10 Questions with ... Casey Bartholomew

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I knew I wanted to be in radio from the time I was 13. So, on Valentine's Day, 1986 I drove down to 95.9 KEZY, in Anaheim, CA, and asked if I could be an intern. From there I became a DJ and worked at a variety of music stations in the smaller markets all around Los Angeles. I started in talk radio at 1600 KMNY, in Pamona, California. It was financial talk, and I ran the board and did financial news updates. From there I went to KFI/Los Angeles, WDBO/Orlando, back to KFI, to New Jersey 101.5, to 97.1 WKRK/Detroit, 94.3 WSC/Charleston, 550 KTRS/St. Louis, KIFR/San Francisco, and back to New Jersey 101.5. In between all that, I did fill-in work at KOGO/San Diego, WOAI/San Antonio, KFTK/St. Louis, WMAL/Washington DC, KTAR/Phoenix, 104.1 The Truth/Tucson, and WPHT/Philadelphia. I'm sure there are others that I'm forgetting.

Currently working as the "Casey" half of "The Casey and Rossi Show." Afternoons on New Jersey 101.5.

1. You returned to New Jersey 101.5 for a second stint after being in other markets for a while. What, other than working with a new partner, is different, if anything, about this time around?

For the most part, it feels the same. Most of the people are still the same, and we still do the same type of talk, more or less. The only thing that's different is that, when I worked here before, we were a small company that only owned 2, eventually 3, stations. Now, we're a fairly good-sized company. When you get bigger, you have to deal with all the things that go along with that. Some bad, some good. I'm not complaining, though. It's still the most unique talk station in the entire country, the people who run it know that, and I'm proud to work here.

2. New Jersey's politics have always been a source of material and outrage for the station. What among all the things that have happened in the last few years in the state has gotten you the most outraged? What's the lowest it's gotten?

There are a couple of things that stand out, both of which we got a lot of mileage out of. The first one was when our now former Governor, Jon Corzine, tried to sell off the toll roads in order to, temporarily, pay down the massive state debt. It would have increased tolls by 800%, and caused businesses, as well as jobs, to leave the state. It was also nothing more than a shell game that would have moved billions of dollars in debt, plus interest, onto future generations. It was a mess. So, when he gave a speech about it, he said something to the effect of "Pigs will fly over the state house" before anything else would pay down the debt. So, Ray and I created "The Flying Pigs" movement. We got a couple thousand people to come out to the statehouse, for a rally, in the dead of winter. Then, we released flying pig balloons over the statehouse. It was a great visual, for which we got national coverage. The Governor tried to counter it by holding a series of town hall meetings. But, on the show, we armed people with the facts about what he was trying to do, and encouraged them to go to the meetings and ask specific questions. When they did, he couldn't answer them, and eventually had to stop doing the meetings. We also gave out his office number, on the air, and so many people called that they eventually stopped answering the phones, and actually took the number off of the Governor's website. Needless to say, his plan did not go forward.

The second thing to pop up also involved the former Governor. We have the highest property taxes in the nation, here in New Jersey. In his last budget, he wanted to cut property tax rebates to everyone, except the people in his base, because it was an election year. Ray and I were making it a big issue, on the air, about how he was trying to destroy the middle class. We were asking people to flood the Governor's office with phone calls, faxes, emails, and letters in order to get our point across. Then, one of the news guys, Joe Cutter, suggested that we have people send in their empty wallets, to show that there was nothing left. So, the station came up with the idea to have drop off points, all over the state, where people could bring us their empty wallets, and we put them in a casket. Then, we had a funeral for the "Death of The Middle Class," outside the state house. Again, a couple thousand people showed up, and I gave the eulogy, and we delivered several thousand empty wallets to the Governor's office.

Needless to say, Jon Corzine is no longer our Governor. He even had Obama coming to the state to campaign for him. But, even Obama is no match for the power of "The Casey & Rossi Show!!!!" We try and use this power for good, and not evil. But, sometimes it's hard.

