Cracker by Damian Christie

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Cracker: "It says 'Let's b friends', and it's got a b on it"

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  • Russell Brown,

    It was a company - Cox, Arcus and Co. 307 8237

    Heh. I'd forgotten all about them.

    But I am minded , Hugh, of one of your finer ad-lib moments, when you got a delay on a phone call because someone had the radio on at the other end, and you used the echo to freestyle a version of the Rhythm Selection theme. That was very clever.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    FYI, apparently Mike announced his departure today. Well, by departure I mean going to Drive. Which has its pros and cons.

    Cons.
    -5 drive shows are cut, halving the number of run of station music shows during the week. (Not including The Wire here).
    -Mike and bFM are still locked in their co-dependent relationship, and those that don't enjoy Mike's style can no longer listen to drive.

    Pros.
    - The people doing the 2-4 shows (the only remaining weekday run of station show open to different hosts) will inadvertently get a longer show each day of around say, half an hour.
    - The people who love Mike still get him 5 days a week.

    Breakfast and Morning Glory shows are changing from 6-9 and 9-12 respectively. The earlier start on Brekky will be good for those who are up earlier than me, although I'm told Hannah does a great 6-7 show.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Cons.
    -5 drive shows are cut, halving the number of run of station music shows during the week. (Not including The Wire here).
    -Mike and bFM are still locked in their co-dependent relationship, and those that don't enjoy Mike's style can no longer listen to drive.

    Okay, having given the benefit of the doubt thus far, I think this is a terrible idea.

    Drive has been an excellent development space in the past few years, and they're throwing that away. One Drive show with Mikey (which is what I had hitherto taken to be the plan) would have been cool. Taking out all the other Drive shows is not cool.

    I will also miss the Cocktail Corner, even though nearly every drink they made sounded revolting.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    Yeah that was always the plan Russell - it's a job Mikey needs, not a slot on the radio. So a five day show was the only solution. I understand the sticking point was money, which was obviously going to be a reduction from breakfast (although it now means bFM has three full time announcers on staff).

    I'm trying not to be unduly negative here, but yes, I agree. Although it's exactly what they did last time too, remember?

    Just caught Mike on the radio before saying how much he was looking forward to not battling the traffic each morning. Ironically, if you're a breakfast host that turns up on time, that's one of the few good things about starting early - there's no traffic...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    ...and yes, that phrase of mine was indeed uttered by "Big" Tony Amos.

    One part insincerity, three parts inanity. I easily recognise his work, even when written down.

    last night, a friend of mine who shares the same name as one of the radio stations we've been discussing...

    GH?

    ... it struck him the fact that there has been such a long discussion, that we are all so passionate about bFM, it's another sign how unique, how important bFM is/was to us. If JayJay replaced Polly on Classic Htis Drive or whatever, I don't think anyone, anywhere would have much to say on the topic at all.

    Well, what's to love about those mainstream music stations?

    The Frankensteinian playlists that cull indiscriminately from the top 40, playing Kings of Leon back to back with Britney Spears back to back with whatever corporate shit is "hot" this month, thus displaying their contempt for both their audience and music in general?

    The hideously forced and thuddingly banal sub-sub-Seinfeldian between-song "wry" observations that passes for hosting?

    The "rock reports" that get their information from three day old Heralds in obtuse ignorance of the fact that it was all over the 'net a week ago? (cut to promo which literally describes Blood Sugar Sex Magic and Nevermind as "new rock").

    The endless, awful, and screaming commercials?

    The feeble touting of their tragically low number of songs in a row without said commercials? (not counting said promos themselves, naturally).

    The "wacky" japes of the Breakfast Lunatic Crew, whipping up the tedium with some tired "outrageous" competition inevitably involving nudity?

    The whole thing seems contrived to keep office workers sedated.

    Excuse me while I quietly vomit.
    ...

    b is a haven of real (more or less) people playing music that doesn't make you feel like your brain is a whore. God save 'em.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

    The aural equivalent of an office poster saying 'you don't have to be mad!!!!!! to work here, but it helps!!!!!'

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    @3410 - yes, GH. You've got me intrigued as to who you are now. V? Message me if you want to remain in the shadows ;)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    V?

    Yep. Hi.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Drive has been an excellent development space in the past few years, and they're throwing that away. One Drive show with Mikey (which is what I had hitherto taken to be the plan) would have been cool. Taking out all the other Drive shows is not cool.

