http://www.rbr.com/ ©2007 Spoonlabs d.o.o. Vivvo CMS 4.1 2012-02-11T15:50:36-06:00 http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T13:10:00-06:00 2010-03-10T13:10:00-06:00 Carl Marcucci In Chicago Public Radio's Vocalo.org, Robert Feder reports Tribune CEO Randy Michaels issued a list of 119 words and phrases that must never be uttered http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T15:24:53-06:00 2010-03-10T15:24:53-06:00 Scot O'Malley Has Mr. Michaels had a medical event? Some of these are just common sense, but some are crazy. If you can't say "pedestrian", how do you describe a person crossing a street who is hit by a car? Use four words where one will do? http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T15:31:14-06:00 2010-03-10T15:31:14-06:00 Rick Charles Possible sources for Randy's research into these gems he considers trite:His bartender..his wife..his neighbor..the guy who changes his oil...old high school chums..This reminds me of those state broadcast association seminars on copywriting where the expert hands out a list of words never to be used in radio ads because the expert is tired of them. Ask a few questions and you'll discover that the "expert" failed at radio sales. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T15:40:15-06:00 2010-03-10T15:40:15-06:00 Paul Weyland We really need to get the cliches out of the newscasts as well as the commercials. I'd like to add another one to Randy's list..."new bundle of joy" every time someone has the first baby on New Year's. All you really have to do is use the "best friend test" on every bit of copy. If you wouldn't say those exact same words to your best friend, don't say it on the air. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T15:48:08-06:00 2010-03-10T15:48:08-06:00 DallasD First.. not a fan of Michaels taking "hometown" out of radio and voice-tracking stations from miles away from a town. Not a fan of of many of his business practices in general BUT he is right about wording and terminology (and "hunert" instead of hundred, and "buh-uhns" instead of buttons drives me bananas!) Art Wander (Wanderlich) was a great PD who started Alan Freed in radio at WAKR and continued working in radio until the late 90's, and these were things he taught many of us... to talk WITH a listener and not AT them. Michaels is doing the same thing. Now if he'd actually spend some time on making sure that Tribune was financially sound (pun) and NOT stiffing creditors. By the way, it's just my opinion that the bankruptcy law should make all companies responsible for a long-term repayment (with minimal interest) of the money they've bailed on. Look at KMart who then bought Sears. And now Tribune is still making money, but debt payout is minimal. So Mr. Michaels, though I agree with what you are telling your news folk, how about letting your news directors do the little work and focus on actually running the business portion. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:00:25-06:00 2010-03-10T16:00:25-06:00 Comatus The jargon generator in indeed in full effect at many all-news stations (notice I didn't say "outlets"). As a former newsman and English major, the number of hackneyed cliches in daily use by members of the news media is maddening.However, I agree that this sort of micro-management (and Soviet-style comrade-spying) is over the top.Props to Paul Weyland - the "best friend test" is the perfect approach. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:02:05-06:00 2010-03-10T16:02:05-06:00 Mike Powell I heartily applaud his initiative. Too many radio and news broadcasts use newspaper tabloid headline words that are NOT used by real people. Real people, for example, don't say "flee" or "laud". I also applaud his appreciation that radio is a one-to-one medium, so you don't say "all of you" or any of the other terms mistakenly borrowed from television. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:13:12-06:00 2010-03-10T16:13:12-06:00 Kathy This is so on target. As Paul points out, we need to get rid of the cliches in radio and talk like we are having a personal conversation with a friend. Also, great point about not saying everybody, etc. When I listen to the radio I'm alone. http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:14:04-06:00 2010-03-10T16:14:04-06:00 Myron Schroeder Limbaugh meaning "gasbag" http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:17:15-06:00 2010-03-10T16:17:15-06:00 Richard Jones This list looks like the result of an all night, drug fueled bender. Randy probably used every one of these words and phrases when he was on the air on WLW in Cincinnati http://www.rbr.com/radio/22202.html 2010-03-10T16:41:33-06:00 2010-03-10T16:41:33-06:00 HM "....If you can't say "pedestrian", how do you describe a person crossing a street who is hit by a car?..."This is simply not how PEOPLE TALK. When was the last friggin time you used the word pedestrian in casual language?Bob Feder is the poster child for irrelevency. A golden penned egomaniac from the days when a few ivory tower newspapermen believed they had the rights and responsibilities to control public opinion. But then 'public opinion' went public in new and hi tech ways they couldn't control. Now cast off from a dying daily, he stands at the edge of the crowd jumping up and down for attention, and berating those who don't suck up to 'the good old days'. Randy Michaels stepped in to right a capsizing media battleship as obsolete as those in Pearl Harbor were to airpower. The jury is still way out, but get over the past. It's gone.