You hear that the atmosphere inside 55 Hawthorne is at its worst since the Cumulus takeover.
You hear that staff and the latest "team" management has put together are entangled in chronic mistrust and incompetence.
No shit, Sherlock.
Two major figures have now left the building. Randall Bloomquist, on loan from the Atlanta wonder dicks, has left. Bloomquist was sent to SF as a temporary fix in light of Kevin Metheny's death so his exit was no shock and very little surprise. As one mole told me recently, "he's going to get fired anyway" so the handwriting was on the wall. Bloomquist was never taken seriously and his management style bordered on the ludicrous. He was very open in picking out favorites there at the station and was clearly not ready for primetime. He also didn't endear himself to the women work force for some interesting choice of who was welcome and who was not. Figure it out.
Renee Bakos, the assistant PD, who ran the talk-show dept. abruptly resigned soon after Bloomquist departed. As I said on Tuesday, put two and two together and you'll see why that development occurred. Bakos departure was met with a lot of "good riddance" from the rank and file. Her byzantine style of running the talk people bordered on the ridiculous. She was universally despised by most of the weekend talkers and deep resentment over her choice of "friends in high places" at the station was openly mocked. She won't be missed, either.
If this were a once-and-awhile situation, like it is at most companies, it would be no big deal. But this is a constant at Cumulus. At KGO. This is a mess. This is no way to run a company. Are you listening Tricky Dickeys? Apparently not. Never. Ever. And they wonder why they've fallen from #1 to #30 in the demo that counts. And they wonder why they've become an albatross. Joke.
They need a deep cleaning--an enema. They need for the senior staff to step up and call an internal meeting and tell Atlanta that they are sick and tired of all the bullshit--"mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore!"
Unfortunately, KGO Radio staffers are resigned to the current clusterfuck. No one dares to speak out, ON THE RECORD, and step to the plate. In spite of myriad cases of abuse of power; an extreme hostile work environment; an environment so toxic and so unsettling that a prominent senior reporter, has taken ill and might be pursuing legal representation, no one has taken the Cumulus bull by the horn and demanded action.
It's perfectly understandable that fear permeates the entire building. People's livelihood and professional rep are at stake. But for what? For continuing to keep the status quo? How's that working? The worst part of all this are the ONES who could change the game and rock the boat have remained quiet. Sheep, really. Most of them just go about their way, collect their paycheck and go home. They are mostly good people--just good people without a backbone. Some are quite capable. Others sell mattresses. Others yet giggle and pretend they have the back of their colleagues.
This isn't going to end well. It never does. That's why KGO needs an enema. It's the only way out.
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Yet, the likes of amateurish KAREL still hang on not of any help to KGO. Mo' Langan, too. Chef Scott, Copeland, even Thurston - who is getting worse week by week. John Hamilton needs to retire. Jennifer Mrs. Giggles, too. It's not a "shame" whats happened at KGO. It's a travesty. I blame current staff, too, for many who feel they know the way -- and yet, show up with a 2-share. Incompetence like Mel Baker, Cal Basketball and more. More housecleaning needed. Note that at KSFO, the automation and syndication "doesn't talk back" like some of the live moronic air staff. All it has to do is work. The live airstaff generally has no credibility. Not a shame but a travesty of ego. Start with creepy Karel and work backwards, then, retool quickly. Goodbye Bakos. So long Bloomquist (who's wrecked more talk stations like WGST, WMAL, KGO and others. Looks like Mike McVay has his work cut out for him now at Cumulus / Atlanta with Bloomquist gone. Couldn't happen to a nicer company.
ReplyDeleteOh shut the hell up you self righteous moron. "Automation and syndication doesn't talk back?" That's what has destroyed radio stations, and if you think those hosts never talked back to get where they are then you don't know squat about this business...like the Dickeys.
DeleteHow do you know Mel Baker is incompetent? How do you know what Cal Basketball is paying? "And more?" What's more? What do you know other than nothing? Mo Langan is an amateur? Who wasn't when they began? Don't radio stations develop talent on the weekends? Isn't that what weekends have historically been for? Chef Ryan Scott isn't great on the air but he actually bills! Of course you know all of this already.
You're one of those know it alls who has no solutions, so it would seem. I'm also guessing you don't have a job.
You are an a-hole 12:21. You're the one who doesn't know what the F you're talking about. You know so little you angry bitter pea-brain. Get off the board. You are the one not knowing fuckwad.
DeleteI am fairly certain 12:21 is Karel
Delete"Unfortunately, KGO Radio staffers are resigned to the current clusterfuck. No one dares to speak out, ON THE RECORD, and step to the plate."
ReplyDeleteThose few veterans who saw, first hand, how it's done when it's done right, are facing retirement. I can understand their reluctance to run big risks. As one who was able to get out, "while the 'gettin'' was good," I feel for them. I'm sorry to see this happen to my friends.
The others, may have no clue how it's done right. And, they probably fear risking what they hope will be a successful career.
This is "a mess." Right!
I must have missed it, wish someone else could verify this. I tuned into KGO this morning at 9:30 -- I usually like Ronn's show from Washington...not Ronnnnn but his guests make it interesting. The 9:30 news was on and I heard no mention of the problems in Paris. I figured I just had missed it. But at 10:00 a.m. I listened carefully, there was only questionable local news stories offered, mainly yesterday's news, and NO MENTION of the Paris shootings! Right after the news, Ronn did discuss it with Jackie Spears, and then did a segment at 11:30...but why no mention at the 10:00? Especially since they blow their horns at every newscast telling you they are a NEWS station.
