Who Are These People?

[jmfargo]

I'm upset right now, for someone else. I know that's not a good thing to be - let that person be mad for themselves, especially when they're a relatively big star and can handle things themselves - but I couldn't help but get pissed when I listened to this.

Basically, for those that don't want to click through without knowing what you're going to, it's a radio talk show doing an interview with Weird Al. Things are going well, he's there to promote his new CD, Straight Outta Lynwood, and seems to be having a good time.

So of course they bring up his dead parents.

No, really. Go listen, I couldn't actually stand to listen to that whole part and had to fast forward. It's painful for me to hear Weird Al go in to such a state of sadness, horror, all those feelings one would imagine comes when you're talking about a relatively recent death in the family of both parents. These people crossed a line, big time.

Then it gets worse. Not only do they bring it up, one jokes about it at the end of the interview. People criticize them and they come back with...well...go listen to it and find out. I'm extremely pissed for Weird Al at these completely insensitive jackasses.

Now I just wonder if there's anything I can do about it. I worry because just by posting this link I bring up their potential ratings, which could boost them in their bosses eyes, but I'm hoping, sincerely hoping, that there will be enough outrage that these people will just be fired, and never work in radio again. I see it going one of a few ways - 1. They gain infamy through this, and thus more fame, and nothing happens beyond gaining a few listeners while losing a few, balancing. 2. Enough people call and complain, stop listening, etc. that these people get fired (and kept out of the industry) or moved to a 2AM to 6AM shift when no one is listening. 3. Over time the radio station hosting them realizes that for some reason famous people won't call in to their show any more, they trace it back and realize that musicians no longer trust their show and want to see them fail. Then they fail.

A guy can hope it's two or three. There should be consequences for actions.

What they did was wrong.

(Credit where credit is due - thanks hacked2death for pointing this out and getting me outraged.)

Comments

[ekbuttercup.livejournal.com]

I can't listen because we have no sound on this computer, but no one makes Weird Al sad. I met him when I was 15, and he is such a nice man. Very tall, and he hugs pretty much anyone who asks. Damn, that just pisses me off. If you're going to screw with someone, pick on someone who deserves it, not someone infintely awesome.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

*nods* I've heard he's a great guy too, and he always seems so upbeat. Hearing that total defeat in his voice, the depression, was just...horrible.

[authentichris.livejournal.com]

yeah, ametuers.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Amatuers claiming to be hard-hitting journalists. For some reason that just upsets me even more - they defend themselves by comparing themselves to people who have more fame than they could dream of.

[authentichris.livejournal.com]

are these people famous?

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

From what I can tell looking at their website (http://www.roverradio.com/), they're small-time shock-jocks with a radio and web presense. A brief glimpse of their content shows that they seem to be going for par with shows like "Jackass" and thus my guess is that they might have even done all this not out of insensitivity, but planning.

I don't know how people like that could live with themselves, honestly.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

The link wouldn't play for me. Based on what you've written, though, these guys sound like tools.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Do you have Quicktime, and if so, the newest version? I double-checked and my link seems okay.

After the interview two or three callers call in saying that the DJs did a very bad thing. One out of the four DJs (and maybe others, but I can only think of the one off the top of my head) defends himself saying that you don't see "hard hitting journalists" backing off from sensitive subjects. He names some famous names and basically says that he's trying to be like them. It's just....gah! He's NOT these people, he's NOT a journalist, he's a freakin' DJ!

I really wish I could find Weird Al's take on this, but I'm betting he's just trying to put it behind him. Especially the one DJ's comment (after learning that Weird Al's parents died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning) says he finds Al in a live concert to be "A gas."

Then he laughs uproariously about it, and goes on later to say that he didn't think Al caught it and how funny it was.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

I upgraded to QT 7, and it's playing.

God damn, I hate f'ing fake radio voices. Ass hats.

[authentichris.livejournal.com]

they are the worst.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

Truly. Here's a thought:

1. Lose the fake radio voice
2. Do some frigging research - your questions have all been asked 1,000,000 times before
3. You're a sad imitation of a shock jock, and you will never ever make it beyond a small market

[authentichris.livejournal.com]

as long as this doesn't catupult them to a bigger stage.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

I doubt it will.

As shock jocks, they should know it's strippers and lesbians that get you to a bigger stage. ;-)

[gypsychilde.livejournal.com]

A lot of radio personalities are obnoxious jerks, no matter what.
It sounds like they tried to apologize for bringing up the subject, but then the one guy brings up that horrid joke.

It is quite sad that many media personalities like having attention for their bad stuff as much as any good stuff (any publicity is still publicity, nonetheless). Sometimes it IS about ratings and getting reactions.
I did not like when the deejays try to defend themselves and you can hear the one guy stifling his laughter, all the horrid gas song stuff, etc.
They were just digging themselves deeper.

