Ed Baxter is leaving Talk 910 --Baxter has been sick (battling pneumonia) and had been gone from the microphones while an assortment of other hosts filled in.
Baxter went back on the air a few weeks back before his medical issue came back. He's OK now but he's been off the air for quite a while.
Baxter and management had a meeting the other day and after some hemming and hawing --Baxter and the big suits decided it was best for a mutual parting. Baxter worked the 10 AM - 1PM slot. From a broadcast source, Baxter was miffed all along about not being able to have a full-time producer. Furthermore, as he enters the twilight of his life, his family urged him to consider retirement given Baxter's tenure and the state of broadcasting.
Baxter had a long run at the old KGO as both PM and AM News anchor. He left in 2011 after 32 years there.
If I were management, I would immediately hire John Rothmann as Baxter's replacement. Rothmann has been the good student at IHeart Media (formerly Clear Channel) filling in, providing political commentary on and off the air and doing shows at a moments notice. He's paid his dues and deserves the gig.
*Follow me on Twitter
UPDATE: 4/23/15 5: 45 PM: Ex Baxter's letter confirming what I already told you.
UPDATE: 4/23/15 5: 45 PM: Ex Baxter's letter confirming what I already told you.
John Rothmann would be perfect for this time slot, he is a real pro and someone who is a bay area native( he knows this area). Please we do not need Spencer Hughes a real radio hack! He has been really politicking for Ed Baxter's time period. Rothmann is the choice he really deserves this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhen a station is wasting 20 thousand watts every day broadcasting to nobody, why even be associated with it? If Ed needs the money, there must be easier ways to supplement his pension. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it...
ReplyDeleteMan, what a lousy business radio has become. (And TV ain't much better.)
Thanks for the update on Ed Baxter. I hope he's feeling well now and that he will enjoy his retirement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of having John Rothmann as the new host, contingent that it does not become a mirror of Gil Gross' show with no callers. It's so much more interesting with good guests and callers.
I doubt John Rohmann would agree to come back, unless he could take callers. Every time he fills in, he is quite adamant about taking calls, is truly delighted and pleasant to every caller (unlike Savage and Levin who mostly are rude to their callers, if they don't agree with them), and always says he learns much from his callers, as do we the listeners, I would love to have John Rothmann back on the air, but only if he can do the format that worked for him on KGO. Any other format, as in no callers, would frustrate John and also his listeners. Although I'm sure he would be more interesting than Gil, or Joel and Corey, I still think callers is what makes most talk shows interesting.
DeleteGet well Ed. I also agree with hiring John Rothmann. With the presidential race heating up and the Middle East as confusing as at any time I can remember I think we would benefit from having his unique expertise on the air. John is one of the few hosts I felt like I actually learned something from rather than losing brain cells.
ReplyDeleteMy best to Ed Baxter. He was a delight to work with at KGO.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that John Rothman would be the best replacement, I have to say that I think that ANY quality radio broadcaster is wasted if he/she isn't allowed the give-and-take that listener calls provide.
I cannot listen to 910.
Rothmann is dated and boring. No one wants to hear more presidential debate nonsense. He's fine as a guest.
ReplyDeleteI liked Ed a lot. Sorry to see him go.
My problem with Hughes is his stories are so incredibly boring. He never has anything interesting to say that's lifestyle related. He is average as a conservative host as far as that goes.
Station needs energy and interactive callers. It's so monotonous.
Couldn't have said it any better. There are plenty of pro-Israeli and anti-Islam voices on the radio. Rothman brings nothing new or original to the table. I can just hear him whining about the Iran deal peppered with apocalyptic consequences if the Mullahs "get the nuke". If I want to hear irrational fear mongering all I have to do is listen to KSCO's very own Charles "I hate the Beatles" Freedman.
DeletePoint of my post was not to pile on Rothmann. He's just not a host in this day and age. He appeals to the CNN and FOX News crowd and that's dying in radio. Even the conservatives in radio are doing terribly. My gut tells me Spencer Hughes will fill in until they find someone and since they don't seem to are maybe they will just hand him the job. Although it's funny to think of putting another conservative on the radio in the Bay Area up against KSFO. Be nice to see that though.
DeleteThey need new ideas. Ed Baxter was not a man with new ideas. Nor is Gil Gross who I can tolerate but Ed was like the light version of that.
