LESS, NOT MORE, MILEY, PLEASE

Aside from the chuckles at the end of cable newscasts, I didn't hear much dismay over the Vanity Fair/Miley Cyrus seminude photo shoot. The Disney TV/music star said to be "embarassed" and "apologetic", but those in on the shoot say she and her handlers knew what was being depicted all along.

Emailer Rob writes:

> Jack,> > I understand your point. But you have to understand, that it is the entertainment industry. If you are not in the puplic eye, pushing buttons, you will be forgotten. And that's what she was doing, pushing the envelope. Besidess, it could have been worse. Do you remember Brooke Sheilds? And the movie Pretty Baby? Brooke was only 13 when she did that. I don't condone the actions, but it is the norm these days. And what is happening? we are talking about it now. They got what they wanted. THE PUBLICITY.

My response:

Rob,
What they specifically want is for us to accept children as sexually-interesting people. I don't call that progress or enlightenment---I call it sick. So I can imagine what Miley and her handlers might think/hope is going to happen, but shame on us if we reward their expectations with our dollars. Thanks for the email and for listening!

CLEAR CHANNELLING RADIO

The book featured Monday 4/28 at 10:10 was "Right of the Dial" by Alec Foege.

The Clear Channel Radio that hired me in 1994, bringing me to San Antonio from wintry upstate NY was a nice place to work and a broadly regarded owner (radio friends thought I was sooo lucky to be going to work there). By 2000, they were a Jacor-ized company of execs who prided themselves on how raw and tough they could be, and saying you worked there now drew more sympathy than envy. It didn't have to be that way, and I don't think it means the end of commercial radio. But our business has dug its economic hole deeper than it otherwise had to be, and these corporate missteps are a big part of that.

I still believe in terrestrial radio, but I think it's future will look very different from its present.

WORDS HAVE MEANING

I'm hearing the word "fired" around the radio station, and I thought it was time someone clarified what it means.

When you're "fired" from a radio station, it means you're banned from the premises, and often escorted out of the building right then and there. No mas. No pay. No benefits. No airtime. It doesn't always mean you did anything wrong, but it always means you're treated like you kidnapped the Lindbergh baby anyway. I know---I've actually been fired from a radio job, in 1990. It's a life-changer.

Here's what it doesn't mean: You get to stay on the air. You still get paid. You still get health coverage. Your career and longevity are praised...by your bosses. You continue working. Having your duties, job or hours changed is just a reminder that none of us "own" our jobs. Sooo...that's what "fired" is and is not. Just in case you encounter that word today.

DOES ANYONE KNOW...

...Why children's toys are so anal-retentively fastened to the packaging? Twist ties, staples, and other heavy-duty, NASA-reentry-grade materials make it painful and time-consuming to get the just-unwrapped birthday gift into the hands of the crazed 3-year-old...if it's safe enough for her to play with, why can't she remove it from the package?

...If there's any way to replace the battery of a cordless (rechargeable) electric lawn mower? After a year or more of non-use, my B+D won't hold a charge or turn-over. Just trying to keep my carbon footprint small in case the Al Gore convention draft thing really happens...

...How do you find out about suddenly discontinued consumer products, short of actually writing a letter to the (former) manufacturer, asking why they no longer make Reynolds Foil Hot Bags (for instance)? I'm thinking there must be (or should be...) a website.

I'll take anything from rock-solid answers to vaporous theorizing on any or all of these. There is no prize.