Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Gross delivers the goods on NewsTalk 910; Former KGO host


Gil Gross

I was never a huge fan of Gil Gross; I had thought he was rather ordinary actually, but every now and then I made it a point of giving him a listen on the old station.

Now, I make it a point to hear his show on the new 'NewsTalk 910' because Gross has become more entertaining and listenable. His style, the semi-glazy, almost too casual and monotone delivery and conversational tone that depicts Gross has been the main sticking points of his critics, but in actuality, that's the main reason I like the talk and news veteran.

And now, filling in intermittently for Gene Burns on Tuesdays, Gross has become more engaging, more in tone. Probably a good reason for that is the extra hour he gets, (4- 7 PM), on the new station. Gross doesn't wow you with a lot of on-air histrionics and that's a style that suits both him and the listeners well. He's also a fairly good interviewer particularly with off-news topics. (And of course, timely news too).

Gross was supposedly headed back to network radio news--in fact, he was one of the best anchors at ABC Radio before coming over to KGO to take the place of the late Pete Wilson. But Gross may now have change of heart given his current, albeit temporary, (for now), gig at 910.

Like many of his past predecessors at the old place, I'm enjoying Gross' new show. Here's hoping he too, like John Rothmann, can land more time.

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31 comments:

  1. Bravo, Rich.

    Gil is a subtle addiction. I didn't know how much he had grown on me until KGOne removed his voice from his life so suddenly.

    He is brighter than the sun with a heart and spirit bigger than than anything. I am so treasuring these shows...

    His laugh cracks me up no end! It's like one of those Hannah Barbera (sp?) characters. Endearing!

    I am glad you "got it." Gil's the Guy!

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  2. I've always been a fan of Gil, and I am thrilled that he has gotten some shifts on Newstalk 910. It's great to hear him, and all of the former KGOers. I do hope they all find a permanent place somewhere in the Bay Area radiosphere.

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  3. I've always enjoyed Gil's shows. When a news story, similar to Pete Wilson, both of them found not so obvious angles to approach the topic.

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  4. Great observation Rich. Let us also not underestimate the constant news interruptions at the other station. They were very disruptive to the flow of the show. On 910 Gil's pace seems a bit faster and smoother and he introduces a couple of topics per hour. Also at the other station he emphasized having the audience call in even when he was interviewing someone interesting. At times I would scream: "dammit Gil, interview the guest the whole hour! I don't wanna hear Joe in Livermore's opinion!".
    Here is hoping 910 hires Gil and Rothman full time. Any word on what Taliafero is up to? I sure miss his show at night.

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  5. Hey Rich!

    Suggestion...but it's your blog. How about letting the comments appear right away (maybe your system won't let you, though) and then you could delete inappropriate content later.

    Some of the ranters and ravers are SO funny! I, and many others, post in response...but then the air is kind of let out of the balloon by the time our comments get posted and then THEIR responses appear...

    Too much sfgate, I guess.

    Keep up the great work! I may have lost KGone, but I discovered this great new local blog. Thank you!

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  6. Gil Gross was one of my favorites on KGO and I'll follow him anywhere. I hope 910AM finds a permanent place for him (and Rothman); they'd pick up a ton of listeners!

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  7. Gill is great
    He likes good conversation & debate
    I'm always to hear him.

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  8. Gil has a kind heart and a gentle soul. He has a folksy style, but has some wonderful insightful moments. I hope he is offered a position with 910.

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  9. Love Gil. Adored him from the time he was filling in at KGO, and was thrilled when he got his own show. The hardest part about the KGO debacle was not listening to him every day!

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    1. I enjoyed Gil, but found his frequent habit of drawing out some of his words very annoying. Example; I founnnnnnnd his habit annoyyyyyyying. Other than that, he does well.

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    2. Can't stand listening to him... and I do think it's primarily due to the stetching out of words... Connnnnnstantly.... Like nails on a chalkboard... Uhhhhh, this is my radio voice... I turn him off the second he comes on... because of that.

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  10. I love Gil Gross for all the above reasons. I used to say I could listen to him read the phone book. I'm glad you're finally on board, and yes, I certainly hope he gets a permanent spot and doesn't go back to ABC news.

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  11. Gil is great. Think what he had to do at KGO, filling Pete Wilson' spot? He is folksy. He pauses a lot. But the man came out of NYC network news so he is no slouch. My take on the secret of his popularity is that men like him, but women love him. Like many others have posted, I hope he wants to stay in talk radio in the Bay Area and that 910 makes a home for him.

    As Gil says: "I like dogs but have cats".

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  12. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Gil Gross in nutshell.

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  13. I suggest that all us former KGO listeners e-mail, call or write 910 and let them know how much we enjoy Gil, John and Gene, John and Gene were my favorites, but I like Gil as well, especially when he talks politics. John and Jeff on 910 10 p.m are lame, it would be a perfect spot for John Rothman, 910 week-end programming is weak. I like Alan Colmes, but there is nothing like someone local, mostly because the callers are so much better. 910 has made some good and smart programming decisions, and I expect they will continue to evolve, especially if the sense they will get good ratings

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  14. Can anyone tell me why Rothman and Gross have not been offered contracts at this station. They may not want to be KGO lite but these two people are talented broadcasters? Would love to hear the reasons.