I don't think iHeart cares about what 910 does but if I were in charge of the station I'd make real changes. You can't get any worse in the ratings so if you ever want to make a career for yourself you have to create the next big thing. Just because upper management doesn't care what you do with the station doesn't mean you shouldn't care either. Make a splash. Do something different. Don't hire Drex and Chip Franklin because we know what happens next...
Speak for yourself, I think there are many who wants to hear presidential debates analysis, it does after all affects who becomes president and that affects the country, if you think that is nonsense, you are an air head, not too intelligent and not interested in what happens to your country. You are right the station needs callers, I have a love hate relationship with Spencer Hughes, he is a conservative he is very pro gay rights, he takes calls, he is a conservative who does not care for organized religion, good for him. On some issues such as the minimum wage he drives me crazy, on the other more liberal issues (gay rights etc.) his show becomes interesting, however that is mostly because of his callers that disagree with him, but that is what a good talk sounds like. Remember Gene Burns anyone????
DeleteYeah Spencer is the next Gene Burns.
DeleteAnd Drex is the next Letterman.
I think it was the lack of a prodcuer that caused Ed to bolt. Worked with him five years at KGO where his lack of original thought was painful to witness. If the topic wasn't tennis, tassle-loafers or life in a gated community, Ed was incredibly ill at ease. Couldn't even read news copy well. I never heard him on 910, but I roll my eyes at the notion of him having to conjur up original thoughts every day. Zero ability to identify, empathize or communicate with "everyday" people. Just literally lost for words.
ReplyDeleteI formerly thought that people in the news and newstalk biz were quite smart. Until meeting some of them in person, I suddenly realized that some of them were not that smart at all. Somehow, some of them became moderately successful by luck- either by hook or by crook.
DeleteEd Baxter is not the smartest person in the KGO newsroom when he was there. He was just average at best in terms of intelligence and innovative thinking.
Those who are average, usually have no original thoughts.
Baxter's lives in Contra Costa, thinking that his shit does not smell. He thinks that everyone is the same. What a f--king nimrod.
How he made it as a reporter in the East Bay, one wonders.
Rothmann and Owens behaved the same darn way too if one really spends some time, really analyzing what they are saying.
Being raised from a well to do SF family, enabled Rothmann to do what wants. Regardless of that, he is not good enough to go to CNN and Fox News because he is a two trick pony.
I enjoyed his predictable view on Middle East and some national issues. In terms of complex issues, he usually gives a simplified answer that does not work at all in real life.
That tells me alot about he behaves and thinks. .
Other than Dr. Bill, John Batchelor, Tom Leykis, Mike Savage, Allan Colmes and a few others, most of the talk show hosts are not that smart. They are just f--king entertainers- collecting mindless data and espousing minor trivia.
In summary, most of these talk show hosts are average at best under the category of IQ points.
Now that I know the back stories on some of them. My view of them is quite different. My admiration of their viewpoints have soured. I take what they say , with a grain of salt.
Rich, Thanks for providing the forum.
finally as i expected! thanks..
DeleteSo, is John Rothmann going to get the gig?
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea for a new program for this day and age; a vapid host that reads trending lists live on the radio and peppers his commentary with such brilliant witticisms as "listicles" "computators" and other laugh out found nuggets. Have him say "ya know" constantly. No reason, for this, but it's a new kind of talk. Pair him with a laughing at nothing sidekick and you have veritable AM gold. Finally, hammer a couple of nails in the casket.
ReplyDeleteI think the person that hired that show had nails hammered into the casket already, literally.
DeleteMaybe Cumulus can buy the time and simulcast Ronn? doesn't a 1.0 share + a 1.0 share equal a 2.0 share?
DeleteThe obvious choice would be John Rothmann, but then he has always been the obvious choice. My guess is that the empty-headed ding-a-lings in management will continue to bypass him. With a major election season just starting, this is criminal malpractice. Talk 910 could be building a great radio station, but they refuse to take advantage of opportunities in their own backyard.
ReplyDeleteJohn Rothmann is not an entertainer. get that through your skulls. He may have some mild expertise in foreign affairs but I don't even think he has a PhD. I want radio to entertain me. Gil tries to entertain me. Ronn has his moments. Even this Chip guy is decent. Colmes entertains. Savage used to be entertaining. Bernie, Gene, Dr. Bill and the old Karel, they entertain.
