What do you think of AT40 with Ryan Seacrest?

[Scott Lakefield]

Now that AT40 with Ryan Seacrest is a few months old, I thought it a good time to check in with everyone with a poll to see what you think of the "new" show.

[Hervard]

What I don't like is the chart he's using. It would be OK if they'd just get rid of the recurrents the same time R&R does, sort of like the AT20 chart did when it started using a different chart. Without the recurrent rule, songs stay around up to a year after they were released ("In Da Club" comes to mind).
If they'd just install the recurrent rule, the show would be just fine.

[MEF]

Ever since Ryan Seacreat took over American Top 40 (AT40), I have been listening to the show less and less.

I'm not really thrilled with the "no nothing" between songs. I know that has been discussed on previous message boards. IMO, if you are doing a countdown show, you need to introduce the song and say something afterwards.

Also, the pop chart is leaning towards hip-hop, rap, and Brittney. To me, that is a turn off. I guess I'm starting to show my age. AT40 now targets a new generation of younger listeners now. Thats fine, I've been listening to the HOT AC American Top 20 with Casey.

Finally, it seems like AT40 could have also been called "On Air Countdown with Ryan Seacrest." The countdown show sounds like a companion to Ryan's "On Air" TV show. Of course, whould anyone listen to the show if AT40 was called "On Air Countdown with Ryan Seacrest?" Probably not.


BTW, has anyone heard how the TV ratings are for "On Air with Ryan Seacreast?" I've only heard locally, the ratings have been low in the Detroit and Toledo stations.

[nenad]

I tune in from time to time (not as I use to when Casey was on) and here's my opinion:

I think the show in itself is ok. All in all, it's fresh... I don't mind "no nutt..."
The thing I really don't like is the chart they are using.

And no votes, here either, because I haven't really decided yet whether Ryan is good or not as a "leader" of the show.

[Jeffster]

I like Ryan, I just can't stand most of the music that is on the pop charts these days.

[JBXMRN]

I like the show so far, the new version is different from the shows from the past. However, I haven't heard much of the shows lately, not due to a lack of interest, but because I have been unable to listen to the on OZ-FM in recent weeks because of some technical problems with the radio station online. Nonetheless, I think the new show is OK. It does seem that the show is now geared toward a much younger audience. I'm now 31 years old, but I am more of a fan of hip-hop music than I was when I was in my teens. I really love the music that is being played on AT40 now. Like many of you guys, I wish that the would do away with the No-Nuthin segment. I would be nice to have Ryan do the intro and outro of every song. As for the On-Air Countdown name with Ryan Seacrest, I'm not to sure that name would fly. Well anyway, I feel that Ryan is doing OK with AT40.

[Mark Johnson]

My only real gripe with the show is not with Ryan, it is with the made-up chart they are using. IMHO, they should go back to using the regular R & R Pop chart. This way, it kills off recurrent songs that have long outstayed their welcome. I mean, "Suga Suga" is STILL on the chart after how many months? And "Headstrong" and "Here Without You"? Gosh, those two songs have been on the chart since August OF LAST YEAR!!! And another thing, how in the world does "In Da Club" make a miraculous re-entry after being off of the chart for 4-5 months? I looked at the cue sheets for Ryan's first show when I got them and thought I was reading a typo!

[Hervard]

Late last year, when word of AT40 being taken over by Ryan Seacrest began spreading, I heard that the chart was going to be based on listener requests. Is the chart partially figured out by that. It can't be solely on requests, because who the Sam Hill still wants to hear "Suga Suga" or "Here Without You"?

[DougB]

Well now that I finally have a nearby station that carries the show (barely - G105, Raleigh NC), I can put my two cents in on this. Of course Casey's format will always be the classic way to do the show, but it's not the only way. Shadoe's way was very good and I like Ryan's way as well. In fact I like that they are now using a few features that were done during the Shadoe era.
The return of artist interviews is good, there's nothing like hearing it from the horses mouth (usually). I like that they loop the intros again to make the music more continuous and they seem to be doing that without doing anymore looping of verses which I was never a big fan of (at least that I can tell). They even brought back the sneak peak or 'Out of the Box' as they now call it, anything that brings more new music into the show is a plus. As far as only talking over one end of a song, that to is a plus. It adds to the continuity of the music and besides so many of these songs have been around for months so the need to be informed of who it is twice a week is far from necessary.
On the down side, the show needs it's recurrent rule back. AT40 was always at it's best when the chart had the most turnover (yeah back in the '70-'91 period). At least with a recurrent rule you can get back those seven or eight new songs that help make the show fresher. One positive of this new chart is so far every #1 song was the same on that week's MB24/7 chart.
Finally, Seacrest himself. He's OK. His sense of humor is pretty good as is his radio voice. My original concern was everything he had on his plate on radio and TV and so far he seems to be handling all of it rather nicely.
When all is said and done hopefully the main goal is being achieved, that the show is getting listened to more and all those that need to be pleased: listeners and radio bigwigs are happy.
I think that about covers it. Thanks for readin'.

