What I expected has happened in the radio biz, as major radio shows are being canned or at least supended. I was a guest on a morning show today where the hosts were telling me what I could and could not say. They knew me from past appearances or I'm guessing they wouldn't have even had me on. Well, guess what? It was the worst radio appearance I've ever done, as I was overthinking every premise so much, wondering if I should censor a word like breasts.

Many after the Imus fiasco were saying he would end up on satellite radio. Here was my thoughts on that subject.

My guess is this won't happen, as with the current merger efforts between the 2 companies under review by the FCC, XM and Sirius won't want to take on anything too radioactive. Which makes Imus radio-inactive.

I used to do a joke in my act about a former girlfriend who had a rape fantasy which she wanted me to role-play. In the bit, I mention that I was very uncomfortable with the idea, but wanted to make her happy, so I gave it a go. I still had a hard time fully committing to doing this saying things in a very nonchalant way like... I'm busting down your door...now I'm ripping off your clothes...(yawn) Now I'm raping you. Who's your raper? Yeah I'm raping away.

This bit was based on a true story. It was kind of a hit or miss thing with the audience, so I quit doing it. I've always made it a point to do jokes on subjects that are considered taboo comedy topics. I mention this particular joke because of the suspension that Opie and Anthony have been given in regards to the "raping of Condaleeza Rice" that aired on their XM radio show. Being self-serving for a moment, my joke isn't as cringe-worthy as the O&A segment, as I set it up in a fantasy scenario and position myself as a very reluctant participant. Still, I know that many don't feel anythiing about the topic of rape can be considered funny, so I can't pretend that it didn't piss some off in the audience. I also don't have to entertain people for 5 hours a day, like Opie and Anthony do.

This was the issue from the Imus fiasco that I was most worried about. What makes one person laugh, often will make another person uncomfortable. It's the nature of entertainment. I'm not saying there aren't some standards that should be in place, but where radio is at now, everyone is running scared, not sure what is acceptable and what isn't. Having political and religious groups determining what kind of entertainment I should listen to is not my idea of a democratic state. If these political and religious groups really know what people enjoy watching, why aren't C-Span and the Trinity Broadcasting Network ratings kingpins? Why doesn't Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have large radio audiences?

Opie and Anthony didn't allow the stuff that got them suspended on their terrestrial radio, instead doing it on the uncensored satellite radio show. Just like about every other entertainment entity, corporate and political interests have merged at satellite radio, as the potential merger of Sirius and XM radio have impacted these companies standards on what will go over their airwaves. With the merger having to be approved by Congress, these 2 companies have taken the uncensored concept away (especially at XM), as they want to do everything possilble to make sure their business plan will get a Yes vote.

The one positive for someone like me is that with the censorship crackdown going on, the only 2 places where corporate interests are not directly impacting freedom of speech is at live stand-up comedy clubs and online blogging. Yeah for me! This also is the reason that blogs done at newspaper or magazine websites can't truly compete with what you read at sites like the Toaster, as we aren't beholden to any corporate interests. (Authors note: I would be willing to deal with some of those restrictions, if it meant me making some real money for what I offer up here. I'm not above being a Happy-headed Ho.)

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Note from Scott: If you are interested in having your voice heard on this matter, go to the People Against Censorship website. Check out an interesting clip from CNN, featuring Pastor Al Shapton and PAC co-founder Debbie Wolf. Sharpton attempts to do his bullying act, which is usually successful (see debate with Imus sidekick, Bernard McGuirk, on Hannity and Colmes), but this time Wolf is up to the challenge.

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One place where less corporate control in the media seems to be going on is at Salon.com. While the site can be a little too much preaching to the liberal choir for my tastes, the sports columnist, King Kauffman is one of my favorite reads. I recommend checking out a non-sports piece Kauffman did on Tinky Winky being interviewed about the death of Jerry Falwell. As someone with a young child, I've seen the freakish magic that the Teletubbies can bring to kids. Falwell was a pompous douchebag. Last time I checked, it has been a long time since anyone has been perfect enough to have the right to tell a planet what is right and what is wrong. For someone who said the Bible was to be followed to the tee, Fatwell never seemed to grasp that whole gluttony being a mortal sin chapter.

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Here is a link I title Hilary Clinton Would Keep Adult Industry's Shorthairs Out of the Crosshairs

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It looks like my prediction will be right that Jordin Sparks will be the ultimate winner of American Idol. Winning a popularity contest is not about being the most qualified. (For more evidence see this guy.) Jordin sings better than most pop stars, has a winning personality and gorgeous smile. Sure she has a prototype body for a NFL left tackle, but that is genetics and who can say that genetics have given us everything we want? Well, except for maybe the chick on the last Sopranos episode.