My R+F Letter to the NY Daily News

[Mike Teacher]

If the NY Daily News doesn't print it, at least it was aired here. [Some Info omitted to protect the guilty]

TO: Richard Schwartz; Editorial Page Editor
FROM: Michael X. Xxxxxx[Contact Info. Below]
DATE: 28 August 2002
RE: Editorial Page "Ideas and Opinions" Submission


Xxxx, N.J.: I am quite disappointed in the quality of the coverage given to the Ron and Fez Show, in reference to its replacing Opie and Anthony as the Evening-Drive talk show on WNEW-FM ["Meet The New Opie & Dopey"; August 27th].

The headline assumes that the Ron and Fez Show will seek to emulate their predecessors. Anyone who has listened to Ron Bennington and Fez Whatley know their show is nothing at all like Opie and Anthony's, and that they have no intention of doing copy-cat programming. Ron and Fez are both seasoned comedy performers and social commentators; their show is not driven by outrageous stunts and sex. The show is caller driven, inviting listeners to comment on a wide variety of topics.

Of note is the fact that they will often drop any comedy material when a serious issue arises. After 9/11, they set aside their intended format and let callers vent their anger, frustration, and tears. The show was an emotional outlet and an oasis in a sea of shallow "Shock" radio programming.

Equally misleading is the photograph of the duo. It is, at best, an outdated file photo taken long ago while they were at a different station, in a different market, doing a show with a different aim.

Adding insult to injury is the News' repeated misspelling of Ron Bennington's [not Pennington] name. A single error is forgivable, repeated errors do not come across as errors at all, but as deliberate cheap shots.

WNEW is suffering quite enough at the moment, and the misrepresentative photo of Ron and Fez, combined with labeling them as "The New Opie and Dopey" does a disservice to them, to a radio station already struggling to maintain any semblance of stability while being fired upon from all sides, and reflects poorly on The Daily News' reporting abilities.

Michael X. Xxxxx

[Feel free to comment positively or negatively; but unless you want the thread locked; keep it on the topic of R+F]




<IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/miketeachr/MikeTheTeacher.gif">

This message was edited by Mike Teacher on 8-29-02 @ 1:56 AM

[pinkyfloyd]

Good job! I doubt they'll print it, though, because the Daily News, along with the Post, have already proven that they're sensationalistic animals, who don't care about actual facts. Maybe we should all write a letter to the Daily News, just to let them know what the real deal is.

"Sure, radio had a simple dignity. But people wanted to see the grieving families. And, as usual, technology refused to be dignity's bitch."
---'The Daily Show' on the advent of television

Oh, by the way, which one's pinky?

[biznac]

great job! I thing it's well written. I do wish, these guys would get more attention/respect from the papers/media.

anyway, well done.

Get there before your balls do

[TheMojoPin]

That's the classiest thing anyone's ever posted on this site. NICE.

<img src=http://www.ltrooster.homestead.com/files/themojopin.jpg>
"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."
-TMP

[Clark Kent]

Great job, Mike. The coverage of the O and A fiasco and our boys Ron and Fez has been terrible. What kind of paper calls themselves unbiased and uses expressions like

[Clark Kent]

Great job, Mike. The coverage of the O and A fiasco and our boys Ron and Fez has been terrible. What kind of paper calls themselves unbiased and uses expressions like "Opie and Dopey" or calls them "Shock Jerks?" It's too bad there aren't editors and writers who write actual news instead of tainting it with what they think is the truth. Hopefully Ron and Fez will catch on in their new time slot and more people will realize how brilliant they truly are.

[ThekahLe]

thtz the kind of letters tht should be in the paper everyday..but i doubt it will get in there, I doubt the daily news, along with the post will post anything positive tht has anything to do with opie and anthony..

[ChickenHawk]

A fuckin' plus man. You nailed
every point you needed to hit,
and you did it with class and
good choice of words. Very well
written, and I'm glad you wrote
it. You're a good man, Mike... a
good man. Unfortunately,
because of the fact that they are
high-horse assholes over at the
Daily News (as well as the Post),
they will most likely not publish it
because it is actually a
WELL-WRITTEN letter that
reports the TRUTH. And they
wouldn't want THAT in their
pages now would they?


