TEN QUESTIONS1. If they say basically nothing on radio shows, as most NFL coaches do, why then do same coaches accept money to do the very shows they hate doing?
2. If one thinks a woman personality on local radio is crummy at her job and says so, does that make the critic a misogynist?
3. Who really runs the ship now over at KGO Radio?
4. Speaking of coaches, why do the morning frat boys on KNBR think their interview with Jim Harbaugh was compelling? Should they not have at least tried to follow up a question to Harbaugh's assertion of "what was right for the team" (i.e., Aldon Smith), with a firm, "Excuse me coach, but IN LIGHT of what Mr. Smith did", what about what's right, what's responsible to your fans and the message to the community?
5. Why do the KTVU big suits put a gag over everybody including themselves?
6. Are they afraid?
7. Why does Ronn Owens sound sort of tired, beaten down, and crummy?
8. Why does almost every FM station in town sound the same?
9. How does Gil Gross sound to you lately? Ditto Frosty the Snowman?
10. How come hardly anyone hasn't written about the obvious conflict of interest with Willie Brown and the SF Chronicle?
*Follow me on Twitter
The Smith/Harbaugh situation on a local weekly radio show is a tough one. Mike Wallace with his one opportunity to engage an interviewee can confront someone like you write. Two morning hosts who have to keep an ongoing relationship with a head coach on the "flagship" station might have a tougher time with that kind of approach. I also think a vague non-answer by a coach says as much as a confrontational answer. There are many ways to hang someone. Sometimes letting them do it themselves is the most revealing.
ReplyDelete1. If they say basically nothing on radio shows, as most NFL coaches do, why then do same coaches accept money to do the very shows they hate doing?
ReplyDeletebecause the sales team can sell it, regardless. Coach is told ahead of time he doesn't have to say a word,that he only has to be on time.
2. If one thinks a woman personality on local radio is crummy at her job and says so, does that make the critic a misogynist?
That doesn't, but doesn't mean you aren't one. anyone in partic?
3. Who really runs the ship now over at KGO Radio?
a certain radio host tells me John Dickey has to clear the simplest hires, and that he himself couldn't get hired for a menial job until Dickey cleared it.
4. Speaking of coaches, why do the morning frat boys on KNBR think their interview with Jim Harbaugh was compelling?
They're weak. Whole station is.
7. Why does Ronn Owens sound sort of tired, beaten down, and crummy?
Probably because he's not young, and isn't motivated anymore. But I don't think he sounds any different these days than he has the last 5 years.
8. Why does almost every FM station in town sound the same?
In America. Ask The Dickeys. They tell KFOG (which will flip) and the Bone what songs they need to run. Not all of them, but quite a few per hour. In between SweetJack.
9. How does Gil Gross sound to you lately? Ditto Frosty the Snowman?
Both boring. Gil doesn't carry a station. That place needs a spark.
10. How come hardly anyone hasn't written about the obvious conflict of interest with Willie Brown and the SF Chronicle?
That's sting being printed? At least it's .50 less than the Oakland Tribune. $1.50 a day for the Trib? You kidding me?
On a Side note I just took in the MZ Sat Show to bad for Rich sorry buddy Old People do not think you are funny.
ReplyDeleteWell, I listened to the entire broadcast of last weekend's "Saturday Special," hosted by KSCO/KOMY owner MZ, and there was a big announcement regarding Rich Lieberman. He's moving from KOMY into a prime slot weekdays on 10,000-watt KSCO, a crucial part of a massive programming change to boost that station's audience and market share. Stay tuned.
Delete# 9 It is the kiss of death to your career and manhood, when that wife of yours starts following you to work.
ReplyDeleteYou ask a lot of questions for a man from New Jersey.
ReplyDelete"I'm not from New Jersey." Sincerely, He's from Oakland.
DeleteIn answer to question number two...you're talking I presume about Kate Scott, who you like to rip now and then. I don't find her particularly compelling or interesting. She's got a pleasant voice and is inoffensive, but she's basically a traffic person doing the updates. If you listen to KNBR, they don't do anything in depth on their updates, they just have their traffic reporters read the sports updates. They leave all the compelling talk to the talk show hosts. That station has pretty much been on auto-pilot since they fired Bob Agnew some time over over the Larry Kruger-gate fiasco with Felipe Alou. Anyone remember that mess?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, my thinking, at first, was Maureen Landragen (sp?) on KGO radio, weekend...
