Wednesday, January 16, 2013

You didn't always agree with Lee Rodgers but you listened; Former KSFO Talker speaks his mind on Lieberman Live

Outside of the Middle East debate, I rarely agreed with Lee Rodgers. The former KGO/KSFO talk host's politics were far too ultra-right and cranky for me.

And Rodgers became angry. Real angry. Angry to the point of boor state. When he migrated to KSFO in the mid-90's, his morning show with Melanie Morgan became an instant hit; the conservative radio hotbed in the middle of progressive and "lib-er-al" San Francisco. The ratings were off the chart.

At times, I would cringe listening to the morning show when Rodgers would veer into one of his angry/cranky modes. But there was this one thing: Rodgers blend of verbal play and ultra-right offerings were must-listen-to radio. Sure, didn't agree, but listen I did and I'm not alone.

Part of the fact was due to Rodgers astute brilliance as a broadcaster. The proverbial master wordsmith, he offered daily musings about everyday misuse of the English language. He chided politicians for their histrionics and ineptitude. Sure, most of them were Democrats but it was still damn good radio to listen to. Unpredictable? Yes, and that's as much a part of why Rodgers was popular and the morning show on KSFO; however politically murky, however dangerous the dialogue could evolve into, was worth listening to.

Rodgers has been off the air for a few years now; he was abruptly let go by KSFO a few years back under acrimonious circumstances, (think money). Rodgers said he was forced out. I'll ask him.

Today, Rodgers will talk with me on that subject, Washington politics, and more from 2-3 PM on the radio show. To listen live or catch the podcast later, click here.

*Follow me on Twitter

32 comments:

  1. Lee Rodgers is/was a great broadcaster...before his KSFO days. He got caught up in the post Rush Limbaugh world of false alarms and slander. Too Bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee Rodgers is history. He's toast.

      Delete
  2. I'm tunning in to hear how he handles your long winded questions and constant interruptions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Now, that there, is comedy in its truest sense! Good on 9:18!

      Delete
    2. Me too! Rich: Are you going to ask Lee his thoughts on gun violence and gun control and then get into an argument with him? Bring it on!!!

      Delete
  3. Can you get him a gig with the Zwerlings on the mighty Kay-Oh-Em-Why? He'd be a great lead-in to Lieberman Live. Yup.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I met Lee Rodgers while he was in his salad days at KSFO. I've mentioned in this forum before, Lee's professional dedication: The man would literally show up at 11:00 pm to begin prepping for his show that began at 5:00 in the morning. He would up all night, sorting, printing, prepping sound bits and punchlines, and have it all layed out in the studio. He made it look and sound easy, off-the-cuff even, but his show was that good -- and like Rich, I rarely agreed with Lee's politics, but his show really was that good -- because of the dedication and prep that Lee poured into it. A harbinger of an era past, I'll be curious to check out what barbs Lee throws on your air tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lee Rodgers is good, maybe even great. But you, Rich, are the great Zen master extraordinaire of talk radio.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Rich, he/she does have a point!

      Delete
  6. Lieberman is individualistic, iconoclastic, and eclectic; a passionate populist who sometimes sounds like a shock jock. He's the Bay Area's Howard Stern bringing the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas alike, indeed the world via Web live streaming and podcasts, incisive and hard-hitting interviews with a wide range of media denizens. "Lieberman Live" is must-listen to radio from 1-4 weekdays. I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I get nauseous reading the blog. Beam me up, Scotty.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're really showing incredible finesse and well-honed interviewing skills right now with Dan Ashley, KGO-TV, ABC-7 News.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rich: You're radio host with a sharp tongue, a God complex, and a true gift for self-destruction. But, all that aside, you're the best thing on Bay Area radio bar none. Your weekday afternoon show takes listeners into a claustrophobic, surreal world that draws you in and then kicks you out and sucks you back in again.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rich sure sent Dan Ashley packing early. First, Ashley was late doing a stand-up in Oakland. Understood. Then, Rich got into a boring gun control rant that got longer, and longer and longer with Rich either opining or continually reintroducing Ashley from ABC-7. Then, at the first break, it was bye-bye Dan who had to get back to his shoot. Horrid.

    ReplyDelete
  11. When are you moving up to KSCO-AM-1040, the Zwerling's 10,000-watt Santa Cruz flamethrower?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rich is a decent interviewer, getting better all the time, and has a good voice for radio. I'm rooting for him to do well with his new daytime show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also think the show is improving and Rich is sounding more comfortable each day. He has been attracting top notch guests. I am also rooting for him to succeed. We need this type of show on in the afternoon.

      Delete
    2. You are long on hope, short on taste.

      Delete
  13. Why is it that Rich's compensation arrangement for hosting a radio talk show is NONE of OUR business but blogging about Ronn Owens' contract on KGO is fair game? Double standard here? No-ooooooo.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Has blog become little more than a place to promote your radio show? Just sayin'

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've started a pool to see who can correctly guess when KOMY will air the first "Best of Lieberman Live" program.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A week from this Friday on the 25th. Even Rich knows his limits. Hopefully.

      Delete
  16. ask Lee who he listens to now...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lee Rogers!!! Is there any way to get Lee back on the radio????? Remember how he got on GWB's case? Listeners would call him up and scream at him over that! Eventually they came to agree with Lee. I tell ya, there was no love lost between Lee and GWB!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lee was certainly a crusty old southen' boy at heart! I'm glad he was able to evacuate himself from what much have been an odious place for him to live (the SF Bay Area), because we actually practice Democracy out here and not just give lip service to it as the GOP does, so I'm sure that offended poor Lee's sensibilities.

    I will say this however; as much as I was not a Lee Rogers fan, the crap that they've replaced him with is not even worth a mention in your blog Rich!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hope you can get on a decent station, can't even hear you in South San Jose.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lee Rodgers is an extraordinary broadcaster—one with a great work ethic. I learned a lot from him—and he was entertaining. Nowadays, radio talk show hosts regurgitate news and topics from the Internet. Talk radio has descended into verbal recasting of the Drudge Report and other web sites. Bring back Emperor Rodgers from exile in Elba!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i would LOVE for Lee to do at least a weekly segment-maybe only 10-15 minutes even, just giving us his take on the current state of affairs... a regular Friday Feature...

      Delete
  21. Did Rodgers discuss how his replacement, Brian Sussman, is happy to ball-polish himself as the most hateful and idiotic broadcaster in the Bay Area?

    ReplyDelete