Post by bossradio93 on Nov 25, 2003 1:19:47 GMT -5
The Mike Kinosian Interview. Tom Leykis: Part Two.
Part Two: Helloooo Tom!
He’s Just Like Us
Dedicated listeners of Westwood One afternoon drive personality Tom Leykis’ show are quite cognizant of what happens when callers conduct pedestrian exchanges such as,” Hi Tom, how are you?”
Such time-killers are usually met with a rapid-fire, “Do you care?”
Once that patter is out of the way, their revered host always assures the caller and listeners, “I feel great.”
From “rack signings,” to “Flash Fridays,” to begging to be “blown up” or “taken out,” Leykis and his myriad of listeners have developed their own infectious jargon and merriment.
It’s very much like belonging to a special club.
Vital background information is contained in the first part of our two-part conversation with the dean and professor of “Leykis 101.”
If you missed it or want to re-read it, check out the “Archive” section on this website.
But right now, please enjoy Part Two.
The TV Bug
A significant number of talk show hosts are either coming from television or seriously trying to transition to that medium. Leykis, however, asserts radio is his franchise. “One of the unfortunate things I see happening is [the number of] people [who get] into Los Angeles radio with a goal of being on television. They’ll do anything – I mean they will sell their soul – to be on television.”
But truth be told, thoughts of the small screen have also tempted Professor Leykis.
Tempting enough, in fact, that he’s taken a whack at it on three different television pilots. “In each one of them, the producers told me that that they loved what we did on the radio,” he comments. “They loved the content and concept and wanted to bring that to television. But once we got in the belly of the beast and started producing the shows, executives came in and wanted to shave off all the rough edges. They put me in sweaters and pastel colors and tried to soften the tone and content of the show. They may know more about television than I do, but I can’t do a television program if it’s going to make the radio listener call and tell me I’m a wimp -- I can’t have that happen.”
Rejecting out-of-hand the idea that his ultimate goal is to be on television, Leykis states, “After doing three television pilots, I’ve discovered that one of the myths of the world is that all people on television get paid very well. I found that I make much better money in radio than what people were offering me to do television.”
Living By The Numbers
A textbook example of a great Leykis show took place the day Rush Limbaugh announced he was checking himself into a drug rehab facility.
The average listener was treated to a highly compelling and entertaining radio program.
At the same time, the impact on those with radio experience was downright chilling.
In very methodical detail, Leykis outlined the pressures of doing a daily show. In no uncertain terms, he spelled out the image of ratings constantly hanging over one’s head.
With each passing word, any radio programmer or manager listening could feel that uneasy feeling one gets in the pit of the stomach in anticipation of Arbitron numbers clearing the station’s fax machine.
Perhaps it was a bit “inside” for regular listeners, but anyone remotely connected with radio would have found his observations about constant ratings pressure riveting.
It was clearly heartfelt and not an act. “I refine my product according to the ratings,” Leykis freely admits. “I’m not someone who says, `I hate Arbitron.’ For whatever flaws and faults they may have, the ratings are the best way to figure out how to refine your product. The reason why we stay so close to the top of the ratings is because we adjust our product according to what the audience responds to and what they react to. And yes, I watch them all the time.”
The context of Leykis’ on-air rant that day was in response to Limbaugh’s remarks about his own drug problems. But Leykis wasn’t as bit sympathetic. “Know what? There are many of us under pressure, who are not drug addicts. We all have our flaws and human faults, but there are plenty of people who do this for a living who aren’t addicts. To make that excuse for Rush paints us all with a bad brush.”
No Warm And Fuzzes
And when Limbaugh returned to the air this past Monday (11/17), Leykis basically looked the other way.
The only tongue-in-cheek reference came some two and a half hours into the show and lasted a scant 20 seconds.
In an affected voice over the bottom-hour bumper bed, Leykis emphasizes, “As promised, for the last five weeks, I’ve been here without overdosing on drugs, without going into rehab. Reliably coming in, I’m the Cal Ripken, Jr. of broadcasting. No rehab or detox necessary here.”
