Attention: KGO Braintrusts --
If possible, and we know it is, while you're screwing with your Program Schedule which the personalities seem to take care of including that "Guest Host" personality ... could you add a touch of credibility and self-respect by CHANGING DOUG McENTYRE's PICTURE AND THROW IT OFF YOUR WEBSITE?
The show is still "The Red Eye Radio Bullsquat Truckers Show for FREE from Cumulus Media" but Doug is doing morning drive on your very own KABC, 790, in Boss Angeles. He does it with former KFI news legend Teri Rae.
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Maybe you missed the memo, it's only been almost a month -- since the 3rd of January, in fact.
The show is now a snooze fest with these two yahoos from WBAP in Dallas -- another station you own. I know, things have been a bit hectic and you guys need to keep trying to paper train SweetJack who "stands one foot three and loves technology." Good grief.
If you need someone to stop by and fix these kinds of things and restore some order -- let me know. I'm available. You're not getting your money's worth with Jared. What's next? Thanks.
Listened a little last night to Red Eye (I really enjoyed the back and forth following Presidential speeches on the old KGO) Some guy called in and started talking about the Fairness Doctrine. These clowns said the FD was responsible for talk radio - than nobody was doing it except for Larry King (and he didn't talk politics) before the late '80s.
ReplyDeleteSome guy called in about a "cancer vaccine" and they blew him off. And then an older woman called in sincerely wanting more information about the vaccine and instead of explaining that the previous caller wasn't credible, they goofed on her and gave her a fake address to find out more.
Never mind about my previous post, regarding the cancer thing. Turns out a Houston doctor IS involved (so they first guy the hosts mocked was right) in a cancer vaccine study but the "newer" and unrelated vaccine is called Roswell, so forgive my mistake.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I really find the hosts boring, condescending and ignorant. And yet, supremely confident in their abilities.
Another cheap shot at Jared Hart, one of the bright young talents in radio programming. This likeable young man has a bright future and is passionate about the profession. KGO is damned lucky to have him!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you guys always pick on him? He's creative, energetic,. encouraging, and is one of the few good hires that Cumulus has made. Yet everyone seems to make him a lightening rod for all of the things that KGO has done since Cumulus has showed up.
Perhaps there are some KGO staffers who work with Jared who could
send in their thoughts. I work with him at the station and his reputation there is impeccable.
I guess Rich has been in one of his attack-dog modes lately, and when he gets a hold of something, he likes to shake it again and again to get a rise out of the readers.
And I've asked this before but I'll ask again...why was there such hue and cry over the mass firings at KGO, yet six years ago, no one said hardly a peep when Cumulus came in and downsized KNBR radio?
I wonder how much attention some of you people area really paying to local radio.
Seems to me I read this exact same description about Jared several posts back -- "bright young talent, likeable young man, passionate about the profession, KGO lucky to have him."
DeleteI don't believe Cumulus hired him. He was there before Cumulus took over.
You say you work at the station and his reputation there is impeccable. That's not what Rich's sources have told him about working with Jared.
You ask about KNBR. I didn't listen to KNBR so didn't follow what went on there. That was for KNBR's listeners to take issue with. They may have downsized KNBR, but it's still sports programming. Cumulus completely changed the identity of KGO, eliminating talk during the week and putting almost all newbies on weekend talk and putting boring, repetitive news on all week long. Every big city has sports talk, but only KGO had all local newstalk. THAT's the difference. Also, since KNBR carries 49ers, Giants, and Warriors, much of their programming is carrying live sports. That didn't change.
Thanks, Ronn. Nice to see that you've checked in. Shame you didn't say the same about Gene, Gil, John and Ray. You might not believe, but you'd be wrong. He worked at Cumulus as producer at Cumulus' low-rated talker, KCMO, Kansas City.
DeleteThen he became a producer for some Raiders programming. Then he came to KGO as a producer/screener and assistant Program Director. Inside the building, his job is doing the dirty work when it comes to firing, making programming policy outside news (that's Paul Hosely), as well as calling his "friends" to fill-in on mysterious "Guest Host" slots on the weekend. So far, he's picked mostly the wrong ones.
In fact, Karel has read a few of his countless memos like those pouncing on the backs of producers who allow the news to run longer, especially weekends, talent that interrupt newscasts and poor choice of from music to guests.
Jared has a problem in doing a lot of dirty work himself. He has other people carry that water, like moving veteran producers out to bring in his own posse. Paul Hosely is liked and respected. Jared not so much.
Call screener turned assistant PD with too much authority.
One thing Jared does well is kissing Ronn's ass.
Bitter, party of one.
Because, Mel, not nearly as many people listen -- or care -- about 14th rated KNBR. As long as they can hear play-by-play of the 49ers, Giants and Warriors, everything else there is boorish, except that it beat KGO by 100,000 listeners in the last three months.