    Surely the reasoning is to extend the listenership. Yep Drive is a development space but by moving it and increasing the time slot is opening up more space for development and letting Mikey do afternoons, well that pleases alot of us and gives him ample time to get to work, placating those who have a problem with his tardiness.
    I found it interesting that his punctuality was annoying to some, when it then became obvious that those people must really want more of his wit or they wouldn't be critisizing him not being there early enough. I for one like that his timing and personality is anarchistic and I for one will move my listening to 4pm and sleep in until 9 happily. I think b is the best radio and it's innovative style has encouraged other stations to open the waves up to what works.Jus' sayin' :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews,

    Drive has been an excellent development space in the past few years, and they're throwing that away. One Drive show with Mikey (which is what I had hitherto taken to be the plan) would have been cool. Taking out all the other Drive shows is not cool.

    Just tell me he doesn't do the Freedom Call anymore ...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    V?

    Yep. Hi.

    Everyone knows everyone.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    I love the Freedom Call. I don't know about Christchurch*, but up here we need that sort of thing from time to time.

    *;)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    Sophie - I think you've misinterpreted my comments or something - they're not moving drive, Mikey is simply taking over from the five hosts there currently. Nor is the slot being extended. My comment about the 2-4 being extended was facetious - i.e. the 2-4 will become 2-4.30, or 2-5, or 2-whenever Mike shows up. But I'm sure the 2-4 people will be happy with the extra time, although "filling time" is never as much fun as knowing in advance how long you're going to have - kinda kills the ability to build towards a last song, end of your show etc.

    That's cool that you find Mike's tardiness fine. But for others, including station management, it's not cool. It means your key show of the day doesn't start until an hour late, which means you let down sponsors, advertisers, and listeners who like listening to the breakfast host. Not like someone turning up an hour late is not the same as not liking them when they're there. I means that a show that should be firing on all guns at 7am or earlier, with interviews, giveaways, features etc, doesn't really kick off until an hour later. A lot of people are at work by then and so miss out on a true breakfast show.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    V?

    Yep. Hi.

    He's a Visitor. Seize him!

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew Jones,

    a friend of mine who shares the same name as one of the radio stations

    The Rock?

    Over the Bridge, Auckland… • Since Jun 2009 • 14 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    He's a Visitor. Seize him!

    Yeah, those wires hanging out of his ears are a dead give away, apparently they are attached to a device called a Pod or something, who's he listening to? where does he get his orders?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Robbie Siataga,

    Lets cross live now to breaking news in other parts of the country ?

    Hello...Hello, is anybody out there ?...apparently not, and now back to Auckland

    ...as you were :)

    Since Feb 2010 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I don't know about Christchurch

    we used to have a great Student Radio station here - until some ad salesman who apparently couldn't sell enough ads bought the station for a $1 off the Student Union (as I understand it) a travesty up there with the ECan dismissal I reckon...
    I no longer listen or support it, and know no one who does anymore...
    Fabel seems to have strengthened its stranglehold at the University, now controlling events as well...
    nice work if you can get it!!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew Jones,

    I am sad to see Mikey go, despite it being the right move. I don't think losing the current 5 drive shows is the right way to go. While I don't always appreciate Ritchie's musical taste, he has a presence that is hard to resist!

    I would be disappointed if the many of the guest slots change on Breakfast - Rick, Fabian et al are great.

    Over the Bridge, Auckland… • Since Jun 2009 • 14 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    a friend of mine who shares the same name as one of the radio stations

    Ray-Joe Live?
    Solid Clod?
    Reamer?
    Key Wee Effem?
    Nat Schnell?
    Howe Racqui?

    obviously it's not as simple as
    some bloke called George...
    a broad-caster maybe...
    Bea Effeminate?

    oh I give up...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    @ Ian

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    That's cool that you find Mike's tardiness fine. But for others, including station management, it's not cool.

    Particularly for a job which actually has hours in the title. How many hours you have to work to do the broadcast hours, I would have thought those hours would be the minimum if you wanted to keep your job.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    @3410
    a classic case of two rons making a riot...
    and Shirley, Lady Mondegreen, was just off screen...
    ;- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi,

    I haven't been interested in listening to b Breakfast since Mikey took it up again. It's not that I don't like listening to him (I do) or that I'm not a loyal b-boy (I am) but I listen to b to hear something new. I once had a heated discussion with a guy a few years older than me who couldn't understand why I would listen to a radio station that played songs and artists I'd never heard of. My response was "Well, that's the whole point. If I knew exactly what I wanted to listen to, I'd turn on my iPod and select them." He was horrified, but then he thought that ZM was "edgy" so I'm not going to judge.

    b is going through a pretty conservative phase in their lineup right now, which is sad to see. I'd much rather they took a chance on some twenty year old film studies student with a sense of humour and a crazy flatmate.

    As for not turning up on time-I remember those shennanigans from Mikey's previous breakfast stint, and I'm amazed he's still getting away with it. As someone else who has done indie breakfast radio (if in a much smaller market) I can tell you that it's not that fuckin' hard to turn up on time. If your listeners expect you to start at a specific time, you start at that specific time come hellor high water.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    @ Ian,
    Don't call me Shirley.
    ;)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

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