There’s trouble looming on The Lawn. “Hey, Get Off My Lawn” has been my radio show for the last 10 years or so. It was so amazing how NBC ABC CBS FOX CNN and more, offered interviews with all their major stars. I felt so honoured. I even went as far as to copyright the show. Ah, not far enough.
Now, there is a group called CRTV (Gaston Mooney) and Gavin McInnes that feel it’s ok to use the name, “Get Off My Lawn”. I contacted them stating that I spent 10 years and many many unpaid hours building up that name and asked them to stop using it. They told me that “copyright” did not cover the name and I should have taken out a trademark. For my part..lesson learned the hard way. I shot myself in the foot.
If the law say’s it’s ok does that necessarily make it… right? There is a human side to this whole thing. Let’s say that Gaston Mooney and Gavin McInnes were working in Germany during WWII. The law said “Turn in a Jewish Family and you’ll be rewarded.” You (CRTV) would turn in a Jewish family for your own personal gain. You wouldn’t think, that maybe, you’re ruining a persons life, a person’s livelihood and reputation. This is the human side of your actions. Oh, but the law said it was ok, so that must make it “right.”
For all of you with an Internet Property that you want to protect please look at Trademark vs Copyright. It doesn’t matter how many hours you put into it…Just Protect It. I don’t want to see you ripped off like I was. REMEMBER…There are some very unscrupulous people out there, that are ready to steal every idea you’ve put out.
In my opinion, that when CRTV’s Gaston and Gavin are in the slime bar that they drink in, they should go to the bathroom, each buy a condom and stretch it over their entire body. Because if you’re going to be a DICK, you should really dress like one.
I wish you both luck with the stolen show name Get Off My Lawn. From the original show, mine…Hey, CRTV..”Get The “FUCK” Off My Lawn!!!” If you’d like to leave a comment, I’d love it. If you’d like to send a comment to Gaston Mooney and Gavin McInnesgmooney@crtv.com
After months and months of nauseous, continuous coverage of Clinton and Trump, most folks want it to be over. So when it is actually over, this begs the question, what then for Donald Trump?
The Top 8 things Donald Trump Will Do After The Election.
—He’ll hold gender sensitivity seminars for NFL Players.
—You remember you were told, when a boy hits or bullies you, it means he’s hot for you? The Donald will divorce and marry again. Happy Happy wedding day Megyn Kelly.
—Donald Trump could start up a luggage line, selling Bags of Deplorables.
—Mr. Trump will become buddies with more of Russia’s leadership. You can never have enough “Red Ties.”
—Rumour has it, He’ll record a new version of the Johnny Cash hit… “A Boy Named, I’ll Sue”
—Watch for the launch of Trump TV. He’ll put the Trump twist on some of the top rating getters like, “Orange is the New Trump”, “The Walking Trump”, Game of Trump Thrones” and so on.
— Don’t miss “The Donald Trump Hockey School.” This is where you’ll learn to, skate on taxes.
—The Donald will start up an on-line Men’s Discount Club called, “Grope-On.”
Just a few suggestions and thoughts for Mr. Trump if things don’t go your way in this election. For me, I’d like both candidates, “Off My Lawn”
Remember the good old days when a Happy Meal toy would only cause your child to choke and gag a bit? McDonalds are recalling 33 million Chinese made, “Step-It” fitness trackers that were the toy in the “Happy Meal”. The reason is, they tend to burn and or give heat related rashes to the children that wear them.
McDonalds was trying to show a corporate image that they care about obesity in children, by getting kids up and moving. Intentions were good with that. Really though, a child will become obese if they are bed ridden in the burn ward. On the other hand, they might lose weight by not eating as much only using their one good hand because the other is wrapped in bandages.
This is just another example of corporate greed. Let’s get a really cheap product made in China and give it away. My guess is that Corporations like McDonalds haven’t learned from recalls of toys like Barbie and Polly Pocket, pet foods, milk powder, tires, paint and now Step-It fitness trackers. All have caused death or serious injury. If you want to stay a away from a swirling PR cesspool nightmare, give your head a shake, Chinese products SUCK!