DeleteThat would be 18-34 year olds and 18-44 listeners plus 49ers fans in the last three months. Why shouldn't it be that way? The 49ers had a great year! The numbers on both KNBR and KSAn "The Bone" were up, too. Duh!
Here ya go - Jared Hart is talented as executive producer, call screener - period.
DeleteJared Hart
Title: Exec. Producer for Raiders Radio & KGO APD
Demographic info - Age: 28
San Francisco Bay Area | Broadcast Media
Current:Producer - Oakland Raiders Pre and Post Game at CBS Radio, Assistant Program Director and Producer for the Ronn Owens Program at KGO-AM
Past:Producer - KCMO Morning Show with Chris Stigall at KCMO Talk Radio 710 (Cumulus) Kansas City, MO Producer at Chiefs Radio Network, Production Manager at North Sea Films.
Education:University of Nebraska at Omaha, Diablo Valley College
Summary:I have been in Radio and Film since 2001. I enjoy working on feature length films and documentaries. I am currently the APD for KGO and KSFO in San Francisco, CA
If someone doesn't give a flying fig for football, hockey, basketball or any other sport than baseball (A's fan here), why would they turn on KNBR? They wouldn't, 7:19. Many of us newstalk junkies pay attention to local radio; we chose not to pay attention to sports programming, as it holds no interest for us.
DeletePeople who are boring, condescending, and ignorant are always supremely confident in their abilities.
ReplyDeleteI speak from personal experience.
You speak from personal experience. So What personal experience may that be?
DeleteWhomever Jared's cheerleader is must be Jared or Ronn as he is not well liked. I'd hardly call him a talented programmer. He is a guppy who is Ronn's producer and that is all he should be.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, the word "guppy" is not permitted. That word has been changed to "puppy" as in SweetJack the puppy. One foot three who knows technology.
DeleteHave they finally stopped running those awful commercials yet? Or are they producing new ones?
Now, back to indentured servitude.
If you want to read a bunch of weepy, whiney, gossipy, squalid little posts, this is the right place to come!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many of the folks who write these posts and rip the local talent and behind the scenes people have ever even set a foot into the door of a local radio station. Very few of you folks will ever know what it takes to work in radio....how you have to suck up your pride, how you can be fired at a moment's notice for no logical reason, how you can come into work one day and find out that new owners have just decided to "change the format" of the station, fraying everyone's nerves.
But hey, you folks sure know how to criticize and rip hard working people who are merely trying to survive and make a living in this topsy-turvy industry.
I'd love to come to your places of work sometime and see how will you do your jobs!
But if that's the way the radio industry works, you must know going in that you have to suck up your pride and that you could be fired at a moment's notice. You chose the profession such as it is. There must be some reward or perhaps you should seek another more stable line of work.
DeleteThe criticism is for the arrogant folks who try to tell us somehow we shouldn't complain about the pathetic product being put on the air. Nobody said you aren't working hard and trying to survive. We all are. We're just telling you that it's garbage being put out. Hopefully some of the "suits" will eventually get the message, and maybe it will improve for you all as well as us, the audience. The recent arbitron ratings back us up.
Excuse me?
DeleteThis only pertains to radio?
Join the world as it is! And do NOT accuse US of not understanding "the pressure."
I've had enough pressure for 10 lifetimes, and sorry--you sound like a very spoiled brat!
(almost typed "rat." That too would work.
Ooooo! Pick me! I've been in lots of radio stations, both great and horrid as a successful professional. No one is forcing these poor, demoralized people who were suddenly forced into a situation they didn't expect and aren't prepared for to get beat up like they are.
ReplyDeleteNo one says it's their fault. They can take their pride and move on up radio row. They aren't forced to grovel at Cumulus' feet.
Yes, it's a job, granted. But the alleged talent for making these changes that decimated a once great radio station or two have tried putting round pegs into square holes and, so, they are the laughing stock of Bay Area radio. If it's the ownership and, as in this case, awful management, then why the upset from inside?
Because that's what dedicated people and professionals do when they are upset and it SHOWS. They didn't ask for this, but they are being manipulated into embarassment and a number of them leak the word because it's not fair to them. Ask any number of producers, weekend talent, the loss of legends like Gil, Gene, John, Ray, Joannie and others, with an uppity inside management and it's tough. People talk.
People aren't "all" stupid. We can hear it. We can feel it. If it's not true, then you are invited to straighten us out, but you don't or won't. Why? Because you'll be fired next.
Enjoy your day.
Good point, 10:03. Then, maybe, do a better job and avoid the criticism. Either that, or avoid being on this frequency. After all, it is a free country and you don't have to read this stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnd furthermore...... :)
ReplyDeleteHey, it happens in radio, and it happens in the local electronics/computer/semiconductor companies......The people that own the station (or company) don't care about the people involved, they just care about the bottom line. They care about how cheaply they can do something with the least tolerable quality and cost. I have worked at many local electronics companies and it's the same as I am seeing going on at KGO. If you don't fit into their "$ plan d'joour" you are outa there..you get screwed just so they can make an extra buck. They don't care. So what do you do? The best you can do is try to find places to work with people with like minded attitudes and philosophies. Sometimes not an easy task since the business world is full of crappy people who care just about themselves and won;t think twice making life miserable for employees if they can get a buck out of it. Also, ya gotta do what you can to make publicly known just what kind of jerks they are so words gets out and possibly make things tough on them. Hmmm. Good companies lead by quality decent people and that have quality workers and a quality product need get rewarded by being supported. Those that don't fit that category need to get boycotted.
