Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Have you wondered...


If you ever visit WBAI's hopelessly outdated web site, you might wonder if and how much Andrea Katz's relative (brother?) is being paid for "maintaining" it, but the site poses several other questions, as well.

For example, there is this prominent ad in the opening page slideshow:


If you have tuned in recently, you would have had a hard time avoiding the one-hour infomercial wherein this guy and a California Pacifica program host want you to become a certified hypnotist. Okay, it's another scam, but my question is:

Given the fact that the WBAI "management" is impossible to reach by phone and e-mail is not read, how has the station become aware of a "POPULAR DEMAND"???? Who, other than the architects of yet another failed fundraising marathon, has made such a demand?

While I'm at it, let me point out that the Africa trip offer as is still there, although the booking deadline has come and gone and we still haven't received answers to questions regarding that one. 

If you have burning questions, let's hear them.

25 comments:

  1. When he tells you to come to an Arizona Sweat Lodge, think twice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll bet no one booked the Africa trip through WBAI. It was several thousand dollars, after all.

    Maybe WBAI should try and hook up with sex educators like Midori or Tristan Taormino who do female oriented sex positive education seminars. Sex DOES sell, you know.

    What is Mario Murillo's salary?

    Has Mitchel Cohen ever been under psychiatric treatment?

    Have there been any independent studies to verify the efficacy of the techniques demonstrated at the hypnosis seminar?

    Have there been any independent studies to verify the efficacy and safety of the any supplements sold by Gary Null or others as premiums?

    What is the refund/return policy regarding premium sold on WBAI?

    What are the official accusations against Sydney Smith and who were ALL the people involved in this matter?

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good questions, SDL.

      Good luck getting answers!

      Apropos Sydney, an anonymous comment came in stating that the person who made the call to the NYPD is a producer/host at WBAI. The name was given, but I thought it wise not to publicize a totally unsubstantiated rumor that could potentially hurt an innocent person. I actually did post it, but quickly came to my senses.

      Mitchel continues to brag about WBAI's superior "coverage" of events--what do you think they aired in their Staten Island choke hold special when Mayor De Blasio was addressing the decision? Give up?

      Mimi Rosenberg going on and on with her usual blather and saying nothing that isn't either obvious or an echo of commonly expressed opinion.

      Delete
    2. I agree in not posting the name without proof of some sort. Others have been accused and are probably innocent. I actually admired how Reggie Johnson defended himself intelligently, with even Sydney standing up for him. This brings me to the fear that innocent peoples' names will be tossed out as smear attempts for personal vindictiveness by others.

      An old tape of a chokehold tap out from a UFC match? The theme from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes? Yes, I give up. Seriously. The more Cohen types, the more I think he's a total nut, seeming more out of touch with reality day by day.

      Mimi talks down to the audience in a patronizing manner like a first grade teacher to her class. Anyway. Her antics, which can be seen on youtube videos, make me wonder if she isn't a bit crazy, to begin with.

      SDL

      Delete
    3. Exactly, and WBAI is a hotbed of vindictiveness. I agree that Mimi isn't all there and she definitely ought not be on the air. Murillo is not handling things well--he has made the fundamental mistake of allowing the warts to fester.

      Delete
  3. Did Bill Cosby ever appear live on WBAI?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not while I had anything to say about it. He showed himself to be a rather nasty, phony guy when I first encountered him, in 1959, and my initial impression turned out to be correct. This is not to say that he didn't make an appearance in later years, someone else may have the answer to that.

      Delete
  4. Bill Cosby appeared in recent years on the Nancy Rodriguez Show with Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. He contributed money to WBAI as well

    ReplyDelete
  5. Seems quiet in WBAIville lately. Everyone take off for Xmas? Did everyone just get bored? Did the station go 24/7 infomercial? Are they asking for money again?

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's just seething and, not seeing a whole lot of black people walking around in a trance-like state, I have a feeling that the hypnosis isn't working.

