This is one that I really hope I'm wrong.
I wrote a few weeks back that "Gene Burns is all but done" at KGO due to "a myriad of health issues".
Now comes word that he he'll be back on Friday night. For about 15 minutes. That's great news and good for Burns and his loyal listeners and friends and colleagues. Its been a laborious and lengthy battle with GB and although I don't think he's so great, (on the air), I'm happy to hear he's coming back.
But wait.
We've been down this road before. I hope that for Gene's sake that this is not a tease, but a regular return. Keep in mind that Pat Thurston will host the show and word is that Burns may say goodbye and retire. We'll have to wait and see.
It pains me to even remotely try to imagine what Burns has been through the past few months. Personally, I hope his return to the airwaves is permanent, but I have doubts.
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wow that Pat Thurston is the typical dimbulb crybaby on the left. someone calls in and says they don't want to pay for NPR and the whiny thurston says, "what $1.35 per person is too much to pay?" truth is $540 mil/year IS too much to pay for a left-wing POS station. wonder if these lefties would like the US taxpayer to give Fox News Channel $540 mil/year???? No?? that's what i thought.
ReplyDeletebtw, Rich L. you should have a column on who is the most annoying person in bay area radio/TV. i think its neck and neck between thurston and dibley.
ReplyDeleteFor Bay Area listeners who enjoy intelligent debate, historical breadth, all coming from a host who isn't afraid to mention facts that aren't PC, I hope this is just an "update" segment, not a retirement goodbye!
ReplyDeleteGene Burns doesn't carry water for either political party. (He's a Libertarian turned recently Democrat.) He has gravitas and chops, though I don't always agree with him.
I hope that KGO brass has figured out a way to get him into a more walk-friendly living space; and / or considers providing him with an in-home studio ala Dr. Bill and Karel. (Gene has apparently fallen once or twice.) And if these options don't work, how about working part time? Dining Around, and occasional hosting gigs?
I hope these options are being considered, especially given the lack of a bonafide replacement. We've heard the retreads discussed... Christine Craft, Pat Thurston, et al. *Yawn*
If this is his swan song, I suggest a new alternate: Dr. Bill. Proven from A to Z. And he does add some much-needed "diversity": he's a PhD; he has actually accomplished many things in life (not just talk); and he adds a voice from the Right that would help bring in suburban listeners (i.e., ratings). And if the good Doctor only wants a 4-day work week, so be it! Please, be creative.
Warm regards to Gene. Mark in Walnut Creek
Mark in Walnut Creek...let me repeat again for the record..I am not a candidate for anyone's job at KGO.. I'm the one who, based on my experience as a full time disability lawyer in a different city...has suggested that Gene needs a single floor dwelling and a home studio. I'm always delighted to do fill-in when I'm asked and able..So please..remove me from your list of who should replace whom and spare me the argument that Dr. Bill provides 'DIVERSITY'. He has and likely will continue to provide a unique and informed perspective on things scientific..He is less right wing than you think btw. He is certainly not the only person with a doctorate on the radio. Duane Garrett had one..so do I.
ReplyDeleteRich- If Gene is going to announce his retirement on Friday why would they say he'll be on for only 15 minutes? It does not make sense. He'll be back again. Another fall and he's finished.
ReplyDelete+1 for Dr. Bill adding needed diversity.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have that with Lee Rogers, and the white haired guy (his name slips me). And Pete Wilson. I guess this was before General Manager Mickey Luckoff shifted Rogers and others over to KSFO to make it "right wing", and made KGO largely Left-wing, and devoid of any kind of balance.
i used to like Dr. Bill but last couple of years he's always on the same topics and the sad thing this is i think he's lost a little mentally...liberals used to quake in fear rather than dare to call and debate because he'd skewer them 9 ways to Sunday(or whatever term is), but now he just doesn't have the anger(or wit) that he used to...and Dr. Bill used to defend Christine(and speak well of her) on his program when she filled in occasionally on that 7-10 weekend slot...
ReplyDeletealso Gene Burns is now basically a liberal as has been for several years, so cut out the "independent libertarian" "carries water for no one" b.s.
