GOODBYE, BOB.

WPTF has lost a loyal and dedicated friend. Bob Royal, an employee of the station for some 60+ years has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 84.

For those of us who knew Bob, we were treated to wonderful stories about WPTF's history. And Bob knew the history well. Starting his career at WPTF in 1943, Bob was forced to take a couple of years off as he was drafted into service for World War II.

After the war, Bob returned to WPTF to finish out his career. I'm sure neither he nor any of his colleagues could have ever imagined just how long he would stick around. Working gave Bob purpose. It was a sincere reason for him to get up in the morning and carry on with life's daily grind.

As a News Anchor and Reporter, I learned to accept Bob's crusty ways. In a strange way, you sort of adored this genial fellow. And, oh yes, Bob could get mad. I guess age doesn't diminsh that with time. Bob would often come visit me and talk during my year-long stint as Curtis Media's Human Resources Director. It was during this time that Bob's battle with cancer resumed.

Bob never waivered. He fought every step of the way. Staying out of work just wasn't in Bob's nature.

What's lost beside Bob's loyalty is a sincere anchor to WPTF's storied past. You could feel the connection when you talked to Bob. You knew in some way you were speaking with someone who had deep roots into the history and legacy of the station.

Sadly, what WPTF was has faded away. The business has changed dramatically since Bob's arrival in the early '40s. Greed and running on the cheap have replaced a drive for quality programming and respectability. Even the famed WPTF Newsroom is currently in shambles.

Bob was that rare jewel -- that rare glimpse into what radio used to be. It's what those of us who grew up listening to those far away AM stations dreamed and romanticized it should be.

Bob Royal was a lot of things to WPTF. I promise you there are a lot of programs which would never have made it to air if it hadn't been for him.

Maybe in the final years, the technology and the business had passed him by. He hadn't passed WPTF, however. He was the grandfather clock -- the anchor to our past -- and a beacon of our longing for radio to be the warm, comforting and informative medium it once was -- again.

You Tubed!

The Blog Is JUICED!

Okay, after the tremendous outcries from all of you regular visitors to fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com, we've now added a compainion site at YOU TUBE.

Here, you can take a running bet on how long it will take Randy to go from a 38 waistline to a 40! Or ... you and your friends can place your money on whether or not Randy is still super-sizing his Extra Value Meal two years after McDonald's discontinued the option.

All joking aside, this is your place to check out the latest in the Gupton household.

After the hundreds of thousands of posts I've been receiving at the blog -- I'm sure this will take off just as well.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=randygupton2

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

Jack Boston has been named the new morning show host of WPTF. He is only the fourth morning show host since 1952 to grace the station's airwaves.

Boston replaces the oft-controversial and much dispised Kevin Miller, who left in August. Miller joined WPTF in 2003. He quickly made enemies of many who worked with him.

After only a few months on the job as the Program Director, Miller replaced long-time WPTF personality Maury O'dell. Many accused Miller of forcing the venerable "Uncle Maury" off of the perch he had held for 26 years.

Boston is talented. He has a storied history and is responsible for probably about 85% of the various voice overs on Curtis Media Group's 16 station's in-house commercial production.

While talent is necessary in continuing (many would say rebuilding) the WPTF legacy, one former We Protect The Family staffer questioned whether or not Boston has the gravitas to give North Carolina's Morning News the shot in the arm it needs.

Overall, Boston is a good guy. He is funny and has an easy going personality. That's true both on and off the air.

Still, don't let Phil Zachary's typical PR spin make you think this was a coveted spot that many were challenging Boston for. Quite frankly, I can't imagine anyone at CMG world headquarters in Raleigh ever being paid what a typical top-45 market morning host should pull down. Hence: Don wouldn't pay for talent beyond a certain point.

Time will tell if this marriage will work. If not, it will go down as just another nail in the coffin of 82-year-old WPTF's now forgetable history.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

Stop Carrying Da Poop!

