| Copyright © 2007 - 2012 ProudConservative.com™ All rights reserved |
| THE WILKOW MAJORITY On Tuesday May 29th, 2007 the Andrew Wilkow show relaunched as The Wilkow Majority on Sirius Satellite Radio. Andrew and his producer Nick Rizzuto were kind enough to let me come down for the day and witness how the show comes together. One of the reasons Andrew's show is growing as quickly as it is, is his unique way of approaching the various issues facing our nation. He has a no nonsense, straight-forward approach. He allows you to see issues from angles you may never have thought of before. His show is "based on one thing and one thing only and that is rational thought." His show is reason enough to subscribe to Sirius. You will be a fan.. |
| Andrew Wilkow and myself in the Sirius Satellite Radio office |
| Andrew and his producer Nick Rizzuto |
| Behind the scenes of the Wilkow Majority |
I am adding this in because I have gotten many emails and messages at my MySpace page asking me, sometimes
grilling me, to go in to detail about the day. So instead of retelling my experience over and over, I figured I would just
do it one more time here. The following is my account of the day.
I took the train down to New York City and proceeded to walk from Grand Central up to the Sirius Satellite Radio
building. I checked in with security and then made my way upstairs where I was met by the producer of the Wilkow
Majority, Nick Rizzuto. He quickly showed me some of the facility, sort of a mini tour, and then we made our way to
their office. This is where they prepare for the show. Andrew was in there and we were reintroduced. I had met him
at last year's Freedom Concert. We chatted a little as they prepared for the show. When he tells you he has an
Obama file or an abortion file, he actually has file folders all over the place. Stacks and stacks of information separated
into specific folders. I was excited because I got to hear the new Wilkow Majority opening before the show.
As 12:00 approached we made our way upstairs to the studio. On the way up they pointed out various studios and
informed me which shows were made in the various studios. Rizzuto and I walked into the control room and Andrew
went into his room and literally the show began as soon as he sat down. I was amazed that he walked in, sat down and
bang the show started. There was no settling in time. Rizzuto introduced me to Mike who was working the boards.
There is a big window between the two rooms were Andrew and Rizzuto can visually communicate with each other.
Nick explained to me that the room we were in was actually a studio also. However, Andrew used the small room for
his show because the larger room we were in wasn't really set up as a talk show studio. Nick showed me how the calls
are processed and how he and Andrew communicate via computer during the show. During the approximately 2
minute breaks, Andrew would come into the control room we were in and discuss with Rizzuto how the show was
going. I got the impression that he is a perfectionist when it comes to the Wilkow Majority. I think this is one of the
reasons the show is as successful as it is. He is "physically expressive" during the show. His hands and arms and facial
expressions work in conjunction with what he's saying. It makes sense obviously, but it's not something you think of as
you listen to him on the radio. I found it humorous that Rizzuto asked me if I was bored yet about 45 minutes into the
show. I told him that I was a big dork and thought that watching how the show came together was one of the coolest
things I've seen. At the next break, Andrew came in and basically asked me the same question. I once again explained
how I was truly enjoying the experience. I know they do it 5 times a week, so to them it is nothing new. However, for
me, let's just say I was in my glory. One of the things that really surprised me was how calm the control room was. I
don't know why, but I pictured the control room of a radio show being a case of controlled chaos. It ran extremely
efficiently. As a matter of fact, we were able to have several discussions on various topics as the show was going on.
Not only is Andrew well versed on the issues of the day, but he has surrounded himself with a knowledgeable staff.
The 3 hour show came and went and truthfully, I didn't know what would happen next. We went back to their office
and Andrew asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. He asked Rizzuto if he was going to join us and Nick replied that
he had to work on a proposal for an upcoming event for the show. Andrew said he would stay and help him. So I
decided it may be time to excuse myself. I didn't want to wear out my welcome. But Andrew said that it wouldn't take
too much time. I asked if he was sure, because if they had to work, I completely understood and I wasn't looking for
them to "babysit" me. He mentioned that we didn't have much time to talk during the show and since I came all the way
down to NYC, he was sure. He made me feel at ease. They worked on the proposal and we chatted for a bit at the
same time. They finished and the three of us took a few pictures, exchanged some swag and then left to go get
something to eat.
We walked over to a BBQ bar. We ordered our food and drinks and continued our conversations. We talked about
politics, of course. We also talked about our families,as well as many other topics. I heard some great behind the
scenes stories that I will keep to myself. Three Marines came in and Andrew bought them a round. They came over to
thank him and we all thanked them for their service. I had a blast. I have to be honest, they made me feel so welcome,
that I felt like I was eating and visiting with a couple of old buddies. We spent over two hours at the restaurant.
Afterwards, we said goodbye to Rizzuto and after a little difficulty in the subway station, we decided to walk over to
Grand Central. I bought my ticket and Andrew and I said our goodbyes. Andrew went above and beyond anything
that I would have ever expected. I am just a dork with a website and he didn't have to give me the time of day.
