The most disturbing aspect of Ronn Owens continued muzzle, re: the Nov. 30 bloodbath? the continuing speculation that higher-ups at Cumulus told Owens he was to refrain from talking about the format change and mass firings at KGO.
I don't buy but into the conventional wisdom that Owens--who has a seven-figure deal that expires in a year, (with a hefty buyout clause), was told point blank that he'd be fired with cause if he were to talk about the sordid proceedings, (thus enabling Cumulus to let him go without having to pay off his remaining deal); to the contrary, I believe Owens took the most guarded, safest route and figured that the whole affair would simply blow off the radar. It didn't.
Let's examine some details:
*If Owens was indeed muzzled, then I would doubt he'd have participate in a flimsy fifteen-minute affair on the air in which he sounded fake and phony, offering scant sympathy for his fallen colleagues, (in addition to producers and some news people and others), who were summarily dismissed just 24 hours earlier.
*If Cumulus and Bill Bungeroth told Owens they wanted no discussion of Nov. 30, then I doubt they would have allowed his fifteen-minute charade, complete with stupefying cameos by producer, Jared Hart, and ND, Paul Hosely. Who would gain? Nobody. And why would Owens subject himself to such utterly disingenuous behavior and universal ridicule, and draw the ire and wrath from both professional people in and out of the industry? Owens is not that dumb and Cumulus is not that stupid. One would think.
*Let's say, to play devil's advocate, that indeed Owens was ordered to stay clear of the issue. Beyond that, let's say he refused and Cumulus dare fire a 37-year SF radio favorite on a big market station. Think that would have caused an uproar? Owens would have had every big-time lawyer standing in line in front of KGO offering him a pro-bono defense and Cumulus would have had the mother of all PR nightmares. Even a wounded Owens still has plenty of fans in his amen corner.
Dream on.
Owens was neither warned nor confronted. He did what he had to do. He tried in vain to placate both sides--his KGO friends and management-- all the while thinking squarely about that last year of a seven-figure salary that he needs to pay for that home in Seacliff and multiple college tuitions. Which is only reasonable, but spare me the male-Evita analogy.
I repeat: NOBODY; me, you, anyone, said Ronn Owens should have quit his job. That would require a Hollywood element to a mere SF Bay Area media story. And Owens was and is under contract. And at premium coin, we get that--really, we do. We also know fully well that no matter an all-out area-wide kvetch by Owens would have negated what transpired on Nov. 30. Again, Ronnie, we didn't expect you to be a hero, god forbid.
What ticked off the public and several thousands of Owens and KGO listeners; not to mention the numerous advertisers who have cancelled their accounts, is the way Owens so callously, so amateurishly, so preposterously insensitively shallow manner in which he handled the situation. Got it?
The false sympathy, the bizarre, "I think this is going to be a great new format and I can't wait!" bravado that came out of left field? Was Ronn Owens so paranoid about his own tenuous situation and future that he would kiss so much Cumulus ass? Here's a radical idea: why don't you, Ronn, tell us. Why the silence? Maybe you're embarrassed. Tired too. Those condescending letters on your Facebook page took its toll. Damn, what arrogance too.
Ronn, seriously, you sound sullen, flat, resigned. From some of my moles inside the building there, your miserable. Maybe that explains the continued Jared ass-kissing. If Jared and "Copie"are you're only friends these days, (inside the building), then I can understand your misery. But it was you, Ronn, that chose that path. Fifteen minutes. 15 effing minutes. And you still don't get it? Take a listen, pal.
So now, your reduced to a state of sedation and profane, painful resignation. I'd love to see the real e-mail you get that you haven't deleted. Your action, or inaction in this case, speaks volumes. I'm not trying to pile on--your continued curious silence is indicative and profusely transparent to a wide audience that is just as perplexed as all of us. Is it the money? OK, fine, just level with your listeners. You don't owe 'em that, but it wouldn't hurt. Your behavior now only reinforces what the rest of us have figured out. You're a coward. That's not an insult, it's a fact.
How sad too, since even at your personal worst, professionally, somehow you carry on, albeit in a plastic bubble at the hollow Cumulus studios over there at 900 Front. Really, I'm glad, that, you love your job and you love your life! Sure, Ronn.
In the meantime, how's the mattress business?
