PREP YOUR BREAK!!!

This morning I was listening to a local radio station here in Baltimore, and the MAIN morning host attempted to share with us (his audience) a celebrity story that occurred over the weekend. Through the ENTIRE break he was hemming and hawing (using the annoying pause of "umm" virtually every other word)  trying to relay what he had read on his prep sheet probably less than five minutes before doing his break.  This guy barely made it through the break... his co-host and his producer had to jump in and save him at the end because he was completely bungling the story.  

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!  Especially during the information age when everyone with a computer has the same story you are fumbling through!  Not only do other morning shows have the same info, but EVERY LISTENER who checks out tmz.com, bossip.com, e!online.com, etc. knows the story and YOU ARE SOUNDING LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT!  I'm sure the listener is thinking "Can't You READ!?"  At least I was.

This is a bit harsh, but if you want to be a star on a big station in a big market: YOU MUST PREPARE EVERY BREAK FOR EVERY SHOW!   Do yourself a favor: read your prep, re-read your prep, PRACTICE YOUR BREAK, then and ONLY THEN are you ready to open the mic and speak!   This rule applies to new talent on the radio, talent with limited experience, and also... SEASONED VETERANS!!!  

The listeners give you the benefit of their time and attention, please don't take it for granted and not practice your break!  This would be the equivalent of going to the theater and paying to see Raisin in the Sun and Diddy hems and haws through his lines.  You are a professional--ACT LIKE ONE and PRACTICE!