Okay, I've had it. I think it is absolutely absurd how "caring" and "considerate" people are these days when it comes to walking their pooch.

Everyday on the way home from work, I see person after person walking their dog on Grove Barton Road -- 90% of whom are carrying a bag of dog crap.

Now, maybe you think I'm crude. But, look at it from my perspective: when did people start carrying plastic bags filled with fecal material up and down the sidewalk?

Look, I'm just a country boy. Bred, Born, and Raised in the small Vance County town of Henderson -- we lived a little differently. I can assure you of this -- in 20 years of living in Vance County, I never once -- NOT ONCE -- saw a single individual carry doggie doo with them during a leisurely walk.

God had a plan for dog dump -- let it fertilize and replinish the nutrients in the soil. It usually hardens in a few hours or a day. Trust me -- it ain't that big a deal!

And, my friends, this ridiculous problem is spreading. Every night while I enjoy my supper at the bay window of my home, I watch a neighbor religiously walk their dog to the same spot -- where he defecates -- same fido time, same fido station.

Now, I don't know about you, but my idea of a good meal is not watching fido drop his log and then see my neighbor pick it up with a plastic food lion bag when I'm chewing tonight's meatloaf.

It is time for this insanity to end. The next time you see one of these poor lost souls carrying around a sack of $*&#, stop and ask them "Excuse me, but do you find yourself attractive carrying around that foul fido funk?"

I mean, come on! My dog did her business in the back yard, side yard, front yard, neighbor's yard, -- you name it -- growing up as a child. And how often did I step in the doggie doo? Once in a very, very, very blue moon.

And you know what we did in our little country abode? We wiped our shoes off in the grass.

But ... not in Raleigh. No -- we have to be more civilized. (Folks -- this isn't civility -- it's stupidity!) It's become so systemic, there are even doggie trash cans and little baggies on some of the freakin' sidewalks.

And finally, if any of you are some of the afforementioned poo-poo heads who are participating in this nonsense -- STOP NOW! Please think of how utterly ridiculous you look in your athletic wear, walking your dog, trying to stay in shape ... all the time carrying dog crap.

And that's part of our world...

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

SAFE

US AIR FORCE MAJOR JILL METZGER FOUND SAFE...
WAS COHERENT BUT DISORIENTED WHEN FOUND...
FAMILY OVERJOYED...
SAYS SHE WAS KIDNAPPED BY THREE MEN AND A WOMAN...
SEDATED AND BEING DEBRIEFED...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/08/world/main1985454.shtml
http://www.wral.com/news/9813036/detail.html
http://www.hendersondispatch.com/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-09-08-missing-major_x.htm

I have not seen Jill Metzger since she was a senior, and I a junior at Northern Vance High School in Henderson. While it's been 15 years since we last crossed paths, the news of her disappearance this week struck a deep chord with me.

Jill has been portrayed fairly and accurately. She was an all-american girl. Lettering in 4 sports (the first and only Vance County female athelete to do so) she was always energetic -- vivatious.

Her family is close knit. I had her brother in several classes. Her father was the ROTC instructor and a teacher at Northern Vance/Vance Senior High.

And while I can't claim to have been a close friend of Jill's, I can attest to this: She's a neighbor, a citizen, a friend. When it's someone from your hometown, someone you saw practically every school day, someone who was always friendly, caring, compasionate -- it really hits home.

Like many other Hendersonians, I too was praying for Jill's safe return. We had our prayers answered tonight. It was a fortunate ending to a story that too often ends another way. And, most importantly, a stark reminder of the perils and dangers our military men and women face on a daily basis. It's not just in Iraq. It's not solely in Afghanistan. The dangers are real around the globe.

Lest We Forget.

DEVELOPING...
EXCLUSIVE HIGH SCHOOL PICTURES FORTHCOMING...