ReplyDeleteRothmann and sorry to say it because he's a great guy, Ed, are not entertaining people.
Most of my list is people who are over the hill. All these years and the Bay Area hasn't turned out a new personality in ages. There are no signs of this happening.
i am getting to like chip franklin....
ReplyDeleteChip Franklin is fine, not great, but compared to other hosts he is okay. To bloggers above John Rothmann is not, I repeat is not a conservative, he is a strong supporter of Israel, as am I, and I'm not a conservative. He also is smart, I miss him every day, and would love to hear him on 910. If 910 don't have the smarts to hire him for the 5 days, how about rotating, John for 2 or 3 days, another host, or rotating guest host the other days. However, I have no confidence what so ever in 910's management, so I'm not holding my breath.
ReplyDeleteJohn Rothman would sink the 10-1 slot if he became the host. I can handle him once in awhile only. This 59 yr old likes Spencer or David Weintraub.I am a faithful listener from 6 AM to 4:15 PM again. I have to admit, I did not listen to Ed every day because he was too boring. I am happy to hear he is better though.
ReplyDeleteSpencer or Weintraub? They're like OIL AND WATER! Spencer is boring and Weintraub is all over the place.
DeleteJohn Rothman would be good for me. He is smart, interesting, respectful of others and he has a great voice. I'll take him on talk radio anytime. Best, Judy
ReplyDeleteWe are OK with this decision.
ReplyDeleteOne less liberal in the bay area. Take Rich Walcoff while you're at it.
John Rothmann is the answer to my prayers. With a presidential election on the horizon, who better than John? The answer is NO ONE I have always relied on his astute reasoning powers to steer me to the political truth. His voice would be the perfect fit It would make me a dedicated listener. He has a wealth of knowledge on many subjects and is very respectful to all callers.
ReplyDeleteTo the many Rothmann cheerleaders, how many of you are willing to pay his salary? If not, shut up.
ReplyDeleteWe know that the demo-rats will win the 2016. So why the hype?
Regardless of the excuse that Gross said on air, Ed was just a lazy paper reader. Tough crap if he can't do his own research work. I can't believe that he was an overpaid news reader for so how many years!?
More Power to Rich Lieberman for being the King of Bay Area Media.
Reading this thread is just sad. Look who is being discussed. John Rothmann is a complete and utter bore. Ronn Owens is over the hill and empty. Second rate Spencer Hughes has never made it anywhere but now people clamor for him here? Weintraub is an obnoxious blowhard. Cory and Joel is THE worst M-F program in Bay Area history. Gil Gross is the mailman for the way he's been mailing it in. Michael Savage was done 10 years ago, at least. Who am I missing? Haven't heard this person Drex but he sounds divine.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad commentary on what is passing for radio.
I wrote that I time I like Spencer, I don't clamor for him, nor am I a big fan, but he is too me listenable, especially if I'm stuck in my car and traffic (I have long commute, and often don't start work until late morning or noon, so I listen to talk radio. Joel and Corey is not listenable even for 5 minutes, Gil I can stand for perhaps 20 minutes, depends what he talks about or who he interviews. Ronn is listenable. 8:28 who do you like or use to like? John Rothmann to me and many who blogs here is anything but boring, I'm a history buff and a political junkie and so John is right up my alley. Ronn still does good interviews, he had Tavis Smiley on the other day and it was a good hour. I agree that radio is a sad state of affairs, but you fail to mention who you do like or use to like. Christine Kraft was in for Pat Thurston yesterday I like them both. I don't find many of the syndicated national host very interesting, not Rush, or Hannity, certainly not Levine, never cared for Savage, (except when he talk about jazz). I do listen to Tom Sullivan, although he is much too conservative for me, he still has a decent show. Wish we would get Bill Press here in the area, another host who appeals to us political junkies, especially if you lean left. If you are to the right you have plenty of choices Rush, Sussmann, Levin and Hannity.
ReplyDeleteCory and Joel - what a combined waste of skin!! Armstrong and Getty, as always, are very entertaining. Gil Gross is not too bad. Spencer Hughes should be banned from radio. Have never heard of Chip Franklin. But, I do believe John Rothmann would be a great addition to the station, even if he doesn't like taking calls. His knowledge and insight into the happenings in the world is amazing!!
ReplyDelete