Video Killed the Radio Star: Can Radio Resurrect Rocco DiSpirito?

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Rocco DiSpirito, formerly chef at Union Pacific and Rocco's, has replaced Arthur Schwartz as host of "Food Talk" on WOR-AM (710), weekdays at 11 a.m., according to Florence Fabricant in the New York Times. Schwartz, who resigned two months ago, told the New York Post, "He's not very well-educated and I think you have to do more than cook to do that show, but he's well-spoken about cooking and is friendly to listeners... He'll do the show from a chef's point of view, which is different than what I did [so] he'll do a different show than I did, that's all." I have to disagree with Mr. Schwartz, with all due respect, on education: Rocco is one of the few celebrity chefs who holds a BS in Business (from Boston University) as well as having graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. The more interesting question is, having failed on Television, can Rocco make it on Radio? Since he has been guest hosting Food Talk, I would guess that WOR had found a favorable response from listeners. Further, since Rocco is a New Yorker, he should be well able to talk to "his own." Better for him, WOR has already obtained an HD Radio license, which enables the station to penetrate in a 100 mile radius that includes Philadelphia (see map). In short, Rocco is resurrecting himself more humbly, more slowly on Radio than on Television. He remains on the Media track to superchefdom, but he is taking a less meteoric track, sans restaurants. If WOR goes onto satellite radio, then Rocco will be nationwide again.* I don't know what kind of production support he has, but Mr. Schwartz's comments on education may extend to experience -- and filling an hour of airtime, Monday through Friday, week in and week out, will certainly be quite a challenge for Rocco. "I love, love, love the talk show format because I can talk to people unfiltered and unedited," Rocco told the New York Post. "We're going to mix a lot of elements — calls every day, guests twice a week, restaurant reviews on Fridays." Clearly, Rocco has a long-running show and format to draw on. He also has his faithful and much loved sidekick, "Mama" Nicolina, 79, who will appear regularly. And you can start writing in right now: WOR has listed Rocco's new email address: rocco@wor710.com. Previous articles: Rocco DiSpirito: Be Warned by Me! Claude Troisgros: Riding de Rocco DiSpirito Star Rocco: Trapped in Reality TV's Twilight Zone? Rocco Barred from Reality TV Restaurant Claude Troisgros: Riding de Rocco DiSpirito Star