So, in recent years, the lowest it's gotten is when Corzine was in charge. But, we fixed that.

3. How do you see your role on the show, and Ray's? Are there however loosely defined roles for each of you? Who brings what to the table?

There have to be clearly defined roles, in a team show. Otherwise, it doesn't really work. In the case of Ray and I, it's very simple. Ray represents what people SHOULD do, in a civilized society, when they have disagreements about things. He is more thoughtful, and calm. I tend to represent the angry mob, who wants to drag people out into the street, nude, and beat them. See? Simple.

That's a simplistic way of looking at it, but it's not TOO far off the mark. It's VERY important for people on a team show to know, accept, and execute their role. People think that they can just do a show, and they'll both be the "angry" guy. They can't. One of them has to keep the show grounded. If not, it's just a bunch of angry people yelling, and that's just bad radio. It never works. There has to be a calm, voice of reason to balance things out. When I've worked as a solo act, I had to strike that balance for myself, which is fine. I did well, and it worked. But, it's a lot more fun working with Ray, because I get to be a little more wild, all the time. I know he'll be there to balance things out.

The best part about working with Ray is that he gets his role, and he executes it, flawlessly. He sets me up for jokes, or to go off on a tangent, and he knows when I'm trying to set something up, and he goes right along with it, and lets me do my thing. I tend to get most of the attention, because I'm the "loud, obnoxious one." But, without Ray, the show doesn't work. It's just like a comedy team. If the straight man isn't good, it doesn't work. I always tell people that, when you're listening to a team show, listen to the quieter one. He's the one that's really doing the important stuff.

4. What's your greatest regret? Your proudest moment?

I don't really have any regrets, professionally. It sounds cliched, but I am who I am because of the decisions I've made. I tend to like myself. So, I don't know that I would change much. If you had to force me, though, I guess I wouldn't have left New Jersey, the first time. I ended up going to Detroit, and working in a situation that wasn't right for me. There was another show that was backstabbing, and two-faced, and worked behind the scenes to sabotage my show. I tend to be very supportive of all the other "talent," because there are so few of us that I think we should all stick together. So, it was hard for me to deal with another show that was so obsessed with bringing my show down, and that it was ON MY OWN STATION!! But, even that taught me a ton, and I'm glad I went through it.

Again, professionally, my proudest moments are when I'm able to talk about things, and get people to take action. That can be something big, like the "Flying Pigs" rally, where thousands of people come out. Or, it can be something small. I rescue retired racing Greyhounds. One time, a group had one that needed surgery, but didn't have the money. His name was Jessie. I mentioned it on the air, a couple of times, and gave the address. The group received what they needed, and more. Some people were only able to send 50 cents, but they did it. Some other animals were able to get help, too, because of that. It's not the sort of thing that gets you national coverage. But, it shows that you are part of the community, and I think that it's every bit as important.

5. He's been in office for a very short time, but what's your assessment of the new governor, Chris Christie? Even if the jury's still out, are you feeling positive, negative, or neutral about him so far?

We've butted heads, a couple of times, so far. We even got ourselves blackballed during his campaign. No big. I'm not in this to make friends with politicians. But, we eventually made up. I like him. He's a good guy, and I think he really means it when he says that he doesn't care if he gets re-elected. That scares politicians, in New Jersey, who exist for the sole purpose of getting re-elected. He seems to want to fix the state, and his first budget reflects that. He's not cowering to the unions, and seems to have no problem pissing people off. This state is the single most corrupt state in the country. So far, the steps he's taking are moving us back in the right direction. This first budget is ugly. The next one will probably be ugly, too. We've got 10% unemployment, the highest property taxes in the country, the most bloated school beaurocracy in the history of mankind, we're $46 billion behind on our state pension payments, we have no money to fix our roads, and while the private sector was losing thousands of jobs, the public sector was adding them. Anybody willing to take on the task of trying to fix that deserves a little time.

