Ferrari Declines Conservative Bid For Mayor of London
This week, after toying with the idea of running for Mayor of London as a Conservative on air for weeks, Sony Award winning radio presenter, Nick Ferrari announced that he was declining to stand as a Conservative. Ferrari cited the time commitment demanded by the Conservatives as the reason for his decision, saying it would make it impossible to do his radio show on LBC 97.3, London, (Sky Channel 0177 or via the net: http://www.lbc973.co.uk/ ) which won the Sony Award as best radio breakfast show in the UK. Nick's announcement didn't surprise me, as I expected it from the beginning.
I don't think Nick was serious from the beginning. This is so old in radio. In 1994, American radio star, Howard Stern, announced that he was running for Governor of New York State, as a Libertarian. After a couple of months, he resigned from the race, citing campaign finance disclosure requirements in New York, which would require him to disclose his salary. Some suspected, at the time, that this was an excuse and that Howard was solicited to drop out at the request of the Republican Party, as Republican Senator, buddied up to Howard and Howard ended up endorsing the Republican candidate, Pataki, who went on to win and oust long-time incumbent, Mario Cuomo.
Howard, at least, actually secured the Libertarian Party nomination and started a campaign, before dropping out. Although some cynical observers suggested Howard only ran as a publicity stunt, he did spend money on the campaign and initially acted like he was serious. I have a unique perspective as I was the Official Liaison from the Libertarian Party to the Stern Campaign. Howard has a chapter on the campaign in his second autobiography, "Howard Stern Miss America." There are a couple of photos of me in that chapter and I am quoted. Loads of UK radio personalities try to imitate things Howard and others have done in American radio, years ago.
In a further parallel, Howard had the number one morning show in New York City. Then we have Ferrari and his Sony Award. The parallel starts to break down, there. Howard is one of the most innovative and successful radio personalities of all time. On the other hand, Ferrari is as successful as he is because of the poor state of British Radio. He just faces so little competition. Some clever radio management should put me on opposite him and I will wipe the floor with him. The same with that Chris Moyles. UK radio is in a similar state to radio in America, 20 years ago. The best presenter I have heard on UK radio is LBC's afternoon drive star, Iain Lee. While I wouldn't say Iain is as good as Howard Stern, he's at least funny and a bit innovative. So, all it takes is station management with the balls to put me on and we can clean up. I actually ran for Mayor of New York, in 1993, as the Libertarian Candidate. I am not a bottler, like Ferrari. I came in 4th out of 5, with a shoestring budget and no name recognition, or radio show behind me. Although Nick hasn't ruled out the possibility that he will still run as an independent candidate, I doubt that will occur.
Speaking of Iain Lee, this afternoon, Iain was off doing a TV show. Steve Allen filled in for him, which is ironic, as Iain claims not to like Steve. Openly gay, Steve is very amusing to listen to as he bitches about celebrities, with his stereotypically campish style. I particularly like Steve when he has his friend, John Warrington on, with him. The two of them get each other going. Sadly, John didn't join Steve this afternoon. Steve is usually on 5AM to 7AM, weekdays, and Sundays, from Noon to 3PM, on LBC 97.3.
By the way, tonight is an eviction night on "Big Bother" (UK). Four housemates, Mikey, Imogen, Jennie, and Susie are up for eviction and in a surprise announcement yesterday, two will be evicted. Hopefully, it will be Mikey and Susie. As a further "twist," housemates will select which former housemate will be rejoining them next week.
I don't think Nick was serious from the beginning. This is so old in radio. In 1994, American radio star, Howard Stern, announced that he was running for Governor of New York State, as a Libertarian. After a couple of months, he resigned from the race, citing campaign finance disclosure requirements in New York, which would require him to disclose his salary. Some suspected, at the time, that this was an excuse and that Howard was solicited to drop out at the request of the Republican Party, as Republican Senator, buddied up to Howard and Howard ended up endorsing the Republican candidate, Pataki, who went on to win and oust long-time incumbent, Mario Cuomo.
Howard, at least, actually secured the Libertarian Party nomination and started a campaign, before dropping out. Although some cynical observers suggested Howard only ran as a publicity stunt, he did spend money on the campaign and initially acted like he was serious. I have a unique perspective as I was the Official Liaison from the Libertarian Party to the Stern Campaign. Howard has a chapter on the campaign in his second autobiography, "Howard Stern Miss America." There are a couple of photos of me in that chapter and I am quoted. Loads of UK radio personalities try to imitate things Howard and others have done in American radio, years ago.
In a further parallel, Howard had the number one morning show in New York City. Then we have Ferrari and his Sony Award. The parallel starts to break down, there. Howard is one of the most innovative and successful radio personalities of all time. On the other hand, Ferrari is as successful as he is because of the poor state of British Radio. He just faces so little competition. Some clever radio management should put me on opposite him and I will wipe the floor with him. The same with that Chris Moyles. UK radio is in a similar state to radio in America, 20 years ago. The best presenter I have heard on UK radio is LBC's afternoon drive star, Iain Lee. While I wouldn't say Iain is as good as Howard Stern, he's at least funny and a bit innovative. So, all it takes is station management with the balls to put me on and we can clean up. I actually ran for Mayor of New York, in 1993, as the Libertarian Candidate. I am not a bottler, like Ferrari. I came in 4th out of 5, with a shoestring budget and no name recognition, or radio show behind me. Although Nick hasn't ruled out the possibility that he will still run as an independent candidate, I doubt that will occur.
Speaking of Iain Lee, this afternoon, Iain was off doing a TV show. Steve Allen filled in for him, which is ironic, as Iain claims not to like Steve. Openly gay, Steve is very amusing to listen to as he bitches about celebrities, with his stereotypically campish style. I particularly like Steve when he has his friend, John Warrington on, with him. The two of them get each other going. Sadly, John didn't join Steve this afternoon. Steve is usually on 5AM to 7AM, weekdays, and Sundays, from Noon to 3PM, on LBC 97.3.
By the way, tonight is an eviction night on "Big Bother" (UK). Four housemates, Mikey, Imogen, Jennie, and Susie are up for eviction and in a surprise announcement yesterday, two will be evicted. Hopefully, it will be Mikey and Susie. As a further "twist," housemates will select which former housemate will be rejoining them next week.
posted by Joey B at 10:22 AM
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