision. I consider it a good one. I don't always agree with him, but I do appreciate his presence on the show.

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  66. Have yall seen this other Ticket blog?

    http://ap1wasteland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  67. Welcome, P1 Wasteland.

    About frackin' time.

    May you thrive and grow.

    And last longer than that other Ticket blog, the name of which escapes me right now.

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  68. Anon 12:24a

    I disagree with your assessment of the snake, I for one don't like him on-air because he is never prepared and more often than not throws out a random opinion as fact. When someone dares call him on it, he over talks and bullies them into submission.
    Corby and Danny are lazy, they do not prepare and they sound as though show prep consists of a quick perusal of the internet for whatever headlines exist that day.

    Most of the "small but vocal" Corby haters are D1P1's that remember Corby when actually did prep, and added something besides blowhard to the presentation. As good as Greggo once was, I don't think anyone sees him and his troubles for anything less than his own fault due to his personal weaknesses. To suggest that a Corby hater is "holding" Greggo's departure against him is just blind and wrong.

    All that visit this blog do so because of a love for the little Ticket, and an ownership that we all feel having been with the boys since day 1.

    The biggest negative effect on Corby is Danny. Together they personify one huge Dallas doucher. They are both way to cool for just about anything except the trendiest of things that no one has ever heard of.

    Try listening to THL and actually get a modicum of actual sports talk out of the show...you can't...they can't speak of anything as if they care because they are just too cool for it all.

    Corby was really good a long time ago, now he is a caricature of the snake. I understand that some folks actually like that, but those of us that love the Ticket for what it is suppose to be do not share that opinion.

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  69. The 'This Day In Ticket History' segments within the Tickers are pretty cool. Though today's (2007) sort of threw me for a loop. I can't believe that it'll be 7 years, this year, since GW was told to leave the mothership. 7 years. Damn. Through it all, at the end of the day, he's at heart in the same place he was back then. I know we've gone over this ground a million times, but still, what a sad sad tale. I still stop by his Twitter feed every now and again. Had no idea he has two adult children (son and daughter). They were never so much as once even hinted about during his tenure with THL or RaGE. I have a feeling there's a lot we don't know about GW. And a lot we thin we know but don't. A whole lot. On both sides of that coin. So we're fast approaching the 20 year mark. I'd like to say that it seems like yesterday when me and my buddy, both in our mid-20s at the time, sat in our respective apartments off lower Greenville listening to the loop all night while calling each other to work out in our heads what the station was going to be like. All we knew is that Skip Bayless was anchoring the thing. Then bang! he broke through the airwaves and the rest is history. Again, I'd like to say it seems like only yesterday, but it doesn't. While it's hard to get my head around 20 years, it does seem like it's been a long time. Now in my mid-40s, when I look back on my life and plot out its course with The Ticket, well, it's hodgepodge of great, not so great, bittersweet, and unexpected memories and paths taken. Done so right along with DnM and THL. Yes, BaD and Norm are a part of it (a very important part), but it's those two shows that were there with me, my buddy, and all the rest of us real deal D1P1s from the get-go and still are.

    It's true, The Ticket will never truly be The Little Ticket like it once was. It hasn't been for a long while now. That's okay. If it didn't grow out of that phase, it wouldn't be around today. Instead it would've merely been a few years of greatness that far too few never got to experience. I'll take that tradeoff. I love The Ticket. Here's to many more years of DnM, Norm, BaD, and THL.

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  70. @anom12:24...I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I, as maybe other D1P1's might think, am part of the faction that was NEVER onboard with Corby joining the show. I remember when it was announced that Corby would a part of the show [about 1999,maybe 2000] there was a HUGE uproar that continued for days. All the "he drags the show down, he kills the chemistry" call-in's and e-mails! I could not have agreed more! I remember Rhyner sayin "lets just sit back, cool down, and give this a chance" I personally believe Corby did in fact interfere with the great chemistry, along with the interest of Greggo, of a great, fun show.

