A program shelved here and there. A mish-mash schedule that hasn't got a pulse nor a direction. Direction? What direction! Who's on first, indeed.
Even by this gargantuan cluster-uck's standards, nobody could predict this disaster.
A systematic breakdown in communications--across the board. A gigantic, titanic feeling of doom, gloom, confusion galore, ratings free-fall, cume-loss disaster of epic proportions and a siege mentality orchestrated by an over-his-head PD, news director, and amateur-hour flunky that doesn't have a damn clue how to operate, let alone maintain some semblance of normalcy.
The natives at KGOne; the ones that reluctantly show up to get a check and then, check out, say they're just trying to go about their business, day by day. They have little choice, for now. The inmates are running the asylum. Throw as much shit across the wall and see if anything sticks.
You have a complete, thorough, mystery on the weekend. They've apparently decided to try some "news" on the cheap, by adding a few tonsils, (with a ton of assists from Metro); adjust and re-adjust the various talk hosts schedule, but that's a moment-by-moment basis. Nobody has a clue. The circus clown known as Karel sounded as if he was having therapy on the air Saturday night, all but saying that his new time gig was bound for ratings disaster, (as if you have any ratings, Karel--you exist for the bosses because you get $200 a shift and medical benefits, which until they try to get the union out, will be gone, eventually).
The Karel Show: I'm poor, I'm broke, my dogs and cats are tanking, I smoke, (excuse me, "medicate") weed and I can't seem to score a date--oh, and I'm going to forever pimp Apple because what the hell do I gotta lose, honey! The Gong Show, really.
Then there's "The Monty Show." Monty likes to shout, no...SHOUT! I guess if you shout and talk loud someone will think you're an authority. The few souls who listen to The Monty should know that he's mostly a sports figure that's been fired about a gazillion times by various outlets--no sin in modern radio, only that Bill Bungeroth, Paul Hosely and supreme, allied commandeer, Jared Hart--KGOne's Ayatollah, want to "go young" and think highly of The Monty so, for now, he'll scream somewhere, some place. Maybe they should get him a megaphone for elite performance technique.
I gotta tell you. Driving home Saturday night was a blast listening to this freak show. Again, you want a guilty pleasure? Try bad/funny radio on the 810 dial. You never know what to expect.
*Follow me on Twitter
I thought Karel was the voice of the oppressed, yet he GLOSSED over the outrage of Apple's near slave-labor conditions in China. Although Apple has a subcontractor, Apple rules and could end this offense immediately.
ReplyDeleteSteve Jobs didn't see a problem with it. After all, the indentured servants (yes, some have to pay head-hunters huge fees to get a job, according to dissidents in China who are oppressed and persecuted by the Chinese authoritarians) have hospitals, cafeterias and all kinds of materialistic advantages.
So did East Germany.
Anyway, you summarized Karel perfectly. He is a member of the Apple cult. And, Rich, I know you have a Mac, so I'm not saying all Apple users are part of the cult.
But, it does have a strange cultish quality when people from all over the world go to Steve Jobs' childhood home and his Palo Alto home on "pilgrimmages."
Granted, all of our electronic products are tainted by this system that Jobs helped pioneer in China, thanks, in part, to a government trade post he held.
Yet people like Karel refuse to shine the sun of truth on these offenses in China because if they did, they would have to admit the complicity.
But to end it, that's what we need: as consumers we must demand an end to the indentured servitude.
If you don't believe me, look up the Chinese workers' groups and their publications on the Web. These workers work at Foxconn. And they don't like Karel's hero, Steve Jobs. They show him dressed as Satan, horns and all, and they have a worm in the Apple logo.
I point all this out because it proves Karel is a fake. He doesn't give a shit for the oppressed if it means he can get his gadgets.
Excellent analysis of what is going on with KGO.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, I can understand why Ronn doesen't sound like he use to. Say what you will about Ronn, I believe he is a true professional and also a bit of a perfectionist. I remember when Pete Wilson joined KGO as a talk show host, how Ronn, said how proud he was to have such a professional and talented host joining the KGO family, he must be sick over the disaster and unprofessional mess KGO has become. I keep writing KGO and complaining, and also let them know that each time the make a change or remove a host, means I listen less and less to 810 and more to 910, I know they don't care, but I hope to at least annoy them to a certain degree.