Delete"...If they say basically nothing on radio shows, as most NFL coaches do, why then do same coaches accept money to do the very shows they hate doing?"
ReplyDeleteThis is "Nine-to-Noon's" mantra
If one thinks a black president is crummy at his job and says so, does that make the critic a racist?
ReplyDeleteOnly in the eyes of a Democrat. They're so brainwashed to believe the opposite party is all about racism, the 1%, and dirty air and water that they don't realize how their own party plays them like a fiddle. They're the same people that feel the need to have the latest iphone at 4 times the price of a competitor's product just because it makes them feel important. Mindless sheep. (fyi check the bank accounts of leading Democratic leaders before you believe the 1% comments about the opposition).
DeleteYes. It's Democrats who make the iPhone popular. Sounds about right.
DeleteI've lived in the south. You have no idea what racism is, or that it exists, or that the conservatives down there are often quite racist. Stay in the bubble and think you have a clue.
@1:08 PM Can always tell a conservative. Rambling incoherent diatribes that don't even make sense if you happen to agree with their point of view. Conservatism is a disease, truly.
Delete@2:16. The bubble is right here in the Bay Area. There is EXTREME racism....but we're all supposed to believe its a wonderful liberal melting pot. Let's see. Chinese hate the Koreans. Koreans hate the Chinese. Koreans feel they're smarter and better than pretty much every other race here in the Bay Area. Vietnamese are good people, but they're considered the "armpit" of the Asians nationalities...according to Chinese friends. They dislike the Filipino's just as much. Hispanics dislike blacks. Every race listed doesn't want Hispanics in their neighborhoods. I could go on and on. Bottom line....there is HUGE racism in the Bay Area. Anyone who actually gets out amongst the people will agree.
Deleteyeah, that's what we're talking about. as they say in boston, "yaw pretty smaat."
DeleteOff topic Rich, but I'd love to hear your take on the whole stadium issue in Oakland with the A's, Raiders, etc. Being from Oakland, I'm sure you've followed it.
ReplyDelete1. $$$. He gets it, the station gets it and the fans THINK they're getting the inside scoop. 2. Who cares. 3. Slappy the puppet from the Sharks ads. 4. Honestly, what are they supposed to say? The PD needs for them to lie so they can get $$. 5/6. Many people over there are peeing in their pants. It's the closing the door after the animals got out logic. 7. Because he is. 8. Some asshole has a monopoly on FM radio. Creativity has been replaced by cheapness. 9. Who cares. 10. Good question. He thinks he's the bomb. He has a bridge named after him (joke, one of the few times I've disagreed with you) and that was crammed down Sacramento's throats, by the way. He turned City Hall into an entertainment palace and not an office like it should be. He laid the foundation for tech companies to call downtown home. But in the meantime, there's a homeless problem, unemployment, an inconsistent Muni and he's made SF a very unaffordable place to live. I wish I knew why people are scared of him. However, everything is a conflict of interest in this town and all over. Who has partial ownership of the Giants? KNBR. Do you think KNBR will rag on their investment? Sadly no. Newspapers have partnerships with electronic media. Competition to get the real facts? Gone. Watch out for that banana peel.
ReplyDeleteDelighted that anyone terrified that they might have to cross that bridge and have "Willie Brown shoved down their throats"...won't have to!
DeleteLong time 49er fan(1956) can't stand Harbaugh's program or press conferences. He says nothing, which I expect, but gives off an air that we are lucky to be in his presence and are beneath him. If he was a neurosurgeon or an oncologist I might buy it, but he's a football coach. At least pretend you like being there. If I want to learn something I listen to Roman/Fangio, they don't tell you a lot, but they seem happy to be there. Singletary, Erickson much the same way... Mooch was not bad and understood the gig. That's why he's got a nice job on camera.
ReplyDeleteHow does Gil Gross sound to you lately? Ditto Frosty the Snowman?
ReplyDeleteLove the "Gill-man" as he's known. The highlights of the week: the "Dumb Criminals" segment on Thursdays is chuck full of funny stories that will keep you rolling on the floor; and on Fridays, Gill-man's is joined by his lovely and entertaining wife, Rhoda, or just "Ro," providing just the right chemistry for fantastic repartee to end the week.
