Lost amid the announcement that Entercom's 'All-Sports' 95. 7 FM would become the new radio home of the A's and Sharks, (and possibly Cal and/or Stanford football) is the fact that the station would undoubtedly be looking to supplant its staff with talk hosts, commentators, sports news people and yes, personality-driven talent.
Here's some potential players that could be headed to the new FM outlet:
*Damon Bruce: Largely taken for granted at KNBR and placed in the outer oasis at sister-station, 1050 AM, Bruce is talented and offers a big name for Dwight Walker, the Entercom market manager, (who worked at KNBR in the pre-Cumulus days)
Although Bruce' forte has become a tad muted, he nevertheless has enough of a following and could be a real draw as a potential talk-show host at a station looking for some buzz. Bruce' energy and shtick would be a bold move. Another factor: Bruce has no contract at KNBR and has bitched quite openly about his meager compensation.
*Greg Papa: The Raiders' PBP broadcaster and "Chronicle Live" tonsil is a very good radio host and would give the station a big name and provide a Raiders forum for Eastbay/SF fans. Papa is knowledgeable, funny, and has generated a strong following. He's also fairly adroit at the talk-show game, (he hosted a KNBR show and has filled in from time to time for others.)
*Roxy Bernstein: Bernstein, (who calls Cal basketball and did Florida Marlins broadcasts) is a most underrated talent in the Bay Area broadcast scene. He also has built up a numerous Rolodex of big-name contacts that would make for some great guests. Bernstein is currently a part of the Sports Byline line-up on 860 AM. (JJ and the Mouth)
*Barry Tompkins: A longshot, but the highly-respected Bay Area veteran announcer would be great for a weekly show. His stories and background make him desirable, but given his Fox Sports college football/basketball duties, there's a good chance he'd pass. Who knows, money talks.
*Ray Woodson: One of KNBR's only true voices of reason, the veteran sports newsman would be a great presence on the FM airwaves. Woodson is a seasoned newsman and has a funny personality. Not brash and obnoxious like a few of his co-horts, he'd be good for an outlet that needs dependable and capable air talent. Woodson fits that bill. The perfect sports updater.
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How about Dan Dibley? He is A's friendly and the only one worth listening to on 680 in the morning.
ReplyDeleteEnough about 95.7 already. I'm missing the daily KRONbashing!
ReplyDeleteSnoring now. That lineup what assure that KNBR doesn't get their jacket rumpled in a street fight.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that if you were to put any of those names up against anyone at KNBR how would they do? In addition would they be a right fit to leave their current situation and how would they do when it came to getting listeners to make the move. KTRB tried going with Oakland based sports from 9AM-3PM and as evidenced by that stations current state affairs it did not work.
ReplyDeleteRay: Great for filling in on a show, which he will do more frequently at KNBR with Byrnes doing MLB network
Barry: Tompkins is over 70, and not that age is a factor I doubt he would want to step up as he already is doing college sports for FOX and do a daily show but I do agree the he could do a weekly show, but when? Sunday nights?
Roxy: Does he have the name recognition to generate a show on his own at the new station? I mean he is part of a 3 man show on 860 that has never seemed to gain any traction as it appears no one calls into the show and they are always just filling up time. Also I still don't know why the show is called JJ and the Mouth, JJ doesn't talk and the Mouth is a stupid name. On the otherhand I think Roxy is the most talented of the three and I think if he was paired with someone else (big name) it could be a good fit.
Greg: I would think Chronicle live an hour a day would take up too much of his time to add in a radio show, in addition he seems to have taken the reigns for most of the Giants pre/post. More importantly with the Giants owning a chunk of Comcast Sports Net him going to the A's flagship station would ultimately cut out his TV gig. Again at his age does he want to take the risk at a new station?
Damon: This is the one I will agree with you the most on but where do you think the new station should place him? I think the only timeslot that would work would be again the same 12-4 gig he carries now. Damon does not seem like a morning guy and Rich as much as you hate him I think Gary would easily outdraw him from 9-noon. I think Gary just brings a certain presence and has a reputation in the market that would be too hard to knock off. In addition although Damon is on 1050 he is still part of the Giants/KNBR machine, which is still not a bad deal for him.
Bruce would wreak havoc on what he even lately called the evil empire-KNBR. Yeah sure,he backed down when faced with being totally ostracized and even the loss of his show..but on Wolf,he could return to war with the 12-3 "Shills and liars" as he used to say in the good old days of last year. And if wolf had the Raiders,-Bruce's reputation would fit in with the Raiders bad boy. Ray Woodson would be the thinking man's sports talk..and I bet Ray could easily on his own show never once mention for the duration of his career,The Kardashian's.
ReplyDeleteTompkins? nah? a snoozefest. Like Radnich, he loves everybody.Unlike Radnich,he STICKS to loving everybody.Dull.
Papa,would easily beat whoever is on KNBR..thats a given.
I still say a Ann Killion-who cant resist being honest- would make a great host.
