“The View From the Phlipside” is a media commentary program airing on WRFA-LP, Jamestown NY. It can be heard Monday through Friday around 7:30 AM. The following are scripts which may not exactly match the aired version of the program. Mostly because the host may suddenly choose to add or subtract words at a moment’s notice. WRFA-LP is not responsible for any such silliness or the opinions expressed. You can listen to a live stream of WRFA or find a podcast of this program at wrfalp.com. Copyright 2013-17 by Jay Phillippi. All Rights Reserved. You like what you see and hear? Drop me a line and we can talk.
Programs from week of December 24, 2017
This Week’s Podcast
My name is Jay Phillippi and I’ve spent my life in and around the media. TV, radio, the movies and more. I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion. Call this the View from the Phlipside.
In Review
This
is the twelfth month of the year. And the fifty second week. Almost
three hundred and sixty five days have passed since this year began.
It seems like the year has gone on forever, while at the same time it
seems to have passed in the blink of an eye.
is the twelfth month of the year. And the fifty second week. Almost
three hundred and sixty five days have passed since this year began.
It seems like the year has gone on forever, while at the same time it
seems to have passed in the blink of an eye.
So
what happened this year?
what happened this year?
Looking
back over the topics that appeared on this program, most of the top
categories aren’t particularly surprising. Leading the way were
stories about the struggles of the news media and journalism in
general. There were eighteen programs on those subjects. Behind
that topic is a two way tie, with a third just a hair behind them.
At fifteen stories each were the Internet and
advertising/commercials. Just one off that pace at fourteen was
television.
back over the topics that appeared on this program, most of the top
categories aren’t particularly surprising. Leading the way were
stories about the struggles of the news media and journalism in
general. There were eighteen programs on those subjects. Behind
that topic is a two way tie, with a third just a hair behind them.
At fifteen stories each were the Internet and
advertising/commercials. Just one off that pace at fourteen was
television.
The
annual output for this program is just shy of 160 programs. Those
top four categories made up over a third of all the programs for the
year. Things begin to stretch out at this point.
annual output for this program is just shy of 160 programs. Those
top four categories made up over a third of all the programs for the
year. Things begin to stretch out at this point.
There
were ten stories about the movies and eight about social media. The
FCC appeared as a topic on six occasions, with Net Neutrality making
up half of those stories. The business of the media, various print
issues, and music were next at five.
were ten stories about the movies and eight about social media. The
FCC appeared as a topic on six occasions, with Net Neutrality making
up half of those stories. The business of the media, various print
issues, and music were next at five.
Telephones,
both landlines and cellular, had four programs, the same number as
sports in the media.
both landlines and cellular, had four programs, the same number as
sports in the media.
Augmented
and Virtual reality, and cable/satellite made three appearances each.
At two stories were politics, sexual misconduct, technology and
radio. The final count was filled out with a variety of one of
stories ranging from my advice on how to deal with the media to video
games.
and Virtual reality, and cable/satellite made three appearances each.
At two stories were politics, sexual misconduct, technology and
radio. The final count was filled out with a variety of one of
stories ranging from my advice on how to deal with the media to video
games.
This
was also a tough year when it came to losing high profile folks in
the media. In addition to names covered extensively in the media, we
also noted the passing of rock front men J. Geils and Chris Cornell,
wrestling icon George “The Animal” Steele, movie maker George
Romero, TV game show host Monte Hall, voice actor June Foray (who
provided the voice, among many others, to Rocket J. Squirrel and
Cindy Lou Who) and two comedy giants – Dick Gregory and Jerry
Lewis.
was also a tough year when it came to losing high profile folks in
the media. In addition to names covered extensively in the media, we
also noted the passing of rock front men J. Geils and Chris Cornell,
wrestling icon George “The Animal” Steele, movie maker George
Romero, TV game show host Monte Hall, voice actor June Foray (who
provided the voice, among many others, to Rocket J. Squirrel and
Cindy Lou Who) and two comedy giants – Dick Gregory and Jerry
Lewis.