6. Yoo-Hoo? Why is Yoo-Hoo your favorite? What is it about Yoo-Hoo that you like? You're aware that it isn't dairy and it's made from who-knows-what and that it's not normal for a drink like that to be able to sit on the shelf forever without spoiling, right? (Although Yogi Berra endorsed it and may be immortal as a result -- coincidence?)

Uhhhh.....Is this a serious question?

Why Yoo-Hoo? Really?

Do you ask a fish why it swims? The Sun why it sets? Do you accept the love of a beautiful woman? Or, do you question her motives, and shun her?

PLUS, you question why Yoo-Hoo sits on a shelf, and doesn't spoil? Since when does time matter, when it comes to the important things in life? Do the Christians turn their back on their faith just because that whole "Jesus Thing" was 3,000 years ago? No. They do not. Do we tear up the constitution, because it's a couple hundred years old? Again, no. We do not.

We do not question what is right, and good. We simply ACCEPT it. Then, we sacrifice virgins to our Alien Overlords, for being kind enough to provide us with such WONDERFUL things like Yoo-Hoo, and The Jonas Brothers. THAT is what we do.

Geez...I guess Mr. Perry "I-Went-To-Law-School-And-Now-I-Work-For-A-Website-That-Doesn't-Even-Have-Any-Porn" Simon isn't nearly as smart as he thought he was, is he?

Sorry.....I didn't mean to go off, there. If you don't like Yoo-Hoo, don't drink it. More for me. But, I really feel like I don't even know who you are anymore.

7. Who and what makes you laugh these days?

Wow. Good question. On the radio, John and Ken (from KFI) have always made me laugh. Dennis Malloy (half of our midday show "Dennis and Michele") is the funniest guy working in radio, today. Bill McAllister, who does mornings on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, is hilarious.

Outside of that, real people make me laugh. I like the reality shows like "Parking Wars," where real people are doing real things, and just being ridiculous. I don't really like the shows where they put people into forced situations, and see what happens. Real life is always so much funnier.

My kids crack me up. My daughter is 10, and my son is almost 2 years. I get hours of amusement out of them. I even put my daughter in some of the videos I make for the station website.

Monty Python is the funniest thing EVER!!!!

I've always loved Dave Barry. Seinfeld. Steve Martin. I dunno.... I like to laugh. So, I'm always looking for something to help me do that.

8. You've worked at stations that do standard-issue topical talk, "guy talk," and 101.5, which is its own universe. Do you think that there will be a resurgence in talk that isn't necessarily right-wing or left-wing political talk anytime in the future? Is there a place for more water-cooler, comedic talk, not "guy talk" per se but more about family and pop culture and the topics you do when you're not talking politics?

That's a good question. You must do this for a living. Honestly, it's always surprised me that New Jersey 101.5 is SO unique. I've worked all over the place, and a lot of stations say that they want to do the "water-cooler" talk. But none of them are really willing to do it. They seem to think that people are standing around the mythical "water-cooler," and talking about Obama, or Pelosi, or the war in Iraq. While that DOES happen, it doesn't happen in the political way that they all seem to think, and it doesn't happen nearly as often as they think it does.

We certainly do our share of politics. But, we only do it when it has a direct impact on the people who are listening. That's why we've been able to get thousands of people to come out to rallies, and such. You would never get that many people to come out over Joe Biden saying the "F-word," or Nancy Pelosi flying around on a government jet, because most people don't care about that. They can't see the impact, because there is no REAL impact on their lives.

We are at our best when we are talking about things that REAL people are going through. We did a topic on someone in my neighborhood having a clothesline, and the phones went crazy. We just had a record winter, where we had massive amounts of snow. When that stuff comes up, NOBODY cares what Hillary Clinton said to Benjamin Netanyahu. They care about whether or not their school is closed, or if they're going to lose power, or if they have enough food in the house because they won't be able to get to the supermarket. That's the kind of thing we do, and we've been hugely successful.

