Radio takes itself so seriously.
Whether it’s end-of-the- world global-warming stories on NPR or commercial radio chasing the increasingly elusive listener, the medium barely has time to laugh.
Dave Johnson and Bob Wells aim to change that. Starting Monday, the co-owners of the Avenue Theater anchor “Radio Avenue” (8 p.m., KGNU 88.5-FM and 1390-AM), an evening of live theater, sort of “Prairie Home Companion on the Platte.”
“We look for a way to have fun with the news,” says Johnson. “We try to get the audience involved.” The first show features “Crime Doesn’t Pay – But It Could,” a segment on stupid criminals. There are songs, parodies and even self-help in a bit called “Beyond Therapy.”
The first of the monthly shows tapes at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave. Tickets ($7) at the door.
Roberts, Martino feud
I don’t know who to root for, or against. Michael Roberts and Tom Martino, two of the more prickly mediaoids in our town, are waging war on the Internet.
Roberts, media columnist for Westword, and TV/radio consumer advocate Martino, neither of whom will ever be charged with a shortage of opinions, are at odds over Roberts’ column items about Martino.
He got it wrong, says Martino. Did not, says Roberts.
The two have been trading e-mails, focusing on a series of questions Roberts wants to ask Martino, who will answer the questions only if Roberts will come on the air with Martino to answer some questions too.
It’s gone downhill from there, with Martino signing off with a four-letter epithet to which Roberts responded, “Thanks for getting back to me with even more wit and wisdom.”
See the exchange at westword.com/blogs. Adults only, please.
Plenty of Broncos
Playing to its strength, KCNC-Channel 4 will carry four Denver Broncos-related programs, starting with a 30-minute “Broncos All Access” on Aug. 13.
The station, which broadcasts Broncos games, also has “The Mike Shanahan Show” (6:30 p.m. Saturdays); “apountdown to Kickoff” (9:30 a.m. Sundays); and “Broncos Live!” (6:30 p.m. Tuesdays).
Around the dial
Washington-based Denver Post reporter Anne C. Mulkern interviews Rep. Tom Tancredo on his new book and other issues for C-SPAN (9 p.m. Saturday and 6 and 9 p.m. Sunday) … Matt Meister, weatherman for KRDO-
Channel 13 in Colorado Springs/Pueblo, suspended for uttering naughty words on-air on July 25, back on the job as of Wednesday … Sirius Satellite Radio reports second-quarter ad revenue of $150.1 million and 4.7 million subscribers, but Advertising Age says Sirius lost $237.8 million in the same period … Quotable: “I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing.” Oscar Wilde.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
