*With the big radio changes going down in New York between WRKS (KISS FM) and WBLS, Michael Baisden and Tom Joyner find themselves to be the odd-men out (at KISS FM). But Baisden is trying to do something about it.
Baisden, who was recently dropped from KISS FM after ESPN took over the station, is now petitioning to have his show added to WBLS. Clearly he wants the listening public to know of his plight and help him get back on the air on WBLS.
Check out his statement below:
*Buffoonery Over Activism: Do we really prefer music and jokes over content?
After I received the devastating news on Thursday that 98.7 Kiss FM in New York was taking my show off and going to an all-sports format, I thought to myself: who is going to sound the alarm in New York when the next Jena 6 happens–or Trayvon Martin–or Presidential election? And who’s going to promote mentoring to save our children, and talk about domestic violence, and child molestation? When you come up with a radio personality’s name who can be trusted to consistently and passionately address these issues on mainstream FM radio, please let me know.
I don’t know about you, but I think we’re going down a dangerous path as African Americans, and as Americans in general, when we allow our voices to be silenced on FM radio while personalities like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and others continue to spew racist, divisive, and sexist language over hundreds of radio stations across the country. The public cannot be expected to act if they don’t know there is an emergency, they cannot march if they don’t know whose rights have been violated, and they cannot fight if they have been put to sleep by buffoonery and the repetitive recycling of what is often bad music.
Now, let me be clear, I have no problem with a radio station turning a profit; this is the advertising business after all. Our sponsors buy commercial time based on the ratings, but The Michael Baisden Show was the highest-rated afternoon urban adult program in New York at the time of this change. That’s a fact! And the show has been competitive in every book…or winning its time slot ever since I arrived at the station in 2003. How then do you explain every other show being moved to WBLS except this one? Is it personal or is there something more disturbing going on, a conscious effort to dumb down and silence any voice that uplifts and informs “The People?”
I have no desire to be the sore loser in this. If people prefer one programming to another, then you accept the outcome and keep it moving. But in these times of Republican policies that rob us of our voting rights and the legal system that is locking up more people of color than ever before, we cannot afford to have jokes and slow jams be at the center of our information outlets. Isn’t it funny that during one of the most critical times in our nation’s history, there are fewer African-American AM and FM shows giving information than ever before? What’s really going on, and more importantly, what can we do about it? Well, believe it or not, “The People” do have the power!
In most cases, petitioning a station to add a program doesn’t work. However, in Baisden’s case, given his show’s high profile on KISS FM, he might be able to pull it off. But accusing the station you’re trying to woo of “buffoonery” doesn’t sound like the right tactic to start with to us. In any event, we wish him luck and we’ll keep you posted.
source: Kevin Ross’ RadioFact’s.com.
It’s going to what is best for the shareholders as to what WBLS will do.
I’ve really grown to like his show. There’s always serious competition among the networks but, ponder this, Steve and Michael always had a rivalry, ya think maybe Steve had him squashed? It’s not like it hasn’t been done before, just wondering.
Sorry Mike, I haven’t even attempted to listen to your show since 2008 – when it became clear that you preferred “solidarity” than independent thought and analysis. You were one of the “let’s not make things bad for Obama” guys.
You won’t be missed…at least I won’t.
Bro i can’t deal with your love affair with this weak a– Prez !!!!!
Oh and you can add Joyner to the list as well.
Haven’t listened to him since Tavis left..and only sparingly before then.
More people tuned in because Tavis left.
I fully support putting Michael back or on NY Radio.
were is this petition so i can sign im sick not listening to mike
How much talking does Michael Baisdin do on his show? Everytime I tune in, it’s all music and commercials with anywhere from 1-2 minutes of talking time in between.
Sorry Mike – I used to listen to you on Kiss (New York) but in 2009 I stopped listening to you. Since when is telling jokes, making people laugh and listening/playing music buffoonery? It appears that you feel threatened. My intention is not to bash you but simply to say that if people really want to listen to you, they will find you. And if WBLS NEVER puts you on, so be it. Everyone doesn’t love you like that.
Michael is classless. Tottally for all the individuals that have gone to school and college to embrace radio and broadcasting.. Michael has failed. He is uneducated and ignorant. Anytime i chime into his show his topic are weak stupid and have no value… same lines as Tom Joyner. I recall Michael speaking about orgasms and sex Like our community needs to speak on that or relationships period!
