At least Savage tells it like it is. And yes, he's the most original, honest and entertaining broadcasters in this town.
I'm going to call out the posers. Why? Because you won't see it anywhere else. Some material may even shock you.
Developing...
I loath most of what Savage stands for politically. However, you are absolutely correct about his talents and especially the non-political stuff he does. He is the most interesting storyteller on the radio since Jean Shepherd.
If people can't separate the politics from the talent, it's there problem.
One thing about the country's media? In political shows the right wing dominates,they say truly racist things with hate,and support the dominant culture to the pinnacles.And there is no real punishment,its business as usual.And they say it everyday. In non political shows though..if your a hater conservative,better to keep your mouth shut as rightwing ideas offend the public. Michael Richards to Larry Krueger in sports. Must mean something.
Hey! Where has Weiner been anyway? That "k" speaking douche Jeff pubic hair has been filling in for weiner all week. You know the guy who ends every word with the letter k! Did Weiners wife get rid of him because she couldn't take his constant ego driven ramblings? I wish he would come back soon. I enjoy listening to crazy Mike. He's like the intelligent crazy grandpa that I never had. Only with a really big ego!
Dr. Michael Whiner is on vacation with his family. He announced it two weeks ago. I wish they would just play reruns when he is out. The idiot filling in right now sounds like an Imperial Wizard at a 1930s KKK rally
The bipolar Savage is "vermin," to use one of his favorite terms he uses to define his "enemies." His grandfatherly storytelling side is decent when not unhinged.
Rich, how can you so ignore Melanie Morgan and Brian Sussman?
No, Melanie may have more than a drink or two, as you said, but she is as serious as her sidekick the flat earthier.
Ronn reup his contract? Doubt it. He's a product of the 70's. His time came and went. A local phenom who never played well elsewhere. Boomers are into narcissistic self serving garbage. Doesn't cut it anymore. His was the therapeutic culture now it's a red meat eating winner take all kick ass culture. People don't want a voice of reason, they want an ass kicking. Ronn will have to settle for retirement or becoming a 3rd class second string bit player. Maybe Dianne Feinstein will invite him over for dinner once in a while.
If Ronn goes away, KGO's ratings will plummet even more. I expect that, based on the way they make decisions, Ronn will go, ratings will dive even more, and whatever grand plan Cumulus has will be apparent. What's with the insult to Boomers? I would guess most of the posters here fit in that category. If you don't want voice of reason and prefer ass-kicking hostile, negative radio hosts, you must be thrilled with Limbaugh and Savage. I don't get the mentality of people who enjoy them, but to each their own. Ronn has had a long and successful career whether you like him or not.
@07:09 - I see that you've established yourself as the self appointed expert on all Boomers. That act sounds narcissistic at face value. If it wasn't for the Boomer engineers who laid the groundwork decades ago, you wouldn't have that wireless phone that's plastered to the side of your head for hours every day, busily establishing your future inoperable glioma for you. Or, the texting keyboard that you walk around beating with your thumbs, as if it takes anything more than the brains of a gnat to communicate in acronyms and QWERTY ebonics.
When the thinking, reasoning people you belittle are interested in reading the future kick-ass opinions of you and others of Generation Z(ip), we'll go look for where you've spray painted them on a brick wall, or scratched them into the paint of a restroom stall, somewhere in the Tenderloin.
Appreciate your view of Michael Savage Rich but I cannot listen to that man. Too strident. Same goes for Bernie Ward, Karel or Rush Limbuagh. Angry voices. No thanks.
If you want to know why Karel will never be syndicated like he wants, listen to his Sunday night and Monday shows, They say it all and prove he'll be relegated to backwater, cheapos like KGOE in Eureka.
Agreed. Did anyone catch Karel kissing the ass of the NY comedian before her show on Sunday? Horrible! Even she was taken aback. He has been kissing KGO's ass in recent weeks and specifically Paul Hoseley's. It is understandable. Karel needs every cent of the little money he makes at KGONE, but man he sounds so pathetic doing it.
rich..please keep calling out the imposters we are forced to listen to daily. Local radio, knbr680, 95.7 the lame.......is a giant suck fest. Guys pretending to be chummy with pro athletes and coaches who are laughing at them....pathetic.
I wouldn't call it hate politics that Weiner does. He's just a very mentally unstable man. You have to remember he went through allot as a youth. He would get picked on and beat up in school, and people who went to high school with him called him a loner and outcast. He then worked his butt off in college and was turned down for numerous jobs because he claims that "white men need not apply". I'm sure it had nothing to do with his abrasiveness and not working well with others because of his ego. So it's only natural that he follows the "bash Obama" crowd like hannity and rush. Nothing else worked in his life.
The difference is this to me: A host like Owens would try to play both ends against the middle--non-committal and the equivalent of sugar-free vanilla ice cream. Been there, heard that.
But Savage--you like him? Great! You loathe hin? Better still! He's got you in his claws! And once you start listening he ain't lettin' go! I am not political so his views, if in fact he really holds them and is not merely an entertainer serving a lucrative conservative market, don't matter to me. But he is fantastic and funny. He is an heir to the original models of provocative "talk radio' born in New York in the early 1960s--brash and really in your face.
