Secrets of the City

Listened to him on an off over the years. Now, I wish I would have listened more. He’s clever in ways everyone wished they were.

Don’t think we have to worry too much about him. Talent like his doesn’t sit idle long.

Damn. This new is really discouraging and only adds to the misery I felt earlier in the week after 18 co-workers were axed from WCCO/WLTE/JACK.

Mischke in the middays was probably not the best place for someone of his talent and creativity. But he was a genius for evenings/late night broadcasting. James Fallows wrote a glowing article in the Atlantic about T.D. a few years ago, and he really deserved a larger audience. (Jones Broadcasting was interested in syndicating his show nationally but Mischke had one of his then-periodic bouts of self-doubt so the deal never was completed.)

Too bad I wasn’t able to attend T.D.’s CD release party. I’ll have to search out the album now so I can at least provide a little financial support to one of the best talk show hosts in the country.

This is really sad. A true talent. Really surprising.

Absolutely ridiculous. This really sucks…especially the timing–the day after his CD release show and just before the holidays. Coal to the higher ups at 1500….

See the MinnPost piece for a link to Fallow’s Atlantic piece. His work was as inspired as Mischke’s.

Thanks for linking, Max.

If you need a daily dose of Mischke, or have never heard him and are curious, there are some clips:

Mischke Madness

Don’t you think he’ll have job offers Monday morning? The only one losing out is KSTP. No matter where he goes, he’ll be online.

Mischke is the most interesting person on local radio.

over-rated.

He may be the most talented local radio guy around, but where else does he fit?

The P.A. and Mischke Show?

I can’t see him on the Good Neighbor (Al has late nights locked down and no way do they do Mischke in the day time). KFAN probably would love to have him but (a) I doubt the feeling is mutual and (b) where would they put him?

After the big three what is left?

Actually, just as I finished that thought it hit me:

He should take over the MPR/Current morning show slot . . . perfect fit.

Mischke in the Morning

Sign me up!

over-rated.

Any specific complaint? Or are you just bucking the tide?

I wonder if this was budget-related, ratings-related.. what was the reason was for the firing?

Well thank God we still have Jason Lewis.

Jennifer Vogel’s story on Mischke from The Rake 2005:

http://www.secretsofthecity.com/magazine/reporting/features/old-fashioned-cutting-edge-radio

I wonder what this means for the R.F. Moeller commercials.

Psst. Click on “Tommy Mishcke” in the post for a surprise, Tom.

I’m going to really miss Mischke. I went to the CD release party on Thursday, and it was packed.

I hope he pops up somewhere else.

Way ahead of me, as usual, Max.

The consistent use (by all parties) of the word “fired” rather than “laid off” or “let go” is telling, in so much as it suggests that this was NOT an economic decision, but rather something else.

File this under “more to this story than we’ve been told.”

Tommy, you are a talented magician. One who can take your audience to the ionosphere and back several times during your show. The time slot is fine, I listen to you every day. Your party at O’Gara’s Thursday night was a great time.I am physically sick at the fact that you will not be on the air tomorrow. You’d better get back, ASAP. What can we do to help?

In reading an MSP Mag article about Mischke, Dark Star & The Common Man a couple years back I found a deep appreciation for all three but especially Mischke. It was called radio renegades I think and it played up the fact that these guys don’t play by the rules and that’s what makes their shows fun. Sad, for whatever the reason behind his departure, to see a self-made veteran like Mischke gone. But with Hubbard Broadcasting’s genius moves, what could we have expected?

@justbob: An announcer doesn’t get “laid off” from a radio station, even if it’s economically-related. Given the Hubbard’s unique (for major markets) status of still being privately-owned, they’ve stuck with low-rated programming before, e.g. all of FM107 since its debut a few years ago.

If T.D. had done something on-air to ruffle the feathers of the powers-that-be, we also would have heard about that in addition to his firing. And they wouldn’t have waited until Friday to cut him loose, either, if an infraction had happened earlier.