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  71. Jeez slinky, we get it--you don't like Corby. Seriously, you post in about every other thread and it's always to take shots (A SHOT?!) at
    Corra.

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  72. Personally, I resist change. But if it is for the good, I can grow to embrace it.

    Many of us have been listening for 'pert near 20 years. 20 f'ing years! Damn.

    Some have changed wives in that span. But the dial is still set to 1310.

    Based upon my day part (drive time, some midday) listening, I found the holiday/dry dock programming to be damn good.

    Upon the return of the A team, it was comforting to hear the usual voices in the usual places, but honestly The Ticket! would not have lost a listener if the stalwarts hadn't come back. Honestly.

    I also realized that I didn't miss Gordon that much. While he is bright, and makes me laugh often, he really does play the part of a jerk.

    I won't punch out. Where could I go?

    Tried KRLD on the drive home but CBS what in the hell are
    Vocal Fry Tasha Stevens and Creep Talking Chris Sommer doing? This is major market radio?

    Stay hard. The opinions are my own.

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  73. One question about BaD in NYC today. Were they broadcasting from the mens bathroom? While very clean and clear there was a slight reverb in the audio and Jake's feed had an echo in it.

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  74. @mr les white
    Right there with you on Gordo. Used to couldn't wait for the latest bit. Used to cry laughing at Ribby's sports songs. Ditto with just about everything he did. Now when he gets that hushed soft tone of voice going so he can show his more thoughtful side, I turn on Sirius. Also there with you on dry dock. The JV has the goods. Only show I missed was BAD.

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  75. Shaggy...I promise, that's my last comment on Corby.

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  76. I'm sure there are some out there that raise their lighters over Dr. Carlton Maxwell, but I think it's a bit that has run its course.

    Time for another character purge, buddy.

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  77. Quick note: Thanks for some good comments above.

    Sorry posts have been fewer and further between lately. Holidays plus a promotion out here on the plains have taken time away from the old Kaypro.

    I expect to have a new post up in the next couple of days with a "Ticket history" theme to get with the celebratory program. Thanks to all Confessors for your patience.

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  78. Plainsman:
    As the 20th anniversary nears, the station is doing a lot to remember significant events in its history. It's my view that the public celebration of this anniversary would be incomplete without an appearance from all the significant contributors to the station's history, and that includes Greggo, Skip Bayless, Rocco, Cooperstein, Chris Arnold, and the Sports Princess. To leave them out would be like inducting Guns n Roses into the R&R Hall of Fame without Axl. It can be done, but it leaves everyone present with an incomplete feeling.
    If MLB can put aside Pete Rose's ban for a night and let him onto the field, seems to me the Little One can acknowledge its history by doing the same.
    What say you? I hope this topic makes it into your next post.

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  79. James.... I agree with you that it would be neat if certain persons were invited to the anniversary. However..... Skip has been asked to participate in Ticket things in the past and refuses to do so. He basically acts as if he never had a thing to do with the station. So he's out. Rocco was not a significant contributor, same goes with the Sports Princess. Both are amusing (and in Rocco's case a bit sad) characters that were on for only a couple of years. But it wouldn't surprise me if either or both made an appearance. Specially Rocco, as he's gone through several major personality, life direction, and career changes since his very personal and verbally violent tenure and departure from The Ticket. I think he's made peace with most everyone. He and Gordo, I believe, are friends. He and his nemesis, Rhynes, again, I believe, even came to some sort of accord (might be wrong, though). I'm sure Kate Delaney (Sports Princess) would jump at the chance. But I doubt she'll be invited. She was a very minor player who was mostly on nights/weekends in the very early days. Kurt Menefee was one of the original cadre of hosts. I bet he makes an appearance. Chris Arnold MIGHT, as he's still friends with everyone, but he does work for a competitor. His bosses might frown upon it. Coop will be there for sure. To this day Rhyner wishes he was still a part of the crew. Besides, now that KESN is managed by Cumulus, it should be a no-brainer. Of course the elephant in the room is Greggo. Barring some back-channel negotiations between Rhyner, management, and Greggo (also meaning a meeting of the minds between Rhynes and Greggo, which from what I hear will most likely never happen due to Rhynes' being "done with that dude for good"), I can't see it coming to fruition. Yes it would be fitting. But yes, it also might turn out to be a very sad reunion, and on several different levels. As great as it might be in theory, it might also be the ruination of the anniversary. And let's be honest, it seems that most everything Greggo comes into contact with ends up much worse for the wear, for all parties involved. I think The Ticket acknowledges Greggo and most everyone else who helped to make it what it's become via drops, mentions of names, etc...

