Sunday, December 15, 2013

You've Got Questions I've Got Answers, (Maybe)

 Shoot away.

111 comments:

  1. I find that I don't "hate" the Bloomberg programming overnight on KGO, how about you?

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    1. Irony central: it beats KGO
      It's intelligent and listenable. The NY angle I like.

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  2. So ,what do you think of Mark Morford of the Chron? His Dane Cook like hipster writings? I don't know if Mark wears a T-shirt when he writes.

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    1. Don't read Morford --thinks he's Hunter Thompson. Not.

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    2. A famous former KRON and then KGO reporter whom I'll leave nameless other than to say she's tall, has a Latino surname but is really Swedish, and who normally doesn't have vitriol for anyone, hates hates HATES Morford. Which got me started reading him. I think her distaste is justified.

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  3. Whatever happened to Gary Rebstock? Wasn't he once married to Colleen Williams?

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    1. I know he worked at KPIX for years and believe he went back east--don't know his exact whereabouts now but I'll check. Good guy.

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    2. I did a search for Gary when he came up here sometime back. He had moved to Minneapolis and was an anchor there; and, more recently, he co-authored a book on qigong with someone up there.

      bj

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  4. Rich:

    Why was Annalisa replaced on the KFOX morning show after only a year?

    Thanks,

    Steve O

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  5. Why is that morning zoo show still on the air at KSFO? Brian Sussman + idiot Kattie Green.
    Called "The best damn morning show Period!! BY WHO??

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    1. I don't listen to the show anymore because it's become tiresome and predictable. Pedantic at best.

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    2. So true, it is awful, and who was the genius who thought the sound of flossing a toilet was a good idea at a time when many listeners is having breakfast? Guess conservatives don't care as long as the host hate Obama and the democrats.

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    3. I heard yet another traffic reporter on kcbs with a different name who sounded just like Katie Green...so why all the different names or am I hearing things? I quit listening to KSFO when Melanie left. The show got ruined unfortunately.

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  6. Is FOX still kicking the tires on KRON? Is MediaGeneral looking to sell?

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    1. Yes, but with things that are extremely complicated like this, it takes time.

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    2. They'd better not kick too hard. The whole jalopy will fall over.

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    3. It would be better in the long run if Media General works a deal with Cox, Newscorp and Comcast (NBC Universal) that would result in a station trade with an end result having KNTV become Fox11, KRON NBC4 and KTVU My Network TV 2. Santa Clara County is the best place for Fox to plant their new station only minutes from the new 49 stadium.

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  7. Replies
    1. If you respected her privacy issues you never would have mentioned her being gone in the first place, which you did, multiple times. even posting that question is an effort to make yourself look as if you're some type of 'good guy', who doesn't play in the mud. you're kind of absurd, especially in the way that you scrub more than half the posts from this discussion page. i'm sure this one will make it because again, it'll seem like you've got guts. now you're really struggling though. so you're probably better off just eating this one, and keeping it to yourself.

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    2. Re: Jennifer Jones Lee - privacy not withstanding - I don't know any employer that would allow this much "medical" leave - and still keep open your same job - do they know how ridiculous it sounds to day after day say ".......in for Jennifer Jones Lee. How long does that go on? Very bizzare.

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  8. Do you think San Francisco will ever get back an NBC affiliate station?

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    1. They should. It was a DUMB decision by NBC to bail on KRON because clearly, KRON had/has the better signal.
      NBC Execs blew it and they know it.

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  9. Why should we believe you are actually connected to decision makers when you've never actually broken a real story, and are rarely correct in your predictions? I expect you won't truly answer this, or post it, which is the norm.

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    1. I guess you don't read the multiple personnel items I have broken routinely almost 2-3 times a month; I guess you didn't see it was me who had the KTVU firings, FIRST, over the Asianna NameGate affair. I'm not perfect--(who is?), but I can assure you, despite your very overt knock in your question to begin with, that I receive many tips from people who work directly in the business--given your 'tude, that may not be good enough for you but thanks for reading and inquiring.

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    2. "Why should we believe you are actually connected to decision makers when you've never actually broken a real story, and are rarely correct in your predictions?"

      Why question Rich's credibility, yet repeatedly visit his blog? Makes readers cast doubt upon you more than him.

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  10. What is the future of KSFO? Things seem to be so disorganized there, it seems like a format change is looming on the horizon.

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    1. Word leaked a few months ago KSFO was for sale. I don't know the current status but I would assume nothing has changed.

