Round 3 Entry for Chuck Mertz

I want Chuck Mertz to win but I can't figure out how to vote. I could give a crap about all this other nonsense. Let me just vote for the ugly son of a bitch and move on. Christ.

FYI
Past contestant Carrie Kaufman has produced a 15 minute interview with On the Media's Brooke Gladstone. http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/2568

And this week Chuck Mertz will host an abbreviated 1-hour "This is Hell"(http://www.thisishell.net/). The guests this week were:

* Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst. Ray was one of President Ronald Reagan's intelligence briefers and was one of several senior CIA analysts who prepared the President Bush's Daily Brief Upon retirement, Ray was awarded the Intelligence Commendation Medal from then President Bush. However, Ray later returned the medal in a protest against the US government's use of torture. He now serves on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. He recently wrote in Counterpunch, "Do We Have the Courage to Stop War with Iran?" (http://www.counterpunch.org/mcgovern08312007.html)

And correspondent Jeff Dorchen will deliver a Moment of Truth.

You can hear that show or last week's with guest Matt Taibbi from The Rolling Stone, by going to This is Hell's archives.

* Relied on a trusted interview source instead of venturing towards something new. Questions are often drawn out. Comes across like a sports talk show host doing hard news. When interviewed comes across smug. I'm not impressed with the depth of his answers.

* Definitely smart, informed questions and important subject matter. Although his “diversity” schtick seems a bit forced, Chuck is definitely not afraid to get down into the nitty gritty of the political issues he’s trying to sort out. He doesn’t seem to offer a real alternative to what we already have on public radio, but, still, its smart, good stuff. I was not as engaged in his interview but still vote to keep him in.

* Interview is "impressive" but kind of heartless, emotion-less. Chuck definitely knows his material though, and keeps up admirably with his guest. Had to listen a few times though - they lost me easily during the first listen / was easy to tune out. Narrow appeal, definitely, for mainstream... His interview: All roads lead back to promoting his show. Which I like, and listen to regularly, but didn't have to hear about in THIS interview. Would have rather learned more about Chuck.

* Chuck is a natural talker, and sounds fully engaged as an interviewer, asking important and probing questions. BUT, I don’t feel as though he advocates for the listener. Despite all his talk about it not being ego-driven, he seems more interested in impressing the guest than informing the listener. His opening introduction to was just too long and not as compelling or inviting as it could have or should have been. Adequate, just not excellent. Turn the tables on Chuck and he comes across as a speedy bullshitartist. It sounds as though he’s just gotten off the air from a fundraising pitch and doesn’t know how to turn down the self-righteous spin. Uncomfortable engaging in honest conversation as a guest, he has an annoying habit of echoing back questions to the interviewer. Life’s a two-way street buddy.

* Great, lively intro. Strong journalistic cred. Asking the questions listeners would be curious about. Could easily hear him hosting a network show. Chuck sounds totally comfortable. Belief answer is very surface and self promotional. Clearly passionate about where he lives - good to hear hometown pride. Could have painted more pictures. Lame answer to the struggle question - got to dig deeper. The pitch for his show was lame.

* Energetic, experienced, comfortable. Somehow, though, a quality of self-centeredness kept me at a distance. My concern is that he is hyping an existing show.

We can all rest assured now that no current corporate funding shall be put at risk. The too big a leap will NOT have to be made. The status quo can just be replayed, replayed, replayed ...
The cream will be tossed aside, and not rise to the top. It is far too rich for consumption by the general NPR/CPR public. To the spread of the Web is where NPR refugees are headed anyway, or already ensconced, where we shall remain committedly stream-linked to ThisIsHell.
So best of luck to those remaining, and may the winner be already well fitted to the NPR mold as it squeezes in against their personal, individual excellence.
And finally, the quirks of this lame website will no longer have to be negotiated by the likes of me!

Wow. I guess my original surprise that that NPR might be looking beyond its staid format for something new and fresh was quite a bit off the mark. In your grand “public radio quest” you have fallen back to seek only what is familiar to you without challenging yourselves in a way that might actually grow a new audience. While disappointed, I really shouldn’t be surprised. You will continue to deliver the same broadcasts over and over again from shows that sound like all the other shows before them.

This is Hell defines the times in which we are living. Chuck sheds light on the lunacy that surrounds us but he does it in a way that can make you laugh…sometimes nervously. He can poke fun at the right, but he can also dish it out to the left. Whoever deserves it needs to hear it. And he spares no one, including himself.

We live in a ridiculous world, which is why we need people like Chuck who remind us that, while life may be a grand farce, there may still be some hope.

And your decision to not have him move forward in this contest proves that, yes, “everybody’s stupid.”

Too bad for NPR listeners, You missed a chance at hearing a fresh new voice for public radio.
I listened to all the contestants and it seems that NPR is doomed to the same mediocrity that it has evolved into in the past few years. That said, Congrats to the voters. I guess you get what you want.