Instead, he let me experience his radio show. He cancelled an appointment with his trainer in order to go out to dinner
with me. He may not realise this, but in doing so, he treated me to a day I'll never forget. Again, I encourage everyone
to tune into his show on Sirius Satellite Radio. If you don't get Sirius.....well get it! Thank you Andrew and Nick. I
had a great time and look forward to seeing you both again in the future.
grilling me, to go in to detail about the day. So instead of retelling my experience over and over, I figured I would just
do it one more time here. The following is my account of the day.
I took the train down to New York City and proceeded to walk from Grand Central up to the Sirius Satellite Radio
building. I checked in with security and then made my way upstairs where I was met by the producer of the Wilkow
Majority, Nick Rizzuto. He quickly showed me some of the facility, sort of a mini tour, and then we made our way to
their office. This is where they prepare for the show. Andrew was in there and we were reintroduced. I had met him
at last year's Freedom Concert. We chatted a little as they prepared for the show. When he tells you he has an
Obama file or an abortion file, he actually has file folders all over the place. Stacks and stacks of information separated
into specific folders. I was excited because I got to hear the new Wilkow Majority opening before the show.
As 12:00 approached we made our way upstairs to the studio. On the way up they pointed out various studios and
informed me which shows were made in the various studios. Rizzuto and I walked into the control room and Andrew
went into his room and literally the show began as soon as he sat down. I was amazed that he walked in, sat down and
bang the show started. There was no settling in time. Rizzuto introduced me to Mike who was working the boards.
There is a big window between the two rooms were Andrew and Rizzuto can visually communicate with each other.
Nick explained to me that the room we were in was actually a studio also. However, Andrew used the small room for
his show because the larger room we were in wasn't really set up as a talk show studio. Nick showed me how the calls
are processed and how he and Andrew communicate via computer during the show. During the approximately 2
minute breaks, Andrew would come into the control room we were in and discuss with Rizzuto how the show was
going. I got the impression that he is a perfectionist when it comes to the Wilkow Majority. I think this is one of the
reasons the show is as successful as it is. He is "physically expressive" during the show. His hands and arms and facial
expressions work in conjunction with what he's saying. It makes sense obviously, but it's not something you think of as
you listen to him on the radio. I found it humorous that Rizzuto asked me if I was bored yet about 45 minutes into the
show. I told him that I was a big dork and thought that watching how the show came together was one of the coolest
things I've seen. At the next break, Andrew came in and basically asked me the same question. I once again explained
how I was truly enjoying the experience. I know they do it 5 times a week, so to them it is nothing new. However, for
me, let's just say I was in my glory. One of the things that really surprised me was how calm the control room was. I
don't know why, but I pictured the control room of a radio show being a case of controlled chaos. It ran extremely
efficiently. As a matter of fact, we were able to have several discussions on various topics as the show was going on.
Not only is Andrew well versed on the issues of the day, but he has surrounded himself with a knowledgeable staff.
The 3 hour show came and went and truthfully, I didn't know what would happen next. We went back to their office
and Andrew asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. He asked Rizzuto if he was going to join us and Nick replied that
he had to work on a proposal for an upcoming event for the show. Andrew said he would stay and help him. So I
decided it may be time to excuse myself. I didn't want to wear out my welcome. But Andrew said that it wouldn't take
too much time. I asked if he was sure, because if they had to work, I completely understood and I wasn't looking for
them to "babysit" me. He mentioned that we didn't have much time to talk during the show and since I came all the way
down to NYC, he was sure. He made me feel at ease. They worked on the proposal and we chatted for a bit at the
same time. They finished and the three of us took a few pictures, exchanged some swag and then left to go get
something to eat.
We walked over to a BBQ bar. We ordered our food and drinks and continued our conversations. We talked about
politics, of course. We also talked about our families,as well as many other topics. I heard some great behind the
scenes stories that I will keep to myself. Three Marines came in and Andrew bought them a round. They came over to
thank him and we all thanked them for their service. I had a blast. I have to be honest, they made me feel so welcome,
that I felt like I was eating and visiting with a couple of old buddies. We spent over two hours at the restaurant.
Afterwards, we said goodbye to Rizzuto and after a little difficulty in the subway station, we decided to walk over to
Grand Central. I bought my ticket and Andrew and I said our goodbyes. Andrew went above and beyond anything
that I would have ever expected. I am just a dork with a website and he didn't have to give me the time of day.
Instead, he let me experience his radio show. He cancelled an appointment with his trainer in order to go out to dinner
with me. He may not realise this, but in doing so, he treated me to a day I'll never forget. Again, I encourage everyone
to tune into his show on Sirius Satellite Radio. If you don't get Sirius.....well get it! Thank you Andrew and Nick. I
had a great time and look forward to seeing you both again in the future.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PROUDCONSERVATIVE.COM STORE PAGE |