Comparison of Ronn Owens to sugar-free vanilla ice cream is spot on. Ronn tries to hard to not to offend anyone. As a result, he pleases no-one. Pass the milk please.
Local SF/SJ radio is dying a slow, painful death because companies like Cumulus, Entercom and ClearChannel are Boa constrictors that strangle everything down to the "bottomline". Don't believe me? Go visit a radio station one day- they all look like crap. Don't paint the walls, carpet all crapped up.
I know that's not exactly the point of this post, But while everyone fights over opinions (which are like ass-holes, so they say) we are forgetting who the real enemy is. That's why I come to RL 415Media - to tell those Corporate Blechs that "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore"- even if they aren't listening.
The fact that local stations even syndicate "National shows"- defeats the purpose of radio, which is designed to be informative and relevant to the Market it serves- that's why we have markets in the first place. "National Shows" should be found ONLY on XM/Sirius IMO.
...but sadly- that idea wouldn't make any money and that's what it all comes down too. Thanks dudes in Atlanta, San Antonio and Bala Cynwyd, PA (WHERE?) who think they know what it's like to live in the most kick ass place on earth. Most of whom have probably only been to the touristy spots. And insult us with the pointless and stupid exercise that is MOST MEDIA in the market.
Listen to 95.7 the game or KNBR for 10 seconds on the weekends when it's ESPN or Yahoo!Sports radio, and tell me you don't want to blow your brains out and watch them scatter against the wall for 3 seconds as you die because it's more entertaining.
And the best part- most of the good sports writers don't want to go on the air anymore unless they "paid insiders", brilliant Idea. Not long before that sweeps over EVERY format, so get used to hearing even less relevant local content from people who actually live here, because Peggy Sue who just moved from Boise, Idaho is willing to read horribly written copy for 50 cents less.
That my friends is all you need to know about what local stations do for money and "exclusive" rights to content in this market.
Local radio is now a glory-hole, cause it sucks all day long.
For the record- I'm not saying that the paid "insiders" are awful but most aren't really anymore "inside" than any other beat writer and most say the same things. They most certainly don't go way........ WAY inside, as they claim. I'm saying the concept of paying for guests is a horrible idea and will only get worse.
I'm also not saying that all local hosts and personalities are bad. But much like the "insiders" many are not nearly as into things as they claim. Some couldn't find Oakland on a map but pretend to be interested in local teams and interests. Some just like to hear themselves talk or have callers massage their fragile egos. Some like to shout at callers. Some have been mentally checked out for years. Bottom line is most give us nothing that we don't already know and go on and on and on and on for hours on the weekends taking the same call about the same boring topic. Stations get rid of guys who are hard to handle and silence the ones who aren't afraid to voice their opinions on things that help pay the bills by putting them on Sister Stations in the Mid-Day slot.
What I am saying about local radio- is a LEGEND who helped build a BRAND in the area and DEFINE a GENRE of radio and OWN the target demographic, all while being a polarizing yet respected member of the media for nearly 3 DECADES can be shown the door without so much as a goodbye for being "difficult".
THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG. That an entire station can be destroyed in less than 24 hours and people on the air act like nothing happened the next day.
That most station managers are being told what to do by people in other places and take all the blame locally. I feel bad for them, that is except for the ones who are too busy golfing and glad-handing.
National shows get picked up because they are highly profitable- all you need is a board op to play the commercials at :12, :27 and :46 past. Then you crap cash, none of which the board op ever sees.
I have been to a few stations: one had only TWO TVs from 1998- they were a NEWS station and another had 1-Ply toilet paper in the bathroom. That's sad. That's gross. That's cutting costs, that's radio.
That is what is wrong with radio.
I listen to my Ipod in the car.
All the National Guy's are about the ratings and the local stuff is not worth my time.
Michael Savage is one of the most intelligent people available for us to listen to. His books are fantastic! I have 4 of them. He is a botanist, he has a PhD from Berkley. His topics range from politics to animals to music to food. He is a wonderful man. He does not spout hate. Only people that have never listened to his show would say that.
Rich...we all look forward to your next rant. I think you say a lot of the things we're all feeling inside from time to time, and your blog gives us a place to release our frustration. It's good therapy.
As far as the deterioration of radio goes, that's been happening since the mid 1990s when deregulation was passed, allowing these big box media companies to buy as many stations as they wanted to.
Many, like Cumulus, overpaid for their properties so that they would have no competition in their efforts to acquire more. Then to keep costs down, they fired people left and right, effectively downsizing their stations, thus weakening their 'product.'
Some American businesses certainly operate in a strange fashion!
One blowhard is working his butt off to keep his KNBR job-Radnich. He's talking fast and non stop. His voice even sounds different. Combine Bugs Bunny with Rodney Dangerfield' rat a tat tat,let me tell ya. Raddy,always working for an angle..
I will say this until I'm blue in the face, but the problem today is not necessarily corporations or one group of people being extremely greedy.
