1987 Christmas Show

Christmas was a special time in Bob's life. Every year he threw aside the vitriol and the challenges to his listeners and just settled in for a friendly, sentimental monologue reminiscing about his childhood, family, and all the Christmases of his past. This is the first of these shows that we have in our archive, always a favorite of his fans.

Happy Holidays from Bob Lassiter Airchecks! We'll be back after the New Year to start posting our clips from 1988 and onward.

DOWNLOAD: 1987 Christmas Show
WFLA, December 24, 1987
1:34:17

Brandon Brain Lady

Lois, AKA The Brandon Brain Lady, is a racist and anti-Semitic old lady who was a favorite caller to Bob's WPLP show (we are desperate for clips!). She made a call to Dick Norman's show, and when Bob pokes fun at her for it she calls in to what's ostensibly an open phones show, to tell him how disgusting he is. It's a lot of fun!


DOWNLOAD: Brandon Brain Lady
WFLA, December 11, 1987
28:54

Gorgeous George

Bob intends this to be a big confrontation with the former wrestler "Gorgeous" George Grant, who is now an evangelical minister preaching the evils of homosexuality. Instead it turns into one of the silliest, most pathetic spectacles in Bob's career. Also included is a humorous segment regarding the early computer game Leather Goddesses of Phobos.


DOWNLOAD: Gorgeous George
WFLA, December 10, 1987
58:10

Jacob and Irma See A Demon

Well that pretty much says it all. On the same day that Tedd Webb's listeners vote Bob "Man of the Year" for 1987, Jacob calls in to report Irma's seeing a demon coming out of the television set the night before; Bob and the callers spend much of this Saturday show speculating about what she really saw, if you follow my meaning. This show begins with what is probably my favorite call: Bernadine, who gives new meaning to the term "befuddled old lady."


DOWNLOAD: Jacob and Irma See A Demon
WFLA, December 5, 1987
1:14:20

The Bible or the Constitution?

Actually, this clip starts with Bob in a juicy conversation with a woman who wrote an unfavorable letter about him to the St. Petersburg Times. The real meat of the show, though, centers on Reagan's endorsement of allowing prayer and the Bible in school, which he says is of greater priority than learning about the Constitution. Bob's question is, which is more important to teach in school: The Bible or the Constitution?


DOWNLOAD: The Bible or the Constitution?
WFLA, December 2, 1987
37:43

Downloading Help

Bob Lassiter Airchecks uses Megauploads to store its files because it's free, fast, and allows good storage for large files. But we do know that it can be a little complicated to download, and have heard your complaints about it. Here's a little guidance, and we hope it helps:

When you first click on the links in our aircheck entries, you'll see a screen that looks like the one below. Pay close attention to the countdown window, circled here in green:


You DO NOT want to click "Premium Download." Instead, wait for the seconds in the countdown window to reach zero. When it does, a "Regular Download" button will appear



This will allow you to download files for free.

We are also aware that the Regular Downloads only allow you to download a certain amount of files before temporarily suspending your access. As such, we'll be trying our best to upload files in smaller increments to spread that out a bit for you.

(NOTE: If you want to pay for a premium account from Megaupload, that will allow you to download as much as you want for as long as you want, and without waiting 45 seconds first. However, we are not asking anyone to do this, and as such recommend the free option.)

Bob vs. Richard Shanks

While Bob is in Iowa for Thanksgiving, his crosstown competition Richard Shanks (center in the above photo) and WFLA colleague Jack Ellery take cheap shots at him. Bob comes back angry and ready for a fight. In one of our best clips, we also hear Richard Shanks' WPLP broadcast, and the ugly vibes being traded back and forth. A classic.


DOWNLOAD: Bob vs. Richard Shanks
WFLA, November 30, 1987
1:41:43

Lionel vs. Jacob

"We are setting up a classic here," says Bob, and truer words were never spoken. It's one of his dreaded Saturday shows, and Lionel calls in to challenge Jacob's primacy as the favorite Lassiter caller. Jacob strikes back, and it just gets better from there. We're also introduced for the first time to Jacob's girlfriend, Irma.


DOWNLOAD: Lionel vs. Jacob
WFLA, November 21, 1987
49:13

Friday with Jacob

There's actually quite a bit more on this Friday show, including discussion of Bob's insistence on buying American cars and his fundraising drive to buy a new studio chair. But it's when Jacob calls in for the last 20 minutes of the show that things really pick up.


DOWNLOAD: Friday with Jacob
WFLA, November 20, 1987
44:26

Jacob Quickie

A very brief clip of a conversation with Jacob.


