Over The Edge (radio) - Format

Format

Joyce declares that with OTE, he and his collaborators "create 'direct-reference' collages, manipulating and mixing both found and original sounds to produce a new kind of audio animal. O.T.E. is always concerned with recycling existing cultural elements to some new, unintended effect."

Joyce uses sound collage techniques, weaving many sources together throughout the program to create a "conversational" form of audio presentation. Sources might include recordings of other radio programs (including old time radio shows, commercials, talk shows, or news programs), portions of documentary films, songs and more, all typically -- but not always -- related to a pre-selected theme.

Joyce usually plays a "bed" of unobtrusive background music, and adds reverberation or other special effects to sound sources. He also employs the "Booper" to create electronic and synthesized tones that he incorporates into the show.

O.T.E.'s theme music is the track "12 O'Clock (in two parts)" from Heaven and Hell (1975), by Vangelis. Most of the time, this song begins each show, though in some cases other sounds may play over it, and the song may be slowed down or sped up, depending on the shows theme. At about two thirds of the way through the song during a natural pause in the music, the song stops and Joyce plays a teaser, which indicates a topic or theme he'll explore for the episode.

Following the theme music, Joyce will usually announce the theme of the show, and when appropriate, say a few words that relate to previous or upcoming events. Usually at the top of the hour Joyce will perform a Legal identification for KPFA, and near the end of the show will make a similar closing announcement. At the very end of each episode Joyce plays a recording of a woman's voice reading a statement attributed to photographer Man Ray: "To create is divine. To reproduce is human."

Throughout most shows, regardless of content, Joyce will play spots that identify the show as being part of the Universal Media Netweb. This is part of an on-going plot that connects the majority of Over The Edge broadcasts.

Occasionally, Over The Edge will subvert or toy with established OTE formats when it suits the theme of the show. Joyce (or others) will feign personas or characters, and will sometimes even skip the theme music and other show conventions, to better create the feel and sound of another kind of show. There have even been cases where fans have become quite confused, which is ironic given that the collage nature of the show tends to confuse the average radio listener.