MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: 2003 RADIO FESTIVAL: TALK RADIO IN THE 21ST CENTURY {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio as part of the 2003 Radio Festival in New York. Moderated by Museum television curator Ron Simon, this seminar examines the state of the talk radio format in 2003, emphasizing the role radio plays in the public sphere. After opening remarks from Simon, a highlight tape of memorable moments from the panelists' shows is played; the reel -- which contains a photo of the radio personality speaking along with the broadcast excerpt -- includes the following highlights: Amy Goodman interviews then-President Bill Clinton on "Democracy Now!" (WBAI-NY, 2000); Brian Lehrer discusses the USA PATRIOT Act on WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show" (2003); Curtis Sliwa and Ronald Kuby argue about special needs schools on "Curtis and Kuby in the Morning" (WABC-AM, 2003); on WWRL's "The Bev Smith Show," Smith talks with Bill Cosby (2003); and Ed Walsh discusses gay marriage on "The WOR Morning Show with Ed Walsh" (WOR, 2003). Simon then introduces the following panelists: Phil Boyce, program director, WABC-AM; Amy Goodman, host of WBAI's "Democracy Now!"; Brian Lehrer, host of "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC; Guardian Angels founder and co-host of WABC-AM's "Curtis and Kuby in the Morning," Curtis Sliwa; Bev Smith, host of "The Bev Smith Show" and "Straight Up with Bev Smith," WWRL; and Ed Walsh, host, "The WOR Morning Show with Ed Walsh," on WOR. At Simon's request, each panelist discusses the origins of his or her show and the issues it tackles; Lehrer and Goodman also discuss the missions of their public radio stations, and Goodman includes some background on WBAI/Pacifica Radio's history; Boyce -- a programmer -- talks about the programming requirements for mass-market radio stations; and Smith reviews her career and talks about the future of talk radio. Simon's subsequent question -- how talk radio has changed in the last decade -- and Lehrer's question regarding the politically conservative nature of commercial talk radio programs leads to a full-panel debate of the subject, focusing mainly on reasons mass-market stations such as WABC target a conservative white male audience in their programming. This sometimes contentious conversation between the panelists touches on issues such as audience perceptions of a "liberal" mass media and whether broadcasters serve public or private interests. This thread of conversation continues into the audience participation segment of the seminar, in particular following a question to Goodman regarding how a mass market station could foster a popular talk program with a liberal host. The panelists' answers lead to debates regarding station advertising sales tactics and the influence of corporate sponsors and owners on points of view disseminated by talk show hosts.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: October 21, 2003 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:38:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:79004
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Amy Goodman)
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ron Simon … Moderator
- Phil Boyce … Panelist
- Amy Goodman … Panelist
- Brian Lehrer … Panelist
- Curtis Sliwa … Panelist
- Bev Smith … Panelist
- Ed Walsh … Panelist
- Bill Clinton
- Bill Cosby
- Ronald Kuby