Bubba has a doctorate? Technically true, since a law degree is a JD. However, I doubt many in the academic community would put that in the same category as a PhD or doctorate in the sciences -- requiring rigorous scholarship and contribution to the body of knowledge in a field of study with a dissertation based on original research.
ReplyDeleteBill hasn't lost anything. He has toned down the rhetoric but I suspect that is by design. He is frequently mentioned elsewhere in the media and I've yet to hear any serious challenges to the science he know so well.
ReplyDeleteIf you want Phd's and crass right wing diatribes try Dr Savage.
vis a vis 'rigorous scholarship'..let me know how easy the California bar exam is for you.I'm sure you'd breeze right through it..roflmao Your original post claimed that a doctorate gave one an element of diversity much needed on a certain radio station..YOu didn't specifiy what type of doctorate you felt was so "diverse" So apparently you don't respect the intelligence of doctors, lawyers,Phd educators and the like...but only those with doctorates in engineering?
ReplyDeleteChristine (Bubba), Christine. So you're also thin-skinned via the writen word? Yikes. (Also, this is my first response, seems you also jumped the shark.)
ReplyDeleteYou wrote: "I'm the one who, based on my experience as a full time disability lawyer ...has suggested that Gene needs a single floor dwelling and a home studio." So only someone with your creds can make this suggestion? *rolls eyes* Indeed, I've made it several times, without your assistance. But thanks anyway.
Secondly, YES, Dr. Bill would provide a "diverse" viewpoint, according to Ms.Webster. (Diversity - different; variety). I understand that your idea of "diversity" is based on politics, which means melanin or sex.
Thirdly, Duane Garett is deceased. Per Dr. Bill's PhD, I was referring in a shorthand method to someone who has bonafide, hardcore scientific credentials, multiple patents, is a well-known inventor and author. Yes,I wrote PhD. Not JD. But thanks for removing yourself from contention, then inserting yourself right back in. Very clever.
Additional KGO suggestion: Another option might have Dr. Bill subbing for Gene Burns on Friday nights, making Gene's Saturday Dining Around easier to prepare for, as well as a 4-day work week easier to recoup.
Mark in Walnut Creek
Err, who even brought up *your* JD?
ReplyDeleteBTW, here is Dr. Bill's official designation: "Ph.D. in electrical engineering and nuclear physics". Achieved at 25 years of age.
the original anonymous post was something about diversity and how having a doctoral degree made Bill more diverse. Bill is not the only talker with an advanced degree and more importantly..HE HAS A SHOW ON KGO AND HAS HAD ONE FOR YEARS and will likely continue thusly which is a good thing..The original premise is flawed..and once again..I never mentioned gender,I never mentioned a JD, mine or anyone else's, I understand that my friend Duane is dead, I'm not angling for anything ..at least at KGO. get it? got it ? good.
ReplyDeleteBuba / Christine:
ReplyDeleteYes, Dr. Bill - if he had more prime time airtime at KGo radio - would add a more "Diverse" viewpoint and perspective.
Len Tellum is a lawyer, as well as others. (BTW, I've NEVER heard Len claim that he had a PhD!!!)
Cheerio, Mark in Walnut Creek
Question for Pat Thurston to ask Gene Burns:
ReplyDeleteIs this a correct spelling? ~ forelock tucker ??
Mark
and what exactly is a 'FORELOCK TUCKER'?.. I look forward to hearing Gene and Dr Bill too..about the safety of nuclear power plants..zirconium cladding fires..and the like...as in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI think you mean 'FORELOCK TUGGER'...but do you know what it means? really?
Great news, KGO and Gene Burns listeners. Gene was on tonight for about 10 minutes, and YES, he will be back! As Bernie Ward used to say, Huzzah!
ReplyDeleteGene has apparently had to deal with 1) a fall, 2) bleeding on / in the brain, and 3) a heart issue??
I was glad to hear, however, that he is going stir crazy! A good sign. (As I recently recalled, a summer lockout made the legendary Vince Scully reconsider retirement thoughts.) Surprisingly, he said he has also lost his appetite. (Hospital food blowback?)
Anyway, good news for lovers of solid, well-thought, lively radio interchange.
Cheerio, Mark / WC
Add to your list a significant weight loss. That's never a good sign. Sadly, I think he has a long way to go to get back to 100%.
ReplyDelete