After nearly four decades of commentary, interviews and storytelling, Bob hangs up his headset. But because he is not yet technically dead, he gets to write his own radio obituary. Like much of his work, it’s a saga, 1400 hours rolled into 80 minutes — some of it kind of dramatic, and some just plain flabbergasting.
© 2024 Bob Garfield
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Title "Some Personal News" in Bully Pulpit archive
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Thanks for everything, Bob. Godspeed on whatever is next.
Thanks, dude. Hoping all's well wichu
Mr. Garfield, thank you for your decades of principled, honest reporting. I am a better person for having listened to and read your work. Take care.
Thank you so much, Dominic. I'm so grateful for your attention
Where is your detailed description of your departure from OTM that you mention? I’d like to list to it. Thanks.
Although I needed no reminder of how important a media voice you'd been to me in general-- OTM was, until you left, one of only two radio programs over the decades I considered a weekly must-listen (Joe Frank's various shows being the other)-- this piece reminded me of some of the specific OTM interviews you conducted that held newsmakers to account and shed light on important stories.
Thanks for your audio work, Bob. It meant a lot to me.
You are very kind. And this note, in turn, means a lot to me.
Yours,
Bob
Loved this trip down memory lane. I first "discovered" you in your Ad Age incarnation. I confess to having been totally geeked when you followed me back on Twitter (@subwayadguy) years ago (2010?). Then it was OTM. Looking forward to whatever comes next. Thanks Bob.
Thanks, CJ. Yes, a lot of incarcerations. This time I hope I come back as Labrador.
Thanks for your attention all these years. A small surprise is coming. Let me know what you think.
Rapt, Robert.
Thanks for everything, Bob, and I look forward to your next incarnation.
Thank you. I'm hoping I come back as a Labrador
I can't hit the "like" button because your voice was my lifeboat/vest on the ship of fools... i'll miss that weekly dose of aural sanity.
Thankfully, i'm still able to read...
Godspeed... we'll see you in print.
See you there. Many thanks, Ron
Here’s what you should do next: teach!
For the moment, I just want to quietly disintegrate
Bob, come visit us in the old country. I’ll keep you company and show you around :)
Thank you!
You're welcome. It was an honor.
Thank you, Bob. I appreciate all your work for all these years. I wish you could continue to speak to us. Your insight and analysis are excellent. The emotional and logical pressure you apply in interviews is exemplary. Your hilarious, acerbic wit is amplified when you speak it. I look forward to reading all you write.
Thank you. And I look forward to keeping the connection alive.
Thanks for this ramble down memory lane. I enjoyed every minute. Good luck forward.
Thank you, John.
Nice touch at the end there, reprising "The Impossible Dream." Not quite the weepy sort of song I would have chosen, but effective (and to each his own). BTW (by the way) I always got about 67% of your humor over the years, which I imagine is better than average, yes? Go thou, Bob, and chill a bit. I look forward to reading your future columns.
Thanks, Mark. Yes, 67% is a good score. At 40% they turn off the radio
I wish you the best, Bob, but this is a loss I will grieve for a very long time. You are a treasure.
Thank you, Betty. Grieve not. You can fill in the void with my books, which I believe sell for 1 cent online.