**You said he would probably retire.
No, I said he told some of his friends he'd retire. And I reported it. Owens can deny, deny, deny. It occurred. He's hungry. He wants another contract.
**What are the terms of the deal?
Well, now, nothing. He hasn't signed the deal yet but they've, (Cumulus), made him an offer and he's supposedly happy about it. It's about performing. The money will be a lot less but he'll probably spin it as well as he can. And he does know how to spin. And he wants to talk on the radio.
**Why do they want him back?
Because the price is right and the alternative is god awful.. Have you ever listened to Tim Montemayor?
**You were just saying in July that Brian Copeland or Pat Thurston were set to take his, (Ronn's), place. What happened?
Yeah and I also said that nothing was concrete and that Copeland wasn't ready for primetime and that Thurston, as good as she is, wasn't their choice. Ronn is there and will, (if he signs the offer), perform a job at a price and terms conducive to the company financial roster. Did I think it would come down to that? No. But then again I also didn't think Ronn would work for a third of what he was getting before. Maybe he needs the money.
**Do you have issues with Owens?
No, nothing personal at all. He should have never been on the air the day after the gauntlet went down on the other KGO hosts. That was a terrible decision and whoever made that call should have been reprimanded. I had issues with Ronn's act. It was abysmal. I'll never feel anywhere different. It was just so poorly thought out, phony, and contrived. Did I expect him to quit a job that he was under contract for another full year? Hell no. But yeah, I was extremely disappointed with his act. And I wasn't the only one.
**So why is Ronn Owens coming back?
He's not ready to call it a career. Plain and simple. And he's willing to work for less. Great. And they ain't got anything better. Simple. End of story. Maybe he'll write a book one day and tell us the real deal.
**Anything else?
Yeah, I can hardly wait how KGO spins this...and Ronn too. This is gonna be beautiful. We are family, blah, blah, blah and how I love the listeners. Total BS.
You've been on record saying Owens is leaving for a year. Nice work, Scoop. Did someone say "Dick Morris"?
ReplyDeleteFor those of you cave people complaining about the reporting here, let's put it this way: You can read about this in Benny Fong's "Radio Sea Sick Waves" article in two weeks in the pinkie of the Sunday Comical. You'll get his kissy-assie BS take on the whole thing. You know what this site says is true. Of course, like the tech industry, the facts may change. Of course, like human nature, involved parties will deny some things. But give this site kudos for attempting to avoid the pablum being fed from the media outlets directly. This space tries to tell it like it is. Unfortunately, some people don't like that. Well, tough cookies. Show accountability for your actions. Don't be a pussy. Facts is facts. Period. If you don't have the cahones to live up to your actions, then think twice before executing. Otherwise, it's a free country and there is freedom of speech. Hard to believe, but it's there.
ReplyDeleteIt's not clear from this jumbled rambling what you're even trying to say but if you are apologizing for Lieberman publishing an inaccurate story you are talking out of both sides of your mouth.
DeleteYou say that "what this site says is true", it's not, Owens is not retiring, and you say "show accountability for your actions, Lieberman doesn't take accountability, he's denying the September 24th and September 25 stories said what they did.
Good post at 2:53pm.
DeleteBen (oh how I wish the 60s had never ended) Fong Torres will do his mighty best to give Ronn an open forum to put a positive spin on this story. When you need a vanity piece for a Bay Area celebrity Ben Fong Torres is at your beck and call.
I don't always agree with Lieberman but at least he has the guts to give you a candid assessement of a story.
Not only was Rich's September 24th story saying "Ron Owen's Set to Retire", He followed it up on September 25th reiterating it on September 25, "I stand by my story" regarding the question of Owen's imaginary, impending retirement.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that Rich who is so critical of others can't take ownership of his own words.
Is this all another "**RICH LIEBERMAN 415 EXCLUSIVE" ???
ReplyDeleteI think "**RICH LIEBERMAN 415 EXCLUSIVE" means he's the only one who thinks it's true and likely isn't.
Delete**Why Does Anyone Care What The Radio Fate of This Liberal Is?
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteRich simply needs to be more careful with his reporting if he wants to be taken seriously. You attribute to sources, you don't make absolute "I stand by this statements." You most importantly don't let your personal feelings into your reporting. Those of us who work as journalists know this in our bones and that's why we have been so critical of Rich. Hopefully if enough of his readers call him on the carpet (as they just have) he'll come out the other end as a decent reporter. I also think he'll mellow more now that he has his own radio show. Many of us suspected for a longtime that jealousy was the main driver of his rage and anger toward those working in broadcasting. Hopefully the more fulfilled Rich will do a better job of dispassionately telling the news.
ReplyDeleteGee, why does it seem that Rich has an axe to grind with everyone who manages to keep working in this market?
ReplyDeleteRich says Owens "is hungry He wants another contract."
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to disparage someone who chooses to work.
I hope Ronn stays until he wants to retire. Brian Copeland does not even belong on radio, yet take over Ronn's show. I think the best person would be MONTY, if Ronn retires, should be his replacement. He has what it takes to make the show work for all of us who have listened all these years.