It's the kind of out of control consumerism that has existed in this country since the 1980s. When we had a chance to 'ramp back' and use our resources wisely, we chose instead to 'go for the cash' which encouraged everyone to buy a lot of crap. Much of these goods were taken from our shrinking natural resources and then later consigned to a trash dump within a few years because we no longer had any use for it or it wore out.
America, despite the fact that this country has some of the more stringent environmental regulations compared to other countries, is still a land where people are encouraged to use things up and throw them away. That might have worked well back in the 19th century...it's doesn't work well today. And our children and their children (if humans survive that long) will have to pay a dear price for it.
All of this rampant consumerism which is fueled by commercialism has helped to lead us to the point where we are now. Don't blame Obama, don't even blame George Bush or Ronald Reagan. Blame all of us for continuing to buy into this.."I"ve gotta have my toys (i-pod, BMW, armani suit, designer kitchen, top of the line $1000 mountain bike that is used twice a year, $2,000 flat screen TV that will become 'obsolete' in three years), or I'm not happy!"
Unfortunately the same people who encourage this type of behavior run much of American business, and they are omnipresent among those who own and run our radio stations.
@ 11:40 pm: "because Peggy Sue who just moved from Boise, Idaho is willing to read horribly written copy for 50 cents less." Ha ha ha ha! Yes, that is EXACTLY how it works! And if poor Peggy Sue gets sick and dies (no health insurance), there are 45 other Peggy Sues standing behind her, who all want that job and will do it for even less! What? Broadcast Standards you say? What's that??
Is Michael weiner even still on the air? Some squeaky voiced doche who ends every word with a "ka" has been on his station for the last 2 weeks. Im a proud member of the Weiner nation, but if he doesn't come back soon he's gonna lose me!
It's sad but many of the young people working on radio today seem to feel that they constantly have to be 'edgy' to be successful, rather than depending on a comfortable, intelligent, conversational style that has made radio so popular since the 1920s. Remember, this medium has been around for a relatively long time.
Certainly radio has gone through some major changes, but the fast=talking, snarky, hip, 'too-cool-for-school' thing is so much in fashion with these 'genius' programmers (most of whom never worked on air because they didn't have the talent or the confidence), that they keep putting these loud mouths on the air. The whole thing has gotten quite repetitive, predictable, and like fast-food for the mind, is generally a waste of time to listen to.
I try, I really do try, to make some time to listen to guys like Karel, Monty, Damon Bruce, and some of the other sports talk show guys on the two local sports stations. Sometimes when I'm driving and don't want to listen to news or KQED or my own CDs, I tune in the hope of gaining something of value, or at least hearing something remotely interesting. Unfortunately, it's usually the same posturing, 'snappy patter' or braying by folks who aren't good enough to make it on the stage or screen, and they're always trying to impress the listeners with everything they know.
I hear younger folks sometimes say that traditional broadcasting: actual reporting and commentary that's thoughtful and covers significant issues is 'old school' or 'boring.' I guess they'd rather not exercise their flaccid minds and learn anything new, but rather listen to some 'entertaining' loudmouths who have turned much of radio into an exercise in giving its listeners a collective headache!
I find most of the talk shows on the radio today (including the conservative hate-mongers like Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage, and their less accomplished ilk such as Melanie Morgan and Brian Sussman), all too predictable, unoriginal, unimaginative and not very entertaining.
Yet another reason why our country is going to the dogs...this kind of crap is being consumed because it's easy 'junk food for the mind,' just like most of the garbage on TV (reality and tabloid TV) and the internet (you-tube nonsense).
And while the growth of America's future brainpower is being stunted by this crap, the happy 'genius' programmers and marketing folks are all congratulating themselves, thinking that they own farts don't stink while they chortle in delight after receiving their requisite bonuses. Pathetic!
Raddy FULL OF IT no.43,264: "My Bentley is my only toy,my only treat..all else is for the family"...lol,HE doesn't enjoy the Pac Heights mansion,the 55" plasma TV's,the vacation homes, the "I have 6 grand in my wallet..." No,he's all sacrifice..lol!
When Raddy was still cool he said in an interview that his goal was to work hard and leave $1 million to each of his children. This was before he got remarried and had more children. The $1 million number may have been reduced....
Raddy FULL OF IT no.43,265: "Larry,don't you think its weird that people will watch a comedy alone and laugh out loud?..that they will laugh or giggle?" And then both Lare and Kate said they both do and all the time. Radnich "I don't,I hear something and just think that's funny"...Whoa,I knew it. He's the clown who cant laugh,the comic who watches shows never laughing..Brrrrr!..scarey! Gary Pagliacci.
You guys who hate Radnich seem to listen intently to every syllable out of his mouth and then complain to high heaven if some trivial utterance disturbs you.
For cripes sake people...quit taking shots at Gary will ya! He is just trying to do what all middle aged folks are trying to do and that's hang on to what's he's got before corporate America takes it away and shoves him off the dance floor.
Yes, I know that the media is a 'young person's profession,' and that it has been all along. But 'back in the day' (before 1995 and deregulation), the sixth ranked market in the bay area would never have allowed people like Amy G, Dan Dibbley or some of the dweebs on KRON on the air. They'd have to first 'pay their dues in places such as Redding, Fresno, and then perhaps Sacramento.