Hanna in San Carlos
Rich - have you ever listened to The Monty Show? Really? I like Monty. So he raises his voice sometimes... who cares?! I am a woman, and an older woman at that, and I like him. Who else gets the interviews with Howard Jordan or Jean Quan or Leonard Padilla or Jim Ruane? Not Ronn Owens. Monty must be doing something right. He poses good questions and interesting topics, and I, for one, hope he stays with KGOne. Everyone else who was remotely good was fired. Monty is gold on a sinking ship.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Monty does a very good job. He is clear, logical, intelligent, and entertaining.
DeleteI listened to KGO for 40 years. This radio station has absolutely been destroyed. There is absolutely nothing of any interest on KGO anymore. It is horrible.
ReplyDeleteRich - LMFAO! And where will the Monty-man land, anyway? Saturday tied up with the Circus Clown and Pat Thurston. Sunday after the Circus Clown at 10, maybe?
ReplyDeleteHoles in the schedule one could drive a truck through. One needs a scorecard to keep up! First this, then that, no, let's do this!
No wonder the Circus Clown is pooping ribbons!
Is sure is a mess...Pat Thurston, in her sign off just a few minutes ago, tried several times to announce the new times for her show, and I'm pretty sure she never got it right...someone check the tapes!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for Karel, I'm not so sure the SAT 6 to 9 slot is so bad for him. Yes, it's tradationally considered "no-man's-land" for all of radio, and talk especially, but his audience--ageing Soccer Moms, Berkeley Liberals, little old ladies who think he's actually a black woman--might just be there.
He WON'T be on 6-9. He'll be on 9-Midnight on Saturday and 7-10 on Sunday.
DeleteNow he's justifying why he's able to stay, while off the air on his webcam, he's crying (literally) about how bad these changes will men to his declining audience and worse than declining ratings.
KGO has only a 1.4 rating in the 25-54 demographic ... a 2.8 share 6+. Doom.
They have never given a rat's patootie for the boomer demographic. HUGE mistake.
DeleteThat's amazing that Karel only makes 200.00 per shift, or 1,600 a month. That shed and equipment at his home must cost quite a bit to maintain and run. How can he afford to live in Long Beach on 1,600 a month? I thought KGO paid a lot more than that.
ReplyDeleteRemember, Karel has his other radio show on another station, M-F. I don't think his financial situation is as dire as he is making it sound. Sounds like he has poor money management.
DeleteKGO really has tanked.....the overnite last nite was a repeat from valentines day..
ReplyDeletehosely et al.. are seemingly incompetent.... they are obviously minor league players from fresno ..jack swanson and mickey luckoff must be getting a kick from all this crappy programming.....
what a tragedy to all of us loyal KGO ers
How hard do you have to work to be this bad? Absolutely incredible how far this proud organization as fallen.
ReplyDeleteThe old story of "maybe there is more here than meets the eye....no there's less!"
Is Ronn still waxing poetic about all these fabulous exciting format changes?
ReplyDeleteVery good.
DeleteThe three point basket to win the game!
I heard you a couple of weeks ago on KSCO..........with another guy......maybe 5pmish on a Saturday......I thought you were going to have your own show?? I need you and his mother to hook up again on the radio......that was funny!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous radio executive......
"Karel, have you ever thought about having your dog stuffed?" (caller on Sat. 7pm hour of Karel Show)
ReplyDeleteGuilty pleasure indeed! Bad radio can be entertaining, but, no longer informative.
From a station that was where the Bay Area used to go to have intelligent conversation about the issues of the day, to hearing about the restricted bowel movements of Karel's dog, the failure is so complete it is shocking. Not only is the station ruined, but the current way they are broadcasting is erasing the memory of what was an American radio institution.
I heard that and couldn't help but chuckle. Feel bad for the dog, but that comment was better than stand-up comedy.
DeleteTonight, Karel sounds just fine. It's not the dog. It's him being pissed off about the shift change starting next week I'm afraid.
Sure Karel goes over the top regularly, but he's one of the few genuine people on the air. His social commentary is incisive and he cares about the issues that affect most of us. He speaks for a lot of people when he worries about his house or badmouths banks or wonders how anyone can survive without health care. Why isn't everyone talking about this?
ReplyDeleteI like your blog, Rich, and you've done a great job detailing the crime that Cumulous committed by destroying KGO. But Karel has his defenders, and I'm one of them!
I lost my house and I agree with your observations about Karel speaking for many of us some of the time.
DeleteThe problems with Karel are numerous, however. Maybe he needs to lay off "the pot."
His references to sexual innuendo is boring, juvenile and is why he will not ever be syndicated as a legit host. And it has NOTHING to do with him being gay. It has everything to do with him being inappropriate.
