Karel, uh, I'd wager that Master Bill Bungeroth would have an issue with you taping your show, not that there'd be a revolution in these parts if people knew you taped your show.
**Gil Gross is supposedly going back to a news gig at ABC Radio.
**The "new" KGO "810", (trying to re-invent itself as a 50,000-watt crap house...and generally succeeding), ran, get this, a canned, shallow, hollow, maddeningly awful, canned, in-house ABC Radio "End-of-Year" hour-long or so piece. Worser? They ran this god-awful "Perspective" at least 10x over the span of 24 hours. I'm guessing, hoping actually, that ND, Paul Hosely, was not the only guy that had his fingerprints on this lovely experiment. After all, the various tools in and around the Hawthorne/Front St. are now the evil doers making insane "programming" calls like this pathetic one.
*"The Finch Files"--KGO's vapid attempt to provide "in-depth" reporting. Sounds like the continuation of the "KFOG-aZation" of the "new KGO." Maybe they'll begin having Justin Beber ticket give-aways. It's, frankly, the most comical station on the airwaves.
More Karel: Suppose you, as upper management of KGO or, worse, Cumulus Media, were making all these changes, to the chagrin of many hundreds of thousands of people, and your salary got announced over the Internet on it's way to nine radio stations?
For instance, on Tuesday's "broadcast" -- Karel openly said, "I didn't know Ronn Owens made a million dollars a year, but I do know that Gene Burns told me that he was making $400,000 a year at KGO and I imagine that John Rothman was making $150,000 or $160,000 a year. I know I shouldn't say that because these are my friends but ... whatever."
**Ronn Owens quote, worth re- quoting: "The day somebody tells me what I can and cannot say is the day I leave." Yeah Ronn, sure.
**The new terrestrial radio bubonic plague: "Red-Eye Radio"...on the "new" KGO. How cool to hear taped out-of-town shows from a host who was fired. But then again, it's the "new KGO."
**Glad that Mike Amatori checked in here to post his status, but as Mike knows, they, (MGT.) have him on their hit list, eventually.
*It should now be abundantly clear that Cumulus Market MGR., Bill Bungeroth pulls all the strings in the city. Lee Hammer is but a prime puppet high up in the 415 Cumulus food chain.
*CW Nevius and Ray Ratto commentaries on the "new" KGO: Who's next, Leah Garchik. Maybe they could extract the ghost of Hunter Thompson. Dead radio indeed.
*Yeah, I know, from people inside the building that know, Ronn Owens is miserable. Maybe if he had took another path, people would sympathise. His million would have been picked up by another station, (in installments, perhaps), and he would have been a hero for life, but that overhead in Seacliff trumps the Ronnster.
Worse yet, Ronn still can't force himself to say a damn thing. His amen-counter, "Jared", is but a young tool and yet, mattress man, follows him as if he were a young Mickey Luckoff. Maybe Jared is Ronn's new "Copie."
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I like the Ray Ratto minutes..They're insightful, well-written..and COOL ..not hot. both cool and hot are good.
ReplyDeleteIt was very easy to delete KGO from my programmable radio. Just did the same on my iPhone.
ReplyDeleteKGO should start the new year with the sound of a plane tailspinning...
Can't believe I'm saying this, but was super happy to hear Gil Gross doing his Scott Hyver eye spiel in KCBS yesterday. Never, ever, ever liked those spots, but just great to hear his voice. Also made me wonder if the eye doc left KGO? Hope so. Doesn't take eye surgery to see the mess KGO has made. Anyone have any information on how many sponsors KGO has lost?
ReplyDeleteIf Gil goes back to ABC, will he have to move out of bay area? Gee, just spent like three years finding a house (and it isn't in Seacliff). Would really like to see him back on a talk show.
Karel whines about as much as Ronn...as if that is possible. Whether he tapes the show or not, most people could care less...at least people with any sense...oh, woops, forgot, KGO doesn't want listeners with sense.
Obviously, Rich, you're doing a fantastic job, judging from the scathing comments you are receiving on the blog from Jared and his ilk. Oh, maybe even Ronn is doing some of them.
It's so strange, it's been a bad year at our house. It could be worse, but all around a miserable year. A lot of very serious sickness and other major problems. I've been holding together pretty well, UNTIL Dec 1st. The firings of the people that were keeping my life somewhat "normal" was like a final straw. I screamed and ranted and raved. Screaming, ranting and raving could do nothing for brain cancer, screaming ranting and raving can do nothing for a seriously, seriously ill little grandchild; screaming, ranting and raving could do nothing for the other physical problems in our household. But honestly, between your blog, and the facebook links, almost feel like screaming, ranting, raving MIGHT bring back some of what we want and yes, some of us NEED. It will never be back to "normal". Those hosts will go in different directions and we'll have a hard time focusing on them, and also possibly putting up with some of the other hosts on the stations they go to. It won't be perfect. But we do have some Hope. And for those idiots that tell us to "get a life" and it was only a radio station....we're seriously trying to get a life, or hang onto a life. It is something you can't relate to. Either you are of the demographic of "allaboutmeism" or of the demographic of "haveitallnowbutplanningtogetmoreanddon'tgiveadamnaboutanyonebutme"
Keep it up, Rich, Happy Holidays, and Thank you. Somewhat filling the terrible void caused by the firings at KGO.
