NJ101.5's new "tone" (car insurance, movers, credit)

[Badfish740]

Anyone noticed that Eric Scott has been sitting in for Jim Gearheart all week? The show has taken a marked turn as a result in the sense that Scott has guests every hour who actually talk and take questions about substantive issues. For example, this morning he had a guest from a casino trade publication to talk about declining gambling revenues and how it will affect the state, then former Congressman Bob Franks to talk about the future of the pharmaceutical industry in New Jersey. A quick Google search also showed that Scott has recently started a Facebook page and a Twitter feed-perhaps he is going to be the new morning drive host? It wouldn't surprise me as Gearheart is getting up there in years.

If this week's shows are any indication of what his tenure would look like I welcome it. Gearheart's hyperbole and rantings have gotten tired-Scott seems to actually understand what's going on and has an interest in asking questions for the sake of informative content rather than shock value and grandstanding. If this format continues New Jersey may actually gain a good source of news for what is going on in the Statehouse. Anyone else been listening?

[Ninjahedge]

Nope, sorry.

I stopped listening to NJ radio after 102.7 started polymorphing into cotton candy and 92.3 went commercial rock (More Commercials! Less Rock! 92.3 k k k k K-Rock!)

[AnthonyB]

101.5 has headed downhill for years the more right wing they have become. Eric Scott has to have guests on because he is so boring and lacking in personality or insight it is impossible to listen to him for more than 5 minutes without becoming drowsy. Not very safe for the drive to work.

The Philly stations are actually outshining NY stations recently I noticed and for weather and traffic 98.3 is fairly innocuous and plays music. Far less annoying.

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

101.5 has headed downhill for years the more right wing they have become.

I would argue that they've never really been any sort of "wing," but rather the ultimate contrarians. They merely sought to provoke controversy by opposing whatever they perceived to be the widely held view. Calling Jim Gearheart "right wing" actually gives him way too much credit.

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

Eric Scott has to have guests on because he is so boring and lacking in personality or insight it is impossible to listen to him for more than 5 minutes without becoming drowsy. Not very safe for the drive to work.

I don't find it boring-but then again I also listen to NPR I just found that it was much more interesting to hear Scott go in depth with different economic and political movers and shakers in New Jersey rather than Jim Gearheart pounding on the console, whining, and chanting, "GRIP! BOHICA! I HATE TEACHERS!!!" I'd much rather hear Scott actually interview the President of the NJEA, or Senate President Codey for an hour. Who knows, it could even raise the discourse of political discussion in New Jersey (Ok, now I'm reaching).

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

The Philly stations are actually outshining NY stations recently I noticed and for weather and traffic 98.3 is fairly innocuous and plays music. Far less annoying.

That may be true but I could care less what's going in Harrisburg or Albany.

[The Michigan Man]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

101.5 has headed downhill for years the more right wing they have become. Eric Scott has to have guests on because he is so boring and lacking in personality or insight it is impossible to listen to him for more than 5 minutes without becoming drowsy. Not very safe for the drive to work.

The Philly stations are actually outshining NY stations recently I noticed and for weather and traffic 98.3 is fairly innocuous and plays music. Far less annoying.

Being a taxpayer advocate is "right wing"?

[njkate]

Originally Posted by Ninjahedge

Nope, sorry.

I stopped listening to NJ radio after 102.7 started polymorphing into cotton candy and 92.3 went commercial rock (More Commercials! Less Rock! 92.3 k k k k K-Rock!)

[VeradoDan]

I haven't listened to Jim in years. Has he finished his 15-years-running rant on car insurance premiums yet? And I think all the other shows are doing "Have you ever not tipped a waitress" topics.

I listen to Opie and Anthony on XM every morning. Topical, funny... great show all around.

[Badfish740]

I split my time between NPR, Howard, and 101.5. I start with 101.5 so that I can decide which route to take, then see what Howard's talking about, switching back to 101.5 at the top of the hours to hear bits and pieces of news about New Jersey, and then tune into WHYY (Philly NPR affiliate) to get the main news just before I get to work.

[Phish Head]

I mostly listen for traffic and weather. Although I agree with Dennis Malloy on almost every topic.

[Calico696]

What's 101.5? I'm a 1050 ESPN chick!