Now and then, people ask me whatever happened to Alex Bennett.
Bennett was a bigtime SF radio personality in the 1980's and early nineties, working at the old KMEL, re-surfacing on the late KQAK, (The 'Quake) and KITS, (Live 105).
Bennett is now hosting a morning show in NY on Sirius Satellite Radio, ( "Sirius Left"6-9 AM Channel 146). It's vintage Alexesque if you're a Bennett fan, (as I am even though Bennett and I have had some, well, disagreements).
Bennett's tenure in San Francisco was largely successful; his radio show was the "it" program to be on and it launched the careers of some of the biggest comedians in the entertainment biz. Bennett, in fact, was largely responsible for the comedy extravaganza that took centerstage in the city during the 80's and 90's.
Comedians like Bobby Slayton, Dana Carvey, and Bob (Bobcat) Goldthwait all got their big break on the Bennett show.
Bennett himself produced highly-successful comedy shows and his signature, "Breakfast with Bennett" was a must-listen radio event. One such 'BWB' took place at the Punchline Comedy Club; over 500 people stood in line in the wee hours in the morning to get into the show. The Punchline seats about 200. Needless to say, Bennett's cachet was clearly evident.
At the time, Bennett, (real name: Bennett Schwarzmann) was one of the highest-paid radio broadcasters in the Bay Area. He often used to carp about his contract negotiations, on-air, no less, which made for funny, often inside-radio at its finest. Assuming, of course, you were an Alex fan, of which there were many.
Bennett re-surfaced back in the Bay Area, albeit briefly, in 2003, on the old KNEW, but his gig lasted only a few months, due to poor ratings. In addition, the left-leaning host was something of an anathema to ClearChannel, a conservative multi-station owner whose SF suits weren't much enthralled with the liberal Bennett.
I've listened to his current show and it's essentially the same show he did in SF with an obvious NY hook. Satellite Radio is still largely out of the zone compared to terrestrial, but if you want some variety in your radio menu, it's worth the 12 or so bucks a-month subscription to listen to more pungent radio, music, talk, and most especially sports.
And yes, if you still crave Alex Bennett.
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alex was an integral part of the golden age of stand up
ReplyDeletehe basically created a show that rivaled the early stern
I remember listening to Alex Bennett on KITS back in the 1990's. One cool thing he did was let a few listeners sit in the studio while the show was on-air in the mornings. There were no chairs so you just had to sit on the floor around his studio. It was fun, and a fun show to listen to. I also remember how Alex used to complain a lot that Howard Stern ripped off his show. Funny that they're friendly now that they both work for the same company.
ReplyDeleteAlex had several controversies going on regarding his show here in SF back in the 90's. I remember one having to do with some death row inmate that Alex supported, that is Alex let him publish some of his writing at a website that Alex ran. Callers to his show would periodically ask Alex Bennett what the guy did to be on death row. Alex would always respond that he wasn't there to discuss the inmate's case. It turns out that the death row inmate murdered a bunch of people, like 5 or 6, something like that. Creepy.
Some friends and I went to the show in the early 90s once. They did have chairs but they were all full by the time we arrived so we lined up against the walls to the side. After more people arrived late, we had to move farther down the wall. At some point, I was literally standing behind Bennett while he talked to Bill Graham. It was almost like I was part of the conversation. Of course, I doubt one could get that kind of behind-the-scenes view today and, sadly, within a year of that show, Graham was dead.
DeleteI have very fond memories of the old KQAK days and the early Live 105 era. Good times. Good music. Everyone has their own era of the Golden Age of Radio and that was mine.
I remember that he also had a brief TV show when KBHK 44 became UPN 44. It was called Alex Bennett: Wired Again. It wasn't bad but you could tell he was more comfortable on the radio.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the weekly "Comedy Tonight" standup show on KQED in the '80s, which I believe was syndicated on PBS nationwide. In addition to the guys (Slayton,Carvey, Bobcat) that show introduced a number of notable women comics (Whoopi Goldberg, Paula Poundstone) to local and national audiences.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else notice how KGO is airing things like "favorite pop bands" and "best celebrity recipes"?
ReplyDeleteIt's turning into the radio version of the Huffington Post.
If only!
DeleteKGO radio or TV? I don;t listen to either much anymore.
DeleteI went to a BWB here in the south bay, he was Excellent! Really enjoyed his show, thanks for the memory Rich.
ReplyDeleteStern owes his career to Bennett.
ReplyDeleteI nailed Lori Thompson in 1989
ReplyDeleteLiar! I don't recall ever sleeping with someone named Anonymous!
DeleteOMG the gorgeous Lori Thompson...
DeleteC'mon Lori, Don't you remember? We met at a Bud E. Luv show at Paradise Lounge and you said I gave you the best 10 seconds of your life!!!
DeleteRich, why do feel compelled to reveal the real names of people on the radio? Knowing that about someone doesn't make you cool, and it's definitely not cool to violate that person's privacy.
ReplyDeleteAlex regularly gave out his real name on the air, probably at least once a week, and always introduced his mother by her real name, Ruth Schwartzmann. If you're going to whine, at least do your homework first.
DeleteOh yeah, I remember Alex mentioning his real name lots of time on his show, and his mom Ruth. One time a caller mentioned seeing the name Ruth Bennett in a TV show credit and asked Alex if that was his mom. Alex explained about his real last name being Schwartzmann. His mother was fun when she called in to the show (or Alex called her).
DeleteAs far back as 1970, when Alex was doing the evening show on WMCA New York, he mentioned on the air that his real name was Bennett Schwartzman. He also mentioned he was earning $33,000 a year for that gig. Funny how some factoids stick in the memory.
