Could the society’s fabric have crumbled to the point where, in the words of the Houston Chronicle’s David Barron, “after years of producing Jim Rome wannabes, a lot of Houston talk shows have hosts doing Colin Cowherd schtick, particularly his timing and vocal cadence” (“just try listening to Houston sports radio between, say, 10 and 11 a.m. It™s like hearing three Cowherds instead of one”).  While most readers of this blog would consider such a development tantamount to a young actor attempting to channel Rob Schneider, ESPN Radio’s Cowherd prefers a far more flattering analogy.

œI get a lot of that, Cowherd said. œIt goes in waves, like with comedians. Mike Myers is the funniest guy. Ben Stiller is the funniest guy. Will Ferrell. Jim Carrey. Broadcasting styles change, too. Eight years ago it was Romey, and maybe, to some degree, young guys now think this style is different.

However, Cowherd, like Rome, believes the key to radio success is preparation, not elocution. Like Rome, he prepares at least one hour for each of the three hours he™s on the air each day.

œThe guys in this business are masons. You lay the bricks every day. I see guys who think they™re hot, and in three minutes I can tell if they were in the studio three hours earlier (preparing). I don™t care about voices. I have a lousy voice. This is an unglamorous business, of everyday preparation, of outworking other guys.

As for his aural influence on other hosts, he said, œIt™s hard not to be influenced. Isn™t every singer influenced? The Beatles were influenced by people. If I can be an influence, great, but I can™t get caught up in it.