Rothmann is smart, too smart but doesn't rub it in your face. He knows all about the Middle East and politics too. He has literally thousands of detailed archives in his home and is a presidential historian. He once worked for Dick Nixon and can tell a tale or two about the guy. Rothmann has written numerous books and just penned, (along with two other authors), his latest book on Harold Stassen.
Rothmann was one of the former KGO hosts dismissed in 2011's Black Thursday. He has done a lot of fill in work on 910 but deserves a full-time gig. His style of calm, infinitely listenable dialogue is a welcome charm in today's noisefest that takes place on a daily basis in talk radio. Rothmann's sensitive, humane and informative knowledge is tantamount to a college lecture by your favorite professor only you don't have to take notes and there is no test. Beyond that, his passion is self-evident and his respect for the listener is almost too good to be true but it is. Just give a listen and you'll understand. Dignity and class can go a long way in the radio world. Rothmann gets it.
Full disclosure: Rothmann has guested on my own talkie multiple times and he's a friend. I hope the powers that be at Clearchannel do the right thing and make Rothmann a permanent host on their airwaves. The Bay Area radio audience could use a good dose of that formula.
*Follow me on Twitter and listen to me on my daily talk show on KSCO/KOMY 1-4 PM PT.
I do enjoy hearing John however 3 hours of high quality, intellectual talk radio is too long for todays radio audiences although he'd be great on NPR for that many hours. It seems like more people like to be entertained than educated. Just my thoughts. Still, it would be great to hear him often.
ReplyDeleteOh, a side note for anyone who caught your interview with that nutty reverend yesterday. He sounds just like Charles Manson did many years ago. I met Manson at a free clinic near Reseda, California where he brought about fifteen or so young people to get checked for an STD. Anyway, he engaged us in conversation while waiting and he sounded very much like that guy you had on yesterday except, sadly, all of his "group" bought his B.S.
Love John Rothmann! I agree, he deserves a full-time gig! He is so intelligent and sensible and warm. I hope something works out for him.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with you Rich, John is the best! I sat still in mky office while he was on your show earlier this week. His election night analysis on KKSF was the best around. Always enjoyed his time on KGO. I metioned once before on your blog that there is no one better at discussing issues with people whom he disagrees.He is very respectful with all who call which is so refreshing compared to all the yelling and screaming that goes on today.
ReplyDeleteRothman is fine as a USA political commentator but the guy has no credibility when it comes to Israel. In his eyes anything and everything Israel does is fine. He is a local Alan Dershowitz. I remember one day he was discussing the ”barbaric” Islamic terrorists and a caller reminded him that there were gangs of jews who bombed and terrorized Palestinians prior and during the founding of the state of Israel. Rothman hung up on the caller faster than you can say Dick Nixon. Frankly the demonization of anyone who disagrees with Israel is extremely dreadful radio.
DeleteI will enthusiastically second that motion! For the last year, every night at 10 pm I think about how I miss being able to turn on his program. KGO was nuts to let him go.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that at election time, he is the indispensable commentator.
How about a talk show for KKSF's news man cBas Kunz?
DeleteCBas Kunz was on the radio yesterday doing the news with Gil Gross. Gil Gross mentioned the story about the two women who were shot by the LAPD/Torrance PD while delivering newspapers. Mr Kunz had not heard that story.
DeleteSorta loses credibility as the "news guy" when he's not keeping up with the biggest story in CA right now.
7:38 Are you a homophobe? Seriously now, CBas is a highly respected news journalist with solid and impressive credentials.
DeleteCBas is a douchey dork and he is a proud Star Trek fan. Not exactly cut in the mold of Gross, Rothman or any credible talk show host. Now, if he moved to KGO he may have a shot along side the freak show hosts over there..
DeleteI cannot understand why he is not on in this market.
ReplyDeleteAside from his expertise in a variety of subjects, he is one of the most-courteous individuals I've ever heard on the radio. What a contrast to the shouters and haters who are off their meds. It would be great if he was able to get a spot. How about 910 at night or after Len Tillem in the afternoon? Or before Len Tillem, to replace the boring show that currently airs.
ReplyDeleteNnnnnnnn-oooooo! Don't replace Gil Gross. He's local and he's ex-KGO. We need Gil. His program is fast paced but always engaging and he's on top of his game. Bring back John Rothmann in the 7-10 slot replacing the nationally syndicated Alan Colmes.
DeleteYES YES YES FROM 1:00 UNTIL THE LAWYER LEN TILLIMS PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteKKSF...
DeleteJohn Rothman 1-3 pm YES!!!!
Followed by Len Tillem from 3-4 and Gil Gross from 4-7.
You bet!
1-3 is time for LIEBERMAN LIVE!
DeleteI agree. He deserves a full time slot. Evenings would be good for his commentary. I rather listen to him any day than that goofy Alan Colmes show. Or how about on the weekend when it is nonstop 24 hour infomercials. Both time slots which I currently tune out. With ratings at KGO in the tank, and 24hour news not working, maybe they might want to reconsider letting him and the others go.
ReplyDeleteHey, Alan Colmes show is very entertaining. I like John Rothman too, but in a different way. He is very serious and needs a time slot where people can concentrate and focus. Replacing Rush in the a.m. would be okay with me. Almost anybody replacing Rush would be appreciated.
DeleteThe Alan Colmes Show is a joke. If you've heard it once, that's all you need because it's the same night after night. It's Alan's call screener feeding him calls only from certifiably crazy ultra right-wing conspiracy nut jobs. It's the same crap all the time. It might be funny but it's pointless. You might as well be listening to Phil Hendrie as Alan Colmes. He's far from being in the same league as Krasny or Rothmann.
DeleteI do not agree with you regarding Alan Colmes. Alan Colmes does not screen callers. Alan Colmes's show is a nationwide show and hence the right wing crazies are on top to get onto it, plus Alan's show does not ask callers their views, except their name and place they are calling from. Alan has guest from both sides of the spectrum.
DeleteNow regarding, JR, I like him better than Gil Gross (GG). GG is boring, and his ratings are not all that great (may be Rich can provide data about GG's talk show ratings). When GG is talking, I listen to Norma Goldman on 960 Am, where he spews truth and facts, and doles out civics lessons which has been lost on a sizable population of our country.
Rich,
ReplyDeleteI like Rothman too (in fact, I briefly screened calls for him at KGO in the late nineties). What puzzles me, though, is how you can simultaneously be a fan of the "dignity and class" of a John Rothman and Michael Savage, the polar opposite. Talk about a noisefest! Explain!
Don't you see? That's the beauty of it! Strange and as off the wall as it seems, Rich in an insightful stroke of rare genius is truly on to something incredibly beautiful here in his appreciation of J.R. and Michael Savage.
DeleteI agree - bring John Rothman back.. as everyone agrees, he is erudite and as polite as can be. Michael Krasny on KQED is the same way. Both wonderful. I would love to listen to 3 hours - or even 2 - of John.
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the list. John Rothman should be brought back.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to say how much I took the old KGO for granted: you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.
Rothman is lacking just one thing...talent. He isn't capable of entertaining audiences over any extended period.
ReplyDeleteNo thanks
John Rothman has plenty of talent and could easily do a three hour show and be "entertaining". Not only that he knows how engage the callers with a respectful and at times challenging dialogue. I would tune into 910 to hear the show if they are smart enough to make the move.
ReplyDeleteAdd my voice as yet another one adding to the chorus of listeners who long to see John Rothman back on the air weekdays.
ReplyDelete