~:I S * I T * M E ?: ~ Ahh, the
hosts of Atlanta's Classic Radio. Is it me? Or does the radio voice of FM 90.1 WABE'S Wanda Yang Temko sound like she's ripping the upholstery off the seat of her chair with her asshole? Listening to her makes me extremely nervous and uptight. I have to admit that she was much more uptight when she first came to the station in 2002.
Sadly, now the affected voice of Lois Reitzes (who sounds like she's speaking with cotton balls in her cheeks and is guided by a broken metronome) isn't the only voice that makes me cringe. God help me.
I'd have to say that after all this needling complaining, my favorite radio personality on WABE is H. Johnson - Saturday night's host of Jazz Classics. What a character and what energy and what fun to listen to him on a Saturday night with friends. Even though you are guaranteed to be interrupted by his energetic comments for the first 2 minutes of each piece, you're sure to be entertained by a truly genuine and upbeat voice. The classics don't have to be boring, people.
~:I S * I T * M E ?: ~ Ahh, the hosts of Atlanta's Classic Radio. Is it me? Or does the radio voice of FM 90.1 WABE'S Wanda Yang Temko sound like she's ripping the upholstery off the seat of her chair with her asshole? Listening to her makes me extremely nervous and uptight. I have to admit that she was much more uptight when she first came to the station in 2002. 
Sadly, now the affected voice of Lois Reitzes (who sounds like she's speaking with cotton balls in her cheeks and is guided by a broken metronome) isn't the only voice that makes me cringe. God help me. 
I'd have to say that after all this needling complaining, my favorite radio personality on WABE is H. Johnson - Saturday night's host of Jazz Classics. What a character and what energy and what fun to listen to him on a Saturday night with friends. Even though you are guaranteed to be interrupted by his energetic comments for the first 2 minutes of each piece, you're sure to be entertained by a truly genuine and upbeat voice. The classics don't have to be boring, people.
16 comments:
Anne, I guffawed when I read that about tearing the upholstery with the asshole thing. MAN! But, that said, I haven't noticed her voice being grating. I'll have to notice that.
I can't stand Lois Reitzes. My friend Doyle says that she sounds like she's rubbing cats on her crotch while she's talking.
And.....H! He is so awesome. Leslie is THE biggest fan of his, and I was in the car once when she called in and talked to him---she flipped out. It was a little ridiculous, actually, but it was funny. "You're the best--Awww! You are the man, you're you're you're just ...awwww! You're so awesome! You're the best....." She finally got around to her request. So excited, her.
Funny - Wanda sounds like she's trying to hold her breath. I can't stand her. Lois MUST have cats there
at the station. I'm sure of it. I sound just like her when I'm holding Gunther. Ish.
And I can picture Leslie awwwwing H. Did you know
when we were planning our wedding, Mom called H. to get his opinion on a good jazz band for hire for the reception. He was great, as was his recommendation.
i don't know who any of these people are, but are you familiar with the radio personality, "delilah"? her love song selections, commentary, and caller requests will keep you laughing for hours.
Yes i guffawed as well at the upholstery - Lois R. is as polarizing as Cyn mckinney in a way - in my research most of the people who hate her affectatiousness are women - for whatever reason it just gets to y'all more than us - I once heard her pronounce that North Ga. town as "Saute" like she was gonna throw some red wine on it . . . instead of just plain ole, "Saw-T"
. . . but H. Johnson . . . now there is a Sat night tradition at our house . . .
M5 - is Delilah a GA or NYC radio personality?
MRP - Polarizing is a great word. I think my husband is part girl - cause he can't stand her either. Just about every friend we have can do an impression of her, too. But we do know of one friend who thinks the world of her and finds her pleasant and soothing. I guess I can see that. Remember Carl Haas? I loved him and never got sick of him. But I'm sure there were folks out there who could take or leave him.
And speaking of mispronounciations (did I spell that right??) I heard someone at WABE pronounce the Buick LeSabre (leh-say-bur) as the leh-sah-bray. My husband just about tripped out of his pant leg while getting dressed that morning.
I, personally, cannot stand Lois Reitzes...she has THE MOST CONDESCENDING voice on the planet...she has one of those "I'm so much better and smarter than you are because I know a lot about classical music" voices. Whatever.
As far as Delilah goes...she is just annoying. Her commentary is like elevator music...bland, predictable and sappy. Plus, I always feel like there is a creepy "Jesus loves me and you" overtone to her...not that I have listened to her that much...but when I was in college, I would drive from Louisiana to North Carolina several times a year and lets just say the radio choices were not always plentiful.
Nonetheless, I'm glad we are all PERFECT!
delilah has gone national and i know you can hear her on some station in atlanta because i did when i lived there. i originally heard her when i was living in oklahoma city. and since mary is your student, i think you should give her all 2's or 3's at the next critique just for saying delilah is annoying.
Hi Anne, its Marlis. I am finally sneaking in to the blogger world!! I am so glad I am not the only one that cringes at the sound of Lois Reitzes. ughhhhh. She speaks so s-l- o- w- l- y. It drives me insane. My mom may be the only person I know that likes her. There is also a woman that comes on in the afternoon that makes me want to rip my hair out. Every single time I've heard her she fumbles some word and she speaks way too deliberately (like our friend lois).whew that was some good venting.
But, yes, saturday night jazz is the saving grace. Brad and i love him. He plays great stuff and is so enthusiastic, its contagious.
Well Mary C., You had better hope I'm not on your critique panel this quarter. Wait! No worries. We're all perfect so we should be fine.
Marlis! Welcome! Which woman are you referring to in the afternoon? Would that be Wanda or someone else?
M5 - I will listen for Delilah and let you know if she makes me want to wretch or sing.
used to listen to karl haas as a kid, and heard him the other night... is he still alive? (just checked, died feb 2005) -- he made a joke about a prolific composer named beaver, calling him an eager beaver. and he paused slightly for laughs. great voice. very smart. when he was breathing.
Helloeveryone!
I called him when I was in grade school - he had just played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard.
"Mr. Haas? What was the name of that beautiful song you just played?"
He chuckled, "Ohhhh nooooo, my dear! It's called a PIECE, not a song." I felt like a complete idiot. But he was sweet about it.
You are so right! Glad I am not the only one who finds them thoroughly irritating. Your description of Wanda's voice is priceless. Thank you!
I'll have to admit, Melissa, that the asshole description is not entirely my own. I first heard my old priest use it, then my mom and now it's caught up with me. Fabulous term for anyone you find even the slightest bit nervous, cranky or uptight. People underestimate the power of the sphincter muscle, you know?
haaa! I was doing some research before sending a complaint in to 90.1. I want to donate but all that classic music on top of Lois Reitzes's head-shattering voice will always prevent me from it. Programming might be nice.
Anyway. Very funny and thoughtful observations. Thanka ya!
WABE has always been a mess. Now they have the long local snews articles, with O'hayer. Ugh. I recently found a page I created in 09 - 'I hate john lemely'. It was a frustration with all that is wrong with the station. I didn't even remember creating it!
I know just what you mean, Jondoe888. O'hayer sounds like he's whining. ALL the time.
I wrote this so long ago, and I'd forgotten what a snob it made me sound like. I guess I still am!?
Oh, well. You know whose voice I really love, is the guy who hosts Performance Today - Fred Child. He's current, positive, accessible, and energetic.
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