Monday, December 23, 2013
A Cat Flyby
Jeff Catlin does not regularly read this site, but he advises that he drops by every few months. He was interested in the thread of comments prompted by the Sunday night show a couple of weeks ago featuring Ticket Chicks, and, in particular, the theme started by, of all people, Kevin Turner. KT, you will recall, expressed outrage-by-proxy that long-time JVs were being passed over for opportunities to broadcast.
In the thread that followed, some Confessors pointed out that, in fact, some of the JV had, in fact, developed regular shows on The Ticket.
The Pan-American Catman dropped me an email, which he has generously permitted me to use, in part. It is lightly edited at his request:
"Do you know how many so called 'JV'ers' have come to me to pitch me ideas for their shows in the last year . . . and I am seriously thinking about this as to not miss-speak here. The answer is 0. One guy has expressed interest in hosting over the holidays. But not one other person, team or group has come to me and said 'hey, give us a chance.'
"Do you know how many JV'ers have come to me to pitch me ideas on hosting a show in the past TWO Years? The answer is one."
Thank you, Western Hemisphere Catman. So it would seem that there is no general clamor among the showless JV to develop something for the air.
I'm sure that if he were queried, The Catman of the Americas would wish all Confessors a very Merry Christmas, or, depending on Cumulus policy on such matters, a very Happy Holiday.
MTC's own employee handbook permits the wishing of a Merry Christmas, and you all have been so wished. Be blessed as your beliefs provide. See you in a few days.
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I realize that this is not Thanksgiving but I'd like to thank the Plainsman and all posters here for the extremely interesting reading/comments found here the past year. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteI for one am not surprised by Cat's statement. I think that for the most part the JV consists of 20 something dudes who like the lifestyle and the very very minor D list local celebrity and the what little perks that come along with the job. I have a feeling there are most likely more than a few who, like so many of their peers on the whole, have more than a wee bit of entitlement issues percolating. But mostly I'd say it's the lifestyle and being in your 20s and not so career oriented (or at least not as much as you might think you are). A few of them have blogs and other social media outlets. I try to stop by on a regular basis, but there really isn't a point in doing so because almost nothing new is ever posted up. I think one of the reasons Jake and Sean have gotten ahead (and in Jake's case, much much quicker) of the rest of the JV is because they go the extra mile. It's one thing to do your job, do everything that's asked; it's another to do that and show initiative in a sustained fashion. IJB is a perfect example. That's a show that has and still is aired nearly every week for several (heck even more) years now. It shows consistency, initiative, and stick-to-it-ness. Putting up a blog where you bitch and moan a few times every 4 months isn't the same thing, on any level.
ReplyDeleteSo, it doesn't surprise me in the least that Cat receives almost zero interest from the JV where filling in and/or pitching shows is concerned. OK. They might think "it doesn't matter, we all know no one is going anywhere so I have no shot, and even if someone leaves, I still have no shot." Perhaps that's true. But that attitude, I can guarantee you, hasn't stopped Jake and Sean from parlaying their "going the extra miles on their own initiative" into what seems to be the next show (a la MaSS) to take off. Bet you anything they're thinking along those same lines (even if they would never admit it). Why wouldn't they? They're light years better than MaSS ever was or is. Speaking of which, if you ever have some spare moments during the day tune those guys in on the interwebs. Whoa. Hello Hardline Parrots. To. A. T.
I don't know a lot about these weekend filler shows, but there's something called the "Shake Joint" filling for THL. I think if they were to bring in Danny with these guy's, might be time to send THL to pasture.
ReplyDelete@4:46
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, I think it's already been speculated here that MaSS being "Hardline Parrots" is more of a CTO mandate than them trying to copy them. I do agree though that the JVers have no right to bitch about the failed Ticketchick show if they're not at least putting some semblance of effort into their own careers.