Paul Gutierrez-it would be nice to have ONE sports host who can actually talk to the Latino players comfortably. And he's has a sense of humor. You need that-its only sports, not cancer research.
Agree with Damon, he could get back to what he does best without having to watch for a baer over his shoulder. Respectfully disagree on Woodson, he seems to be in the ideal role at KNBR...not enough schtick to carry a show. Another thought would be Larry Krueger, Kevin the Rat and Rich Wolcoffe. Hope they keep syndicated programming to weekends at the most.
ReplyDeleteOne more name...I find him very interesting thought he had a show a while ago...Monte Poole.
ReplyDeleteI'd say, put Damon on the 3-7 slot up against Ralph and Tom. Damon's probably got the balls to go against the big boys. R&T might still win out but you want to build a station that will, over time, compete. He won't do that with the numbers right out of the gate.
ReplyDeleteBut it sounds like they got those syndicated guys from Sacto coming in at this time, right? Normally, I'm not in favor of pumping in outside talent (your radio station ceases to be a radio station and just a distribution center for LA & NYC) but Sacramento isn't that far away and they've been putting up with Bay Area-based radio in their airwaves.
Papa is great as well but, yes, would it cut into his TV gig?
Woodson is like Ted Robinson to me: great for fill ins but not on a regular basis.
Even KNBR has to fill time by plugging into the ESPN network. Without that, how will this new station fill all their time and yet keep talent costs down? Music? (Something that wasn't a bad fit with KFRC and the A's years ago). Maybe even podcasts? Just switching off the signal is bad form and they need something there in case someone tunes in at 2am.
Also, in case they think of it, they can pass on any of these ideas...
The Amy G Show
The Mychayl Urbyn shyw! (Extra "y"s for effect)
Zito's Golden Shower Unicorn Power Hour
5 Hours with Bob Geren
Gettin' Real with Rod Brooks
Notre Dame Talk with Fitz
I've always thought Bruce was little more than Krueger lite! Plugged into that slot as something familiar to fill the hole when Larry had his politically incorrect....incident! If you are consistent you'd have to say that in any talent shake up between the two stations he winds up back at KNBR.
ReplyDeleteI would listen if Ray got his own show....I was listening when FP left and he took the spot....I no longer listen now that Byrnes is there. Nothing personal....he was a good ball player but he is "stretched" in a regular role. As a fill in he is fine...just not every night.
I think you missed one of the better baseball guys when you omitted Bruce McGowan....I always thought he was great on the postgame...a wealth of baseball history and a strong radio presence.
Greg Poppa...absolutely....and stronger than every other suggestion when football season rolls around again.
One vote for Rick Tittle
ReplyDeleteA guy who is really quick,funny and knows sports and he also seems to love to talk? Andy Dolitch. He always cracked me up as a guest on Comcast. He's like a funnier Ray or Marty.
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt doubt that what he is is why big sports business seems to have a love/hate for the guy.
Krueger and Bruce yes...how about John London? Though I hate most non-sports sports shows (Murph and Mac), London talked gambling, beer and women and had enought decent sports takes to make it intersting (Townsend was on a couple of his incarnations...some KTRB talent could be piped in to fill holes for a while (better than national shows) Sure hope the Raiders and Ellison-purchased San Jose Hornets make the mix (how would that be for a giant F-U to KNBR and the GSW?)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about the great dickie lieberman, one time sports director at k101
ReplyDeleteThe problem with anybody that is currently on KNBR is that they'll have that stench of that shit-ball station. They will have ZERO credibility talking about anything A's after fellating the Giants. I'm looking at you Bruce, Woodson, and all.
ReplyDeleteStart fresh. Fuck Bruce and his tired oy oy oy's (does he still do that?) and Gary's bitch, Ray Woodson.
Roxy is ALL class.
I would love to hear Papa back on the radio, but would the Giants suppositories over at Comcast let him do it?
Greg Papa and that guy that used to call Gary as the late great Howard Cosell.Seems to me someone blackballed that guy and I am sure the evil empire does that to others too. Whoever does these shows it will be a tough task if retreads are used.
ReplyDeleteLarry Krueger and Damon Bruce would be at the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteI think Roxy Bernstein would do well. He would probably come cheaply. JJ and the Mouth was unbearable before they brought in Roxy. Now it's at least listenable.
Cal sports gets ZERO coverage on KNBR. There are a lot of Cal fans and Cal alums that would listen.
Chris Townsend announced on "A's Talk" after today's game that he will have a show on tomorrow from 1pm-4pm on 95.7.
ReplyDeletehaha, dibley and tittle - two of the worst of all time...and kevin the rat is another bitter bitter dbag - heard him fill in on KGO one time and he so far left he must be a communist. what a loooser...
