If you missed it last week, Jay Weber, 6-9 AM show host at iHeartMedia’s 1130 WISN, Milwaukee, piled on to a nasty avalanche of political attacks on social media. On X, Weber called Gus Walz, the son of Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz “a blubbering bitch boy” after the 17-year-old, streaming tears of loving pride, cried out “That’s my dad!” at the DNC.
Jay found out later that Gus has a nonverbal learning disorder, and has been diagnosed with anxiety, and ADHD.
Mr. Weber has apologized: “In an X fever, I broke one of my own long-standing rules when I saw the video. I’ve said ‘the kids are off limits’ for decades, then fell into myself,” he admitted. “No excuses. Good reminder.”
“Good reminder” seems like a dismissive tag that he might have skipped. What’s worse is he posted it on X rather than coming out and saying it on his own show. Still, nothing will be gained by continuing the assault on Jay Weber though it is another learning opportunity for talk radio and its listeners.
If only we would learn.
“Blubbering bitch boy”? Who writes or thinks words like that? Never mind why, the context, political hysterics, and social media lunacy…
“Blubbering bitch boy”?
I’m not trying to add to Jay Weber’s load of significant and deserved personal regret. I do think his apology should be accepted and that he should be forgiven for one big mistake. We all screw up. People used to be allowed to learn from their mistakes. I’m just wondering how in hell we got here from our idealistic American roots and once unanimous belief in what we used to call common decency.
“Blubbering bitch boy”?
I’m sorry to keep repeating it but like you, I’m having trouble getting past the words and the fact that they were cobbled by a seemingly thoughtful man and respected radio talk show host.
The point is, as I’ve asked many times, how would we all feel if our kid said that out loud or on social media? What would you say to your child? Something like, “That’s not appropriate”? How about, “I taught you better than that”?
Mr. Weber was formerly the News Director of WISN and is a certified Wisconsin public school teacher who coached sports. The mind reels. How do you go from schoolteacher and News Director to “blubbering bitch boy”?
But it’s not just him. We’re all losing our minds. The MAGA people are just as crazy as the Never-Trumpers. Many Americans are bailing out of online toxicity but still looking for sanity and information from the radio.
Lee Rainie, Pew Research Director of Internet and Technology:
“People tend to go to sources of information that map with their point of view. And we see in our data Americans don’t trust each other the way they used to. They don’t think Americans share the same facts that they used to. And so, the charge to people who are in the thick of this new environment is to figure out how to help people find their way to the truth and not make it a hard job. And Americans couldn’t be clearer about that. They want to know what’s going on, and they want help doing it, and they are looking to journalists to help solve these problems.”
Please read the italicized bold print again.
We used to brag that talk radio informs and encourages friendly discussion and dissent. There was a time, but no longer. Today people listen to political talk shows to justify their misinformed beliefs, and we over-serve them. We add fuel to the fire and we’re very good at it. We have nice voices, we speak with conviction and the practiced craft of skilled orators.
When you sit in a studio talking to an invisible audience you sound pretty impressive, don’t you? Damn right.
Do you ever wonder if you’re being fair or even honest?
As of noon, CST today, Monday, August 26th, neither WISN nor iHeartMedia has issued a statement. Jay Weber’s Friday absence was explained as a “prescheduled day off.” The implication was that he’d be back this morning, Monday. He was not. His fill-in host didn’t say anything at today’s 9 AM sign-off except, “We’ll be back tomorrow.” I called WISN for some clarification and await a callback.
When these things happen management should be all over it. “We’re investigating,” “We’ll issue a statement shortly,” “Jay’s a great guy and we support him”; say something, anything!
Pardon me, but it’s your effing radio station.
If I were a radio station GM, or PD I’d hold an all-hands-on-deck meeting with one strong message:
“We are better than this. It has to stop, beginning with us. I won’t tell you what to say or not say on your shows, but I am telling you to use your brain and search your heart. I will go to the wall for you for your right to freedom of speech and opinion and for the integrity of our company. Nobody in this operation is going to be canceled or heckled off the air. But you need to take responsibility for what you say and how you say it, not just on the air but everywhere in the social media landscape.
“The reason you were hired was because we believe and respect you. We expect you to do the same.”
The madness isn’t entirely our fault. There have always been hyperbolic, self-righteous opinions blasted over radio. Then social media arrived, and radio got caught up in the crazy party.
And while I’m lobbing brickbats, even though this is an industry-related publication, let me take a quick shot at our audience.
