when are sharpton and jackson scheduled to arrive?
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when are sharpton and jackson scheduled to arrive?
They don't even have a new program director in place, so they may just be in a holding pattern until they get that settled.
What kind of man will let his buddy get fired when he was part of the whole issue that went down? Vex and Walter should have been man enough to leave with who ever they wanted to fire. How do they sleep at night?
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...alk-fire-1.gif
I was in the Richmond, VA/Washington, D.C. markets when i heard about the skit.
A friend of mine emailed it to me and I listened. Utterly classless and I can't believe Walter and Vex allowed this to go through.
I've only talked to Matt Martin twice on a story i wrote about KSJL. I cannot speak for him or what the management would do with Vex or Wally. I have an inkling of what would have happened if the Gorilla was still in the midst of running the show. It would not have been pretty if this happened under his watch.
Without a PD running the show at WOAI/KTKR running things, skits like this were bound to happen.
G. Moore
Jeanne Jakle: Duo goes silent on apology
Web Posted: 05/01/2007 04:54 PM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Sometimes silence isn't golden. It's gutless.
You'd think after serious repercussions followed a local radio skit that insulted and degraded everyone from Denver player Allen Iverson to the Spurs to Hispanics to the very city of San Antonio, the hosts at the helm of the offending KTKR show — "Sports Talk San Antonio's" Walter Pasacrita and Jeff Vexler — would, at the very least, voice an apology on the air.
But no. I heard nary a word about the incident during the pair's four-hour afternoon show Monday.
This on the very day the Express-News ran a front-page story by sports writer Richard Oliver about the sketch, which featured an Iverson impersonator who reportedly made the Nuggets guard sound like the worst kind of drug-addled boob.
Those who heard it said there were references to Iverson and teammate Carmelo Anthony providing the Spurs something from a "special stash" that made them lethargic during their first game against Denver.
The fabricated chat also was said to mention Iverson, with his teammates, cruising the River Walk looking for sex with "Mexican" women. And firing a celebratory shot into the air with the bullet hitting a homeless person — but it was OK because he turned out to be an "illegal alien."
The bits were so insensitive that the Spurs cut all ties with Pasacrita and Vexler. Coach Gregg Popovich also pulled out of weekly call-in sessions with KTKR.
Granted, the producer blamed for creating the offensive sketch was fired, but that shouldn't have been the end. The guys at the reins of the show, Pasacrita and Vexler, were in the position to humbly take some lumps as well on the air — in fact, people undoubtedly would have liked them better if they had — but they stayed mum.
If the station's owners, Clear Channel Communications, ordered them to keep quiet, they were wrong, too.
Competing station
Instead, competing station KTSA — specifically afternoon host Chris Duel — did what KTKR's duo should have done. He devoted an hour to the matter and invited callers to comment.
The majority of callers indicated the skit had crossed the decency line and that the Spurs showed class by denouncing it.
When I contacted Duel after the show, he said he was surprised to tune in to Monday's KTKR show and discover that Pasacrita and Vexler "ignored the elephant in the room."
"We're all human," Duel said. "We all make mistakes in judgment now and then. This can be forgiven. But to assume your listeners didn't see the front page of the Express-News is the epitome of denial. They should have expressed regret for any offense they caused their listeners, the Spurs and Allen Iverson."
Blame all around
As for the producer getting tagged as the sole person responsible for the skit, c'mon! The hosts aren't just vacant-brained figureheads, are they? Aren't they capable of showing a little judgment when it comes to their show?
Not only was it obvious that the sketch was insensitive, even racist, but it was out-and-out stupid, particularly in the recent aftermath of the Don Imus crack that ended that veteran's career.
Leave it to the pros
Frankly, I think these silly radio skits featuring impersonators and other devices should be kept to a bare minimum, period. Let's face it, the writers of most of them are not the skilled comics of a "Saturday Night Live" or "Tonight Show."
Instead of being funny, the skits usually register as juvenile, with writers frequently mistaking crassness for humor.