@ Triple Fake Anon
ReplyDeleteGreat name. I'm also under that impression (CTO ordered parroting). Go take a listen for yourself and see what you think. Scot has totally taken on Mike R's personality. He uses MIke's unique verbiage and cadencing. Matt is, for better or worse (I say the latter), definitely his own inimitable self. What they do, though, is take nearly every Hardline segment (and some of BaD's and The Muser's) and do it exactly how they're done at The Ticket. I assume that part is the CTO influenced aspect of the equation. But hey, maybe it only partially is? Maybe because they were willing to totally ape The Hardline and other shows, they were given their own afternoon show. By doing so, growing Cumulus's product. I have no idea about the intellectual or other types of copyrights or whatnot the shows and/or Cumulus may have; but if part of the deal is that Cumulus owns the segments and thus their content, who's to say they can't do what they've done with MaSS (and I'm sure with other stations and shows, too)? Though I can't help but think Scot morphing into Rhynes is not a part of that deal/directive, if in fact such a deal exists. If you do stop by their show, it's a weird listen for a P1, for sure.
Shouldn't it be "It's Ticketstock Days" instead of "Ticketstock Day"? It's 2 days, not 1. Also, I wonder why Donnie's name isn't included in the song? He's an actual full fledged co host on BaD, right? Danny not being included I understand. He might be named in some of the promos as a part of THL, but he's never mentioned as a host. Donnie is. And isn't Donnie usually Johnny On The Spot for any and all fill in slots? Not this year. Taken all together, I wonder if something's up contract wise or other?
ReplyDeleteCat's memory on this is very convenient and sadly, incorrect. The number of people he's actually given an audience to that pitched a show might be in the 0-1 range but he knows as well as anyone that JVers have pitched shows and he has swatted them away. And for the record, I'm not KT.
ReplyDeletecat is either being disingenuous, has failing memory, or simply has too much on his plate to remember every little person who knocks on his door because his facts are imprecise.
ReplyDelete@slinky completely agree. Shake Joint's been good, strong.
ReplyDeleteI also agree "Triple Fake Anon" is one great name.
Merry Christmas, Confessors; y'all are the best!
Additionally, all this MaSS chat makes me miss Fake Scot Harrison.
ReplyDeleteSo anon- are you saying there's mom jv ers who have pitched a show to cat who have been swatted away? Because to me this whole thread has been about the jvers that kt referenced. The ones that would be pissed that cat gave a bunch of ticket chicks a chance to. I listed then in another thread, and pointed out that outside of 1 or 2 people all of them have a regular weekend gig.
ReplyDeleteIf you have knowledge of some outsider that has pitched a show, feel free to share. But I'm bored by sine if the crap that espn rolls out on a weekend, and don't want an FC dallas show, or inside sports medicine with some team doctor , just to fill time. If his facts are imprecise and you have knowledge of how it is so, share and let the rest of us decide who's more right.
no.
ReplyDeleteanon d--
ReplyDeleteI think you still left some jv'ers off of your list.
Mino, Fahy, other various ticker guys, etc.
Props to The FAN for putting on local programming last night (ditto The Ticket's Wilonsky Xmas Show, but that's a different bag). KT was a host. I have a feeling KT was one of those JVers who would've and maybe did pitch shows and ask to fill in. Maybe that's why he left ship? Realized he wasn't ever going to scale the ladder - be it being slotted by Cat or whatever - was offered the opportunity and went for it. Might explain why he does come off as having sour grapes. Sorry KT, I like your work and your a mensch for coming on here, but you do sound sour grapey. When listening to The FAN last night it was interesting that KT did an E-News seggie (called something else but the same thing) that he said used to be a regular thing on B&S but that they nixed it. Wonder if that's because B&S decided to stop trying to compete with THL and The Ticket (by basically doing the same sort of segments and gags but with different names) and just do their own thang? If so, props to them. I've always thought that the best thing for The FAN to do is to stop trying to be The Ticket. Maybe that's starting to happen. Dunno.
ReplyDeleteI peeked in on MASS a couple of months ago. I agree with what the anon said about them acting like THL. As a P1 and knowing MASS' history it's a tough listen. One thing that's pretty funny is that from listening to him you'd think Matt was born and bred in Birmingham and went to college at Bama. Tons of "we" when talking about Bama and the state itself. I guess you gotta play the game to keep on playing or something like that.