Furthermore, Karel's Apple obsession blinds him to Apple's real-life abuses of workers in China, whether it is through third- or fourth- or fifth-party subcontractors.
If Apple were a company founded and/or run by someone Karel did not like or agree with politically, then the abuses in China would be something Karel would not ignore as he does Apple's allowance of continued human-rights abuses in China.
In fact, I am in favor of Apple being sued based upon international labor covenants against indentured servitude. A case could be made that this is occurring.
It is this blindness to Apple that is also a part of Karel's fatal flaw, because he is also blind to other abuses by those he supports politically.
His hatred of Republicans is outrageous, calling them stupid; equally, his attacks on evangelicals is shameful. No, I'm not an evangelical. I'm not even a Christian, but I'm married to an evangelical who happens to have an extremely high IQ and is very smart.
I could go on. I do like Karel when he is decent and fair. When he falls off the wagon I realize why he will never be on more than a dozen, at most, stations.
Bitter ... party of one. Karel's act wouldn't play in the bush leagues, let alone deserve to be on a 50,000 watt blowtorch like KGO. He ain't helping it any whatsoever.
DeleteFunny how is he having just a hoot and a hollerin' good time after his doggie pitty party last night. This, the night before his doggie's big, life theatening test.
I can't wait for the schedule change and, hopefully, him being pushed off it. What a moron.
I wonder if it is possible that KGO now would prefer low ratings if the bottom line was more profitable? They are getting rid of the best hosts and keeping the cheapest. It was really awful today with listening to Pat first thing on a Sunday morning being very intense and angry. Not week-end morning fare. I checked in with Stacey since I knew he was leaving. He's good and professional, but too good for KGO. Twice in the last several minutes of his last show, they interrupted him in the middle of talking with some kind of noise. He was saying how thankful he was for Jack Swanson through the years. Anyway, he is now gone, no word from Christine Craft, and annoying Karel still stands. The few rays of sunshine that remain won't last. Awful. If someone had predicted KGO's demise 6 months ago, no one would have believed it.
ReplyDeleteRich, I'm grateful that you still listen to KGone, because I don't. I've ceased entirely.
ReplyDeleteNo longer do I cling to the hope of finding anything remotely listenable on KGO. I was traveling up north recently and could only get KGO on my little portable radio. It was about 9 pm and for half an hour or so I listened in amazement. Every minute one or the other of the "news" readers announced the time. 9:03, blah-blah, 9:04, blah-blah, 9;05, blah-blah. You know that they are running out of news when they have to resort to announcing the movement of the clock.
ReplyDeleteI think you're on to something there. And come to think of it, it *is* news! The world is continue to rotate, follow the clock, it's news that breaks every minute! Can't have more local and timely than that!
DeleteI thought perhaps you overstated the announcing of the time a bit, well I listened to today for about 45 minutes, and the time was announced at 1:30, 1:31 and so on for 4 to 5 minutes, then there was a 4-5 minute sectment on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the reporter 2 of them actually talked to some expert on Mardi Gras memobilia such as the beans, etc. This is of interest to the Bay Area audience, I don't think so. There was at least 2 if not 3 ABC up-dates, I have to confess I switched to 910 a few times, Kgo couldn't hold my attention. It is sad, they do have good reporters, that I liked when they weren't on the air filing time, I wonder what will happen in the long run, I don't see how they can be so inept and operate in the Bay Area.
DeleteI listen to pat this am, and she had John Steinbeck's son, which for me was a treat since he is on of my favorite authors. I generally like pat, she not Gene or John, but most of the time she has an interesting show. Since it is president's day monday, she tried to do a little presidential history, and did some tidbits about different presidents, she also interviewed and author who has written a book about Teddy Roosevelt (might have been yesterday) also a good interview, but I realized how much, on this presidents week-end, I miss John Rothman his historic tapes, and in dept knowledge of presidential history, and he was fired for what reason? So we can have more news!!! Perhaps the management at KGO should have tried to find out what people in the Bay Area like to listen to, they are playing to the lowest denominater, and apperently don't think there are any intelligent, inquistive people in the Bay Area, who wants interesting, well informed local hosts, to make us feel connected to the community. Hanna
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you...but hasn't it yet dawned on you that Cumulus does not give a _hit about the listeners? What business in the whole world doesn't care about its customers? Just mind-blowing to absorb this reality about them. I believe in karma. Hope it kicks in soon.
