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My Radio Days, A Perspective
This article originally appeared on my blog in 2011. I’m reprinting it with some new thoughts.
“You’ve got a face for radio.”
That popular snarky line is usually attributed to critics of Howard Stern.
But it’s also a reason that I considered a career in radio when I was in college.
I was reminded of that philosophical internal debate while listening to a 2011 episode of the Adam Carolla podcast. Adam was interviewing the talentless and unfunny “Real Housewife of New York” Jill Zarin. They had met at a party, Carolla had a few drinks, and Zarin realized, “This guy is hilarious — he could be a gold mine…. FOR ME!”
On the Carolla podcast, Zarin pitched her “vision” of their TV show: A funny guy and a strong woman answer viewer questions, give advice, and discuss the issues of the day. Sounds a lot like Regis & Kelly (now Kelly and Ryan) or any other local, regional morning program, doesn’t it? What would it really mean for Carolla? Heavy lifting. Carry the unfunny “strong” woman who comes in every day, shoots her mouth off, and never has a clever, original thought of her own (Zarin even brought her ominous husband/manager into the studio to threateningly urge Carolla that “you should do it”).
Which brings me back to my days at WQMC Radio at CUNY Queens College. Back in…
