It has been one week without Marc Steiner on the airwaves of WYPR. The station just does not seem the same without the man who made WYPR his mission following Johns Hopkins University sale of what was then WJHU.
While the battle in the press has turned into a “he said-he said” battle between Steiner and Tony Brandon, I think the damage done to WYPR is quite permanent. Forcing Steiner out is very much akin to what NPR did a few years ago with Bob Edwards. When you remove a voice so defined by the medium it is in, you inevitably lose something in that change.
For all of his faults, Steiner was the voice of WYPR. Sure, he was quite liberal in his perspectives, and he had a penchant for letting callers go on much longer than they really should–Gerry from Pikesville comes to mind. Nonetheless, I thought he was balanced in his dealings with both guests and callers. Additionally, for the criticism that his show was too “Baltimore-centric,” I have to admit a large number of his shows dealt with issues that were experienced by everyone in the state.
In retrospect, one could see that something was going on behind the scenes. His show received declining advertising on the station; its rebroadcasts in the evening were supplanted by an incredibly sub-par syndicated show; and you heard less of Steiner on-air for various station-related events.
In the end, though, it is the listeners that suffer. I do not think that WYPR has either the talent nor the programs ready to assume the mantle that “The Marc Steiner Show” had from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. I also think that to claim declining ratings as the cause is a red herring, and I, too, think that will lead to some irreparable damage to the station.
I sincerely hope Steiner lands on his feet and takes to the Internets as his medium of choice. I miss his show already.
{ 12 } Comments
Agreed - and well said. I now listen to 89.7 during the day instead of WYPR. I miss Steiner, and as much as I might really like Diane Reahm - and I do - I can no longer handle her raspy, agonizing voice.
Agreed - and well said. I now listen to 89.7 during the day instead of WYPR. I miss Steiner, and as much as I might really like Diane Reahm - and I do - I can no longer handle her raspy, agonizing voice.
Did you hear that Dan Rodricks is replacing him?
Did you hear that Dan Rodricks is replacing him?
I just saw it on the Sun’s website. Wow. Nothing like replacing Steiner with that transplanted blowhard Rodrick’s. Hell, that nitwit can’t even admit when he makes a mistake in his column. This is truly a bone-headed move by WYPR. Besides, all of Rodrick’s shows have sucked before.
I just saw it on the Sun’s website. Wow. Nothing like replacing Steiner with that transplanted blowhard Rodrick’s. Hell, that nitwit can’t even admit when he makes a mistake in his column. This is truly a bone-headed move by WYPR. Besides, all of Rodrick’s shows have sucked before.
I can’t imagine what Marc said or did to cause this drastic action. He’s smart, articulate, and FAIR. He’s the reason we have supported WYPR. I now must re-think my our support!
I can’t imagine what Marc said or did to cause this drastic action. He’s smart, articulate, and FAIR. He’s the reason we have supported WYPR. I now must re-think my our support!
Debby: Have you heard the replacement for Steiner: Dan Rodrick’s? I just hear the advertisement for his show, and I cringe. Nothing is worse than a transplant who is known for his slice of life columns trying to resurrect a twice-dead broadcasting career.
Debby: Have you heard the replacement for Steiner: Dan Rodrick’s? I just hear the advertisement for his show, and I cringe. Nothing is worse than a transplant who is known for his slice of life columns trying to resurrect a twice-dead broadcasting career.
thank god he’s gone. I did not like his confrontation and obnoxious style. In fact, I refused to become a supporter of the station as long as he was there. I have become a supporter now that he’s gone.
thank god he’s gone. I did not like his confrontation and obnoxious style. In fact, I refused to become a supporter of the station as long as he was there. I have become a supporter now that he’s gone.
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