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  80. For whatever it's worth, during Christmas break Cat was on one of the shows killing time taking questions from callers. One caller asked if Greggo would be asked back to Ticketstock, and he said it was something that "has been discussed..."
    As a day 1 P1, I think it would be kinda neat and nostalgic to see Greggo back again. I know he's trouble and makes a mess of everything he touches, but it might be a chance for closure to the situation.
    I would just be afraid he would embarrass himself, since we all know he desperately wants back on the ticket.

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  81. As one who has always had a soft spot for the hammer, and one who has seen drug abuse permanently change the personalities of a few close friends throughout the years, I would hope greggo wouldn't accept an invite to such an event. Being with his old crew and sparking up a ton of emotions relating to regret and self loathing would more than likely just hurt him and remind what an amazing gig he lost in the first place. Closure comes from within, and at this point if he doesn't have it, he may not ever achieve it. An invite would be a very classy thing of rhines to extend (and make no mistake, the decision would 100% be his call) but I hope the hammer would politely decline and make some serious steps forward of getting his psyche good and healthy. Or at least as healthy as it was, once upon a time.

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  82. I saw a post on the Facebook page for Ticket P1's about the Friday night of Ticketstock starting at 7 they will have a "pulling back the curtain". This will be for off air discussion only and they will be discussing things that have happened over the years that they just can't talk about on the air. I plan on being there when the doors open at 12 on Friday and will be around for that the unfold. Anyone else who patrols these halls gonna be there?

    On the way home from work today, THL was doing a CQH segment and were discussing a 2-year old child that was actually on the streets accidentally at 2:15 this morning. Of course this happened around the intersection of Hatcher and Scheyne Roads in South Dallas so that's all it took to get the racism out of Corby and Danny. Of course this gets Rhyner engaged, although Corby's the worst of them, which eggs on Danny and then Rhyner usually tries to contribute and do scene control to whatever situation they seem to gravitate to. This is probably one of the top two reasons why I can't stand the cobra. He is a racist human being. The other being his elitism over others. It's all in how he was raised, but that's no excuse. I know the ratings show they would never need to do anything to any of the lineups, but I would LOVE to see THL split up into any other lineups besides the morning show. I've probably wrote in this confines before about this so I won't go into much detail, but I would be a much more excited listener know that Danny and Mike make for better listens when they're out of their element. At least the stale element that their currently in. Sorry for the downer comments. Bring on a Ticketstock / past revision thread. That will bring some good comments, of which I'm looking forward to reading.

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  83. Geez-a-lou, the sensitivity around here regarding the "racism" of thl is unbelievable. I've been a drive time p1 since the early 00's and today's cqh was no different than most any other. You're tuning in to a station that's sole purpose, when not talking sports, is to provide laughs with banter by well known and trusted personalities.
    Not that it means much, but as someone who grew up on scyene just a few blocks from hatcher, the story was very much par for the course of the area and the ridiculousness of the reality there is not something to shy away from just because it is inhabited predominantly by African Americans. Corby and Danny have no quarrels poking fun at stories involving white middle or lower class folk. You'll hear jabs at country music and redneck impressions just as much as guys named "Ladarius"...

