# RO: Atlanta radio DJs make fun of Steve Gleason's ALS; get fired **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 18, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284 "2013-06-18T16:55:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/1 "2013-06-18T16:55:10Z")
In a well-thought-out-plan, three Atlants Sports Radio DJs made fun of former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, who has ALS. This included one of them pretending to be Steve Gleason and making fun of his computerized voice and cracking jokes about how he wishess he was dead. Normally I don’t get into the whole RO thing, but…seriously? This might be the most offensive thing I have ever heard from a radio program. [My God](http://deadspin.com/heres-the-steve-gleason-bit-that-got-three-atlanta-rad-513889322), what assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/2 "2013-06-18T17:02:21Z")
“During his time at Y-95, (Glenn) Beck cultivated a rivalry with local pop radio station KZZP and that station’s morning host Bruce Kelly. Through practical jokes and publicity stunts, Beck drew criticism from the staff at Y-95 when the rivalry culminated in Beck telephoning Kelly’s wife on-the-air, mocking her recent miscarriage.” > **[Glenn Beck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck)** > > Glenn Lee Beck (born February 10, 1964) is an American conservative political commentator, radio host, entrepreneur, and television producer. He is the CEO, founder, and owner of Mercury Radio Arts, the parent company of his television and radio network TheBlaze. He hosts the Glenn Beck Radio Program, a talk-radio show nationally syndicated on Premiere Radio Networks. Beck also hosts the Glenn Beck television program, which ran from January 2006 to October 2008 on HLN, from January 2009 to Ju... ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/3 "2013-06-18T17:09:46Z")
I’m sorry but the “I get a boner everytime someone bashes Beck so lets all bash him” thread is that way ----\>. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/4 "2013-06-18T17:12:33Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I’m sorry but the “I get a boner everytime someone bashes Beck so lets all bash him” thread is that way ----\>. Would have helped if I quoted the “This might be the most offensive thing I have ever heard from a radio program” part for you from the OP? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/5 "2013-06-18T17:35:54Z")
I’ve never heard of any of the people involved, but if that “sample joke” is representative of the bit, I’m deeply offended by how unfunny it was. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/6 "2013-06-18T17:48:14Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > “During his time at Y-95, (Glenn) Beck cultivated a rivalry with local pop radio station KZZP and that station’s morning host Bruce Kelly. Through practical jokes and publicity stunts, Beck drew criticism from the staff at Y-95 when the rivalry culminated in Beck telephoning Kelly’s wife on-the-air, mocking her recent miscarriage.” > > [Glenn Beck - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck) OK, I hadn’t heard that before. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/7 "2013-06-18T17:49:53Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I’m sorry but the “I get a boner everytime someone bashes Beck so lets all bash him” thread is that way ----\>. Yes - why should a similar incident with another douchebag radio host be considered relevant to the topic? Damn Libruhls. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/8 "2013-06-18T17:59:11Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Yes - why should a similar incident with another douchebag radio host be considered relevant to the topic? Damn Libruhls. People who bring up irrelevant jerkish behavior of other radio hosts should take the bone out of their nose and stick to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/9 "2013-06-18T18:20:25Z")
In a thread about jerkish behavior of radio hosts, I fail to see how examples of same are irrelevant. Especially when the OP specifically states “This might be the most offensive thing I have ever heard from a radio program.” ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/10 "2013-06-18T19:14:52Z")
I heard the thing live yesterday morning on the way to work. To me, it seemed clear that the straight man in the skit was very uncomfortable with how the other host was acting, and that it was purely an ad-lib performance by the impersonating host. I’m surprised all three got fired. I listen(ed) to them several times a week and I’ve never known them to be “shock jock” types. I am in no way defending the one host; it was waaay over the top and offensive, and he needed some firing, but the whole thing seemed to be entirely his idea. ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/11 "2013-06-18T19:19:56Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > In a thread about jerkish behavior of radio hosts, I fail to see how examples of same are irrelevant. Especially when the OP specifically states “This might be the most offensive thing I have ever heard from a radio program.” Don’t forget the “tsunami song” played on Hot 97 by Miss Jones, which made fun of people dying in the tsunamis in southeast asia in 2005: [MTV | Homepage - Shows & Schedules](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496296/station-blasted-song-parodying-tsunami.jhtml) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/12 "2013-06-18T19:31:21Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > I heard the thing live yesterday morning on the way to work. To me, it seemed clear that the straight man in the skit was very uncomfortable with how the other host was acting, and that it was purely an ad-lib performance by the impersonating host. I’m surprised all three got fired. I listen(ed) to them several times a week and I’ve never known them to be “shock jock” types. > > I am in no way defending the one host; it was waaay over the top and offensive, and he needed some firing, but the whole thing seemed to be entirely his idea. The contracts are up on all three in a couple of months. I suspect that played a part both in the decision to perform the skit and in the termination of employment. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/13 "2013-06-18T20:24:36Z")
Ahh…that makes it more…well, I dunno what it makes it, but it’s a twist. I’m really starved for something decent on the radio to listen to in Atlanta during commutes. I have no special interest in sports, but these guys seemed to do an OK job of entertaining me without being idiots (until now, at least). Beau Bock drives me nuts, so any show he’s on is not an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/14 "2013-06-18T20:35:18Z")
One the absolute best things, maybe THE best thing about a smartphone is the ability to play all sorts of media to a car stereo, either through an AUX IN port or even Bluetooth. You may have to upgrade your stereo like I did (it had neither AUX IN or Bluetooth) , but it was SO worth it. No more morning zoo imbeciles, just podcasts, music and standup comedy (like from Pandora or Spotify or Google Music or just MP3s), and audiobooks. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/15 "2013-06-18T20:44:10Z")
And I would so love to do that, Revtim. But the audio system seems pretty heavily integrated into the car (SC 430, 2002 model so pre-dates Aux port being a regular feature). And because it’s a convertible, mounting a satellite radio antenna is also problematic. I may look deeper into it, though; thanks for nudging me. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/16 "2013-06-18T20:49:00Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Ahh…that makes it more…well, I dunno what it makes it, but it’s a twist. > > I’m really starved for something decent on the radio to listen to in Atlanta during commutes. I have no special interest in sports, but these guys seemed to do an OK job of entertaining me without being idiots (until now, at least). Beau Bock drives me nuts, so any show he’s on is not an alternative. I agree with all of that, particularly the park about Beau Bock. I’m also disappointed that Dimino is off the air for the first time in about 20 years, but I imagine he’ll land on his feet. He was clearly uncomfortable with the skit, and he also posted the most sincere apology of the three. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/17 "2013-06-18T20:57:05Z")
Howard Stern got fired from Washington’s DC101 after the Air Florida plane crash in the Potomac River; if memory serves, he called Air Florida and asked the clerk who answered for a ticketed from National Airport to the 14th Street Bridge. These stations want outrageous shock jocks; part of the package is having to fire them when eventually they go too far. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/18 "2013-06-18T21:20:32Z")
The thing is, these guys ordinarily didn’t come close to shock jock territory. That’s why most people think there was a lot going on behind the scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/19 "2013-06-18T22:27:30Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > People who bring up irrelevant jerkish behavior of other radio hosts should take the bone out of their nose and stick to the OP. > [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > In a thread about jerkish behavior of radio hosts, I fail to see how examples of same are irrelevant. Especially when the OP specifically states “This might be the most offensive thing I have ever heard from a radio program.” [Whoosh](http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh). ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284/20 "2013-06-19T01:10:40Z")
During the Atlanta child murders, two DJs played Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust” immediately after a news report on the latest murder. They were summarily fired. Maybe it’s something in the GA water? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-atlanta-radio-djs-make-fun-of-steve-gleasons-als-get-fired/661284.md?page=2)