Howie’s Button Stunt
by Brian Maloney, January 8th, 2008 at 09:58am
Boston radio folks are buzzing today about Howie Carr’s decision to wear a WTKK button while broadcasting his WRKO afternoon drive show from Manchester.
What’s it all about, Howie?
Carr was broadcasting from “radio row”, set up by Talkers Magazine, the industry advertorial publication.
Thanks to Scott Allen Miller for the report from the scene.
And now, to you: do you think this stunt was a wise move, or not?
Entry Filed under: Howie Carr
25 Comments
1. Brian F. | January 8th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I was listening: he was interviewing Pat Buchanan and a caller said “It’s good to have you back, Howie.” Pat asked what she meant and Howie said, “If things had gone differently, I would be on the first floor right now. Here, I will show you the button” and he put on the WTKK button.
2. joe | January 8th, 2008 at 10:35 am
What a low class thing to do!
3. raccoonradio | January 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
As I said in another post, Howie had Hannity on
for a few minutes and Sean kept talking about the big radio drama–Howie’s attempt to move to FM.
They kept talking about having “an FM station’s
cookies” and I don’t know if they meant WTKK’s,
or maybe Howie’s FM station in the Upper Valley
(WNTK) was giving them away. At one point he said hi to a woman named Grace (Grace Blazer of WTKK?)…he mentioned his former colleague Michele
McPhee starting a radio gig (at the station where he was to wind up), and as McPhee started her new show (she was also broadcasting from
Radio Row) she said, “Hi, Howie–look,
there’s Howie Carr” as he was leaving.
You’d think a station would tell their
talent not to even refer to the competition!
But then again they did work together at the
Herald.
4. Anti-Braude | January 8th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Was he also passing out those “carr bars”? All I know is that I’ve heard enough from Col. Hunt for a long time.
5. JDG | January 8th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I was listening and thought it was pretty funny. Just goes to show you how little Howie thinks of the people at Entercom. Col. Hunt is extremely annoying and makes the show hard to listen to right now.
6. Brian F. | January 8th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Col. Hunt was unbearable yesterday: talking over people, yelling, saying stupid jokes, etc. It was horrible
7. grantleecharge | January 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I think it is f***ing sweet!
8. Rocky | January 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Signs of life from Howie! This is a great development. Tear down Entercom from within.
9. wilvus | January 8th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
What!!…..A million dollar a year salary and he can’t even back the team that signed him. It’s sad and pathetic, and why I quit listening and caring.
10. joy | January 8th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
wow grantleecharge is really stealing my schtick now. sad — get your own style, grantleecharge there is only one joy in this blogosphere ecru!
11. Joe from Brighton | January 8th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
It made my day!
12. Ididyourdaddy | January 8th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Ahem. joy. dance?
13. Jessie | January 8th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
During Eagan and Braude today they were refering to a man in the room “from another radio station” whose name they deliberately and pointedly declined to use, but I believe Margery did say he was a colleague from the Herald. Then Severin said something inaudible (but apparently rude) and Braude jested back “You know that guy who just left the room? You’d better watch out, he could have your job!” Not a direct quote but something along those lines. I got the impression Howie was hanging around with his would-have-been colleagues.
14. joe luke | January 8th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I miss Scotto. He was good, as where the news team fired by ‘RKO. That little stunt of firing them cost me listening to that craxzy, broken mess they call a radio station.
Howie is over for me. No common sense shown, and he was someone who preached about how stupid people are. He couldn’t even get a new job offer done right.
15. NHradiofan | January 8th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I have to believe that Howie really is trying to stick it in the eye of Entercom. The combination of the talk about the WTKK button might be just a little attempt at humor but the incessant chatter of the Colonel for the past 3 days has made for a very unpleasant listening experience. The Colonel doesn’t seem to realize the show is called “The Howie Carr Show” not “The Howie and Dave Show”. I love when the Colonel fills in for Howie. I think he is knowledgeable on the issues, witty and he possesses a good sense of humor but good God, enough already! I started listening this afternoon (Tuesday) but the Colonel couldn’t seem to let anyone else speak. I turned off the radio for about an hour and when I went back - he was still talking! Why is Howie allowing this? I guess there is only one reason. I couldn’t even enjoy the interview with Mitt Romney because the Colonel felt like he had to speak everytime someone took a breath.
At least Giles Threadgold was enjoyable when he sat in with Howie. And I say this as someone who actually likes the Colonel.
16. joe | January 8th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
On second thought, good idea man. Howie is feeding the zoo. He knows the value of a rattled cage.
Were going to break the bars mothaf**ker!
And thats right “Ididyourdaddy” we gunna DANCE!!!
And I’m picking a partner and the dance card has a capital “E”.
17. Rocky | January 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
NH,
Howie basically drove you away by letting the Colonel go unchecked. I think this may be Howie’s bizarre war of attrition..he’s doing a Viking funeral. He’s letting the show go down in flames-THIS wouldn’t have happened ten or five years ago. Howie is so determined to stick it to Entercom,that he’ll ruin his own show in the process…he may end up on 96.9 after all.
18. Don | January 8th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Col. Hunt give it a rest.
19. Lisa | January 8th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hey it’s one way to get fired. That may be his goal. Or, he just doesn’t give a rat’s ass.
Anyone here the “this is Jason Wolfe and I approved this message” WRKO ads that end with glassbreaking? What’s that about - are they trying to be self-effacing? Hmmm. Odd all around.
I heard Michelle say Hi to Howie, she called him her friend. They were co-workers and it was her debut. It’s a small industry and I’m sure they all hang out during the downtime. I hang with my competitors at events many of whom I consider friends.
20. Barbara | January 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Howie being bold and brazen, I love it, stick it to ‘em Howie. Maybe he’ll get fired and can finally move on, who knows what behind the scenes deal he still has with TKK,,,,,
21. Dave | January 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Last night Whatshername McWhatshername said ‘Hi’ to him on the air, although his voice couldn’t be heard.
22. eriemike | January 8th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
A week or two ago, I heard Howie complain about how lousy the reception is on WRKO at night time. I forgot what the topic he was on, but, I thought that was kind of brazen comment to make.
23. NHMan | January 9th, 2008 at 9:15 am
After being at Radio Row for about 14 hours a day for 3 days, I can honestly say that Howie was the biggest draw. Hannity was the only one to come close when he was up there to do Howies show on Monday.
Howie was a celeb in that place. He would get completely swarmed everytime he was on a break. I can only imagine how many bumb magnets and muffy bumperstickers he went through…
24. Anti-Braude | January 9th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
True about the reception. WRKO fades out around 4PM these days (S.NH). By the end of chump line I’m usually done because of the static.
25. Nancy | January 9th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I think our irreverent Howie just might be back………….YAY!!!