Not since "The Tom Leykis Show" debuted in Philadelphia has so much controversy from the elderly audience occurred. Philadelphia's FM Talk station WWDB folded under pressure from elderly listeners partially due to the stations contract to be carried over a cable network feed to hospital beds. Now Akron, Ohio is experiencing some feedback from the over 50 demographic after the replacement of a local dating program. The Akron station, (WNIR 100.1 FM) recently added Leykis to it's evening programming schedule after testing the program on late night tape delay.   

      The following article was written to and is property of the Akron Beacon Journal. This is a letter to the editor from an angry listener of the Tom Leykis Show.  While the age of the author was not disclosed, Leykis surmised the age of the writer by some of the language used. Honestly in defense of the writer, who should take that as a compliment while the letter is comedic to me, it is well written.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

`Tom Leykis Show': Filth on the airwaves

There is a new level of filth being broadcast over area airwaves, courtesy of WNIR radio (100.1-FM) in Kent. Station Manager Bill Klaus has decided to air a syndicated program called The Tom Leykis Show.

The show, which airs weekdays from 7 p.m. to midnight, invites very young adolescents and teens to call the show and discuss subjects that are mostly sexual in nature.

The on-air banter is generously laced with gratuitously foul language. I could list some of these words, but I know this paper would not print them. Leykis very deliberately takes the name of God in vain several times during each show. There is no attempt to delete these expletives.

Also, many of the young callers ask Leykis to ``take them out'' (hang up).

This is done by playing various sound effects, which include explosions, gunfire, plane crashes, etc. Some callers ask the host to ``take me out like Jesus Christ,'' after which the radio audience hears the sound of nails being hammered into wood. This is often followed by Leykis laughing.

I acknowledge that this version of hate speech is protected by our Constitution, as is Klaus' total disregard for exercising the responsible use of a publicly held, FCC-granted broadcast license.

But I wonder whether management at WNIR understands the concept of ``redeeming social value'' or respect for the religious community, regardless of faith.

WNIR Radio and The Tom Leykis Show do contribute something to the Akron community. Unfortunately, it is nothing but pure, unadulterated garbage.
James B. Petsche
Stow
   

    Leykis' "Banter" in response to this letter.

  http://www.ohio.com/bj    - Source; Akron Beacon Journal

  http://www.wnir.com    - Akron's WNIR 100.1 FM  (The Talk of Akron)