1. Retirement (never)2. Quits KGO --lands sales gig at Sleeptrain
3. Taking temporary leave and considering part-time offer from KPOO
4. Uh, become chief of staff for Gavin Newsom --2018 Gubernatorial Run
5. Buy KGO Radio
6. Asks the listeners if he should buy another Mercedes for the dog
7. "Should I add another 'n' to 'Ronnn?"
8. Says he has a man crush on "Rama."
9. Officially changes name to "Mr. Softie"
10. Tells audience his Clark Kent is Copie.
See you at 11
UPDATE:
Owens has his doctor on; announces he'll have procedure done to slow down advanced Parkinson's --asks listeners to ask questions. Are we supposed to state sympathy?
Give it up asshole! Go back to your Marin County hole, sip your wine and beat it.
ReplyDeletewow, so classy!
DeleteUPDATE: That is one pissed-off f---in' Jew. As Christine Craftstein recently opined, "Back Off, Jew, I'm a lawyer!!"
DeleteI don't understand the comment "Go back to Marin County" if you are talking about Ronn he lives in the city, not in Marin. Seem also to be some anti-Semitic comments, all in all lots of these post are mean spirited, which I don't think is called for, unless we are talking about Charles Manson, Hitler or similar, I don't think there is ever a good reason to mock, ridicule and disrespect someone who has a serious illness. I would worry it would come back to haunt me, karma, you know.
DeleteOne another note I have noticed lately that Ronn's voice often seem to trail off at the end of sentences, not all the time, but enough that I have wondered if it had to do with his Parkinson? I wish him the best, I still like his show, not that he is Gene Burns or John Rothmann, but he for the most part does a good show, especially when he talks politics and/or has a guest on. I mean who else are there Sussman, Gil Gross not a lot of talent to choose from.
Was hoping you'd post about this. I suspect it's not anything huge...but maybe...
ReplyDeletePlease let Brian Copeland be the replacement. He's the only one I listen to. Lol, maybe he's the only one left.
ReplyDeleteCopeland wouldnt be my first choice at all. Maybe Christine, Pat, or Chip if they wouldn't be so damn left.
Delete11:22
Delete"Copeland wouldnt (sic) be my first choice at all. Maybe Christine, Pat, or Chip if they wouldn't be so damn left."
In other words, I want someone who doesn't challenge my thinking, just tells me what I want to hear.
doesn't matter which of these hosts KGO uses because they are all going to result with the same low ratings they have now. "Christine, Pat, or Chip" are all radio non factors.
Delete3:05 When has Copeland or Maddow ever challenged anyone's thinking? That's what I thought.
DeleteHe looks like death-warmed-over in that picture. So, as the intrepid reporter, what's going on?
ReplyDeleteMan, that is one pissed-off Jew. As David Ben Gurion once said, "Open Fire!!!"
ReplyDeleteSo much jealousy, so little time.
ReplyDeleteYea, let's blame one guy for everything that happened to KGO.
Noone here has ever been wrong before?
He's a good guy.
If you truly knew the man you'd know he's gutless trash. But how can you know a man who doesn't even admit to himself who he really is?
DeleteOne of the more gutless people I've ever had the pleasure of working with.
Define gutless? A few examples would be appreciated.
DeleteI think taking the corporate line and casting your colleagues aside is a good example of gutless but there's more to it than that.
DeleteSimply put Ronn is the type of person who wants people to think he's a certain way but the truth is he's really not very intelligent and he has always been concerned only about himself. Wherever Ronn's career took him is the type of person he would have become. If he stayed in Atlanta he'd be a neo-con. In the Bay he pretends to be progressive. The goal of course being self-preservation, which has proven privately and publicly. Yet the reality really is he's not a very bright guy. As he has aged and let on about his illnesses he has only become worse because now he feels his actions are justified. I hope that's example enough. Did I mention he objectifies women every chance he gets and has embarrassed himself many times over with his behavior? That speaks to the selfishness of it all. Ronn is a purely self guy like most every other talk radio host I've met but he is the one I had the displeasure of knowing best.
@12:13 Are you describing Chip Franklin or Ronn ?
DeleteInteresting post at 12:13.
DeleteI have always thought this was the case, I just could not express it.
Your description of Ronn is totally a figment of your imagination. He is a bright guy, a good interviewers and has provided years of great radio, but you are welcome to your opinion.
DeleteFlashback 1972...This just in: Many talk show hosts are merely actors playing a role, one they hope will attract the most ears and make the station (and themselves) the most money.
Delete8. Changing to four days a week or two hours a day (allowing Cumulus to either sell the hour/day or put someone cheaper on the air)
ReplyDelete9. Adding whichever daughter is interested in radio as a co-host (adding a co-host seems to be a Cumulus thing...pretty much all the live-and-local shows on their Fresno station 580 KMJ has two hosts and then there's the disaster that is 7 to 10pm on KGO)
10. "Should I start a Kickstarter campaign to fund the annual Washington DC trip?"
No he will just me announcing another cruise to Alaska!
