Tell Me A Story

When the late Don Hewitt, creator and long-time executive producer of "60 Minutes," was asked about his philosophy of TV news, his answer was simple:

"Tell me a story."

Hewitt's approach was very successful with 15 minutes of airtime per subject, but not everybody gets that much time. For example, to enforce brevity of reports as the CBS news radio outlet in Boston adopted the format, the manager physically removed all tape cartridges longer than 70 seconds. They were talking about the news at length, but God (or at least upper management) forbid, not depth.

In music radio, everybody used to talk over the start of records. Stations that play hit singles still do. Stations that fear talk as a turn-off don't... They let you talk before nusic starts, or after it ends, but even though the opportunity exists so much of what you MUST say is predetermined that you're out of breath and time long before you run out of ideas or speak a word of your own.

So what about storytelling?

Fortunately, storytelling is still alive on air... NPR's StoryCorps segments, PRI's "This American Life," and if master storyteller and former New York/Boston radio personality Dick Summer's plan is realized, soon online with an Internet streaming station consisting of real people's real stories. We'll watch for the debut.

Meanwhile, he's having fun and telling bedtime stories as he tucks you in with his "Good Night" podcast...

Dick Summer's site has links to his podcast & blog.