ReplyDeleteMONTY??????????? Good grief, speak for yourself!!!!!! Monty may even be worse than Karel! Brain size is probably equal. Did Monty even graduate from High School? He has a terrible command of the English language. I'm sure Gene Burns does not listen, but if he did and swear words came out of his mouth, you can bet that they would be exactly what he meant! His references to "the wife" and women in general, are horrible. And his poor son, I keep envisioning his son talking on his burner phone with his rogue facebook account and riding off on his motorcycle with a nude girl on the back, as Daddy Monty waits at the gate of the school.
DeleteMonty tries hard but he just sounds stupid. He gets good topics from time to time, and understands the setup, etc, but he never says anything that makes you want to come back to the show. He's like a loud mouth moderator. I could see him being a guy who does late nights full time but to even talk about him against Rush Limbaugh, or any other serious host is a waste of time. Not completely talentless, but certainly limited.
DeleteMonty as a replacement to Ronn is a terrible idea. Ronn can have lightweight topics, but he is an interesting and intelligent guy. Monte has the big radio voice and his topics and point of view are okay, However, he lacks substance. He makes a point and repeats it incessantly. When a caller speaks, Monte does let him/her talk, and then he goes right back to his opinion instead of developing the subject and allowing the caller to be interesting. It annoys me that he thinks that his opinions are so important and fascinating. That said, I don't think he is obnoxious or a bad person. However as a replacement for Ronn, no way. Copeland is much better, but he is not a 5 day week radio diet...same with Pat Thurston.
DeleteI had hopes for Copeland, and he is better than some, but he is no Owens, Burns, or Dr. Bill. I once called him up and asked him if he thought Germany was a poor or rich country. He didn't know!! Talk about a lack of curiosity!! (That fact would lead to another.)
DeleteSadly, like many black talk show hosts, "racism" seems to be every 5th show for him. (Every 12th for Ronn.)
It would be nice to have Ronn around, at least he is listenable. But his lack of intellectual curiosity is amazing... his inability to grasp basic financial issues, like we ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH DAMN MONEY! But oh how he loves more taxes.
I do wish him good health.
Is Dr. Bill still rocking?
From a negotiating standpoint - why wouldn't he say he was going to retire? He's more valuable to KGO than he is anyone else, and judging from the ratings, they realized they need him more than vice-versa.
ReplyDeleteI been listening to Ronn since 1975,his show the last few years has been slow and boring,fewer good guests and a Million more commercials
ReplyDeleteit's time for Ronn to move on and put KGO to bed....
Rich, I trust some of your opinions. But are you serious that Pat is good? What are you drinking?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't really going out on a limb to predict that a sick, 67 year old guy who's huge contract is about to expire, and who works for a station that has been laying off folks to cut costs is going to 'retire'.
ReplyDeleteAnd if he gets a charitable extension then retires you are still correct.
Also the sky is blue and W doesn't qualify for Mensa.
his show is slow and boring...time to clean out your desk Ronn...$1,000,000 a year? now I know why KGO is in so much trouble.that is nuts
ReplyDeletewho on KGO's on air programming could get a job at another station in any Top 20 market between the hours of 6am-7pm? may as well throw in KKSF as well minus Tillem because of the niche.
ReplyDeleteBooo...I was hoping this clown would fade into the black. Not that I listen to KGO anyway, but I've never understood his appeal. RoN (only an egomaniacal douchebag would use two 'n's) has an annoying personality, a limited vocabulary, and is really just a dork.
ReplyDeleteHe's a mediocre interviewer and a self proclaimed "tech/gadget" guy who doesn't know sh*t about either, and listens to the same music as 9th grade girls.
RoNN is an anomaly...only in the Bay Area could he last I guess.
I think he sucks, and that's not pejorative, it's just a given. So where do we go from here?!?
1:01 Ronn has many fans who enjoy him and would like him to continue. He is smart, funny, and has an enjoyable show. I think it's great that he listens to popular music. I don't always like his topics and when it's not of interest, I do something else.
DeleteWhy insult the Bay Area in your comment above? For crying out loud, who do you think reads this blog? As far as a limited vocabulary perhaps you should reconsider the use of "dork" and "sucks".
I believe his music taste is 11th grade.
DeleteI don't want to destroy anyone's concept of the English language, understanding of nuance, or idea of how news works, but just because someone says something is true, which proves to be "untrue" at a later date, doesn't mean that the person reporting was wrong at the time it was said.
ReplyDeleteFor example, if a doctor told you, "he's not going to make it...you probably want to say goodbye", but then a day later a person makes a miraculous recovery, doesn't mean the doctor was lying. Yes, the doctor was wrong, but circumstances do change.
Ronn Owens (I don't know him) has seemingly been in bad health, from what I'm told. All signs were pointing to him retiring, but then things change. It's called a "fluid situation."
Now Rich is stating unequivocally that Ronn wants to work, has been offered a contract, and will take it. Short of a complete 180 degree turn; this information seemingly no place is, he has in fact scooped the story, no?
On another note, it seems a lot of these comments here about other hosts, namely Monty, Karel, and Maureen are really vicious. What is wrong with you people? Pointing out how poor they look, comments on their families, their voice, among other things. Even if what you're saying about these people is in fact true, taking it beyond their ability to broadcast only makes you worse than they are in every regard.