But now to save money, management wants to drive out the 'old pros' while looking for 'bright young voices and faces,' to build around.
It's kind of like the philosophy the Oakland A's are taking these days in baseball, as they wait in limbo for a resolution on a future ballpark location...go with cheap, young, minor league talent.
Well guess what...not that many people are interested in an inferior product, and most young folks (under 30) aren't listening or watching much anyway; they're too busy texting, tweeting, or facebooking!
Radnich just invites it. After Ralph was re -hired he said how much he loved Ralph,and how great he's back. Then when Ralph was fired..Raddy went out of his way to say how much he loved Bill,Lee and Lew. He loves everybody.. just not on the internet.
Nor would he want to! Please tell me, 8:45AM, where is Lee Rogers on in the "wee, wee" early morning hours? The last thing I heard about him is that he was fired from KSFO. That was about two years ago. I've liked him ever since he was on KGO and really missed him when he moved to Seattle for "greener" grounds. I guess he got bored and came back down to the Bay Area. What a surprise to me that he went to KSFO instead of KGO. Anyway, my boyfriend can't stand him, but I do/did like him. So, getting back to my original question: Where is Lee Rogers working early in the morning?
I think that weiner dropped off the face of the planet. He hasn't been on the radio for weeks. His family may have gotten rid of him because the last I heard he was on vacation with them.
A post on BASG blog of Ralph calling out KNBR as a bunch of backstabbers. Hammer a weasel, Bunghole the paranoid exec. Tolbert,the fake friend. And Radnich loves Bill,Lee,and Lew.. What 415 media reader didn't know that? And who's that guy again? who swore I didn't know what Hammer was like?
@5:23 - It was me and I fail to understand how some anonymous post on some other web site bolsters your credibility in any way.
If you've had any personal dealings with Hammer and are able to provide any credible details of his deficiencies, please do so.
Otherwise you are merely repeating without any verifiable support vague claims that some people at KNBR are backstabbers or fake friends which from my experience is fairly common with any business organization...
Hey Stan, I read your post over on BASG blog. You post the same stuff there that you do over here.
Got news for you pal, posting something at one website and then referring to it on another website as proof that you are right about something only proves that you're a simpleton.
Kind of pathetic, agreeing with yourself to gain credibility!
You posted 15 of the 42 items re: Barbieri at that other website, you must be the anonymous posting all the same stuff here. Sad!
I read the blog at BASG as well. Interesting reading and listening (audio feed from Channel 5's interview). Give Dennis O'Donnell credit for giving us a fairly balanced interview.
RADNICH IS FULL OF IT no 24.657: He ranted about Obama meeting this years NCAA Stars at the WH as tradition. Radnich,call it a waste of Obama's time,and people are unemployed blat,blah,blah. I can tell you that ASS Radnich when George Bush was in the White House as we neared a great depression NEVER once complained about George W's MONTH LONG vacations!. Obama meeting with primarily African American stars bothers Radnich?..hey Raddy,you were just gloating how great that one kid was in going to buy a Bentley..but do something honorable like meet the President of the United States you oppose? Take a hike you Cumulus stooge!
I hear that Michael weiners advertisers have been complaining because weiner has been off for 2 weeks and not filling his contractual obligations. He may loose Cherrys berries because weiner has been getting his producers do the commercials and doing them himself like his contract requires.
I loath most of what Savage stands for politically. However, you are absolutely correct about his talents and especially the non-political stuff he does. He is the most interesting storyteller on the radio since Jean Shepherd.
ReplyDeleteIf people can't separate the politics from the talent, it's there problem.
At least Savage tells it like it is....uh, like he THINKS it is...
ReplyDeletewhat, is this guy your messiah?
THIS is gonna be a good one. It could be a 415RLmedia classic....
ReplyDeleteOne thing about the country's media? In political shows the right wing dominates,they say truly racist things with hate,and support the dominant culture to the pinnacles.And there is no real punishment,its business as usual.And they say it everyday.
ReplyDeleteIn non political shows though..if your a hater conservative,better to keep your mouth shut as rightwing ideas offend the public. Michael Richards to Larry Krueger in sports.
Must mean something.
At what point did an objective observation become racism and what has caused so many nitwits to embrace it?
DeleteHey! Where has Weiner been anyway? That "k" speaking douche Jeff pubic hair has been filling in for weiner all week. You know the guy who ends every word with the letter k! Did Weiners wife get rid of him because she couldn't take his constant ego driven ramblings? I wish he would come back soon. I enjoy listening to crazy Mike. He's like the intelligent crazy grandpa that I never had. Only with a really big ego!
ReplyDeleteDr. Michael Whiner is on vacation with his family. He announced it two weeks ago. I wish they would just play reruns when he is out. The idiot filling in right now sounds like an Imperial Wizard at a 1930s KKK rally
DeleteSavage is the consumate BLOWHARD!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the go and schtick. Come on, Rich. High ratings in baby markets doesn't mean a "quality" intelligent audience. Savage blows.
Between Karels bawling on the air (like last nite) and Savage's schtick filled rants over his ridiculous bullshit -- radio is doomed.