DOWNLOAD: Jacob Quickie
WFLA, November 19, 1987
0:25

Happy Talk

A serious, angry Bob starts off the show talking about a civil-rights group that wants to censor him, and asks for people to sound off. They don't. Bob just gets madder and insists on clean, happy talk that doesn't offend anyone. Almost in spite of itself, this is a good one.

DOWNLOAD - Happy Talk
WFLA, November 18, 1987
49:20

Pick Your Poison

Callers tackle a list of questions from Bob about possible government expenditures: If you have to choose between this public priority or that, which do you choose? He takes the devil's advocate position with every caller, every question. Also some open phones in the final hour, followed by a few minutes of Bob sitting on Tedd Webb's show.


DOWNLOAD: Pick Your Poison
WFLA, November 17, 1987
26:49

Pat Robertson Supporters & Racists

Apparently that's who Bob asked for at the beginning of this show, because that's the calls he gets. What else is there to say?

DOWNLOAD: Pat Robertson Supporters & Racists
WFLA, November 16, 1987
17:48

Becky's Extramarital Affair

About a third of the way through this open phones show, Bob takes a call from Becky, and before you know it, seemingly the entire population of Tampa Bay has cast itself in a hilarious radio soap opera.


DOWNLOAD: Becky's Extramarital Affair
WFLA, November 5, 1987
1:05:58

William Baker, Historical Revisionist

A strange, combative interview with a fellow who is "an expert in Christian apologetics" and the author of the book pictured above. He has some strange ideas about Jews, Zionism, and the Israeli question in the Middle East. It's our faithful friend Carolyn who pegs Mr. Baker, the guest, as a historical revisionist. Another faithful friend, Tom from Lutz, calls in to exploit a passing mention of Martin Luther King.


DOWNLOAD: William Baker, Historical Revisionist
WFLA, November 4, 1987
22:11

Open Moaning and Groaning

If Bob hadn't named this "Open Moaning and Groaning," we would have had to call it "Social Security." In suggesting possible topics for this open phones show, Bob asks why we shouldn't cut off from Social Security benefits those old people who are perfectly well off without them. If you don't know what happens next, this must be your first Lassiter clip.


DOWNLOAD: Open Moaning and Groaning
WFLA, November 3, 1987
17:31

Record Burning

Bob hosts Kevin, a kid who participated in a local record burning rally sponsored by a local fundamentalist church (the leaders of which refused to discuss the matter on the air). He doesn't last long in this bout (the rest is taken up by callers), but it's long enough to make you really feel sorry for poor railroaded Kevin.


DOWNLOAD: Record Burning
WFLA, November 2, 1987
1:13:37

The Great Rock & Roll Debate

Once again, Rocky manages to inspire masses of violent disagreement from other callers. This time it's got nothing to do with any racial or ethnic controversies: It's the explosive question of who was the greater rock & roll band, The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin?


DOWNLOAD: The Great Rock & Roll Debate
WFLA, October 31, 1987
1:13:53

Marian

There are a couple of other calls on this brief clip, but Marian's rant about these no-good women of today is the most memorable.


DOWNLOAD: Marian
WFLA, October 30, 1987
4:55

We Don't Care

A quick clip of Bob explaining to the audience (and a caller) why his WFLA shows so far have been less monologue- and issue-focused.


DOWNLOAD: We Don't Care
WFLA, October 27, 1987
2:35

Decency Lady

A contrite Bob comes on the air with a new, decent outlook on life and radio, in cooperation with the National Federation for Decency. Decency Lady is there to make sure of it.


DOWNLOAD: Decency Lady
WFLA, October 23, 1987
1:26:36

David Caton Again

You won't hear Mr. Caton in this clip, which is even shorter than the last. Just a bit of Lassiter challenging/taunting him. The climax of this feud is yet to come...


DOWNLOAD: David Caton Again
WFLA, October 22, 1987
0:57

David Caton

A very short clip of Bob's interview with David Caton from National Federation for Decency, who has been antagonizing Bob for months at this point. Brief as it is it gets the point across real quick, and even includes our first Jacob call for good measure.


DOWNLOAD: David Caton
WFLA, October 19, 1987
4:21

Morons and Masochists

The combination of two hate letters (one that Bob reads on the air, the other recited on a station promo) inspires Bob to invite morons and masochists to call in. He gets quite a few, too. (Really, this is open phones.) My favorite is the young kid who calls in to accuse Lassiter of using bad language. (Kid: "Is your show rated R?" Bob: "No, my show is rated highly.")