ReplyDeleteThe hour is about Parkinsons' and the kind of surgery Ronn will have. Here's his Facebook update: "I wanted to open up and share with you the announcement I just made on KGO Radio: The Bay Area's News and Information Station. I will be undergoing a procedure known as Deep Brain Stimulation as part of my Parkinson's treatment. My doctor Dr. William Marks is here from UCSF Medical Center to take any questions you have on the procedure and Parkinson's in general. 808-0810. Also click the link below for more information on Deep Brain Stimulation."
ReplyDeleteThe link he posted is http://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/deep_brain_stimulation/.
Please just wish him well at this stage of his disease and with this procedure.
I did "wish him well"--and hope he makes it through.
DeleteOne has NOTHING to do with the other. You can criticize someone about his professional being without being considered a brute for the other thing.
He chose to take this public--good for him but that doesn't mean there's a moratorium on his KGO life.
I knew there'd be this type of reaction.
Actually, I would like others to also consider this, Rich. I know you have separated health from personality/actions.
DeleteI don't know the man but have listened to him for years and speak only as a long-time listener.
Understand completely and respect your feelings, Marcia. Unfortunately, those of us (like me) who have known this man for many years cannot separate his professional life and personal life...He chose to make it public. He wants it both ways.
DeleteIt's outrageous to condemn someone who is facing brain surgery for an ailment that affects many people, for giving everyone interested, a very personal insight into new techniques in neurosurgery. I intend to share this unfolding story with two other friends with Parkinson's who are contemplating similar procedures. There are side effects and surgical risks aplenty here. As for divulging his condition to his audience, he has talked about why he didn't talk about it before, and why he is now. I suppose some would be upset if his current candor helped another person, which it likely will. As for the alleged boundaries between professional and personal, I seem to recall Rich LIeberman's appreciation of all those who wished him well in caring for an ill parent, a circumstance he revealed.
ReplyDeleteOnly, Christine, I said I didn't want sympathy ...I also didn't stab people in the back; said selfish things about them and use my illness as leverage for a future contract.
DeleteYou're brown toilet paper comment, notwithstanding, I'll give you this: he knows how to manipulate lemmings like you, Chris.
Talk to the people in the bullpen at KGO; some of the producers, the board ops, the people he hurt and didn't seem to really give a shit about.
I'll REPEAT: I wish him no ill will, now or in the future and I hope he makes a speedy recovery from his procedure. To wish otherwise would be cruel.
But I and others are able to separate the personal and professional --one has nothing to do with the other.
Even you can grasp that.
@12:58
DeleteBingo, Rich, and well-stated.
Christine, thank you! This whole post is so unseemly and small-minded. Makes me mad at myself for reading it.
DeleteMy only thought is we should ask Gene Burns what he thinks about Ronn's health predicament. Oh right, he's dead. I'm sure many of us have many axes to grind about how we've been treated by fellow co-workers at some time in our lives. I personally have a list of former KGO staffers I can only hope the least for, but ultimately, their fate is not in my control. If Mr. Owens is sick and in need of medical attention, I hope he gets it. Perhaps this is why he's been the way he has all these years. Serious health issues can make anyone become someone unrecognizable. I agree with Christine, the man is facing brain surgery and does not deserve to be hammered about it in your column or anywhere else. He may genuinely feel his coming forward is doing a service to the community. It's a shame his past actions make any of us doubt any good intentions he maybe trying to conjure up. As for you, Mr. Lieberman, I'm sure your Mom would want her son to behave better to those that are in ill health and refrain snarking at them through his public blog. My mother was an angry, hostile woman and I know she'd slap me up the head if I slammed someone in public as you have Mr. Owens over his health announcement. Let his Doctors (and Mr. Owens personal god) settle whether or not he deserves good health and a positive recovery.
DeleteI wish I would have caught the program with his doctor. I really like Ronn and have appreciated him for years. I wish him well in his procedure and appreciate that he is sharing this information with us. I've gotten over that terrible situation when KGO canned some wonderful hosts in a most shocking and upsetting way. That was when I first knew of Rich and his leadership was helpful to those of us who were besides ourselves. Many people still are angry with Ronn for not handling the situation well, but like I said, I'm over it. We all have times that are not our greatest moments.
Delete"Barbara in Pinole, you're on with Dr. Goldstein."
ReplyDelete"Thanks for taking my call. Doctor, is there any link between Parkinson's and a person becoming a selfish piece of shit?"
That one was worth a touchdown and bases loaded double.
DeleteAs a long time colleague of Ronn's (to the mid-90s), can only say that I have great respect for his decision ... one that can't have been easy to make. Ronn Owens has shown his listeners, for some 40 years, that he weighs all of the pros and cons in his considerations.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a religious person, but he has as close to my "prayers," as I can offer, in every positive thought that I have.
Is there any reason you chose to write anonymously? I'm not chastising you, just curious.
DeleteSeems to me the proper, if not honorable thing for Ronn to do is to give up his spot and let a newer talent carry the torch. Regardless of what he seems to think, the world will not stop spinning if Ronn Owens abdicates the throne. Note Ronn, best to abdicate before 'they' eradicate. Save a vestige of your pride.
