Take back your 'Diane Rehm!' I want the other guy back.

[short bus president]

The guy whose show had that catchy trumpet music. Dick Gordon, I think. This Diane Rehm just drives me nuts... her voice is grating. And her cadence is grating-er. It's like someone mated Cleveland Brown from Family Guy with a creaky door hinge, and gave the offspring a radio show. MAKE IT STOP!!!

[gmoney]

1. The Connection

That's the Dick Gordon show that got cancelled. I just sent WBUR an e-mail complaining, as if it will do any good. You can still hear archived shows at www.theconnection.org

Diane Rehm has the same medical condition as Bobby Kennedy, Jr. that really screws up your voice. She sounds like she's 105 years old, but is actually about 69. Having that condition has got to suck, especially when you're trying to make your living on radio or in politics.

[short bus president]

2. it's not that she sounds old

it's that my brain finishes pronouncing the words before she does, and it drives me nutty. I had no idea it was a vocal disorder... thought maybe she was from the DEEP south, and compensated for the accent, but retained the pace.

[Radio_Lady]

3. They have spasmodic dysphonia -- read about it here.

http://dragonballyee.blogs.com/philly/2005/04/robert_f_kenned.html

We have a friend who suffers with this disease. It's really a shame. He doesn't answer the telephone any more.

They treat it with botox injections, but that does not give lasting relief.

[Frances]

4. You are right about Diane's condition

I used to listen to her show when I lived in DC. I thought it was a good show then. Her voice didn't bother me but it drove my husband crazy.

[yellowdogintexas]

5. I wondered why RFK Jr sounded so tortured the other day

when I heard an interview with him.

Diane Rehm is my favorite talk show host. I don't get to listen to her much anymore since I can't have radio on my desk at work but she is so wonderfully in control and she can dump an obnoxious caller like nobody's business, but in a very polite way.

She always gets really growly right before she gets the larynx injections, then she is better.