-
10 Questions with ... Johnny Wendell
June 27, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Johnny WendellTITLE:Talk Radio Host (or "Mr.")STATION:KTLK AM 1150MARKET:Los AngelesCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:In the USA, To Lose, Too Loose, To Be WildRAISED:Boston, MA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Punk rock guitar player, songwriter and singer with Thrills, the Blackjacks, and Creeps In Exile, leader of the parody/performance art/travesty act the Swinging Erudites, columnist of Pissed! and Outlaw LA, LA Weekly and SF Bay Guardian, commercial actor and talk radio host.
1. Since last time, you've settled in at KTLK for weekends. After being on KFI, what differences have you found in the audiences other than the obvious political differences? Are there things you can't do with the KTLK audience that you could with the KFI listeners?
Both audiences have their obvious leanings and prejudices, but right or left, people have to be amused enough NOT to ignore you. I haven't modified my politics, although I have done a lot less political talk in the last year than I used to--I figure that if I'm getting weary of "nyah nyah/gotcha" discourse, so's everyone else.
2. You've also been doing fill-in at stations like San Francisco's Free FM and Boston's WRKO. Similar question- are there differences in the audiences of the different stations in different markets? Are there different expectations, and what do you do differently between the stations?
At Free FM, no politics at all, nothing but lifestyle, culture and the like. But I am who I am, and so the issue of "dumbing it down" is anathema; and, besides, I always figure that people can hear pandering. I certainly can. At 'RKO, I was talking to the kind of people I grew up with in Boston and I get them. Pushing their buttons was easy-- and I didn't pick the things I said to provoke, although I was pretty sure they would and I was right. Boston and SF were, and are, much more caller-driven; in LA, it's more like 'let's see what you got- you entertain me, pal'.
3. You do a wide range of topics, from politics to pure pop culture and lifestyle stuff- what's the most fun topic you've done lately?
"Is Cybersex actual sex?" (No, sez me), "Why doesn't soccer catch on in America?", "Is David Caruso the worst actor in history" (Yes, sez me).
4. What makes you laugh?
David Chappelle, old F Troops, Richard Pryor (still) and best of all, anyone that calls themselves an expert on any and everything, especially what "sells" in talk radio.
5. We're a few years into the era of the "liberal talk" or "progressive talk" stations. At this stage, do you think the "format" has legs? Do you see stations sticking to one brand of political thought, or will there ever be a day when major market stations return to carrying shows ranging across the political spectrum?
Depends on the city and how it's done. I can't imagine that it can continue as it has been, with so little local programming and so much didacticism. Also, the idea that the audience knows where you stand on the news of the day before you even move the mandible is ridiculous-- I'm not a cardboard cutout version of a person or a caricature lefty. And yeah, some of my best times have been on right-identified radio stations. I don't know that there's the kind of tuneout that is claimed when someone of the opposing POV is on-- even hardcore dittoheads or their leftward equivalent get sick of the same old crapola everyday, or I hope they do.
6. With about 4 months left, what's your prediction for the 2006 elections? Will the Democrats take back the House, the Senate, both, neither?
House, yes, Senate, they pick up 4-7 seats. But so much can happen between now and then, who can safely say? Politicians in power will do absolutely anything to remain in power, and Mr. Cheney is an extreme case of that if there's ever been one. So, I have no idea what they may do to retain control of the legislative branch.
7. You're also known for your music career, so here's a music question: what are your top three Desert Island Discs? You can bring only three- which are they?
This changes from day to day, but the most enduring would be New York Dolls, Moby Grape, and "In a Silent Way" (Miles Davis). Gimme a "Desert Island IPod" and I'd be much happier.
8. You now have two sons. How has being a father changed your outlook on life, if at all?
I'm really sleepy. They are the sum and total of all that is joyous and conversely infuriating in my life. Inasmuch as I am a completely self-centered being (a talk host with that character issue, what a shock!), they're taking me out of my comfort zone psychologically and it's great--mostly!
9. Another music question: fill in the blank: The future of rock 'n' roll is _____________.
...non-existent. It's music that belongs to another era. Given the polyglot of languages here and worldwide, more music will be instrumental and electronic from here on in. And there's no way to get compensated completely as a musician now, so making home tracks on Pro Tools may be the only way to make a living. Rock N' Roll is no different than Dixieland Jazz at this point.
10. With a few more years of regular talk show hosting under your belt, what have you learned?
That if I didn't faint at the sight of blood, I'd have been better off going to Med School!
-
-