It was very simple, yet conveyed his message very well.
One Happy Family
While some may see similarities between Leykis’ show and the one overseen by Infinity morning superstar Howard Stern, Leykis quickly emphasizes, “We were very careful not to copy what he does. His audience is very loyal and can smell a rat the minute someone else tries ripping him off. The last thing I’d want to do is try to copy any of his material or concepts. By design, we use some of the formatics of old time AM Talk radio, but the content is very contemporary.”
Cheerfully pointing out the two have never feuded with each, Leykis notes, “I respect everything Howard’s done. I see our going on [KLSX/Los Angeles in 1997] and being the afternoon `yang’ to his `yin’ as being the best thing that’s ever happened in my career. When Howard says nothing about [me], I take it as a compliment; the people he does talk about get whipped. I appreciate everything he’s done to expand the parameters of what’s acceptable on the air to improving the concept of syndicated radio. He’s made it more feasible for other people like me to do it. I see myself in a position to be deferential to what he does and what he’s accomplished.”
Show Comparisons
Since Leykis’ show is extremely caller-intensive, he sees a clear difference between the two programs. “Howard [usually] does telephone calls as a transition between bits. I’ve never watched him work, but in listening, it seems he take calls as a means of shuttling guests out of the studio and shuttling in the next group of people. That works great for him, but we rarely have guests and I don’t have a sidekick or writers. We don’t even specifically try to be a comedy show. It’s real interaction with real callers.”
It’s also rare for Leykis to do produced bits. “Occasionally, we do things that sound produced, but we’re actually doing them live,” Leykis points out. “Our staff is a four-man operation, including the screener.”
Live From Culver City
Another difference is something the average listener probably would never be able to guess unaided. “Howard does his show from a real radio station -- I do mine from the Westwood One recording facility in Culver City,” Leykis says with a huge grin. “We don’t have that energy that people have around a real radio station. We go into an office where there isn’t even a receptionist or reception desk. There are no other regularly scheduled live shows coming out of that facility. We’re inside that room and [other people] in the building don’t even know what’s going on. A radio station would have a speaker in the men’s room; we don’t. So it’s not like working at a radio station at all.”
Perhaps to compensate for that lack of interaction, Leykis takes his show on the road. “We do that so we don’t forget what business we’re in,” he says only half-jokingly. “I put an ISDN line in my house and pretty soon I’ll be able to broadcast from home. I’m rarely going to do it, because I need to see faces. Going to stations and seeing actual people is energizing.”
It also proves to be a junket for the rest of the staff. “It’s fun and what keeps us all together,” Leykis explains. “Amazingly enough, our crew has been together for quite some time. [Executive Producer] Gary Zabransky is now in his seventh year; Engineer Bret Abbott has been with us for about six years; and the person screening calls [Associate Producer Dean "Dino" DeMilio] has done that for three years, but started out in craft services. We’re located between Culver Studios and Sony and he’d come by and cater the show for free. He warmed his way into our hearts.”
Afternoon Drive Contentment
It’s easy to confuse an on-air persona with the real deal.
That certainly applies with Leykis, who is actually quite soft-spoken and calm off the air.
Doing afternoons suits the avid Los Angeles Kings fan just fine. “I really have no ego about this and I enjoy what I’m doing. I don’t need to get up at 3:30am to prove anything. Our [men] 25-54 numbers in Los Angeles are the highest they’ve ever been; I’m thrilled to be where we are.”
Doing mornings, he says, would require a big change in the show and presentation. “Everything I’ve done [in radio] has been a business decision. It’s never been my plan to be on in morning drive. I worked years to get to this position. I’ve been on the air in eight different markets and this is what I’ve been working for. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been in my life. The fact that I can look forward to coming in every day and doing my job is the best [feeling one] can have.”[/i]
Source: Los Angeles Radio People-Nov. 24, 2003.