It’s time Corporations like McDonalds and many others, show the customer, not the shareholder, that they care about them. To McDonalds, “Hey, Get Off My Lawn.” Cook burgers, NOT CHILDREN.
Bryan Cox (Radio Host, Comedian, Author and Speaker)
Blow Hard! Those two words have got Hillary and Donald where they are today. There are many attributes that one must have to become President of the USA. Sure there’s hard work, experience, but maybe the most important is, name recognition. Both Hillary and Donald have that in spades, but how did the achieve this most important Presidential factor?
No one in America really knew the name Donald Trump, except for “that’s the guy that builds stuff.” Then came a reality TV show called, “The Apprentice”. America flocked to the show like overweight, middle aged, bald men at a porn convention, just to hear those two words, “You’re Fired”. The show put the Trump name into the public domain. Now, everyone knew Donald Trump as a entertaining, bombastic blowhard with either huge ego or a ton of self confidence. You figure which one it is.
Hillary on the other hand got her real name recognition by becoming First Lady. It’s what happened while she was First Lady that blew her name into the stratosphere. Two words, “Monica Lewinsky.” The nation was captivated by the sexual exploits of Bill and Monica. There were stories everyday about cigars, the stained dress and so on. Just as interesting, was the question, what was poor Hillary going to do? Everyone in America felt sorry for Mrs. Clinton and wondered if she was going to take the moral high road and stand by her man. Americans were on the side of the woman that was cheated on. She was now in the spotlight. A name recognition spotlight, supplied by a horny husband. Hillary rode the light into politics and that is where she is today.
In conclusion you might say that one candidate got where he is by being a blow hard and the other got where she is because her husband got blown hard.
Bryan Cox (Radio Host, Comedian, Speaker and Author)
Now with my tongue planted securely in my cheek, I shall continue.
Video games, movies and TV have been blamed for teaching violence. How many times have we heard in the wake of a tragic event, “It was a movie that gave him that idea.” People get ideas about the most sick things from media or maybe playing a Beatles album backwards.
Now, GM is walking a very thin line when it comes to giving the sick…ideas. Is it just me that finds this creepy, but have you seen the TV commercial where an older man is inviting kids to play a video game then tells them to get in a GM vehicle because it has free Wi-Fi and everyone can play? The reason I explained the commercial is because as soon as GM reads this they’ll take this video off of YouTube.
We all know the reasoning behind the spot. Get kids to tell their parents to buy GM because of Wi-Fi.
Parents have never been more vigilant about protecting their kids from the sick and perverted in our society.
I guess that GM has moved the perverts into a new age with free Wi-Fi. No longer will they use the old ploys, “Hey kid, I have this lost puppy” or “Do you want some candy?” Now parents will have to watch out for this….
Come on GM get with the program and find another way to promote free Wi-Fi in your vehicles. Until then, “Hey, Get Off My Lawn”
Bryan Cox (Radio Host, Author, Stand-Up and Speaker)
You know when someone tells you a joke that you’ve heard a million times before, your mind zones out. You don’t hear any of it, all you’re doing is dying for the end and then you politely laugh. Or you stop the joke teller, like 4 sec into the joke with “Oh, I’ve heard that one before.”
The same holds true for commercials. Radio or TV it doesn’t matter. With the advent of digital media the audience attention span has really shortened. On the internet you approximately 4 secs before your audience is gone. So if a page on your website or a video loads slowly, you’ve lost them. If you run the same commercial for a month, day in and day out, your audience gets tired of it and zones out. Any married woman can tell you,”I keep telling my husband over and over and over, it’s like he never hears me! It’s called “Listener Fatigue.”
Ad agencies, radio and TV sales people won’t tell you this. Remember they want to make a sale. They make their money on the time of day and how many times your commercial airs. Was they will tell you is that thousands will hear your commercial. But how many will be bored with it by the 5th playing? They rarely think of what the audience sees and hears. Yes, your commercial. This is the bread and butter to help your business succeed.
It’s time the ad, radio and TV people get off the pot and tell clients the truth. Repetition is not the way to go, but a new fresh message is.
