The Ministry of Truth
    The Ministry of Truth Audio    


The Ministry of Truth was a one-hour talk show that aired Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the spring and summer of 1984.  Hosted by Eric Corley, this brief program on WUSB would be one of the inspirations for Brain Damage and Off The Hook a few years later.

The Ministry of Truth - 1984

  1. Lee Elia, Captain Beefheart promo, the first edition of the show, a crazy day weatherwise, an appeal to listeners who may be experiencing the effects of the storm, a call from Dave Goodman, driving tips, the campaign manager for Lyndon LaRouche will be on the show tonight, questions for Gerald Ford, help from the 619 area code, 718 will be coming to New York soon, calling Gerald Ford, a call from a bathroom, Wavy Gravy, some facts about Lyndon LaRouche, reaction to Jesse Jackson's trip to Syria, a pro-Reagan caller, trying to get an outside line, an interview with LaRouche campaign manager Mel Klenetsky, accusations against Henry Kissinger, response to a pamphlet by the National Lawyers Guild, listener reaction.
  2. Reports of an interesting television program that airs in Baghdad, evidence of Iraqi use of mustard gas in the war with Iran, there's another storm this week, Eric's days in the Explorer Club, Ranger Rick, memories of the Scholastic Book Service, there's a screener this week, judging what should be in libraries, a UFO spotting, Lyndon LaRouche's campaign manager was on last week, the story of Eric's keys falling down a grating, how a mousetrap and a tree were used to get them back, a report of John F. Kennedy working in Penn Station, Eric's theory on why people die, John explains what's been happening to the calls he's been screening, John's theory on life, wondering how older people think, more on the meaning of life, Steve Specht and Lister are spotted in the station, Steve reports on the wind outside, Barbara Bloom's health special will be on next week.
  3. Calling the Libyan embassy in London to get a comment on the ongoing crisis, calling the British embassy in Tripoli, spring has finally arrived, Jeff Schrenzel of the Ministries at Coram is the guest, various drugs that are abused, why alcohol isn't considered a drug by many, how to tell when someone has an alcohol problem, whether raising the drinking age to 19 helped at all, whether or not marijuana can heighten awareness, thoughts on hallucinogenic drugs, questions on whether marijuana is addictive, the death sentence for drug dealers in the Soviet Union, why raising the drinking age won't accomplish much, a caller describes the ineffectiveness of counseling on campus, Jeff gives out phone numbers, advice to college students studying for finals, the show won't be on next week.
  4. A slight delay to the start of the show, weird noises in the headphones, Steve Kreitzer discusses a controversy involving concerts and cameras at the Clash concert last night, Steve outlines the band MDC, an example of the kind of music Steve plays, ideas for the punk community, the perception of violence in the punk scene, Steve takes issue with a zine competing with an existing one, questioning whether or not it's legal to frisk people going into a concert, the level of blame between concert security and The Clash for what transpired, an outside opinion, saying goodbye to Lee, why it's wrong to categorize people based on how they look or what kind of music they listen to, why The Clash charges so much for their shirts and concerts, dress codes, the lack of an all ages club on Long Island, the emphasis on liquor, the apathy on campus, The Clash let everyone backstage after the show, the importance of lyrics, Steve reads some concert dates.
  5. The Soviets aren't coming to the Olympics, Eric goes on an ill-fated whale watch, what it's like on the high seas, mass nausea, how the Olympics have become a political event, Lister and Lee offer commentary, Jesse Jackson's attempt to save the Olympics, violations of international law by the United States, the possibility of a world governing body, Reagan's trip to China, the unfairness of competition in the Olympics, Reagan gave a speech last night on Nicaragua, a witness to Eric's misadventure while whale watching, Eric is facing trouble with the law and was featured in Newsday, putting pressure on the Soviets to attend the Olympics, the advantages to calling in to the station, looking forward to the 1988 Olympics in South Korea, wondering why Mexico isn't as concerned with communism as the United States is, analyzing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, questions about the invasion of Grenada, debating Nicaragua's place in the world.
  6. A clarification of Lee's remarks during the previous show, Poland has joined the boycott of the Olympics, the prevalence of Lotto ticket buyers, why it's a waste of time to buy lottery tickets, how the bureaucracy of New York State benefits, how the lottery can be made more interesting, John Rosenfelder explains how the lottery works, a new motor vehicle surcharge, Cuomo's views on marijuana legalization, predictions of mobile phones, a Palestinian refugee camp is stormed by Israelis, a caller is worried about his job, the positive side of playing the lottery, whether or not you need money to be happy, the significance of the Olympic boycott, the 1980 Olympics weren't broadcast in the United States, Lee threatens the listeners who aren't calling, Eric runs out of things to talk about, Steve Kreitzer shows up, the WUSB meeting is tonight, the legislators are on next week.
  7. Eric almost didn't make it in because of the barriers in the building, the rain is set to continue for a long time, there was an eclipse yesterday, Mary Anne Devine plans to be around for the next eclipse in 2079, a "Dick from Wantagh" call, "used cows wanted," a call to the dead cow people, long distance information now costs money, overseas information is still free, calling London for Oscar's Deli, using various tactics to get calls, other good radio stations in the area, what's wrong with commercial radio, the lack of diversity, how radio is being wasted, a call from Deirdre Jersey who's locked out of the building, critique of Howard Stern on WNBC, the problems with chairs in the studio, the weight of station staffers, the Port Jefferson Arts and Crafts Fair was this past weekend, a drive to get Jerry Dallal back at the station, the people on line behind you at the motor vehicle department, a call from Steve Kreitzer. [slight distortion]