Shaggy- you really think someone like Fahy or Mino deserve a shot at a weekend show? There's got to be something said for paying your dues. If nothing else, fill in a segment someplace and see if you've got anything more than the talent for a 90sec ticker. And I LIKE fahey, but take killer for example. Hard working, dedicated, willing to do anything they ask. And good god is he uncomfortable to listen to. Not smooth , can't frame or tell a story, etc
ReplyDeleteI swear they bring him in for the e brake potential, not because he's that great.
I just think this whole "jvers are pissed" meme is just sour grapes from KT. And who can blame him for being sour, he's stuck on a station that draws a tiny audience in their target demo.
But really, you guys are wondering why a board op who's been there maybe 6 months or a year (Mino) counts as a jver, and why he doesn't have his own show yet? Why do you guys hate Jeremy ? He's been there for years , and can't get a show. Of course it's always possible that some if those jvers don't WANT a show, but why let reality interfere with a good conspiracy theory like cats keeping the jv down.
You guys really do not have a clue on what you are talking about. There are guys at the station that have been there for years that would love a shot at their own show and have the talent. Quit bashing on KT. He is still a friend with many at the station and is just sharing the frustration that everyone else there has. There is no Fan conspiracy or sour grapes. He is not the enemy. He has just been there like the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteSo, um, like who?
ReplyDeleteWho?
ReplyDeleteBeen there for years narrows it down quite a bit. Ty walker? Fernando doesn't want his own show, I'd put money on that. If not them, who? Who has been there for years and hasn't gotten there chance? C'mon dude, put a name out there so we can have a discussion. Otherwise I'll mark you down as a big bag if nothing that can't back up their Hso's .
And I got nothing against KT . Just feel bad for a guy that goes from the top station in the market to a station that can't break the top 20 In their target demo.
Who was that filling in for the top 10 on Monday and Tuesday? TC was out.
ReplyDelete@1119/12/26
ReplyDeleteFirst off, you might wanna read all the comments before you bag on everyone in one fell swoop. Secondly, I give the PD, Cat's words exponentially more weight than some anon who implicitly claims he either works/has worked at the station or/is friends with those who do/have worked at the station. Thirdly, who said anything about a conspiracy? Fourthly, no one has said KT's a jerk or a bad dude, only that he comes off as having sour grapes. Fifth and finally, just because you would love a shot doesn't mean you deserve one. I'd love a shot at my own show too. There's more to it than just paying your dues and doing what you're told.
It's like I said before, there are things called go-gettting, initiative, and persistence that, when added on to dues paying and everything else make all the difference. Oh, and talent. And also there's decorum. I follow a certain JVer on Twitter. I like his work. But if I'm an employer and reading the crap he Tweets, I'm thinking, this is a dude who needs to grow up. Antagonizing other media members (basically trolling), scatological "aphorisms" abound, and offensive shock value bulsh just because he can and who's gonna stop him might amuse his friends and himself, but again, if I'm Cat I'm thinking "yeah, he's knowledgeable, quick, and smart, but he's also irresponsible and doesn't see the wider view, so no, I'll pass." I'm not picking on this particular JVer, though it might come off like I am. He's just a prime example of what I'm talking about. Yes, IJB is scatological and can be irresponsible, and yet look where Jake is now and where he might be going. But along with its/Jake's youthful "bravado" comes actual thought out and researched opinions. Not mere hit and run Tweets with no substance or even a semblance of meaning behind them other than to provoke or vent steam. Point is, there's more to just doing your job and being a good soldier if you want to really succeed. You have to have the extra extra drive, commitment, and no matter what your age, enough wisdom to grasp on the big picture. Guys like Sean and Jake do. Others don't. And some of those who do, and I hate to say this, may simply not have that "it" quality working for them.
@pDub and the initial anon user I was chatting with, thanks for the kind words on the name. :D I just find "Triple Fake" anything humorous.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, on Matt McClearin, I should have mentioned that I haven't had the opportunity to listen to his and Scot's show since they moved to Alabama. I was just pointing out that what had been theorized in the event you may have missed it since this blog seems to get new readers. :) Anywho, I'll have to give it a listen now out of curiosity. I will say that I actually quite enjoyed Matt's work when he did the Dallas Stars pre and post game shows when he was here. If he wasn't really a big Dallas Stars fan, then he did a very, very, very good job at keeping up appearances because he had anecdotes, stats, etc. ready at all times. Sounded very well prepared.
Oh, and even though it's late, Merry f@#$%n Christmas! (only long time P1s that remember old Barry Switzer drops will get that)
@TFA
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you about Matt's Stars duties. He was great. And he was a totally different guy than the one you'd hear on MaSS. Which always made me wonder if that guy was an act.
Wow. Things really escalated quickly since the last time I stopped by.
ReplyDeleteIn hindsight, I should have never said anything about the Ticket Chicks getting a show. I regret that, but it is what it is.
My grapes are not sour. I made the move on my own, and it was a well thought out decision. But yeah everything's cool, I shouldn't have said anything.
Take care old friends
KT, good on you for putting the good foot forward. You've demonstrated exactly (in part) of what I've been saying: There's more to getting ahead than doing what you're paid to do and even asked to do in addition to your job description. There's the maturity, good sense, foresight, and wisdom aspect of it.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't help but feel sad for 105.3 The Fan last night when one of their cohosts launched into a Jerry Jones impersonation bit.. Of all things to challenge the Ticket on, voices should be at the very end of the list. The fake Jerry Jones was so awful compared to the masterful work of Gordon Keith that I actually cringed and felt as though I were listening to a sinking ship. Dear Fan guys - stick to boring sports talk and leave the voices to Georgio and the Master - Gordon Keith.
ReplyDeleteCorby, what are you doing listening to the FAN?! LOL! Don't feel bad, a lot of people are starting to.
ReplyDeleteGeez busted me again Choppy. Cant pull anything over on you sharp 105.3 guys
ReplyDeletePlainsman, did Jeff Catman happen to mention how many nookie girls have approached him or how many times nookie girls have pitched a show to him over the years?
ReplyDeleteLadies be trippin tonight from 6 to 7
ReplyDeleteLadies be already too much lippin'. From the mix alone I feel like I've been listening to them for hours now. Pretty funny how Newbury gets all on the make voiced as soon as the mix began.
ReplyDeleteStill can't believe no one's said anything about the fact that Donnie Doo isn't mentioned in the Ticketstock song. What a give up this year's song is. Starts off strong then right after the "Cobra works blue" it just tailspins into some really forced lyrics. Plus it's 2 days not a single day. Should be "it's Ticketstock Days." Fail.
I hope Cat's getting some action from giving these chicks a show. They all sound like "Ashley" from the Reagor-Dykes Auto Group ad. Attention Trippin' Ladies: the attempt at sports bona fides only makes you sound ridiculous. Just tell the P1 guy what it's going to take to rock em sock em with chicks that look like you. That's all he wants to know. Looking up some stats and having Cat give you a prepared sheet to read through concerning those stats doesn't fool us.
ReplyDeleteCome on Cat, give Ty and Machine or anyone else a show instead of this headache. ONE OF THE REASONS WE LOVE AND LISTEN TO THE TICKET IS TO GET AWAY FROM HEARING THESE VOICES AND THIS SORT OF TALK FROM OUR WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS. THESE CHICKS CAN TALK ALL THE TALK THEY WANT ABOUT "WHAT WOMEN WANT." BUT WE ALL KNOW THEY WILL STILL GO HOME, DATE, AND MARRY THE DOUCHER IN THE AFFLICTION SHIRT, $400 STRESSED JEANS, AND FROSTED TIPS WHO MAKES THE MOST BANK. WE'RE NOT DUMB, CAT.
Let's go over this again. There are very few female voices most guys can stand to hear talk sports. Few, very few. Kristi Scales, good. Erin Andrews, bad. The Ticket guys have fun pointing out the inane commentary from sideline reporters. Emily Jones is one of the few as well. Slater was not.