The
hardest part for me in this year’s story was treading the line
between political and media commentary. This has been a year where
the two have been intermingled to a much greater degree than I ever
remember. Looking back I think I did pretty well holding the line on
the media side. It looks like that practice will come in handy in
the year to come.
hardest part for me in this year’s story was treading the line
between political and media commentary. This has been a year where
the two have been intermingled to a much greater degree than I ever
remember. Looking back I think I did pretty well holding the line on
the media side. It looks like that practice will come in handy in
the year to come.
As
always, it’s been a fun year.
always, it’s been a fun year.
2018 Prediction
The
year comes to an end. That’s a great time to look back, as I will
do elsewhere in this week’s programs, but also a good time to look
ahead. While we may mark the end of one year and the beginning of
another with a clear line on the calendar, it doesn’t really work
that way. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are all connected.
year comes to an end. That’s a great time to look back, as I will
do elsewhere in this week’s programs, but also a good time to look
ahead. While we may mark the end of one year and the beginning of
another with a clear line on the calendar, it doesn’t really work
that way. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are all connected.
For
2018, I would predict that three stories will dominate at least the
first half of the year. They may cover the entire year but so many
variables are in play that I’ll stick to the first half of the
year.
2018, I would predict that three stories will dominate at least the
first half of the year. They may cover the entire year but so many
variables are in play that I’ll stick to the first half of the
year.
They
are:
are:
Net
Neutrality. As much as the proponents of the change in FCC
regulation would like to poo-poo this away as an issue, I think
they’re wrong. Is it inevitable that our access to the internet
and the related costs of that access are going to change
dramatically? No. Do I consider that likely? Absolutely. Once we
work our way through possible Congressional action to overturn the
rule change (unlikely) and the court cases, then we’ll see what the
new online world will look like. Because of the variables here, I
think we will see some action early in the year, with a bigger push
coming in the summer. This is a prediction I’d really, really like
to be wrong on. But I don’t believe I am.
Neutrality. As much as the proponents of the change in FCC
regulation would like to poo-poo this away as an issue, I think
they’re wrong. Is it inevitable that our access to the internet
and the related costs of that access are going to change
dramatically? No. Do I consider that likely? Absolutely. Once we
work our way through possible Congressional action to overturn the
rule change (unlikely) and the court cases, then we’ll see what the
new online world will look like. Because of the variables here, I
think we will see some action early in the year, with a bigger push
coming in the summer. This is a prediction I’d really, really like
to be wrong on. But I don’t believe I am.
Sexual
misconduct charges in the media. It would be great if we had
“cleaned house” all ready on men and women who have used their
positions to gain sexual power over others in their business. But we
aren’t. That’s not coming from any inside knowledge of who may
get uncovered next. It’s coming from a knowledge of just how much
the media world has been a “boys club”. The worst aspects of a
frat house or a locker room pervade the history of all the media from
top to bottom. There’s more coming. There are more big names
coming. Television, movies, radio, music, theater. This isn’t
done. And it’s long past due.
misconduct charges in the media. It would be great if we had
“cleaned house” all ready on men and women who have used their
positions to gain sexual power over others in their business. But we
aren’t. That’s not coming from any inside knowledge of who may
get uncovered next. It’s coming from a knowledge of just how much
the media world has been a “boys club”. The worst aspects of a
frat house or a locker room pervade the history of all the media from
top to bottom. There’s more coming. There are more big names
coming. Television, movies, radio, music, theater. This isn’t
done. And it’s long past due.
Finally,
I think this will be a pivotal year in the history of journalism in
America. Journalists have to find a way to fix the business model of
their industry. They need to fix their relationship with the
audience. Which will require a focus on doing the job and doing it
well. Getting caught up in the sideshow of “personality” damaged
journalistic integrity. There is a lot of work to do, but I believe
a vibrant and energized Fourth Estate is vital to the health of a
democracy.
I think this will be a pivotal year in the history of journalism in
America. Journalists have to find a way to fix the business model of
their industry. They need to fix their relationship with the
audience. Which will require a focus on doing the job and doing it
well. Getting caught up in the sideshow of “personality” damaged
journalistic integrity. There is a lot of work to do, but I believe
a vibrant and energized Fourth Estate is vital to the health of a
democracy.
