Walt Bodine Show- time to retire

[Delmo]

Just finished listening to another episode of the “Walt Bodine Show”, and again was frustrated by the continuing deterioration of Walt’s ability to contribute anything substantive, relevant…..even coherent, to the show. It has become too painful to continue listening. KCUR has earned their kudos for keeping him on so long, and I applaud them. I know he’s old. I know he’s blind. But it’s time to put the old warhorse out to pasture. Until then, it’s 90.1, 90.9, or 91.5 fm. And before anyone objects to my opinion, I urge them to listen….try to listen…to the 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. show and share your opinion.
Walt's input to today's show went something like this:
"Huh?"...
"Yeah"...
"Yeah"...
And, uh….uh….oh, I can’t….uh, I forgot what….(Gina saves him)
"Yeah"...
"And who are our guests today Gina?"...
"And what's our number to call, Gina?"...
"Who's that?"...
"What's that?"...
(Inane comment nobody quite understands)...
"Yeah"...
"Heh heh heh"...
"Who are our guests again today Gina?"...
"And stay tuned for....uh..." (Gina saves him)
I am NOT exaggerating.
At what point will KCUR management finally put the old warhorse out to pasture?
During a recent interview with an author of a book covering the hunt for and capture of the Wichita BTK Killer, Walt embarassed himself with the comment "BTK....what's...who's that?" I cringed, with sympathy, but also with the discomfort of fingernails scratching a chalkboard.
Martha Lally and Kelly Weiss both hosted the show before Gina Kofmann, and all did excellent jobs of researching and preparing for guests, often reading/reviewing the upcoming guests' latest books, articles or other relevant media/information. This obviously made their interviews informative, pertinent and entertaining. Meanwhile Walt shows up, tries to introduce himself, and…does...what?
Martha and Kelly have since moved on. Maybe there's a ton of radio talent in this town, and I shouldn't miss Martha and Kelly. But they did all the work, and were quite proficient at their jobs. Their careers here could have enjoyed longer tenure had they not been handicapped by working under another host's namesake show. Now Gina is hosting, and is consistently well-prepared, and superbly qualified to host this show on her own (also quite a talented writer). But I fear she too will soon head for a better opportunity, one absent the currently requisite duty keeping Walt’s head above water.
I don't intend to come across as mean-spirited. Walt has been a broadcasting fixture in this town for decades, and I'm aware of the previous incident when they attempted to cancel his show, and how the community protested.
But the facts are this; his presence on the show drains much of it's energy, slows down the pace, and disrupts the flow of an otherwise very interesting locally flavored program. His age should not be a determining factor in his continued employment UNLESS it directly affects the quality of the program. And if you've heard it, you can't deny his serious lack of presence and contribution to the program. Is mine a popular position on this? Probably not. But is it wrong to admit that age (in Walt's case 89) CAN become a serious detriment to a public presentation? And is it right to continue this charade of "The Walt Bodine Show" when the "host" has quite literally lost his ability to contribute to the show?
This program could be significantly better with a "KC Today" type presentation....with one or two hosts that cover the city in a variety of ways; entertainment, investigative, educational, and intellectual. Currently if the show's subject is technology, books, movies, the Arts, even current events, Walt might as well stay home.
Obviously if this were a standard commercial radio station, Walt would have been retired years ago. And that fact allows us to appreciate public stations like KCUR for it's lack of obligation to shareholders or other purely capitalistic entities. But to hold on to the Walt Bodine name purely for the name, as Walt begins to embarrass himself and the station more and more with each broadcast, is a position I'd be curious to hear defended by KCUR management.

[LJohn]

When you are an absolute Kansas City media legend you have the right to decide when you hang it up.
Who does it hurt when Gina has to step in and help Walt out? In fact, sometimes it is touching the way she shows such compassion toward him. The same for many of his guests.
Walt is blind, can barely hear and in a wheelchair. Yes, he probably should have retired years ago. Since the death of his wife this is just about his only reason for living.
Sometimes a little compassion is in order.

[just me]

When you are an absolute Kansas City media legend you have the right to decide when you hang it up.


I admit now I do not listen to his show but spent quite a bit of time with him and his family several years ago in a medical waiting room. I am very surprised to learn he is still on the radio because it was very evident he could do very little for himself. His family members were extremely good caring for him, meeting every need and were obviously very devoted to him. He could do so little.
Do you believe when he was in his prime he would want to carry on if he was aware of how he is today?
Walt is blind, can barely hear and in a wheelchair. Yes, he probably should have retired years ago. Since the death of his wife this is just about his only reason for living.
Sometimes a little compassion is in order.

I thought Delmo's post was written with a lot of thought and compassion.
Sometimes others need to chime in when the time comes which is being kind in order to preserve another's dignity.

[tomt]

I thought Delmo's post was written with a lot of thought and compassion.

why/how would you think that?

[Venkman]

He's not dead? I seriously thought he had passed away.

[HLS]

I know what you mean. i also felt the same way about Walt. It was painful to hear his show. it is OBVIOUS that Gina is the brains that runs the show but after a few weeks i grown to like the old guy.

[Delmo]

KC Star reports Walt is cutting back to Fridays only. Well, it's a bittersweet day. Bittersweet not because Walt's leaving, but because the article states the change was precipitated by the upcoming resignation of his co-host Gina Kaufman.

That makes three. Three (Martha Lally, Kelly Weiss and now Gina Kaufman) excellent, talented co-hosts who've moved on from the "Walt Bodine Show", very possibly because they tire of working in relative anonymity for a show titled in another's name, who's namesake host contributes literally nothing to the enhancement, interest, or quality of the program. Looks like KCUR management was having trouble finding yet another career-minded radio host willing to do all the work with very little of the credit, and continue the charade.

Hopefully the show will be retitled as I earlier suggested, a title reflecting the variety of interesting topics available here in K.C.

Martha, Kelly, Gina, I hope KCUR still has your phone numbers. I would love to have any of you back on the 10-11 a.m time slot, doing what you did so well over the last few years.