Chicken chatter
But that's another subject for another day. This column is about the poor and unsatisfactory response to this inflammatory matter by the "Sports Talk" hosts and Clear Channel Communications.
Vexler and Pasacrita seem to enjoy coming up with nicknames — they spent Monday's show asking callers to suggest funny ones for Spurs vets. A reader e-mailed her own tag for "The Ticket 760" hosts.
"I have made it a point in recent weeks NOT to listen to 760 when the Squirrels are on," wrote Dian Beaudoin. "I love Jim Rome, JT the Brick, Siciliano and others in the line-up, but the Squirrels are often inappropriate and offensive, especially to female listeners."
Squirrels, hmm?
After neglecting to own up Monday to something so inflammatory that ran on their show, I think "chickens" would be more appropriate.
[email protected]
anyone offended, other than allen iverson, needs to get a life.
Yeah, time to let this one die. Bigger fish to fry in the world.
It is ridiculous that Pasacrita and Vexler just pretended like nothing ever happened and moved on. Each of them particiapted in the skit and each of them is, therefore, complicit in its offensiveness, I think.
Saying that this wasn't offensive or that those who take offense to it should get a life strikes me as the epitome of our society's movement away from civility and decency. Sure, it might be an overreaction for me to feel offended by it. But I'm certainly aware of the fact that Allen Iverson was offended by it -- AI has far more basis to be offended than I do. I just think it's incredibly sad that we've devolved into a society where we find humor (or in this case, go looking for humor ) in mocking a guy who has done a great deal to shed behaviors that might have stereotyped him in the past. It might not be offensive, but aside from being totally unfunny, it's far from decent. If you're having to resort to erroneously making fun of a guy in order to add entertainment value to your show, then I wonder about the value of the show in the first place.
Jakle is right -- Pasacrita and Vexler (or those above them) are flat-damned chicken for not addressing this head on and accepting responsibility for it.
I'd anticipate that there will be an apology today, but when it takes a week and a slew of columns to get anyone to admit that there is a need to apologize for that skit, the apology seems awfully hollow.
I listen to STSA Daily
I think they should have made some sort of comment, good, bad or other
but to ignore it, is just wrong
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
If those two pole smokers haven't addressed it by now on the air, they never will.
I'm suprised Vexler and the other guy didn't get the ax too.
Is anyone else disgusted by the Clear Channel corporate holdings that continue to allow themselves to be scooped by the other news outlets?
They have ignored what has become a "front page" story. They have a civic duty as a member of the fourth estate. The longer they choose corporate self interest over their responsibility to the public, the more their credibility will erode.
WOW! Some of the pics of Stace are completely see-thru! Unbelievable!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigzax
As for Walter & Vex, they cut off some calls that called about the 'incident'. The very first caller on Tuesday asked, "Where' Eric?" Vex & Walter both said "He is gone." And then as the caller began to talk about the incident, they faded him out as Walter said we are talking about Spurs basketball right now. Good thing they have that 7-second delay these days. Another called actually complimented them about them being "strong", and the quickly diverted the subjoect back to Spurs basketball.
I like the show, but it is crap they completely ignore the issue. Eric being fired is fine by me, but The Ticket being silenced is ridiculous.
I'll stop listening until they are gone or they address the issue. But since it is a week later, I doubt the will address it.
why would anyone expect them to say anything when its pretty clear their bosses have told them not too? One of the clear channel guys was even quoted the other day saying it was station policy not to comment on this type stuff. I dont think this decision is in Vex or Walters hands
Everyone should keep calling in and bugging them until they do give a statement or eventually fired, which they really should be. If you listen to them now it's like nothing has ever happened. Even Imus had the balls to at least talk about it while the heat was on him, I guess Vex and Walter are really chicken.
From Richard Oliver's Mailbag
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s....2edf7982.html
Quote:
I find it particularly interesting that a program so eager to spew its opinions each day clammed up so handsomely when confronted with the kind of scrutiny it focuses everywhere else.
Station management, which was quick to offer up the young Gray as a sacrifice, gutted the program of even further legitimacy by scampering away from the controversy without any explanation — or immediate apology.