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  84. T4
    I'm with you on the sort of soft racism that goes on with Corby, Danny, and Gordo. Though Gordo has toned it down over the years when compared to the way he once was. There's a difference, 9:58, between not being kowtowed into PC bulsh and telling it like it is, even if it means pointing out that yeah stereotypes are there for a reason---and using a situation to gratuitously play the part of the funny oh you know I don't mean it because I'm progressive but somehow I find myself doing it all the time racism for comedic effect guy. A big difference. If you and others can't see that, can't tell the difference, then that's your problem. Their year in and year out partaking in such "humor" is insulting to those groups they're "imitating" and to those groups they're "telling" you how much they aren't a part of, how stupid they are. Ultimately, it's insulting to the listener.

    I can't make it to Ticketstock, but T4 and anyone else who does get to sit in on the pulling back of the curtain session, please do share with us some of the goodies.

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  85. Spot on, T4 and 1242. Spot on. When Danny and Corby start doing the "___ you can't call them THAT!" "___ don't call them the n-word!" dance as they're wont to do, a line has been crossed. It's all a part of that insipid Comedy Central Roast culture that allows for one to utter the vilest, most taboo thoughts they are capable of. All in the name of comedy. Sure. More like unimaginative filth.

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  86. Ok,I'm not commenting on Corby but more of the subject they were discussing. That being the legalizing of pot in Colorado. Im prolly in the minority here, but just don't feel this is a good idea. Talk about a Pandora's box! First off, pot is a mind altering substance. Medical purposes, that's fine. It's not enough that we have alcoholics on the streets, let's flood them with a bunch of stoner kids too! What is the legal age for it anyway? Pot is easy and cheap to grow yourself, and if not, there's plenty of friends willing to do it for you! That pretty well eliminates all the supposed tax income the government is going to earn. How about the unsupervised children exposed while the home growers may be out. Sorry Corby, I know you and Danny are super cool with your "whatever dudes" atitudes, but this is a huge mistake. Lesser penalties maybe, but keep it illegal or prescriptioned! Like I've said, we're losing all common sense in this country!

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  87. ...btw, I agree with anon 9:58! There's always been jokes about race. Try watching some old All In The Family, and The Jefferson's shows! Grow a frickin sense of humor! I crack up at Danny's redneck voice, and you don't see me bichin about it!

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  88. Didn't anybody hear the finish to the report about the toddler? When Jake said it was the same story that Dave Chappelle told? "Baby go home!" "N..trying to sell some weed here!" It's ok when Dave tells the story, but not Corby. I took it as a smh moment and not a derogatory one. But, I am white on rice so it isn't my ox being gored and yeah they skewer the dumb ass rednecks just as much as anybody else.

    I'd put better odds of the Cowboys going undefeated next year than I would a Greggo appearance at Ticketstock.

    Slinky, it is easier to get weed illegally for a kid than it is to get beer. There is no Pandora's box opened up in places where it has become illegal. Check the addiction rates to hard drugs in places like Amsterdam. Less than ours. Oh and expect the hard drinkers to drink less and not more, particularly males. Welcome to the modern world. Might as well get used to it.

    I have gotten used to Corby's self-centered ideas of music. I dismiss them entirely. Since he isn't programming my radio or Spotify his opinions count for exactly the same as my dad's concerning what goes into my ears. My dad still cannot stand Mick Jagger, will never ever recognize the greatness of Jimi and if Corby is completely ignorant of the world around him that is on him and not me.
    Congrats on the promotion Pman.

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  89. Cactus

    Who ever said it was OK when Chappelle does it?

