Howie Carr, WRKO, and "death pools".

[KAMLEM]

Then we are just really different people. I would NEVER want my children to hear people joking (it is a comedy DJ morning show, right?) and betting about when I will die when they stop in a store playing a radio in Boston.

Actually, no, it's not a comedy DJ morning show at all. It's an afternoon talk show (3-7) on AM radio. Most of his discussions are political.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Actually, no, it's not a comedy DJ morning show at all. It's an afternoon talk show (3-7) on AM radio. Most of his discussions are political.

okay--thanks for correcting that. I must have him confused with another DJ. SO, when people call in with their "bets" do they talk about how much they like and respect the people and they hope they do not die? Do they sound like they are honoring people in these calls?

ETA-- I googled a bit and it sounds like a standard line is to guess who will be the next person to "not be coming down to breakfast" --to me that is joking and lighted hearted and not respectful. It sounds like much of what he does is political but with heavy sides of sarcasm and humor (much of which from what I find googling is of the laughing at the misfortunes of others variety).

 

[Mermaid02]

Simply- I think it's in bad taste no matter how you want to spin it. I choose not to participate (although I listen to the show) and that's it. I don't like it- so I don't do it. If you think it's funny, have fun! It's not hurting anyone. I really doubt Tom Bosley's family is listening to Howie Carr right now. Peoples sense of humors differ. Our differences make the world a more interesting place.

 

[Pigeon]

Blech.

 

[mkel34]

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/04/28/circulation_still_falling_at_papers/

This is from an article back in April 2009, but it appears that the Globe was outselling the Herald

The Globe's paid daily circulation fell 13.7 percent, to 302,638 copies, while that of the Boston Sunday Globe dropped 11.3 percent, to 466,665, compared to the same period last year, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations figures.

The Herald's daily circulation fell at an even greater rate, down 17.4 percent to 150,688 copies; paid subscriptions of its Sunday paper fell at slower rate, down 9.6 percent to 95,392.

I cannot listen to Howie Carr (or read much of what he writes), and I find his "Death Pools" extremely distasteful.

Did you skip all the stats from the last 2 years when you dug up this info? The Boston Globe is the fastest declining large newspaper in the US, down over 23% last year. The plan to charge for Boston.com isn't going to help the company much either.

 

[DawnCt1]

okay--thanks for correcting that. I must have him confused with another DJ. SO, when people call in with their "bets" do they talk about how much they like and respect the people and they hope they do not die? Do they sound like they are honoring people in these calls?

ETA-- I googled a bit and it sounds like a standard line is to guess who will be the next person to "not be coming down to breakfast" --to me that is joking and lighted hearted and not respectful. It sounds like much of what he does is political but with heavy sides of sarcasm and humor (much of which from what I find googling is of the laughing at the misfortunes of others variety).

He's given Auntie Zeituni a lot of coverage. She has her own tee shirt now.

One of my favorite Howie Carr sayings; "Don't write it when you can speak. Don't speak when you can nod. Don't nod when you can wink".

"Organized crime and politics were the same thing in Boston. "

"I don't want special rights. Just the same rights as an illegal alien".
I am sure other Howie fans can think of more endearing things.

 

[daisax]

Death pools are nothing new -- in fact, there was a Clint Eastwood movie about one in the early 80s, I think.

With the internet they've become more common, of course. Much easier to find out who's still alive and who's not.

 

[DawnCt1]

Death pools are nothing new -- in fact, there was a Clint Eastwood movie about one in the early 80s, I think.

With the internet they've become more common, of course. Much easier to find out who's still alive and who's not.

That's another good game; Dead or alive. I used to like the "Wizard of Ah's" but we can't play that anymore.

 

[LuvLDM]

I recognize it's in bad taste but I still think it's funny.

 

[goofy4tink]

You mean the Boston Herald which actually sells newspapers, as opposed to the Boston Globe?

You know....there really is no competition here. The Globe had standards and look where it got them. I won't buy the Herald, I won't read the Herald. But, that's just my opinion.
And Howie Carr??? Nope, nothing funny about him. Now, on the other hand, my dh thinks he's hysterical...loves the whole death pool thing. He knows better than to talk to me about it though.

I truly have to believe that there are other ways to 'honor' those who have just died. Ways that are in much better taste than a death pool. I find it hard to believe that Tom Bosley or Barbara Billingsly would have thought it was an 'honor' to be part of someone's getting points for their dying.

 

[Arielle22]

Mattie in the Morning on Kiss in Boston used to have a Dead Pool with his staff. Every time someone died they would consult the pool to see if anyone had that celebrity.

It doesn't bother me to see a Dead Pool.

As for the newspaper debate, I grew up within 10 miles of the Globe's plant on Morrisey Blvd. My parents got both the Globe and the Herald each day. Now I find the Globe pompous and the Herald sometimes slides into trashier story telling.

I read both papers on Sunday. It amuses me to see the different slants to the same story.

 

[KAMLEM]

I used to like the "Wizard of Ah's" but we can't play that anymore.

That was good! I also like it when they play a clip from "Mumbles" and you need to figure out what he's saying.

 

[DawnCt1]

That was good! I also like it when they play a clip from "Mumbles" and you need to figure out what he's saying.

Another favorite. I live in Ct but it makes living near Massachusetts fun!

 

[debster812]

Did you skip all the stats from the last 2 years when you dug up this info? The Boston Globe is the fastest declining large newspaper in the US, down over 23% last year. The plan to charge for Boston.com isn't going to help the company much either.

I thought my disclaimer saying I knew the article was old would be sufficient, apparently not. I literally did a quick 30 second Google to find it. If you have other, more recent sources I'd love to see them.

 

[merryweather20]

One of my favorite Howie Carr sayings; "Don't write it when you can speak. Don't speak when you can nod. Don't nod when you can wink".

You do realize he's quoting Martin Lomasney...

 

[kaytieeldr]

You know....there really is no competition here. The Globe had standards and look where it got them. I won't buy the Herald, I won't read the Herald. But, that's just my opinion.

You might want to consider giving it another chance. Hilary Chabot has been doing some excellent, revealing investigative reporting lately.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I guess I don't get the big deal with the death pools - if you think it's just a game, you can play. If it's not your thing, then don't play! I don't play just because I don't really bet on anything but I just see it as a game and I'm not going to make a big fuss about other people doing it.

 

[DawnCt1]

You do realize he's quoting Martin Lomasney...

It doesn't matter. He says it often and under very funny circumstances.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You do realize he's quoting Martin Lomasney...

He doesn't usually cite Lomasney by name, but he does indicate the line came from somebody else when he uses it.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

I have 2 entries in a dead pool on stiffs.com. It's a really competitive game.

stiffs.com

No, it's not that you are hoping someone dies, it's when someone dies, you're hoping they're on your list.

I never heard of dead pools but it seems harmless and potentially profitable!