I would sign any petition to get rid of Michael but never to keep him.
We need quality class and better effort.
Play music and thats it.. as far as speaking Michael.. Shut up. you are poor quality radio.
( all of a sudden he is a concerned black man~~~yes to keep his job)
“Everyone doesn’t love you like that.”
@MJ, you got that right! Baisden has turned off lots of his core fans and I don’t see them returning. Good riddance.
If the station specializes in buffoonery, they should pick him up! I need to start a petition to get him off the radio in my local market!
lrigecin, I like your idea. Let’s see if all the non-Black peeps he constantly ride for will step forward and return his favors.
Michael is classless. Tottally for all the individuals that have gone to school and college to embrace radio and broadcasting.. Michael has failed. He is uneducated and ignorant. Anytime i chime into his show his topic are weak stupid and have no value… same lines as Tom Joyner. I recall Michael speaking about orgasms and sex Like our community needs to speak on that or relationships period!
I would sign any petition to get rid of Michael but never to keep him.
We need quality class and better effort.
Play music and thats it.. as far as speaking Michael.. Shut up. you are poor quality radio.
( all of a sudden he is a concerned black man~~~yes to keep his job)
Sorry but I can’t take this guy seriously. He can be rude, obnoxious and very opinionated towards the callers and a sexist at that. Bus topics are pretty much the same: pimps in the pulpit, swingers, etc. Etc. He won’t be missed.
And another thing- what value does his side kick George add to the show? Telling jokes? If he ever decided to re-tool and make it a true talk show, he should hire a woman is as his side kick– one who doesn’t automatically co-sign everything Michael says.
Maybe it’s me but the vast majority of the time all I EVER hear on his show was topics about SEX. He says he’s not a sore loser but it sure sounds like it to me. Move on Mike your time has come and gone. Sorry but I can’t see supporting having you back on the air,
When Michael first came to radio here in my city i was like all we need is someone else on the radio talking non stop and I still feel the sam way. At one point in time he had a commercial on what he call a replay of a converstaion about a eoman trying to explain how she was trying to get her husband/boyfried whatever aroused and needless to say some language was on the air at 3:00 in the afternoon that just was not approriate for children and THEY KEPT PLAYING IT. I was so mad that my 10 year old grandson heard and wanted to know what they were talking about the I had to call the station manager and tell them that they needed to take it off! I have been done with him since. I turn on my TV at work now and I don’t listen to the station until I have to on the way to and from work.So good luck Mike I won’t be signing the petition!
I’ll sign a petition to a Petey Greene type on.
And Im just curious……and Steve Harvey is better? Are black people so desperate for relationship advice/help that they will listen to ANYONE? I think he is corny as hell, treated his ex wife like crapola, cheated on her up and down (but you take advice from him I mean He couldn’t keep his own relationship together), he swears he’s the Black man’s daddy, and speaks as if he is talking down to callers. I agree w/ Nightshift above, Harvey will step on his own brother’s toes and sell him out just to get by, he did it to Bernie Mac, and a few others. He’s the equivalent of a black woman in the 1800′s taking relationship advice from a Zip Coon minstrel…. I can save black women 24.99……
Now Baisden, may not really have anything to say…but I am tired of hearing Phonies giving advice and speaking their views…When I turn on the radio, I wanna hear Good Music…which is what Baisden gives.
No, actually Steve Harvey is much worse.
But I do agree with no whether people should take advice from Steve just because he’s now divorced and going through his own shyt. Abused, divorced, and angry black women voluntarily give “advice” to both women and men all the time.
I also don’t think he’s any different than other successful businessmen.
BTW, I’m hoping that Baidsen no longer has that quite unhealthy fascination w/Swingers.
Sameena, not every one is impressed with advice from the likes of S Harvey. Once you know his history it’s hard justifying support of this man. I will even pass on the movie because of Steve’s involvement and a few other cast members.
It’s hard for me to get behind anything Steve Harvey does every since Bernie Mac told the story of how Steve tried to backstab Bernie when Bernie got his tv show
were is this petition so i can sign i like steve but i love mike.
Ok….Wow I thought I was the only one who was not impressed w/ S. Harvey But I do agree that divorced ppl. can give advice and such….it’s just that I think Steve Harvey is a phony, and I can tolerate Baisden more…untill he starts talking about what goes on in the bedroom….but if he keeps playing good music from back in the day…then Im Cool
What do you all think about RUSH?