WHATS the word on Don Blue late of 101.3? No nothing in his time slot...not a replay or "bloopers". Is he gone and where?
ReplyDeleteAnd just Krueger alone in the morning? a snoozefest. He really needs the dysfunctional big guy with baggage.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Ronn Owens quote sounds like Raddy-even though everybody who leaves KNBR talks of the many rules of what they can say..and what they can NEVER say...
Rich...seems like you have a lot going on in this story, but it's jumping all over the place, like a KGO reporter. Use subheads and separate posts to tell this number of stories. (love ya still)
ReplyDeleteOuch, Karel needs to go -- or in this case, should stay because he is such an embarrassment to even the "New KGO" if that is possible. Karel is the most self-centered, self-aggrandizing idiot I have ever heard on the radio, even though I started out liking him when he first came on KGO. I love it when he refers to himself as a "celebrity." Doesn't that station have any pride????
ReplyDeleteI get so frustrated when I read about the retarded changes at KGO. It's as if Cumulus purposely set out to destroy KGO Radio. Duh! Because that's what they've done.
That gawd-awful 2011 loop is just that. Unfortunately, my bathroom radio is still set to 810 and the alarm radio went off with KGO and I swear the same thing was playing two hours apart.
The more time passes, the sadder I get, although the shock has worn off. I'm beginning to feel bad for Ronn because if he is half the person he claims to be, he has got to be miserable, million or not. Sometimes the money just isn't worth it.
10:42 am - thanks - you said it well!
ReplyDeleteLet me add my "ditto" to 10:42. And let me also say that there is indeed Life after KGO. When these firings occurred, it seemed to me to be the last 'fricking straw. However, with a little perspective and some creative shopping around, I am finding new routines and new pleasures. You will, too.
ReplyDeleteTry the podcasts from KQED for starters. Try Books on Tape. Shop the dial. There's a whole world out there. Have a great New Year and to hell with Cumulus. Except for Christine who is a rock star.
To 11:09:
ReplyDeleteDon Bleu is headed over to Oldies 103.7 on January 3. No word yet on who will replace him on Star 101.3
Karel might be many things, but he isn't stupid. I think he's doing as many "Fuck You's" to KGO as he can without coming right out and saying it. I twigged on this when he said he was a friend of Mattress Man. Ummmm, that would be a NO. I know this for a fact.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening to Fox 910 AM now and an add mentions that beginning on Jan 3, 2012 Len Tillum will start his show at 3 pm followed by Gene Burns at 4 pm. Seems a few old KGO hosts are moving to 910.
ReplyDeleteThanks-1217. And in following up-some hilarious quotes from Don on getting older in the radio bizz on the internet-just Google it. I think the also old Ben Fong Torres wrote it. Don,hit it on the head..
ReplyDeleteI stopped listening to Ronn when he came out in favor of warfare. Before that he had always annoyed me with his little off-color asides, rarely appreciated by anyone but himself.
ReplyDeleteKarel loves himself and shows little respect for his callers, not even those who agree with him. He shows little interest in what they have to say, cuts them off before they are finished, and seems to be just trying to rack up a large number of calls. He once said he would like to come across more like Anderson Cooper; well, good luck with that!
I propose a line-up just for masochists, those who wish to be abused, to include: Karel, Dr. Bill, Dr. Laura, and Judge Judy.
Gene Burns is a prince of a man who actually enriched my life. And they took him away, those bastards!
I also heard Karel say he wished he could be more like Anderson Cooper (and just be a closeted gay). It would be so much easier but he didn't have that kind of personality. The only thing that stood out in that comment to me was that he seems to delight in publically "outing" people, like he's dissing them for not flaunting their sex lives as he does. What possible purpose did he have in announcing that Anderson was gay? He did the same to Jim Gabbert a couple of weeks ago. Are his statements true or not? Who knows? Who cares? It just seems mean to me. He's coming across as more and more loopy as the weeks go by. How much longer will kgo put up with him I wonder, ratings or not.
ReplyDeleteKAREL is a sad case really, I feed bad for the guy. Hes an aging gay man trying to still fit in to the young hip spicy gay culture. They dont seem to value thier aged as celeberities or sex symbols.
ReplyDeleteHes been heavy all his life and always wanted to be a "big star" and sexy, he never made it. and was never , "that guy".