2018
promises to be interesting.
promises to be interesting.
New Year’s Media Objectives
It’s
been an interesting year, and 2018 promises to keep that string
going. The new year is also a good time to take a look at our
behavior and think about making changes moving ahead.
been an interesting year, and 2018 promises to keep that string
going. The new year is also a good time to take a look at our
behavior and think about making changes moving ahead.
I
will be honest and acknowledge that I’m spotty at best when it
comes to resolutions. Last year I moved to “Objectives”,
thinking that if I set myself specific goals it might go better. You
know, the whole “measurable” thing. Well, it went about as well
as any other approach. Did fine on some, crashed and burned on
others.
will be honest and acknowledge that I’m spotty at best when it
comes to resolutions. Last year I moved to “Objectives”,
thinking that if I set myself specific goals it might go better. You
know, the whole “measurable” thing. Well, it went about as well
as any other approach. Did fine on some, crashed and burned on
others.
So
here are my 2018 Media Objectives:
here are my 2018 Media Objectives:
To
enjoy more media
– If you follow along on the web page, it’s obvious that I spend
a lot of time with the media. But as I look back I realize how much
I miss from year to year. My personal collections of movies and
music don’t get nearly enough attention. Too many favorites that I
just don’t get around to enjoying often enough. Add in books and
all the online fun that’s out there and I spend a lot more time
talking about the media than I do actually just having fun. Need to
change that this year.
enjoy more media
– If you follow along on the web page, it’s obvious that I spend
a lot of time with the media. But as I look back I realize how much
I miss from year to year. My personal collections of movies and
music don’t get nearly enough attention. Too many favorites that I
just don’t get around to enjoying often enough. Add in books and
all the online fun that’s out there and I spend a lot more time
talking about the media than I do actually just having fun. Need to
change that this year.
To
step away from the media
– That sounds like a direct contradiction of objective number one,
I know. But the reality is that all of us spend so much time wrapped
up in our media lives that we can forget that there’s a whole other
life waiting for us. In my life I have lived in some truly beautiful
parts of the world and among some truly wonderful people. And I can
actually enjoy them In Real Life! The media world is wonderful but
it’s not all there is in life. Taking regular time every day,
every week, every month next year to step away will create a richer
life.
step away from the media
– That sounds like a direct contradiction of objective number one,
I know. But the reality is that all of us spend so much time wrapped
up in our media lives that we can forget that there’s a whole other
life waiting for us. In my life I have lived in some truly beautiful
parts of the world and among some truly wonderful people. And I can
actually enjoy them In Real Life! The media world is wonderful but
it’s not all there is in life. Taking regular time every day,
every week, every month next year to step away will create a richer
life.
Pick
my fights
– Looking at an awful lot of my social media it seems like all of
us feel this need. I get caught up in arguments with folks who are
not interested in having a dialogue, but are there to spout and vent.
It makes me crazy and there’s no good reason for it. There are
issues that I will make a stand on, but not every issue needs me to
man the barricades. I appreciate the friends with whom I can
disagree with in an intelligent and civil manner. For the rest, my
goal is to respond “I’m out”.
my fights
– Looking at an awful lot of my social media it seems like all of
us feel this need. I get caught up in arguments with folks who are
not interested in having a dialogue, but are there to spout and vent.
It makes me crazy and there’s no good reason for it. There are
issues that I will make a stand on, but not every issue needs me to
man the barricades. I appreciate the friends with whom I can
disagree with in an intelligent and civil manner. For the rest, my
goal is to respond “I’m out”.
So
I’ll keep it simple. Maybe my percentage will improve with a few
carefully focused objectives next year.
I’ll keep it simple. Maybe my percentage will improve with a few
carefully focused objectives next year.
Call that the View From the Phlipside
Copyright Jay Phillippi, 2017
Theme music for “The View From the Phlipside” and “TVFTP – Podcast” is “Hustle”
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Stories Are My Life 
Leave a comment