[BC] A question for Rich Wood

[patrick roberts]

At the station I used to work at we had several national talk show hosts use
our studios over the course of time.  The one that stands out in my mind is
Laura Ingram.  She pre-sent a huge demand list that we accommodated to the
best of our ability.  When she arrived and we showed her one of our
production rooms for her show the first thing she said was, "Oh! We're going
to do old-time radio here today, aren't we?"   Needless to say I wasn't
impressed as our (at the time) nearly pristine five year old PR&E Radio
Mixers weren't exactly "old time radio" for us.  I guess her NYC home studio
changes out consoles like they change their socks.  Around our part of the
fly-over country people have to make enough profit over several years to pay
for nicer technologies.

Michael Medved was another one I'd just as soon not bother with.  He has a
huge ego and is a grouch to boot.  I'd have to say he was the least favorite
"talent" I've had to work with so far. (things went fine but he just was an
unpleasant person)

In contrast when Neal Boortz showed up with his crew they felt like we were
working with just like another broadcaster in the building.  He was totally
nice with no huge demand list or ego issue.  The ISDN even dropped on them
one time and they handled it like pros.

Although there might be a higher percentage of those in the jerk category
with major talk talent, I think they are just like the other population out
there for the most part.  There are those that are fun to work with and
those that aren't.  The main thing that should be done is the names of those
that are hard to deal with should be passed around so that when they try to
find a local host next time at other stations can figure out how not to
bother hosting them.  One good excuse would be that we only have "old-time
radio" around here and we just wouldn't be able to accommodate someone of
his/her stature! :)