Face for radio
The “Why” of the infamous Cambridge University Radio (then called CUR, now called Cam FM) show “The Bitching Hour” is lost.
At least I’ve lost it.
In that I cannot recall how exactly it came to be.
I do still have a copy of something I wrote for a job application from a long time ago, that states “It was late one summer evening when …” This bucolic introduction dates from 2005, and I’m fairly sure we were on air in 2001 - 2002.
We had the much coveted 11 PM slot (see what we did with the show name there … 🙄) and spent a good hour complaining about PhD life, while dribbling in news and current events along with other “interesting” features. During one episode we managed to seamlessly segue from a playing of Jerry Lee Lewis’ Great Balls of Fire, to a local news report about an arson in a neighbouring village. In another, we forgot to hit the broadcast button. We chatted to each other for the full hour, gabbing into the void.
Despite these, um, setbacks, we somehow managed to build a loyal following, with weekly emails to our show coming from as far afield as the US, Canada, and India (in addition to the actual radio broadcast, we also broadcast on the web). Which, excitingly, meant that some folks were listening because they wanted to and not because of a feeling of having to.
We were okay enough that we were ‘renewed’ for a second season, harder the second time around as the University had just gotten rights to broadcast on FM (our first go-around was only AM). That felt like a vote of confidence, or a reminder that the 11 PM slot wasn’t quite as coveted as we thought!
Anyway, why am I dredging this all up I hear you burp?
Because of a qualified ‘face for radio’, I find myself as co-host to a recent podcast adventure at my current employer. Under the Surface launched in early June and is, as my co-host Chris Williams lovingly described it, ‘not a complete failure’.
So, we’re going to do more. In fact, we found time to record a couple at our recent User Group Meeting in Montreal, with many more in various states of planning and execution. So, you’ve that to look forward to over the coming months. You. Are. Welcome.
What’s it all about I hear you gasp?
Computers and drugs.
If you like either of those two things, you won’t be disappointed. If I’m honest, the sweet spot is using computers to find drugs (for synthesis following computer-aided multiparameter optimisation, not purchase. I’m sure there are other podcasts for that).
Opinions and stories from our accomplished guests abound in the stuff we’ve recorded so far. If you work in the drug discovery space, and use computers to find drugs, it might be an enjoyable listen. Tell your friends, have them tell their friends, subscribe, like and all that social jazz. Feel free to send us any suggestions of topics or people to talk to: podcast [at] chemcomp [dot] com
We’d love to hear from you. Honest.