*Follow me on Twitter
Totally agree, Rich. Ronn just doesn't get that he blew it all in that 15 minutes the day after the firings. All long-time listeners wanted from him was some honesty. There are a thousand ways he could have communicated anger and disbelief without violating his contract clause. When he didn't, listeners like me were left to believe that he wasn't angry at all, and that he was perfectly content with the way things went down.
ReplyDeleteIs Copie still inside the building? He no longer shows up on the schedule, which instead shows Pat Thurston in his place.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, who Ronn Owens really is - and what he has done/will do - has absolutely no importance.
ReplyDeleteIn a nation where the airwaves are owned by the people - and are to serve the public interest - we need to hold public officials and agencies accountable to this principle. Focusing on Ronn and his millions lets the corporations operate under the radar and achieve their one goal of higher profits using a public resource.
Why does sleep train even bother with Ronn's show anymore ? Since I stopped listening to KGONE news blather I've noticed how many other stations Sleep Train advertises on. Hey Ronn, 88.5FM is vastly better than your sorry little sham of a radio show.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is time to just let it go Lieberman.
ReplyDeleteNo one is listening to Ronn anyway; I admit I have a few times and it is just dead and uninteresting and I agree he does not seem happy. But so what, let him take his money to the bank and be miserable. The Listeners just want good radio back and I am now listening to the 910 station and hope that Gene Burns returns and if not hopefully the station will be able to convince some others to step in. It has been a great week listening to the lawyer and other ex KGO people. I only listen to KGO when Copeland is on now.
Help us get good, interesting, local radio back.
East Bay Listener
Agree with East Bay Listener.
ReplyDeleteI was getting tired of Ronn BEFORE December 1st...and the whole affair gave me an excellent reason simply to disregard anything that station airs.
I am thrilled that so many "smarties" are discovering how delightful 88.5 is!
I want John Rothman to have a three hour permanent show on 910
ReplyDeleteKind of leaning towards 12:18, Rich.
ReplyDeleteSure, this KGO fiasco has put a huge spotlight to your blog and you've done right mining it but lets fade out on Ronn more over 2012 (once a week, maybe?) and start highlighting all the other parts of the media beyond KGO. Otherwise, it starts to become like white noise if there is no new information.
The best way to prove that Owens isn't relevant anymore ISN'T to keep listening to him and provide daily write ups but to start turning that fade out knob on KGO. Otherwise you are proving he's still relevant to you and the blog hits.
Other than that, keep up the good work, sir!
Ronn is the Candlestick Park of radio. Hailed by VP Nixon when it opened, expensive to operate, outdated, prone to power outages.
ReplyDeleteRonn is still relevant. He is a public figure who earns way too much money for too little work.
ReplyDelete"I repeat: NOBODY; me, you, anyone, said Ronn Owens should have quit his job."
ReplyDeleteThat's the only part in the entire post I did not agree with. There were plenty of KGO listeners who stated that they thought it would be nice if Lowenstein (Owens) quit in protest.
@11:59, I've been wondering the same exact thing. Brian Copeland moved to 11-2 (Pat now at the 8-11 slot), but he hasn't been on KGO for a few weeks.
Also, on the "program directory" it states "guest host" where Spencer Hughes name used to appear. "Guest host" in the slot where Scott Lettieri once was as well.
After doing some online searching as to why Spencer Hughes's name was removed from KGO's website, I found this facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-annoying-Spencer-Hughes/240356089368571 which states:
Looks like Sphincter Hughes is gone! He posted this on his page earlier today. "I want to thank the tons of new listeners and fans whose support I found while on KGO and KSFO in San Francisco. Unfortunately, my appearances there have come to an end as they are a conflict of interest with my current job. It was nice while it lasted, as they say. And there are no hard feelings with either employer. It's all just business and I understand. Thanks for the fun while doing what I like best--chatting with all of you. Cheers."
Well done... but there comes a time when beating a dead horse only make the person with the club look foolish... something you don't deserve.. so to quote one comment above... let the white noise die out... there are a number of other media outlets to report on... it is sad what has happened to this former blowtorch station... and you have covered it well...
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem with Ronn right now is that I have heard him say on many occasions that if he was ever told by the management what to say and what not to say he would quit. Well Ronn its time to put up or shut up!!!
ReplyDeleteConflict of Interest- you mean conflict of boredom. His listeners were bored to death! Put back John Rothmann!!!!
