It’s ironic that on the same day the controversial late night TV talk show “Politically Incorrect” was canceled, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge had earlier confounded the land of the free by declaring the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because the phrase “under God” violates the separation of church and state. Then again, it is perfectly consistent with the flawed logic that one is free to speak about anything, but what they think or believe about an almighty God that anthropomorphically spoke the world into existence.
Bill Maher, the host of Politically Incorrect was visibly upset as he tried to explain (without insulting a TV hierarchy that could blackball his career), that ratings wasn’t why his show was cancelled. Maher, looking like a whipped cur, didn’t respond to his guest’s allegations that his show was cancelled because of his insensitive reference to America’s so called “war on terrorists” being more cowardly than the 9/11 suicide bombers. While it’s nothing to celebrate, it’s comforting to know that consequences for speaking truth is as costly for White talking heads, as they are for opinionated Blacks, who naively believe “Talk is cheap.”

First amendment rights aside, there is absolutely nothing cheap about talk. It never has been. Especially when you’re talking truth or rebutting evil in high places. In other words, when it comes to speaking freely, one would be wise to adhere to the wisdom of the 18th century writer Sam Johnson, who wrote in “Boswell’s Life” (1780): “Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it.” Tavis Smiley certainly will readily attest to that truism, insofar as he was knocked off his lofty perch at BET after speaking too freely… too much. However, taking the commercial media’s muzzle off of the loquacious talk show host was a blessing in disguise for Black America.

By perchance you don’t believe that, you obviously aren’t aware that the hottest and most candid radio talk show in the nation, featuring Smiley, is aired locally on KTSU (90.9 FM), from 7-8 a.m. Monday through Friday. “The Tavis Smiley Show” was launched in January 2002 on National Public Radio (NPR) and has over taken “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” where he went for refuge after being axed by BET. Smiley also has the national syndicated Smiley Report and television deals. He doesn’t take his good fortune for granted, although NPR snapped him up immediately.

It’s not lost on the 37-year-old Smiley (currently the boldest Black voice in America) that all Black talk shows that speaks candidly and openly are on public media, rather than stations that depend on corporate America for advertising revenue, which is the life blood of the broadcast and newspaper industry. Ironically, Houston, once a hotbed of militant talk shows on commercial TV and radio stations has been almost silenced, or whitewashed to propagate political correct viewpoints. KCOH, the only “Black radio station,” since the strange demise of the ultra-militant KYOK radio station—has become a haven for entrepreneurs that target Black consumers.

Although Michael Harris (the host of Person-to-Person, which is Houston’s best radio week day talk show), quickly tells listeners, “We have advertisers to consider,” the fact remains that it’s the only weekly (8-11 a.m. Monday thru Friday) where Blacks can ventilate their frustrations. The station also happens to have community-minded personalities, the likes of Lisa Berry Dockery, who openly supports Quannel X (New Black Panthers) and the Black United Front and Ralph Cooper, who has taken sports talk radio shows to another level. In other words KCOH does as much as it can get away with, but therein lives the problem when it comes to Black America owning and controlling their own lines of communications.

KTSU-FM, it should be noted, is officially part of Texas Southern University’s communication department which is also supported by public donations and sponsorships. KTSU also has local talk shows that are worth tuning into. On Mondays, Jim Bowie, one of the first Black Republicans to come out of the closet, hosts Business Week from 6-6:30a.m. Leonard Moon, who has been a KTSU staple since he was a student, follows with his 6:30-6:55p.m. sports talk show. Tuesdays offers Omnibus from 6-6:14a.m. from TSU’s College of Arts and Science. “It’s All About Money,” with Bill Green and James Boston also airs from 6:30-6:55a.m. on Tuesday mornings.

Maurice Hopes Thompson, somewhat of a politically-correct talk show host, has shows Wednesday from 6-6:30p.m. and Saturday morning from 7:30a.m. The beautiful and talented Detria Ward tells you “What’s Going On,” on Wednesday from 6:30-6:55p.m. Thursday offers Radio Netherlands Documentaries at 6-6:30a.m.; a TSU Student Round Table during the Spring & Fall and Charles Hudson’s “African-American Trivia Quiz” from 6:30-6:55a.m. On Friday “KTSU Speaker Series” is aired from 6-6:55a.m. A busy Saturday offers “Your Health” with Dr. Maxine Hammonds-Smith at 7:30-8a.m. and Thompson is back with his “KTSU Newswatch” from 8-9a.m. and “Houston Talks” from 9 until 10a.m.

Finally, Rev. Lloyd H. Crosby’s “The Christian Community Today” is from 5:30-6p.m. on Sundays. But, KTSU’s real treat is that Frank Torry, who wrote sports for the Houston Informer and owned his own newspaper (Tempo), offers some very interesting Black History vignettes throughout the day. Lest we forget, “Prep Talk,” with King Arthur Prayther, “Big John” Chandler and the Darrell Ardison, is aired from 6-7p.m. every Sunday on KKHT (1070 AM). The “only youth sports talk show in Texas” is sponsored by Fiesta Stores.

Radio One, that purchased The Box (KBXX-97.9 FM) and Majic 102 has Sunday morning talk shows (6-8a.m.) featuring City Councilwoman Ada Edwards and “Sunday Morning Live,” the long running early morning talk show on Majic is hosted by Carmen Watkins, but other than Tom Joyner’s syndicated show the station has toned down considerably. Radio One, owner of the most successful Black-owned radio stations has learned to tread lightly when it comes to militant Black voices.

Conversely, those in the industry are well aware that talk definitely isn’t cheap, because it often cost outspoken Black personalities their jobs. Thus, pioneers like Tony Brown and other Black voices, even on public TV has learned that they must conform if they want to perform.