Have you read any of the comments following Mr. Weber’s stupid statement on X? I’ll save you the trouble. Most of them say he should be fired because he said something the commenter doesn’t like. Many are laced with profanity. He has a few supporters, not so much for his right to speak freely but because they agree with his asinine comment.
“Fire the bastard!”
This is cancel culture.
Half of the country has lost its collective mind and personal dignity to toxic political rhetoric and their ability to say things publicly they’d never condone from their kids. The other half is disgusted and giving up on social media, politics, and government.
This can’t end well unless radio takes the lead.
You talk hosts who consider yourselves the voice of (some of) the people have a responsibility to walk it back. I’m serious, though I know nobody will do it because it might make you look wimpy or waffling.
Ask your boss if the company will support you if you step back and be reasonable. See what they say because it’s clear the mahogany row crowd tests how the wind is blowing daily. That’s where your support lies.
Radio has a responsibility to lead the media and country back to sanity and decency.
But as I write this, the Jay Weber story hasn’t played out. He’s twisting in the wind and I’m sure his life sucks at the moment. I’m still waiting for that phone call. Come on, WISN, talk to me.
Jay Weber’s programming was on routinely as my family were regular listeners. I am of the opinion that his truth-adjacent broadcast is vile brain bilge. He leaves his listeners ill informed and absent crucial details let alone any alternative perspective. The name calling alone is bad enough I would have to shut it off after a few minutes. This incident is just a crescendo in an otherwise unfortunate years-long broadcasts that insult and demean anyone who disagrees.
Hey Dave, can you show me in the text of “In an X fever, I broke one of my own long-standing rules when I saw the video. I’ve said ‘the kids are off limits’ for decades, then fell into myself,” he admitted. “No excuses. Good reminder.”” where the word “sorry” or “apology” appears? Because I’m struggling to see any sort of apology there.
It’s not “cancel culture” to hold public figures who stoop miles below societal standards accountable for their words when they denigrate children, the disabled, or anyone else who is just trying to get by. It’s called accountability.
He posted that just days after posting comments about Tim Walz and Doug Emhoff insulting their masculinity by comparing them to RuPaul and using “mental patient” as an insult.
When people show you who they are, believe them.
I am calling on WISN to fire him not because “he said something I don’t like”, but because it’s the only way to show the world, who is watching, that this isn’t who we are in Milwaukee or Wisconsin.
Really?
How is “The MAGA crowd is just as crazy ” even remotely different than “blubbering bitch boy”? I’ll wait.
Jay is the absolute BEST talk show host hands down. The left has been verbally,legally and physically attacking Trump for years. Stop clutching your pearls over this. Bring Jay back NOW!
If the comment was made about Tim Walz or some other adult in the political landscape, I would tend to agree with your assessment that what Weber said could be within his right to freedom of speech. However, it was said about a minor. Forget the fact that Gus has any kind of disability….he is still a minor. KIDS ARE OFF LIMITS!!! PERIOD!!!! That’s why I feel what he said is outside of the protection of free speech. A mistake? Yes. We all make them? Yes. But sometimes we have to learn from them and suffer the consequences. Saying “I’m Sorry” doesn’t make the words he said suddenly disappear. It’s like toothpaste…once squeezed from the tube you can’t put it back. I’m one of those that believe he should lose his job because of what he said. It’s too grievous of a mistake to just suspend him and then let him back on the air. He needs to know that there are just some things that require being a decent person.
As you said, we all make mistakes. Some folks however, are simply hypocrites and their “selective outrage” shadows any sincerity they may express. Yes, kids should be “hands off”. I’d ask however, if some commenting with revenge on their minds wouldn’t have been OK had this comment been directed at the Trump family?
He should never be allowed to sit at microphone again. Deplorable behavior for anyone but an adult. Unacceptable!
Considering this page and this article’s author, I’m not in the least surprised by the commentary- by this author as well as those responding. Had Weber made these same comments about someone in the Trump family, every last liberal on social media would’ve been singing Weber’s praises. Some folks are as fake and phony as they are insincere, and that would be hypocrite liberal democrats. How many spewing vitriol over this incident are squeaky clean in your own past? Look in the mirror lately?
Bring back Jay now, the best show out there! Don’t get your panties in a wad and spare me the ‘cry bully’ lectures, you’re not our betters. Also Jay doesn’t claim to be a journalist. Plus we all say stuff we may later regret so get over yourself. Welcome to free speech and being human.