Part Two: Helloooo Tom!
He’s Just Like Us
Dedicated listeners of Westwood One afternoon drive personality Tom Leykis’ show are quite cognizant of what happens when callers conduct pedestrian exchanges such as,” Hi Tom, how are you?”
Such time-killers are usually met with a rapid-fire, “Do you care?”
Once that patter is out of the way, their revered host always assures the caller and listeners, “I feel great.”
From “rack signings,” to “Flash Fridays,” to begging to be “blown up” or “taken out,” Leykis and his myriad of listeners have developed their own infectious jargon and merriment.
It’s very much like belonging to a special club.
Vital background information is contained in the first part of our two-part conversation with the dean and professor of “Leykis 101.”
If you missed it or want to re-read it, check out the “Archive” section on this website.
But right now, please enjoy Part Two.
The TV Bug
A significant number of talk show hosts are either coming from television or seriously trying to transition to that medium. Leykis, however, asserts radio is his franchise. “One of the unfortunate things I see happening is [the number of] people [who get] into Los Angeles radio with a goal of being on television. They’ll do anything – I mean they will sell their soul – to be on television.”
But truth be told, thoughts of the small screen have also tempted Professor Leykis.
Tempting enough, in fact, that he’s taken a whack at it on three different television pilots. “In each one of them, the producers told me that that they loved what we did on the radio,” he comments. “They loved the content and concept and wanted to bring that to television. But once we got in the belly of the beast and started producing the shows, executives came in and wanted to shave off all the rough edges. They put me in sweaters and pastel colors and tried to soften the tone and content of the show. They may know more about television than I do, but I can’t do a television program if it’s going to make the radio listener call and tell me I’m a wimp -- I can’t have that happen.”
Rejecting out-of-hand the idea that his ultimate goal is to be on television, Leykis states, “After doing three television pilots, I’ve discovered that one of the myths of the world is that all people on television get paid very well. I found that I make much better money in radio than what people were offering me to do television.”
Living By The Numbers
A textbook example of a great Leykis show took place the day Rush Limbaugh announced he was checking himself into a drug rehab facility.
The average listener was treated to a highly compelling and entertaining radio program.
At the same time, the impact on those with radio experience was downright chilling.
In very methodical detail, Leykis outlined the pressures of doing a daily show. In no uncertain terms, he spelled out the image of ratings constantly hanging over one’s head.
With each passing word, any radio programmer or manager listening could feel that uneasy feeling one gets in the pit of the stomach in anticipation of Arbitron numbers clearing the station’s fax machine.
Perhaps it was a bit “inside” for regular listeners, but anyone remotely connected with radio would have found his observations about constant ratings pressure riveting.
It was clearly heartfelt and not an act. “I refine my product according to the ratings,” Leykis freely admits. “I’m not someone who says, `I hate Arbitron.’ For whatever flaws and faults they may have, the ratings are the best way to figure out how to refine your product. The reason why we stay so close to the top of the ratings is because we adjust our product according to what the audience responds to and what they react to. And yes, I watch them all the time.”
The context of Leykis’ on-air rant that day was in response to Limbaugh’s remarks about his own drug problems. But Leykis wasn’t as bit sympathetic. “Know what? There are many of us under pressure, who are not drug addicts. We all have our flaws and human faults, but there are plenty of people who do this for a living who aren’t addicts. To make that excuse for Rush paints us all with a bad brush.”
No Warm And Fuzzes
And when Limbaugh returned to the air this past Monday (11/17), Leykis basically looked the other way.
The only tongue-in-cheek reference came some two and a half hours into the show and lasted a scant 20 seconds.
In an affected voice over the bottom-hour bumper bed, Leykis emphasizes, “As promised, for the last five weeks, I’ve been here without overdosing on drugs, without going into rehab. Reliably coming in, I’m the Cal Ripken, Jr. of broadcasting. No rehab or detox necessary here.”