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

GENUINE, GRACIOUS, GENTLEMAN

Bob Schieffer officially handed over the reigns to Katie Couric on tonight's edition of the CBS Evening News. In what could only be described as deeply touching and emotional, Schieffer thanked viewers for "Welcoming" him into their homes for the last 18 months.

full story and video available at CBS News' website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/31/eveningnews/main1957258.shtml

I've watched many farewells and goodbyes during the course of my 32 years. This one, however, struck a sincere chord. For 18 months, Bob Schieffer single handedly saved CBS News. Yes, I said SAVED.

There was never any pressure for this 69 year old newsman. That much was admitted by Schieffer. He told USA Today there were "Zero Expectations" when he took over the anchor chair after Dan Rather's unceremoneous exit in March 2005.

And, CBS again continued to take parting shots at Dan "The Man" during Schieffer's last broadcast. Among the noted highlights of how Schieffer is more respected around Black Rock:

• In Katie Couric's first piece at CBS -- a retrospective on Schieffer's career -- Couric made mention of Schieffer taking over the anchor chair during CBS News' "darkest hour." She even mentioned the 'memogate' scandal and Rather in the same breath.
• Les Moonves showed up at the end of the broadcast along with Evening News Executive Producer Rome Hartman to shake Schieffer's hand and pat him on the shoulder.
• The usual "Wal-Mart" closing tag was -not- played. Instead -- an extended mix of the CBS Evening News theme was played to show the well wishes from all in attendance (CBS didn't blow the retail giant's advertising dollars off on his final broadcast.)

Beyond the feeling that CBS News has indeed redeemed itself, and is turning a corner next week is the realization of just how genuine Bob Schieffer is. He's like an old sweater -- the one that you just never can part with or get rid of. You know -- the one you keep bringing out every winter because it's cozy and warm.

Schieffer added over 630,000 viewers this week over last year alone. Part of that is probably because those people watching at home felt the ease and gentlemanly nature come through. He's not Peter, Tom, or Dan. He's the good-ole Texas reporter that really cared about getting the story on the air, and didn't take himself too seriously in the process.

I'm not one of these people who believes emotion is a grand thing for broadcasters. Rather used it to his detriment on one too many occassions. One of the most moving moments in Couric's tribute, however, came when Schieffer described how others have made him who he is. "I don't believe in this being your own man business. My mother -- my wife -- my daughters -- they all made me who I am and are responsible for where I am today." Schieffer said as he choked back tears.

And ... they were the real kind. Not the fake, "Turn the camera toward me" tears that Rather used to display. Don't get me wrong -- I like Rather. In the end, however, the news became about him rather than anchored by him.

Now, the genuine, loveable gentleman is headed back to Washington. I feel like those of us who watch CBS News owe Bob Schieffer a hearty "Thank you." He restored our faith in the hallowed halls once graced by Edward R. Murrow.

In his closing comments tonight, Schieffer did thank viewers for welcoming him into their homes, and then welcoming him again -- an obvious reference to the increased viewership. No, Bob -- you shouldn't thank us. We thank you for coming into our homes.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

Dan, the Late Night Man.

Oh, Dan. Dan, Dan, Dan, Dan, Dan.

It's hard to tell if Dan Rather was a seasoned legendary journalist at CBS News. Just when you think the CBS brass had found every possible way to humilate the former CBS Evening News Anchor, yet another round of 'Dan who?' has popped up.

Thanks to a pre-season NFL game featuring the New York Jets, CBS' flagship station in New York, WCBS, will most likely pre-empt the one hour tribute slated to air about Rather on September 1. If the game ends on time, the Rather special has a shot at airing immediately following the game. But ... if there is an overtime ... it most likely will air during the wee morning hours when virtually no one is watching.

The special tribute was already a joke. It will air on a Friday night -- one of the graveyards of the broadcast television universe. Adding insult to injury, September 1st is a holiday weekend. I guess if you're a Dan fan, you'd better be glad we live in a DVR universe.

Regardless, the insignificant time slot makes Rather look less like a journalist and more like a joke. Is that Rodney Dangerfield in the background? Can anyone say 'I get no respect?'

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com