It will be interesting to hear if Soucheray is on this afternoon. I read via Twitter that Souch, Reusse and Rookie didn’t show up for their sports show Sunday morning. If Hubbard blew out those three, too, then the whole of AM1500 is being blown up; they’d've just killed off their most popular weekday show, too, by releasing Soucheray.

I doubt that very much. (But it’s Hubbard, so you never know.) Until we hear an explanation of some kind, I’m thinking it was some kind of protest.

TD is THE BEST thing on radio. I am very sad to see him go. I would prefer an evening time slot for him. Yet I LOVE the idea to stick him on the NPR morning show, too.
Regardless, i have to believe he WILL show up somewhere because he is the best thing I have EVER heard on radio. (unless smart people don’t sell product? could that be it?)

I think it was a virtual coup that he was able to last as long as he did wedged between such right wing wind bags. He gave me hope that oddballs can succeed in our homogenized world. I think that MPR’s morning show would be a great new home for TD, perhaps something even larger. I’m sure the offers are finding him. Thanks Mischke!

I hope the Tommy is reading these to see how much he is appreciated. He is definitely an acquired taste. He can be incredibly off-beat, but amazingly quick-whited. Unfortunately, I can think of others on KSTP that I would have rather seen moving on to different pastures. But as many have said, Mischke will end up somewhere on the Internet for all of us to enjoy.

Wow… i just heard the news. Tommy in the daytime was good, but in the evening driving home from a loooong day at work… amazing. Interesting idea for the morning slot on the Current. Not sure how that would go over, but it’s an interesting idea. I will miss his show very much.

He made my work days go by fluidly. Everyone in the workplace enjoyed hearing his show and looked forward to it.

Mischke was the most level headed and interesting radio personality I’ve ever gotten into. The AM dials today are basically overdone political feeds.

Mischke, I finally found a reason to enjoy talk radio and now its gone. I surely hope that there will be a return for you. Thank you for giving me some pointers with my band and I hope to hear some sort of update somewhere from you in the future!

really want to know exactly what happened….it’s pretty weird, considering that Steve Konrad was at the release show on Thursday…

I had noticed that Tommy was becoming a little jaded in regards to his show.
He would never express deep personal political views in his early days but his comments about how GW Bush ought to be tried for murder after he leaves the oval office betrayed the fact that his show went from being high spitited and fun loving to a somewhat serious axe grinding session…(serious)Politics and religion do not mix well with a comedy format.
I also noticed a twinge of a “mean spirtied” attitude in some of his material and comments in the last year or so.
I think he needs a break.
I am certain he will excel in what ever he winds up doing but he may be used up for more radio just now.

I can’t overstate how talented and unique Mischke is. KSTP has just divested itself of one of the nation’s greatest personalities. I am done with the station… Mischke could go the podcast route, for pay, and have more money and exposure. Please keep your mind and voice out there Tommy, you are loved!

I often thought he sounded like an eight year old on a sugar high. Sometimes I just had to turn him off, but he had his moments.

Call kstp and yell at them – this is BS and they KNOW it! Whatever their reasons were I promise you they are lame – call and make SURE Mischke can work in the twin city’s market again – BUT u have to call and complain to make sure or he won’t work in this market -

I really can not understand why any station would let this guy go .With out a doubt the most intersting person I have ever heard on air . Able to talk about most anything on any level and have so much fun doing it. Listening to talk radio for 15yrs and this guy is the best hands down no doubt .Would by all previous cds from past shows no problem . He made me laugh alot , way more than any other talk show host ever . Is not that what it is all about . THe crap that is going on now in the states , it is all being beaten to dealth on the air every day , day in and day out and then he is gone .Unreal ,I am still in a tail spin . Tune into his slot , what do get now ? Bush league junk .
Someone needs their head examined .

