| Michael Krasny |
I mentioned the other day that John Rothmann reminded me a lot of Michael Krasny. Then it dawned on me that both are some of the brightest broadcasters in the Bay Area. Which when I further explored, said to myself: Are these pair too smart for a vast San Francisco audience? Seriously now I'm not kidding.
I have always thought the Bay Area is a more cultural, more sophisticated, and therefore, more pithy radio market, yet Rothmann doesn't currently have a permanent gig and Krasny, while a major name and voice on KQED, (which has great ratings), is nevertheless, perceived as ultra erudite and wouldn't translate well on commercial radio. And maybe there's nothing wrong with that given what constitutes as "quality content" on Bay Area radio.
Even Krasny himself alluded to the whole concept of the current lack of depth in commercial/terrestrial radio when he wrote a book on the matter. I must say I'm surprised that a market of this many people who possess such extra mental girth would not have a home to listen to some of our more enlightened broadcasters. Maybe I'm assuming something that simply isn't the case.
What do you think?
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| John Rothmann |
I sure don't see any diversity advocated to stop the death of talk politics or news radio. I mean,did you all read that the no.1 news show in the Bay Area isn't ch2 or ch7, or KRON the underdog..its ch 14,the Latino news. That's highest ratest, period. No exceptions.
ReplyDeleteSame for radio. I'm sure many Latino's would love to move over to KCBS OR KQED and the rest. Its the old guard in radio that wont reach out to listeners,wont hire. The status quo's ideal is too dominate the Danville market? lol.
Like addicts the local media needs to hit rock bottom to see whats real.
S
The populations is getting dumber and dumber
ReplyDeleteAlso people do not like people who do not express their own views, be it right or left wing. Or no wing as in Ronnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
More pithy?..
ReplyDeleteWhat do I think?
ReplyDeleteSell them what they're buying (they being the advertiser's focused demographics)!
People with a overly high sense of self importance who like to listen to the same types who over think stuff and slip in words rarely used in common conversation...small market. It's just PC BS and the average person see's it as such.
Savage and Stern appeal to a different market (the masses), aren't looking for work, and are loaded. Coincidence? Nope.
If the stations don't want the low hanging fruit, fine, don't bitch though when ratings stink and the sales dept can't land an advertiser.
MAKE MONEY 1st, and if that leaves you feeling unsatisfied or dirty, Go join MENSA, stand in a room comparing IQ's while drinking the finest Brandy, wearing a sport coat with patches on the elbows.
Oh my, 12:46--it is obvious that you were one of the kids in the back of the class snickering when you were supposed to be learning. It's just fine if you want to rot your mind out with the likes of Stern, but SOME of us want REAL discussions.
DeleteAnd that's why I am a KQED fan. Their programs are simply much more INTERESTING and INFORMATIVE and ENTERTAINING. They have had guests talk about subjects I never had any knowledge of...and I learned by listening! And enjoyed it. I'm not a MENSA member, but my brain still works.
I like John Rothmanns insightful radio. I listened to him on KGO and now on 910. Sadly it appears that Ronn Owens has been instructed to dumb his show down. I can’t stand the frilly subjects presented there now. I keep tuning in hoping to hear insightful radio. Ronns programs were very engaging. Not so much these days.
ReplyDeleteThe segment I heard this morning while driving to work with Grover Norquist on Forum was awesome. Ive heard others with Madeline Albright, John Bolton and may other people with very interesting and engaging things to say.
Once a station shifts to talking about Sports, the Oscars or some other inconsequential subject I hit my presets. Frequently these days all my preset stations are all dull; 560,740,810,910,KQED. In times like this I turn my radio off.
Im really looking forward to a new car with Pandora. Then I wont need to be beholden to radios management which is dictating what is aired. They destroyed KGO. At least with Pandora I will be able to tailor it to meet my listening needs. I never purchased XM or Sirius even though they built it into my Honda. It was an inflexible service that cost money. Pandora gives me something better without paying.
Well, there you found your answer Rich in the brilliant responses posted.
ReplyDeleteJeez!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's lobby to get John a gig at KQED. There must be a time - perhaps in the evening - when John would be welcome... I for one would love to hear his take on international matters and politics again.
ReplyDeleteToo Smart? NO complete and total bores? YES....
ReplyDeleteAnd Rothmann is the hire to a billion dollar family fortune and has clue about real world and the working man.
Rothmann got hired by a family fortune?
DeleteHow interesting.
A CHIMP is too smart for Bay Area radio...
ReplyDeleteA long time ago (early '90s...), Michael Krasney was on in the night on KGO...
ReplyDeleteThey are NOT too smart for the Bay Area. This part of the country has more people with advanced degrees per capita, than any other part of the U.S. Smart and curious and well informed people read more, pay closer attention to what's going on, and enjoy listening to Krasny because provides unique information to the listener. And Krasney's numbers for his show 'Forum' do very well in the bay area. As a matter of fact, Krasney's does quite well in other markets too, so he's really the gem of KQED. We're lucky to have a guy who is curious about the world and doesn't use his platform to become a 'carnival-barker' such as Limbaugh, Hannity, or some of the other lesser lights of the radio talk show world.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible is be very smart, even a genious and also be boring.
ReplyDeleteIt is also possible for some people who are not so smart, to perceive people who are smart as boring. I'm not sure what the case is with you. However, although I'm no Rhodes scholar, I do believe John Rothman is a very smart man, not only that, but he is educated, has a ton of knowledge about politics, international affairs etc. I don't know if John is heir to a family fortune, but in all the years I have listen to him (since98/99) has he come of, like he is better than anyone else, he is not arrogant, and I have heard him discuss subject's that affects middle america, even the poor, and have always found him to be compasionate and understanding, more so than most.
When national corporate media conglomerates of commercial terrestrial radio fight to compete against satellite and internet broadcasting, they cater to the 'lowest common denominator' of the human population in any given market. Thus, even people like Brian Sussman passes for 'intelligence' in their mind.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, professionals like Krasny and Rothman have the tendancy to completely befuddle the room-temperature IQ ideologues in this market, as well as any other.
Rest assured that the erudite and esteemed John Rothmann will continue to fill in for Gil Gross, when needed, on KKSF Newstalk 910.
ReplyDeleteJohn Rothmann has the uncanny ability to take you back in time and bring you up to date all in the same breath. As an author, lecturer, teacher, archivist, and political consultant, it's easy to see how he keeps up his end of the conversation. In fact, there's never a dull moment with John.
I agree with you 100%. However, John filling in for Gil is not enough, Gil does not take many days off, and since both Gil and John are Jewish, John is not available to fill in on Jewish Holidays. Can't say it enough I want John 5 days a week, or at least several days a week, 2 to 3 hours.
DeleteI cannot understand why Rothmann doesnt have a new slot 4-5 days a week by now unless he doesnt want one? Bay area radio station managers, where are you?
Delete"John Rothmann has the uncanny ability to take you back in time and bring you up to date all in the same breath."
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, Anonymous 9:43AM
John Rothmann is the most accurate, informative, interesting and respectful host Ive ever listened to. Why doesnt he have a regular show like he did on kgo? C'mon, one of you stations.
ReplyDeleteFamily money or not, John seemed to want to be on the air informing us about U.S. and world affairs. So,lets get him back on the air with his own show on KKSF or K-whatever.
ReplyDelete