Radio, TV and that Damned Media

My Final Top 10 Observer-ations

By Richie Whitt
Sep 26, 2011

10. As of this morning, the Dallas Observer is out of the sports business, at least on a full-time basis. Though I'm not technically being fired ("laid off" is supposedly less damning), the paper and its owner, Village Voice Media, have decided to eliminate its full-time sportswriting position. It's called downsizing. And yes,...
Entourage: Fitting Finale or Farewell Flop?

By Richie Whitt
Sep 14, 2011

I dunno, last Sunday night's finale to HBO's Entourage was a little too tidy for me. Vince finally got the girl. Eric was back with Sloan. Ari was reconciling with Mrs. Ari. Drama's show was a go and even Turtle was a trim, fit millionaire. What the what?! I guess I...
TV Ratings: Rangers + Mavericks + Stars < Cowboys

By Richie Whitt
Sep 14, 2011

I run a buffet here. Not every customer will like everything I put out, but hopefully most will find a little something to keep them coming back. I get this complaint frequently: "Why don't you write more about the Rangers? They're winning!" (Beat the Indians last night. AL West lead still at...
A Radio Guy Leaving Work Because of a Kid, and a Football Player Who Won't Do the Same

By Richie Whitt
Aug 23, 2011

Quite the stink back in April when I opined that I didn't think Rangers' pitcher Colby Lewis should miss a start to attend the birth of his second child. I stand by that. I still root for Lewis to be a good pitcher and don't really give a rat's ass...
Now Jean-Jacques Taylor. Is Dallas' Only Daily Being Wadded Up Before Our Very Eyes?

By Richie Whitt
Jul 21, 2011

And so it begins continues. Actually, it's been going on for years now. The slow, excruciatingly painful death of the newspaper, that is. I meet twentysomethings, even thirtysomethings every week who listen to the radio, who read blogs, who Tweet and Facebook and Skype and ... who shrug and giggle at...
Chris Arnold Joins 105.3 The Fan: Toldja Ya Nevuh Know

By Richie Whitt
May 9, 2011

While I was sad to see my old partner Newy Scruggs leave 105.3 The Fan last week, I'm thrilled to have another familiar voice on board. Back in April 2010 -- in the wake of Chris Arnold's departure from K104 -- I wrote that radio was volatile and that you...
BREAKING NEWS: 105.3 The Fan to Talk Sports in the Morning Beginning April 11

By Richie Whitt
Mar 29, 2011

Yes, 105.3 The Fan is tweaking again. But this time it's not merely another shuffling of the deck, but more so a commitment to talk sports in the morning. Out at The Fan as of April 8 are long-time radio veterans Jagger and Gregg Henson, to be replaced Monday, April 11,...
More Layoffs at Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Print Media Rally Slow to Start

By Richie Whitt
Feb 10, 2011

As The Buggles famously sang in 1979, video, in fact, killed the radio star. As The Fort Worth Star-Telegram continues to share content with Dallas' Only Daily and slice positions and send talented writers out into the cold in 2011, it's apparent that the Internet is choking out newspapers. My first...
Now That the Super Bowl is Over, Let's Disqus. Olive Branch?

By Richie Whitt
Feb 8, 2011

Let me get this outta the way once and for all: I'm short(ish). Bald(ing). And, since I don't adopt you guys' system of surrendering to middle age but rather I try to combat it, I'm also douche(y). Yes, I work for a free newspaper and my radio station is No...
Super Bowl XLV Media Party: My Top 10 Observer-ations

By Richie Whitt
Feb 2, 2011

10. The House of Blues put on a pretty nifty show, but $30 for valet parking? I was as gouged as I was cold. 9. After gorging on sausage, blackened catfish, brisket, fajitas, beans-n-rice and then repeating the process, I will not be eating today. 8. I've never even met...
A Commercial You Won't See During Super Bowl XLV. But Why Not?

By Richie Whitt
Jan 20, 2011

Not that I'm endorsing cheating, but I would have zeeeeroooo problem with an AshleyMadison.com commercial during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium February 6. But, somehow, Fox does? The ad, which has been rejected because Fox's standards and practices have deemed it unacceptable for air, isn't offensive or anything racier than a hot...
Log In! Disqus: Our New Commenting System

By Nick Rallo
Dec 17, 2010

Ladies and gents, you may have noticed: We have a new commenting system. Sure, we're going to miss the hell out of Captcha's bizarre word combinations, and that hypnotic voice to soothe you with phrases like "booger humans" or "gladly tectonic." Today, we've got something we think is more interesting:...
BREAKING NEWS: Texas Rangers Moving to 103.3 ESPN

By Richie Whitt
Dec 7, 2010

For the first time since 1995, Texas Rangers' games next season will not be on KRLD 1080 AM as, according to a team source, the franchise will announce - perhaps as soon as this afternoon - that it has agreed to a contract with 103.3 FM ESPN. This year the...
BREAKING NEWS: Mark Elfenbein Joins 105.3 The Fan

By Richie Whitt
Nov 30, 2010

Because it's never too early to get an Elf for Christmas, 105.3 The Fan is hiring long-time Ticket personality Mark Elfenbein. Elf, who hosted a Sunday morning show on 1310 AM since the birth of The Ticket back in 1994. He will begin his new gig alongside Josh Lewin weekdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m...
BREAKING NEWS: Josh Lewin Hired as 105.3 The Fan Juggles Lineup

By Richie Whitt
Oct 29, 2010

Well, that didn't take long. Less than a month after his nine-year relationship with the Texas Rangers ended, Josh Lewin has been hired by 105.3 The Fan to host a midday sports talk show. Lewin will debut in the 11 a.m.-2 p.m. time slot Monday, November 1 as The Fan unveils...
Survivor: Nicaragua. The Coach as Champion: Week 3

By Richie Whitt
Sep 30, 2010

What the friggin' what?! Last time I saw Jimmy Johnson on Survivor he was ordering her to fetch water and him to cut down trees and those guys to catch some fish and the rest to build a bridge from Nicaragua to Key West so he could home and drink some cold...
Survivor: Nicaragua. The Coach as Champion: Week 2

By Richie Whitt
Sep 23, 2010

I hate you, Jimmy Johnson. Not for winning two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and then up and leaving in a huff, but for luring me into watching reality TV. I really despise reality TV. And, I admit, I'm really hooked on Survivor: Nicaragua. On CBS' hit show they...
Greg Williams Is ...

By Richie Whitt
Sep 20, 2010

All the sudden it's been four months since Greg Williams launched his radio comeback by landing a gig at 105.3 The Fan alongside yours truly. Since mid-May I've found him to be: *On time. *Thoroughly prepared. *Unequivocally lucid/coherent. *And, well, his old self. He's come a long way from the...
Survivor: Nicaragua. The Coach as Champion. Week 1

By Richie Whitt
Sep 16, 2010

Once upon a time at a Valley Ranch far, far away, Jimmy Johnson drove his black Nissan 300Z into the parking lot and hurried into the building. He'd summoned a snotty-nosed, smart-ass reporter to his office, and I sat nervously in the foyer. After reading aloud my story in that day's Fort...
One of Michael Vick's Dogs Finds a Safe, Loving Home. In Dallas.

By Richie Whitt
Jun 23, 2010

Richard Hunter has a new member of his household. That's him, quivering in the corner. Shaking uncontrollably. Convulsing. The 4-year-old is scared shitless. "He lives in fear," Hunter says of his new best friend, Mel. "You would too if you'd been beating and traumatized your whole life." Michael Vick is...

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