Talk show host Jim Rome has fully embraced new media, recently taking his popular radio show to X (formerly Twitter).
Yet Rome retains profound respect for AM radio, the medium that helped launch The Jim Rome Show.
A caller on Friday’s show congratulated Rome on his new platform on X and said he’s happy he doesn’t have to listen to him anymore on “scratchy AM” radio.
Rome’s show is still carried on hundreds of radio stations, however. Rome cut him off after the caller made an inappropriate remark about Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
“You know what, dude?” Rome said. “Unfortunately, people heard you say that in a clear video stream and not on some scratchy AM radio station.”
Rome then gave a passionate defense of AM radio stations and the role they played — and continue to play — in his career.
“Nothing at all wrong with ‘scratchy AM radio’ — that’s how I got my start,” Rome said. “I’m in the Scratchy Radio Hall of Fame.
“Don’t dog our radio stations. We have a few hundred radio stations that believed in me and us, and put our product on the air, and it’s still on the air. This is a radio show still yet, but it is a radio show that is being streamed live on the X platform, and so far, so good. We’ve had a really good first week, and I’m having an absolute blast.”
“We have never actually streamed. I am embracing new media — I love this; it’s a blast. Dude, don’t bring us down. I like this a lot. … I don’t want you doing anything to jeopardize this great new thing we have. My man, do better. Do better or don’t do at all.”
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.