I work 3rd shift Thursday to Monday I listen to KGO at work. I have to agree that Red Eye show is just awful. I can not follow the subjects and do not enjoy the show. The changes KGO made are understandable because the shows were boring including Ron, why tell bad jokes for hours on end. Why did they keep Karel? I listen to him from 9-10 on the weekends and it is just as bad if not worse then Red Eye. He is not in the area he does his show from Long Beach, he yells and screams, then talks to some guy from the middle east about shopping deals. I like the monte show, interesting subjects and takes calls and lets the callers talk. Every other show on KGO is boring or just bad! I know I do not listen in "prime time" but when I do it is not good
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more. And I know it's a rhetorical question, but why does America allow so many of these businesses to get away with highway robbery!
ReplyDeleteIknow that it's been a problem for awhile, but we've allowed these maga-big-box companies to steal and pillage with impugnity. This has become one of our biggest problems as a counrtry.
Unfortunately, many companies covet the bottom line so dearly that anything that even poses a minor threat to a bigger bottom line is immediately consigned to the wastebasket; ideas, projects, programs, people.
This relates to a story:
I was in a fraternity with a bunch of guys in the early 1970s at a mid west University....and these were nice guys, good friends, decent people, but their philosophy of life was alien to mine and the values my family had given me growing up. Essentially, many of them believed that people like Calvin Coolidge and JP Morgan were the real heroes of this country, and they wanted to live up to be the modern day versions of these icons.
I remember one frat brother who absolutely adored Ronald Reagan
(this is when he was governor of California.) This guy who used to tell me (because I am a California native) "oh, you're so lucky to have real 'true-blue' American like Reagan running your state!"
One of the things I noticed most about these guys was they were masters as engaging in the kind 'snappy patter,' and other minor cocktail hour chit-chat that salesmen like to indulge in. I just found their whole philosophy of life (get a job, make money...manage money...make more money) kind of empty and sad.
Unfortunately, many Americans bought into this empty dream in greater numbers than ever starting with the 'era of greed' when Reagan took over in 1981, and we've been on a steady downhill slide ever since.
And the Democrats are not without some complicity in this matter too, although traditionally, the Republican party has always thought of the US government as simply there to be a hand-maiden for them to take as many resources as possible and use them for their own needs.
Look at what oil, timber, and mining companies do to our nationally owned resources as an example. They plunder and pillage, use nationally owned property to make money, overcharge the public and fatten their own portfolios, all this after leaving a noxious trail of toxic waste in their wakes. SAD...Sad....SAD!
OFFICIAL! Redeye Radio, is now, Red Neck Radio!
ReplyDeleteYeeee haaww!
ReplyDeleteWelcome t othe 2st century of Bay Afrea radio. We might as well be in Amarillo, Texas. Liberal media...? Yeah right!
ReplyDeleteWho are these nit-wits who spout this ridiculous crap about the 'liberal' media? Outside of Pacifica radio..where is the liberal media these days. If the media is so liberal, then why are all the talk show hosts a bunch of red-necked, imbecilic, slavering apologists for big business like Limbaugh, Hannity and the rest of the Rupert Murdoch clones!
And I wonder why they always sound so mad. After all, big business is running the country and the conservatives have been in control for the last 30 years. Obama, conrtrary to what some red neck nincompoops say, is a 'moderate' as was Clinton. Nixon, if he were alive and president today, would be considered a moderate, and so wouldl Kennedy. The laast true liberal we had as president was Harry Truman, who stood up to big business and that
demogogue who nearly ruined this country, Joe McCarthy!
2:08 PM. Ronald Reagan WAS the greatest president of our time. They (your frat bros) got something right.
ReplyDeleteGive me a break! Reagen's famous comment: "you've seen one redwood tree, you've seen them all," pretty much summarized his attitude about the environment. He also believed that "communists were infiltrating Hollywood," as he did his fair share a part to help one of the most disgraceful periods in America history, when careers were ruined by innuendo. And of course when he became president, that's when all the deregulation of industry started...and that's been a really great idea right? Not to mention that he threw all of the mentally ill people out of hospitals so after 1980, the number of homeless people doubled on our streets (I remember it well because I as living in NYC at the time.)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course he took no blame for the Iran/Contra affair, which would have caused most presidents to be impeached. Trading with
two despicable countries without the knowledge or consent of congress was a non-no. Yeah..Great leader that Ronnie-baby!