But that's not all, not by a long shot. Gil's show is packed with his witty, pithy and insightful comments interspersed with wide-ranging short interviews with experts regarding what's happening in the Bay Area and in the world today. He focuses on the things that matter to us. He sets the bar and he consistently delivers. The show is fast-paced and holds your interest. It's never dull and stale.
My only complaint is that it's only four hours a day and not to be heard on weekends.
Gil's presence has energized and transformed KKSF into the Bay Area's news talk leader.
Do I miss cBas and "the Loyah?" Eh... not so much. They had their moment in the sun.
I sense sarcasm. I hope.
DeleteDitto
DeleteTo question 7 and 9, agree with a previous blogger, Ronn does not sound that much different, I think right after everyone was fired he was different, but I think lately he seems like himself, I've always liked him, but he was never my favorite, but always felt he was a professional, a good and smooth interviewer. When he talks about something I care about, or interview someone interesting, like today when he had Richard Wulf on who wrote a book about the 2012 presidential campaign (Romney and Obama) I still think he is quite good, Rich doesn't like him, and I get that, but I wish he would be fair never the less, and not so personal. Certainly with Gene Burns gone, John Rothman not being on the air, and Gil who seem to be striving to hit the bottom as fast as possible, I would have to say that Ronn still has a good show, at least often enough for me to tune in everyday I can to hear what his subject is. Next week he will be in DC, I always enjoyed his show from there being the political junkie I am, so I will definitely listen next week and I suspect I will stay tuned. To question #9 how does Gil and Frosty sound? Just godamn awful. I think 2:06 summed it up in a very sarcastic way. Frankly I think Frosty is easier on the ears, Gil's voice, sense of humor his idea of what is funny and interesting just grates on me. If Frosty took calls he be okay to listen to, he brings up some decent subjects, seem to have a sense of humor, and his take on certain subjects seem quite sensible, I really would like to hear him interact with callers, without callers, there is too much airtime to fill for one person, being it Frosty or Gil, which leaves them rambling on and on about nothing of interest for most the listeners, I believe.
DeleteI wrote the ditto comment, however now that I realize that you were sarcastic, which I did suspect, I can only say you hit the nail on the head with Gil's show. Who is in charge over at 910, I know talk radio has changed, people have shorter attention span etc. but who in the world can listen to 7 hours of mostly monolog's? Who thinks that kind of programming will get them rating and attract listeners? If defies anything that resembles good programming, They advertise the most local talk in the Bay Area, but without callers who cares? Gil could sit on the moon for all the local flavor of interest he brings on the show.
DeleteI wrote the comments about, don't know what has happened to Gil, I use to like him when he filled in for Ronn years ago, after took over Pete Wilson's slot, I still liked him, although after a few months he often picked subjects I didn't care that much about, but I found many of his show very good, he is smart enough, he is good at explaining a complex problem so it easy to understand, when he took calls, he was good at interacting with the callers. There is no reasonable explanation for what Gil's show has become, I think it is determined by the programmer at the station, since Frosty does the same format. Gil sounds burned out these days, which is not surprising who can do a monolog for 4 hours 5 days a week and not get burned out? My guess is he needs the job badly and wants to stay in the Bay Area, but how long can that kind of programming last, ratings can't be good, I just can't imagine that many people tune in on a regular basis?
DeleteHow long until the "Great Gary Radnich" and Larry Kruger split up?
ReplyDeleteRegarding question 4.. "why do the morning frat boys on KNBR think their interview with Jim Harbaugh was compelling?" Because those two ass kissers think talking to Harbaugh validates them in the Radio biz.. They are such ass kissers they defend Harbaugh for every vague/ozone response he gives them.. "People just don't get him."; "why are you listening?" Uhh, not listening any longer since installing that anti "ass kissing mute chip"....