[kry658]

I think Ryan does a decent job with it, but I grew up listening to Casey count 'em down, so it's hard for me to identify with someone who's 1/2 my age.

[Nickycd]

I have three major problems with Ryans version of 1840.

First off I don't like the no nuthin where me dosn't anounce =eather the begining or end of the song. One thing about Casey he also announced every song beggining and end.
second and third go together. you need to start using the R&R or Media base 24/7 charts in thetre intirty. don't skip songs or replace songs . One thing aqbout Casey even after he left AT40 in the 1980's he never skipped a song even the contraversdal ones. I don't care for any countdown that skips songs on a chart for any reason especaly when the replace them with recurrents!

[Scott Lakefield]

The "no-nuttin's" are what gets to me...I find it frustrating, as I relied on AT40 to teach me the titles and artists of the new music, and now it's much harder. I listened to Dees' show of 6/26 recently...the first time I'd listened to him in quite some time...and the show is considerably better than it was. It almost sounds like he's trying to fill the void left by Casey. He back- and front-announced EVERY song and most of the silly comedy bits were gone.

[donmccullen]

Regarding the Mediabase rules at least with that system its like working with Lego's. You can create a survey that is different than the one in R&R.

For me a no recurrent rule is a good ideal for the show. For his target audience yes they want to hear new music but from personal experence they can hang on to a recurrent song for a long time. Look how 50 Cent's "In the Club" was in the Top 40 for over a year. With the recurrent rule it was gone right but when Seacrest took over you saw how popular it still was. That song still gets requests.

This rule also hold back songs that do make the top 40 but not top 30,20,10 materal. CHR is a format for new music but the chart that Ryan uses is for the CHR listener, not for the trades or trade geeks.

If you don't know allready American Top 10 does not use the R&R/Mediabase survey but a custom one for the show.

The No Nuttin Rule. I know that TRL, Fox All Access (formoly Fox Kids/Family Countdown) and Hollywood Hamilton's Weekend Top 30 also do No Nuttin's allthough WT30 does it least has a VO announce the artist going into a record. Plus most of Ryan's audience is computer savy and can get the new chart on Monday.

Rick Dees is still closer to the old school regarding countdows front and back celling the program. Maybe its just the way he reacts to losing the morning drive on KIIS. However I think he should not quit doing WT40. It still is the most cleared CHR countdown in the world.

My only complant is that they use that "Jerky" eight year old girl to make crack calls. I don't think she is a jerk but I call her that because she is playing the Jerky Boy role

[Hervard]

Recurrent rule or not, I still don't see why "My Happy Ending" by Avril Lavigne hasn't charted yet.
I hear that on the July 30 R&R chart, which will be the corresponding chart to AT40's on August 7, the song's at #17. It HAS to make AT40 this coming week, or something must be up.

Yeah, as I said, Allison is a pain in the kabuska (sp?). What was her bit this week, BTW? Was she snotty like she was in the cafeteria thing?

[donmccullen]

ulij20 said:

Recurrent rule or not, I still don't see why "My Happy Ending" by Avril Lavigne hasn't charted yet.
I hear that on the July 30 R&R chart, which will be the corresponding chart to AT40's on August 7, the song's at #17. It HAS to make AT40 this coming week, or something must be up.

Yeah, as I said, Allison is a pain in the kabuska (sp?). What was her bit this week, BTW? Was she snotty like she was in the cafeteria thing?

Man you are getting into conspercys. Look with Mediabase you playing survey legos. You can spin the survey the way you want it.

The AT40 survey is based or so they say on Mediabase monitored stations that carry AT40. Look at American Top 10. They too don't use the "R&R/Mediabase" survey and Premieres' County Music countdowns (Jeff Foxworthy, Ben & Brian) don't use the R&R/Mediabase chart either.

These countdowns were made for the radio listener and the programer who wants to keep certain songs off the air. With this rule it kept the Duff sisters off AT40 with their cover of "Our Lips Are Sealed" which did crack the 40 on the R&R/Mediabase survey, but that song might be play as an extra when they sub for Seacrest next week.