Weird Al is known by his fans to be a nice guy and does not deserve such treatment.
It was not an all-out jerk-ish treatment, but definitely a bummer and a mood killer.

I did not know that his parents had died. :(

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I don't know that they were trying to apoligize, really. I mean, one of them says that they "didn't expect him to get so sad." It's his PARENTS! Come on!

*sigh*

But yeah, unfortunately Weird Al's parents passed away not long ago in a fire. It's why he cancelled one of his tours...I don't remember when exactly, but I know this hit him really hard and that's understandable.

[meopta.livejournal.com]

I often think being a sociopath and/or a narcissist is a requirement for entertainment, most specifically radio work. That could just be me, since most of the dj's I've ever known in person were either child molestors or just run o the mill vile.

I was going to talk today about how much I cannot stand weird al and my mystification at this long lived career, but I think I'll give the guy a break. Too bad he went with them - a nice "hey, those are my parents F you' goes a long way in the world.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Thanks for giving him a break - beat him up tomorrow. ;)

I've met and befriended a few DJ's, but the shock jocks? I'm not sure I'd want to know most of those people besides being able to say "Hey, yeah, I know him! He IS that nuts!"

[gypsychilde.livejournal.com]

I often think being a sociopath and/or a narcissist is a requirement for entertainment, most specifically radio work.

I'd say that you were not that far off from that thought because my brother is in the radio business and he was considered a loser in high school and became quite a narcissist around his early 20s.
Luckily, the family kept his ego from getting out of control and a lot of the people in the business whom he has met as he worked his way up the ladder (still very far to go, though!) definitely disenchanted his image of the glamorous life of an on-air deejay.
He has since decided to stick to producing and not be an on-air personality, thank goodness.
He knows which celebs and artists to respect and what subjects are off-limits when interviewing live.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

The most infuriating thing is that these a-holes are claiming that they didn't expect Al to be upset talking about his parents' death. "I had no idea he would be bummed out about talking about his parents!"

Jagoffs.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

*nods* Two years or 20, it's his PARENTS! For Pete's sake, there are some things that, especially in a radio promotional interview, you leave alone no matter what. Death is a big part of that area, whether family, friends, pets, whatever.

[razedinwinter.livejournal.com]

"I just listened to your Weird Al Yankovic interview and I think some of your listeners are right, asking him about how his parents died was just wrong. You AREN'T a hardhitting journalist and making light of the situation afterward was deplorable. If you really wanted to know more about his parents and their death, go look it up and have enough dignity not to poke and prod at him.

Honestly, the interview isn't even the worst part but the afterward....shame on you! Apologize and just admit that you were wrong for what you said.

I'm extremely glad that I don't live where you broadcast, not that I'd ever listen to your show again anyway even if I did."

I just sent that message to "Rover" and honestly, I hope he does lose his job over it. Not likely since those scum feed off of stuff like this.....

I've always liked Weird Al. His enthusiasm has always been infectious but it was sad to hear the obvious grief he still carries over their deaths. Way to poke and prod guys!

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

That's much better than the one I wanted to send. When I get upset I'm not very coherent and it would have went something like this:

"You suck!"
~Stewie

I'm going to be sending something a bit better than just that tonight and I urge everyone to do the same. Thanks for taking this step. :)

[akdidge.livejournal.com]

I'm sure 'Ol Al will come up with something. Like a song totally destroying these asshats. He'll show them, he'll show the world. He's THAT damn cool/good/etc.

Weird Al Should have a religion, where everyone just walks around with an accordion and/or mumbling his lyrics in a chant-like manner. Wait, I do that already.

Hmm...

[hacked2death.livejournal.com]

Forget gospel music, this religon will be all about the polka.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I want to see a picture of you with your accordion. :)

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

what in the hell???
The other dj's are telling the guy to STOP because he's getting bummed and he just keeps hammering. WOW.

I hope he didn't listen to the interview afterwards.
Boy, Al didn't slam the phone down, he was just done with them. Like, what did they expect him to say?

Is there a radio manager or someone to complain to? I really like Weird Al. :(

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Is there a radio manager or someone to complain to? I really like Weird Al. :(

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell no. I think they are a show that does everything independantly and then sells to radio stations. Or they might only be online - I really can't tell, to be honest.

Weird Al cancelled all other radio interviews he had lined up for the rest of that day and I think he has declined them since. I really feel for the guy - here's hoping he just realizes that these folks are asshats, and he bounces back.

[karinablack.livejournal.com]

aw man...
I can see why he'd cancel them- not knowing what to expect and all.
I don't know if dropping him a line would get through, or make a difference, but you can write to Weird Al here:
http://www.weirdal.com/aa.htm (http://www.weirdal.com/aa.htm)