Some time ago I offered a rather scathing (and somewhat meandering) first impression of the Drex experiment (you can read it here
http://www.radiowest.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28741&start=15#p12849036).
In the immediate days after my post I felt kind of bad characterizing Drex as an "ill-informed immature ... talk-jock seemingly from a small-market station ... who has drunk way too much coffee and/or swallowed way too many Percocets before driving into the station's parking lot."
I was hoping an improvement in his show would allow me to offer an apology for this critique ... but that ain't happened yet.
Basically, the man is a bully.
The show has yet to cultivate a field of recurring and interesting guests and "experts." In that void, we instead hear clips from YouTube and newscasts (mostly Global), tagged occasionally with phoners with reporters.
And the belief that if you talk faster and louder and sound really obnoxious means you're really good or important or intelligent still seems to drive the show.
I have heard numerous variations of his "JESUS CHRIST, SHUT UP AND LET ME TALK" stunt. He seems to want to make it his "thing."
A few nights ago he badgered a caller, who initially offered rational and valid points, into answering a simple "Yes" or No" in response to a rather complex question he asked.
When the caller wouldn't comply, Drex cut her off and justified his action by expressing his frustration with "stupid callers" (a case of blaming the victim).
Uhhhhh ....
The caller wasn't a wacko: she simply didn't want to fall prey to Drex's gotcha game.
Last I knew anything about radio is that Rule No. 1 is "Respect your audience."
As a talk show host, you can beat up on politicians, corporate shills and other forms of authority.
But when you take on and embarrass your own listeners, it sends out a chill to anyone thinking of calling in (or even thinking of continuing to listen).
I could offer lots of advice here, like slow down, become less hostile, and offer your guests a platform, but the root problem is that Drex is under the mistaken impression that he has to be The Only Star Of The Show.
Unless you're a bona fide and unique and credible personality (such as a Jack Webster et al), talk show success comes from an ability to engage guests and callers and make them feel comfortable.
Long gone are the days of Joe Pyne (who would often tell callers to put their dentures in backwards so they could bite their own throats).
This is overnight radio we're talking about, a land of people working or suffering through the darkest of hours.
The last thing they need to hear is a Punch And Judy show, with a host continually smacking the face of everyone nearby (including his own).
End of rant.