Charlie Sherman, the guy who runs a morning talk show here in New Hampshire, has a bit of a colorful past. He spent years as THE sports guy in New Hampshire, anchoring for the biggest TV station (the only network affiliate here in Cow Hampshire), until one day he threw a hissy fit over a parking space at a college sports game and quit in a fit of pique. A few months later, he came back as a talk-show host (ending the show of a couple of far better hosts), and it's been pretty painful. A lot of the time it seems as if Sherman's fulfilling a "community service" sentence listening to his show; it's almost all "public service" material -- health issues, informational guests, and lots of goody two-shoes material. It's decidedly lacking in entertainment and anything that could be considered controversial.
This morning, though, Sherman decided to discuss the buyout of Gillette by Procter and Gamble. Sherman expressed his displeasure with the deal, decrying all the lost jobs and traditions that come with big mergers and buyouts.
I immediately picked up my phone to discuss the matters. "Is Charlie taking calls about the Gillette deal?"
"No, he's not."
I guess SOMEONE got the message. You see, Charlie's show is aired on what they call the "New Hampshire Action Network" or some such silly thing. It's a chain of four stations around the state. When he goes on the air, it represents three other talk-show hosts (and supporting staff) that don't have jobs any more. Further, this network is owned by Clear Channel, a company that owns well over a thousand radio stations around the country and has single-handedly put countless radio professionals out of work.
It's just too bad someone forgot to tell The Sherm that criticizing corporate mergers and buyouts is strictly verboten, and one shouldn't bite the hand that signs his paycheck. But Sherm has never been too bright about that.
J.
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Comments (8)
Don't get me started on Che... (Below threshold)1. Posted by mhking | January 28, 2005 9:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Don't get me started on Cheap Channel.
I was the weekend anchor for a local news station here in Atlanta (local folks, I'm sure, know who I'm talking about) when Cheap Channel bought out the old owner's (Jacor) stations around the country. First thing Cheap Channel did once they started to flex their muscles is to dump all the part-timers who were making more than a bare minimum wage.
I got dumped and replaced with a part-timer from one of their other stations who they paid less than half of what I was making.
Only good thing (as far as I was concerend) was that the station sounded like shit (and still does).
1. Posted by mhking | January 28, 2005 9:47 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 09:47
2. Posted by Rod Stanton | January 28, 2005 12:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Gillette stockholders are very happy. The company has not been doing well, compared to most American companies, the last 25 years. The stock has been up big the last few days. Employees should be revising resumes as many will be gone. P+G shareholders are not very happy; buying a loser frequently does not add to shareholder value - Ask AOL what happened after getting TW. I am sure the guys at P+G think they can turn Gillette around; but so did AOL. This merger wil result in big job cuts like HP did a few years back.
2. Posted by Rod Stanton | January 28, 2005 12:03 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 12:03
3. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | January 28, 2005 1:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rod,
Don't forget the hinky accounting that was going with AOL and TW. That contributed quite a bit to the weak performance against expectations.
3. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | January 28, 2005 1:10 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 13:10
4. Posted by Chris | January 28, 2005 1:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seeing as I played High school football during the late 90's (right before Sherman quit), I had many chances to meet the don. He's a tool. Total, complete, dick. I like the new sports guy on channel 9, allthough I'm never in NH to watch it anymore.
4. Posted by Chris | January 28, 2005 1:32 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 13:32
5. Posted by Henry | January 28, 2005 1:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Anyone else remember the 'best a man can get' ditty?
5. Posted by Henry | January 28, 2005 1:32 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 13:32
6. Posted by Assistant Village Idiot | January 28, 2005 7:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And Charlie replaced a good morning show host in Mike Ball. I can't stand to listen now. The constant subtext is what a BSD he's been over the years in local media.
6. Posted by Assistant Village Idiot | January 28, 2005 7:04 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 19:04
7. Posted by Just Me | January 28, 2005 8:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I can't stand Charlie. I really liked Mike.
I also am not real into Gardner Goldsmith, I thought Dan did a much better show. I hardly ever listen anymore, unless I am listening to the syndicateds.
7. Posted by Just Me | January 28, 2005 8:05 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 28, 2005 20:05
8. Posted by Rod Stanton | January 29, 2005 9:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
SCSI I updated to "fire Wire" years ago. The creative accounting you refer to did not help.
8. Posted by Rod Stanton | January 29, 2005 9:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 29, 2005 21:07