[abe]

When people call in to a TV or Radio show talk show, is saying, "Thanks for taking my call" kinda stupid?

It began on Larry King's old radio show. He and some (but not all) shows employ producers/screeners who decide who gets to talk to the host.

There ARE some times when it IS at the host's discretion that a particular call gets on the air.

- The caller tells the screener what they want to talk to host about.
- Screener makes note on computer.
- Host looks at computer monitor for a menu of calls with caller's name, city and subject.
- Host chooses the call and tells caller (s)he is on the air.

Other shows employ no screener (Art Bell).

Still other shows, when you call in (unless you are a prankster) you get on the air no matter what your topic. The host has NOTHING to do with choosing you to be on the air.

It has kinda become a meaningless pleasantry, which is not all that pleasant but is certainly sometimes without real meaning as most callers don't know the difference between getting on because the host chose their call from a menu of several other calls OR because they simply dialed the show and the host simply picked up and said, "hello, you're on the air..."

Is saying, "Thanks for taking my call" a stupid thing to say?

[OldManMac]

Thanks for reading my post. You really, really, need to get a life.

[abe]

Originally Posted by KarlG

Thanks for reading my post. You really, really, need to get a life.

Maybe I'll find one hiding under the bed?

[rickey939]

It's quasi-stupid.®

[abe]

Originally Posted by rickey939

It's quasi-stupid.®

Thanks for replying, rickey939!

[Eriamjh]

Maybe. What's stupider is when people say "Thanks in advance" for something that hasn't happened yet.

Thanks in advance.

[rickey939]

Tia.™

[wdlove]

I see nothing wrong with that. It is always proper to be polite.

[Stradlater]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Maybe. What's stupider is when people say "Thanks in advance" for something that hasn't happened yet.

Thanks in advance.

I would hardly call that "stupider." "Thanks in advance" is an easy way of thanking someone who will be doing something for you and you're not sure when/if you'll see them again and have the chance to thank them—of course, if it's an important favor, this wouldn't likely be used.

"Thanks for taking my call" would be "stupider" in my mind because it's used without thinking, as are many other expressions these days.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by KarlG

Thanks for reading my post. You really, really, need to get a life.

Would you like me to read your post?

[gerardwaysgirl13]

Well, in '04 when my mom volunteered for one of the major presidential canidates (not saying which one here), when she called people to remind them to vote, she had to say,

'Is this the party to whom I am speaking?'

Yes, you read that right. o.O

I think saying 'Thanks for taking my call' is just a common courtesy, albiet one of those stupid little things our society does.

[abe]

Originally Posted by wdlove

I see nothing wrong with that. It is always proper to be polite.

While not commenting on the merit of your statement, I ask you if there is a thing as too much politeness?

And if so, might this be an example of same?

[abe]

Originally Posted by besson3c

Would you like me to read your post?

No, I don't think you should read his post.

[abe]

Originally Posted by rickey939

Tia.™

[turtle777]

-t

[Paco500]

Originally Posted by rickey939

Tia.™

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally Posted by pintamino

Well, in '04 when my mom volunteered for one of the major presidential canidates (not saying which one here), when she called people to remind them to vote, she had to say,

'Is this the party to whom I am speaking?'

Yes, you read that right. o.O

Is your mother a Lily Tomlin fan?

[d4nth3m4n]

it's like you have a competition with yourself to find the most asinine topics for a thread.

congrats, you're winning