Not Everyone Laughing At Becka's Parody

KFAB (1110 AM) talk show host Tom Becka is under fire for a parody he created which spoofs the Discover North Omaha campaign.

The parody commercial (which is not on-line) was broadcast "three or four times" over a 10-day span but not more recently than last Friday, Becka said. It was not until Tuesday that the commercial came under intense scrutiny. (Click here to listen to the commercial.)

"I made it to express my frustration with the problems in North Omaha," Becka told listeners Tuesday night. "Now someone is orchestrating a campaign against me, with e-mails and calls to the media.

"I was a little naive about the politics of this at first. They're portraying me as a racist."

When reached after Tuesday's program, Becka declined to reveal who "they" are.

"I'm not ready to release that information today. I have to make a few phone calls to confirm a few things but it could end up being a pretty decent story."

Listeners were told by Becka's on-air executive producer, Kay Kriss, that the people orchestrating the complaints will be meeting with KFAB's general manager this week.

WOWT (Cox Channel 8) featured the dispute as the lead story on Tuesday's 10 p.m. newscast. (Portions of the parody are included in Sheila Brummer's report.)

On his blog, Becka says the purpose of the "spoof ad" was to build a dialogue and pressure to try and solve crimes.

"You can't solve a problem if you put your head in the sand," he writes.

One caller during Tuesday's program said he was a law enforcement officer who supported Becka.

"People need to take back the streets from the thugs," the unidentified caller said. "It's their civic duty - not a radio host's job."