I'm going to call it the Dreck Show because it wasn't only just bad radio, it reeked of fake and genuine distortion, more on that later.
"Dreck" himself sounds just like a slightly less worse entertainer--a certified hack. The squinty voice, the contrived shtick, the forced "banter" between himself and fake callers. Wait, did I say fake calls? Yeah, I've listened to enough talk radio in my life to know phony calls and there were some phony "callers" on Dreck's show. This is not uncommon in the business. But Dreck's were so set-up and obvious it was ridiculous and pretty unintentionally funny.
A local industry observer agreed with me and offered up a neat assessment of Dreck:
"He had no calls in the 2nd half of the show from 8:30. He is almost as bad as "the entertainer." Justin Bieber talk in much of the 3rd hour? The "Late Night" recap a day late? He smacks his lips all the time. His first caller sounded like a producer. Knew too much about the topic of raising the age for cigarette smokers. The callers were all hideous. Young people are not listening to this kind of talk, especially at night. Mr. Burns is spinning like a centrifuge right about now. Terrible, just terrible. And Karel cannot laugh to the bank. He's still below this schmuck. I heard it and was appalled at what talk radio has come to here. Remember, he was fired from Clear Channel and hasn't been on the air in 5 years - doing CHR. He sucks. I do agree with you on the set up calls. The guy who remembered KSJO and KOME 25 years ago ... yeah, right!"
This is what we're reduced to now at KGone. This is Cumulus' grand plan. This is back at square one actually because essentially the old format is back in place --that is, the old format in Cumulus' eyes because all-news didn't work out that well, you know that new format that Ronnnnnnnny said was going to be "so great."
News talk--real news talk is a goner at KGO. God forbid real, actual news takes place while this new retro fake is on the air, heaven help us. I thought about this Tuesday night as the big news of the day; and its aftermath, was what most people were talking about and on KGOne, the Dreck moron and his fake, set-up callers were masturbating over Justin Bieber, porn reviews, and sweet nonsense --this is your "new KGO" --a silly reincarnation of the old place with the old format-- less thought-provoking hosts who can hold down a real conversation and talk about real things that affect real people.
A further dumbing-down of its dwindling audience is not shocking anymore. KGO has been in deep-erosion mode for some time now it's a shell of its once-mighty self; the insertion of some ex-San Jose radio dork at night only conforms to the latest travesty courteous of the Renee Bakos/Randall Bloomquist handbook: stupid people/PPM/dumb people/we're so screwed up/yada, yada, yada. What a travesty. What a sham.
Good night, Dreck.
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I assume that someone in a new job attempts to put his "best foot forward." After listening to all I could stomach last night -- about 40 minutes -- I can only imagine what this mess of a show will be like when DreX "settles in."
ReplyDeleteCut the guy some slack! The PD who wanted to bring him in is dead, and the PD who chose to bring him in was boning the staff! Now he's just all alone (which is probably better)!
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to change your name to Ronn Owens out of embarrassment of your Jewish roots. He's not the first. On a station like KGO though you're going with Drex?
It ain't gonna be pretty.
Lieberman didn't like the show. ENORMOUS SURPRISE.
ReplyDeleteAh, we're hearing from a KGone employee here. Probably an intern.
DeleteNo question that it was a bad first night. To be fair, you need to give the guy a little time. Enough has been said about the debut, so I will just agree that it wasn't very good.
ReplyDeleteYa but ROOOOOOOON Listened to his show and he was very good! So if MM Approves he must be a winner.
ReplyDeleteI've seen all kinds of criticisms of you, Rich over the few years I've known of you and your blog. Comes with the territory, and none of us is above criticism. That said, you are the only one I've read that is covering KGO's demise. It is worthy of a book if you could get people to talk, although Mr. Burns died, his death probably spurred on by how he was so miserably mistreated. Kudos to you for listening. Thank you. I was going to but I figured it was easier to read your blog. I'm so glad I didn't. Justin B? Really? That's gonna bring in the younger demo? What a laugh.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with 12:18 on this point: I was going to try listening, but really couldn't bear (bare?) to - so I counted on Rich giving us a rundown on these pages. Glad I didn't waste 3 hours of my life that I couldn't get back :). 2nd comment: the photo accompanying Rich's post here couldn't be more appropriate......people were apparently throwing up in their mouths a little....