Hes also not intellectual at all, but tries to fake it. Hes inteligent, just not intellectual..
Hes got low self esteem, hence always makiing the topic return to him, wont let anybody talk, and god help us with his obnoxious loud fake laugh, when he fakes like hes not uncomfortable.
Hes really like a "know it all" teenaged girl that is full of drama and wont listen to her parents.
Hes a low level entertainer, not a talk show host or celeberity. He talks at everybody, says what he wants only, and hangs up on people left and right.
Also he pulls that, old loser one sided talk show host trick, to make sure hes always right. He argues and then says, "so what youre saying is....." puts words in the callers mouth and then hangs up on the caller.
So, that beeing said, I will listen to him off and on, because nothing else has my interest at the time. I dont listen to be informeed, just to pass the time.
But if there were someting better, I dont listen. Gene burns and John rothman on the other hand, i would plan to listen always.
I dont see KAREL being any main talent any place. He works cheap so stations keep him around.
Letter to ABC director of operations
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Fitzgerald,
I am writing to ask you what are the alternatives to listening to abc radio other than KGO in the San Francisco bay area. Since Cumulus has killed KGO I will no longer listen to the station. I really enjoy ABC news and especially if you obtain the most fantastic man in radio..Gil Gross! I will listen anyway possible, to ABC news feeds, but will never listen to KGO radio again. It is my understanding that they are no longer doing your hourly news feeds anyway. Are you able to move ABC affiliation to another local station? I really don't understand most of this, only that I have lost my "family", my "friends". KGO was a unique radio station. It will never be able to be duplicated, or brought back to life.
I am currently listening to KCBS, but really prefer an ABC station...as long as it is NOT KGO
Sincerely,
Response
Thanks for your email. ABC News and KGO Radio have long been broadcast partners. However Cumulus Media owns and operates KGO. They make the decisions for the radio stations that they own. We simply provide national news content for these stations.
We admire Gil Gross as well! He previously worked for ABC News Radio before moving on to KGO. ABC has no other affiliates in the San Francisco market and ABC will continue to be affiliated with KGO.
I understand your concern and will forward this email to the Cumulus Radio programmers.
Many thanks.
Jeff Fitzgerald
Executive Director, Operations
ABC News Radio
(212) 456-5554
jeffrey.t.fitzgerald@abcnews.com
Twitter: @JeffFitz
Karel is just a bitter old queen. To borrow a line of Radnich's (whom I despise) but which applies: Karel is a battered performer.
ReplyDeleteI think he suffers from an entertainer's post traumautic disorder due to numerous firings, overwork, lack of success in love and career and a looming home foreclosure. This is why he lashes out at closet gays who are more successful than he is. He resents them for being successful even though they are not so "OUT THERE" parading their gayness like he is. I enjoyed Karel when he first came to KGO, but his rudeness to callers and celf centered attitude has been a real turn off. I was actually glad when they brought him back. Big mistake.
I enjoyed him the first time around, most of the time. The problem for me when they brought him back was he replaced Marty Nemko on Sunday, and Marty was interesting and helpful.
ReplyDeleteKarel is annoying on most things, but closeted Gays will work against Gays just to prove "they aren't like that"... Think about all the anti-Gay preachers and politicians who have been outed. He's right about that.
ReplyDeletePeople don't resent closet cases like Gabbert and Cooper - we're disgusted that they haven't got the balls to not live a lie - if you have to lie about the person you spend your life with, what else are you lying about?
Karel is annoying. I personally do not like people who "out" others. , I do not think Gabbert is in the closet. Probably in Karel's mind you are closet case if you do not talk about your sexual orientation 24/7.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Karel is that he is the wrong person for the San Francisco market.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in the City fir the last 30 years, and like almost everyone else I have worked with openly gay business owners, professionals and co- workers. Needless to say, these bosses, professionals, and co-workers are interesting, inteligent professionals who place as much emphasis on their sexual orientation as do the straight folks in the workplace. It's more along the lines of "I am a physician who also happens to be gay," not the "I am a gay man who also happens to be a physician."
If Karel were not gay he would be a boring narcissist; the only personna he brings to the airwaves is one of a boring narcissist who is gay. Neither is palatable in the long run.
Anderson Cooper is not "closeted" at all. He appears all over the place with his partner. He just has the manners and the good taste(he is a Vanderbilt) to not discuss his personal sexual habits with the public..
ReplyDeleteSo Karel is losing his home to foreclosure. Hmmm, the slf- professed smart gay either signed paper he didn't understand, or he signed papers he couldn't honor. How does someone so Fucking smart have that happen to them? Hey Karel pull the stick out of your ASS and own up to life. Claim your mistake. You bought a home you can't afford. Do like the rest of us and buy something you can afford. Or quit preaching about always being right and knowing everything. Oh everything but simple math!
ReplyDeleteblewis