Needed to say a few more things and thanks to who ever started this web page .The political side of T. D. was hardly ever shown I thought , and when he did say some of that stuff it was a little shocking but thats his show he loves to do that sort of thing ,even if I was pro Bush I would not let those comments make me stop listening to a show that contained all out variety on a daily basis . Are there other shows out there with that type format ? Maybe in the dead of night when 90 % of the population is asleep . If 1500 needed to cut someone cut Bob Davis , my god is there anyone out there that can repeat the same topic day after day like he can . His show is brutal . Any show prep at all done by him must be very little to none . Its pointless railing that goes on for ever , non stop and rude to almost all his callers .What a waist of air space , would rather listen to the girls on cco and that is mind numbing at best . What Mischke did was so cool he would bring his listeners on the air and make some of them part of the show,like the old golf pro the first time I heard him it was tough to understand him then you got to know him through TOM and he was a really neat guy , when he would call in my ears would perk up so I could learn more about his life . Or Sam Hawk I think his name was ? Same thing fun to listen to that call also . It makes you wonder — do the people running am1500 really understand what talk radio is all about , if it wasn’t for garage logic that would be it . They had that whole afternoon wrapped up 12:00 to 5:30 the prime hours of the day — When a station pulls a move like that what else can you think but what a huge loss to everyone . The guy is a money maker when it comes to putting a add on the air even a ten year old could see that . I guess in closing I could go on and on , one thing for sure If anyone thinks this guy is over rated then go back to the same old crap because that is what at least 80% of content is on the air at this time .Long live the master of talk Tom D. Mischke .

I have a question:

Does anyone have the old best of double album? Could you post it to the internet? I can’t find the damn thing anywhere.

KSTP

As a long time fan, I am deeply saddened that KSTP let Tommy Mischke go. I truly hope that he lands a spot somewhere else in our market so I can still listen to his wacky takes on life and the news. Hopefully back late night, where he belongs.

I started listening to KSTP when I first moved up here to MN 16 yrs ago because that was the station that aired Rush Limbaugh. So that is where I first listened to Tommy. I had never heard a radio program as unique as his. His sense of humor and mine are so in tune it is scary. When Rush moved from KSTP I stayed with them only because of Tommy.

Right now, I’m thinking I’ll go back to listening to Rush, and Jason Lewis on 100.3, and KSTP will be just another thing of my past.

We have a “Just Bob?” Accept no substitutes, fellow MNspeakers.

Congratulations KSTP, you just got your station removed from all of my radios pre programed buttons. The ONLY reason I ever listened is now gone, Therefore, so am I.

THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS, B AS IN B AND S AS IN S…

Thanks Mischke , thanks for giving me something to look forward to . Thanks for making me laugh everyday and helping me to deal with the crazy traffic as I drove around making delieveries every day . Thanks for a fast pace show with topics changing throughout the show . It sure will be tough out there without you . KSTP , what can you say to a radio station that is for some odd reason lost touch with thier listeners . Listened to Soohann [ ? ] on the speeling there ,everyone knows who I am talking about today in the old T. D. slot . I liked that guy when he would talk with Mischke same as speed and Johnny Height , but lisening to them without T. D. is no good. It’s weak and stale really tough to listen to what a shame .Together so good , take out the man with a plan and whats left ? Dribble , dribble and more dribble .Why do really good things never last. Finding Tommy on the radio was like finding a huge golden nugget out on a hike which of course you usually find the same old stuff when your on a walk about .Thats what its like on the radio , same old stuff .
Tommy is pure gold .

I used to deliver legal papers at night in college and one night tuned into Mischke purely by chance. I have listened to him ever since. Absolutely nothing like his show. Totally original and fun and interesting and now sorely missed. Hope to hear you around soon Tommy. Stay Well.

I will miss you also, Tom -your quick wit and made-up songs about topics of the day. Hilarity reigned – I laughed out loud so much. The noon hour was something to look forward to. Good luck with your next endeavor.

Whe did they ever put in him in the noon slot. He was way better at night. A perfect way to wind down the day. Good luck TD. You certainly have a fan base that misses you.

http://twitter.com/joeolson14
http://twitter.com/augeobenefits

I now live in Oregon…moved here 12 years ago. I live in the middle of nowhere. I have always missed Tommy/ Joe and Pat, etc. I listen when I can because there is nothing here to listen to. All that is written here about Tommy is true. He is extremely unique in radio and will end up somewhere very soon. Reading all the bio stuff, including Wikipedia, I now realize we were contemporaries at St. Thomas. I probably severed him food in the Grill in Magnus Hall.

