The Radio “Crudlie Awards” began in 2002 to symbolize cruddy things that have occurred in Radio over the past year. Here's how it works: if somebody did something that sucked real bad, they can be nominated for a “Crudlie”. I nominate, vote and judge. Why? Because I'm just cranky enough to do a damn good job.
If somebody did something that was pretty cool, then they are NOT nominated for a “Crudlie”, they don't get two complimentary tickets to the award ceremony and they especially don't receive the disdain from the masses most "Crudlie" receipients expect. They become big, fat losers in this competition, which actually is kind of good. Got it? Great. Now sit down, you're blocking the view.
And the envelope please (in no particular order)....
Category: Your KIDding me Crudlie
In March, Dean Letschka, a Denver Radio personality was hauled off to jail “on suspicion of enticing someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl to mail him sexually provocative pictures of herself.” (See: Denver Radio Guy Nabbed in Child Porn Arrest)
Runner Up: Craig Reynolds, formerly a DJ at WKLW, Paintsville, Kentucky has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. Apparently he was caught when a female family member found some pics on his computer while playing a computer game! Crime is no stranger to Radio. (See: Judge Gives 'Request' To DJ: Give Up Computer)
Category: When The Saints Go Marching Into - The Wrong Places Crudlie
Aaron Williams, known on-the-air as "Aaron the Saint" on WBLX, an Urban-formatted radio station in Mobile, has been charged with rape. It's alleged he carried on a sexual relationship for 11 months with a 12-year-old girl. Williams is 33 and out on bond. (See: Alabama DJ Charged With Rape)
Category: Hardly Driving On Your Harley Crudlie In July, Pat Snyder, a conservative talk-show host at WSAU-AM in Wausau, Wisconsin made a big mistake: getting on that motorcycle of his allegedly DRUNK and trying to drive home. That's when the police think he hit a sign post and got tossed off so hard he broke an arm and leg. He's lucky. He could have killed himself or worse yet: an innocent driver. (See: A Talk Show Host, A Strip Club, A Motorcycle, Some Booze, An Arrest)
Category: Oldie But Goodie: I Haven’t Been Drinking Ossifer Crudlie In Cleveland, Ohio, the morning guy at oldies-formatted WMJI-FM, John Lanigan, was ARRESTED in November for drunk driving. He was taken into custody after being involved in a minor automobile accident and then refusing to take a breathalyzer test (See: Cleveland Radio's John Lanigan Arrest For Drunken Driving)
Category: Do As I Say Not As I Do Crudlie
In October, Syndicated host, Rush Limbaugh, admitted to his audience that he was addicted to pain-killers. He told his audience they were initially prescribed legally to treat post-surgical pain for spinal surgery. Limbaugh said had been addicted to several drugs for five years. (See: Rush Limbaugh Admits Drug Addiction, Will Enter Rehab)
Category: Before You Open Your Mouth, Look At The American Flag Decals On The Back Of Their Pickup Trucks Crudlie
Got a smash country band but want to stop selling records and limit your airplay? Easy! Just make this statement: “Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." That statement, made by Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks in March, reverberated around the world and began a boycott of their recordings on various Radio stations. (See: Dixie Chicks Boycotted on Country Radio)
Category: Talk Show Host Cry Baby Crudlie
Radio and TV talk-show host, Michael Savage filed a $500,000 lawsuit against three websites who are critical of his program and views: savagestupidity.com, michaelsavagesucks.com, and takebackthemedia.com. (See: Radio's Michael Savage Sues Websites)
Category: You're As Cold As Ice Crudlie A stunt by Birmingham, England Radio station BRMB injured several listeners after they tried to win a prize by seeing how long they could sit on dry ice. Three of the contestants wound up in the hospital for 10 weeks.