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  15. One of the things I grew to appreciate on Gil's show was the variety of "experts" he found to interview to get more detail on some of the headline news stories. Instead of just hearing his opinion and that of the callers, he found people who would present both sides of an issue. I found his shows to almost always be truly educational, not simply entertainment. And he often presented topics that the others weren't covering or at least a different angle on the top stories.

    During his fill-in gigs in the morning this week and afternoons for the past month, he's had several interviews to illuminate his topics -- like the assemblywoman today who proposes part time legislators. His background in hard news has prepared him well for digging up and presenting the FACTS and doing good interviews to get to the heart of the matter.

    On K-Gone besides ads and news interruptions, he also had traffic reports and the contest winners and prizes and all of that. It really cut into his time and the flow of his show. And he only had 2 hours, not enough time for the content he wanted to cover.

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  16. On KGOne I used to hate what I called Gil's "cutesy" manner of delivery and often turned him off. Didn't hear that today ... or maybe I just didn't notice. Happy to have the opportunity to hear him again!

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  17. I too enjoy Gil for the most part, though sometimes I find him a bit naive on some tpoics, but hes got an enjoyable easy listening style for sure. Apparently he is still on CUMULUS station? He was hosting a Real Estate program on KSFO. In any event I hope 910 keeps him on with a perminent spot.

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  18. I really hope he gets a spot at 910. I enjoyed him on the "other station" but when they went to commercials all the time it really made it difficult to listen. All the hosts were having a problem with that format. Now on 910 he really seems really smooth. He does seems happy at 910. Love it.

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  19. I completely mirror all the positive accolades which are heading Gil's way. He's a jem! As is John Rothmann, who never fails to amaze me with his political knowledge and insight (this coming from a Politics Major) which shows me that I don't know squat! I'd love to see both of them on KKSF full time.

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    1. I would love to see John and Gil on full time as well! Hope KKSF is paying attention .....

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  20. The reason Gil was one of my favorite shows on KGO is because he talks about things which actually affects people lives.

    We don't need to hear about presidential politics every single day when half the homes in the Bay Area are underwater.

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  21. I have always been a fan of of Gil Gross,BUT I do have to admit in the waning days of Kgone I was listening to him less and less.I'm not sure if the complacency was on his part or mine. Now I find myself searching the 910 schedule to see when he is on next. I think being fired has given him a second wind. He was amazing the other morning when the the equipment crashed. Please 910 give this man a full time job,he has cats to feed! Oh and by the way Rich it's the late GREAT Pete Wilson(I do often wonder what he would say about this mess).

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  22. love gil! funny, i now listen to KGO on the weekends only and 910 from 3 p.m. on every weekday.

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  23. Oh, Rich, thank you for learning to appreciate the wonderful Gil Gross! I had listened to KGONE for years and years...I never was a RONGONE fan, but was always so happy when Ronngone would go on his frequent vacations and Gil would fill in. I loved everything about him. I thought it was great when he used to say that the programs were too short and maybe someday the listeners could all meet at a book store or someplace and continue the conversation.
    Although I loved the late Great Pete Wilson, I was happy that Gil left his ABC gig to do the spot....not easy.
    I could not believe that KGONE let him go..remember the carnage came DURING his show....wonder if they pulled him out during a commercial break and gave him the news. I do think that's the way it happened, because I was listening and after a break he came in and said Pat Thurston would be there tomorrow, but I believe he had already said that he would be covering something else tomorrow.

    In any event, I sure wish he could --would, stay in the Bay area, and 910 would be great...if only their signal was better. The production problems the other morning were hilarious (and off subject, but am also enjoying the news people on 910...more personality, maybe not the quality of a Brett Burkhart , but think they will get there) The congresswoman yesterday was a real treasure, wish he or someone would have her back on for a longer segment and let her answer some calls.
    I'm sure the expanded time, with fewer interruptions is assisting others in really getting to know Gil and appreciate him.
    910--you have been great, thank you so much for picking up our KGONE all stars...please give them a permanent home....you have some great spots that could use them...any time between 9 and 3 and any time after 7. Rest in peace, Chucky the Hamster, and may you get those Supervisors to move on maybe a couple of wheels, and improve the signal.
    Gil STAY, STAY, STAY!!!! You finally have cabinets for your record collection!!

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  24. What is the story on a more permanent place for Gil and John ? 910 is certainly missing the boat here. You can hear John Rothmann on 650 am tomorrow 6:00-9:00 am. He hasn't missed a beat!

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  25. Funny how Rich hated all these KGO guys until they were all let go, and now he loves them all. Of course it HAD to be the station, not the content, the host quality, or any other myriad of nuances that Rich found annoying before...and now he is riding their coattails. Welcome to Dick Lieberman 101. But most of you knew this already...unless you are not paying attention.

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  26. I'm sorry to be the minority here but Gil just grates on my last nerve. He is incredibly naive and narrow minded about the large scale economic issues he supposively is knowledgable on (state taxes, housing markets, economic issues). His go to response is Business bad. Tax anything that moves.

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    1. Sounds like I feel about Dr. Bill. I don't see what the big whoop is with him. His pro nuke stance, and his arrogance about it all, bugs the hell out of me.

      Gil is pretty savvy, I have found--but if his style irritates you, no wonder you have such a narrow view about him!

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  27. What other stations in America have a physics PhD you can call up and ask about anything from chemistry, to nuclear engineering, to insulation, nuclear power, or to geopolitics?

    And then have it explained in plain english?

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