Talk:The Connection (radio program)

Latest comment: 17 years ago by 69.87.193.160 in topic Time Slot

Question edit

Does anybody know why The Connection is being discontinued? 67.180.227.35 15:49, 20 July 2005 (UTC)Reply


I added what I know about the history of "The Connection" but it clearly needs to be fleshed out. There is a lot more to the circumstances surrounding Lydon's and Gordon's departures. But the tragedy, IMHO, is that the name is now defunct and they don't have Lydon.

Please! Those who know more please edit and add because BUR is not saying much!

Montalvo 21:27, 27 July 2005 (UTC)Reply


Now that I read the forums and have gotten some idea of what's happened, I'm thinking of editing the last paragraph to read:

The question remains: why was the show discontinued so abruptly and heavy-handedly? From reading the forums on "The Connection" and having listened extensively to both programs including the Lydon version of The Connection, it can be concluded that BUR could not sustain two very expensive programs. But the shame of it is that Chris Lydon and Mary McGrath grew "The Connection" up to where it was a hot property, and then couldn't agree with their manager, Jane Cristo (and most likey, some influencial donors), about how to split the pie. Lydon wanted part ownership and was closed out. Afterwards BUR could never get a host as popular --- can we say knowlegeable and compelling --- as Lydon, so the show withered away until it had to be axed. A real tragedy. The only bright spot being a new show: On Point.

Does this sound neutral enough?

Fsm 01:03, 30 July 2005 (UTC)Reply


Fleshed out some of the history of how/why Lydon left and why, maybe, The Connection was discontinued. It's not clear because BUR is not talking, but some reading between the lines can be done. The continuity of the article is not very good. This should probaby be worked on.

Fsm 23:01, 16 August 2005 (UTC)Reply

NPOVing edit

I took out large sections of the article and rewrote other parts because the entire thing just smacked of quite a bit of POV. If anyone would like to re-add the information that was deleted, please make sure it conforms to NPOV. « alerante   » 00:16, 3 September 2005 (UTC)Reply

What I wanted to convey was the shabby way BUR treated its listeners in both instances by not announcing ahead of time what it was doing and by not really being honest about why it was sacking either host. I think BUR deserves a little accountability here. We can argue about wording, but the timeframe and lack of candor is in the public record.
...Fsm 22:39, 3 October 2005 (UTC)Reply

Time Slot edit

"Its evening time slot has led to speculation that On Point was moved to the morning slot so as not to compete directly with Open Source." That is an odd thing to say, since On Point is repeated on WBUR from 7 to 9pm, after first broadcast from 10am to noon. On Point was not moved so much as spread out, duplicated in a way that saves WBUR money by producing just one show instead of two. 69.87.193.160 23:15, 10 June 2006 (UTC)Reply

The Connection's theme song edit

The article currently says: "The Connection's theme song was the jazz tune "Cantaloupe Island" by Herbie Hancock, performed by Us3 in their rendition titled "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)". I believe this is wrong; I'm pretty sure the theme during Christopher Lydon's hosting was in fact the Herbie Hancock version. I was a faithful listener (and sometime-caller) during Lydon's hosting. It was appointment listening. I have cassette air-checks of a few of the shows; I'll dig them out and confirm.