[Dwayne Barry]

I'm subjected to the John and Jill show when I go to the gym in the morning. Anybody else every heard these people? They are so bad they make me angry. They sound like they're half asleep, they do nothing but fill the few minutes between songs with the lamest banter and so predictable. For instance, Monday is well, Monday. So they lament that it's back to work day. Wednesday is hump day. And Friday is Friday so they talk about getting out of work for the weekend, blah, blah. A little sports, and maybe some sort of "zany" story here and there. Of course, nothing ever the least bit political or sexual in any way. They're so vanilla it's maddening.

Thank god Howard is back on Sirius now.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

I'm subjected to the John and Jill show when I go to the gym in the morning. Anybody else every heard these people? They are so bad they make me angry. They sound like they're half asleep, they do nothing but fill the few minutes between songs with the lamest banter and so predictable. For instance, Monday is well, Monday. So they lament that it's back to work day. Wednesday is hump day. And Friday is Friday so they talk about getting out of work for the weekend, blah, blah. A little sports, and maybe some sort of "zany" story here and there. Of course, nothing ever the least bit political or sexual in any way. They're so vanilla it's maddening.

Thank god Howard is back on Sirius now.

Commercial radio sucks and Clear Channel is largely to blame. Satellite is OK as an alternative, but it is still owned largely by the same people--they want you to pay for decent radio instead of getting it for free as before. Beware. I predict that satellite radio will eventually become the wasteland that cable TV has become in the future if they head down the same path.

--The future is Internet radio and independent radio in general. Say no to monopoly owned radio.

/ I use a MP3 player in the gym...well worth the investment as the only stations that are usually available to listen to on the closed circuit system are crap like "Dance Hits, Top 40 and 70s"

 

[thatsmybush]

Thank god Howard is back on Sirius now.

You said it.

 

[thinkcooper]

Podcasting. That'll fill your need for "talk". Podcasts tie in nicely to Botox Jones' MP3 player plug. There's something for everyone now. And there's no giant cyclops with a stanglehold on the media, sanitizing it down to LCD pablum.

http://www.loomia.com/

http://www.podcast.net/

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

You said it.

Used to really like listening to Howard, but ever since his divorce it seems that all he does is talk to strippers and porn stars--no out of the box stuff like he used to do. It's nice he isn't restricted in what he says anymore, but not bleeping out the f word doesn't make him automatically great--the content has to be there or he will fail.

 

[bill]

I am on a roster for focus groups. Every once in a while I get a call for radio preferences. They always have a screening script, and I never make the cut. As soon as you tell them that you don't listen to what they're pushing, because it sucks, they don't want to talk to you. I want to scream at them, you dopes, you idiots, I am EXACTLY the guy you want to talk to! I love radio, always have, and it kills me that there isn't anything worth listening to, and you're going to screen me out to talk to the people who actually like the sh*t enough to listen to it, and you wonder why more people aren't listening.
Does anyone sense irony here?

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

I am on a roster for focus groups. Every once in a while I get a call for radio preferences. They always have a screening script, and I never make the cut. As soon as you tell them that you don't listen to what they're pushing, because it sucks, they don't want to talk to you. I want to scream at them, you dopes, you idiots, I am EXACTLY the guy you want to talk to! I love radio, always have, and it kills me that there isn't anything worth listening to, and you're going to screen me out to talk to the people who actually like the sh*t enough to listen to it, and you wonder why more people aren't listening.
Does anyone sense irony here?

Focus groups often don't want rabble rousers--they want to be able to tell the boss that everything is OK and to keep paying my salary to churn out the same stale crap. Radio today is about $$. If it makes them money they don't care if it sucks the soul out of the industry. Boycott commercial radio. Support independent radio. I listen to a number of Internet-based stations on a regular basis and can't for the life of me see why anyone would want to voluntarily listen to commercial radio anymore. It's crap.

 

[thatsmybush]

Used to really like listening to Howard, but ever since his divorce it seems that all he does is talk to strippers and porn stars--no out of the box stuff like he used to do. It's nice he isn't restricted in what he says anymore, but not bleeping out the f word doesn't make him automatically great--the content has to be there or he will fail.

I have listened to him since 1/9 again after hearing back in Virginia Beach...his shows have been funny...very funny. The upshot is this...if you find Howard's life and friends interesting you will like the show. I listen to him and Tony Kornheiser and in different arenas their shows are exactly the same...the show is about them...Tony has his dog Maggie...Howard has strippers and Artie.

 

[Dwayne Barry]

I am on a roster for focus groups. Every once in a while I get a call for radio preferences. They always have a screening script, and I never make the cut. As soon as you tell them that you don't listen to what they're pushing, because it sucks, they don't want to talk to you. I want to scream at them, you dopes, you idiots, I am EXACTLY the guy you want to talk to! I love radio, always have, and it kills me that there isn't anything worth listening to, and you're going to screen me out to talk to the people who actually like the sh*t enough to listen to it, and you wonder why more people aren't listening.
Does anyone sense irony here?

I refuse to believe anyone could actually "like" listening to these two. There is nothing to like or dislike, it is simply talk muzak (sp?) for the few minutes they're on between songs.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

I have listened to him since 1/9 again after hearing back in Virginia Beach...his shows have been funny...very funny. The upshot is this...if you find Howard's life and friends interesting you will like the show. I listen to him and Tony Kornheiser and in different arenas their shows are exactly the same...the show is about them...Tony has his dog Maggie...Howard has strippers and Artie.