From what I'm told by a close friend at KGO, the comments on these pages are mostly from other hosts themselves.
Grow up.
-Roy
Roy,
DeleteSince you profess to have a firm grasp on all things semantic, could you please confirm or deny that RL's September 24th scoop, "Ron Owens Set to Retire" was accurate?
As a bonus question, was Karl Rove's statement that Romney would win in a land slide was also accurate?
Sorry Roy, There's a big difference between opinion and facts.
DeleteIf a journalist publishes opinion presented as fact and turns out to be wrong, that's a big problem.
Is Rich a "journalist" or a "blogger?"
DeleteWhat if I was "set to run a marathon" tomorrow, but then pulled hamstring? It's called a "fluid situation." I see it in my line of work constantly. No deal is done until the champagne cork is off the bottle.
Not to say Rich, or any number of people, doesn't get it wrong. He surely does. But that's based on information given to him, I would think. If his information is consistently wrong, I'd think he would change sources, and hope to get it right!
As I mentioned previously, did anyone else report what Rich wrote on his blog? Has Ronn Owens retired, or not? At this point in time, Rich is neither wrong, nor right. His last comment on Ronn is what currently stands, and if it is in fact correct then he will be deemed correct. It's somewhat like Roulette, in that you only need be right when the ball stops., no?
And there is a big difference between "opinion and facts." If you are hear for facts, but are figuring them to be wrong then you are probably wasting your time visiting the site. If you're here for opinion on a topic that won't likely matter to you/me (I profess to know little on the business of radio, so maybe it does matter to a few of you) then you're basically just doing what we all do: wasting time.
-Roy B
I posted comments critical of Monty. I stand by them. He comes off as completely uneducated. Any comments I made about his family were only based on comments that HE constantly makes on the air. If you don't want your family out there then DON'T you put "THE wife" "THE son" out there...and for heavens sake, he has given us the complete details of his son's life from birth conception on. How unfair is that to his son? It leaves his son to be pitied, and speaks volumes about Monty but not in a positive way. No one dug on the Enquirer, or secret blogs...it's all been discussed by Monty, trying to show what a grand person he is, but completely at the expense of his son. I doubt few young people his son's age listen to KGO, but some might, and I'm sure his son does, wonder how he feels to be the constant subject of his dad.
ReplyDeleteWe've all been aware that Ronn has daughters and he does talk about them, but he does not get personal really personal about their lives. Monty is stupid. And, NO, I am not a host, and think that these hosts are giving themselves too much credit if they thing negative comments are jealous remarks coming from other hosts...tell your friend that, Roy. And, if Monty is your friend, tell him to grow up!!!!
I'm guessing you're a woman, for what that is worth. You seem very protective of the "son"'s psyche, so that's why I say this.
DeleteI was not aware Ronn has daughters, but I rarely get to hear his program, except when the wife is behind the wheel, and I'm avoiding the office.
You are either someone who REALLY does not like Monty as a listener, or an employee with an ax to grind. That's just a guess. I do not know Monty at all. I could not identify him other than by his voice, and that'd be a stretch. I am not a fan of his program. That said, you have some anger issues that should probably be dealt with.
Thanks,
Roy
Roy Bowman, who ever you are, where ever you are, I enjoyed reading your insightful, objective, well-balanced comments. I only wish you were a long-time listener of the once-great KGO. It would be interesting reading your perspective on what used to be, the bloodbath of last year, and now, what is. But then, perhaps, you would be more subjective than objective.
DeleteAny way, I hope to read more from you. Thanks.
!:21--I agree with most of your post, except the last part about comments being "mostly from other hosts." I am not sure how anyone but Rich could be sure of that. I post occasionally, and I am just a listener. There are probably others.
ReplyDeleteI think Rich uses this blog wisely--it's an up to date info gathering site aimed at the latest "off the record" information. As such, it's not always going to be 100%. Rich doesn't claim to be a "news source" so I definitely read it that way.
Sometimes I disagree with Rich VERY much, other times not. I am glad to have found this site after the KGO BloodBath of 2011. Some of us out here in Listener Land DO care!
Regards.
@6:38
Delete"Rich doesn't claim to be a "news source" so I definitely read it that way."
REALLY ???? You think Rich isn't claiming to be a news source when he publishes "RICH LIEBERMAN 415 EXCLUSIVE"? If he isn't claiming to be a new source what is that supposed to mean? You think that means - this isn't news and may or not be true. OF COURSE NOT. He's presenting something as news and asking for credit for being the exclusive, first source of the information.
So Ronn wants an extension. Good for him. I'm told broadcaster Vin Scully of the Dodgers wanted to retire, and then the baseball strike hit... so he had weeks and weeks off... and after a few weeks vacation, he realized that retirement was over-rated, especially when you do what you love. He wasn't swining a hammer or digging ditches.
ReplyDeleteBesides, Ronn has expensive tastes. Does he and his wife wantt to move out of Seacliff, sell the horses in Marin, and cut the eat out budget in half?