ReplyDeleteI simply disagree with several of the posts here. Ronn's "15 minutes" may have been a major disappointment to many of his listeners but he has a job...and an employer. He was likely confronted with an order to handle this in a very specific manner. His choice was to agree and keep his job, or disagree and go the way of so many unemployed radio people today. How many of those who stand in judgement of his decision would have chosen to handle it differently? (Answer honestly.)
ReplyDeleteThe time has come -- instead of "Guest Host" and a Facebook post from Spencer Hughes to say "Buh-bye" -- why don't the dipsticks at Cumulus Sweetjack/KGO do this:
ReplyDeletePut Christine Craft on regular shifts on Saturday and Sunday. She's better than Pat Thurston and more in tune -- and has a great sense of humor and knows her stuff.
If not 10-1 ... how about 1) taking loose lips Karel and just remove him? Period. Or, at worst, put him on 10-1 on Sat & Sun -- and put Christine on from 7-10 pm.
It would liven up the post-Finney mess, give something "exciting" and "real" to listen to with a long-standing and popular veteran of the weekend wars at KGO. Plus -- a woman.
Keep Thurston on 8-11 a.m. Sat and Sun.
The time is NOW. Do SOMETHING write, Hosely and Hart. I dare you.
Roger: " How many of those who stand in judgement of his decision would have chosen to handle it differently?"
ReplyDeleteI would have. There are more important things than money...like honesty,integrity, and compassion for our fellow human beings.
You guys are all STUPID if you expected him to go on air that next morning...with both guns blazing away at managment. HE'S UNDER CONTRACT FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my friends. But not enough to, as many of you idiot listeners would probably expect, come out with a blowtorch/flamethrower and start railing at MY boss if I had a high-paying job/a job I truly loved in the aftermath of a mass-firing that didn't include ME!
It's a business-one that you all know can be yanked away from you (or your co-workers) if the ratings suck. People come and go in our business...that's what they taught me back in J-School.
Maybe we should legislate it that ALL citizens of the Bay Area take a few Broadcast Journalism courses in high school--so that they can understand that it's all business when their favorite TV/Radio people are let go???
I am glad Rich keeps up the drum beat on Ronn Owens. Ronn Owens can do better. Anyone can make a mistake while in the midst of a blood bath and a death in the family. A well-paying job, bosses that are expecting you to behave a certain way - all are pressures that could easily cause someone to loose his or her moral compass or at least get the person disorientated.
ReplyDeleteBut, the Ronn Owens we have listened to all these years can come back after a mistake and do better: even an honest and sincere acknowledgment of the anger, hurt, and resentment all of this has caused --- even an acknowledgement that his KGO air wave time is not being used to air the "waves" most relevant to his program --- all of that can be corrected -- I have no way of knowing but perhaps Rich, you, like I, still expect better - still expect more from Ronn. And, I, for one, still think if nothing else he owns us the listeners and his former EXCELLENT colleague hosts - more.
What made me really angry was how Ronn tried to play victim with his belly-aching on being "cyber-bullied." Perhaps there was some horrible threat none of us know about. If that were the case, that would be a deplorable situation. But, short of that, Ronnn Owens is a TALK-SHOW host. It is a compliment to him and the others that any and all of us care. For him to equate the outrage pouring out on Rich Liberman's blog ( and thank you for the blog, Rich) and onto his web/facebook page to "cyber-bullying" is laughable and insulting to those of us who have expressed our opinions and insulting to those poor people who have been truly cyberbullied. Ronn, I think this: we are still waiting for you to come through. Integrity to me is more important than money. But in this day and age all of us understand life and incomes are not that black and white. But, it is a fact - you have let us down big-time. And, it is a fact that you can not reverse how you handled it all, but you can still make it better, rectify it to some degree. I think that is why Rich keeps on -- and me too, I do not want to believe Ronn Owens will just let the rather pathetic figure he has become remain as the figure that is on KGO.The saying is that it is not what happens to you that shows one's character, it is what you do after what happens: you have disappointed and angered your long-long time listners. You also had a death in your family and were probably in shock at the great cruelty suffered by your coworkers and hosts who are as talented and loved, if not more talented and more loved, than you. So, you made a mistake. That is what happened. What are you going to do after what happened happened?
And, as for Rich, please keep writing. Thank you.