      Heard Sally O'Brien babble on about another "political prisoner," the other night. When someone asked why he was in jail, she said it was for having "liberated" a bank from some money! Also heard the new host of Ghosthorse's program go on and on and on about the importance of allowing people to continue smoking cigarettes, as long as they are of the reservation-rolled healthy kind. Apropos double standards, how do the union supporters feel about the PBA's Lynch? It wasn't so long ago that Hennelly tried to turn WBAI into the voice of labor unions. These are sick people and we will eventually see them forced to take the nearest exit ramp... not soon enough.

      When that happens, I, for one, will do what I can to stir up interest in the few good people who are left at WBAI.

      Delete
  6. The reason nobody is paying attention to WBAI is because Max is playing old Jean Shepherd shows. YUCH!
    KGT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Shepherd's recollections and observation probably go over the heads of the current dumbed-down listening audience. I happen to be a big fan, going back to when these shows were live.

      Delete
    2. The only shows I hate worse than Jean Shepherd are Bob and Ray and Garrison Keillor. Oy Vey.

      Delete
    3. Bob and Ray never grabbed me but Keillor's humor often does.

      Delete
    4. I used to be friendly with Rich Conaty. When WFUV took off The Big Bandstand on Sat. nights, I suggested that he approach WBAI. He said, "Nah. I don't like the politics".
      KGT

      Delete
    5. Conaty knows his 78s and I'm sure he also knows a thing or two about the dark side of the current WBAI. I don't blame him for not wanting to be a part of that stale stew.

      Delete
  7. Willie Sutton liberated banks of money "...because that's where the money is." So did Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde, and the daddy of them all "Baron" Herman Lamm. FYI: To "be on the lamm" comes from his name.

    Actually, I make my own cigs, but with an injector machine and tubes. I've done so for decades. But then, I am a real do it yourself type of person.

    If Hennelly turned WBAI into a voice of labor unions, at least they'd have a big pool of potential supporters, unlike now.

    Bob & Ray - URG! However, Max does have a following, which is good for him. I remember when Jack Schugg used to be his partner, until he was fired for bringing a porn crew up to the studio to shoot a scene without notifying management nor getting permission. Understandable firing him, since WBAI would have been in deep trouble if someone got hurt or equipment went on fire, etc.

    Speaking of Schugg. I remember that he had a graveyard shift show for a while. Several times he had "Jack's mystery lady" sit in for him, but never told us who she was, nor did she. Anyone know? I figured it was a porn actress, since that was Schugg's milieu. I remember her having a real thing for David Coverdale era Deep Purple, especially the song Mistreated. OK, I liked Burn a lot, but Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band - YUCK!

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not familiar with Schugg--that must have been before whim replaced policy at WBAI.

      Apart from the concept of making the station a voice for any one group, the problem I had with Hennelly's approach was that he was trying to sell air time to his former union groups. He would pay them visits and solicit healthy donations that somehow materialized on that morning show, with Mimi bandying her pom-pons and Haskins unhesitatingly falling into line.

      Delete
    2. Jeez, Chris. The image of Mimi dressed as a cheerleader that you put in my head. Just not right...

      SDL

      Delete
    3. Please accept my sincerest apology—this is an image I have been trying to shake for a very long time, so I just had to pass it on. :)

      Delete
  8. While tuning around the radio during lunch, I fell upon "Cake" Davis and a caller complaining that he donated for the hypnosis thing, claiming to have never gotten an address as to where to show up. Check the archives at about 14 minutes into her show, if you didn't hear it. Do you know how much they were charging for the seminar? I'm just wondering. Gives new meaning to unsent premiums...

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
  9. What does Ken Nash see in Mimi Rosenberg?

    KGT

    ReplyDelete
  10. KGT--It must have something to do with the neuro design engineering.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anyone wondering how Daulton's fundraiser did yesterday? Is it praiseworthy? Was Berthold there on his knees? Did the massive protest turnout make a dent or will it just be used as an excuse.

    I wonder if this morning's noisy 2-hour worship will include an impressive tally...

    ReplyDelete