Don't have Sirius or plans to get it. My opinion of him comes mostly from the E! TV show that I flip to once in a while. Maybe that isn't representative of his new show though. Used to really enjoy hearing Jackie, Howard and the rest of the gang riff off each other though. I hear that Jackie left. Fred too?

 

[Dwayne Barry]

Used to really like listening to Howard, but ever since his divorce it seems that all he does is talk to strippers and porn stars--no out of the box stuff like he used to do. It's nice he isn't restricted in what he says anymore, but not bleeping out the f word doesn't make him automatically great--the content has to be there or he will fail.

I thought Howard was much better when Jackie was on the show and before Artie. It was more of a fun, nutty atmosphere and more interaction between everyone. Since the move to Sirius, I'm finding Artie to be even less entertaining as he is the one who seems to cuss the most and it sounds almost forced sometimes. Regardless, I've never heard another show that was anywhere near as entertaining and funny.

 

[thinkcooper]

Focus groups often don't want rabble rousers.

Don't agree with you on that one. Rabble rousers, as in someone that just yells, don't help the focus group process. But rabble rousers that can put together cogent thoughts on what sucks about a product, media or otherwise, is way more useful than the typical FG ass-kissing. If you have radical ideas, and are invited to participate in a focus group, do what you need to get on the panel, and then contribute smartly, without rabid emotion, regardless of how tough your feedback is. That'll make a difference. We've done some FG's for MSFT, and a lot of significant modifcations are derived from the folks with opposing views. Being afraid to speak out, or not invited onto the panel cause you sound like a guy with aluminum foil under your ballcap both have the same effect in a focus group. No change.

 

[Dwayne Barry]

. I hear that Jackie left. Fred too?

No Fred didn't leave but without Jackie there to engage him you would think he did most of the time. Another reason I prefer Jackie over Artie.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

Don't agree with you on that one. Rabble rousers, as in someone that just yells, don't help the focus group process. But rabble rousers that can put together cogent thoughts on what sucks about a product, media or otherwise, is way more useful than the typical FG ass-kissing. If you have radical ideas, and are invited to participate in a focus group, do what you need to get on the panel, and then contribute smartly, without rabid emotion, regardless of how tough your feedback is. That'll make a difference. We've done some FG's for MSFT, and a lot of significant modifcations are derived from the folks with opposing views. Being afraid to speak out, or not invited onto the panel cause you sound like a guy with aluminum foil under your ballcap both have the same effect in a focus group. No change.

maybe the "often" was a bad word choice--

I'm talking reality though--and more large corporations vs small. Of course in an ideal world everyone would want to hear both the good and bad about their product or service, but I've also seen plenty of examples where a focus group is created simply to prove the status quo is working--I'm not saying that is right or desirable for a corporation, but it does happen. Sometimes the VPs and the like simply want to have proof that what they are doing is working and they don't really want to improve anything.

 

[thinkcooper]

maybe the "often" was a bad word choice--

I'm talking reality though--and more large corporations vs small. Of course in an ideal world everyone would want to hear both the good and bad about their product or service, but I've also seen plenty of examples where a focus group is created simply to prove the status quo is working--I'm not saying that is right or desirable for a corporation, but it does happen. Sometimes the VPs and the like simply want to have proof that what they are doing is working and they don't really want to improve anything.

You're right there. Focus groups used to pay lip service to a poorly researched design or concept are a waste of money and time. Add in some kind of bias, and it's likely to produce focus groups designed to support a foredrawn conclusion.

 

[haiku d'etat]

Podcasting. That'll fill your need for "talk". Podcasts tie in nicely to Botox Jones' MP3 player plug. There's something for everyone now. And there's no giant cyclops with a stanglehold on the media, sanitizing it down to LCD pablum.

http://www.loomia.com/

http://www.podcast.net/

coop, i'm a idiot. tell me how this works.

 

[thinkcooper]

coop, i'm a idiot. tell me how this works.

It's awesome. You'll love it.

You download these free files onto your local PC, then load them onto your iPod, then play 'em back. They're typically half hour shows, created by polished (or not) experts (or not) in various fields. If they suck, fast forward or skip to the next. On either site above, do a search and check out the shows that result. I really think you'd like 'em. Hell, you should do one....

I'll be driving down the SD with a bunch of "sex with Emily" episodes on MP3 CDs - search on that program on Loomia. Beats the hell out of static filled NPR, bad C&W, and Mexican Polka when drinving through remote central valley and route 5.

 

[Cory]

Jeez, NOBODY here listens to NPR?

Explains a lot, though....
Howard can be really funny, but he hits me the same way Limbaugh does. After about a day, I'm thinking, "This is pretty much what he did yesterday..."

 

[haiku d'etat]

email me with your fav's and how to get them, and it'll be totally distractive for my FOURTEEEEEEN HOUR FLIGHT TO LA.

i'll d/l it and stuff and listen...and drink...and when i get there finally, it will be a completetly disastrous day.I HATE FLYING...

 

[thinkcooper]

email me with your fav's and how to get them, and it'll be totally distractive for my FOURTEEEEEEN HOUR FLIGHT TO LA.

i'll d/l it and stuff and listen...and drink...and when i get there finally, it will be a completetly disastrous day.I HATE FLYING...

I'd download all the Sex with Emily podcasts - very enlightening and entertaining, or maybe not... There are also a few other interesting ones on this page that might make you giggle.

http://www.loomia.com/search_result...y&search_type=default&search.x=26&search.y=14