DOWNLOAD: Morons and Masochists
WFLA, October 14, 1987
16:39

Swinging, Sex, and More Masturbation

This is Robert McGinley, then (and now) the head of a national swingers' association. He's booked on Bob's show for some reason that's never really made clear, and Bob makes his complete disinterest perfectly clear. When it's done, he turns to the subject of sex (via a hilarious distortion of an Ann Landers column), and takes several calls regarding the masturbation show of the day before.


DOWNLOAD: Swinging, Sex, and More Masturbation
WFLA, October 13, 1987
31:53

Masturbation

A caller whom Bob had expected to discuss Desmond Tutu and Jesse Jackson instead fires off an accusation that children in California schools are being taught to masturbate. A disgusted Bob hangs up, then spends the rest of the show discussing masturbation nonetheless. This show caused tides of outrage in the Tampa Bay area.


DOWNLOAD: Masturbation
WFLA, October 12, 1987
39:59

The Lassiter Group

A famous (and infamous) radio encounter between Lionel, Carolyn from New Port Richey, Rocky, and Captain Jack. They argue the issues, call each other names, scream, fight, and in many cases make fools of themselves, leaving Bob (as moderator) to be the calm voice of reason for once. It's one of the cornerstones of any Lassiter airchecks library.


DOWNLOAD: The Lassiter Group
WFLA, October 9, 1987
1:26:03

Would You Marry A Black Man?

A short, heavily edited (and poor sound quality) clip in which Bob asks white callers whether they would ever marry a black person. It brings out the kind of ugliness you'd expect. Also, Lionel calls in to talk about his impending Lassiter Group appearance (and to taunt his opponent, Rocky).


DOWNLOAD: Would You Marry A Black Man?
WFLA, October 7, 1987
11:45

The Lassiter Group - Prelude

Our oldest clip of Lassiter's days at WFLA is this one, in which Bob sets up the future classic known as "The Lassiter Group." He brings on three of the eventual panel members - Rocky, Lionel, and Carolyn from New Port Richey - to make arrangements and do a little pre-arguing. That's just part of this aircheck, though, which is really more of a free-for-all of Bob's favorite subjects, including Reagan-bashing (and a surprising amount about breasts).


DOWNLOAD: The Lassiter Group - Prelude
WFLA, September 30, 1987
1:17:26

A Note from Management

So far, we've posted 61 clips (many of them full shows) from Bob Lassiter's 2-year tenure at WPLP. That's a pretty impressive amount --- but we know there are more out there.

If you taped Bob's shows, please help us keep his voice and words on the air. Contact us at boblassiterairchecks at gmail.com and we'll talk.

Meanwhile, apologies for going as slowly as it has - but please be patient. We will upload all of the shows we have.

Thanks!
Management

The Last WPLP Show

One of the highlights of our collection -- perhaps of any Lassiter collection. A long monologue with a summary of his career thus far, from his early days on St. Thomas up to the night of this show with a special focus on his days at WPLP. Then there's an hour of opening phones with callers wishing Bob well on his new assignment.


DOWNLOAD: The Last WPLP Show
WPLP, August 28, 1987
2:23:29

Expose the Liar

Bob has caught one of his colleagues at the station telling bald-faced lies and asks his audience whether the liar should be exposed. Most of them, however, still want to talk about Bob's imminent departure from the station, and, perhaps, the market.


DOWNLOAD: Expose the Liar
WPLP, August 27, 1987
53:32

Leaving WPLP

After Bob's announced that he's leaving WPLP, all hell breaks loose. Lassiter would later refer to this mad free-for-all as "the original Chat With Bob show."


DOWNLOAD: Leaving WPLP
WPLP, August 26, 1987
52:41

Biblical Quiz

The title pretty much covers it.


DOWNLOAD: Biblical Quiz
WPLP, August 21, 1987
1:28:44

Talk Radio Poll

After lead-in Jack Wheeler criticizes Lassiter for too often doing polls on his show, Lassiter retaliates by...doing a poll. This one is about the Tampa Bay talk show hosts, and which ones are the worst offenders in various aspects of the job. (You'll also hear quite a bit of circa-1987 pop music in the background; It's not Bob providing a soundtrack. The original sender recorded this show over a mix tape.)


DOWNLOAD: Talk Radio Poll
WPLP, August 20, 1987
1:28:44

Never Had It, Never Will

Another quick call from The Petitioner's "friend," Jim.


DOWNLOAD: Never Had It, Never Will
WPLP, August 19, 1987
2:47

South Side Johnny Quickie

A quick one from a very clearly drunk (and incomprehensible) South Side Johnny.


