I think true fun and exciting radio goes back to the late 60’s and 70’s with the boss jock format and all the fantastic original promotions.
It was the wild west of radio programing. Just watch WKRP re-runs.
Turkey drops from the sky, money drops from skyscrapers, wet bikini contests, treasure hunts,….it’s all gone now.
Each decade has become more liability conscious, cheap, watered down, and boring.
“be the 10th caller to qualify to win….”
In the olden days if you were the 10th caller…you win.