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  11. Do I have a chance with Darya?

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    1. Uh, you might want to call the KRON News Director.

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  12. Lon Simmons or Bill King?

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  13. If you could assemble a newsteam like Ron Burgundy's newsteam, who would choose? (lead anchor, sports guy, weatherman (or woman) and "man on the street". What the hell, add a co-anchor)

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    1. That's a fascinating question since the whole Ron Burgundy/Anchorman phenomena parodies the whole concept of TV News teams. Sort of funny, really, and telling that these anchors being parodied are taking part in the ads promoting Anchorman 2. Speaks volumes.

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    2. Great answer, Rich. Feel like answering the question that was actually asked?

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    3. I would love to see a future post by Rich where he lists his Lieberman newsteam. We could all add our own. Good times!

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  14. Hi Rich,

    Not meaning to start a tussle here, since I know your blog is concerned with over-the-air local media, but might you have any recommendations (to a former KGO listener) for "talk radio" streamed on the 'net? I'm dissatisfied with the local product as is radio-receivable on my Tivoli Model One in NW SF.

    I'm always interested in knowing about good stuff to listen to.....

    Stay cool, and to a previous commenter, yes - where is Lloyd Lindsay Young when we need him?

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    1. Several cities have on-line streaming audio services --I frequently go to Boston, (just google Boston Internet radio), where you can get LIVE talk-show content, free of charge. Same deal with NY, Chicago, etc. It's fairly simple.

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  15. Elizabeth Wenger the traffic/weather/newsreader on KPIX morning has stayed around for a time even with all of the drama at the station. Does she have a future with KPIX?

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  16. Q: What would you like them to do at KTVU regarding "Asianagate" that they have not already done? What's this big "conspiracy" they're holding back? (All right, that's two questions.)

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    1. I never said there was a conspiracy. I felt all along that KTVU, particularly management, botched the whole thing. They handled it piss-poor. After the initial apology, the GM clammed up, as did the ND without cleansing the wound, which given the nature of what transpired, was/is impossible. At least 5-7 people saw what made it to air. Feel free to think, as I do, that there's more to this than what was reported. Time will tell.

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    2. I worked KTVU's noon shift for seven years. I can assure you, even with a non-breaking story, 5-7 people never saw anything to air. Two at the most. With a breaker, likely one. I'm not counting anchors, who are handed things and told in their earpiece to read them NOW. They don't have time to stop the show and fact-check.

      And yes, you said they were hiding things. That's a conspiracy ("they"). Don't back-pedal.

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    3. Ho Lee Fuk!! Tori Campbell just needed a little common sense. Fact-checking not necessary. Next thing you know -- bang, ding, ow and folks are losing their jobs. If two at the most saw the copy, why did 3 get fired? Also, don't you think Tori deserved a few days off at the very minimum??

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  17. What happened to Jade Hernandez? She was a very good reporter.

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  18. Rich:
    Almost daily I read your comments. I don't always agree but you have my respect. Very soon I will be making a donation. Thanks for always being there.

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    1. Thank you. All donations really help keep this site going.

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    2. Agreed with everything he said and I will be too.

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  19. I may be a few days late, but did anyone wish the Birthday Girl, Melanie Morgan a Happy BD on Dec. 8th? I still hear her on ksfo ads, but I guess this time, she actually may have left the airwaves.

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    1. Happy Birthday to Mel. I think Morgan may be back on a station sometime soon.

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    2. People sometimes say "whose ______ is she _____ing?" That probably helped her out in the past.

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  20. What kind of ratings are Armstrong and Gerty pulling in the bay?

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    1. Enough to nauseate the people who actually listen to them.

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    2. You think they are "that bad?" Yes I agree they can be bombastic at times; but they are entertaining and I like they way they humanize the network reporters/people that contribute to the "show."

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  21. What do you honestly think of Ben Fong-Torres? To be honest, he's kind of a shrill for the radio stations and the talent. I think he's obsessed with himself as he comes off as being some local radio expert. He doesn't delve into problems in the medium. He's more of a namby-pamby kind of guy. His "Radio Waves" space in the Chronicle is better suited to selling ads. He adds nothing.

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    1. Ben is in a difficult predicament as he only files twice a month and because we're not in the Rolling Stone Mag type of days, the style and format of his work is greatly altered by the Chronicle. And remember, given that format, it's tough for BFT to write mass critical prose. In addition, most of his audience, and this is my opinion, probably likes his current style.

