Roger Weber
Roger Weber will "flex different creative muscles."
TV reporter Roger Weber, who retired in June 2015 from WDIV after 37 years, is the host and writer of a new weekly podcast series for the station titled "Mismatch," which explores stories about the "incompatible, the unsuitable, and the out-of-step."
"Podcasts flex different creative muscles for broadcasters and I'm thoroughly enjoying the freedom and intimacy of taking an old art form and bringing it to new technology," says Weber in a press release. "Our stories are compelling, comical and, at times, inspiring."
The series, which includes eight shows, will also be produced and edited by Zak Rosen, a Detroit-based audio producer who has worked with NPR, the BBC, Michigan Radio, WDET and with his wife on their podcast, "Pregnant Pause with Zak and Shira."
The new series is part of a project being launched by WDIV's parent company, Graham Media Group. The company plans to create podcast programs at its seven TV stations, with WDIV being the first.
The company describes Weber's program:
“Mismatch” explores things in life that just don’t fit. Square pegs in the round holes of relationships, culture and history. First season listeners will hear about the unlikely romance of an automotive heir and a telephone operator, and how their honeymoon ended in tragedy; President Richard Nixon and Baseball Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson coming together for a Detroit television program; a commercial jingle songwriter who is asked to write about one of the darkest chapters in history; a successful restaurant forced to change its name after people called it offensive; and how a remote island in Lake Superior faces an ecological mismatch.
The first two episodes were released Thursday, and the remaining six will be available on a weekly basis. The podcasts can be downloaded on mismatchpodcast.com, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and wherever podcasts can be downloaded.
Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz, said in a statement:
“We are excited to launch the first season of Mismatch. We believe that Mismatch will be very well received by podcast listeners. Although we haven’t formally committed to a second season we are extremely hopeful that we’ll be moving in that direction and we’re actively seeking more stories for the Mismatch series.”