There are few companies that keep their message fresh. Off the top of my head on the TV side, Geico and Canadian Tire come to mind. I’m sure you can think of a few more. As a company and if you’re planning an ad campaign, keep it fresh. This goes for TV networks, OMG, change up your promos once and awhile.
Most agencies would sell a client one over priced spot. Radio stations will sell them one spot as well. Radio also tell the client that they’ll produce it for free. WOW, what an offer. Yes, that commercial will be read by the guy you hear on 30 other spots. Oh, that’ll make your spot stand out. It would be like trying to find Donald Trump in a field of Egos. Here’s a hint, use a voice that isn’t normally heard in your marketplace.
I’m lucky to work with creative clients that want to do radio. Depending on the length of their campaign, I don’t ever sell them just one ad. Let’s say they’re going to advertise for 3 weeks with 5 spots per day, 2 in morning drive and 3 in afternoon drive. I do 3 spots for them under the same theme, advertising a different aspect of the sale or business. They can run a different spot for a week or rotate the 3 spots evenly over the 3 week run. These spots are listened to more and longer, because they are listener fresh. The client gets this for a price that would be half or less a big agency would charge for one commercial.
Try this Mr Business owner, the next time you are visited by a radio sales guy, ask for 3 different spots for your sale at the price you’re paying. Believe me, those guys can grind out spots in no time and it won’t take them that much longer to make you a happy camper.
In this time of down turned economies every business has to work that much harder and smarter, for a positive bottom line. It’s time that agencies, radio and TV jumped on board. Remember, clients want you to go that extra mile. Ad agencies, radio and TV sales seem to be offering less, for more money. A happy client, is a return client, and they’ll tell two friends and so on. It’s time we all got down to business and if you can’t, “Hey, Get Off My Lawn”
“First in Flight” that’s what it says on North Carolina license plates. Maybe they should change that to “First to Slight.” Their draconian anti-gay laws are causing shock waves Worldwide.
Entertainers have stepped up and refused to play the State because of it. The list is growing day by day, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, Ringo Starr even Circus du Soleil. I say, don’t worry North Carolina, there are a lot of acts out there that will keep you entertained.
Some acts haven’t cancelled but have spoken out against your anti-gay laws, like Jimmy Buffett, who by the way, hasn’t had a real hit since 1977. You’ll still be able to see Cyndi Lauper, who had a massive hit in 1983 and Greg Allman will still perform and I’m sure you’ll sing along with his hit “Ramblin’ Man” from 1973. Sounds to me you welcome the old acts. Next it’ll be “The Spinners”, not the singing act but the guy that spins plates on sticks, whose last big gig was on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”
This summer look for an action packed replacement Concert Calender North Carolina. — Rock out to “Bruce Springstern”, a very “serious” cover band. — Then “Bingo Stars” will be drumming on fresh deer hide stretched over 50 gallon oil drums” Like the Blue Man Group but with a twinge of “Hillbilly” — For all old North Carolina men, it’s the must see replacement Miley Cyrus concert….. Just a stripper.
Don’t cry Circus fans, replacing the amazing Circus du Soleil there’s “Billy Bob’s Armadillo and Flea Circus.” The kids will be itching to go to that one. We can’t forget what North Carolina is known for, Comedy. This summer and all through the year, you’ll be treated to entertainments best Comedians. All the laughs will be supplied by the politicians you voted for.
2016 called and they want you to join in North Carolina. Until then “Hey Get Off My Lawn”
Hey, Mr and Mrs America, as a Canadian sitting here in my igloo, eating moose stew with maple syrup and getting ready to go out and feed an RCMP horse, I can’t help but notice your electoral system. Speaking as an outsider, you really have some crazies using the system legally. One good thing to come out of your process is, it’s kept comedians and media commentators working, which I’m sure are reflected in the US employment numbers. I’m pretty sure your forefathers never imagined how the system could be twisted into such a circus.
If there’s accident after accident at one intersection, some form of government will put up lights or a stop sign. They change the law for that intersection. If a company can hide money and not pay taxes, the government moves to plug the loop hole. The same should hold true for your electoral system.