ReplyDeleteTC, Machine, Ty Walker chicken
stand up to the man and make noise. Get in Cat's ear and spam the hell out him for a show. I had rather listen to those 3 on a Saturday evening talk about Star Wars minutiae than listening to those noisome females. They made the Syllogist go all caps hollering. I can only hope some intrepid soul listened for the e-brakes because I have no intention of torturing myself. Tie some fool to the mast while the rest of us are blissfully unaware. I'll second the idea that we hear enough female voices in the everyday BS lives we live. I do not need to add more to my sports station. Well, maybe some, but these chicks aint it.
Because I respect the hell out of the P1 and this issue means more to me than anybody I'm willing to have an open channel of communication if any of you want to talk to me about it. My email is mikemarshallmail@gmail.com. I'll answer any questions you have about anything because you (we, I definitely consider myself a p1) are the only reason this thing works.
ReplyDeleteAll of my love,
Machine
Mikemarshallmail@gmail.com
I did not hear the girl show. I assume it has a name but if I heard it I've forgotten it.
ReplyDelete(1) cactusflinthead, I don't know if you're right or wrong in your comment, but you win the prize for the best-written blast of the month. You had me at "noisome" (although it does not mean "noisy," as one might think, but perhaps not you). The Syllogist (great moniker) a tenth of a second behind.
(2) Come on, gents. It's one hour during graveyard time. Not a plum for gig even if there are hoards of underexposed JV dying for some airtime (which Cat says apparently ain't so). Isn't there just a little perverse entertainment value in listening to that particular variety of female vacuity? And I have to say, I don't find the concept -- bearing in mind I haven't really heard the show -- of putting some girls-talking-about-guys talk on The Ticket as kind of genius. As cactus says, maybe these aren't the ones. But is there any show like it anywhere in DFW radio? None that I've ever heard of. Uptown Chick Radio Talk -- kind out there, kind of a risk, kind of what you want your CTO to be thinking of doing.
Guess I really should listen to the thing.
b : highly obnoxious or objectionable
ReplyDeleteThey probably don't stink literally, but their radio show sure does.
Who is going to own that promo for Ticketstock? Who will take responsibility for it? Was that you Catman? Did you chose that song as a template? Dear God every year they find some way to be worse than last year.
Thanks for stepping up Machine. I remember your blog back when KT switched teams.
Did anybody hear the tail end of Illegal Use of Hands Friday afternoon? Wilonsky's 10 year old son Harry was in studio with them and while they were stalling for the start of the Rangers press conference they let Harry offer some HSO's about movies and music. After a few minutes Big Bob declared that he didn't need any more tweets about how Harry should have his own show. Then Jake interjected "better than Ticket Chicks."
ReplyDeleteIn the same issue of D Magazine with the article on The Ticket, there is a nice short piece on Cash Sirois's new venture, The Well, with Jason Seely. Sorry I don't have a link for you, bought the magazine at the greengrocers, but it's on page 38 of the one with Kidd Kraddick on the cover. Interesting, positive, congratulations Cash.
ReplyDeleteCactus flint head- the responsibility for that promo probably rests with catman, the other cactus (Pryor) and the OD -Jon michaels
ReplyDeleteThey're responsible for all the ticket promo stuff, so blame them.
But I'll point out one thing , you may hate it, but you know what it is. Do you remember how the fan promoted their last big event? The last espn promo that stuck in your head?
I'd argue thst if we're talking about it here, they'll claim, in the words of tom hicks "great success"
And my guess after hearing it about 20 times already, Donovan or Donnie doesn't seem to fit in the cadence or beat of the song. Everybody else is reduced to a single syllable (Jub junz norm wolf, etc)
I could be totally wrong, and it could be foreshadowing that they're not going to renew Donnie's contract . Or could be innocent, that it just didn't fit. Go ahead , over analyze it, that's what we're here for
Here's the story on Cash. Pretty cool read.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2014/january/meet-the-team-behind-the-mavericks-viral-videos
Can we please do something about the PSAs with the talking fetus? They're creeping me all the way out.
ReplyDeleteWho's looking forward to another season of "It's a process, a process. We'll go back an look at the film and determine what we need to improve on. He's a good football player in The National Football League. We practice hard every day. Danger Will Robinson, Danger?"
