*Let's don't beat around the bush--KGO Radio's Gene Burns, back on the airwaves in his 7-10 PM slot, doesn't sound the same and should probably hang it up.
Burns latest medical scare occurred on Wednesday night just prior to his show when paramedics showed up at 900 Front after Burns fell to the ground during his pre-show prepping.
Burns has remarkably sustained a myriad of health issues to get back on the air, (including multiple falls, seizures, and the like), but clearly, while his internal faculties seem normal, he's not the same. Again, just listen to his voice.
There was word a few months back that KGO mgt. was hoping Burns would retire and that the station would push for his entry into the Radio Hall of Fame. No go.
And KGO certainly doesn't want to be in the position of it looking like they're trying to force the senior broadcaster out the door, both from an ethical and legal standpoint, but I've heard otherwise.
As I posted here multiple times, the station eventually plans on replacing Burns with fill-in, Pat Thurston. KGO's other female part-timer, Christine Craft, has a shot too, although Craft has a successful legal career in Sacramento.
Either way, KGO has a real Gene Burns dilemma on its hands.
*NBC Bay Area's foolishness regarding John Kessler is so sad and embarrassing. If it weren't so serious, it would be funny.
Kessler jumped the gun in announcing a new gig. Big deal. So he ruffled a few feathers. And he had the audacity to announce his new gig on social media. How tragic. Seriously.
For the record: Kessler e-mailed me the news that he'd been given a freelance gig at the station. I posted the news....Kessler then pubbed it on Linkedin--it was there where all the trouble started and then later in the day, he mentioned it on Facebook.
It's now fairly obvious that Kessler didn't mean to rock the boat. He's been overly remorseful to everybody but God that he'd "screwed up" and meant no harm.
And NBC Bay Area; (KNTV) a station that flaunts its website like no other in Bay Area TV, well, it seems to me that the whole thing has been overblown to the umpteenth degree.
One hopes that cooler heads will prevail down in the 408 and that the station will get Kessler back on the local airwaves.
*Eric Byrnes is painful to listen to. He's seriously hard on the ears. Train wreck? Try a nuclear meltdown. It's obvious that Byrnes is just resting on his laurels as an ex-ballplayer. His nightly shtick is an embarrassment, even by knibber standards. You get what you pay for.
I found it funny and hilarious that Byrnes made a point of "explaining" his take on the Buster Posey injury. He said that the play was dirty, but legal. "I made a career out of being dirty to a whole bunch of catchers."
Yeah, this from the schmuck who forget to touch home plate in the 2003 ALCS vs. Boston. It's a play most A's fans will never forget. "Dirty?", "Byrnesie?" How 'bout stupid and dumb too.
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I am Pat Thurston's biggest fan. When there was a "BIG ANNOUNCEMENT" touted on the morning news last week I was hoping to hear that Burns was retiring and Pat was moving in. Alas....Pat did a fantastic job filling in all that time and she deserves to get the job.
ReplyDeleteByrnes is unlistenable. If " the sports leader" had any balls they'd put Damon Bruce back where he belongs and move Byrnes to 1050 for seasoning. Alas, the Giants probably made.them move Damon because he was too critical and they won't stand for that
ReplyDeleteBut Byrnes is friends with Zito!
ReplyDeleteGene Burns is still sharp and I thoroughly disagree with Rich on this one. Gene’s voice has gained strength and he sounds like his usual self. I am concerned that he seems to lose balance and fall so easily. How many times must the guy fall and break a bone? Gene if you drop your keys, call your assistant and ask him to pick them up. We love listening to you and want you on the air as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteBrynes can't get anything right. So it figures he would whine on Comcast at how much he loved Bob Geren. Eric has picked up that Hammer wants that pro-big business,and pro of your own kind propaganda at any cost. Even if you sound foolish.
ReplyDeleteThe radio show from hell would be Byrnes and Monty of.95.7 paired together. Somethings wrong with "Montys" head. He's not right. How hard he tries to be unlikeable and obnoxious to his co -hosts is just plain mental.