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    2. Given the editorial direction of the Comical, it seems the only reason BF-T is still hanging out, hanging on IS because of his Almost Famous Rolling Stone connection. His 'audience' has definitely dwindled these daze, and column comments are few to zero. Regarding Mark Morford, check his archives. Morford's early columns were provocative and very well written. Both in newsprint and online, his controversial themes and views accordingly generated hundreds of comments!

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    3. Well said 8:02pm.
      Ben Fong Torres is nothing but a PR guy for the local radio scene.
      Will never give you anything of substance.
      He still thinks the year is 1971 and everyone listens to KSAN.

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  22. What's going to happen with radio in the next five years? Either way, give us your take and why.

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    Replies
    1. Corporations will and HAVE taken over therefore you're going to get a lot of syndicated, cheap and lousy content. Terrestrial radio is on a slippery slope.

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  23. Rich...Why in the heck is there sooo much importance put upon reporting about the South Bay's News? As a long time Bay Area resident, it didn't seem like this until the South Bay reached 982,765 in population. Until then our local Media Outlets could have given a rats ass less about Santa Clara County. Now KTVU ch.2 leads off with 3 headline stories in a row about Santa Clara County! Hey no disrespect to the South Bay KTVU, but I live in the SF/Oakland part of the Bay Area!

    And b4 you answer, I know the South Bay is the Center of Silicon Valley, & has lots of wealth, But so does SF, & the City isn't that far behind in population for a smaller City of 825,863 residents...Verses Santa Clara County, which is made up of smaller towns!

    As someone else mentioned before, its been a epic failure since the NBC Affiliate moved from SF to San Jose...And the next one on the horizon I believe, will be the 49ers current ownership moving to Santa Clara, to a Stadium that has no dedicated parking, or easy freeway access.

    But please do tell, why so "much" importance is placed on the South Bay, lets say in the past 15 years? Thanks in advance....

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    Replies
    1. You answered your own question: The Southbay is at the center of Silicon Valley and that's where the cash, (and advertisers), are; SF has cash too and with the proliferation of techies both working and migrating here, (see Twiiter Hdqs on Mid-Market, etc), so I don't see a dramatic difference although SJ is the 10th-largest city in USA too.

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    2. No quarrel with the reply here Rich. But the question @8:13, misstates the numbers a bit. While the city of San Jose has a population of about a million, Santa Clara Co. is home to about 2 million. The South Bay area has always had a significant chunk of the Bay Area populace, with historically higher employment, and lots of discretionary income.

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    3. That would be a surprise to the fruit orchards up until the 60's.

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  24. Whatever happened to ... Sebastian Kunz?

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    Replies
    1. "phased out", fired, let go, depends on the spin, but I think both Sebastian and CC will survive.

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    2. ... he said the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong Vice President...

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  25. Why does KPIX have an anchor opening? Who is leaving? What position are they trying to fill?

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    1. KPIX always has openings which should tell you a lot about the company. I don't know anyone specifically leaving.

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    2. I think Allen Martin is leaving KPIX and going to KNTV 4:30 - 7:00 am timeslot....look at KNTV wiki ..Terry Mc Sweeny has been great on the 11:00 am news with the new anchor woman, who seems to be pretty good... Terry has a sense of humor and seems more relaxed on the 11:00 am slot...always liked him......

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  26. what happened to kron4 traffic reporter George Rask? he has been replaced by Dan Rubin these past couple of weeks

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    1. Rask, to my knowledge, is still there. May have taken vacation but he's not female and young and that's a bad look, both literally and figuratively in today's TV News world.

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    2. He's back this morning. Say what you will about "his look", the man knows his sh#t! Way better than any of the other TV traffic reporters. No contest.

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  27. Darya Folsom, real or fake?

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    1. What, are you kidding me?? You need a new TV if you need to ask.

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    2. I'd take her either way!

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    3. Gawd, you're desperate.

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  28. Rich, where did the term "cold snap" come from. SF weather reporters use this term liberally. Generally, it does not get that cold in the Bay Area. Does it have an east coast origin?

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    1. "Cold Snap", wasn't that a song by James Brown? with lots of horns and big buzzing bass.

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    2. Go sleep outside during the winter months in the Bay Area, and then tell me how cold it isn't.

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    3. Man, we are high tech here in the Bay Area when our homeless people are chiming in on this topic!

