While he has said little publicly about KNBR dropping his thirty-minute bit with Gary Radnich, (other than a diplomatic "that's business" retort on his Facebook page), privately, Tony Bruno is fuming about the events surrounding his sudden departure.
Bruno's syndicated "Into the Night" program, (7-10 PM), continues to run on KNBR 1050 AM.
Bruno wasn't making huge bucks during his thirty-minute routine, but used the segment with Radnich to promote his nightly show and genuinely liked doing the program and inter-acting with SF-area callers. So much so, the paltry $100 he got wasn't an issue. (Bruno received a significantly higher fee from Comcast, which televised the Radnich bit).
And despite public perception that all is well with Bruno and his KNBR cohorts, Radnich and Lee Hammer, (station GM), Bruno is none- too thrilled with the dynamic duo. Anger? No, more disappointment and feeling as if he was thrown under the bus.
Mind you it was Bruno that did the bit despite the paltry financial compensation. Bruno was loyal to Radnich and Hammer, (who really has no power--Cumulus is run by market mgr, Bill Bungeroth), and now it appears that loyalty was all for naught.
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What's going to happen come football season with the Sunday Rap Show... that's gonna be really awkward.
ReplyDeleteA caller to the show..snuck pass the screeners to ask about Bruno. All Radnich could do was studder two words- "Bruno's happy"..what? Happy he was dumped?.then Bruce-who couldnt care less about anybody else at KNBR hung up on the guy.
ReplyDeleteThe show isnt exactly filled with warm fuzzys. Kate Scott already is on too Radnich,I can't think of anything she has described of him in a positive way..she's Dibleyized in a way from being backstabbed herself.
A final observation? Radnich when he sits there as Bruce takes over on a long winded opinion,looks just like those elderly men sitting in their chairs at the old folks home..head down,spots on skin standing out,arms held to his side.
Who new sports talk was so cold?-lol..
That's good knowledge
ReplyDeleteRaddy has been publicly castrated, BYE BYE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRadnich did blame the dropping of Bruno on two "At the top" So,is that Hammer and Bungeroth? or Dickey and Bungeroth?
ReplyDeleteI doubt they have much difference in opinions.
Pecon who Radnich said he loved like a son.. his now unmentioned son. Cut out of the will too..
Or is it Bungleroth?
ReplyDeleteCan you say 'Battered Performer'?
ReplyDeleteI know $100 per 30 minute show may sound "paltry" but it was more of a "Tony, for $25,000 per year would you be willing to phone into our morning show, 5 days per week for 30 mins or so per pop".
ReplyDeleteHe's hurt and missing that $25K.
Seems a bit like rumor mongering here, and the logic seems a bit frayed. If Radnich "had no choice" and has been "castrated" by the powers that be (per other posts), why would he be on the outs with Bruno? Wouldn't Bruno realize that Radnich is being subjugated to a lesser role by the powers that be that decided to axe the popular Bruno segment?
ReplyDeleteAnd, while there's plenty of this unsourced speculation on what happened to Bruno, has anyone bothered to check what the ratings were for that segment? I liked the segment, myself, and I would think it did provide decent ratings, but if it didn't.. then the 'business' aspect of these changes make sense.
Honestly, I can't figure out who you hate more? KNBR's management or Gary? At this point, it's not reporting, it's pure bile.
BTW - I did a quick calculation on what $100 per half hour segment works out to over the course of a year (and remember that Tony did this almost every day). We're talking $24K for a half hour, daily. Pro-rate that to an 8 hour work day, and that's $384K a year. Is that really a pittance? I don't know the business, but that seems like a decent wage, especially when he was double-dipping and getting extra for the same broadcast on Comcast. If it were his only wage, then, sure.. I'd say it was a bit small, but he has his own show, too, and he makes appearances on other programs.
Basically, you're saying $200/hr is a bargain rate. That sounds like a pretty decent wage, especially when it was guaranteed almost every work day of the year. Is it John Madden money? No. But that's like saying "gee, Dorrell Wright gets paid a pittance compared to Kobe Bryant." Wright still gets paid a pretty nice wage compared to most wage earners, and, while he's good enough to be a NBA baller, he's not in the same league as Kobe.
Kate Scott zinger to Radnich who claimed to not know about some computer program "You idiot!".she did shout-for Kate. Radnich retort-"Huh??"..he seemed surprised at her 'tude.
ReplyDeletePoor Kate...and super right wing catholic comic Jay Mohr will be on the set manana. He's sure to zing all her beleifs and lifestyle in 10 minutes or less.
95.7 is starting to sound like a real sports station. But,that lack of diversity is troubling..even guest hosts are all white.
ReplyDeleteSuits in NY probably doing the tried and true methods of breaking into a new market. And too bad,because the turnover in hosts already should tell them the bay area is diverse. Yet,they dont learn it seems.
what’s with all the gary hatred – both on-air and behind the scenes? admittedly, i’m just a listener and have no “insider” knowledge but what has he done that’s so worthy of all the ire and venom from both rich and the commenters?
ReplyDeleteon-the-air, he’s probably been the most relevant sports media personality in the bay area for the past 20 years. plus, his laid back approach to sports in contrast to all the fanaticism is refreshing and HILARIOUS. who’s funnier on the air than gary?
i’m a big fan of damon as well, but his “high energy intensity” approach can be found 5x over in every market. gary is an original – not many like him.
ps. fitz is awful and brooks is a joke.