LR

For two consecutive rounds Chuck has generated the most comments of any of the contestants. Here's hoping the voting or the judges recognize grassroots interest when they see it.

thank you chuck!

"you're welcome neil"

this is really good radio.

Whatever happened to live radio? It made a home on This is Hell! Public radio needs more live on-air stuff. I can't really see how Chuck and TiH! benefit from winning this contest (besides the money) but I can definitely see how public radio would benefit from picking up the show. Hey judges, breathe some new life into the stale public radio airwaves and give Chuck a chance already!

So many things to say - Chuck has been in my life for years and years. He's challenged me, pushed me, made me laugh, made me mad, made me glad to be awake on Saturday morning, AND he kept me thinking.

This Is Hell goes beyond anything else that's on the air. It covers topics that affect us on every level. Chuck does not pull his punches, does his homework and brings us an amazing four hours every week.

On top of this, the show is now a Podcast so I get to listen to him without the worries of weekend tasks. The world keeps getting better!

Thanks go out to Chuck and his crew. I'm not too excited about this contest stuff, but if it's something Chuck believes in, he should win. Whatever he has put his mind to has turned out.

I would love to grow up and be just like Chuck. My problem is that I'm ten years older than he is! The last point I'll make is that Chuck makes me feel young and hopeful. That's no small trick!

My heart..

the one that is pumping, the one that pumps the blood through my veins and keeps me alive..

Its trying to escape my chest cavity.

It wants to vote in this competition.

I can feel its essence, transcendental, reaching toward my keyboard.

It would sacrifice me, effortlessly, without hesitation, if it could abandon my viscera for one moment, long enough to cast its only vote, on anything, ever.

My heart cannot, but the fullness of my consciousness can.

And I will vote for Chuck and his venerable and quite capable and honorable cohorts, each of whom are more than capable of a show in their own rights.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say that if Chuck gets this show on NPR, not only would I not listen to NPR on the radio, but just stream the show anyway I could get it without having to deal with nauseous NPR; I'd also say that there is so much talent throughout the ranks of this show that NPR could use this team to create several shows over the course of the next decade.

In fact. Chuck and company should just create a Production Company and just begin creating radio shows and get it over with.

Either way, I must go now and cast my vote for This is Hell before my heart, the one in my chest cavity, end my days.

The Fierce

Chuck's voice jumps right out of my crappy computer speakers and into my brain. His interview with Patrick Cockburn could not be more relevant, important, and substantive.

After listening to the part where he got interviewed, and then hearing his show This Is Hell!, I believe that Chuck is simultaneously brilliant and also very troubled. He's bitter, blind, and gap-toothed, right? Is he also a little crazy? Someone should call someone and make sure Chuck continues onto the next round, if for no other reason than to keep him off the streets.

by the way, this is the guy who interviewed Chuck:
http://www.mejeffdorchen.oblivio.com/

Too bad the pole vaulting rules are not in effect for this Quest. Chuck could easily have opted out of these first few rounds for sure. Clearly his talent level is above and beyond these early stages of the = weeding out process. Chuck gets all available stars from me. On to the next Rounds for Chuck and Company!

Chuck, you have a great voice and timing and the subject of US in cautious dialogue with Iran is very pertinent topic. I think that you have the gift of accessible intellect capable of spontaneity, coupled with a polished gait of conversation. wpj

who else thinks that the publicradioquest ULR icon looks like a pot leaf?

To respond to RubenRemus and others of the same opinion, this isn't about electing the most under-aired, under-appreciated personality. Chuck's immense talents and experience should commend him to a wider audience, not condemn him to the backwaters of public radio. Give this man a broader cast.

"This is Hell" is a great show! You should listen to it on Saturday mornings. Chuck is a wonderful interviewer who really gets to the heart of important issues that our society faces.

I turned off mainstream radio the day after GWB "won" the second time. I turn on "This is Hell" when I get the feeling that the bombs or the stormtroopers are on their way. Chuck lets us all know how close they are to the house today -- whose block they are on.

Chuck rocks my world. If his show were daily, I would ONLY get my news from him.

if you win chuck, maybe you can finally get paying job in radio.i heard hugo chavez is hiring.

*Really* informative *and* enjoyable to listen to.

Not a dig at the others, but I think he hands down deserves to win this thing, and deserves a wider audience (and deserves a pay check).

I'm voting you down despite your hipster delivery.

It's just lame IMO that you're competing with other finalists who have so many fewer hours of radio time.

It's not your fault, just not fair. Seems to me like you're already on public radio. So you don't need my vote.

RR

5 stars.
strong, confident, informed interviewer.
background of long, hard work.
knows the ropes.
impressive.

did i forget to say "5 stars"?