Expect the drama. Expect uncomfortable conversations.
And expect the in-your-face discussions about the inner struggles that weaken the entire community.
Take for example, the clash of the younger and older generations and the resulting lack of young leadership.
“I’m not sure in our community that we’ve made the jump to recognize there is no more affirmative action,” Maze states. “And we have a lot of people in our community who think they should get [something] because they’re black, particularly in the older-skewed generation. The younger demographic is used to the fact that all the programming and set-asides have been given away, so all we’re asking for is only a fair opportunity to compete.”
On this point, Monique agrees.
“Nobody is willing to take on the training of the next generation of leadership and really train and teach how they would like for it to be done mixed in with our newfangled way of doing things and gets that cohesive unit going together,” Monique states. “I don’t see that.”
Not that Maze and Monique agree on much of anything else. Take, for example, the debate that ensued about whether a man should be expected to purchase a woman’s outfit if he invites her to a black-tie affair. Maze says hell-to-the-no. Monique says that a gown and shoes are expected. The two colleagues have known each other for years in business circles,”Maze refused to pay me for my work!” Monique jokes, and WVON management knew they would have the on-air chemistry to make a hit show.
At this moment, the phone lines go crazy, and Maze is all ears. “Let ‘em through,” he tells his producer, Lisa E., who motions to the fellas in the control room. “I don’t want them waiting. Let’s get to them all.”
The callers are just as divided on the subject, with Team Monique and Team Maze in full effect. Enter the social media butterfly, Tenille Brooks, who keeps the debate going on Twitter and Facebook simultaneously. Brooks reads choice comments that listeners post to the Talk it Out Facebook page.
This is audience interaction at its finest, with radio, call-in, Facebook, and Twitter.
Even so, “Talk it Out with Maze and Monique” is a show that must be heard to be believed — so don’t miss it.
Talk it Out with Maze and Monique airs on Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. For a full list of WVON programming, visit www.wvon.com.