ReplyDeleteand Bruce McGowan is kind of dull...
another thing, why is D. Bruce complaining about his paycheck? if he has no contract and nobody app making him any better offers what does that tell you?
tompkins? booooring
roxy? boooooring
Greg Papa? doesn't know any sport besides basketball...as a Raider fan its painful to hear him call a game....down 52-7 and Papa blasts out "TOUCHDOWN RAAAAAIDERS!!!" as though it really matters.... or it will 3rd down and 40 and the Raiders complete some 5 yard dump off pass over the middle and he gets all excited even though the net result is 4th down and 35....he has no clue about football..sorry Greg...
Here are my two cents:
ReplyDeleteLarry Krueger.
Chris Townsend.
ALL of the local Bay Area sports talk hosts are unbearable. I listen to ESPN Radio on my Satellite radio. ESPN's guys are first-rate...and they are NOT Bay Area homers (there are TONS of transplants here in the Bay Area...who don't care about Cal/Stanford/Giants/A's/Sharks/Niners/Raiders, etc.)
ReplyDeleteI would tune in to the JaMarcus Russell show.
ReplyDelete...and the Gary Plummer show.
Getting Chris Townsend, Roxy Bernstein and Larry Krueger signed on would be a great start for the new station. Right there you have 3 talented, knowledgeable guys that would make people tune in.
ReplyDeleteSiciliano and Bruno vs. Fitz & Brooks. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
ReplyDeleteWhat a miserable bunch of malcontents that post here. No one is any good...entire radio stations have no talent...just hatin' on everybody. YET, you all listen. A lot. Now who's the big loser?
ReplyDeleteWho is this guy on this morning? I don't recognize his voice but he seems to be from the bay. He is all alone which is tough for a morning show when there is no one to bounce anything off of to keep it exciting. I had it on for 20 minutes (650-710) and there were no callers :(
ReplyDeleteHow many times is Townsend going to post his own name here?
ReplyDeleteEntercom does not have the $ to go after those already working at Comcast or KNBR. If anything they stick with syndication (cheap) and some of the KNBR cast offs previously mentioned.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how many people listen to A's broadcasts, but can't imagine ratings would be high enough to generate the kind of ad revenue they would need to hire a Papa and DBruce, maybe enough for one of them then go bare bones and syndication the rest of the time.
A big "NO" to Bruce MacGowan-dullest guy to ever be on the radio, nice guy though.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWhat a miserable bunch of malcontents that post here. No one is any good...entire radio stations have no talent...just hatin' on everybody. YET, you all listen. A lot. Now who's the big loser?
April 18, 2011 5:49 AM
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no, actually not true....speaking for myself i used to listen to KNBR probably 10 hours a day from early 1990's to about 2005 but then they start hiring these clowns like the morning show losers and dibley starts acting like an arrogant p.o.s. and makes the Radnich show unlistenable...then they hire the idiot FP and Byrnes types....i listen mostly to political talk radio now and since the interwebs you can stream damn near any station in the world anyway..
I find it very enlightening seeing the abundance of comments attached to this story. You are a sports guy...your readers are clearly sports fans. I on the other hand am NOT. The story is newsworthy however if your stories continue to be sports oriented then I will stop coming over.
ReplyDeleteDamon Bruce...the best of the "new wave" for sure. Townsend? Really. Not that interested. Woodson cannot carry a show on his own but paired with a edgy personality, he will shine. Both Rich Walcoff and Kevin the Rat have that extra something that would be a great contrast. You need that good cop/bad cop interplay to keep it interesting...which is why Gary Radnich depends so heavily on his "young staff".
ReplyDeleteAs for the cranky comments on this board, seems like if you're a nice guy, you're boring. If you've got a point of view, you're a d-bag. If you like the Giants, you're a shill. Tough crowd!
@ blower bob - walcoff and the rat are a joke.
ReplyDeleteJohn London otoh might be interesting in the 5-9 AM slot - would probably steal a ton of KNBR listeners, follow up with Kreuger 9-12 and there's a start. hire Bob Agnew while you're at it. things really started to go downhill when they gave him the boot.
London was a complete wash out on KNBR...why do you think he suddenly becomes relevant again. Doubt Agnew would think that would be a good move.
ReplyDeleteWalcoff and the Rat both have longevity in this market...gotta be doing something right to survive 20+ years. Both are solid pros. But again...everyone hates everyone on this site.
Bob Agnew would never come back. He's hiding out in Vegas enjoying all the Buffet's.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked the subtle Robert Buan on A's postgame. If Townsend is the KBWF daily guy they ought to bring Robert back. And "no" I am not Robert.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is that the LA market has such better talent, and they can bang on whomever they want without fearing for their jobs...(yes you Baer) that Jew prick is just another schister smiling while taking the money out of giants' fans pockets. I came from SoCal and miss the quality of their radio shows. Don't get me started on how bad the Giant broadcasters are, save Miller and Kype. Can Flemming go an inning without crying about a bad call on a pitch? He's a homer with no humor, the worst combo possible.
ReplyDeleteSiciliano is too arrogant, I think DBruce is great but has lost his testicles somewhere....Murph and Mac suck, I luv the FM guys with Dibley, it's like talking sports with a bunch of buddies. The best thing I can say though is that I really don't give a crap, its getting late and I'm bored...