Feldman listened

Listeners provided sincere, pessimistic, funny and satirical reasons why radio host Michael Feldman should broadcast his show from Youngstown.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
MORE THAN THREE WEEKS BEFORE he was scheduled to arrive in Youngstown, and eight days before the Mahoning Valley's congressman was convicted of federal crimes, radio personality Michael Feldman already had his comedy radar set on U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, D-17th.
"All the reasons why you shouldn't defend yourself" is one of the topics Feldman says he'll cover when his "Whad'Ya Know?" show broadcasts live at 11 a.m. Saturday from Edward W. Powers Auditorium.
"Whad'Ya Know" is produced by Wisconsin Public Radio. It's heard on 320 stations nationwide -- including WYSU-FM 88.5 at Youngstown State University -- and has an audience of about 1.4 million people.
If Jimbo is a love-him-or-leave-him kind of guy, the same might be true of Feldman and his dry humor. One of Feldman's talents is to "take what someone says, twist it around, and throw it back at them," he once said.
Feldman, once dubbed "the king of small-talk radio," apparently enjoys a great deal of support in Youngstown.
Giving him a reason
WYSU started a campaign last spring, asking listeners to provide the top three reasons Feldman should bring his show here. Feldman goes on the road about eight times a year, and those shows reflect the community he's visiting.
The station was looking for a way to gain Feldman's attention and generate local interest in his show. "It really did the trick," WYSU development association Catherine Cala said of the crusade.
"We just got a great response, a great variety of answers. Some were very sincere; some simply funny; some pessimistic; and some satirical."
About 60 replies were eventually forwarded to Feldman, she added.
Feldman has been invited to visit many cities, but this was the first time anyone had conducted such a campaign, he said.
Asked what that tells him about Youngstown, "These people are desperate for entertainment," he said when contacted at his studio in Madison, Wis. "But it's very gratifying. I'm looking forward to it. The fun of doing shows on the road is the enthusiasm of the audience."
What else does Feldman know about Youngstown? He's heard of the musical act Youngstown, which boasts one city native in its lineup. "My daughter, Nora -- that's her favorite boy band and she lost the CD. So if they're out there and they could send the CD -- just the CD, she has the jewel case ..." Feldman suggested.
Well-prepared
Feldman won't be fixated on Traficant and pop music. By the time he arrives Friday in Youngstown, he will have read about a month's worth of local newspapers that were mailed to him at his request, Cala said.
Feldman usually interviews a few local people and gets audience members involved in his "Whad'Ya Know?" quiz, which comes with offbeat prizes. Feldman said questions will be of local interest, and he is able sometimes to stump people with his references.
A good quiz show contestant is "someone who's funny but not too funny, not funnier than me," Feldman said.
The guest list includes State Sen. Bob Hagan, Butler Institute of American Art director Lou Zona and restauranteur Richard Alberini.
Hillbilly Idol from Chardon will be the featured band.
Ticket information
WYSU has sold about 1,550 tickets for the broadcast, Cala said. The goal is to sell between 1,800 and 2,000. Tickets are $35 each, or $30 for senior citizens and $15 for students. VIP tickets with orchestra seating and admission to a post-show reception are $100. Proceeds will be shared by WYSU and YSU's College of Fine and Performing Arts.
Local underwriters Zim's Crack Cr & eacute;me and Schwebel's Bakery will be recognized during the broadcast, Cala noted.
shaulis@vindy.com