Best of luck Tommy!

Now that Tommys not at 1500 mabe he can go to a station on the FM side of the dial that people can listen to.

Mischke is funny and talented. I listened in small doses. The problem was his bit just wasn’t good enough to make me want to tune in. I am sure I am not the only one that felt this way.

Anyone know why they fired him? Should’ve never moved him to noon. He was the best thing left on radio..> cant believe they fired him and kept the bear/fish people. No offense.

WE MISS YOU MISHCKE !

Tommy, I’ll miss my daily two hours listening to you.
KSTP is sooo dumb to let you go!
You belong on the radio and I’ll be looking forward to hearing you on another station.

One of the best I have ever heard. The last guy I really liked that even came close to him was Steve Cannon . When Cannon left it was a bummer but really does not come close to loosing Tom Mischke. Why do the people that run talk radio think that everyone out there is just fine with hearing the same old junk done day in and day out year after year after year . I mean really what the blank is going on . Its so easy to figure out that listeners need a break from that crap. Every show out there talks about the bailouts everyday or topics that are done to death year after year . It’s rare to hear anything fresh , if your lucky you will catch something once a week maybe. Well thank god there is still Garage Logic ,that is all that is left and that show can not even come close to what we had with Mischke.
Somebody please understand it is so rare to have a person that can do what Tom Mischke does , someone who can give you break from the depressing events that take place on a daily basis.Lots of people need someone who can get Mischke back in that mid day slot in the Mpls – St. Paul area.I guess maybe I don’t get ,are there more talk radio listeners that just want to hear the boring dribble that you can get on any station than listeners that like something fresh and new , something that makes you laugh and enjoyable to listen to.Really its his gift to everyone , never heard anyone else that really has it . It’s so easy to understand and hear it when he is on the air.Do we hear this gift in other radio personel on the air ? Lets see ummm Jack Rice , how does someone like stay on the air and Mischke does not ? Really I’m sure he is a great guy but he is just like all the rest , tosses out a question and takes calls for the next three hours . It is just painfull thinking about let alone listening to it . No one has the gift that Mischke has NO ONE . Way to go 1500 . What is going to be your next brain dead move for the station ?

I just learned of this news today. I am rather shocked. Reading this all feels a little like an obituary- which gratefully it’s not.

From my comments above you can probably tell I hadn’t (of late) been a regular listener. I recently switched work schedules and re-discovered Mischke in the afternoons and it was a great find.

I first stumbled upon ‘the broadcast’ by accident around 1993 on my way home from work one night. I was puzzled, intrigued and very amused at the same time. From that point on I was hooked and a huge fan of the show. I was about 20 at the time and Mischke immediately became kind of a hero to me. When you think about it that’s kind of strange in this day- I can’t say I would have gone out of my way to meet many people (like I did with Mischke at the state fair one year) or purchased a t-shirt bearing any other talk show host’s name.

One thing about Mischke was that when you met someone else and found out they too were a listener- well it was like a religious zealot finding another believer. SUddenly you realized this person was ‘okay’ and you had a wealth of things in common- least of which was a good sense of humor. There are a few people I can think of in my head that I have filed under the “Mischke listener” folder. One of which is the guy married to my Ex-wife. I still cut him some slack for being a Mischke fan.

Over the last few years ‘life’ got in the way of me being a regular listener. It wasn’t always easy to have that time available everyday and a two-hour bite can be a big commitment. Part of the problem was usually once you started listening it was so addictive you wanted to hear the whole thing. I guess that is what eventually led me away from the show- the temptaion to invest the time in lieu of getting anything else done…

Bottom-line…MIschke was by far the most entertaining radio personality I have ever heard- period. I’ve never heard such creativity, originality and unorthodox behavior on the radio and it really re-kindled my interest in the talk-radio medium and made me see what it could (or should) be.

