"The Connection" cancelled on WBUR

[midnight armadillo]

The best talk show on radio was cancelled, as all you fans know.

I think I have figured out a reasonable explanation, since WBUR has never given a straight story on it. Even host Dick Gordon didn't know according to the Phoenix.

It's all because of Christopher Lydon. Here's the thinking: The Connection is still associated with Lydon (cause he was the bomb). Lydon is now back on the air with WGBH and his show 'Open Source' from UMass Lowell. WBUR reasons that everty time people here the Connection they'll think of Lydon, realize he's now on the air, and start listening to WGBH over WBUR. Therefore, the Connection had to die.

Plus 'On Point' takes the Connection time slot so as not to go head-to-head with Open Source. I'll bet there was some marketing consultant that recommended this course of action.

What a bunch of frickin' idiots over there at WBUR. Dick Gordon was a great host.

[rox63]

1. This sucks

I wonder if it's connected to the Republican coup at NPR. One less liberal viewpoint on the air. :(

[lotus]

2. Probably just greed

Probably couldn't convince advertisers to pay enough money (did enough people listen in?), so they cancel in hopes of making more money in some other way.

I wish I could say that I listened too, but can't do that while at work... control freaks and all that... sorry!

[TaleWgnDg]

3. Well, I disagree. Chris Lydon and his baby, The Connection, on

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Well, I disagree. Chris Lydon and his baby, "The Connection," on WBUR were separated due to BUR's manager at that time, Jane Christo. It was a contract dispute regarding the ownership rights to "The Connection" in syndication with NPR/NPI. Lydon said it was his baby, and BUR's Jane Christo said "no way!" Lydon was subsequently fired together with Lydon's senior producer, Mary McGrath. "The Connection" never really did bounce back and it suffered greatly in the absence of Lydon.

Further, WBUR has been in the red, financially, under Jane Christo's management as well. She, too, has subsequently left BUR but under a large cloud of mismanagement allegations. WBUR can no longer afford to fund many of its own programs, and people have been complaining about WBUR's constant on-air fund raising. First target: "The Connection." There may be more in attempts to pull back from the overly expansive and expensive programming BUR has done under Christo.

And I am damn glad to hear Chris Lydon's intelligent and unique voice back on broadcast radio in Boston. What an honor to have him back on Boston's premier public radio station, WGBH! Years ago Chris used to be the sole news anchor for the nightly WGBH-TV news show. He was terrific at it. Sadly, GBH gave up its nightly television news broadcast.

Welcome back, Christopher and Mary McGrath. Two thumbs up for Lydon's new "Open Source" on WGBH. ("Open Source" is also online at http://www.radioopensource.org)


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