One of the most popular segments of morning radio shows since the mid-1980s is the phony telephone call where deejays impersonate or pretend they are someone else. The problem with this stunt is that it has always been illegal to put people on the air or tape them without their prior consent.
Now the Federal Communications Commission may try to enforce the rule. According to a copyrighted story in the June 9 issue of "Inside Radio," regional FCC offices can issue standard fines of $5,000 to stations that break the law.Some U.S. radio station are even suspected of using actors to fool listeners into believing the so-called surprised phone answerers don't know they're on the air.
Several popular Utah radio stations, including KISN and KBER, have used prank phone calls extensively. I don't know if any Utah station has ever specifically broken the rule, but based on the surprise aspect of the phone calls, I don't see how they've bypassed it either. If the FCC does crack down on the rule, this type of phone prank might die out before long.
Although it didn't involve prank-type calls, I've also been put live on the radio myself - without my consent or knowledge - at least once in the past eight years.
- KISN (AM-97.1, AM-570) - I ran into "Fisher and Todd" recently at RC Willey Home Furnishings. The popular morning team was doing a remote broadcast from the store on a Saturday morning.
My quick visit with them reminded me how down-to-earth they are. They have their zany side, but unlike some DJs who might shock you or make you feel uncomfortable, they are as real as you can get.
In fact, if I were to rate morning show the way movies are rated (for content like vulgarity, adult themes, sex, etc.), "Fisher and Todd" would be rated PG. (I would have to rate some other popular morning shows R on certain days!)
Some radio people criticize "Fisher and Todd" for supposedly being too shallow and not funny or shocking enough. However, they know how to be funny, entertaining and do creative promotions. You can let your kids listen to "Fisher and Todd" - among the best local radio role models around.
(The "Candid Phone" segment is probably as outrageous as "Fisher and Todd" get.)
- KDYL (AM-1280) - Have you heard Mark Van Wagoner and Danny Kramer, the newest Wasatch Front morning radio team? They're on the air from 5:30-9 a.m. weekdays, and they already sound as if they've been together for months. Their teamwork is smooth, and the show is informative and entertaining.
Kramer excels by pulling out news tidbits, like he did middays at KALL. Van Wagoner has regained his enthusiasm, and his "Mark in the Morning" style is going strong again. He also seems to keep the show moving and is kind of the team leader.
I probably should not be surprised at how well "Mark and Danny" are doing. After all, they're two of the most experienced radio personalities.
As a sidelight, I'm also surprised by the kind of music KDYL is playing. I tended to avoid the station, incorrectly believing it only played the "big band" type of music. It does play some of that, but it also plays many of the best oldies from 1960-1990.
- KSL (AM-1160) has added a new CBS news program, "Up to the Minute," weekdays between 1-4 a.m. KSL was the first radio station in the nation to gain permission to air the all-night programming. It made its debut in Salt Lake City June 8.
The overnight show is anchored by Russ Mitchell and Monica Gayle with news, sports, business and weather.
"We are very excited about this addition to KSL Radio's overnight programming," Rod Arquette, KSL news director, said. "We have one of the strongest signals in the country, and this allows us to provide an excellent service to traveler throughout the Western U.S.
"We are breaking ground with CBS television and radio. We appreciate their willingness to work with us and try this television service on radio. I think our overnight listeners will be surprised with what we've come up with."
- KTKK (alias "K-Talk," AM-630) - Stuart Miller, the author of "Men and Friendship," will be the guest on the "How to Be Happy" show on KTKK Saturday, June 20, 6-8 p.m. He'll explore the male movement and search for male friendship.
The show's host is Lynne D. Finney.
Frank Zappa will be the guest on the Bob Lesh Show Monday, June 22, from 7-10 p.m. Ex-congressman George Hansen will be Lesh's guest on Thursday, June 25. He'll discuss life since the IRS.
- KUER (FM 90) will air "The Glory and the Power: Fundamentalism Observed." The half-hour documentaries will air Monday through Thursday, June 22-25, at 6:30 p.m.
Program 1 portrays the intense belief and growing activism of the Christian Right. Program 2 goes to Guatemala to see why people are turning away from their traditional Catholicism to evangelical Protestant religions. Program 3 examines Islamic fundamentalism that is sweeping the Middle East. Program 4 defines the term "Sikh" in all its religious complexity, traveling from Delhi to Punjab to reveal a more fascinating religious complexity than what has previously been described in the U.S. press.