Can you believe this guy? Listen, I support free speech and all, and he makes some good points, but it was not this DJ's place to ruin the innocence of children everywhere. And it's not like he just casually mentioned it during a broadcast....he drew the kids in, and then broke their hearts.
Fucker.
Two articles here:
Link 1
It’s the Naughty List for DJ
By Sumathi Reddy
Staff Writer
December 2, 2003, 10:19 PM EST
When it comes to politically incorrect jokes, the pot-bellied, white-bearded man who shoots down chimneys bearing gifts appears to be off-limits.
The Babylon radio station WBAB/ 102.3 FM is experiencing a backlash from some listeners after a Monday morning show promoted a big announcement to families for several days, then told children that Santa Claus ...
(stop reading this if you're under 10)
... does not exist.
At 7:20 a.m., John Parise of "Roger and JP in the morning" informed listeners Santa is none other than mom and dad.
The calls started pouring in instantly, including one from Christine Perillo, who had the radio tuned in as she and her two daughters -- ages 8 and 6 -- were eating breakfast. "We were thinking it was some kind of concert geared to kids," said Perillo, 36, of East Northport. "They were getting all excited. I was excited, too."
That is, until she heard JP telling children to search for their gifts at home and explaining the impossibility of one man delivering gifts across the world.
Perillo's daughter, Alexa, 8, turned to her and said, "I knew it was you." Desiree, 6, said "mommy" could buy gifts when they're at school. "Why would you want the kids at the radio to tell them that? It's just cruel," said Perillo.
John Parise did not return a call for comment. WBAB program director John Olsen said the station is holding a news conference today at 11 a.m.
Olsen said he reviews the content of all shows before they air. "We may not agree with everything," he said, "but we support their right to free speech ... even if it may cause some controversy."
Olsen said JP apologized on the air yesterday for urging children to tune in to Monday's program. He said it has not been decided if Parise will be punished.
Link 2
DJ on Santa Flap: I'm Sorry
By Lisa Sshiffman
Staff Writer
December 4, 2003
WBAB talk show host John Parise still doesn't believe in Santa Claus, and he's not sorry for saying so. But he apologized Wednesday for the way he broke the secret to children listening to his morning show Monday.
At a news conference in Mineola Wednesday, Parise defended his stance against the commercialization of Christmas but conceded he used bad judgment in advising parents to have their children join them in tuning in to hear his Monday remarks.
On that show Parise said that instead of Santa it was hard-working parents who buy expensive toys and gadgets for their children in a society that has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. After the show the station received hundreds of phone calls and e-mails from angry parents.
"While we do not share his opinions and are concerned with his method, we support JP," Austin Vali, general manager of Cox Radio Long Island, said at the news conference. "This should not chill discussion on free ideas. For the past 30 years WBAB has been a forum for open discussion."
Austin said Parise had made an error in judgment. "JP is a great guy with a big heart and a lot of opinions," he said. "Folks are concerned who has better sales. Adults have to get up at 3 a.m. to get to the department store sales early instead of being a good neighbor," Parise said Wednesday.
Parise said he had decided to speak out after watching frenzied shoppers at a mall over Thanksgiving. "Is that what Christmas is all about? My message was directed at adults, to get people away from trampling people in stores," he said, referring to a woman shopping at a Florida WalMart who was trampled over a $29 DVD player Sunday.
"My comments were meant to get back to the original spirit of Christmas, giving and sharing with family and friends," Parise said. "I apologize to parents and mothers and fathers who didn't understand my message."
Parise said that to show his heart is in the right place, he was making a $1,000 contribution to The John Theissen Children's Foundation, a charitable organization in which he has been active for the past 10 years.
"I will continue to say that there is no guy in a red suit dropping presents under the tree," Parise said. Asked how he would address children on the existence of Santa, he replied, "Believe in the magic."