Our host offers a simple take on what we'll do every day
Posted at 7:00 AM on February 7, 2012
by Kerri Miller
(15 Comments)
Filed under: Behind the scenes
Think of the basic tenets of journalism -- who, what, when, where and why.
The "who" and "when" are the easy ones. I'll be hosting, Tom Weber will be newscasting, reporting and interviewing. Steph Curtis will be our queen of social media.
The "when" -- 9 to noon.
And the "where" -- as always MPR News, on-air, online, on mobile phones and on social media channels.
The "what" and "why" are most interesting because we're not simply adding an hour to Midmorning. You'll hear more reporting on developing stories, more context on the issues of the day, more perspective and critical thinking on big ideas. Most important, there'll be more ways for you to get into our discussions. I hope you'll join us.
In fact, if you'd like to talk to me and Tom about the new show, toggle over to live.mprnews.org at 11 a.m. today and give us some ideas.
-Keri Miller, host
Comments (15)
I very much agree with more focus on science and the environment and health, and regarding the rest of the topics have a local focus. Do people really not have enough outlets for sports reporting? I find that hard to believe. Cut way back on political stuff too. Again, if people aren't keeping up with that in other ways they just aren't paying attention.
I just want to echo other comments about more science and less politics. I very much agree. Please, much less political content, and much more science and history and culture and the arts, etc. And some sports would be fine too. Thank you for all you do! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MPR!
What a great opportunity to start fresh! Personally I want variety. That means science and politics. It means arts and history. It means culture as frequently visualized and turning over rocks to see what has not been explored yet. Most of all, I want hosts who spend time formulating good questions, asking them and then listening to the responses before following up or going to a new topic.
Not more science, we have enough and a whole afternoon on Fridays. Need as much politics as we have had before. And, the sports was just enough too. Where is Gary Eichten when we need him. Not looking forward to more Kerri and Co jumping all over the place. May need to go elsewhere during this time.
This may be a generational thing in that I hope this format doesn't become too fast paced as some of the MPR charisma is its easy pace. Most of the commercial stations are so hyper that I just don't listen.
I would like Midmorning to have a 30-60 second break for a "Thought for the Day" using philisophical, contemplative, religious, etc. sources. Perhaps ranging from Will Rogers to the Dali Lhama.
I remind you and Valerie that I am not a proud sustaining member, I am a GRATEFUL member.grateful for MPR and grateful that I have enough resources to make a small contribution.
I do like my 2011 coffee mug but I find that when I put it on the shelf I make sure that the "I make MPR Happen" side is not visible.I think that this elimiates any idea of teamwork that I have had in the thiry + years I have been a public radio addict in the places I have lived.
Suggestion for next years mug: Same style mug, blue in color, with the words WE make MPR happen." Emphais on WE.
This too may be a generational thing but I have a sense that we as a society are losing the sense of COMMUNITY we once had, particularly during the years of World War 2.
Please let MPR be a leader in restoring the sense of community we once had, where GRATITUDE trumped PrIde. Remember the letter in the center of the word pride is "I."
Charles,
I appreciate your thoughtful post -- and I love the idea for the 'WE make MPR happen' mug. I'm going to pass that along.
That sense of community is also front and center; our audience is constantly in our minds when we're planning shows -- what does the audience both need and want to hear?
To the comment on format: We will not be hyper, but we will be relaxed. There will be a conversational tone, for sure, but our goal is bringing in-depth conversations -- the same that you've heard on MPR all along.
Please keep in touch as we start the show and offer more thoughts!
Tom Weber,
The Daily Circuit
I would echo much of the comment which Charles posted. I do not want to see too many topics discussed. The depth of the reporting is what I love about MPR.
I would love to hear more history. History in all forms, and touching on all other areas: history related to music, science, arts, sports, politics, etc. I agree with the comments on being in-depth and relaxed. Time to explore topics and musical interludes.
Love the shows on books and travel. Things that open our minds and expand our worldview are so important. I would especially like to push for some (or more) Anthropology! Explore the world and other ways of life, both past and present. Help to open listener minds and make us all more informed and better citizens of the world.
I hope MPR doesn't lose what has been best on both Kerri Miller's and Gary Eichten's interview programs - the skillful interviews and active listening with thoughtful responses to public questions. I know you'll still have top notch guests and interesting topics. What I fear is going toward a more casual, bantering format generally, and losing substance in the process. Please don't let that happen! There is no shortage of casual bantering in our day-to-day lives, on line, on network and cable TV, and even on some weekend NPR programing. Please don't let that creep into and take over the local day's programing as well. You're all interesting people I "could see myself having a beer (or other beverage) with," but I listen to MPR not only for its smart and likable hosts, but also for of its high caliber of content and discussion. Please don't lose what makes you special.
Karyn and Charles make excellent points.
I’m a little unclear, but it seems that the Daily Circuit is going to have an extreme emphasis on listener participation. I’ve got to say that one reason I don’t listen to commercial radio is all the nonsensical called-in opinions from other listeners. Frankly, I don’t care about the opinions of other “regular” listeners, and I doubt they care about my opinions. I listen to Midmorning and Midday for facts and “informed opinions” from vetted guests. Callers do ask some important questions, but my guess is the host would eventually get to those questions without the callers. Frankly, I’m already a little annoyed with the amount of time dedicated to caller questions … sounds like it’s going to get worse.
I would like to see more coverage on state and local legislative issues- i.e voters ID, marriage amendment, right to work. I would like to hear from people that are knowledgeable about those issues instead of what is called a balanced view but that is actually giving equal time to correct information and hearsay information.
You would provide a real community service, in my opinion, by exploring music --all kinds-- in depth. In my daily life I don't take the time to stay current (am too old for The Current) on new music... I would love it if on a regular basis you would profile artists and their music process and work.
I hope that you don't abandon the long-form interview in the pursuit of "more topics". One of the best things about Midday was the way that it would devote an entire hour to a subject. There are plenty of places on the radio and on TV where you can find the magazine format - lots of different topics with no more than 20 minutes, if that - given to a subject, but there are very few that will devote an entire hour to a subject. I listen to MPR because I don't have a short attention span and I doubt that I'm alone in that.
I agree with many of the previous comments. My hope is that the depth and focus on interesting topics continues or improves. I personally would appreciate less politics and more probing of other areas and topics, but if an emphasis on politics does remain, I urge more "out of the box" ways of framing the conversation and diversity of the guests that are brought in (race, age, position, etc.) I also really appreciate Kerri's skill at paying attention to what listeners really respond to and are interested in and dedicating more time to those topics - keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing how this new format goes.
Thanks for your comments, everyone. We will definitely be working some music coverage into our show. A single topic/guest will still take up a majority of each hour, so we won't be losing the in-depth nature of Midmorning.
As always, any ideas for show topics and guests are appreciated. Keep them coming!
| February 2012 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | |||
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
The Team
Kerri Miller, Host
Kerri Miller joined MPR News in June 2004 as host of MPR's News' Midmorning and Talking Volumes. Before that she was an award-winning television reporter for KARE 11. She has been a radio and television news reporter since 1981.
Tom Weber
Tom Weber has reported on K12 education and served as a general assignment reporter since joining MPR News in 2008. He was a news anchor and reporter for KWMU in St. Louis for more than five years. His reporting has aired on national radio programs, including "Morning Edition" and "Marketplace."
Stephanie Curtis, Social media host
Stephanie Curtis has produced events, daily news shows, documentaries, conferences and call-ins for MPR News. She also was among the pioneering producers who launched The Current. You can hear her discuss movies every Thursday on The Cube Critics.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock