LOCAL SPORTS TALK: CHEAT-SHEETS, TALKING POINTS

Written By:  LM

02-24-2011

LOCAL SPORTS TALK:  CHEAT SHEETS, TALKING POINTS, OR LM IS OVER-THINKING AGAIN?

Amazingly, I was listening to Sports Rap hosted by Ralph Cooper with Craig Shelton in studio and two callers hit on subjects close to my heart.  The first caller talked about local sports personalities creating the "topic" whereas Texas Mike asked how could Ralph throw out so many topics in a span of an hour.  Of course Ralph had to let it be known he's a veteran at this "talk" radio business, he can do this.  Enough of being obscure and "beating around the bush", 610, 790, and 1560 have a model they like to follow in regards to ratings in addition to content.   They will sell you this fallacy of 25-54 male demographic while also telling you what "their" research is telling them what YOU want to hear.  We will tackle the Houston market at another time, but ask yourself if you are a sports radio listener, have you ever been POLLED OR SURVEYED?  

If you are still with me at this point of the article, thanks because I haven't even hit the "Main Idea".  Stay tuned, as I try to dissect my complaint.

SUNDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY (SBP)

SBP was hosted by Lesbian Craig (Founder of HMW) and Bobby Z.  These guys would come on and simply spit.  Spit is not referenced as mucous, but real talk on Sunday Nights.  There were times when a hot story dictated by ESPN, FOX SPORTS that they would address but "Show Prep" would lead them to talk about what they had planned.  Some may say it's bad, but personally I like going against the grain every now and then, it lets me know you are not a robot following the "talking points".  Several times I can remember ironing my clothes in the garage upset about yet another dumb Kubiak decision and the guys would hit on it, but also include some NASCAR for the flavor.  Hell yes, I was like "WTF" but they delivered on their intent of the show prepared.

Josh Innes

What can I say about Josh Innes?  I think Josh Innes is straight up Hollywood.  If you believe any of the stories disposed on air, shame on you.  I am not saying he's fake, but he's chunk so much at you to make you think he's a sick feminine sex-craved virgin that you forget it's all entertainment.  Here is the cold part, IT WORKS.  I am sure when he reads this, he will go on air and claim this "Real Talk", but the truth of the matter is, dude's dad is Scooby Doo.  Josh Innes practically grew up in a damn studio, but here's the twist, Josh Innes prepares.  I'm guilty of knocking him for going off tangent, but he prepares a damn show, it may not be to your flavor but he put the work in.  I appreciate Josh's zeal for radio entertainment.

Ralph Cooper

If the previous two personalities are examples of "Show Prep" then Ralph has to be the definition.  Commonly there are topics flying around on ESPN and Fox Sports "hot topics" and Ralph treat these stories like he would a local high school celebrity.  Most definitely, Ralph is going to hit the hot topic, but he will  take time in his show to hit on things he prepared prior.  In the midst of the Carmelo trade, Ralph had a local topic going that jammed the phone-lines with everyone wanting to speak about the local story. 

"WORK IN"

Picture you as a radio personality, as a novice I would think "Radio Prep" for a person committed to radio is similar to:

• Coming in before your show
• Conduct your show
• Go home
• Research the "Talking Points & Cheat sheet" by way of ESPN
• Research your own personal topics
• Formulate with your co-host how to deliver
• Deliver the show 

PROPS

Big ups to Josh Innes, Ralph Cooper and The Sunday Night Block Party for preparing. If you are still reading at this point, thanks because I am yet to get to my point.

THE POINT

I love talk radio of all genres because I love the passion of "Joe Blow" caller.  In political media, the one joke of all jokes is to hear yourself included in one of Rush Limbaugh's "MONTAGES".   Rush Limbaugh's montages are simply a bit where he depicts the "political pundits" as being a party of talking point because every pundit simply utters the same thing.  It's one of those things you have to hear to get the true feel of it, but he's illustrating how talking points or cheat sheets are delivered and every pundit says the same thing.  In essence he is saying, no one is original, they  find out what's the "Hot Story" and follow the popular opinion.   Does this sound familiar?  I am not mad about reporting the hot story but I do hate to hear a personality from ESPN make a statement and minutes later the whole local market is repeating it. 

Examples:

• After USC's lost to Texas in the 2005 BCS Championship, Matt Leinart called Vince Young "a freak", minutes later ESPN was referring to Vince as a freak and I'd be damned if the whole local media jumped right in on it. 

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  I heard a national personality speak about the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  This particular commentator said "The owners want the players to save them from themselves"".  Have you heard this on your local stations? 

• Last but not least "David Stern is only out for major market teams", how many times have we heard this.  As a matter of fact, this was the catalyst of the argument.  It's a dumb argument in my opinion because the theory breaks down once you get to Houston and Philly.  If David Stern is really out for large market teams, explain Houston and Philly?  Last I checked, both metropolitan cities were larger than Miami or are we confusing semantics?  On the surface, it really sounds like a credible argument, but once you break it down, it's silly.  I scoff at the argument because I'm supposed to be the conspiracy theorist and if I'm not mistaking Celtics, Knicks, Heat, and Chicago were down for a considerable amout of time and now all of a sudden, David Stern is the Master of consolidating the Major Market teams.   Instead of posing a false argument, I will give you a valid argument to propose (really shocked Ralph, Craig or Josh didn't throw this out haphazardly), Daryl Morey has chased, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony in addition to missing out out on Williams from Utah; his signature sign is Kevin Martin.  Is this "Big League" general managing?

If your name was not included in this article it means I don't believe you seriously prepare for your show. 

OUT

LM
HMW
Email: houstonmediawatch@yahoo.com
Blog: http;//www.houstonmediawatch.com
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