Posted by Dale Parsons on October 24, 2009 at 00:35:01:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Soupy Sales R.I.P. posted by John W on October 23, 2009 at 21:44:36:
John W., I agree that Soupy's show wasn't for everyone and you're entitled to your opinion just as I'm entitled to mine.
However, too many people on this board talk about things of which they have no knowledge or understanding.
The whole Soupy contract end fiasco was because of miscommunication and misunderstandings. GE demanded major budget cuts in the radio division in 1987 and the contracts of both Soupy and Joey Reynolds were not renewed in the Spring. Both performers were fine with it...in fact, somewhere there is a picture of Soupy and Joey both lying in front of my office holding lilies on their chests.
At one point, we discussed moving Soupy into PM Drive, but without his staff (Paul D'ver and Ray). Soupy didn't want to do that, so the idea was dropped. Ray D'ariano, however still had another year left on his contract, so I talked to Ray about leaving him in Midday. I was going to discuss it with Soupy after his show. Then I heard him begin an on-air monologue about being stabbed in the back (this was after a suspicious on-air phone call asking Soupy about nefarious goings-on at the station). The radio division VP, Bob Mounty, called and asked if I was listening to Soupy's show. I was (mouth agape) and told him I'd handle it. Some people have said I should have cut him off and taken over from another studio. I figured that would have made a bad situation worse, so I let him finish. I still have the tape of the segment. Soupy finished up...there was a slight pause...and an obviously shell-shocked Ray came in with "...OK...we'll be right back," and up came a commercial. This was about 11:45 AM. I went into the studio and (most people don't know this) asked Soupy if he wanted to finish his show, take it up to Noon, or leave then. He decided to leave then. I finished the program myself. Now, I must admit, 11:45 AM - 3:00 PM was definitely not an entertaining show.
Soupy trashed me in the press and we didn't speak to each other for probably ten years...until Joey Reynolds got us together on his WOR show one evening. In subsequent conversations, we got over the "misunderstanding."
I haven't forgotten any of the exchanges (and I don't appreciate your condescending tone), but a lot of what you heard was shtick. Howard was unmerciful at times and I understand he has since apologized, but it all made for some pretty entertaining radio. And, at one point, Soupy was Number One in automobile listening. I'm not sure what the demo was, but it was true. And in the Tri-State Area, there are a lot of cars out there.
You thought he didn't fit and I thought he did. There is nothing I can say to change your mind and nothing you (or anyone) can say to change mine.