I dunno, but this "report" kinda sounds like it was made up out of what could be, but not what has been said by Bruno or anyone in his camp...you don't even try and mention where this supposed information is from: did Bruno mention something somewhere on line? On his show at night? Or somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that this is what Bruno thinks? If it's your view of what might be, say that...if you are just sorta blogging away with no source or reference, it does your readers a disservice to make it sound like this is what Bruno thinks for certain
The righteous executive displays professionalism and honesty when making programming changes, especially when they affect long-term partners. Apparently, Bruno was accorded neither in being shown the KNBR door.
ReplyDeleteWhen so many talented individuals are out of work and looking for jobs these days, it makes you wonder how guys such as Dickey and Bungeroth reach such lofty "executive" positions. Way to handle things, guys!
But Bruno is smart enough to keep his mouth shut (publicly) since this is a shrinking business where today's enemy is tomorrow's boss.
And don't be so sure that we won't see a re-appearance of the Bruno segment in the future. This decision is too stupid to stand, and I believe that Tony Bruno would swallow his pride and return out of respect for potential future gain.
"95.7 is starting to sound like a real sports station. But,that lack of diversity is troubling"
ReplyDeleteJust curious can you name a few established and/or up and coming diverse host? And where are they?
It's the end of an era at KNBR as Raddy fades into oblivion and high-energy Damon takes over KNBR. Management these days want loud, cheap, ego driven and sometimes dysfunctional young white guys who will make some noise, but then quickly fade. Cumulus Media looks at broadcasters the way McDonald's looks at burger-flippers: they're young, cheap, will work in toxic situations just to get on the air, and in the end, they're expendable and replaceable!
ReplyDeleteSo right now down in Atlanta somewhere, the Dick-head brothers,(Cumulus CEO Lou Dickey and his bro) are chortling away! They can't wait to cut that 250 K salary out of their company's operating budget. As they do so, they will continue to emasculate a once well respected and powerful radio station for sports talk.
1252 you really make my point. I've heard every excuse as to why 95% of sports show host are white. Even that Asians are too busy making money to go into sportscasting. So white men are stupid to want plum jobs like a sports host?
ReplyDeleteWhat people will say to defend bigotry huh?
Cumulus Media is the worst. People like that should be thrown out of the radio business immediately! Why do they have to ruin radio for all of the listeners? They refuse to perform community service by only using the public (i.e. our ) air waves only to make money for their grubby shareholders and greedy CEOs. The Dickheads of the world are unfortunately in great number and the weak-kneed politicians and compliant public that is half asleep and watching 'reality TV' or texting their peeps doesn't give a crap. This country is going into the dumper and the demise of good radio, especially good sports radio is only one small symptom. But young people today don't give a flying fig. As long as they can watch you-tube crap, text their buddies, or keep up with the latest vapip gossip about no name no talents such as Lindsay Lohan, it's all good!
ReplyDeleteI used to love living in this country...now I feel ashamed to be an American! Rome is burning and Nero is fiddling away! Mark my words, the US of A will be a second rate coutnry within the next generation. Sad..sad..sad!
You have no clue Rich.. None what so ever....AND I am guessing that Anonymous is a Dibley fan.. who wa a nice guy but just another sidekick that is easly replaced and easier to forget..
ReplyDelete95.7 has clueless Chris townsend and a bunch of Sac Twon rejects and sidekick buffoon Dibley YIPPY
ReplyDeleteI pooped in to Bruno's night show for the first time in a while to hear if there was any response...couldn't get through about 15 minutes. It's the obnoxiousness of the Gary segement times ten. I used to really like Tony's how on various forms but it seems to have declined progressively; KNBR either had to move on or sound old and dated.
ReplyDeleteTalk about shocking-a caller brought up Bruno,and Bruce went ape shi*. "He's dead and buried" said Bruce. Radnich said nothing but.."Damon doesnt want to talk about Bruno"
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S defending his old friend??..no doubt Bruce and Bruno dont see eye to eye. And Damon doesnt want Pecon to join in....what's a old Radnich show bit he's eliminating. And Radnich doesnt seem to mind if it keeps him propped up.
I know 95.7 with Papa and the other guy are far more listenable then the shoutfest of Bruce-Radnich.
ReplyDeleteI dont find Bruce likeable,he's got a meant streak a mile wide..its obvious too he's a xenophobe..he really is. To the point he refuses to say Beltran correctly,his Lin obssesion,and a few other things people who live in the midwest say as outsider visiters to the bay area.
And even his attack on Bruno...That Damon Bruce is in one way like Radnich-if you are of no help to his career-the hell with you.
To the 10:15am post. Thanks for the information. I missed it. An interesting exchange between Radnich and Bruce.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad Gary will not stand up and defend his friend.
I guess he needs the paycheck.
And what does it say about Bruce he's comfortable working with Radnich and bigot Larry Krueger and working for bigot Lee Hammer?
ReplyDeleteDan Dibley escaped the sports station of the apes!
One last-Radnich today was pure bullshitting when he said he WANTS to work with Bruce,if he didn't he would leave or retire.
So,he wanted to get rid of Bruno? cut on air ties to Pecon? was that his plan? OR was it that he wanted somebody other then Kate Scott as a sidekick(and ratings were down)..and the powers above came back with a plan and told Radnich take it or leave it...and he took? I think that's the truth.
What happened to gary!he used to be man...friggin drew cary or damon should go back to cleveland and dump some browns ....im listening to 95.7 now....i get even better niner news from 1140 am..pathetic !
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's been 5 years since Bruno and Radnich,to me it was must hear radio, I always thought they worked really well together. If egos could be soothed, they would have been a great daily show in my opinion. Crazy how fast time passes.
ReplyDelete