The mysterious disappearance last week of “Don and Mike” from the airwaves has many wondering what the story is with WJFK 106.7 FM’s raunchy duo.
On Nov. 10 and then again on Nov. 13, the syndicated afternoon team walked off their show after citing technical problems, local media blog dcrtv.com reported. Since then, reruns have been airing in the show’s 3 p.m.-to-7 p.m. time slot.
“The only thing I’ll say is that ‘Don and Mike’ will be back soon,” said Michael Hughes, a senior vice president for CBS Radio Inc., which owns WJFK and syndication rights to the show.
Mr. Hughes declined to elaborate or name a date for the show’s live-air return.
Fans looking for answers won’t find any at donandmikewebsite.com, which simply reads, “WTF?” in big red letters.
“That’s just ‘Don and Mike’ being Don and Mike,” said a CBS Radio spokeswoman in New York who declined to comment on whether the duo had been suspended.
If so, it wouldn’t be the first time “Don and Mike,” whose real names are Michael Sorce and Michael O’Meara, have found themselves in hot water. The show, known for regular segments such as “The Elvis Death Day Show” and “The Big Lie,” was suspended for two weeks in early 2004 after an expletive phrase uttered by Mr. Sorce went uncensored.
There’s also the chance that the decision to pull the show was a publicity stunt, timed to coincide with the last several weeks of Arbitron’s fall ratings season. Either way, it looks like listeners will have to stay tuned for an explanation.
“It could be a stunt or maybe they were truly frustrated with something and they are ironing it out,” speculated Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers Magazine.
Attempts to reach the pair were unsuccessful. An assistant producer for the show said he was unable to comment.
Videos welcome
C-SPAN this week unveiled “Viewfinder,” an online feature that invites viewers to record and submit video clips on selected topics via the Web.
The cable network, which lays claim to the first regular call-in show in its flagship morning program, “Washington Journal,” markets the project as an extension of its commitment to interacting with viewers.
(Surely, the venture will likewise encourage camera-happy citizens to capture newsmaking political gaffes, a la “macaca.”)
Tomorrow, the network plans to air viewers’ video responses to Washington Journal’s “Question of the Week,” which asks: “What does being an American mean to you?”
In other news
The Capitol Leader, the new Hill publication gathering steam while plucking away reporters from plenty of other area pubs, has pushed its start date back as final tweaks are made to its Web site. (Originally, it was scheduled to debut yesterday.) A representative said a new start date is “pending.”
The Allbritton Communications Co.-owned startup will take on Roll Call and the Hill.
The paper shares an Arlington office with Allbritton’s other media properties, ABC affiliate WJLA (Channel 7) and NewsChannel 8. It has another office on Capitol Hill.
It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas on WASH 97.1 FM, which on Friday switched to nonstop holiday music. WASH joins 91 other stations across the country that have already flipped.
Channel Surfing runs on Wednesdays. Send your tips to Kara Rowland at 202/636-3139 or krowland@washingtontimes.com.
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