The sad part is that I've been hired by a few places that told me they wanted me to do what I did at New Jersey 101.5. Then, when I come in to do the show, they say "You know, China is violating some human rights. You ARE gonna talk about the trade implications, right?" I would just shake my head, knowing that A) I was just told that I HAD to talk about that, and B) No one cares about it.

There should be New Jersey 101.5's all over the country. No one seems willing to think outside the talk radio box. I should be getting phone calls, and emails, all the time from stations asking me about it. It's too bad, because it is the most fun kind of radio I have EVER done. I love it, because I'm talking about real life, and there are no limits. I can do politics, sex, kids, my marriage, Ray's daughter getting married, the weather, TV, and anything else. As long as I'm talking about real people, I know it will work. That's the beauty of it.

Don't ever call it "guy talk," though. I got wrapped up in the "guy talk" thing, in Detroit, and am still trying to get THAT stink off of me. "Guy Talk," with rare exception, is a colossal failure, and I know why. But, I'm not saying here. If you wanna know, you're going to have to pay me a consultant's fee, damn it.

9. If you got to be Supreme Benevolent (pay attention to that word, you'd be benevolent, not despotic) Dictator for a day, and got to make one decision to change the world, what would it be?

I would force Arbitron to stop the practices that falsely inflate the numbers of hip-hop stations and the like, and let ALL radio stations play by the same rules. It costs people their jobs, and it's not right. Besides, it makes society, as a whole, look bad. Future generations are going to look back at us and say, "There is NO WAY that many people listened to that crap."

If I can't do that, I would require Carrie Underwood to spend 10 minutes alone with me. I think that, if I had just 10 minutes, I would be able to convince her that we were meant to be together, and all the body guards and restraining orders in the world can't stand in the way of true love. Until then, I'll just be patient, and keep going through her garbage.

I've decided to add another one. Since I'm Supreme Benevolent Dictator, I'M the one making the rules, here, Simon!!!!!

YOO-HOO for EVERYONE!!!

10. What would surprise people most about you?

Well, when you are loud, and obnoxious on the radio, people expect you to be like that when they meet you at the mall, or something. Honestly, off the air, I'm very quiet.

I hate talking about myself.

I'm painfully shy.

I like to read different things (currently reading "The Zombie Survival Guide.")

I am a ghostbuster. I'm in a paranormal research group that hunts down evidence of ghosts.

I love writing and have tried to get things published, though nothing has come of it....yet.

I collect Mickey Mouse watches.

I like spending time with my kids.

I would love to live in Orlando, or Kansas City.

I like Debbie Gibson music, and I don't care who knows it.

I once gave Paul McCartney a high-five.

I like zombie movies, and horror movies in general.

I love to read biographies.

Sometimes, even when my daughter isn't around, I watch "Hannah Montana" because I think it's funny.

I have two brothers, and one of their middle names is Trojan (after USC football, not the condom).

I like to SCUBA dive, though I don't get to do it that much.

I am a Disney freak, and love going to Disney World.

I have never had a drink of alcohol, smoked a cigarette, or done any kind of drug. Though, I don't care if anyone else does.

USC is my favorite college football team, but I don't have a favorite pro team.

I have voted for democrats, because sometimes the idea is more important than the party.

I wear boxers.

I'm a geek, I know it, and I embrace it.

I once sent a fan letter to the twins from "Double Trouble," in 1984, because I thought they were cute.

I saw "High School Musical" in concert.

I like roller derby, and even announced a bout.

My favorite band is The Beatles, and I think Ringo Starr is the luckiest man alive.

My dream job is to host a syndicated, overnight, general issues talk show, because I think that's where all the REAL people are.

My middle name is Marc, spelled with a "c."

I like that Miley Cyrus song, "Party in The USA."

James Cagney is my favorite actor.

I know that I talk like Kermit the Frog. So, there is no reason to keep telling me.

I lost my virginity at a drive-in movie theater.