OUT: Terry Conway, the assistant News director at KGO Radio. There's no official explanation--one station source said she's off to a new job at some dance company, but that alone should tell you something about the state of the radio business.
*Mysteries: KSFO morning blowhard, Brian Sussman, was not on the airwaves during the week of the Democratic Convention. Who knows, maybe he took a vacation, but considering the DNC and its list of red meat items that Sussman loves to chew on, I'm a little curious...JD Hayworth, the ex-congressman from Arizona with a deep southern accent, took over. Anybody care? Thought so. Oh, coincidentally, KSFO's ratings took a bath during the August ratings--ccchanges could be on the way, (think morning).
*KGOne normalcy: KGOne went retro last weekend in the evening, at least. Pat Thurston, Christine Craft and Peter B. Collins. As it should be. A temporary residue of normal, thought-out and decent-minded radio returned to the 810 AM albatross. For how long, who knows? The circus clown with the red carpet midlife crisis is due to return--no word on the NY witch.
*While we're at it, I hope "celebrity chef", Ryan Scott, is buying the time KGOne gave him to plug his closest friends, restaurants, and recipes. He sounds like some over-yapped, shrill yuppie junkie on Red Bull. Yes, good question, why do I listen? Because, truely, bad radio can be addictive.
*Paul Deanno, KPIX-TV new weatherman? zzzzzzzzzz. About as exciting as an ice cube in Alaska. Maybe he can hoist a few with his boss at the Old Ship.
*Tolbert and Ratto makes sence because they sound good and are believable. Conversely, Tolbert and good old "Byrnesie" are embarrassing, even by Knibber standards. Knibber standards: oxymoron personified.
*Mary Tyler-Moore, god love ya, but the type-one diabetes PSA on radio over and over and over...please. The Kars4Kids peeps are complaining.
*KGO Radio: any new mystery on-air charities on the horizon?
*Great: Pac-12 Network that nobody except the spaceship on Mars and Sandy Barbour gets. Good programming. And my cable bill is still $200 a month so I can watch 19 HBO channels and 12 CNN's. (No porn even).
*Yo, Piers Morgan? Can you STFU?!! A $15M blunder by CNN for David Frost-lite without any ratings. And Erin Burnett? Ain't she great. Nobody watches except horny professors in Iowa that have things for young brunettes on cable married to well-heeled bankers.
*Brit Hume: Fox News toilet face with the ego the size of Air Force One. Brit: You're about as insufferable as Chris Matthews with a tingle up his leg.
*Speaking of Matthews, (and others like him), the thing that's more obnoxious than Matthews is that fact that he makes the coin he makes. $7M can buy 3-4 hosts that move the needle and don't act like a total schmuck like the ego-blustered Matthews. (He does to liberals what Hannity does to conservatives).
*The thing about Keith Olbermann: as much a royal pain in the ass he is, and he is, the fact is he has cachet, he can write and he's talented. His politics aren't the point here, (if you can mustard that); Olbermann should have read the guide that you can be just as pointed and prolific without being an utter boor. It's a shame too because I miss the worst person of the world. (Best bit on cable).
*Alan Colmes on SF Radio: the show is funny and entertaining. The politics? Who cares. The right-wing nuts that call. Too funny. That's why it works and it's LIVE too, an added bonus...if Liberal Radio drew some traction, it would stick. That's the name of the game. Colmes and Phil Hendrie are lost in the shuffle and that's a shame.
*Yes, the interviews you've been reading; (Dan Ashley, Mark Ibanez, Jan Hutchins, Michael Savage), are fun. And we'll have more--some real doozies coming in the future. Thanks to all of you who wrote and massaged the ego. Even those who didn't.
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*Help support 415 Media: Make a donation, (look for the Paypal logo on the right side of the blog); All donations, (any amount helps), are confidential and help keep this site up and running.
"The circus clown with the red carpet midlife crisis..."