    Drugs. Cactus, your first statement is meaningless. So what if it is easier to obtain? When I was a kid it depended on who you knew/what crowd you ran in. My friends that did use drugs had absolutely no problem, ever, getting beer. Kids that use drugs (marijuana included), in most all cases, are usually more "advanced" than their non-using peers. They know how to "make things happen." Again, so what if what you say is true? It has no bearing on the subject. It's illegal for someone underage to drink. It's illegal (in varying degrees/states/etc.) for someone underage to use marijuana. Your point is meaningless. If you intend kids are going to get high, so you might as well deal with it, then let's throw out all laws. Anarchy in the USA, I guess. Sorry, but I find that line of reasoning childish, silly, and dangerous. Human nature lends itself, on the whole, to do what pleases itself, which in many if not most cases is done at the expense of another/others (in the long or short view/intended-untinended consequences). Additionally, (you implicitly made this claim) the notion that alcohol is destructive and it's legal so why is marijuana the bad actor argument is asinine. If one thing is acknowledged as destructive and yet legal, why would anyone want to have two legal yet destructive things thrust upon society

    As to Pandora's Box: Where does one begin? I'll try to be brief-ish. My wife is Dutch (from Utrecht). We visit her family in the Netherlands at least twice per year--we've been married 12 years. If you honestly believe nothing bad has happened due to the legalization of marijuana and hashish, you either haven't spent any significant amount of time there, or you are willfully blind. Every single night, each and every park/public space throughout Amsterdam becomes a campground for the stoned and doped homeless (a chosen homelessness, by the way). They number in the thousands, during the summer months, even more. You have entire generations lost in a haze (hashish is a major player--it will be the next "cause" for the Pot Freedom Fighters" here in the US, mark my words). They do not work. They live off the dole. The Dutch government realized this early on, but once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's almost impossible to put back in. The same thing happened with prostitution. Both prostitution and legalized drug laws are being slowly, incrementally, but methodically altered by the government. The goal is to eventually have them either out and out abolished or significantly denuded (the latter being more realistic). As to the correlation between marijuana usage and harder drugs: I invite you to stroll through any park in Amsterdam in daylight. You will find syringes galore. Now does that necessarily mean there is a connection? No. Is there a probable, a likely connection? I don't think it's too far fetched to say there is.

    Also: One can abuse alcohol. One can also have a single beer or glass of wine or whiskey and sour and not be impaired. When one uses marijuana, once gets high. It is the sole reason to use it. Lastly, it is understandable that those who are college/highly educated and at least semi-well-to-do/comfortable/well-to-do socio-economically would think that the normative usage would mirror their own (or at least their own idea of it). After a hard day or week at the office, one winds down with a joint or some bong hits; no driving; no "gateways" to harder drugs being opened; nothing but a responsible citizen relaxing in the way s/he chooses, not infringing on another's rights, etc.. The problem is, this projection on to the vast majority of society does not, in any way whatsoever, comport with reality. That is not the way in which marijuana is used. The effects of usage in most of society are deleterious on many levels.

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  90. My take:

    Hey Texas! Let's get high togetha!

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  91. I think you make 1146's case, Shaggy. Love me that drop.

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  92. The Ticket finally put together a full schedule for Ticketstock...
    http://www.theticket.com/common/page.php?pt=Ticketstock+2014&id=5793&is_corp=0

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  93. "It has been demonstrated that the more or less free sale of [marijuana] for personal use in the Netherlands has not given rise to levels of use significantly higher than in countries which pursue a highly repressive policy."
    - Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 1995. Drugs: Policy in the Netherlands: Continuity and Change. The Hague.

    “Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue”, said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, Chair of the Special Committee, in a news conference today in Ottawa. “Indeed, domestic and international experts and Canadians from every walk of life told us loud and clear that we should not be imposing criminal records on users or unduly prohibiting personal use of cannabis. At the same time, make no mistake, we are not endorsing cannabis use for recreational consumption. Whether or not an individual uses marijuana should be a personal choice that is not subject to criminal penalties. But we have come to the conclusion that, as a drug, it should be regulated by the State much as we do for wine and beer, hence our preference for legalization over decriminalization.” OTTAWA, September 4, 2002 The Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs

    "The Law Revision Commission has examined laws from other states that have reduced penalties for small amounts of marijuana and the impact of those laws in those states. ... Studies of [those] states found (1) expenses for arrest and prosecution of marijuana possession offenses were significantly reduced, (2) any increase in the use of marijuana in those states was less that increased use in those states that did not decrease their penalties and the largest proportionate increase occurred in those states with the most severe penalties, and (3) reducing the penalties for marijuana has virtually no effect on either choice or frequency of the use of alcohol or illegal 'harder' drugs such as cocaine."
    - Connecticut Law Review Commission. 1997. Drug Policy in Connecticut and Strategy Options: Report to the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly. State Capitol: Hartford.