TD will be deeply missed- even when I wasn’t able to listen regularly I felt guilty about it, but it was comforting to know he was there for others to enjoy.
I hope we can see his presence somewhere else soon.

Thanks, Mischke. You were as close to being any ‘Underdog hero’ I’ve had.

I’ve heard that it may have been a (one too many times) FCC thing, and Hubbard said no more. What a douche. He gets to build his stupid McMansion because the DNR fucked up, but let one of his best on air guys drop an F-bomb, get the axe out.

I’m suprised no one has mentioned Don Vogel. Truly the best ever (R.I.P.) and a huge influence on T.D. Those were the days…

Here’s a Mischke update from James Fallows. At least Tommy’s been in touch with someone:

Mischke CD, video news

I’ve been listening to Souhan off and on now for over a week and was wondering what happened to Mischke. I just learned of his firing and feel like I’ve been kicked in the gut. This is awful. Tommy is truly the most talented, funny and interesting radio personality in this market, if not the country. We are so lucky to have this guy around here. I’ve periodically checked out what other cities have for talk radio and it’s garbage. All formulaic bluster. At least I still have “The Common Man” to listen to.

I’ll really miss Mischke’s bottom of the hour “newscasts” with John Heidt and the recently born “music hour” with Heidt and Souhan.

Hopefully Mischke will be back on the air someplace soon.

What a empty hole in the day . Keep trying to tune in to that noon slot and make it through the two hours but its not possible . Would not like to be Souhan and try to fill those shoes. When the bar is set that high “Good Luck” not really possible .All I know is 1500 let go the best radio guy on the air . If any other station out there has a clue they will pick up Mischke asap .

I guess I just don’t get the whole TD universe. I have tried listening to the guy, but he’s just weird for the sake of being weird.

@ronaldo: Daytime was not the right time for the TD experience. He was best in the evening and nighttime hours, when the cast of real-life characters he attracted could include all those lost and lonely souls one might meet in a Raymond Chandler novel … or on a Firesign Theater album. If you wanted ideology, predictability, or angry-white-male ranting, then TD would not be your tumbler of whisky.

Mischke was an original amidst a vast radio “talent” assembly line of blowhard conservatives, shock jocks, and morning goofballs. I have no reason to listen to or watch KSTP ever again and am appalled that they would have the soullessness to fire the man before the holidays.

I agree that the daytime slot may have not been his place. The evening slot seem to be more in keeping with his sensibility. Surely KSTP could have found another time to throw him in.

I am sure KSTP can fill the slot with another carbon copy, but you will never find another Mischke.

I can understand why some people would not like him.I’ve been driving aroune the cities for over 15years now and tuned into him a year ago I guess ,and after a few times hearing him do those ads and talking with his callers and the interviews he did ,you learn that he is your average everyday guy and so easy to relate to . When he was canned by the clueless people of 1500 I did not realize how burnt out I was on the regular talk radio . It is really tough to listen to most anything else I try to make a point of not listening to his old slot but I do like to tune in for the first 10 min.
laugh at how boring it is now and then change to music or something else . Moeller understands the value of this guy so I sure hope they get him in another station somewhere . The guy is theraputic , I noticed when I was in bad mood driving around sometimes I would be listening to his show and he would make me laugh a few times and that would help alot , and that means alot to me . Thats why I started listening to him ,very few people in radio are able to do that.If there where more it would not be such a bummer but there are not so it sucks going back to the way it was before I started listening to him . 1500 kinda showed its true colors I think . They did not want to go the extra mile to keep him on thier station ,the guy is a loose cannon sort of so they really needed to keep a close I on him and keep him on the right track without hurting his show . Is that possible ?
I think it could have been done ,there is always a way . Not wanting to do that they gave up . They don’t get it —its thier loss for doing so– the guy is one of a kind . I would wager that whoever pulled him off the air never listens to talk radio ,thats what it looks like to me , just another person or persons with more money than they know what to do with doing away with someone they really could care less about because they are so high and mighty . To much money always hurts the things that are good and simple in life .

