The problem can be that radio on TV, while it might have an interesting sound track, might not be all that exciting to watch. But Dan Patrick, who syndicated radio show will begin simulcasting on DirecTV's 101 Network starting Aug. 3, suggests radio can become made-for-TV.

"The visuals will be different than anybody else because of the way the studio looks," he says. "I didn't want it antiseptic, looking like TV. Nothing shiny. I was only willing to do it if it didn't look like the other (simulcast) shows. There's not much movement with just putting radio shows on TV."

ESPN's TV already simulcasts radio shows from hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, Colin Cowherd and, next month, will do so with Scott Van Pelt.

But their sets don't have working bars, as Patrick says his show will have. His simulcast will come from a set in a retrofitted Connecticut building with couches, beds, a fireplace — "my goal was to make it look like the apartment you have when you got your first job."

If, that is, that first apartment had a sort of working closet. Patrick says the set will have a closet — dubbed "the box" — where staffers will appear to critique shows in progress — "so we can critique ourselves before anybody else can."

Patrick also suggests the show have a sort of MTV Real World-type ambience. DirecTV producers in Los Angeles will decide which shots to use from the various on-set cameras. On-set, says Patrick, "if you want to shower, fine. No makeup artists. It's sort of voyeur TV. There could be some cringe-filled moments." Especially in the shower.

P.S. Having joined NBC's NFL studio, Patrick says he'll "do some stuff" on NBC's 2010 Olympics and "then London as well" for the 2012 Games. He says NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol told him, " 'Whatever you see as a role, let me know and we'll talk.' "