Richard Oliver's Mailbag: Radio skit drawing plenty of interest
Web Posted: 05/02/2007 07:01 PM CDT
Richard Oliver
Express-News Staff Writer
During the mid-1990s, as the co-host of a morning sports talk show in Corpus Christi, I learned a valuable lesson the hard way.
Never open your mouth wide enough to accommodate your foot.
On many occasions, I did just that on “Drive Time Sports,” and found myself spitting out shoelaces, dirt and more apologies than a ballroom full of cross-eyed dancers.
It’s a lesson that carries particular relevance these days in the wake of the ill-conceived decision by “Sports Talk San Antonio” staffers to produce and run a controversial skit a week ago today.
The segment, put together by now-dismissed executive producer Eric Gray, included a faux interview with Nuggets guard Allen Iverson, and spurred ferocious response from the Spurs, Nuggets and fellow Express-News columnists hereand here.
The Spurs, in particular, took action to disallow co-hosts Walter Pasacrita and Jeff Vexler from having anything to do with the team’s programming, and head coach Gregg Popovich backed out of his weekly call-in sessions at the station.
The broadcasters, however, kept their jobs.
It also spurred response from you:
I’m thrilled to see that someone — specifically the Spurs — has finally said “enough” to the so-called humor of Walter Pasacrita and Jeff Vexler. Their inappropriate “skit” about the Nuggets this past Wednesday and the Spurs’ reaction has finally confirmed what I’ve thought for months now: that an otherwise excellent sports talk radio station is severely damaged by these Squirrels.
I have made it a point in recent weeks not to listen to 760 (AM) when the Squirrels are on. I love Jim Rome, JT the Brick, (Andrew) Siciliano and others in the lineup, but the Squirrels are often inappropriate and offensive, especially to female listeners. I vowed weeks ago to exercise my right not to listen to 760 in the drive-time hours, until they’re gone.
Cheers to the Spurs organization for standing up for what’s right and drawing the line when professional and ethical principles are violated. What goes around comes around, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer pair.
And I’m not even much of a Spurs fan.
– Dian Beaudoin, Schertz
I find it particularly interesting that a program so eager to spew its opinions each day clammed up so handsomely when confronted with the kind of scrutiny it focuses everywhere else.
Station management, which was quick to offer up the young Gray as a sacrifice, gutted the program of even further legitimacy by scampering away from the controversy without any explanation — or immediate apology.
Mr. Oliver, thank you for your column. I am far from a (prude), but I feel Vexler and Pasacrita have been pushing the moral line for quite some time. It would not hurt KTKR one bit to find replacements for both.
– Jerald Kinney
Though I have been forced to switch the dial from the program on occasion, specifically during similar occasions to that which ignited the controversy last week, I actually like Vexler and Pasacrita personally.
A quick apology, and recognition of a boundary crossed, would have eased most of the vitriol over this.
As an example, remember just a few weeks back when KENS sportscaster Joe Reinagel found himself in hot water because of a public, drunken incident. After a short hiatus, Reinagel stood before cameras and offered a profound, sincere apology.
San Antonio forgave him. The Ticket might consider the lesson today.
These clowns have a history of cloddish behavior. I caught their show one day when they were making crude comments about Tiger Woods’ wife. I called the station and complained.
It seems that it is not just jocks that are insensitive and crude. When is management going to clean up their act?
– John H. Lundquist
John, you and I will wait together on this one.
Great coverage about the KTKR programming. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like that horrible skit will change much. That show has become impossible to listen to and rarely reaches a level of discussion above what my 4- and 5-year-olds banter back and forth.
My wife and I have always appreciated your appearances with Charlie Parker and hoped this incident would force them to give you or other intelligent talent the chances to raise the bar on KTKR. With all the bad moves they’ve made over there, it’s about time they make a good one.
– Mike, San Antonio
Believe me, Charlie Parker can make anyone sound good. It would be interesting to know what that longtime veteran of local broadcasting is feeling these days. Even though he’s gagged by station management from letting us know.