2006/12/09 12:44
Kind of Blue Book Value
I listen to the university radio station -- not because I work there, nor because I feel any need to establish indie cred, but because it's the only station I've ever found that plays real jazz all day. None of this pap you hear on stations with names like The Horizon or Mellow 102 or Less Talk Because We're Fellating Kenny G All Day, just pure straight-ahead jazz, the kind Satchmo and Bird and Miles and Trane wanted us to listen to.
But it's an NPR affiliate. The politics aren't a problem; I may find myself leaning further right these days, but I'm not so far over that my finger is in my left ear. What make me feel like maybe I tuned into the wrong band are the donation requests. I know, public broadcasting doesn't survive without listener support, but the amounts they want border on absoludicrous -- and sometimes they cross that border.
For example, the other day as I was on my way to work, the morning host interrupted his usual between-songs drivel with this request: "Do you have a driveable vehicle you'd like to donate to the station?"
It's times like that when I feel too poor to even be listening to NPR.
But it's an NPR affiliate. The politics aren't a problem; I may find myself leaning further right these days, but I'm not so far over that my finger is in my left ear. What make me feel like maybe I tuned into the wrong band are the donation requests. I know, public broadcasting doesn't survive without listener support, but the amounts they want border on absoludicrous -- and sometimes they cross that border.
For example, the other day as I was on my way to work, the morning host interrupted his usual between-songs drivel with this request: "Do you have a driveable vehicle you'd like to donate to the station?"
It's times like that when I feel too poor to even be listening to NPR.
LOL @ the Kenny G comment!
I totally hear you on the "can't even afford to listen to NPR" feeling. You think you have it bad in Orlando; try listening in New York City! It would probably go something like this: "Do you have a penthouse you'd like to donate to the station? Maybe you have some extra shares in blue-chip stock? How about putting us in your will?"
... wait. I just checked the WNYC website. While I didn't see any mention of penthouses, they do mention property, wills, and stock...
I totally hear you on the "can't even afford to listen to NPR" feeling. You think you have it bad in Orlando; try listening in New York City! It would probably go something like this: "Do you have a penthouse you'd like to donate to the station? Maybe you have some extra shares in blue-chip stock? How about putting us in your will?"
... wait. I just checked the WNYC website. While I didn't see any mention of penthouses, they do mention property, wills, and stock...
I also cracked up at the fellatio dig. It's probably true, too.
From the people I know who usually listen to NPR, they're college+ educated and fairly well off. Many don't have children either. With a demo like that, no wonder they can make requests like that. Although around here I do see, I think it is, Salvation Army ads asking for vehicle donations. My brother donated his 20 yr old car to the local lighthouse for the blind to be sold for parts and proceeds to go to them.
I hear you, though. I couldn't afford to make their usual donations list either.
Post a Comment
From the people I know who usually listen to NPR, they're college+ educated and fairly well off. Many don't have children either. With a demo like that, no wonder they can make requests like that. Although around here I do see, I think it is, Salvation Army ads asking for vehicle donations. My brother donated his 20 yr old car to the local lighthouse for the blind to be sold for parts and proceeds to go to them.
I hear you, though. I couldn't afford to make their usual donations list either.
<< Home