I feel for JD and Dibs who otherwise sound like mature younger guys talking sports. And it sure doesn't help that so many of "Montys" opinions-like being pro beaning- are just plain dead wrong.
Or,that the A's bullpen is superior to the Giants..did Monty just learn baseball? That's just plain stupid to say that.
Damon Bruce? fergeddit. At one time yes,but now no. The old Damon could have jumped to 95.7 and ripped away at Baer. Alas,it turns out that the wedding Damon claimed to attend a few months ago back east? A cover. It was his lobotomy in reality that took place. Damon now loves Fitz and Larry and Al,and Botchy and Brian make all the right moves now "And forever in the future!"
ReplyDeleteRich...with all due respect, I disagree on Burns, the first couple nights back his voice was kind of weak...but he's back in regular form. Still a compelling listen...I hope he is well. Eric Byrnes...please, that's not broadcasting...it's part of the Giant's infomercial.UGH!
ReplyDeleteI tuned into KGO in the evening, something I haven't been doing much lately. I actually heard the guest host mention Gene, I listened closer and at a later time, sure enough, the host identified himself as Gene. I simply did not recognize his voice at all.
ReplyDeleteI have been a big fan of his. I doubt I'm coming back, at least not until baseball season ends.
As I posted here multiple times, the station eventually plans on replacing Burns with fill-in, Pat Thurston. KGO's other female part-timer, Christine Craft, has a shot too, although Craft has a successful legal career in Sacramento.
ReplyDeleteRegardless the spot will go to a "lefty" female. Legal career or not I rather have Craft....at least she doesn't sound like an "empty spray paint can" when she tries to produce a cogent thought......Thurston is embarrassingly stupid.....c'mon liberal SF now is the time to bring your A-game!
You can bash Brynes but he's better than the stuff I am hearing on 95.7. I tried to listen to Dibbley and his buddy today.........but had to turn off when they were ranking A's players and said "Dan Haren pitched a perfect game for the A's last year but is hurt this year..." Umm for being the A's station don't they know Haren has been gone for 4 years? Let alone he didn't pitch a perfect game.......HELLO...horrible radio!
ReplyDelete...forget to touch home plate in the 2003 ALCS vs. Boston... - it was the 2003 ALDS, the ALCS that year was Red Sox - Yankees
ReplyDeleterich doesnt like byrnes...and he cost kessler his job. another amazing rich blog. keep up the good work..who elses' job can you sabatoge?
ReplyDeleteByrnes-he serves a purpose. Lots of vapid sports fans want to talk and listen to a former jock. Like him or not, he brings insight to professional sports that no other local radio host can. He's a former, and at times, very good professional baseball player.
ReplyDeleteBurns-I heard a few of his shows this past week, they were very good, he's sharp, fair, well thought out and well prepared. The majority of other talk show hosts can learn a lot from Gene.
Christine Craft?- she has the personality of a KSFO morning host. No thanks.
I'd love to see Christine Craft get a regular gig at KGO. Lately, however, she hasn't even been getting weekend slots.
ReplyDeleteI look for her on their program schedule but to no avail.
Please stop the Christine Craft talk. On a good day she’s right up there in the annoying meter with Brian “Suss” Sussman, Officer Vick, Monty, Jennifer Lee Jones, Patrick Connor and Brian Copeland.
ReplyDeleteAnd Radnich and Kate Scott continue to dance...Today's homophobe Radnich joke that was meant to show he's NOT homophobic, bombed. He claimed that Brian Boitano-who's a married guy, wouldnt give Radnich an interview,but when Boitano saw pretty boy Dennis O Donnel-He THEN had time. Scott on tv didnt smile at that one and told Radnich maybe he wasn't Boitanos type.
ReplyDeleteAnd I dont think Scott is really digging Radnich reading email about her looks. Like she cares some shmuck KNBR type thinks she's hot?..Rachel Maddow giving a compliment is one thing,but Gary's lout crowd? ..