DOWNLOAD: South Side Johnny Quickie
WPLP, August 14, 1987
1:49

Bash Lassiter

This is a frequent topic of Bob's -- he invites listeners to call up and give their best shot at bashing him, which of course his listeners love to do. This one is apparently particularly nasty: reports came later that Bob came home this night after the show to find his wife, Mary, in tears. But Bob himself seems to enjoy this one, for the most part.


DOWNLOAD: Bash Lassiter
WPLP, August 3, 1987
33:51

Rocky's Aftermath

"Have you ever heard me more congenial?" Bob asks at the beginning of this clip. It's an anything-goes Friday night and there's a lot on people's minds --- but one of the most popular topics is Rocky's astonishing outburst from the previous evening.


DOWNLOAD: Rocky's Aftermath
WPLP, July 31, 1987
1:27:04

Rocky Spills the Beans

Rocky, the Rock & Roll Klansman, always makes memorable calls to the Lassiter show; here, he makes one that's not only memorable, it's astonishing. There are some fairly pleasant, harmless calls on this night of open phones, but Rocky's is neither --- and nothing funny in it either.


DOWNLOAD: Rocky Spills the Beans
WPLP, June 30, 1987
1:35:28

Introducing the NFD

The person in this photograph is David Caton, director in 1987 of the National Federation of Decency, Tampa Chapter. On this night they've set their sights on one Bob Lassiter, the beginning of what will be a long battle. Here he takes a full show to begin fighting back.


DOWNLOAD: Introducing the NFD
WPLP, July 23, 1987
2:30:05

The Rocky Manifesto

This phone call is Rocky the Rock & Roll Klansman 101. He calls in and tells you exactly what he stands for.


DOWNLOAD: The Rocky Manifesto
WPLP, July 3, 1987
9:40

Automated Callers

It's open phones night, and the callers are getting a little silly, so Bob pads out the hour with a dose of his ever popular automated callers.


DOWNLOAD: Automated Callers
WPLP, June 26, 1987
13:35

Bob Lassiter vs. Rabbi Jan Bresky, Round II

This is Bob's second on-air debate with his friend and protege, Rabbi Jan Bresky, this time on Bresky's Sunday evening WPLP show "It's Your Faith." It's a contentious, quite bruising debate over whether there's such a thing as a "personal relationship with God." (NOTE: We do not have the first Lassiter vs. Bresky debate. If you have a tape, please e-mail us!)


DOWNLOAD: Bob Lassiter vs. Rabbi Jan Bresky, Round II
WPLP, June 21, 1987
47:40

High Risk Groups

During a discussion about AIDS and what to do about it, an elderly woman calls in and calls for mandatory AIDS testing for "high risk groups." This turns out to include Bob. One of his quicker rises to anger.


DOWNLOAD - High Risk Groups
WPLP, June 10, 1987
4:37

James F. Cumber Jr.

At the start of the show Bob tells us that he finds Mr. Cumber's book "very interesting," which you always know means it's going to be wackadoo. Indeed, his book is a discussion of Cold War strategic solutions and the Biblical frame of reference for them. It won't be a surprise to learn that googling Mr. Cumber's name today turns up commentary by him on birther sites.


DOWNLOAD - James F. Cumber Jr.
WPLP, June 5, 1987
1:35:17

Sheryl Browne

One of Bob's most popular and notorious shows finds him tackling local Channel 10 news anchor Sheryl Browne and her sappy, gag-inducing mediocrity. He uses Sheryl as a surrogate for the entire Tampa Bay media landscape and gets a flood of calls in general agreement; this show actually led to an aborted lawsuit against WPLP by Channel 10.


DOWNLOAD - Sheryl Browne
WPLP, June 2, 1987
2:21:25

The State of Talk Radio

A phone-heavy discussion on the problems of talk radio in the 1980s --- and the problems in Florida and/or Tampa Bay talk radio in particular. It also contains two calls from the man who will shortly become known as The Liar.

DOWNLOAD - The State of Talk Radio
WPLP, May 25, 1987
31:44

USS Stark: Five Questions

Bob follows up on the previous night's discussion, throwing it to the audience to discuss the details: What's our policy in the Middle East? Why are we there? And how will we respond to this or future incidents? The responses are generally thoughtless.

DOWNLOAD - USS Stark: Five Questions
WPLP, May 19, 1987
2:15:24

Requiem for the USS Stark

Over the weekend, the navy frigate USS Stark was attacked by Iraqi jets in the Persian Gulf, killing 37. Iraq claimed it was an accident; Reagan says the men will not have died in vain. A furious Bob takes to the air to call bullshit on Reagan and to outline why America's policy on the Gulf proves that they did indeed die in vain.

DOWNLOAD - Requiem for the USS Stark
WPLP, May 18, 1987
2:24:30