The Mike O'Meara Show: Back in Podcast Form

The name Mike O'Meara is familiar to millions. OK, thousands. Well, if you live in Sacramento, California, Wichita, Kansas or Manassas, Virginia, you have DEFINITELY heard of him. Mike is a radio personality, a somewhat famous radio personality that has been gracing the air waves for a few decades now. Most well known as the second half of the Don and Mike Show for over 20 years, I first was introduced to the duo when I moved to northern Virginia in 2002. I came to love the sarcasm, the no-holds-barred humor, the abuse of stupid callers and the contributions of newsman "Buzz Burbank" and producer Robb Spewack. Not to mention the entire ensemble inside Mike's own head. (He's quite the mimic!) They made the many hours I spent in the car pleasurable...not an easy task when you are talking about DC area traffic. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was also able to follow the show online when I moved to upstate New York where their syndicated program was not available on any local stations.

Sadly, due to the fellas wanting different things in life, the Don and Mike Show ended in spring 2008. The radio station in Washington, which shall go unnamed for reasons to be mentioned later, let Mike, Robb and Buzz set out on their own little adventure. The Mike O'Meara Show was born. I would carve out time to be at the computer so I could stream them live. The humor was still there, but there was a nice-ness that the Don and Mike Show had lacked. Mike brought to the airways a loveable teddy-bear persona that often had been drowned out in the old show. It was the same, but different. AND I LOVED IT. Mike's impersonations, Buzz's news, and Robb's issues were a less-abrasive version of the Don and Mike Show but with all the biting comedy.

Then, after returning from my yearly July trip to the beach, I discovered that tragedy struck again. The radio station that had been home-base for The Mike O'Meara Show underwent a format change and fired Mike, Robb and Buzz after some 20 years and solid ratings. Now a sports-talk station (read: about 12 hours per day talking about why the Redskins suck) another casualty was Oscar Santana of the Big O and Dukes Show. The fans made it known that this was not acceptable. Seemingly without warning, a staple of the DC airwaves was gone and people were stunned. Facebook was a major catalyst in the movement to get Mike and the gang back on the air in some way or another. What started out as a fun competition between Mike and Robb to get to 5000 friends soon became a support system.

With their own money, Mike, Robb, Buzz and Oscar bought equipment and started posting an hour-long podcast on December 7, 2009. The Mike O'Meara Show has risen again. It is broadcast-friendly and has one affiliate, KCJJ, in Iowa. They are currently seeking more advertisers and are also boosted by donations from listeners, with the ultimate goal being a hobby that actually pays the bills. This new version of the show offers many new talents besides Oscar. Frequent guests include "Oscar's girlfriend" and "Internet Radio Tommy" courtesy of a voice synthesizer. But fear not. Old staples of The Mike O'Meara Show-and even the Don and Mike Show remain. Buzz still gives the news and left-wing point of view. Robb is still an "old queen" with a love of classic movies and battles with his better half. Oscar brings a breath of fresh (Bolivian!) air and is the voice of youth and personal grooming. And then there is Mike, still bringing the funny even when life kicks him in the cherries.

Yes, the boys are back and better than ever. If you were a fan before, welcome back. If you haven't heard them yet, check them out at www.mikeomearashow.com.