The person who should exit the KGO building is
ReplyDeleteJared "We are going to talk cell phone use" the producer.
3:58 PM, Roger, and others who wonder if we would have honestly handled it differently than Ronn...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll echo Jana here. I'd rather lose my job than work for a company which treats its employees like shit. Why would anyone want to stay at a job with a bunch of mean money grubbing bean counters, especially when you could land another gig in no time flat if you kept up your morality. If Ronn is worth the big bucks which he is making now, finding a new radio home shouldn't be much of an endeavor. I've dropped clients, at a financial loss, because I could not stomach them as humans. Better to be a bit poorer than lose ones self respect and self worth! How happy is Ronn now? Wouldn't he be at peace right now if he'd stood by his friends? Is money really worth the loss of reputation and character?
It should be interesting to hear Ronn in a year, when he's free to say what he wants.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep my mouth shut and suck it up for a year if I was making $1,000,000.
Earlier today I put on KSFO for kicks and some joker, (I believe a former congressman) was doing a thing where you have 30 seconds to rant on anything you want. Just like Owens did. I'm wondering if Owens is going to ever do this schtick again. Can you imagine what the calls would be like?
ReplyDeleteWell said 4:18. I am not angry with Ronn, but I am disappointed. I understand that when the firings occurred so suddenly Ronn was also dealing with a death in the family, mentally being ready to be on vacation, and the shock of being the only man standing (not counting secondary talk show hosts). Also, he's not dumb. His contract will be over by this time next year and probably his career. He perhaps wants to have some decent memories of his final year. Ronn admits that he is not a touchy, feely type and he probably went into his coping mode of "being a realist". However, he has shown no empathy for the many listeners whose weekly activities intertwined with KGO hosts for decades. That bothers me, but I won't be hating on him for that. There may be a day that he talks about his experience. After enjoying his shows for over twenty years, I am not going to let his disappointing reaction color my whole experience of him. Heck, my own husband has made me angrier and I chose to stick around. I've had friends and family disappoint me. I'm glad I didn't end relationships because of those things. Ronn is a talk show host. If I can forgive my family and friends for less than stellar behavior, I can deal with Ronn Owens. I wish him well. For the most part, he has been a decent guy. That said, I hate KGO!
ReplyDeleteYou know, when you think about it, if Owens did show compassion for his former co-workers and exhibited even mild disgust over the moves - he would have been doing Cumulus a favor. People would have still listened to Owens as the last vestige of old KGO. His ratings would have been better and ad time would be filled.
ReplyDeleteBut - if he toed the company line, turned off as many listeners as possible, he'd still get paid and Cumulus would suffer more for their actions. Is it possible Owens figures the best way to get back at management for what they did is to sabotage his own show and rep, figuring he'll still make his money, be gone in a year either way and relaunch a show somewhere else in a year where he can get back to doing what made him one of the better hosts in the Bay Area?
@ 11:29--Interesting thoughts
ReplyDeleteHi Rich,
ReplyDeleteI'll put a different spin on this. I stopped listening to Ronn in the 1980's, I thought he was rude and too aggressive.
The best thing I ever did was buy an Internet Radio Tuner I have 16,000 channels to listen to and seldom listen to local radio anymore except for KCBS on the hour.
The big corporations ruined radio long ago. KGO is kidding itself if it thinks it can compete with KCBS regardless of what they do.
In my book Ronn was a jerk, is a jerk and will always be a jerk although a well off jerk for a very long time.
Nothing good nor bad lasts forever...
Keep it up, Rich. Love it. Yes, I believe that people sit in corporate rooms dreaming up greater market control with greater profit by reducing costs like payroll. They are likely discussing their ability to broadcast their own agenda. Are people able to tune into these 'free speech zones on weekend?: We are doing other stuff. Len and Gen during drive time on 9.10? As you put it 'radio deck shuffling', I say by billionaires not an accident - we are all scrambling finding some intelligent programs on npr and kpfa but not the local talk we loved that we could depend on without work, dial changing. My conviction: part of the plan - the oft asked " why why" when so stupid, question can be answered: the answer lies in the result. The result is the goal. Consider the net effect on your life. Case closed.
ReplyDeleteKapo . . .Whenever I hear the mattress man's name that is what Ithink. Enjoy your retirement hypocrite
ReplyDeletePrediction: KGO goes out of business.
ReplyDelete