ReplyDelete@Anon d
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling it was the Cat. Yep, it works. It sticks in your head like the worst earworm ever. I hate it and him! I seem to recall a promo from a couple of years ago that was so questionable that it made the Musers take pause. Seedy or something, like the Mrs. Claus one of this year. I think it was Rich that spoke up and said, "You know who is to blame for that don't you? Cat." I could almost feel Cat smirking through the radio.
Yeah, winning.
The Fan's Sausage Fest promos were actually great. The event itself was awesome, bout 3 thousand people there.
ReplyDeleteCat's promos, in the tradition of Bruce Gilbert (who used the same concept at The Fan to less avail) are still pretty great though. All about getting the message across.
3,000 people? Wow. Much better than the Fanniversary event I guess.
ReplyDeletehttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/A9srMzpCcAMRUBD.jpg
@anon 1:39 PM
ReplyDeleteIf this event was the one in December, 2012, I remember reading about this in one of Whitt's blogs. The event was promoted as free but parking was $10.00. Needless to say, there was plenty of bitching in the comments about the irony of a "free event" yet $10.00 to park.
Also, comments were made about the severe lack of attendance-somewhere between 500-1000 total. Shaggy's link to the event seems to qualify this.
Does anyone else consider Corby the "Richie Whit" of the Ticket? Extremely high on ego and self-worth, yet, extremely low on actual talent and contribution!
ReplyDeleteThe main difference is that we can listen to Corby for free. You have to pay a toll to go over the bridge into the Sportatorium.
ReplyDeleteI really can't relate the two (Corby and RW) and I also think RW made a mistake by erecting the pay wall. I used to stop by twice a day but now a few days go by.
Sorry slinky, I don't see the connection between Cora Snake and RW, either. Count me amongst the "I wish Corby was paired with a host who would take the lead" crowd. I've yet to hear him come off as a total know it all jackass who speaks out of his posterior about things he knows little to nothing about when he's paired with, for example, Bob. I honestly think it's the fact that he's partnered with Mike, who has totally ceded the reins of the show to him, that he's become the insufferable personality that many have come to know and cringe over. Basically, because of his co host's apparent desire to only react to topics that he himself doesn't initiate (and even then it's a rather limited involvement-he has his spiel and once said, that's about the end of it) he's forced to fill segments. Each and every day, five days a week, roughly 30 weeks per year, year in and year out. So in a way I understand how and why Corby is so, well, Corby.
ReplyDeleteRW, on the other hand, is merely a self-promoter going through a public midlife crisis (public by his own doings; one no one has asked him to publicize; one that is quite boring and more than a bit sad-like all midlife crises). I also think RW is one of those individuals who seeks out those who will give him the advice he desires in order to justify whatever path he's going down at that particular time and circumstance. Hence his GW partnership after knowing firsthand darn well what he was getting himself into. Anyone who has followed him from his Observer days till recent can see this pretty plainly.
Machine, if that's really you (and I'm sure it is), kudos for the offer. More than a bit ballsy on your end. The offer could be read by Cat and others (who obviously read this blog and its comments) as and act of subordination-implicitly or explicitly. Maybe Plainsman has taken you up on your offer? If he or anyone has, perhaps he'll/they'll share at least the gist of their question and your answer (?).
Myself, I find Ladies Be Trippin' condescending. I believe the vast majority of P1s are pretty smart. We get the "2nd and 3rd level" humor of the Gordons and the Jakes and the Machines; we know when it's time to be sports and otherwise serious; and we also know the reality of the dating world of your average Ticket Chick and her ilk and the partners they seek out/"hook up" with/date/have relationships with/marry. While I'm not going to shout in caps like The Syllogist, what he (from the comment I assume TS is a he) said was absolutely right.
Shaggy & Big Jim Jack-
ReplyDeleteI remember when that Fanniversary picture was posted. If memory serves, and I said at the time, that had to have been a sound check from before the doors opened. There were over 1000 at that one. Needless to say, it stands to reason that over, say, 8 months, The Fan couldve built a bigger crowd.
Sure. Whatever you say, "anonymous".
ReplyDelete