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
Please interview Cate Cauguiran of KPIX! Totally hot babe!
ReplyDeleteDo you take requests, Rich? If so, I would like an in depth interview with "Mr. Personality" Henry Tenenbaum.
ReplyDeleteTenebaum is a bore x1000. I am glad he is off the air.
DeletePaul Deanno is a bore. I won't watch KPIX anymore without Roberta at the helm of the weather desk. No matter how you look at it, weather is boring. We watch it for the celebrity factor. We don't want to look at someone who bores us to death or is a pompus ass like Pete Giddings. Frank Malico is a bore as well. I am back watching KTVU again. At least they are competent.
ReplyDeleteI liked the oldies interviews..I wonder about the many others. When you post the old vids? THATS when the wayback machine kicks in Rich,because people you saw for decades are now people you haven't seen or heard a peep of for decades now. Gary Rebstock? nice guy even if he did mumble...like that. And that Chris Craft whats she been up to?..kidding!
ReplyDeleteTerry Lowery..I don't know why she never made it national. I thought she was perfect. She was the first Lisa Stark.
Too sad that I cant recall the names..but when I see them? I remember what their status is in the "TV of my life" is.
How about an interview with Fred Van Amberg? I agree Cate is a hottie!
ReplyDeleteRich, there is most definitely an official explanation to my departure from KGO: I've been offered a fantastic opportunity in the arts, which is my passion. I'll be working for World Arts West, which produces and stages the annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
ReplyDeleteThere's no mystery, nothing sinister at play. It was a difficult decision to make, leaving a long radio career and colleagues I respect and admire, but it's the right one for me.
Had you asked, I would have told you this myself.
Terry Conway
Paul Deanno doesn't even give temps for the outlying areas such as Santa Cruz, Morgan hill etc.. like Roberta used to.. probably because he doesn't know where they are. To put it bluntly, he has know personality and has totally ruined the weather forecast.
ReplyDeleteI haven't listened to KGO since D-Day, and I have to admit, I no longer even think about the station or the on-air personalities, but Rich, do you know how Gene Burns is doing? I know that his intellectual wattage always augmented my own, and I miss him.
ReplyDeleteGene Burns has an active and interesting blog on the KKSF web site at - http://www.newstalk910.com/pages/gene-burns.html
DeleteThe latest blog entry is from September 5, 2012. Not all that long ago. I hope that Gene will once again talk, as well as he still can write.
There is provision there for readers to leave comments. I'm sure that Gene actively monitors the comments.
On August 10, Sussman told a reader on his website: "truth be told we’ve become the most successful conservative local morning show in America." He has made frequent claims that the ratings have been skyrocketing for the KSFO morning show, in between his rotten and unfunny commentary.
ReplyDeleteCan you post a link or ratings information about KSFO morning show and how it compares to other Bay Area programs? I've long thought Sussman pulls such statements from his ass and no one bother to check. His hateful schtick should have been yanked LONG ago
He really is bad, I use to listen to Lee and Melanie (and I`m a democrat) but Lee was intelligent, could think for himself and was not afraid to disagree with republicans. Brian does not come across as very intelligent (he might be) doesn't seem to have many independent thought and does not have a good command (for a talk show host) of the english language, uses same words over and over again, dems, great, obamacare etc. seems to pretty much follow the talking point from the right, to me he is boooring, so I don't listent. Prefer Armstrong and Getty, and if I'm awake before 6 a.m. Bill Press.
ReplyDeleteI've watched KPIX news since I moved to the Bay Area in 1981. Now I'm looking for another news outlet, as I have little respect for anyone still at KPIX except Dana King and Ann Notarangelo. The new weatherman is no replacement for Roberta, and a new sportscaster who will inform us that Tiger Woods is two shots behind the leader, but neglect to mention the name of the leader, is a real jerk.