Im Guessing "Ronn" will reup his contract at the Titanic for around $150 grand. There is no other outlet for his ego
ReplyDeleteBEST OF SAVAGE ATTACKING RUSH AND OTHERS!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRaWED1sM1Q
ReplyDeleteThe bipolar Savage is "vermin," to use one of his favorite terms he uses to define his "enemies." His grandfatherly storytelling side is decent when not unhinged.
ReplyDeleteRich, how can you so ignore Melanie Morgan and Brian Sussman?
No, Melanie may have more than a drink or two, as you said, but she is as serious as her sidekick the flat earthier.
The media is just going to hell, no more talented people, all about saving a buck...super sad...
ReplyDeleteRonn reup his contract? Doubt it. He's a product of the 70's. His time came and went. A local phenom who never played well elsewhere. Boomers are into narcissistic self serving garbage. Doesn't cut it anymore. His was the therapeutic culture now it's a red meat eating winner take all kick ass culture. People don't want a voice of reason, they want an ass kicking. Ronn will have to settle for retirement or becoming a 3rd class second string bit player. Maybe Dianne Feinstein will invite him over for dinner once in a while.
ReplyDeleteIf Ronn goes away, KGO's ratings will plummet even more. I expect that, based on the way they make decisions, Ronn will go, ratings will dive even more, and whatever grand plan Cumulus has will be apparent.
DeleteWhat's with the insult to Boomers? I would guess most of the posters here fit in that category. If you don't want voice of reason and prefer ass-kicking hostile, negative radio hosts, you must be thrilled with Limbaugh and Savage. I don't get the mentality of people who enjoy them, but to each their own.
Ronn has had a long and successful career whether you like him or not.
@07:09 - I see that you've established yourself as the self appointed expert on all Boomers. That act sounds narcissistic at face value. If it wasn't for the Boomer engineers who laid the groundwork decades ago, you wouldn't have that wireless phone that's plastered to the side of your head for hours every day, busily establishing your future inoperable glioma for you. Or, the texting keyboard that you walk around beating with your thumbs, as if it takes anything more than the brains of a gnat to communicate in acronyms and QWERTY ebonics.
DeleteWhen the thinking, reasoning people you belittle are interested in reading the future kick-ass opinions of you and others of Generation Z(ip), we'll go look for where you've spray painted them on a brick wall, or scratched them into the paint of a restroom stall, somewhere in the Tenderloin.
Now that is funny and possibly quite true! Thanks for an early AM laugh! LOL LMAO.......
DeleteAppreciate your view of Michael Savage Rich but I cannot listen to that man. Too strident.
ReplyDeleteSame goes for Bernie Ward, Karel or Rush Limbuagh. Angry voices.
No thanks.
If you want to know why Karel will never be syndicated like he wants, listen to his Sunday night and Monday shows, They say it all and prove he'll be relegated to backwater, cheapos like KGOE in Eureka.
DeleteAgreed. Did anyone catch Karel kissing the ass of the NY comedian before her show on Sunday? Horrible! Even she was taken aback. He has been kissing KGO's ass in recent weeks and specifically Paul Hoseley's. It is understandable. Karel needs every cent of the little money he makes at KGONE, but man he sounds so pathetic doing it.
Deleterich..please keep calling out the imposters we are forced to listen to daily. Local radio, knbr680, 95.7 the lame.......is a giant suck fest. Guys pretending to be chummy with pro athletes and coaches who are laughing at them....pathetic.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have Michael Savage as my messiah than Barack Obama!!
ReplyDeleteCan't stand Michael on occasion and for the most part hate his politics. But his talent is undeniable. Simply the best entertainer in the business.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call it hate politics that Weiner does. He's just a very mentally unstable man. You have to remember he went through allot as a youth. He would get picked on and beat up in school, and people who went to high school with him called him a loner and outcast. He then worked his butt off in college and was turned down for numerous jobs because he claims that "white men need not apply". I'm sure it had nothing to do with his abrasiveness and not working well with others because of his ego. So it's only natural that he follows the "bash Obama" crowd like hannity and rush. Nothing else worked in his life.
DeleteThe difference is this to me: A host like Owens would try to play both ends against the middle--non-committal and the equivalent of sugar-free vanilla ice cream. Been there, heard that.
ReplyDeleteBut Savage--you like him? Great! You loathe hin? Better still! He's got you in his claws! And once you start listening he ain't lettin' go! I am not political so his views, if in fact he really holds them and is not merely an entertainer serving a lucrative conservative market, don't matter to me. But he is fantastic and funny. He is an heir to the original models of provocative "talk radio' born in New York in the early 1960s--brash and really in your face.
Comparison of Ronn Owens to sugar-free vanilla ice cream is spot on. Ronn tries to hard to not to offend anyone. As a result, he pleases no-one.
DeletePass the milk please.
Local SF/SJ radio is dying a slow, painful death because companies like Cumulus, Entercom and ClearChannel are Boa constrictors that strangle everything down to the "bottomline". Don't believe me? Go visit a radio station one day- they all look like crap. Don't paint the walls, carpet all crapped up.