My 60 yr-old very Catholic mother tunerd me on to hin in 1998 when I moved up here. Then one day he ways gone, apparently moved into mental-health-7 at Regions, a very horrible place, trust me. The night time was the right time for this beautiful nut job. Get back to church Mischke.

Too bad Tommy. Great run.
Keep your pecker up old chap.

Tommy,

My head aches listening to garbage that fills the air without you. Why is everyone so serious and self importatnt? Why is every bit of info broadcasted deemed to be so important that it’s off limits to make fun of, or even light of it? You are a genious at putting the popular world into perspective. I am missing you and I want to know that you will find another way to share your beautiful mind with us.

One of yours.

Well another fine day of the same old stuff on 1500 . Dave Thompson ,probably the best they got to offer but as we all know falling way short of Mischke . Today for the first hour taking calls on that subject that we have all been beaten to death with , responsibilty of the big corp. heads taking that bail out money from the gov. to pay their insane salary that they have been getting from years past. Yes it was in the news today with O’bama passing a law to stop that but why do you you think Dave brought it up for his show ? Easy thats why , no need to think about it just toss out that same old issue and take calls for a hour , anyone off the street damn near can do that same old boring crap I mean really its unreal why someone gets paid to do that . That toppic is so old by now . Thank God Kelly Webb filled in yesterday , the most interesting talk radio I have heard in a long time , normally he is not so hot but a close friend of his was gunned down and he being a preacher understands what the heck is going on out there on the streets with the black on black crime . So in the last two months that is the only show I have listened to in the old 12.00 to 2.00 slot, two very interesting hours with a very stand up host Kelly Web . Other than that the rest was to boring to even think about listening to.If it was not for Soucheray it would be really tough on the talk radio action.
I heard Sam Hawk was on a little bumper ad for the souchy show sounds like he called into Joe’s show one day. I often think about him and the old golf pro that called Mischke almost every day , That Mischke show was so damn good I would pay a monthly fee to listen to him again . It really is mind boggling how any radio station would let him or anyone close to like him go .If I did that to all those Mischke listeners man sleep would not come easy at night .A part of my life is gone because lord knows why ,whatever the reason will not most likely ever be good enough to justify the outcome of that action that has been taken . I remember hating pre season twins because it took Mischke off the air for most of the day , guess I will not have to put up with that at least . Mischke if your out there reading this I know for a fact many , many people really miss you and hope you are well ,It would be a dream come true to hear you again on daytime radio .

I MISS MISCHKE!! At first I thought he must be on vacation…then maybe a new time slot…now I finally confirm he’s gone?? Wow. I will try to continue to listen to GL, but Mischke was a great lead in and I can’t listen to the guy that has taken his slot. Mischke, I loved your show. It often made me laugh out loud when I needed to most. Thanks for keeping it simple and putting a smile on my face. I hope to hear you on the air again soon!

Looks like KSTP needs two people to fill the old Mischke slot now . Kinda hard to figure out how they save money that way. Just goes to show how smart they are over there at good old KSTP .It’s the Dave And Greg show , fannnntastic . Two people to talk about those same old topics that have been thrashed out all over the media the day before . That show is so weak , it looks like whoever sets up the show looks at the news the day before and picks a topic to take calls on , wow thats real creative , nice work there… I have now started listening to the comman man . I guess that will have to do for now. Good job KSTP on driving away your listeners [right smart thinken there]. I really enjoy listening to the Mischke archives ,what a treasure that web page is . Listening to good old Misch on a Sat. night playing on line hold-em is something I really look forward to . The only problem is after doing that for a couple hours you have to stop and it reminds you that he is off the air and that is damn near enough to bring me to tears so its kinda a up and down sorta thing. You do get to hear him make calls into the Don Vogel show before he had show on the radio as the phantom caller which is so damn funny its worth the heart ache . Well all you Mischke fans I wish we could all get together and March on KSTP ,let them know that they are as brain dead as we know they are .