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2. Misogyny or plain old Crankiness? If you put yourself on the public airwaves, one cannot tell the listeners that they can only judge you by agreed upon approved points. Solution; Most time the solution is to grow a thicker skin, not let the Nattering Nabobs get you down.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am patiently waiting for my Melanie Morgan Update. Have been waiting since around the 4th of July, when ksfo had it's own fireworks explosion. I still hear her on the Lawyer's commercials, three months after the Big Scene. If I recall, this particular Lawyer (the tall one) has done business with ksfo for years, dating back to the Lee Rodgers days. Maybe this is one of his last acts of loyalty to Mel and to Lee. Or maybe it means that while Mel (may have) left the Morning Show, she may still be under consideration for future shows on ksfo. Mel has broken up, made up with ksfo more often than Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Or to translate and update, more often than Rhianna and Chris Brown.
bashing a person on their merits or lack thereof certainly does not make you a misogynist. going out of your way to speak about the fact that the person is a female as you're bashing them might. see: everything you've ever written about Kate Scott or Amy Gutierrez.
ReplyDeletePiedmont,
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that sarcasm is difficult to convey sometimes in print?
You needed in put in a snarky-face emoticon or something.
And I do actually miss cBas and Len (but I guess you do too, eh? ; )
Harbaugh may be a very good coach (although he certainly wasn't in the two recent Niner losses!), but I will agree that evasiveness is one of his worst traits when dealing with reporters. One long-time local columnist told me he thinks Harbaugh is a "bully," and that "he has some problems." I think Harbaugh can be a bit of a hard-ass with the media, but writers and other media folks sometimes expect everyone who is a big name in sports to be more accomodating to their needs, and are shocked and offended when they aren't.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting watching Jim Harbaugh deal with the media, because he is so much different than his brother John, the head coach of the Ravens. John Harbaugh is funny, charming, straight forward and easy going compared to Jim. I think Harbaugh is kind of a red-ass with the media because like many football coaches, he doesn't want to reveal anything for fear his opponents might get some kind of an edge on him, or worse, learn some of his secrets.
This kind of attitude is more prevalent in football than in any other sport. I remember Bill Walsh and Al Davis were also control freaks with the media, although John Madden was very agreeable, funny, and easy going.
The media always amazes me though. They all sit around and love to sarcastically lampoon athletes and coaches, but then when they're in the presence of athletes or coaches, they sometimes act like fawning children, showing rapt interest and laughing when their interviewee cracks a joke, whether it's funny or not.
I find so many in the media, particularly those on the print side, annoyingly cynical and always looking to needle and skewer the people they're covering, and I get really tired of listening to them bitch and complain about how people like Harbaugh make their jobs so tough.
I say "Go get a real job and have to work 9-5 in some cubicle with recirculated air and a boss who yells at you all day!" Then you'll really have something to complain about! After all, you're covering sports! That's not a bad gig and there are a lot of people who out there who would love to do it!
7:15 p.m. great post. John, at least his public image is so much different; full of confidence and open as opposed to Jim. I suspect John constantly kicked Jim's ass at everything when they were kids. Although very successful and a huge overachiever, Jim might be chasing his confidence over those big brother ass whippings he took from John.. Not saying it's good or bad. Jim is phenomenally successful but to waste so much energy playing mental defense may not be worth it in the long run. He is always hiding or evading something. In his defense, it's worked up until the last two games..
DeleteHey Dick, before you call out Slick Willie Brown for his conflict of interest how about YOUR conflict of interest as a talk show host and a media critic? You're so thin skinned you'll censor my question and avoid answering it. You have zero credibility brother!
ReplyDeleteGood, I love to irritate you. Have a cocktail. Good night.
DeleteSo, Rich...Michael Savage Weiner mentioned you today on air.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the big announcement Weiner will reveal tomorrow, Wednesday?
What could it be We wait with bated breath!
I don't like listening to the coach or player shows. It is turrible. I understand why radio stations want them on. Sure it is for PR and all that jazz but these shows are turrible.
ReplyDeleteTurrible? You must have flunked spelling in school!
ReplyDeleteHey do you know what is going on with Jennifer J0nes Lee? Seems as if she's been out for two weeks now with others filling in for her....
ReplyDeleteThe only question I can answer is #1. Has nothing to do with sales or coaches. Those inane interviews Rich hates? They are NFL-mandated, unfortunately, for all parties. Must always do what the league says. And as long as the league continues to produce record profits and records of people continue to fall for its excitement, nothing will change.
ReplyDeleteThere many, many things you are not allowed to say, ask or even think around here, particularly if you are a white guy. A lot of those in your 10 questions.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 5pm...ah yes....the endangered downtrodden white man. With only hot talk radio as your only refuge.
ReplyDelete