DeleteOh, boy. Here we go. This "dweeb" makes Montemayor seem good. I'd rather hear Larry King. I hear he's available, and close by. Good, accurate post, Rich. Good job.
ReplyDeleteLabels-your own labels- says "fake calls" I report that highest rated sports show in the morning has some producer paying what sounds like a homeless guy paid to be a caller "who loves and sometimes hates the show" over and over under various names. From his voice you can picture the guy arrested for the body parts in the suitcase,case.
ReplyDeleteAnd dont post that?
Now Stan thinks he's a comedian? Stan, stick to your day job, unpaid Radnich stalker.
DeleteRich, have you ever been checked to see if you have a mental disorder?
ReplyDeleteI believe you should go to the doctors and let them check you for mental illness.
Your constant preoccupation with KGO and Veronica De La Cruz leads me to the medical conclusion you are nuts!
Please get checked today and onto the road to full recovery soon.
Let us know how your treatments are going.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. If you believe Tricky Dicky (not Dickey) Lieberman needs help, perhaps you can recommend your mental health care provider. There's no doubt you have a weekly appointment with one.
DeleteThere is no way KGO was letting Renee Bakos make decisions. Is it really possible? I remember her from her first go round and I really can't believe that would be the case. The woman was completely psychotic and looked to be hopped up on drugs. Never mind how she even got a job in the first place. Who is this Bloomquist guy? Where the heck did he come from?
ReplyDeleteBut, we got to hear the intimate goings-on in the bedroom fro Marilyn in Mountain View. All that was missing was Rama calling to say that we must respect each other in the bedroom.
ReplyDeleteTo think that the late, great Dennis Erectus was mentioned.
Drex or Dregs? And, yes, listened for a little over a half an hour...couldn't take a second more.
ReplyDeleteThis new guy seemed poorly prepared for his kickoff show. I only listened to part of the first hour and he never gave us a brief resume or what kind of program he expected to present. He still sounds like a typical FM rock guy who has a few opinions. This type of assignment is not just for people with a radio background. It’s for a person with a strong intellect who has a well informed thoughtful perspective on local, national and world issues. The old KGO had several of these individuals who were carefully selected. Burns, Rothman, Wilson and Craft represented this profile as did many others in previous years. He may be an acquired taste and I’ll give him a chance but so far, I am underwhelmed. Perhaps he can also get the traffic reporter’s name correct as a start.
ReplyDeleteI gave it a fair shot and after 45 mins I punched out. Clearly bad bad radio!! Just a train wreck
ReplyDelete"Train DreX"
DeleteSecond day and it is worse. Nuggets like "measle weasels" "hatorade" "nutty crazy" and other drivel. The KGO lineup is now complete with utter garbage.
ReplyDeleteI'm just thankful stations like kcsm and kpfa are still around. A good dose of jazz, music of the world, Amy goodman etc etc get me through the day. I've given up on kgo and ksco. Rich, any news on the ksco front? You were the only good thing on that vitamin station. I sent numerous emails to that blowhard MZ but he seems preoccupied with his new alliance with Greg noory. It seems that the paranormal guru is going to try to help mz peddle more vitamins to the right wing nuts in Santa Cruz via multi level marketing alas Amway and Avon. I cringe every time I hear Dave michaels of ksco announce "meetings" where people can buy "kits" to get started on the way to becoming "ceo"s. Ugh..
ReplyDeleteI listened a little last night, but considering the horrific new about the Jordanian pilot, his topic seemed way off base, so I switched stations. Tonight I gave it more of a chance. Can't say I was impressed, first of all he seem to talk about sex a lot, he plays soundbites from other shows (Jon Stewart others) which can be okay, but not as a steady diet. His show seem to be aimed at mostly airheads, who don't care much about what is going on in the world, but wants gossip and fluff, can't say it is an improvement, would much prefer Angie Corio. Speaking of bad hosts, Eathan Bearman sat in for Brian Sussman, can't say who is worse, they are both bad and annoying. Eathan Bearman is annoying beyond belief, takes himself much too seriously, and from what I can gather, he is annoying Katie (could be a good thing) as well.
ReplyDeleteMust say I kind of am warming up to Chip Franklin, he is fairly funny, he is not way too the right or the left, his subjects are decent. Considering who else is on at that time I think he if fine. I can't listen much to Savage, but do like Tom Sullivan, so I switch between Chip and Tom, mostly depending on the subject.