Today’s #TBT blog post goes back nine years to May 2015. But it might feel even longer ago than that to you.
Its central characters – Howard Stern and David Letterman – have taken very different paths than what they were doing when this post originally published.
Letterman was walking away from his Late Show desk at The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Since then, he’s laid relatively low, growing a long beard, and hosting in-depth interviews on a Netflix series, Our Next Guest Needs No Introduction. It seems at times as if Dave is still in recovery from hosting his seminal talk and variety show. In his prime, Letterman was the talent that radio consultants and group programmers like me, Buzz Knight, Steve Goldstein, and others pointed to as a prime example of brilliant, compelling entertainment and smart preparation. The fact that much of it translated to radio was part of the point.
Meantime, Howard has taken a very different approach to his career since this blog was written. He surprised most as a judge on America’s Got Talent, which demonstrated his range, and helped break through the “shock jock” stereotype emblematic of his first three decades in the spotlight. Howard has shown his resilience and honed his skills as an incredibly adept interviewer. Since focusing on his one-on-one chats with famous people, he has emerged as best in class across all media – and that’s saying something. Stern’s interview with President Joe Biden earlier this year added to his impressive list of accomplishments.
Later this summer, San Diego will be teeming with radio talent of all shapes, sizes, and markets at Morning Show Boot Camp. Fledgling hosts will be paying particular attention to some of the fine veteran talent who will show up at Don Anthony’s signature event once again this year. This is healthy because radio hosting – like so many other crafts – can often best be learned by observing, hanging out with, and listening to those who have “made it.”
Like the two spotlights on Dave and Howard in today’s post. I hope you find it inspirational, whether you’re just breaking in or are a long-time radio vet. – FJ
If you know your radio history, you probably recall that among his many wise career moves, Howard Stern got out of broadcast radio before the advent of PPM. His exodus to Sirius in 2005 was about a year before meters became the currency of radio ratings.
But that can’t stop “The King of All Media” from weighing in on what it takes to keep audiences riveted – getting them through commercial stopsets (and Stern’s were notoriously long). In an article in the New York Times about David Letterman’s swan song, Stern talked about how the Late Night‘s perennial #2 ranking to Jay Leno became a gift, liberating the former Indiana radio host to be true to his craft and his talent.
Stern noted that part of Letterman’s DNA was his radio broadcasting roots, providing him with the fundamentals to become a runaway success on TV. Here’s Stern’s money quote:
“He was a broadcaster. When you’re on television and drag people through quarter-hours, which is really the job in a nutshell, how do you make someone sit through commercials? How do you make them feel so compelled to sit in front of a TV when they’re dead tired and have to get up to work the next day? A broadcaster knows how to do it. It’s not about the joke. It’s about being compelling, and it’s about being a leader so people want to follow you and want to hear your every word.”
The same could be said of Stern. As his empire expanded after leaving broadcast radio, the blocking and tackling, that mandatory need to be essential, and earning a position of trust in the collective mind of the audience are still the key components that can propel any show business career – whether it’s hosting a late night talk show, being a cast member on a reality TV show, or doing mornings in Bakersfield.
I have met morning talent who thought they understood Stern’s appeal – believing that because his show sounded like a casual conversation, it was obviously unprepared and loose. They couldn’t have been further from the truth.
In Letterman’s case, many of the skills that he perfected while on the radio translated wonderfully to TV, especially benchmarks. Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks,” along with the iconic “Top 10 List,” kept audiences coming back night after night. He may have borrowed some of those tricks from his early radio days, but it’s noteworthy that so many radio hosts stole them right back for their shows.
I recently spent time with Jeff Smulyan whose parent company was Letterman’s boss at WNTS-AM in Indianapolis. He has fond memories about Dave’s early years as the midday guy. Back in 1997 in a cover story in Indianapolis Monthly, Jeff had this to say about Letterman’s early days on the radio:
“When he took the job, he said, ‘I’m gonna try to make it in Hollywood.’ The guy who replaced him was Rick Cummings, the first employee here at Emmis. David also bought shares in Emmis and was on the board for a while before it went public. We don’t see each other often anymore, but I always thought he was the most brilliant, funniest human being who ever lived. I just think he’s incredible.”
So it comes down to the basics – having that God-given talent, but honing those skills and gaining a fundamental understanding of human behavior, emotions, and connections – assets that both Letterman and Stern have mastered well beyond their early radio years.
As for Cummings, he did pretty well for himself, too.
Thanks to J LaLonde for the tip on this story.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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