ReplyDeleteLiberal radio? Is that a satellite service?..or is it local someplace on the dial..and yes,I still have radios with dials.
ReplyDeleteRight now I have to read out loud my own writings to find anything liberal in the bay area-Stan.
Kgo is dead
ReplyDeleteWhy all this anger and frustration over what's happened the last few months at KGO radio? Since they changed formats, I've been listening a lot more, as I really was getting tired of listening to the endless prattle of senior citizens such as Gene Burns, and Dr Bill Wattenburg (who really needed to be put out to pasture).
ReplyDeleteWhat's Cumulus supposed to do? Keep these old codgers on the air and pay them ridiculously high salaries while the ratings go in the tank, or do the smart thing and clean house. This was a bold and smart move and Cumulus and has done a very nice job by promoting a nice new station with a 'fresh coat of paint' by featuring local news. Good move by Cumulus to clean house and build a solid news station that will give KCBS some competition.
This posting must be by the infamous Paul Hosley - the one that blew-up KGO! Great business model, Paul.
DeleteThere is no radio station in the nation that would think to strip down a top numbered station and start all over at the very bottom. Loss of revenue, ranking and personality. And it will take decades to get back to where they were when Cumulus bought them. Somehow I don't think Cumulus plans to stay around all that long.
So you and 10:57 like the new KGO, I guess it does not take much to entertain you. As far as I can tell it is the same news over and over again, lots of local news, fires, burglaries, repeats throughout the day, boring, boring. Does not come close to the intellectual conversation and stimulation provided by Gene Burns, John Rothman and others. Bill Wattenburg is not my cup of tea, but he is a smart man. Gene before his illness, was as sharp and smart as they come. You probably couldn't related to the conversation because it was way over your little empty head.
Delete^^ you got to be kidding me. just look at the ratings now. kcbs/kgo -- no competition.
ReplyDeleteYeah, wait until the next ratings baby! KGO's morning crew of Jon Bristow and Jennifer Jones-Lee rocks and will kill KCBS in the ratings!
ReplyDeleteI'm with 10:57 and happen to like what Cumulus is doing. They tightened things up at KNBR when they came aboard, and they revamped KGO. Love the new format and 10:57 is right on the money...but with one disagreement...it's more than a "fresh coat of paint." They did a complete remodel, and KGO, like an old gal who went to the health spa, actually looks pretty good these days!
And just exactly what is your job title at KGO?
DeleteRyan Scott always sounds hammered! Gee, I could listen to that at the corner pub?? Not very attractive!
ReplyDeleteKGO sounds like a small market KCBS wannabe. My prediction for the next PPM? Flat or lower. No one cares! Just a poor excuse for a radio station. So sad you need to hear this in a major market. But what do you expect from a small / medium market company?
ReplyDeleteBrian Sussman is the worst on air personality in the Bay Area. He is astonishingly hateful, its really amazing he has been able to keep a job in this market as long as he has. He's blindly hateful—if you notice what makes him cackle with laughter its never something funny...always something mean spirited. He should not be on the public airwaves, he should be resigned to blogging about global warming and publishing his books for that wackadoodle World Net Daily outfit. If he can make a living doing that, good for him, but he has long outlasted his public airwave time.
ReplyDeleteJD Hayworth comes off like a grown up Lumpy Rutherford, but he comes off as a more decent human being than Sussman. Hayworth is like a tooth cavity, Sussman is like a root canal and gum disease
Agree with you 100% about Brian Sussman he really is mean spirited. So is Michael Savage, but he can be entertaining and he is bright like him or not. Brian Sussman a Michael Savage without brains. I use to listen to Savage, but got tired of him. I think there is very few people he likes, however I liked him when he knocked Rush Limbaugh and others. Once he was all over Limbaugh, because Rush was against the minimum wage requirement, I like that, and think Savage was right, Rush has no idea what it is like to be a regular working person. Frankly I don't think Sussman has many original thoughts, unlike Savage, which makes Savage more interesting, all in all Sussman, Savage others, just too negative, and too much hate for too many things. Just can't listen to that, I like positive people.