And the ice between her and Connor..no chemistry.
The OTHER homophobe joke was a email saying Brian Wilson was " A handsome beast"..Kate then turned to Mike the producer and asked why no growl effects?. On TV,Mike wrinkled his nose and shook his head- no way...because, that would be gay-right Mike?
Somebody needs to do a college study of this,document how those KNBR frat crew guys twist in the wind suppressing right wing beliefs while working with a Lesbian in sports media.
Byrnes- good grief, what a mess. I gave him a week and quit after two days. At least Santangelo had some broadcasting experience and could explain things in an understandable way. I couldn't take Byrnes back when he filled in. I turn off 680 at 7pm daily and go to ANYTHING else. But he was a gamer and guess he can bend over well...
ReplyDeleteByrnes needs a leading man to lead him. Him alone probably wont work. A 2 man show with Eric as the color man.
ReplyDeleteGene's most recent incident aside, I think he has sounded very much like his old self since returning. If needed, Pat Thurston is fully capable of taking over that slot. She did a terrific set of interviews when she filled in for Ronn on Memorial Day and completely avoided going off on the Bernie Wardish leftward tilt that often characterizes her weekend show. If she wants a mainstream shift, she needs to be a mainstream talker. JW
ReplyDeleteEric Byrnes is a train wreck. He does not speak english. More like high school speech.
ReplyDeleteGene Burns. No thanks. His days ended years ago.
It is time for you to retire Gene.
Another day of the new Radnich -Scott team.. Not a word from Patrick Connor to Scott. Hammer better inform Patrick he better strike up a friendship-and fast with Scott,since the cold shoulder looks bad on TV.
ReplyDeleteRadnich? No Kardashian mention or booty talk for days now. No Hip hop at all.
I guess it was all Dibs fault!
wheres ray woodson?
ReplyDeleteFunniest Scott joke yet-eh,and maybe part unintentional. Radnich to Scott as he beats the Posey story to death,he joked that she should watch that he doesn't bowl her over Marlin's style..Scott: "Bring it on,I got my chest protector on!"..she then looked sheepish and it sort of sunk in what she said. It was funny,no matter how you cut it.
ReplyDeleteAnd to 95.7..that 1-4 pair is killing the station with hicks. They make Fitz and Brooks sound sophisticated,Bruce,a Shakespearian orator.
C'mon,steal anybody local and put them on at 1-4..like maybe Vern Glenn? Ratto?..Rick Quan?. Many Asians do know sports..you just wouldn't it know by local radio GM'S hiring.
Many Asians do know sports.
ReplyDeleteRaj Matthai.....but he's on to bigger things! Kawakami?
First off, NBC11 better get their act together and bring my man Mr. Kessler in (they need him). Second, Byrnes is horrible but not as bas as Barbara (Barbieri) doing those stupid Amici commercials. Barbara misses more days than anyone on radio and collects $300k/year. Talk about a crook.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know the best way to contact NBC11 to show support for John Kessler?? I for one will start watching morning news again if he is once again on a bay area station.
ReplyDeleteI would watch NBC11 only if they GOT RID of Christine loren, Laura Cannon, and Mike Inowi-nothing!!!
ReplyDeleteBRING ON KESSLER!!!!
News flash. The Kessler gig was freelance people. That means reporting... on Flag Day... when 3rd string is on vacation.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with you on Gene Burns. He sounds the same to me. The first 2 nights he seemed a bit weak, but he seems (to me) to be back to his feisty self. Gene Burns is a total pro and will know when he needs to retire. I hope it is a long time.
ReplyDeletePat Thurston couldn't fill the shoes of a rookie. Gene Burns along with a lot of the other talk show hosts rocks. Pat is just mean spirited in the same ranks as Limbaugh and O'Reilly (if she doesn't agree with you, she hangs up on the caller). If she get the Burns show, I will switch stations!
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