ReplyDeleteI know that's not exactly the point of this post, But while everyone fights over opinions (which are like ass-holes, so they say) we are forgetting who the real enemy is. That's why I come to RL 415Media - to tell those Corporate Blechs that "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore"- even if they aren't listening.
The fact that local stations even syndicate "National shows"- defeats the purpose of radio, which is designed to be informative and relevant to the Market it serves- that's why we have markets in the first place. "National Shows" should be found ONLY on XM/Sirius IMO.
...but sadly- that idea wouldn't make any money and that's what it all comes down too. Thanks dudes in Atlanta, San Antonio and Bala Cynwyd, PA (WHERE?) who think they know what it's like to live in the most kick ass place on earth. Most of whom have probably only been to the touristy spots. And insult us with the pointless and stupid exercise that is MOST MEDIA in the market.
Listen to 95.7 the game or KNBR for 10 seconds on the weekends when it's ESPN or Yahoo!Sports radio, and tell me you don't want to blow your brains out and watch them scatter against the wall for 3 seconds as you die because it's more entertaining.
And the best part- most of the good sports writers don't want to go on the air anymore unless they "paid insiders", brilliant Idea. Not long before that sweeps over EVERY format, so get used to hearing even less relevant local content from people who actually live here, because Peggy Sue who just moved from Boise, Idaho is willing to read horribly written copy for 50 cents less.
That my friends is all you need to know about what local stations do for money and "exclusive" rights to content in this market.
Local radio is now a glory-hole, cause it sucks all day long.
There I said it.
- Heard "Exclusively" In This Market.
For the record- I'm not saying that the paid "insiders" are awful but most aren't really anymore "inside" than any other beat writer and most say the same things. They most certainly don't go way........ WAY inside, as they claim. I'm saying the concept of paying for guests is a horrible idea and will only get worse.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not saying that all local hosts and personalities are bad. But much like the "insiders" many are not nearly as into things as they claim. Some couldn't find Oakland on a map but pretend to be interested in local teams and interests. Some just like to hear themselves talk or have callers massage their fragile egos. Some like to shout at callers. Some have been mentally checked out for years. Bottom line is most give us nothing that we don't already know and go on and on and on and on for hours on the weekends taking the same call about the same boring topic. Stations get rid of guys who are hard to handle and silence the ones who aren't afraid to voice their opinions on things that help pay the bills by putting them on Sister Stations in the Mid-Day slot.
What I am saying about local radio- is a LEGEND who helped build a BRAND in the area and DEFINE a GENRE of radio and OWN the target demographic, all while being a polarizing yet respected member of the media for nearly 3 DECADES can be shown the door without so much as a goodbye for being "difficult".
THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG. That an entire station can be destroyed in less than 24 hours and people on the air act like nothing happened the next day.
That most station managers are being told what to do by people in other places and take all the blame locally. I feel bad for them, that is except for the ones who are too busy golfing and glad-handing.
National shows get picked up because they are highly profitable- all you need is a board op to play the commercials at :12, :27 and :46 past. Then you crap cash, none of which the board op ever sees.
I have been to a few stations: one had only TWO TVs from 1998- they were a NEWS station and another had 1-Ply toilet paper in the bathroom. That's sad. That's gross. That's cutting costs, that's radio.
That is what is wrong with radio.
I listen to my Ipod in the car.
All the National Guy's are about the ratings and the local stuff is not worth my time.
- Heard "Exclusively in this Market"
Michael Savage is one of the most intelligent people available for us to listen to. His books are fantastic! I have 4 of them. He is a botanist, he has a PhD from Berkley. His topics range from politics to animals to music to food. He is a wonderful man. He does not spout hate. Only people that have never listened to his show would say that.
ReplyDeleteRich...we all look forward to your next rant. I think you say a lot of the things we're all feeling inside from time to time, and your blog gives us a place to release our frustration. It's good therapy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the deterioration of radio goes, that's been happening since the mid 1990s when deregulation was passed, allowing these
big box media companies to buy as many stations as they wanted to.
Many, like Cumulus, overpaid for their properties so that they would have no competition in their efforts to acquire more. Then to keep costs down, they fired people left and right, effectively downsizing their stations, thus weakening their 'product.'
Some American businesses certainly operate in a strange fashion!
please rip knbr asst pd Jen Violet. she represents everything that is wrong with Bay Area broadcasting. She's John Dickey's Evil doer
ReplyDeleteOne blowhard is working his butt off to keep his KNBR job-Radnich. He's talking fast and non stop. His voice even sounds different. Combine Bugs Bunny with Rodney Dangerfield' rat a tat tat,let me tell ya.
ReplyDeleteRaddy,always working for an angle..
I will say this until I'm blue in the face, but the problem today is not necessarily corporations or one group of people being extremely greedy.
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of out of control consumerism that has existed in this country since the 1980s. When we had a chance to 'ramp back' and use our resources wisely, we chose instead to 'go for the cash'
which encouraged everyone to buy a lot of crap. Much of these goods were taken from our shrinking natural resources and then later consigned to a trash dump within a few years because we no longer had any use for it or it wore out.
America, despite the fact that this country has some of the more stringent environmental regulations compared to other countries, is still a land where people are encouraged to use things up and throw them away. That might have worked well back in the 19th century...it's doesn't work well today. And our children and their children (if humans survive that long) will have to pay a dear price for it.