DeleteLove the new all-news format at KGO. The above postings praising KGO are right on. They have a whole new audience that they've built because people would rather listen to a good news station than boring, ancient talk show hosts who should have retired about 15 years ago. How about some love for Cumulus and the Dickey Brothers?
ReplyDeleteTry working for Cumulus San Francisco and you will know why there is no love for that awfull place. It's no wonder why so many people there are looking to get out.
DeleteI think it's nice this person Terry Conway weighed in on the site. My only question is whether he gave KGO a heads up? If he didn't then I have to guess that he was unhappy because you don't go looking for a job if you're working at one you like. I understand the arts seem to be a passion, but did the station already have a replacement for you in waiting or did you give the standard two weeks? 2 weeks is what you give when you really don't care all that much about what you're leaving behind.
ReplyDeleteThe talk programming on KGO is generally boring, and that goes for these substitute hosts some of you like to talk about. They're not any better.
In order of talk from their schedule on Saturdays and Sundays:
Candace Delong - Great to fall asleep to. Is she attractive? Can they at least post photos of her if she is?
Tim Montemayor - Sounds like a person they just decided to put on the air one day because there was no one else in the building. Vacant is an apt description. Feel like he would be better with another person for some reason.
John Hamilton - Sounds like a nice guy but he also sounds like my grandpa. Someone should hand him a drink and send him over to the Lido Deck for good.
Michael Finney - I actually like this show sometimes because he's at least offering something. I like radio shows where I can at least learn like a financial show.
Brian Copeland - When he is good he is really good. When he does that thing with the comics I turn it off. Can't get a read on him but he's mildly entertaining.
Ryan Scott - Of all the bad shows they've tried this has to be the worst. If you have heard it then you are aware and if you haven't I would suggest you don't waste your time.
Pat Thurston - It can be really good or really boring. Sometimes she seems like she has no grasp of the issues, and other times I'm really impressed. Goes both ways.
Karel - Believe it or not despite all the negativity around him, he has his moments when he's really good. He also has those other moments but at least he's trying to entertain people. Lately he seems more bitter than ever but maybe we all are.
Maureen Langan - Only heard it one time and it once again seemed like there was no one else left in the building to put on the air, so they called her up. She has to be sleeping with someone. Like Candace maybe we can get photos? Is that why she's on the air? Like one of those blondes on FOX News?
Ronn - I never really liked his show very much over the years but now that he is the only one left I tend to listen. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing? I don't know. But on his good days I enjoy it.
Regarding your inquiry about Candice DeLong, her story and photo are posted at
Deletehttp://janetmartineau.blogspot.com/2012/03/former-fbi-profiler-serves-up-insider.html
8:19, Terry did give notice. She gave more than two weeks. Her last day is at the end of the month. Like she said, nothing sinister at work here. Just a new, exciting opportunity.
DeleteI understand what you are saying about Terry. I guess it's a "she". Sorry!
DeleteJust saying if you like your job you don't go looking for another job, unless she's a youngster changing careers. But what do I know?
KGO BETTER??!! I won't listen at all after Ronn is gone (within the next few months). He's the only remainder of a once great radio station. And the people in my office have all stopped listening, too. KGO good? Gag! I won't listen to KGO on a bet.
ReplyDeleteKKSF is the only bright spot of my day
What's still good on KGO? Bret Burkhart has really grown into the anchor position. Scott Leteiri (spelling?)appears to be the new star reporter. Creative and sounds great when he occasionally is anchoring. Time for a promotion? Kevin the Rat is tops at making the sports entertaining and informative in the afternoons. The new talk shows? They need to try harder. Peter B. Collins is the only one I would choose to hear regularly. Karel is good for a laugh and then tune out.
ReplyDelete