It’s Monday morning, the weekend was too short, traffic is a mess, and you’re thinking about all the work you have to do this week. The one bright spot is that the morning show crew is HILARIOUS! They are going in on _________ who did __________ this weekend! The prank calls, the crazy letters, and just their chemistry is enough to distract you from the lull of the Monday Blues and put a smile on your face. There’s a morning show for everybody-Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner, Rickey Smiley, Russ Parr, just to name a few…in the afternoon, to get you through the remainder of your day and to perk you up during the ride home there’s Michael Baisden, IF he’s in your area. The commonality between this men is that they each have their own nationally syndicated radio show. I have one question-where are the women hosts who have their own syndicated show? (And before you ask, satellite radio doesn’t count.)
Even though some people really didn’t like her, I heart Wendy Williams (on the radio). Her show gave me life each weekday afternoon starting at 2 pm. And I hate to admit it, but I LIVED for Advice Hour. The stuff that these people called in with was nothing short of crazy, and I loved it (especially since I’ve always been the cool, calm, conservative one). But after Wendy went to “greener” pastures, it left a void in radio. Yes, Angie Martinez has her own show…in New York, and I’m sure in our own local markets there are numerous women who have their own show, but what about NATIONALLY? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Is it really that big of a deal that there are no women who have their own show that can be heard in numerous markets? And yes, I know internet radio exists, but what happens when I leave work and have to sit in traffic on my way home? Who makes me laugh-who keeps me entertained-who gives me celebrity gossip?
Am I making a big deal out of nothing? Should I just be happy that nationally syndicated radio is a male dominated industry and that women can serve as their co-hosts and/or sidekicks? Or should I encourage any woman out their in radio land to fight her way to get her OWN nationally syndicated show? Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.
