how can an all sports talk format possibly work?

Boring.

That’s one word for it. An all sports talk radio format gets to be exceedingly dull. The repetitive nature of the format gets to be so tedious that I groan in disgust and turn it off. I don’t know how this format can be profitable. I like sports, but I don’t want to talk about it all day.

A local talk radio station, after drifting in the direction of an all sports format from a right wing political talk format from some time, became ESPN Radio earlier this year. I used to listen much more often to the political talk some years ago, but, sometime after the 2004 Presidential election, I began to listen less and less. The station also started moving away from the political talk format at about that same time. I guess both the station and I were getting tired of the political polarization that had been going on.

But an all sports format? Who are the people who can’t get enough talk about Ben Roethlisberger’s restroom activities, the NBA Playoffs, and, lately, LeBron James. Oh, man. It doesn’t seem I can get through five minutes without hearing LeBron James mentioned 2,687 times. Ok, a bit of hyperbole.

By now you’re asking, “Why are you listening to it then?”

I’m not listening that much. It’s the station that is set on all my radios from the old political talk days and I’m lazy. I don’t want to switch them or try to find something else to listen to. Besides, the MN Twins are on that station and I will listen to their games on occasion. So, it stays on the ESPN Radio and it wakes me up in the morning.

7:10am radio alarm sounds…

“Today, LeBron James went for a walk. Is LeBron James thinking of leaving Cleveland while Lebron James is taking that walk? Will LeBron James say what LeBron James is planning on doing in Lebron James’ future at Lebron James’ press conference? And later, we’ll talk to Ben Roethlisberger and get his thoughts on restroom etiquette and LeBron James. That’s coming up on ESPN Radio. Lebron James.”

Booooooring.

dimland radio 6-26-10 show notes

How do I follow up the great Father's Day Special? Here's how...

George Hrab's 'Trebuchet'

He's a skeptic, an atheist, a podcaster and, most of all, he's a musician. George Hrab has a new album out. It's called 'Trebuchet' and it's pretty darned good. He's an unsigned artist who wants to get this, his sixth, album out there. He posted the entire album on his podcast, but he's also selling it. You can download it at cdbaby.com and iTunes. You can also buy an actual CD from cdbaby.com My copy is on it's way.

You can listen to George's podcast here or download it from iTunes. Be warned, he swears a bunch and he's very skeptical. However, he's also very entertaining. I'm gonna see if I can get him on my show.

I didn't play his entire album as other podcasts have, obviously. I did play three songs throughout the show. I played 'Fifty Stories', 'When I Was Your Age' and 'Where Have You Been?' All really good tunes. I had his express permission to play whichever songs I wanted. Thanks, Geo!

One year since...


It was a year ago that "my first girl" died. I was quite the Farrah fan, freak even. I talked about what Farrah meant to me and how I still hold it against Michael Jackson for dying the same day.

I also took this opportunity to slip in a little skepticism into the show. The "actress" Tori Spelling alerted the media that she communicated with Farrah from beyond the grave. She had the assistance of dance hall instructor, John Edward. I don't know much about Edward's dance instruction, but I don't think much of his alleged psychic ability.

A rant

I ranted a bit about how much I don't like summer. I hate heat, humidity and Harleys. I hate sweating when I'm just sitting and reading. Working? I'm all right with sweating then.

Now, I don't hate Harley Davidson motorcycles that much, but they can be awfully damned noisy. Why do they get away with being so loud? If loud pipes save lives then I should be able to remove the muffler from my car. "Gee officer? Loud pipes save lives."

"Yeah, sure. Here's your ticket."

Movie recommendation

Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Mary Astor & Sidney Greenstreet: A perfect cast

This week I recommended the film noir classic, 'The Maltese Falcon'. It stars Humphrey Bogart in the role that took him from playing gangster tough guys to playing the tough, fast talking, self-assured leading man. Written and directed by John Huston, this 1941 detective classic features a cast of unforgettable characters. Peter Lorre is excellent as Joel Cairo.

It's a great film. Put it in your Netflix queue now!

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ahead' by Wire
First ad break bumpers: 'Cows' by The Suburbs & 'Keep It Dark' by Genesis
Second ad break bumpers: 'Atom Tan' by The Clash & 'Mexican Radio' by Wall of Voodoo
Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com You can also download my show from the Z Talk On Demand page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

dimland radio 6-19-10 show notes

Dimland Radio Father's Day Special

I decided that since it was Father's Day weekend and that it was my show that I'd do a special show dedicated by Dad Stories. I asked listeners of Z Talk to send me their stories about their dad or about being one. The response was good, not in the number of stories, but in the quality. I told a couple of my own about my dad and about the day I became a dad.

Zita's poem about her father, whom she tragically lost when she was only 9, is an outstanding show stopper.

Movie recommendation

In keeping with the Father's Day film, I recommended Ron Howard's 2005 film, 'Cinderella Man'. It stars Russell Crowe. He portrays James Braddock, a boxer enjoying success in the ring and in the world, until the Great Depression finds him struggling to support his family. The film follows him as he humbles himself to beg for hand outs, to his climbing back into the ring and coming back as a success.

As a father, I felt his frustration and his desperation as he tended to his fatherly duties. The film didn't find an audience, but it should have. It is an excellent movie.

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ahead' by Wire
First ad break bumpers: 'Hold Me My Daddy' by XTC & 'The Man With The Light Bulb Head' by Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians
Second ad break bumpers: 'Gone Daddy Gone' by The Violent Femmes & 'Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)' by John Lennon
Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com You can also download my show from the Z Talk On Demand page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com