  8. A new microphone for the telephone, Buddy Angelillo and Eric describe the heat situation in the station, plans for the summer, an update on the caller who was worried about his job, Eric's history with jobs, what it was like to be a Good Humor man, the upcoming Olympics and political conventions, Eric's extremely tall grass, bribing potential callers, Eric's days as a limousine driver, family and high school reunions, Steve Kreitzer calls from a wireless phone, WUSB's seventh anniversary is coming up, a call from the editor of the Stony Brook Press, concern over Governor Cuomo, the 21-year-old drinking age bill fails, Deirdre's plans for the summer, "Dick from Wantagh," a call from a future house wrecker, who to blame for the heat on campus.
  9. Eric is caught in traffic before the show, phone calls still cost only a dime from payphones, why kids playing video games are to blame, nobody knows how to make a phone call anymore, a new law will make wearing seat belts mandatory in New York, whether or not this is a good idea, seat belts on buses, Eric was in Lefrak City to challenge a license suspension, Eric's experience with a horrible judge, Eric wasn't here last week, why Eric supports the seat belt law, the legislators will be here next week, Eric's nightmare trying to get money a week ago when traveling to Washington DC, how certain bank machines aren't always available, some of the more dangerous intersections in the area, there have been a lot of thunderstorms this year, thoughts on airbags, how to avoid accidents, products that are safe for septic tanks.
  10. An extremely windy day, Eric won't be in next week, the mayhem in Eric's neighborhood over the 4th, Jesse Jackson's trip to Cuba, Lister appeals for calls, a letter from Lee in New Hampshire, where some WUSB staffers have wound up, a call from Westport, analysis of Connecticut beaches, plans to increase the capacity of the Long Island Expressway, the hotline is ringing, a Chinese version of "Beat It," a warning to call in or else, American Theatre Festival promo, Eric almost causes an accident, why Eric wants to go to Antarctica and Albania, how nothing ever seems to happen in Australia, the right way to travel, Mr. Radio's history, the squeaky chair in the station, the lack of interesting candidates for president, suggestions for people Michael Jackson can free, the motorcycle problem in Port Jefferson Village, Eric may be in next week.
  11. Eric and Geoff discuss "St. Elsewhere," putting Frank on the air from another studio, a quote from the White House press office, highlights from the Democratic convention, the latest from Walter Mondale and Jesse Jackson, a call from musician Adam Klein, the Mets are actually in first place, wondering why pitchers can't hit, the future of Gary Hart, words about the campus food service and the complications a student went through to get a bagel with butter, Eric apparently did the show last week while stuck in his car on the Long Island Expressway, Frank describes the aborted plans to light the WUSB Christmas lights on the transmitter tower, the future of AM stereo, a listener reports that Burger King is flying its flags at half staff because of yesterday's McDonald's massacre, memories of Jack in the Box, computerized dog bathing, headphone problems, Frank describes some features in new cars, tracking cars by satellite, new ideas for technology, artificial organs, a lot of visitors in the studio, the show won't be on next week.
  12. Trying to get a microphone working, Frank describes what it was like to be on the cliffs of Belle Terre watching a weird lightning storm, an historic Penthouse issue containing Miss America pictures, a phone call not intended for air, the legislators' show last week, Eric's Yello t-shirt, some of the noncommercial radio stations in the area, Eric's visit to a commercial radio station in New York City, the lack of content there, automated stations, what WUSB is all about, reverse discrimination in South Africa, a promo for classical music, the future of the Olympics, how the boycott has affected coverage, why South Korea might not be the best choice for the next Olympics, an article that criticizes the Games, the Olympic Committee goes after people using the word "olympic" in the names of their businesses, an appeal for calls, Ronald Reagan gets help from his wife during a press conference, a human touch at the Olympics, professionals in the Olympics, Deirdre calls from a "hostile environment." [warbling at the end]
  13. Rose Imperato, trying to come up with a subject for the show, the aftermath of Mario Cuomo's speech at the Democratic Convention, Geoff makes confetti, the recent happenings in Northport concerning devil worshipping, the actual relationship between heavy metal music and Satanism, the existence of religious cults, a listener has her power go out, the undue attention the story got because of the Satan connection, Eric sends Geoff to find some heavy metal records, analyzing the new Twisted Sister record, reading some of the lyrics, considering the possibility that everything we know is wrong, a call from Northport, first hand knowledge of the cult, how the story has affected Northport, a visit from Dave Goodman, the lack of things for teenagers to do on Long Island, a huge number of fines against teenagers in Port Jefferson, there are 209 candidates for president, the Olympics are underway, an appearance by Deirdre Jersey, some ideas for activities for teens. [end cut off]
  14. [Beginning missing] A Swedish father is fined for spanking his son, New York Telephone sends out greeting cards that play music, reaction to Reagan's comments last weekend about outlawing Russia, Deirdre hears the comments for the first time, why some people don't agree with the seatbelt law, a debate between two listeners, more talk on Shoreham, the importance of taking a driving course, the legislators are in next week, "Curtain Up!" intro, Mark Keller. [Bad distortion throughout]