PUBLIC RADIO: SEX, DRUGS, COUTURE, and SCANDAL!!! Or not...

in the new millenium, I think of someone with a publicist. That's it - they don't have to do anything (Paris Hilton) or do anything worthwhile (Perez Hilton) or live particularly well, despite wealth and talent (any and all of the pop tarts)... it's not that celebrity and NPR are mutually exclusive, it's just that the categories don't HAVE to meet. If Bob Edwards hired a publicist, and worked really hard at it, he could be a celebrity - his radio stardom is only the springboard.

So, unless one of the nationally syndicated NPR hosts tries to go 'A-List', I don't think they (or any of the winners here) are going to be celebrities.

Welcome to HipHop U!
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/8590

The funny thing is that the "celebs" are still really unknowns in the bigger picture of American culture.

I can't remember if I gave this story elsewhere, so forgive me if I repeat myself. When Garrison Keillor came here nine years ago for APHC's live show, it sold out (2700 seats) and they agreed to do a second show (another 2700 seats). Yet before the shows, he wandered around the downtown area to look at "Hoopfest," a huge 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Nobody recognized him.

What other kind of celebrity can have more than 5000 fans in the immediate area and still walk freely in public without sunglasses or other 'disguise'?

He's a little more recognizable because of the film now, but I'd still bet he could do the same thing.

************************************************
Life is a matinee. BroadwayMatinee.com
Judge my hostiness in the PRTQ

could Al Gore have his own show, YES. is he a celebrity, i'd say so. he was the Vice President of the United States. Public Radio is pretty much anything to do with politcal views and independent artists. so yeah celebrity names could play a major factor into how well the station does, but on the other hand a big name celebrity could turn people away from listenting. So really it all depends on the person not the celebrity status that goes with the name. wether the person is worth billions or worth nothing if they have intellectual insight as to whats taking place in the outter world to which we live than i'm all for it.

Over the course of my acting career I had the opportunity to meet a heap of "celebrity" actors - and they fell into two fairly distinct camps. The ones that had nothing to prove - and the *others*.

Vincent Price and Julie Harris (to name only two of the former) were utterly delightful. Charming, open - willing to talk and share and just be present. With absolutely anyone.

The others, well, suffice it to say, insecurity is not a pretty sight.

If I ever get to be a celebrity, I dearly hope I can keep my insecurities to myself. Insecurities are so boring, except as fodder for self-deprecatory humor.

*n*

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde

Ditto. I also have trouble with the notion of a public-radio "star." We're reporters and producers and hosts and music-genre specialists -- journalists and broadcasters, not Lindsay Lohan. Certainly we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously, but our job is primarily to share *others'* stories, not our own. It isn't about us!

Natalie Davis
http://gdreadradio.net
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1068

I think the idea of radio people as celebrities is laughable and silly.

Seriously. It cracks me up. I guess it really is the best type of celebrity, though (outside of soap opera stars). Mainly because you retain your anonymity much better than other celeb-types. Only a small segment of the population knows who you are so for the most part, you can live your life unmolested when shopping. You can go buy toilet paper on sale (or shave your head!) without it being broadcast on the internet.

I think I'd be a fiercely private, yet supportive, public radio celebrity. I'd work the pledge drives like Jimmy Swaggart being called home (or not). I wouldn't lord my new found 'radio star-ness' over anyone. I wouldn't expect free drinks at Starbuck's (because I don't go there, nyah!). ;)

My phone is already unlisted and unpublished because I've been in radio for years. Had stalkers before, but none have showed up at my house. I am buying a condo this year (God willing) and I will put the deed in trust so my name doesn't show up in public records. There are lots of ways to stalk people now, so it is a valid concern. Even non-famous people get stalked (by their own husbands, seen it on Dr. Phil!)...so anyone with a modicum of notoriety should protect themselves, within reason.

--------------------------------------
Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805

True, all public personalities are celebrities of one flavor or another, and they do influence those who look up to them. The differences reside in how each personality perceives and responds to that status. Some celebrities handle it well, while others not so well -- I'm sure you can think of many examples.

What I find appealing, in regard to the 'curse of celebrity,' is the opportunity it provides for making the world a better place. If used as a vehicle for positive examples of lifestyle and conduct, celebrity can be a strong force for good in our troubled society.

More often, unfortunately, celebrity can consume the individual who is ill-prepared to handle the popularity and recognition. Once again, perception, and how one responds to that perception, can make all the difference.

Edwin.
www.publicradioquest.com/node/937

Whether public radio wants to acknowledge it or not, radio hosts ARE celebrities. And the public enjoys meeting them, learning more about them, and getting to know them. AND seeing their photos!

This interest isn't just the bailiwick of Paris or Britney preteen wannabes. But I think there's a feeling that being too much of a celebrity cheapens one's reputation and accomplishments. (It doesn't, but how one approaches celebrity does have an impact.)

Yet if the goal of public radio is to expand its listenership, then getting PR's biggest media celebrities out there into the mainstream media (magazines, talk shows, etc.)is in its best interests. If I were involved with PR for PR, I'd be trying to develop interesting angles for producers and book them as much as possible on commercial media shows and get features in print.

The fact that Susan Stamberg's cranberry relish recipe gets so much attention each year tells you that listeners yearn for greater connection to NPR personalities. It's all about relationship, and personally I've always thought NPR could do much more to mine this very rich area.

(Host Diane Rehm came to my neck of the woods recently. Her talk was sold out. People want this, and there has to be more ways of exploring connection that aren't so dependent on personal appearances.)

As for the kind of host I'd be, I leave it up to my bazillion posts on a number of topics (and my 'voice' - sometimes funny, sometimes wry, sometimes confessional, sometimes wistful) to speak for me. In one word - I'd be accessible.

-- Linda

Visit me in my House by the Sea:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/1432
http://blog.syracuse.com/communitycritics/linda_lowen/

I guess the best way to define it is "well-known".

But then again, I admire people like Mo Rocca, yet I don't see him in the same "celebrity" genre as I would say, Oprah Winfrey.

So I guess there are different celebrities in different things. TV celebs, radio celebs, classical music celebs. Comedy celebs.

So I guess if the celebrity fits, when it comes to public radio, then it's all good.

What sort of celebrity would I want to be? Well, the very best I can be, of course. :-)

~Dani

Truth Seekers
http://www.truthseekerscast.com
206-337-1026
KWSS 106.7FM
http://kwss1067.com
The Audio Addicts
http://www.theaudioaddicts.com
http://myspace.com/theaudioaddicts
SFF Audio
http://www.sffaudio.com

Neat question.

The best public radio hosts are the type of people you want to go have dinner with. The kind of person who can really listen to his/her companions and share what each other thinks about a variety of topics.

There's a practical reason I believe this -- hosts travel for public appearances. It earns them speaking fees and raises awareness about their program. (Free publicity!) When they make these visits, they generally visit a little with the local public radio station (especially if it's the station sponsoring their visit). After a little meet 'n' greet with some station staff and recording pre-scripted station promos, they'll generally go out to eat with more station staff.

Here's one example: Ira Glass, ordering potato leek soup, politely answers the question yes he be became a vegetarian because of one chicken story from his annual Poultry Slam series, then later asks the question, "Is there really such a thing as a chocoholic?"

Susan Stamberg is the most gracious visitor ever. She finds something she admires about the people or location she's visiting and lets you know about it. She's generous with her time, truly interested about whoever she's talking to and what he/she has to say. She makes you feel important, and that's a talent any host should try to develop.

************************************************
Life is a matinee. BroadwayMatinee.com