All of this rampant consumerism which is fueled by commercialism has helped to lead us to the point where we are now. Don't blame
Obama, don't even blame George Bush or Ronald Reagan. Blame all of us for continuing to buy into this.."I"ve gotta have my toys (i-pod, BMW, armani suit, designer kitchen, top of the line $1000 mountain bike that is used twice a year, $2,000 flat screen TV that will become 'obsolete' in three years), or I'm not happy!"
Unfortunately the same people who encourage this type of behavior run much of American business, and they are omnipresent among those who own and run our radio stations.
@ 11:40 pm: "because Peggy Sue who just moved from Boise, Idaho is willing to read horribly written copy for 50 cents less." Ha ha ha ha! Yes, that is EXACTLY how it works! And if poor Peggy Sue gets sick and dies (no health insurance), there are 45 other Peggy Sues standing behind her, who all want that job and will do it for even less! What? Broadcast Standards you say? What's that??
ReplyDeleteIs Michael weiner even still on the air? Some squeaky voiced doche who ends every word with a "ka" has been on his station for the last 2 weeks. Im a proud member of the Weiner nation, but if he doesn't come back soon he's gonna lose me!
ReplyDelete@10:33 You say Radnich is "talking fast and non stop."
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that he works on radio don't you?
Its like he's a speed talker..."The faster I talk,the longer I will live!"..it's not normal 3:25,no matter how big a intern,I mean fan,you are.
DeleteIt's sad but many of the young people working on radio today seem to feel that they constantly have to be 'edgy' to be successful, rather than depending on a comfortable, intelligent, conversational style that has made radio so popular since the 1920s. Remember, this medium has been around for a relatively long time.
ReplyDeleteCertainly radio has gone through some major changes, but the fast=talking, snarky, hip, 'too-cool-for-school' thing is so
much in fashion with these 'genius' programmers (most of whom never worked on air because they didn't have the talent or the confidence), that they keep putting these loud mouths on the air. The whole thing has gotten quite repetitive, predictable, and like fast-food for the mind, is generally a waste of time to listen to.
I try, I really do try, to make some time to listen to guys like Karel, Monty, Damon Bruce, and some of the other sports talk show guys on the two local sports stations. Sometimes when I'm driving and don't want to listen to news or KQED or my own CDs, I tune in the hope of gaining something of value, or at least hearing something remotely interesting. Unfortunately, it's usually the same posturing, 'snappy patter' or braying by folks who aren't good enough to make it on the stage or screen, and they're always trying to impress the listeners with everything they know.
I hear younger folks sometimes say that traditional broadcasting:
actual reporting and commentary that's thoughtful and covers significant issues is 'old school' or 'boring.' I guess they'd rather not exercise their flaccid minds and learn anything new, but rather listen to some 'entertaining' loudmouths who have turned much of radio into an exercise in giving its listeners a collective headache!
I find most of the talk shows on the radio today (including the conservative hate-mongers like Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage, and their less accomplished ilk such as Melanie Morgan and Brian Sussman), all too
predictable, unoriginal, unimaginative and not very entertaining.
Yet another reason
why our country is going to the dogs...this kind of crap is being consumed because it's easy 'junk food for the mind,' just like most of the garbage on TV (reality and tabloid TV) and the internet (you-tube nonsense).
And while the growth of America's future brainpower is being stunted by this crap, the happy 'genius' programmers and
marketing folks are all congratulating themselves, thinking that they own farts don't stink while they chortle in delight after receiving their requisite bonuses. Pathetic!
Raddy FULL OF IT no.43,264: "My Bentley is my only toy,my only treat..all else is for the family"...lol,HE doesn't enjoy the Pac Heights mansion,the 55" plasma TV's,the vacation homes, the "I have 6 grand in my wallet..."
ReplyDeleteNo,he's all sacrifice..lol!
When Raddy was still cool he said in an interview that his goal was to work hard and leave $1 million to each of his children. This was before he got remarried and had more children. The $1 million number may have been reduced....
DeleteRaddy FULL OF IT no.43,265: "Larry,don't you think its weird that people will watch a comedy alone and laugh out loud?..that they will laugh or giggle?" And then both Lare and Kate said they both do and all the time. Radnich "I don't,I hear something and just think that's funny"...Whoa,I knew it. He's the clown who cant laugh,the comic who watches shows never laughing..Brrrrr!..scarey! Gary Pagliacci.
ReplyDeleteUnless,he's a liar.
You guys who hate Radnich seem to listen intently to every syllable out of his mouth and then complain to high heaven if some trivial utterance disturbs you.
DeleteWhy do you listen?
Why do you read if it bothers you with what I write?
Delete@7:40 I don't know until I read an item on this blog how I'll react.
DeleteOn the other hand, you already know that you can't stand Radnich and yet you listen intently anyway.
lol,yeah,1048...RL415 MEDIA is world renowned for the Radnich lovefest.
DeleteI know,you mistook this for the KNBR website and blogs.You dope.
@11:03 The subject of this blog post is "Blowhards in this Town" and generally deals with other people aside from Radnich.