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  29. Will smooth jazz ala KKSF EVER come back to the Bay ? Yeah Yeah smooth jazz- makes for great background noise at work... plus we no longer have smooth jazz concerts out here. It seems that while Clear Channel killed the format, other markets are slowly seeing smooth jazz pop back up. Seems the laid back Bay Area is a perfect market for this and the ratings of the replacements at 103.7 aren't any better.

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    1. @December 16, 2013 at 9:45....
      I totally agree with you...I miss KKSF, the Bay Area is totally devoid of any Jazz stations, except for Pay Radio!

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    2. Why not just buy a CD of elevator music and set it to "repeat"?

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    3. Hey there, 12:58:

      KCSM-FM JAZZ 91!!!!!

      Available over-the-air and online! Get hip!

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    4. @ December 16, 2013 at 5:49 PM
      I have tried KCSM, but their signal comes in very weak! I like listening to Jazz when I drive...But hey, I will give KCSM a try online in the near future....Thanx

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    5. I'm the OP @0945. I love KCSM and while I'm only 39, I remember the old KJAZ days also. I DO however like smooth jazz for what if is and what it isn't. There's a time for KCSM and for me, a time for KKSF

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  30. Any idea if Stan is related to the Mandela sign language guy?

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  31. If you tend to believe the corporations are in control why do you act as if the people at KGO are the problem?

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    1. Not ALL the people at the new KGO are the problem. It's just that there are people there that should know better.

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  32. Use Pandora (free) for all your smooth jazz needs. I just created a bossa nova stream by Getz & Gilberto. Fab! Only an occasional commercial! Terrestrial radio is so over.

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  33. What do you think is going to happen w Savage in his new time slot? His shows over the last few months have been awful and I am embarrassed for him--he beats down other show hosts, is very mean to his callers whom he cuts off, and Savage can't stop patting himself on the back for just about everything. Listeners are so sick of hearing about his ban in Beitain. Get over it!

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    Replies
    1. Good question.

      And I agree with you his show has lacked quality last few months with same old tired formula. I'd suspect he'll have to rev it up quite a few notches come Jan. We shall see.

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  34. How long does Gary the Radnich wish to continue at KNBR - if he could write his own ticket?

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  35. Rich, Doesn't KGO realize how profitable their week-end Talk-Radio is?
    There must be a huge number of old KGO listeners tuning in.
    Is there anyway to check KGO's week-end rating vs week-day news ratings?

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    Replies
    1. They have better ratings during the week but not by much.

      Outside of Thurston, Finney, I don't listen to weekends.

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  36. Is Maureen Langdon finally gone?

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    Replies
    1. I hope so.

      At least through January according to one of my moles.

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  37. Rich, I have a question for you or your readers.
    Now that Radio stations are dropping so many Liberal Talk Hosts, the only alternative that's mentioned...is an android Phone with an IHEART app.
    Well, I don't have an android Phone...
    Which one would be cheapest for someone who will only use the Phone for Radio Listening? Nice if it's small to put in a pocket.
    What about XM Satellite Radio. Can XM be heard on a Phone with hook-up's as well?

    The $$$Powers that be surely don't want the American peeps listening to any Liberal Radio whatsoever. Is there any other way to get around this obstruction?

    Interesting concept....."The Brainwashing of My Dad"
    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jensenko/the-brainwashing-of-my-dad-documentary

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    Replies
    1. I have no idea but I'm sure someone will know.

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    2. You can listen to IHeart, TuneIn and XM/Sirius on iPhones.

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    3. Look at getting a used or refurbished Android phone, just don't activate it. If battery life is important, look for one with removable batteries. Also, a micro SD slot is nice. Of course, verify the phone has WiFi (some very old &/or cheap Android phones do not).

      Good places to start include eBay and Digicircle, although I got my current phone (a LG Marquee) refurbished direct from Ting (a MVNO cell phone service that actually has good customer service) for $85 + a $15 extended battery from Amazon.

      If you want to activate the phone, check out MVNOs that support BYOD (bring your own device) such as Ting and SimpleMobile.

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  38. I got a bottom of the line android Through TracPhone. The phone costs $60 and coverage is $50.I get IHeart just fine

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  39. Will we see any major changes at KNBR.

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  40. Rich, do you know why Rebecca Cole isn't on The Carey Brothers' "On the House" Saturday morning program on KSFO anymore? The bro's never talk about her. She was on every Saturday until a few months ago. She is an award-winning garden and interior designer. I really miss her.

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  41. Hi Rich,

    wasn't Roberta Gonzales supposed t start start her stint on mornings at KPIX?

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