    "The available evidence indicates that the decriminalization of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use. Although rates of marijuana use increased in those U.S. states [that] reduced maximum penalties for possession to a fine, the prevalence of use increased at similar or higher rates in those states [that] retained more severe penalties. There were also no discernible impacts on the health care systems. On the other hand, the so-called 'decriminalization' measures did result in substantial savings in the criminal justice system."
    - E. Single. 1989. The Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update. Journal of Public Health 10: 456-466

    Not going to address the strawman of prostitution. Nor am I going to defend the right of comedians to be offensive, profane or unfunny. They have the First Amendment for that.
    It isn't like I can't go right now to West Dallas and find a needle park, but I will let the studies speak for themselves rather than bring anecdotal evidence.

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  94. By all means, cut and paste excerpts from studies all you want, cactus (especially ones so old, they likely ante date some of the commenters' DOB). It doesn't change the fact that the Dutch government is indeed altering its drug laws. It does not change what one actually sees going on at the street-level in Amsterdam--and not from the lofty perch of a bureaucrat cum social scientist, be she and her cohorts from Den Haag, Connecticut, or Texas.

    Prostitution, per se, is not a straw man. A subject, etc., can only be a straw man if used in such a way that it brings about said fallacy. I did no such thing. I merely brought it up to illustrate that the Dutch government is rethinking its more progressive (and some might say controversial) policies and laws. So please understand what a fallacy is before you accuse another. Furthermore, neither I nor anyone else has made the claim that a comedian hasn't the right to be offensive, profane, or unfunny. I only retorted to your (and I guess Jake's) implicit claim that it appears as if no one takes issue when Chappelle, an African-American comedian, uses certain racial terms/tackles racial topics. My retort in no way made reference to anyone's First Amendment rights. Hell, my retort didn't even express my views on the subject. I merely stated that the assumption is yours alone and no one else's.

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  95. Given our state's reluctance to decriminalize marijuana, and the state's extreme stance on prosecution for small amounts, the costs to arrest, prosecute, convict, house and feed someone for possessing 8oz's of marijuana is astounding. Because I don't own a prison, I think it's an idiotic use of funds.

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  96. 1. Corby isn't racist. Trust. Entitled? Absolutely. Opinionated? Sure. But trust me, dude isn't racist.

    2. Let's put it this way: which one would you rather see coming your way on a two lane highway at 2:30am...someone who's been drinking or someone who just smoked a joint? Also, I'm trying to remember the last news story I heard where someone got stoned and got into a fight with a stranger and shot them? Alcohol is far more dangerous yet we are completely ok with selling it with VERY few restrictions (age and limited hours). I say this as someone who likes a drink and very rarely if ever smokes weed. I honestly thought the only people who might still be against legalization were people my grandparents age (though my actual grandparents support legalization) so it's shocking to hear that there are people under 80 who still have some weird ass Reefer Madness paranoia. Apologies if you actually are 80+ and congrats on being a pretty hip octogenarian with good taste in sports radio.

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  97. Just a note on Mike's recommendation of AMC Valley View theater. It is a nice theater and not very crowded. But the day I took my son to see the new Hunger Games movie, we sat in the theater for about 10 or 15 minutes past the posted starting time. Then an employee came in and announced that the projectionist had just gotten there and the movie would start shortly. What started was all the previews - another 10 minutes worth - curiously promoting R-rated movies. The reason for that soon became clear. After a total delay of almost 30 minutes, the feature finally began. About 10 seconds into the film someone near us said "This is the wrong movie." They were showing "Twelve Years a Slave." So someone got up and went to tell them that they were showing the wrong movie. We got to see about 10 minutes of that before they cut it off. Then another delay until they finally got the right movie started.