DeleteSorry you can't quite differentiate between reading a blog that has varying opinions from tuning in a radio show that you already know you hate.
Not surprising that you end up with gratuitous name calling.
We enjoy ripping Raddy. Case closed.
DeleteHey Stan, you enjoy ripping Raddy! Multiple posts don't make you a we. LOL
DeleteThanks for recognizing and supporting great local talent and putting difference in political views aside. Keep up the good work, Rich.
ReplyDeleteFor cripes sake people...quit taking shots at Gary will ya!
ReplyDeleteHe is just trying to do what all middle aged folks are trying to do and that's hang on to what's he's got before corporate America takes it away and shoves him off the dance floor.
Yes, I know that the media is a 'young person's profession,' and that it has been all along. But 'back in the day' (before 1995 and deregulation), the sixth ranked market in the bay area would never have allowed people like Amy G, Dan Dibbley or some of the dweebs on KRON on the air. They'd have to first 'pay their dues in places such as Redding, Fresno, and then perhaps Sacramento.
But now to save money, management wants to drive out the 'old pros' while looking for
'bright young voices and faces,' to build around.
It's kind of like the philosophy the Oakland A's are taking these days in baseball, as they wait in limbo for a resolution on a future ballpark location...go with cheap, young, minor league talent.
Well guess what...not that many people are interested in an inferior product, and most young folks (under 30) aren't listening or watching much anyway; they're too busy texting, tweeting, or facebooking!
Radnich just invites it. After Ralph was re -hired he said how much he loved Ralph,and how great he's back.
DeleteThen when Ralph was fired..Raddy went out of his way to say how much he loved Bill,Lee and Lew.
He loves everybody.. just not on the internet.
I miss Lee Rogers... too bad he was moved to the wee wee early morning hours. Brian Sussman is a nice guy, but can't hold Roger's jock strap.
ReplyDeleteNor would he want to! Please tell me, 8:45AM, where is Lee Rogers on in the "wee, wee" early morning hours? The last thing I heard about him is that he was fired from KSFO. That was about two years ago. I've liked him ever since he was on KGO and really missed him when he moved to Seattle for "greener" grounds. I guess he got bored and came back down to the Bay Area. What a surprise to me that he went to KSFO instead of KGO. Anyway, my boyfriend can't stand him, but I do/did like him. So, getting back to my original question: Where is Lee Rogers working early in the morning?
Deletei must give savage credit for calling out edwards. he called him a low life loser before anyone else did. boy does that ring true............
ReplyDeleteI think that weiner dropped off the face of the planet. He hasn't been on the radio for weeks. His family may have gotten rid of him because the last I heard he was on vacation with them.
DeleteDid they do a Fredo Corleone number on him?
DeleteA post on BASG blog of Ralph calling out KNBR as a bunch of backstabbers. Hammer a weasel, Bunghole the paranoid exec. Tolbert,the fake friend. And Radnich loves Bill,Lee,and Lew..
ReplyDeleteWhat 415 media reader didn't know that?
And who's that guy again? who swore I didn't know what Hammer was like?
@5:23 - It was me and I fail to understand how some anonymous post on some other web site bolsters your credibility in any way.
DeleteIf you've had any personal dealings with Hammer and are able to provide any credible details of his deficiencies, please do so.
Otherwise you are merely repeating without any verifiable support vague claims that some people at KNBR are backstabbers or fake friends which from my experience is fairly common with any business organization...
Hey Stan, I read your post over on BASG blog. You post the same stuff there that you do over here.
DeleteGot news for you pal, posting something at one website and then referring to it on another website as proof that you are right about something only proves that you're a simpleton.
Kind of pathetic, agreeing with yourself to gain credibility!
You posted 15 of the 42 items re: Barbieri at that other website, you must be the anonymous posting all the same stuff here. Sad!
I never met Hitler..and I just know he was an asshole.
Deletesigned,
not me Stan.
Also-It is funny..that you ask,I answer...then you post why did I answer,it added up to X number of posts??..lol. I cant win with you thinkers...
DeleteI read the blog at BASG as well. Interesting reading and listening (audio feed from Channel 5's interview).
ReplyDeleteGive Dennis O'Donnell credit for giving us a fairly balanced interview.
RADNICH IS FULL OF IT no 24.657: He ranted about Obama meeting this years NCAA Stars at the WH as tradition. Radnich,call it a waste of Obama's time,and people are unemployed blat,blah,blah. I can tell you that ASS Radnich when George Bush was in the White House as we neared a great depression NEVER once complained about George W's MONTH LONG vacations!. Obama meeting with primarily African American stars bothers Radnich?..hey Raddy,you were just gloating how great that one kid was in going to buy a Bentley..but do something honorable like meet the President of the United States you oppose?
ReplyDeleteTake a hike you Cumulus stooge!
I hear that Michael weiners advertisers have been complaining because weiner has been off for 2 weeks and not filling his contractual obligations. He may loose Cherrys berries because weiner has been getting his producers do the commercials and doing them himself like his contract requires.
ReplyDelete64 comments and you haven't even written the damn post yet. And just make sure I'm not included!
ReplyDelete