Actually, morning shows used to be heavie with talk radio shows, dramas, and advertisment. Radio was before television - so that was how many in the 30's and 40's, before TV became popular, got their information. Dramas, comedies, and serials were around way before TV.
After which when TV came about full force - Bob Hope who invested many a day on early radio (NBC) crossed over from His radio time slot to TV (NBC) and bounced to what we know now as that colorful peacock.
It seems that during the 50's many small franchises that owned radio station started to compromise popularity for Mafia payola. This marked an era of the FCC making moves to sanatize the air waves. Shadey record companies (mob run) would pay heavy tariffs to get a major artist played over and over again to boost record sells (singles).
It was during the 1960's that black radio would pave the way for consciencious discussion about the black culture and music. Which was originally made popular by radio stations - such the likes as WWRL out of New York (founded in 1926). Let us not forget one of the great voices on the air waves "The Chief Rocker" Frankie Crocker.
It's now become symptomatic - the repetitive music play (garbage), the nyhilistic attitude towards life, and the misogynistic message in the songs.
Listening to radio shows of old (Dick Tracy, Little Orphan Annie, The Shadow, etc) marked a tradition of American idealism that has long faded away. It's the new regime in America that has a plan to bring back Americas Old fashion Apple Pie values.
There is no sentiment toward the contamination of radio airwaves by Corporate mavericks (the New Mob) who by any means necessary strong armed natives by forcing the attitude of popular culture down the throats of greedy consumers. It's not about Apple pie any more - it's more about Apple Bottom - things have changed and it may not be for the better. Corporate America created shock radio (Example Howard Stern, Imus) and it's negative hype - to stir the appetites of an addicted society (strung out on violence, weed, alcohol, cocain, crack, and porn) .
Now for those of us who love Hip Hop - It's a shame that the black community that created it neither owns it or controls it. This latest generation hardly remembers where it came from. The majority of stations that play Hip Hop or Rap aren't even black owned. In addition, many wealthy black entrepeneurs don't support other black owned businesses, music, or the culture. Most of the dollars spent by African Americans are spent outside of the black community.
As talk radio returns to it's place, as Corporate America strides towards their embrace inclusiveness and diversity, it is understandable that most of the popular fads of the 60's to the 2001 will either fade away or be cut out all together. In the end, it's an all inclusive means to force out negative content. The Finanacial backers and the sponsors won't endorse racism or sexism due to new corporate policies that have been getting public and political support since the mid 90's. Companies who's investors span from homosexual, to black, from female, to muslim, and then to Hindi. These companies have a code of corporate and political ethics that stretch out across the continent into places like India, Russia, and Africa.
Lastly, 9/11 has changed us, society, and the world mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. If we are to remain a great nation it may be wise to resurrect some very old ideas. ~ The American Dream (or the Illusion).