    You would think after putting us through that the theater would have given us a token gesture - like a free pass or a $5 AMC gift card. But no. So I will think long and hard about going to another movie at Valley View. But they're probably not going to be around much longer anyway.

    But back to Corby. He's lived in the area all his life, he's worked practically downtown for almost 20 years, and he was totally unaware of the downtown tunnels. I guess Switzer never told him they were there.

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  98. You want the WHO report from 2011? Still stuck on personal experience outweighing the studies? There are plenty more out there and the recurrent conclusions are that increasing the penalty does not decrease use and that decrim or legalization does not increase it. Your point on prostitution is to misrepresent my point and present a false comparison. I am making no claims concerning prostitution. It is to attempt a distraction to the question at hand.

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  99. Alright, let's cut out the arguing and flaming. This is a Ticket related site, which is why I like to peruse it. Seeing this crap will keep most people away.

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  100. Deal. pax.

    Will go back to my personal moratorium on political topics here. I should have kept it going.

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  101. Cactus, if you like, I too can cut and paste copious amounts of data supporting my position. This isn't the place for that. You know it, I know it. No one wants to (nor will) read it. This is a combox for a Ticket-centric blog; hence I used anecdotal evidence. Cutting and pasting cherry-picked passages from cherry-picked studies is the stuff of Dallas Observer comment sections--and poorly written research papers, I might add.

    I explained my use of prostitution. You are either a shoddy thinker who has difficulty with logical concepts and constructs or you are trying to put yourself in a "winning position" by way of attempting to reframe the intention what I said. The former is typical (graduate degree, I surmise?); the latter, uncharitable. Whatever the case, I could care less.

    Don't worry, T4, in the words of Craig Rosengarten, "I'm done."

    Corby and the underground world of downtown Dallas.

    You'd be surprised how many people are unaware of its existence. It wasn't until 2004 that I stumbled upon it myself. I've lived in Dallas for over 20 years! I found it to be pretty neat. At that time, there was a beauty salon, a barber shop, a FedEX store, a postoffice, and all sorts of high-end-ish specialty shops. There was also a Starbuck's and a various restaurants. I recall telling others about by "discovery," only to find them every bit as in the dark about it as I also once was. My guess is one has had to have spent a decent amount of time in downtown Dallas to have knowledge of its subterranean world.

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  102. Agreed, cactus. Pacis erit nobiscum.

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  103. Is this the underground tunnels y'all are talking about?

    http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/downtown-dallas/headlines/20130216-downtown-dallas-tunnel-system-forgotten-but-not-dead.ece

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  104. I've lived in Lakewood most of my life and worked downtown or in Uptown most of my professional life and I have NO idea about the underground tunnels until THL segment. And I'm still not entirely clear on where they are or what's in them. Maybe it was before my time but I swear I never heard of them. But now I'm intrigued!

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  105. Had to get the last shot? Fine, have it.

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  106. Hey cactus I'm not the anon your battling with, but I just saw this while checking my yahoo acct. Looks like there's studies that go against your studies. Also looks like you're the one who got the last word in.

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/daily-pot-tied-age-first-psychotic-episode-155332322.html

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  107. Acknowledgement that he took the last shot is not returning fire, but if you want to carry on with it...

    Schizophrenia studies are very contradictory.

    Try this one on for size too.
    http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/2/316.short

    T4, since Pman has posted up a new thread perhaps this won't scare off newcomers, but as long as they keep posting up replies I will keep returning fire.

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  108. "the absence of “even a blip in the incidence of schizophrenia in the US after millions of people started smoking marijuana in the 1960s.” The prevalence of schizophrenia in adults is about 1% worldwide and seemingly independent of whether or not cannabis use is wide-spread in a given country"
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/50158634/Cannabis-and-Schizophrenia-Grinspoon

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