Dylan Brogan
Michael Feldman, center right, holds court for one of the final Whad’Ya Know? episodes.
It’s one hour before showtime, and the Monona Terrace Lecture Hall is empty; there’s a tranquil stillness.
“I’ll miss these quiet moments,” says Adam Friedrich, the producer of Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know? “It’s a special time when you can [sense] the camaraderie between the cast and crew. The calm before the show.”
The audience is assembled in the lobby enjoying complimentary coffee and doughnuts. They won’t be observing the live radio quiz show so much as participating in it. A Saturday morning dose of carbs and caffeine will keep them sharp and energetic.
The set for the nationally syndicated Wisconsin Public Radio show resembles a rec room decked out with wacky mementos and retro furniture. A stuffed toy pink flamingo is perched on a speaker next to a standup bass and a grand piano. Among the wires and microphones, an Uncle Sam lawn ornament holds a small American flag.
Further down the stage are more memories. Below the flashing applause sign, a plastic hen and a plush badger share a seat on a toy wooden wagon. “FELDMAN” is spelled across the back in red letters.
“I thought it’d last a couple of years and then I’d move on to something else” says jazz pianist John Thulin, the show’s music director. For 31 years, he’s matched Feldman’s quick wit with a mellow, upbeat attitude that mirrors the “hard-swinging grooves” that have come to define the show. Thulin has only missed one broadcast in that time (the week he got married).
“When you’ve got a job and you’re in it for so long...you don’t appreciate it as much,” Thulin says. “Then when it’s coming to an end, you’re like shit, maybe this was cooler than I thought.”
Thulin spots bassist Jeff Hamann and joins him onstage to do a quick soundcheck. Then Feldman enters and says hello to the crew before retreating to the light booth to review his material, while the audience files in.
“We never have any real idea what he’s about to say,” Friedlich says as he heads to his producer post in the control room. It isn’t long before Feldman takes to his stage living room to warm up the audience before going live.
Described by The Wall Street Journal as “the king of small-talk radio,” the host immediately disposes of the elephant in the room.
“Look at what they gave me...Wisconsin Public Radio,” says Feldman as he holds up a pen. “No hard feelings.”
WPR is ending production of Whad’Ya Know? this summer, which surprised even Feldman when it was announced in March. A mainstay of public radio’s weekend programming for three decades, it’s been a smash hit for the state network and at one point reached 1.5 million listeners each week.
“We found a Wisconsin Public Radio pen in his heart,” says Feldman after pantomiming that he’s been stabbed and then taking on a detective persona. “We’re looking for suspects now.”
With five minutes to airtime, Feldman asks who has traveled farthest to see the show. “Marshfield!” “Mellen!” “La Crosse!” audience members shout. “Oklahoma,” yelps another. “Go Sooners,” replies Feldman.
“South Carolina,” yells a deep-voiced man from the back. “We’re done with that now, sir,” jokes Feldman to the latecomer.
“Sounds like they’re done with you too,” the South Carolina man shouts back, prompting boos from the audience.
Without missing a beat, Feldman takes back control of the crowd with a stinging retort of his own. “Very nice. Did you settle that little flag business you had?” Feldman asks, referring to South Carolina’s recent controversy over the Confederate flag.
If it wasn’t obvious already, the veteran broadcaster reminds the crowd that Whad’Ya Know? is an audience participation show.
“So if it’s a bad show, whose fault is it?” Feldman asks. “Ours,” the crowd obediently replies.
Number of Whad’Ya Know? episodes: 1,173
Remaining shows: 7
Michael Feldman’s favorite guest: Kurt Vonnegut
Number of players who’ve lost the quiz: A few who pissed off the host
Feldman’s fallbacks: A teaching license and a taxi permit