DeleteBennett was very polazrizing. He had fans but he had nearly as many detractors. He'd get booed at events. Live 105, after dropping him one time ran a slogan "No More Alex". Ouch...
ReplyDeleteICN
Alex represented the best of what local radio is all about...a studio audience, a showcase for local comedy talent, live shows in around the area. Sitting in the audience, mere inches away from Robin Williams, Michael Palin, Bobby Slayton, or many others, was an amazing experience. And who can forget "Oakland: Hub of the West" in Joe Regelski's weather reports? Alex was a true treasure. So let's strike the set, call it a wrap, and go home!
ReplyDeleteI met Alex and Joe Regelski, and their producer Irene Aguilera during their early days at The Quake. I had been writing some school lunch menus and other offbeat material for Dr. Don Rose at KFRC at the time. I liked all of the KQAK comedy with its decidedly sickish bent and started mailing Alex comedy bits that I put together. He'd read them on his "Letters... we get letters" segment. At a point, Alex suggested by reply mail that I come down to meet him and join his studio audience. Despite me being a "nobody," Alex treated me with kindness and moral support, even encouraging me to slide up to a guest mic and be interviewed about my comedy writing interests. It was the first of several times that I went to The Quake and I always felt morally supported there.
ReplyDeleteAlex was then, and surely is today, a very opinionated man. And yes, he has an ego that can put off some folks. But what successful media person doesn't have an ego??
What might not be immediately obvious is that Alex also has a very kind side to his personality and a willingness to share the limelight with others. He would even take Joe and Irene and four or five of we locals out to his favorite breakfast spot after the show and pick up what had to be a substantial tab.
Alex is a huge fan of Jack Benny and his self-effacing comedy. And Alex shares Benny's reputed generosity, in my opinion, and from my experience. Man, do I miss that kind of interesting locally-focused radio!!
Amen, Dell!
DeleteRich, thanks for reminding me of another wonderful Bay Area radio personality!
and those good vibes continued over at KiTS, live 105, after the Quake's untimely demise. Everything Dell says about Alex is on the mark. You always felt welcomed--and the coffee was great--when you joined Alex as a member of his in-studio audience. Hey, back in the day, with either a new address or party preference, Alex asked me to register him to vote for an upcoming SF election. It would be great if he relocated to SF and based his Sirius show here...
DeleteYet another reminder of how good Bay Area radio used to be, and how bad it is now.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Alex reportedly "dating" a 20-year old... when he was like 50 or 60?
ReplyDeleteI guess Howard Stern copied him there, too.... in real life, and as far as show material.
Ah yes, the 20 year brunette grade school teacher whom he proposed to at the Louvre, and she declined.
DeleteThe various Chuck Farnham stunts would either be hilarious, gross you out, piss you off, or all three. Like the time Chuck pissed on Nixon's grave site!
And let's not forget Bennett was an aspiring porno producer -
Midnight Blue anyone?
Finally, KQED stole the comedy show from Bennet, and then homogenized it to the point of it being safe for uppity liberals. Cranky, rebellious liberals are so much more fun!
Man, why do I remember such trivia?
I miss Alex! Best morning show ever.
A few glaring mistakes. First of all Sirius Satellite Radio hasn't existed for years now. It is SiriusXM. Next I am on at 7-10pm eastern which unfortunately translates to 4am-7am PT. However if you have the SiriusXM app for your smartphone you can play the whole show back from the beginning until 9am PT.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you mean "Out Of The Zone"? It's terrestrial that is now out of the zone. SiriusXM subscribers make it the number one market in the united states with 21 million available listeners.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words but Rich, you really got to get your facts right.
I wasn't at WNEW long enough to get b poor rating, but you are right, I was pulled by the national conservative management of Clear Channel. I went on the air there as a temporary measure to help out my friend who was the market GM.
Finally, my current show is nothing like the San Francisco show. It's better and different. It is a reinvention and the best experience I've ever had in radio.
So Alex, why don't you tell us about your time in Miami at WIOD. I'm sure Rick & Suds would be interested to hear what you have to say?
Delete"If I had the ability, I'd kick my own teeth in!"
Gee anonymous you just got everything wrong.
ReplyDeleteI don't exactly know why but Alex popped into my mind just now and a quick search lead me here. I really enjoyed his show on KQAK and listen to it every morning in the warehouse where I worked. I remember really enjoying Bobby Slayton whom I think Alex called "Yid Vicious". I also thought his newsman Joe Regelski was good and liked his on air schtick better than I liked Scoop Nisker (who I also liked but I always thought that Joe was somehow cooler). I recall seeing Alex eating dinner at Izzy's Steak and Chop House on Chestnut St and even though I was a fan I thought better of bothering him and let him eat in peace (he didn't appear to be on a date but did appear to be intent on eating and not being disturbed). You've brought a lot of joy and laughter to a lot of people Alex - thanks!
ReplyDeleteSadly, SiriusXM fired Alex today, and he informed his listeners. He is going to be on the rest of the week, and he is setting up a podcast on LiveStream.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why SiriusXM decided to get rid of Alex, and not sure what they are going to put in his place.
I would have nailed LT but she refused to cough up the hundred bucks, so I just gave myself a hand.
ReplyDeleteDiscovered this post and discussion thread just today (late to the party). I recently wrote a blog post with my memories of growing up listening to the Alex Bennett Show religiously for most of its almost 20 years in SF. I hope it brings back some fond memories for Bennett's fans. You can find it at: https://emusements.com/remembering-mornings-with-alex-bennett-the-king-of-comedy
ReplyDelete