"I have to return some
videotapes..." -Patrick Bateman

[ChrisTheCop]

It had a nice beat and I can dance to it. I'll give it a 10. Extremely great job, Mike.

<img src="http://rfcop.50megs.com/images/christhecop.gif">

[Yerdaddy]

their show is not driven by outrageous stunts and sex.
yea, that's my only complaint about them too.

It's an excellent letter that most professional newspapers would publish, (I don't think the Post fits in that category though). The only thing I'd change is the length. I talked to the editor of the Washington Post when they were considering a letter of mine and that's one of the things he said was important. I've had three letters published since then. Plus, when they do edit them down, they fuck them up. I'd say it's still got a shot though.

Plus, just so you know, I cry myself to sleep every night because you never used the sig pic I made for you. That and the prohibitively high cost of sexual reassignment surgery means I'll never achieve my dream of being a lesbian.
<img src="http://yerdaddy.homestead.com/files/pics/billyact.jpg" >
If I don't make you laugh, you don't know what felch means.

This message was edited by Yerdaddy on 8-29-02 @ 4:35 AM

[SamoanWoman]

Great job Mike. My biggest complaint about all of the media in this event was that everyone pandered to the "Shock Jock" label and editorialized the news. It was malicious of them to use that picture.

[clubberlang]

I just wanted to add my good job to the list. You rock mike that is a great letter. Stick it to the man. Fight the power. <P>

i pitty the fool that don't eat my cereal!

[DC Reed]

Awesome job mike.

My Parents are journalist and although they disagree with what the O+A show did, they think that firing them is limiting free speech, so they are supporting me with the whole O+A thing.

For the NYDN to call them Opie and Dopey is slander. 100 bucks says they havent even heard the Ron and Fez show.

<IMG SRC="http://www.fezwatley.4t.com/images/milk.jpg"

SINCE WHEN DID THE JAPANESE DRINK MILK!?

This message was edited by DC Reed on 8-29-02 @ 10:37 AM

[Savage1]

well done my friend.
Great now I'm starving.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Great job Mike!

<IMG SRC="http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/deathmetalfuzzybutt.jpg">

[Mike Teacher]

It's an excellent letter that most professional newspapers would publish, (I don't think the Post fits in that category though). The only thing I'd change is the length. I talked to the editor of the Washington Post when they were considering a letter of mine and that's one of the things he said was important. I've had three letters published since then. Plus, when they do edit them down, they fuck them up. I'd say it's still got a shot though. <P>
<P>
Thanks to everyone! Even if it doesnt make it. You all made my day. I had to vent somehow. <P>
You're absolutely right about the length. The Daily News seems only to want to print Opinions that are under 50 words. Believe me I had two pages ready to go; and that's as short as I could get it, so I thought, but I just cut it in half and re-sent it. Also, you're dead-on right about editors. When they snip part of a letter it always seems to completely F-Up the point you originally were trying to get across. <P>
Thanks again folks, you all rule. <P>
Mike The Teacher <P>

<IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/miketeachr/MikeTheTeacher.gif">

[EQ]

GREAT writing, Mike.

Sadly, it is neither sensational nor sleazy enough to
be printed in the papers.

Thanks however for posting it here for all of us to
read.



<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/Elle.jpg">

[LeonardShelby]

Great letter Mike. It is unfortunate that the Daily News feels that their average reader couldn't possibly read more than 50 words on any subject and remain interested. Perhaps they don't realize that there are actually decent writers like yourself out there that are different from the ones they employ.

I think you hit on all of the points and did so very articulately. Hope to be reading it in the Daily News in a few days!



<img src=http://atamichimpo.50megs.com/images/leonardtattoosig.jpg>

This sig courtesy of skidmark!

[A.J.]

Well done!

<IMG SRC="http://nortonfan.com/shit/greatsig.jpg">
"Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes."

