Guys That Love to Talk Fall Silent

Rick Schultze’s eye sparkle as he talks about an electronic voice phenomenon at a slaughterhouse in western Massachusetts.

Bill Robidoux does not share his enthusiasm. “I guess you could say I’m more skeptical,’’ he said.

Their differing views on the paranormal are just one example of how the two men represent a study in contrasts.

They are from different generations, and have different perspectives and backgrounds.

But they share one important trait: They love to talk.

And for 12 years, the two men have hosted a television show called, naturally, .

The show airs live every other week on Channel 11 on Charter and on Channel 34 on Verizon.

But by the end of the year, they won’t be talking to each other anymore – on camera, anyway.

The two have agreed the time has come to end their popular show. The program has become a town staple, known for its humorous and unrehearsed look at the big issues _ and tiny quirks _ of the town and the world.

Their sign-off will be Dec. 21, which also happens to be Schultze’s birthday. That will be their 250^th episode. It will also be their last.

The final show will be a live, two-hour spectacular.

Through the years, their guests have represented the mainstream _ State Rep. George Peterson spent much of his segment discussing his days as a professional fisherman _ and well beyond, including a candidate for president who wanted to abolish the Senate, Congress and the Supreme Court and crown himself king.

That was the goal from the start, when the two men decided the show would be funny at times and serious at others. “We didn’t want to be pigeonholed,’’ Robidoux said.

Through the years, virtually every selectman and candidate in town has dropped by. But the show wasn’t quite “Meet the Press.’’

“We look at politicians as people,’’ Robidoux said.

One of their favorite politician guests was John Carlson, former and current selectman who the men appreciated for his honesty, emotion and willingness to take on tough subjects.

And there was the show when Craig Dauphinais told about how he broke his nose in his baseball-playing days.

But the pair, who light-heartedly compare themselves to such great teams as Simon and Garfunkel and Turner and Hooch, decided the time had come to drop the final curtain.

The decision to end the show was originally made by Schultze. “I thought I was not contributing as much as I should be,’’ he said. “I decided it was better to get out when you’re ahead than when you’re behind.’’

The two men will move on to solo projects.

Schultze, who also is among the hosts of Ask The Geezers, will, not surprisingly, focus more of his energy on the paranormal and attempt to get documentation of paranormal activities.

Robidoux will continue to host AfterNighters, an uncensored midnight show that will discuss, well, pretty adult subjects.

“This ain’t a show for kids,’’ he said, laughing. “But if you’re up at midnight, this is the show for you.’’

The shows must _ and will _ go on. They still do, after all, like to talk.