ReplyDeletelol, Newer talent? really?
DeleteRon should get the "operation" and change his name to Christine. KGO gets a 2fer that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd thing to say.
DeleteI recall years ago when Dennis Richmond called in to Ronn's show and they carried on a personal conversation and made plans to go to the horse races. Ronn kept trying to bait Dennis with i.e., "I hear you have a new dog named Elaine Corral." That told me all I ever needed to know about Ronn, and he was just so tickeled with himself at what he thought was really humerous. Much to the credit of Dennis he wouldn't bite.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing, I've been curious how many of his books did Ron sell? Anybody know?
You mean that phony book where he takes two sides simultaneously.
DeleteYup, that's the one, something about why the left and the right are both wrong. Has he written more than this one?
DeleteRonn wants to extend after his contract date. " You won't let me stay on due to medical reasons." Here comes the lawyers.
ReplyDeleteThe book sold about 3100.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to Ron Owens anywhere near as I used to because of KGO's bad decision to change their format 3 years ago. I do catch him once in a while, which is why when I did catch him about a year ago I thought he sounded very different. He sounded like perhaps normal aging was catching up with him. A few months later, he made his Parkinson's announcement, and it all made sense.
ReplyDeleteI do think him doing an hour on this procedure was a helpful gesture. I do agree with Rich that he is not his own man: contrary to him saying for YEARS that no one ever told him what to say or what not to say, we later learned that was not true (i.e., with the Bernie Ward debacle, and then barely mentioning his fired coworkers and the "great" format change).
I was a Ron fan for maybe 25 years -- since I was in school in the 1980s. I wish him the best with his surgery and I think he should have gone out on top a few years ago.
whoa. The venom here. Seriously, step back folks. This, from a community glorying in pride, unity, and compassion?
ReplyDelete"Is there any reason you chose to write anonymously? I'm not chastising you, just curious."
ReplyDeleteYou offer it as an option. I choose to use it.
Please let Christine have a shot.
ReplyDeleteAnybody but Copie. Every friggin topic is about racism. How long is he gonna milk the tiresome "Hey I'm a black guy!" shtick.
How long are you going to be paranoid, and feel slighted because Brian points out he is black, and as such have had different experiences than the rest of us? Most talk show host talk about their experiences and how it affects their opinion. Chris and Pat are women, so they have a different take on certain subjects, as does Ronn and John Rothmann on their stand of Israel. I see nothing wrong with it, and I find Brian's shows interesting, he also talk about depression because he has suffered from it. Doesn't Rush milk being a rich white guy?
DeleteI remember Brian Copeland from years ago on Channel 2 morning show and don't find him to be a credible radio talk show host. Anytime he is filling in for Ronn, his topics are predictable and boring.
DeleteAm I going out on a limb by guessimg that you're a middle-aged white guy who's pissed at everyone who's different from you?
DeleteWho are we even talking about here? Do you hear yourselves? Pat Thurston? Brian Copeland? Christine Craft? THESE PEOPLE ARE TERRIBLE! THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T HAVE JOBS ANY PLACE ELSE BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR THEM OR THINKS THEY'RE GOOD! PHOOEY! You all bash Savage all the time for his views but he's at least good on the radio! I don't care that they're all liberal and drinking from the same faucet they're just BORRRRRRRRRING!
Delete"How long are you going to be paranoid, and feel slighted because Brian points out he is black"
DeleteIt's just boring, no paranoia or slight involved. The same shit over and over and over (yawn!) Give it a rest already! Talk about commonalities. Talk to remind us you're one of us instead of how you're different. It gets so old (as dials click to other stations).
"..you're a middle-aged white guy who's pissed at everyone who's different from you?"
DeleteYou got part of it right. I'm a middle-aged white guy, but I'm far from pissed. I'm bored. I can't relate to any of it, I've heard it so many times before, I just tune out. I'm gone along with many, many others".
To each his own, you obviously don't enjoy the diversity of opinions. Neither Pat, Brian or Christine are terrible, they are all intelligent, well informed hosts, each have there own take on news and subject. Savage can be interesting, but for the most part he is not, too much ranting and raven, too much predictable bashing of everything left and liberal. Just so you know I listen to conservative hosts, like Tom Sullivan, and usually choose to listen to him over a more liberal host (Chip Franklin on KGO) I like Chip for the most part I find Tom's show more interesting.
DeleteI just have to say that I agree with Christine and don't consider her post a "brown paper comment."
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of Ronn's but could there be some human kindness here? Sheesh.
"Not a fan of Ronn's but could there be some human kindness here? Sheesh."
DeleteYou appear to have a very short memory, 10:53. To refresh it, start by reading the above comments.
Rich you clearly have an axe to grind with Ronn, and that's fine. But to pretend your digs are because you are separating personal and professional is absurd. You can't write more than a sentence about Ronn without a Sleeptrain comment. Your jabs at him are far more about your view of him as a person than his broadcasting. Again, that's fine, you're entitled to your opinion and I have no reason to doubt you have solid reasons for your views of Ronn personally. Just don't pretend that you're constant jabs at him are based on professional reasons.
ReplyDelete