Add to the names of the Revolutionaries Allen Popels, who a few months ago asked the question, “Is it too much to ask that we the hockey loving and Caps’ fans have a broadcast fan forum for 30 or 60 minutes a week?” The Caps of course asked a similar question a few years back and answered it with the excellent “Caps Report,” hosted by Mike Vogel and Spike Parker. Popels wanted his own show, on the weekend, a fan-driven one. He had technology at his disposal and did something about it. Beginning earlier this summer, every Sunday, he began hosting his one hour on the frontier air of cyberspace, ‘CapitalFanatic: The Fan’s Voice of the Washington Capitals.’ (A podcast is available; and Popels makes his program available via iTunes.)
Yesterday Eric McErlain and Dmitry Chesnokov and I appeared as guests on Popel’s program, where we discussed the recently completed Rookie Camp and a few other tidbits puck. Interestingly, we had no shortage of topics hockey to discuss for the full hour in the middle of summer. If we’re invited back, we’ll return. Telling, though, isn’t it, that the region’s hockey fans have their hockey audio itches scratched by the Caps themselves and their fans . . . and not say local radio?
Here I enter my broken record realm: it wasn’t always thus. Once upon a time Scott Lynn of WTEM hosted a weekly Caps’ radio forum on weekend mornings. One could find comparable programming on WTOP and WMAL in the days prior to TEM. One of the best things about our iconic and highly idiosyncratic radio personality Ken Beatrice was that in a sense every day was Caps’ chat on his program: he never treated the Caps as a third- or fourth-tier tenant in town, and rather led a one-man campaign to make Washington a genuine sports town. He had his broadcast shortcomings to be sure, but his heart was in the right place. More importantly, he had media bosses supportive of his mission.
During yesterday’s ‘Netcast I had at times two trains of thought larger in context than the specific matters the four of us were discussing. One was of the caliber of expertise that was being shared. I’d really urge you to seek out Popel’s podcast, fast forward through my meager prattlings, and listen closely to Eric McErlain’s nuanced take on the Caps and especially the NHL more broadly. The guy knows the league, because he covers the league, and we’re blessed that he possesses a passion for the local team as well. And Dmitry genuinely is a local expert on all things Russian hockey. The remarkable irony now abundantly broadcast and published, and filling the vast void, is that by virtue of their abdication of covering hockey professionally, as their trade has ever required, local media have unwittingly bred a cottage alternative industry of impassioned experts.
I challenge you to identify a single local sports anchor, on radio or TV, who knows one-tenth as much on hockey as McErlain, and can communicate it in as polished a fashion.
Flowers do bloom in deserts, you know.
Let me be clear: there are at times commendable attempts by local broadcast press to cover our game and our team. They tend to be ex-Redskins (not including John Riggins) now seated before studio microphones. That’s interesting in itself; football players are perhaps best conditioned to appreciate the physical demands made of hockey players each night.
The other thought I had yesterday was more speculative about the near-term and more future impact of enterprises like Popel’s, and especially of those that broaden the new media perspective. When, for instance, will we see fan- or team-inspired television/video programming adding to the chatter?
My prediction: within six months.
11 Comments
I happen to be in the car last week when 980 was doing a Caps spotlight during John Thompson’s show. Ted, Tarik and Chris Clark were all on. Admittedly, Al Koken is part of the Caps’ broadcast team, so he’s not exactly a neutral on these matters, but it was good to hear. Of course, I heard it by accident, since I don’t normally listen to the Thompson show.
I get the feeling Scott Linn would try and do more hockey (since I know he is a puckhead and sweater collector), but doesn’t have a good vehicle on Czaban’s show.
Thanks for the pointer to the podcast. Always looking for Caps content, even if it is only you guys prattling on.
I will be going on my ipod shortly. Thanks again.
FYI on Scott Linn…I believe he’s management at WTEM. Granted he’s not the overall sports director (Pollin) but he does have some say at the station in terms of content. Not sure how far that “say” goes. He’s not just a member of Czaban’s show…that’s for sure.
But really…there isn’t a demand from the WTEM audience for hockeytalk. It’s just the way it is. Sure…some of us hockey fans can demand and want it; but the overall desire for puck on the airwaves of 980 is not something the public is clamoring for.
Hopefully that changes here shortly with an improving team…but I wouldn’t hold my breath. The best platform for hockeytalk in this area is going to be shows like Caps Report and the Capital Fanatic podcast thingy.
I came upon an interesting realization yesterday, shortly after the show ended. My introduction to hockey and Caps fandom began with a few comp tix to some games at USAir Arena in the mid 90’s. It further developed with your introduction of Piney Orchard and the midweek workday treks that followed. Aside from that, I had USENET (gasp), an email list (doom & gloomers) and the meager offerings of the Post and Times. While there have been some ‘old media’ highlights along the way - Ken Beatrice and his Yogi fandom and riding along a Nova Scotia road listening to Joe B calling an Olympic Hockey game while an eagle is soaring toward the windshield - I am thankful for ‘new media’. Then, I was a fan of the local hockey team and some of its players…now I am a fan of the development and success of MY team.
Sorry I missed you guys on Saturday. I raised one in Bailey’s in honor of the last time we were all together!
Scott (who admittedly is a friend of mine) is the ass’t PD at 980.
From cursorily listening during the day, it seems there is hockey talk during the day, but not during the tent pole shows (the Fox morning show and the reporters in the afternoon). I know Czaban is a hockey fan, but I think he just knows that most hockey talk is a dial-turner in DC.
Thanks again for coming on the show. I believe that there is a place for programs like mine as long as they are done in a professional manor, which is exactly what I am striving for. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed. I can be reached by email at capitalfanatic@gmail.com.
guys radio show rocks
as a listener we simply enjoy it
Really enjoyed listening to all of you on the podcast. My question is why aren’t you guys at OFB doing your own weekly show? I think it would be great addition to the local hockey landscape. Would you consider it?
b.orr4,
After the boys were on the Caps Report from Russia, it was something that we’ve talked about doing in some form or another. We haven’t killed the idea, but haven’t moved forward with it yet, either. Obviously, with four of us, scheduling becomes an issue.
We’d be interested in what our readers think.
Well, I say go for it. I need more listening material for my Ipod on those long weekend runs.
Note that none of the locally produced shows are done in an “open line” style such as Ken Beatrice did. Mostly because the local hosts don’t want to be asked questions that they aren’t capable of answering.
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