[Col.Kurtz]

great letter mike, the clowns at the daily news probably never listened to the boys before. the article was just a piece to show how much better than us they think they are. <P>

drop the bomb, exterminate them all.

[Captain Rooster]

Mike,

You should teach language arts. Great job. Hopefully they can understand your grasp of the English language.

R

<CENTER><img src=http://www.ltrooster.homestead.com/files/YellowwolvieRooster.gif></center>
<CENTER></center>

[Coco]

Mike: A few comments.


I think that the article was the best advertising R&F have gotten in a while.

They looked cute in the photo. The guys are comedians. I didn't expect them to wear a suit jacket and tie.

The ONLY offensive thing I read in the article was the Opie and Dopie thing. And even that, I don't think was maliciously intended - just something that rhymed with the former show.

Finally, I think it smart to always try to stay friendly with the media.

______________________

We can't change our past, but we can change the way we look at it - into something more positive

[Gvac]

Very nicely done. Kudos to you, Mike. I certainly hope other members here have taken the time to write or e-mail WNEW or other media to show their support of Ron and Fez.

The only thing I take exception to is MojoPin's assertion that this was the classiest thing ever posted on this site. Obviously, he's never seen my "Enormous Testicles" post.

<img src=http://home.ix.netcom.com/~camman/_uimages/GvacNew.gif>

Another JerseyRich Masterpiece

[ROMEO]

Nice Job Mike, heres my letter to and reply from wnew feedback ;
Thank you for sharing your comments with us. We respect your opinion and want you to know that our decision in no way alters or diminishes our unflagging support of the first amendment and the rights of our artists and talent to exercise free speech and expression. However, as public broadcasters we have a corresponding responsibility to create policies that respect the law and the rights of others who may be offended or harmed by what we do. Regretfully, the incident at St Patrick's not only violated company policy, but, in our opinion, it crossed the line into unacceptable programming that has no place on our station. <P> Under these circumstances and based on the internal review we conducted, we believe that our decision to cancel Opie and Anthony was correct and appropriate. <P> Sincerely, Gary Blum (acting) General Manager, WNEW <P> -----Original Message----- From: [mailto:at992006@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 5:39 PM To: feedback@wnew.com Subject: YOUR CHANGES <P> <P> <P> To whom it may concern, <P> I've been listening to wnew for the last 4+ years, since the loss of O&A I will only be listening to Ron & Fez and Farel. If either one of them shows get cut then it's only the one thats left that I'll be listening to. The only other shows that I would try listening to would be if you brought in a new show. Tom Leycass I tryed to listen to before and can not stand hearing him. I gave him a chance back then and will not ever again. I find it real ironic that because of the C.L. s coplaints to the FCC that the O&A show was cut to be replaced by one of the biggest self-admitted ATHEIST on the air. What a sad state of values wnew's top people have, although I never agreed with all the stuff O&A did or said, they let the listeners know where they were coming from. THIS IS HOW ME AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO ABOUT THIS FEEL, TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. <P> I feel you've over reacted and should have atleast waited for the FCC to see if they violated any FCC rules. Thanks for your time. <P> <P>I'm not the writer nor speller that most of you are(spell check bah) but this was my 2 cents.
Yeah I know it's more O&A but it's also about R&F. And I didn't know Feral was gone at the time. <P> <P>

<HTML>
<img src="http://czm.racknine.net/images/romeogif.gif">
</HTML>
GOD BLESS, tx oz


This message was edited by ROMEO on 8-29-02 @ 5:43 PM

[ROMEO]

nice double post deek...
<HTML>
<img src="http://czm.racknine.net/images/romeogif.gif">
</HTML>
GOD BLESS, tx oz


This message was edited by ROMEO on 8-29-02 @ 5:48 PM

[SoccerMom]

Great letter Mike. I really hope they print it so people can see that Ron and Fez have an insightful, intelligent fan base and that we're not completely deranged perverts. I'm only partially deranged myself.

[FelixDasGato]

It was a great letter, I looked for it in todays papers but didnt find it. Keep them comming though, maybe they will or if enough of us write they might

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/felixdasgato.jpg">