Let’s look at what could be done. Come on America, cut down the time it takes to pick Presidential Candidates. Let’s say 6 months tops. The way it stands now, the Kardashians could go through at least 5 marriages in the time it takes you to pick a candidate. Change your Constitution to supply the American people with a “Guarantee” for the winner of this Presidential pageant. Something like; “If for any reason, I cannot complete my term or if I do or say something utterly ridiculous, I will step down and the runner up assumes the responsibilities of President”. You could even add some rules, using Donald Trumps Miss Universe Pageant as a rough benchmark. — must be over 5 foot 3 — You must look good in a bathing suit. — remove all unwanted body hair — must not father or give birth — If mouthing off turns out to be your “talent”…out you go — If your ego is larger than the country you represent… it’s runner up time.
Common sense dictates something has to change in America. Just change the rules. You’ve even got other World leaders asking Obama, what the hell is going on. As a Canadian, I have to say that this American Election is supplying the World with lots of great conversations and a ton of laughs. So for that, I thank you. Oh, I have to go, “Hey, you damn beavers, “GET OFF MY LAWN !”
Bryan Cox (Radio Host, Author, Comedian and Speaker)
The little razor blade played a big part in radio broadcasting. DJ’s, Production and News people, pretty well everybody at the radio station, had a use for this tiny sharpie. During the 20’s and right up to the 50’s it wasn’t used much but through the 60’s through to the 90’s it was a mainstay in radio studios everywhere. One of the main uses of the razor blade was editing taped interviews, songs, commercials and oh, so much more.
Working with just the ear and a grease pencil one could become very adept at almost seeing sound on the audio tape.
In the hippy era DJ’s had long hair, very unshaven proving we were cool, but we still had to go out and do live broadcasts from an advertisers location (doing a “remote”). Management and or the radio salesman would hand you a hint, before you went out saying “Clean up your act!”
Then there was the all important “Show Prep” for announcers in the 60’s and on. “Show Prep happened before a shift or sometimes during, usually during an album cut like “Inna-A-Godda-Davida.”
Being an announcer back in the day meant that you had to exist on Mac & Cheese and if you wanted to splurge…wieners. When you brought leftovers to work the next day, to spice things up a bit, the razor blade came in handy.
There were those special days at the radio station when record reps would drop by. They’d want you to play their latest act. The reps always had goodies like key chains, tee-shirts, free albums to hand out to the staff and management. Announcers loved all these incentives. It was always amazing that an act could become a mega group, just for a keychain or a something where a razor blade was needed.
Announcers thought they knew what the listener wanted and management thought they knew what the listener wanted, thus there were some disagreements. Like when the Top 40 Station Manager or Program Director heard an announcer play something that wasn’t on the playlist or just didn’t like a song…the razor blade came into use one more time.
Some might not know how the lowly razor blade helped personality radio from the 50’s through the 90’s but as you can see it did. For those that worked in radio during that time you know it was a lot of FUN. It was the best job you could have with a Grade 12 education. Radio has lost a lot of face but we now see that “Personality Radio” is alive and well with its shift to the internet. Good on ya, keep up the great work. As for the “Razor Blade” well it’s gone back to saving faces. Gonna miss ya little buddy!
Bryan Cox ( Radio Host, Speaker, Comic and Author)
Darren Kavinoky and I sat down and had a great chat on the radio feature “Hey, Get Off My Lawn.” Darren has been seen on CNN, HLN, Inside Edition and on his own show “Deadly Sins” on Investigation Discovery. This interview is very revealing and give you a peek at the man behind the camera. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did chatting with him.
Bryan Cox (Radio Host, Comedian, Author and Speaker)
The little razor blade played a big part in radio broadcasting. DJ’s, Production and News people, pretty well everybody at the radio station, had a use for this tiny sharpie. During the 20’s and right up to the 50’s it wasn’t used much but through the 60’s through to the 90’s it was a mainstay in radio studios everywhere. One of the main uses of the razor blade was editing taped interviews, songs, commercials and oh, so much more.
Hey, Get Off My Lawn 