A tale of April Fool's at AM 1470 WWNN didn't go over well with morning drive hosts Steve Kane and Brian Craig of the "Steve Kane Show" in south Florida. From the radio waves to the telephone lines, an April Fool's prank played by fellow host Bill Lewis of the "Credit Restoration Consultants Hour" didn't sit well with Steve and Brian. In a joke that spanned almost a week, it was only on April 2nd that fellow hosts and listeners alike learned that Bill Lewis had not left the station and his long standing show on financial issues.
Although not a holiday in its own right, April Fool's Day or All Fools Day as it is called in several countries, is celebrated on April 1st. It is a day that is marked by the commission of hoxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on family, friends, co-workers, enemies and neighbors. The aim of April Fool's is to embarrass the weak and gullible. In light of the April 1st date itself, certain pranks require intense planning and cooperation of others to remain credible.
As the longtime host of the "Credit Restoration Consultants Hour" on AM 1470 WWNN in south Florida, Bill Lewis has provided self-help tips and advice regarding credit repair, finances, and related topics for over five years. On occasion, Bill has hosted politicians such as Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Charlie Crist, Alex Sink, and Bill McCollum in addition to local politicians seeking election or retention in office. Throughout the years, Bill's show has strayed from the original concept of providing financial awareness to his listeners.
In a scheme that involved station management, Bill Lewis sought to strengthen his listener base and to consolidate the topics hosted. If Bill's show was to evolve, the name had to be changed. Gone was the name "Credit Restoration Consultants Hour." Born was "The Credit Report" with Bill Lewis, a daily forum for business and financial news, politics, economic trends and cutting edge issues. In contemplation of said change, Bill Lewis announced to his listeners a week in advance that the "Credit Restoration Consultants Hour" was voluntarily coming off the air on Tuesday, March 31st and that an unknown host was replacing him. Lending credibility to the prank was a detailed on-air conversation with station manager Bob Morency on his "last day" in which Bill ridiculed Beasley Broadcasting and AM 1470 WWNN in general.
On April 1st, Bill Lewis was replaced by Liberal Barry and Nat Trayger of "Middle Ground" - a weekend show on AM 1470 WWNN that is considered polar opposite to the "Steve Kane Show." In fact, show hosts Barry Murray and Nat Trayger spend their entire existence dissecting the ramblings of Steve and Brian. What a way to pay tribute to the existing hosts of the Steve Kane Show! What a day for Steve and Brian thinking arch-rivals Liberal Barry and Nat Trayger had replaced Bill Lewis immediately following their show each and every morning. It would be a full 24 hours before the cat was out of the bag.
In an April Fool's joke that had everyone wondering why Bill was leaving the air, "The Credit Report" with Bill Lewis was born on April 2nd. Gone was the company name that no longer represented the true nature and intent of the show. Gone were the personal viewpoints that adversely impacted Bill's credit restoration business. Although disclaimers touted that the "personal viewpoints of the host, guests, and callers were not those of the station management" it may never be known how many listeners were turned off by Bill Lewis and his rude, arrogant, annoying and obnoxious viewpoints.
Have you grown tired of the "Credit Restoration Consultants Hour?" You can now tune into "The Credit Report" with Bill Lewis weekdays at 9am and 9pm on AM 1470 WWNN in south Florida. As a daily forum for business and financial news, politics, economic trends, and cutting edge issues, your opinion matters. Talk lines are open at (888) 565-1470 and for those outside the local area, you can listen live at www.WWNNRadio.com.
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