RADIO WITHOUT PROFANITY

Robert E. "Rob" Hummel – Radio Daily News

"It's quite amazing how five + generations have been

entertained by Radio, WITHOUT the use of profanity"

While listening to 20 to 60 year old programs,   I find myself "caught up" with the stories, the jokes, the music, the frequently innocent content of the various programs.

I have been astounded by some simply amazing ingenuity, in the jokes and skits that were written so many years ago. 

Some amazingly simple things that can happen to us almost daily, have been written into skits that are truly captivating and hilarious!

It takes true ingenuity and talent to produce a really entertaining and funny program, without dipping into the vulgar sex and profanity bucket.

I would like to know why would an otherwise intelligent person or persons, put their entire career on the line, or wish to develop a risky or poor reputation with the use of such profanity on the air? 

Are there some kind of rewards with this type of broadcasting that I'm not aware of?

Do these people feel our society has lowered itself to such a level that we cannot

communicate an idea or be entertained without the use of profanity?

Do stations that are allowing this to happen feel that America has become so ignorant that filthy profane humor is the only type we can grasp and find funny?

How does it sound to you, while overhearing someone else's conversation in public

when every other word they use is profane?  Sounds terrible to me. 

I wouldn't wish to be regarded as a person who speaks like this!  We've all heard them! 

Is it no longer possible to produce a truly hilarious program without it being profane? 

The newspaper media doesn't seem to have this problem, and I have read quite a few TRULY amusing stories from newsprint.

Why does radio seem to have this problem? 

Why are station managers allowing this to occur?

Do these people feel as if it is a "free speech" issue?  Do they feel the people who 

don't want to hear it can turn it off, or change channels?  Let's turn the tables for a moment.

When a broadcaster hires an individual, that individual agrees to the rules set forth by the company, and in going on the air in itself agrees to the rules set forth by the FCC.  In effect, the "Free Speech" issue, does not apply.  When you signed your contract with this station, or  company, you gave up your right to "Free Speech" over the airwaves.  You knew the rules before you even stepped up to the microphone. 

So why must you continuously challenge the rules that were set before you before you were hired.  Did the station or company hire you for your vulgarity? 

Did they hire you to put their license in jeopardy,  and to cause them to incur huge fines for not following the guidelines?

Are the ratings of these individuals really that great to take a chance of their use of profane material? 

Are that many people tuned in to these individuals in make it worthwhile? 

Are there that many advertisers willing to taint their businesses by purchasing time during the person or person's producing these questionable shows?  Personally, I don't think so.

Finally,  did the station or company that hired these persons know what they were getting? And if they knew up front that this person or these person's were "risky", why did they hire them in the first place?

I submit there are hundreds and hundreds of genuine "Radio People" who would love the chance to do Morning or Afternoon drive, and do a tremendous job without the risk, but are not at your door step due to your pay scale, for newer people.  

Perhaps it would be a great idea to hire some of these individuals, instead of a name that might just cost you in fines as much as your yearly payroll FOR THE ENTIRE STATION!!"

To sum up, Burridge D. Butler, GM of then 870 WLS, put it best with his "WLS CREED".

To understand Burridge Butler, you would have to know that you could be fired for playing the "Beer Barrel Polka"... He insisted it be sung as "The "MILK" Barrel Polka", He had what may have seemed harsh rules for the period, but he had his ideals.  If you didn't abide by his ideals you would find yourself looking hopelessly for another job.  You would abide with his rules whether you agreed with his degree of ideals or not.   

The WLS Creed, as I understand, was posted on the entrance to the WLS studios.

I try to remember these words any time I am behind ANY microphone.