It was very simple, yet conveyed his message very well.
One Happy Family
While some may see similarities between Leykis’ show and the one overseen by Infinity morning superstar Howard Stern, Leykis quickly emphasizes, “We were very careful not to copy what he does. His audience is very loyal and can smell a rat the minute someone else tries ripping him off. The last thing I’d want to do is try to copy any of his material or concepts. By design, we use some of the formatics of old time AM Talk radio, but the content is very contemporary.”
Cheerfully pointing out the two have never feuded with each, Leykis notes, “I respect everything Howard’s done. I see our going on [KLSX/Los Angeles in 1997] and being the afternoon `yang’ to his `yin’ as being the best thing that’s ever happened in my career. When Howard says nothing about [me], I take it as a compliment; the people he does talk about get whipped. I appreciate everything he’s done to expand the parameters of what’s acceptable on the air to improving the concept of syndicated radio. He’s made it more feasible for other people like me to do it. I see myself in a position to be deferential to what he does and what he’s accomplished.”
Show Comparisons
Since Leykis’ show is extremely caller-intensive, he sees a clear difference between the two programs. “Howard [usually] does telephone calls as a transition between bits. I’ve never watched him work, but in listening, it seems he take calls as a means of shuttling guests out of the studio and shuttling in the next group of people. That works great for him, but we rarely have guests and I don’t have a sidekick or writers. We don’t even specifically try to be a comedy show. It’s real interaction with real callers.”
It’s also rare for Leykis to do produced bits. “Occasionally, we do things that sound produced, but we’re actually doing them live,” Leykis points out. “Our staff is a four-man operation, including the screener.”
Live From Culver City
Another difference is something the average listener probably would never be able to guess unaided. “Howard does his show from a real radio station -- I do mine from the Westwood One recording facility in Culver City,” Leykis says with a huge grin. “We don’t have that energy that people have around a real radio station. We go into an office where there isn’t even a receptionist or reception desk. There are no other regularly scheduled live shows coming out of that facility. We’re inside that room and [other people] in the building don’t even know what’s going on. A radio station would have a speaker in the men’s room; we don’t. So it’s not like working at a radio station at all.”
Perhaps to compensate for that lack of interaction, Leykis takes his show on the road. “We do that so we don’t forget what business we’re in,” he says only half-jokingly. “I put an ISDN line in my house and pretty soon I’ll be able to broadcast from home. I’m rarely going to do it, because I need to see faces. Going to stations and seeing actual people is energizing.”
It also proves to be a junket for the rest of the staff. “It’s fun and what keeps us all together,” Leykis explains. “Amazingly enough, our crew has been together for quite some time. [Executive Producer] Gary Zabransky is now in his seventh year; Engineer Bret Abbott has been with us for about six years; and the person screening calls [Associate Producer Dean "Dino" DeMilio] has done that for three years, but started out in craft services. We’re located between Culver Studios and Sony and he’d come by and cater the show for free. He warmed his way into our hearts.”
Afternoon Drive Contentment
It’s easy to confuse an on-air persona with the real deal.
That certainly applies with Leykis, who is actually quite soft-spoken and calm off the air.
Doing afternoons suits the avid Los Angeles Kings fan just fine. “I really have no ego about this and I enjoy what I’m doing. I don’t need to get up at 3:30am to prove anything. Our [men] 25-54 numbers in Los Angeles are the highest they’ve ever been; I’m thrilled to be where we are.”
Doing mornings, he says, would require a big change in the show and presentation. “Everything I’ve done [in radio] has been a business decision. It’s never been my plan to be on in morning drive. I worked years to get to this position. I’ve been on the air in eight different markets and this is what I’ve been working for. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been in my life. The fact that I can look forward to coming in every day and doing my job is the best [feeling one] can have.”[/i]
Source: Los Angeles Radio People-Nov. 24, 2003.