Deer Hunter

There are two classic Russian roulette scenes in the 1978 epic war drama Deer Hunter. Both scenes are below for your viewing pleasure.

If I believed in political correctness, I’d warn you that the scenes are graphic in nature and viewer’s discretion is advised. But I don’t believe in political correctness.

So if you want to watch Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken pretend to play Russian roulette in Deer Hunter, knock yourself out.

Video One takes place when they’re POWs in Vietnam.

Video Two takes place after they escaped from the POW camp.

Imagination Takes Over

From where I’m sitting, some of the on-air hosts recently played a game of Russian roulette at WIP – at least they did so inside my vivid imagination.

But instead of Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken sitting around the table and taking turns placing a revolver against their heads and pulling the trigger, I saw Marc Farzetta, Jon Johnson, Joe Giglio, Rickie Ricardo, Jody McDonald, and Hollis Thomas sitting around the table and taking turns placing a revolver against their heads and pulling the trigger.

The one who wound up blowing his brains out would be stuck replacing Tony Bruno and co-hosting WIP’s afternoon drive show – or whatever it’s called. Although co-hosting is a misrepresentation of the truth.

Microphone Hog

The reigning host hogs the microphone, gives the impression he resents anyone who dares to intrude upon his air-time, but has no qualms about intruding when someone else dares to talk. Plus, the show’s title only lists one name.

All along, I was hoping I’d be wrong – hoping that WIP would bring in an outsider to “co-host.” I didn’t want any of the guys I like co-hosting the show because I feared the worst for them. Unfortunately, the station didn’t bring in an outsider and Hollis bought the bullet to the brain – figuratively speaking, of course.

Collateral Damage

Suffering collateral damage was Spike Eskin – who seemingly was thrown into the new triangular mix at the last moment. I can’t discern why Eskin’s included, but he is and, as much as I like his dad, can’t say that I’m crazy about the son. Plus, his contributions to the show are minimal. Maybe, in time, that will change. But I doubt it because I don’t think he’ll be allowed to play a significant role.

For some misconstrued notion, whoever’s in charge of the station thinks his protégé is a star.

Myself, I see it 180 degrees the opposite. But I’m not in charge. Thank goodness, however, I am in charge of the controls on my own radio.

Since Hollis Thomas is one of my favorites, I try to listen to the show every time it’s on the air. But it’s difficult to stay tuned for very long.

When I hear serial utterances of “vagina doctor” and litanies of self-aggrandizement about being number-one in the ratings, I do the unthinkable. I switch stations and listen to Mike Missanelli.

I’m not crazy about Mike, but he’s more palatable to my tastes.

Crystal Set

But speaking of Mike Missanelli and ratings, I could dig up a Cub Scout Manual from somewhere, whip together a crystal set radio in my basement, modify it to transmit, and get better ratings than Missanelli.

So what’s all the bragging about?

I was going to forget about writing this story. I put it on the back burner since the change went down. But one day last week, a WIP listener called and aimed a question directly at Hollis – at the exclusion of the host.

While the caller was trying to ask legitimate questions and Hollis was trying to give legitimate answers, a voice kept intruding and trying to drown out the Q and A  . . . “Blah-blah-blah . . . Blah-blah-blah.”

So rude and so childish. A smack in the face to the caller and to Hollis – and to all WIP listeners. Very embarrassing for the station.

So my check-ins at WIP will be few and far between during that time slot for the foreseeable future. I’ll deal with Missanelli. If he bothers me, I’ll switch to music or watch Netflix without commercial interruptions.

But it’s no big deal for WIP. I’m no longer a member of the target demographics. You see, I’m old and can think for myself. Therefore, WIP doesn’t want me or my kind – even though we have discretionary dollars.

I wished Hollis “good luck” several times since his “promotion,” but I fear the worst. Just like Tony Bruno, I can foresee Hollis reaching the breaking point where he tires of the nonsense and disrespect. But I hope when he reaches that point, he doesn’t go into hibernation like Tony.

Maybe he’ll be reunited with Rob Charry.

Once again – good luck Hollis – love listening to you.

Barry Bowe is the author of:

• Born to Be Wild
• 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant
• 12 Best Eagles QBs
• Soon-to-be-published Caribbean Queen
• Soon-to-be-published Stosh Wadzinski
• Soon-to-be-published Polish Widow