ARE TALK CLOCKS EVIL? QUESTION FOR DAN O’DAY: My GM thinks a talk clock - that is, specific times during each hour when jocks are allowed to talk - is too restrictive. He seems to think jocks should be allowed to roam in a free and loose manner over the broadcast terrain. He doesn't think we need a talk clock. When I heard this, I felt like my world had been turned upside down. Talk clocks are a basic foundation, right? They're a structure, right? I allow the jocks to be creative, within that structure, right? Am I insane? Is he insane? DAN REPLIES: You're right. A talk clock on a music station simply provides some basic structure. The on-air creativity occurs within the boundaries of the format. It sounds like your GM's heart is in the right place, but jocks do need some structure within which to be creative. See why so many radio professionals refer to this book as "the disc jockey's Bible!" PERSONALITY RADIO