Let's hope the all news launch doesn't sound like this.......

[wpb1999]

This is such a terrible format. It's such a shame the old fm talkers didn't work. There is such a thirst for male targeted radio.

So, you would rather listen to Sean Hannity than go to a radio station for straight news, really.


And, I thought you went into hiding, Casey Anthony.

[BarryATL]

Anything other than politics.  All of these syndicated shows are just politics.  They are the reason our presidential race begins again 12 months after the President is elected.  I would like some talk radio that is local... about local things.  Sometimes it might be a street name change (hot button issue in metro Atlanta), or where can we find the best ice cream on this hot afternoon.  ... just something other than politics.  So, if all I can get is news radio, then I will take it.

I remember the days when WRNG, WGST, and WSB's talk shows were local (all different years) and all of the shows were not about politics.

[ArtyBoy]

Anything other than politics.  All of these syndicated shows are just politics.  They are the reason our presidential race begins again 12 months after the President is elected.  I would like some talk radio that is local... about local things.  Sometimes it might be a street name change (hot button issue in metro Atlanta), or where can we find the best ice cream on this hot afternoon.  ... just something other than politics.  So, if all I can get is news radio, then I will take it.

I remember the days when WRNG, WGST, and WSB's talk shows were local (all different years) and all of the shows were not about politics.

Has the Internet possibly filled this void you speak of? If you've got Garvin/GPS, you don't have to wait for Cap'n Herb. If you have a smart phone, you can get the weather any ol' time, no need to wait on Kurt Mellish (however he spells it). You can read the comments on any story in USA Today and find all the witty banter and punditry you could want, more than any morning show or talk show could produce.

Of course on the flip side of this, there's no shared experience across a geographical region, and for the content producers, there's no money.

[BarryATL]

Even a national show would do that has a more broad topic base than just politics.

By the way, I have a smart phone, but sometimes it is just a pain to keep looking for what I want to hear while driving.  There is something to be said for the simplicity of radio.

[ArtyBoy]

Even a national show would do that has a more broad topic base than just politics.

By the way, I have a smart phone, but sometimes it is just a pain to keep looking for what I want to hear while driving.  There is something to be said for the simplicity of radio.

I see, yes, I got stuck on the "where to get ice cream" part.

Yes, I find it annoying that these days when you say "talk radio," people instantly think Democrat or Republican. Steve Dahl and Garry Meier, David Paul, there used to be all sorts of talk radio that wasn't political.

Maybe these days, though, interests are so fragmented that for one show to appeal to a huge swath of the public is impossible. I don't suppose we'll see another Johnny Carson. These days the show would have to be about ice cream, specifically.

[bclark71.]

I don't suppose we'll see another Johnny Carson.

Never.  Just watched the PBS "American Masters" bio on him the other night.  Makes me miss him all over again.  On May 22 it's 20 years since he abdicated.

These days the show would have to be about ice cream, specifically.

Rita's Gelati.  At Third and Third.  Good enough to make you cry.

[Lee Anderson]

America will never get a broad/local issue talk station, in a major market,  while you have the likes of Cumulus & Clear Channel controlling a large slice of the advertising revenue pie. It's a sad state of affairs when local issues are drowned out by syndicated radio that talks a lot, but says nothing.

[wpb1999]

America will never get a broad/local issue talk station, in a major market,  while you have the likes of Cumulus & Clear Channel controlling a large slice of the advertising revenue pie. It's a sad state of affairs when local issues are drowned out by syndicated radio that talks a lot, but says nothing.

UUUUUH, Look at KFI, WLS, and WLW, just to name a few.

[BarryATL]

Actually, I was listening to KGO in San Francisco last night and they were all local.  Two hosts in a row that were local and talking about local issues.