*Warriors radio PBP broadcaster, Tim Roye, had a fine interview with NBA commissioner, David Stern, on Friday night during the Dubs-Houston Rockets game.
In between basic chit-chat, Stern did a double take and began doing play-by-play. If you tuned in at the right moment, you'd have sworn Stern, not exactly Woody Allen, was a real charming fellow. And more remarkably, Stern wasn't half-bad either.
Of course it helped that it was Roye manning the ship. I've always said that Roye's versatility is well-regarded in most NBA broadcast circles and he's a master broadcaster. I'm delighted Stern was able to show a bit of self-deprecation but it was Roye who brought it out.
*More ominous news for AM/FM radio: Two big car companies are planning on phasing out terrestrial radio and launching Internet radio into their dashboards. Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers, wrote about this recently.
*Real simple, but fundamentally profound question for NBC Bay Area, (KNTV): Do we want to be a SF station or San Jose/Silicon Valley operation. That's the $64 question.
*Damon Bruce of KNBR 1050, is hosting a national program on CBS Sports Radio in March. Good gig for Bruce who knows how to move the needle. Here's hoping the show is permanent. It airs Saturday morning.
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They better ask the car buyer's first!!! Not every one of them is going to want pay for the connection!
ReplyDeleteDamon Bruce loves to tell everyone how good he is and how much more he knows about sports. He may understand radio and how to be a broadcaster, but the guy doesn't bring much to the table in terms of inside knowledge or credible opinion about the local teams. Instead, all we here from Damon is usually a lot of loud braying, simplifying issues and making vague generalities about what's going on with the local teams. That's just one person's opinion, but this guy is nothing special. If he was so good, how come he's been consigned to KNBR 1050, a station that virtually no one listens to? I will say this for Damon however...I would listen to him over any of the hosts on KNBR any day of the week. And don't get me started on Kate, "Hey, do I sound enough like an announcer yet?" Scott, or Patrick (hey, Lee Hammer says I'm good enough to go on the air but I'm a dysfunctional idiot!) O'Connor.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with this. He doesn't really have a lot of depth, but he is a decent rabble-rouser. I mean did you ever hear him on KGO? Not a lot there as far as knowledge goes. He is better than most in these parts though. I wonder if they're replacing Jody McDonald? That guy is absolutely terrible. At least the West Coast will get some representation on that network.
DeleteEven though I'm a fan of Damon Bruce, yeah, you kind of do have a point, and yes, he is full of himself and likes himself a little too much at times. It would be nicer if he was humbler whenever he talks about himself, but most hosts like to pump themselves up, and make themselves seem better than they are. I just hope he doesn't lose listeners because of how he talks about himself. Sometimes a lot of times he's joking, but sometimes you can't tell. LOL.
DeleteOverall, Damon is a really good sports talk show host though. This might be a bad question but honestly, do we really listen to these sports talk show hosts and sports talk shows for knowledge? To me, that's not really what these sports talk shows and sports talk show hosts are for. They're there to in a sense entertain and basically moderate sports discussion, as a host. This is entertainment for a lot of these sports talk show host. To Gary, this is probably entertainment. Yes, it is nice and icing on the cake whenever you can learn something new from these guys, and I think Damon is informative at times or talks about things that make you think every once in a while, or make you look at things from a sports context in a different way, but I tune in to his show mainly for the sports talk though.
As far as him being on KNBR 1050, yeah, it sucks, but I wonder if part of him being on KNBR 1050 is that he can fill-in for Jim Rome every once in a while and do what he's doing now on CBS Sports Radio, filling in on Saturday mornings. I wonder if he would be doing all of this, if he was on KNBR 680. But yes, if Damon doesn't go national, hopefully he will be back on KNBR 680.
I agree that I would listen to Damon over any of the other KNBR hosts any day of the week, even though I think Damon and Krueger could do a good show. Gary brings Krueger down, and Krueger is stronger by himself as well, just like Damon is. Damon and Krueger are the best hosts on KNBR right now, but if you're talking about talent, Damon has the best talent of anyone on that station. It is too bad he's wasting his career on KNBR 1050 though.
Tim Roye is and always has been a stellar bball announcer and a swell guy too. worked with him at KFBK and was always impressed...delighted with his continuing success.
ReplyDeleteThe NBC question, while valid, doesn't reflect the population. SF is the major city, but the communities to the south and east have more people and more jobs. Is KTVU an Oakland-only station? Are KGO and KPIX only SF stations?
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that stations cover news that is convenient for them to cover and reach out into the outskirts only for something major or very unique.
A better question might be, where are the meters? Because that's where the news coverage will be focused.
Same here. I thought Stern was..a good guy. Modest,even humble.
ReplyDeleteI like Damon most of the time..but being on 1050 is killing him. Papa and Lund are too much of a tagteam on theTHEGAME. Papa I think everybody agrees is THEGAMES biggest talent. Heck,I wouldn't doubt KNBR poaches him one day. If I'm Cumulus I know that would cripple THEGAME.
Have you seen this new channel called the "Identity" channel with true crimes stories?. Careful,its addicting. You cant walk away until you find out who did in who and why. The best you can do is change the channel before the next show starts..or your stuck.
ReplyDeleteOne thing stands out. Never trust anyone under 40. And woman are natural born tattle tales. They love to turn people in! Like Ross Murakami learned...
I meant "Investigation Discovery channel"
DeleteAnd how ironic would it be if KNBR poached Papa..and Papa and Lund replaced Fitz and Brooks?.
ReplyDeleteCould it happen?
It couldn't hurt KNBR as Fitz and Brooks are certainly the 'weak link
ReplyDeleteof KNBR. Withe their yuck-fest they have an unlistenable show!
AGREED....
DeleteFitz and Brooks are the WORST!
Since KNBR switched from ESPN to CBS Sports, the non-local shows have been awful. Damon is a welcome voice on weekends--much more intelligent that some of the "talent" of CBS Sports. I will switch to JT the Brick rather than listen to CBS Sports or--ugh--Ferrell.
ReplyDeleteEver since NBC moved the 11 xmtr from Loma Prieta to San Bruno - the station's ID has been confused. Are we a SF station with studios in SJ or a SJ station w/a xmtr in SF? Either way, it sucks and it lacks an definable identity. I liked KNTV back in the Don Hayward and Stew Park days. Yes, it was hokey and quasi-small market, but at least it had an identity and was definable.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I also miss the over-modulated spots for Downtown Datsun and anything voiced by Frank Darien.
Anybody catch David Weintraub on KGO Today? I wish we could hear a little more of him. Interesting and funny, at least better than listening to Karel...
ReplyDelete