It is very difficult to pin point a single show that epitomizes what radio is and should be at this current point of our radio lives. That is simply because of the way radio has evolved over the years that were. You must remember that before radio was as commercialized as it is now its DNA was simple (i.e. Entertain, Inform and Educate).
But these days shows focus on either one or a combination of those historical DNA's of a show. The problem really comes in where a DJ is given a show that focuses solely on entertainment (i.e. music, comedy, gossip etc.) as its DNA and then they choose to include education and current affairs (something they know nothing about). In other words, most DJ's are played out of position, sometimes it's their own doing and in certain instances their employers put them up to this.
Listeners are very smart these days for they see right through this, and you can't fault them when they can see that a DJ is no longer relevant to the stations target market and thereby shun the mandate of the radio station obliviously.
The converse is also true. Listeners more often than not, tend to overlook the fact that just because shows are on air at the same time it doesn't necessarily mean the shows share the same DNA, hence that is mainly the reason why one would enjoy a breakfast show on YFM and be bored out of their skull listening to a breakfast show on KAYA FM.
Further, Listeners need to guard against “DJ Attachment” take a case where, for instance a DJ leaves a slot and another DJ moves in on the slot, where the show itself was about entertainment, music and fun (that being the DNA). The “new” DJ then makes the grave mistake of not revamping the show altogether but rather takes one variable out (or adding a new one for that matter) of the DNA (i.e. He removes the fun part of the DNA), now the listener will unconsciously start comparing the previous DJ to the current one on the show because they no longer feel the “fun” element coming through.
A good example of the “DJ Attachment” syndrome without noticing that the show's DNA has changed would be the [Up]5 show with Elana Afrika on 5 FM.
DJ's need to learn to evolve and move with the times, thereafter INNUENDO, the BizCommunity and I will never find ourselves discussing a matter of this sort