DeleteNot long ago, you might have walked into one of those "take and bake" pizza places, and there would be a 19 year old guy holding down the fort, and he would have a radio behind him. KGO. You ask " why do you listen?" and he would say "it's good company". Next, you are getting the oil changed in your car, and you walk up to the office to pay, and you can hear it...KGO. You ask the desk guy, "did you hear Gene last night?", and he would say "yes, great show what did you think?" finally, you run into a music store to buy strings for your guitar, and what so you hear? Yep, KGO. Then, you get in your car and drive home listening to KGO.
ReplyDeletePlus, you ease into the night and sleepy time by listening to KGO.
I am amazed that this Cumulus could be so calculatingly callous...to destroy a vital part of our community.
I honestly don't think that Mickey and Jack are pleased to see this; I just have that much more respect for them for running a successful and excellent Newstalk station for over 30 years. Cumulus destroyed it in two months.
So well said! I miss the old KGO more than ever. The insipid crap is just that. Morons. I am so disgusted, and going on 3 months it is not any better.
DeleteThanks Cumulus. May you go down in flames... unless that is what you want.
AMEN !!!!!(Rich you really need a like button on this thing)
DeleteCould not agree more!!!
DeleteLike a fool, I've been clinging to the weekend schedule as a remenant of the old KGO. Now, even that is being taken away. Are the Cumulus buffoons TRYING to destroy this radio station? Because that's the one thing they've done a good job at!
I agree, Rich, we need a "Like" button.
I agree about the like button ... please?!
DeleteI was disappointed to see that Michael Bower was not in his usual shift this afternoon. He seemed like an interesting addition to KGO. I hope they bring him back.
ReplyDeleteM.Bower is boring - he sounds like he's just reading his newspaper column, very slowly. Mr. Paul Hasely (or Jared, for that matter) does not realize that you can't just take a newspaper columnist and have them read their column on the air. CW Nevius is even worse - sounds like he just got out of bed and is in very S-L-O-W mode.
DeleteMakes for mighty BORING radio.
I've never been a Ronn fan but he is consistent and professional. An easy mindless listen. Now he's flat and lifeless. Most likely he's been told to not make waves and the newly power filled Jared is not just his producer but his babysitter.
ReplyDeleteDriving from Oakland to Pebble Beach this evening I almost drove off the road when Karel stated he had slept with "over 50 women"....Monte-minor is turning into Junior Lou Dobbs with his anti-immigration rants. Last week he bashed immigrants and he got a few calls, so this week the bashing continues. Next up he will talk guns, food stamps and abortion no doubt. Must he say: "eighty eighty eight ten" every 30 seconds? Is he getting paid by the syllable count? Dios mio!
ReplyDeleteCan I ask why you are still bothering to listen? It-is-not-going-to-get-any-better!!
DeleteWe can't help to turn away from the train wreck!
DeleteLOL! I wonder if in Karel's world if transvestites count as being on his list of women.
ReplyDeleteI listened to KGO news from 1:30 to 2:15 today, it was all I could take, did switch to music a few times. First of all I have never been a "local" news fan, too much crime, fires etc. However, I always felt KGO did a good job when something of interest happened, and I like several of the reporters, and never questioned their compentence. These professionals must feel very upset about what they are being asked to do. Here is what I heard today, first to echo another comment on this blog, yes they do repeat the time every damn minute, until they did a 4-5 minute segment on Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras memobilia. There was up-dates from ABC 2-3 times, which means repeats, and repeats, and that is not the worst of it.
ReplyDeleteThey did a story on a scientist in JAPAN, who had discovered a gene that made a less painful for some people to loose money, thus making them more likely to become compulsive gamblers. I almost fell of my chair, there was no follow up, no stats mention, or even questining the validity of such a claim, if that is not filing the air with the most inconsequential stories I don't know what is. Then a story about a couple of fires, one in Benicia which had some relevance since traffic was affected and then one about a fire in a garage or garbage can in Hayward that involved a turtle, I didn't get the whole story, since I couldn't stay tuned any longer, all I know is that the turtle is okay. Good, wish I could say the same for KGO, even for news junkies, as opposed to us "talk" junkies I doubt this holds their interest. Do the management at KGO really think that a audience that listened to Gene Burns, John Rothman, Bill Wattenburg and Gil Gross, are going to listen hours on end to that garbage. I doubt they will get younger listeners, they listen to Ipod go on the internet, whatever. Years ago when I lived in Benicia I listen on occasion to 2 Sacramento stations 650 and 1530, it was obvious that they were not in the same class as KGO, thinking back I would venture to say that in the current KGO format these 2 stations are head over heals above KGO.