ReplyDelete12:00 PM, when a station goes to the expense to send a host on a "remote," the focus is on news/discussion from that venue. What you call "yesterday's news," in D.C., was the swearing-in of the 114th Congress, and the GOP commanding the lead in both Houses. It was appropriate to discuss the possibilities/probabilities of how D.C., will work in the next 2 years.
DeleteAt the top of the program ... and, at points during ... Ronn specified that he would open the phones to the Bay Area audience for reaction to what happened in Paris. It was clear that it would be addressed during that time slot.
I was running errands, and didn't listen very carefully to the local news updates. My guess is that they're serious about keeping all "local" news "local." Gawd knows what absolute dictates Cumulus has handed down.
2:59 ,.. No, "yesterday's news" at the 10:00 hour had NOTHING to do with the swearing in of the 114th Congress...my goodness I hardly depend on KGO news feeds to know that it happened and yes, am aware that the GOP commanding the lead in both Houses... I do expect what was lauded as a news station to at least give a cursory nod to national and world wide news at the hour and half hour... But alas, since they have been dumped or dumped ABC, the news is now coming via Texas and they may not have even been aware that there was anything notable happening outside of South Fart (excuse the wrong name, but considering how they butcher our areas, Fart seemed more appropriate than Fork)
DeleteThe enema metaphor is disgusting but a perfect reflection of Lieberman's mentality.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know who Mel Baker was until the rally after the KGO bloodbath. Here were all these very nice people who took time out of their lives to try to make a difference in the world, and this JACKASS came down and yelled at all of us! Everyone was in shock--not knowing why this weird guy was so angry at US.
ReplyDeleteI know who he is NOW. Since I don't listen to KGO any more, I can't speak to his competence or lack thereof but I'll take your word for it!
Agreed. I was watching the protest on ustream, John Rothman was speaking to the protesters and out of no where this bum looking dude wearing a trench coat starts screaming. Rothman recognized him, which put everyone at ease and introduced the bum who in turn started yelling at the protesters that they need to stop calling his line to complain. He went on to say: "I've been fired many times! That's the nature of the business. You all need to stop complaining!". What a complete ass!
Delete"He also didn't endear himself to the women work force" Not surprising since Randall Bloomquist has a reputation as a predator and serial harasser who is damn lucky he hasn't been sued by one of his many victims.
ReplyDeleteguess the ratings weren't the only thing that "went down" under Bloomquist.
DeleteKGO radio's new slogan: Are we having fun yet???
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't matter who is chosen by Cumulus to run KGO, because the folks at KGO manage to run the news room just fine. As far as "inmates take over the asylum," yes it's true that there are no longer any 'suits' supervising, but that's been pretty true since Kevin Metheny suddenly died a few months ago.
ReplyDeleteThe folks at KGO are pretty much resigned to this constant and ghastly merry-go-round of news directors and PDs coming and going, and GMs and asst GMs being brought in and then summarily dismissed after a five or sixth months.
You're absolutely right Rich, Cumullus doesn't give a whit. They are so disconnected from what's happening.
I will say this however; it's kind of nice not having those folks, (i.e. Boomquist, Bakos, etc) around any more. As was mentioned, the KGO radio news room runs itself just fine. The folks all very professional and get along pretty well. KGO has some very solid reporters and anchors who are doing a terrific job under trying circumstances.
Those people should be given some credit Rich, and I think you have alluded to the good job they are doing from time to time in your posts. But you can take all the shots you want at Cumulus and you'll have no argument there. They don't know radio, have never known radio, are not interesting in providing public service, as per their radio license, and are pretty much clueless.
But then, this is unfortunately what has happened to our radio industry today around the country. Fortunately, radio is the one medium that is still free. Get into your car and turn on the radio here in the bay area and you can listen to one of some 65-70 radio stations. Many are still reasonably good, including KGO, KCBS, KNBR, KQED, and number of the music stations.
4:12pm is obviously an angry, lazy, semi-educated fool who is probably naive and just likes to hear himself (or in this case, read himself), using juvenile and unimaginative language. He (or she), obviously is incapable of expressing himself or herself in an intelligent, interesting matter, in this kind of a forum.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if people didn't have to lower themselves to using trash and gutter talk? All of this backbiting, and yelling on the internet gives the rest of us a major headache.
So in the future, please lighten up my young friend, (I assume you are young, because someone who is older usually is more restrained in their expressions). If you need to vent, please give everyone who reads Richlieberman415media a break by NOT responding in the future. Or better yet, learn how to conduct yourself like a semi-intelligent human being. Perhaps then you might have something interesting to say. But that does require you to join the adult world.
Ready to give it a try, or are you too lazy and stubborn?
KGO enema ?
ReplyDeleteNot near the new mattress ...... sold by the mattress salesmann.
or the back seat .... of a donated Kar-for-kids.
That car is a KGO special !
Sounds like shit, runs like shit, .... donation from ...Long Beach.
"Hazmat cleanup report to 55 Hawthorn"
Poor Randall Bloomquist, he gets fired Monday and when he returns home all of his clothes are in the street.
ReplyDeleteBut not those cooooool glasses of his!
DeleteBakos was ****ing Randall Bloomquist? No job could be worth doing that!
Delete