Signing Off
Thursday afternoon I got a call from a friend who still works for my old radio station KFI to tell me the news that Phil Hendrie is retiring from radio to pursue a full time acting career.
Having worked with Phil for almost three years on his radio show, I know what a grind the show can be and I don’t blame him for wanting to move on. During one of his visits to the show years ago, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening remarked how hard it must have been for us to produce this three hour comedy show, five nights a week. He likened it to writing a three-hour sitcom every night, a total of 15 hours of comedy each and every week. And yeah, he was right, it was a grind. There were weeks where by Friday we felt invigorated by the work and hilarity we came up with, then by the end of the next week we might feel completely spent and miserable, thinking the previous weeks work was total crap and it was time to move on. It was never easy, but it was often times very rewarding. To this day, ideas still pop into my head. New troubles for R.C. Collins to get into. New ways to make Bud Dickman more annoying. Jeff Doubter – more stoned and rocking than ever. I just never fully shook that show from my soul, I guess.
Frankly, if ever there was a right time for Phil to make this move, it’s now. His radio show’s ratings have declined in recent years, while interest from the television world has blossomed. Plus, terrestrial radio is becoming something of a bastardized medium and will continue to be so as satellite radio gains a stronger foothold. And then there’s that grind. Phil’s not getting any younger, so it’s time to follow a path that’s less stressful on the mind and body. Wait, he’s going into TV, what’s he thinking?
Best of luck to Phil. There really wasn’t another show on the radio quite like Phil’s and I doubt there will be one like it again anytime soon. Hey, if TV doesn’t work out for him, he can always go back to burning bugs by the side of the freeway (if you don’t have one of his old “Best Of” CD’s, well, you’re just not going to get the reference).
