Radio-TV talents should observe broadcast etiquette
Some radio-TV personalities behave so badly, it’s time to remind them that there is such a thing as broadcast etiquette. Remember, sloppy and insensitive guys and gals, you’re guests in our homes—so, behave!
Rule 1: Don’t laugh or shout into the mic. When you make that much noise, be sure to hold it far, far away.
If you watch TV or listen to the radio a lot, you know that most DJs and program hosts just love to laugh out loud, with the mic held close to their lips, for maximum volume.
Why do they do this? Because they think it adds liveliness and “fun” to their show, and eliminates “dead air.”
Please. All it does is assault and torment people’s eardrums—and make them want to beat you to a pulp.
Rule 2: If you’re hosting a show, make sure you know what the job entails—or you’ll freak out a lot of people, who will hate you to extinction.
There are many atrocious program hosts out there who can’t even read their spiels straight, smugly think only of themselves and not their guests, can’t ad-lib to save their lives, and just generally do a really bad job.
How were they even considered for the plum assignment? Beats us. Maybe they held the network owner’s little children hostage?
In any case, bad radio-TV hosts are the bane of our existence, and we think some of them contributed to the decision to “kill” “Party Pilipinas,” among other outrages.
The most awful example of cruddy hosting we can share here is that of a clueless host who was assigned to interview stars as they walked on the red carpet at a big show biz event.
Instead of thinking up different questions for the stars and starlets he talked to, all he did was endlessly repeat the generic question, “So, how does it feel to walk on the red carpet?”—more than 40 times!
Towards the end of the seemingly interminable show, we were physically ill, like the really clueless “host” had invented a new form of torture (which he had)!
Rule 3: If you’re going to host a show, make sure you think clearly, express yourself well, and are genuinely interested in your guests and the topic at hand. Some so-called hosts can’t even comply with these basic requirements. They have really tinny and nasal voices and have lousy articulation; they talk a blue streak and don’t let their guests get a word in edgewise! Why are they even allowed on-mic and on-cam? Because local hosting standards are really low—and euthanasia is illegal.
Rule 4: Hosts shouldn’t think that listeners and viewers are as shallow as they are. Enough said!
Rule 5: Kids are always listening and watching at home, so keep it clean, guys. No crummy, scrummy dirty jokes just to prove you’re “in.”
Rule 6: DJs’ standard practice of playing music in the background and alternately raising and lowering its volume is really irritating—so, stop!
Rule 7: Start your program on time! Quite a number of DJs and program hosts don’t do this, which reveals what rank amateurs they are.
Rule 8: Always remind yourself what a privilege it is to work in the broadcast field, where you can influence many people—hopefully, for everybody’s good.
Rule 9: If you make a mistake, own up, apologize—and mean it!
Rule 10: Don’t think you “own” the airwaves, the public has just “lent” it to you—so, be on your best behavior and always observe the rules of broadcast etiquette!
