1.12.2006
New show offers gay 'Twist' to mainstream radio
By BO SHELL
Friday, January 06, 2006
"Twist," a new nationally syndicated, gay commercial radio show, is set to launch Jan. 14-15 on seven radio stations around the country, including WWWQ, Q100 in Atlanta.
Melissa Carter, a lesbian on-air personality on Q100's "Bert Show," will co-host "Twist."
"Even though gays and lesbians are in a lot of places, "Twist" is still unique to be the first of its kind in broadcast radio," Carter said. "The concept of the show has been enough for [stations] to understand the importance."
The weekly two-hour music countdown and talk show is also slated for debuts on WPLJ in New York, Star 98.7 in Los Angeles, Alice 97.3 in San Francisco, Kiss 106.1 in Seattle, Mix 96.5 in Houston and Hot 99.5 in Washington, D.C., according to Matt Farber, president of Wilderness Media & Entertainment.
The new program will be available to internet audiences on AOL Radio, said Farber, who also founded Logo, the all-gay basic cable television channel backed by MTV.
Farber said after he left the "day to day of running Logo" in late 2004, he began concentrating on creating "Twist" and other brands that would diversify Wilderness Media's portfolio.
"Broadcast allows greater reach than print or local events," Farber said. "What's exciting is that Logo launched in 18 million households and continues to grow. Twist will debut in 50 million homes."
Farber said he is working to bring "Twist" to broadcast outlets in San Diego, Portland and Boston, adding that stations around the country are recognizing the need for gay and lesbian radio programming.
"What's great is a lot of program directors at local radio stations recognize "Twist" as something they don’t have," he said. "Twist" could be something that solidifies their connection with an important part of their audience...I'm thrilled with response so far."
"Twist" begins airing Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. on Q100, according to Thomas Crone, music coordinator for the Atlanta station.
"We're very open and aware of diversity and stressing the importance of understanding differences," Crone said. "We picked it up because upon review it seemed like quality programming with compelling content...There's a whole market there that's not being recognized in radio and Q100 is aware of this and is embracing it."
Jeff Wyatt, programming director at Hot 99.5 in Washington, D.C., said the program serves the station's audience well. The show will air Sundays from 10 p.m. to midnight.
"Top 40 radio provides the energetic soundtrack to many lifestyles, not least of which is the gay community," Wyatt said. "We look to serve our community at large in every way we possibly can. Both musically and pop culture information wise, "Twist" is a great addition to our line."
Buddy Scott, programming director at Houston's Mix 96.5 where "Twist" will air on Saturdays from 10 p.m. to midnight, said a program like this is long overdue.
"We believe that the gay and lesbian community in Houston is a big part of our listening audience and we believe would have taken a show like this a long time ago if it has been available," he said.
Music and talk
Gay hosts Carter, Dennis Hensley and Will Wikle will co-anchor the program's music-and-talk format, which features songs, celebrity interviews, entertainment reports and advice from relationship and lifestyle experts.
Carter, who will head the weekly news and gay history segments, said she looks forward to highlighting Atlanta as a progressive, gay-friendly city that many view as old fashioned.
"I'm very excited and so proud to be who I am on the 'Bert Show,' and 'Twist' will reach the people we don't think about," Carter said. "I think about the [teenagers] who listen to the show, as well as the adults, but the more opportunities for young gays and lesbians to see adults living productive, fulfilling lives, the more gay communities come together."
Wikle, the show's New York anchor, gained notoriety through his appearance on CBS's "Big Brother 5." He now hosts "Round Trip Ticket," a travel program on Logo.
Hensley, "Twist's" Los Angeles-based celebrity aficionado, writes about celebrities and Hollywood for periodicals including TV Guide, Maxim, Out magazine and the Advocate. In 2002, he penned "Screening Party," a book that compiles conversations between himself and his friends about famous films. Most recently, the Lambda Book Award nominee appeared on "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" as one of the comedian's "main gays."
Above all, Hensley said he hopes "Twist" is entertaining and interactive.
"I hope that people really get into it and make the show a really interactive thing rather than just three disembodied voices in different cities trying to be amusing," Hensley said. "I hope people think of it as their show."
"Twist" joins other gay non-commercial, internet radio and satellite programs already on the air, including San Francisco's local weekly "Out in the Bay," the Los-Angeles based syndicated lesbian and gay radio magazine "This Way Out," the Bear Radio Network internet webcast, and the New York-based East Village internet radio webcast.
Satellite radio service Sirius offers "OutQ," a 24-hour gay radio channel.
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