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| Ronn Owens/ABC photo |
Between all the personal porn and gushy ass-kissing, the public missed out the real story: what's up with Ronn and his future at KGO.
Ronn will carry on indefinitely at Cumulus because, and how sad is this? KGO doesn't have nor has found an adequate replacement for Owens--its that simple. Moreover, and this is the big reason that no one wants to put out: Cumulus is fearful of Owen's ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease.
Cumulus is scared to death of any parting of ways with the morning host--call it the Barbieri effect. It's no coincidence that Owens waited more than a decade to disclose his medical condition: don't think for a moment it wasn't timed. Right before Owen's contract was up (December, 2015) --like Ralph Barbieri, the public disclosure was intentional --and it worked. Maybe.
Cumulus is scared to death of a potential contract run-in with a Bay Area radio host who has manned the microphone for 40 years and although whose ratings have fallen dramatically, still has enough cachet to carry on. Even though he's getting slaughtered by both Radnich/Krueger on KNBR and Rush Limbaugh on KSFO. Ratings don't lie.
But to the 50 year-old housewife in Pleasanton; the mutants like Rama; the middle-aged men in Hayward who cheat on their wife, it's a good day--more Ronnnn and Mr. Softie--for the time being. Be happy.
Better yet, dance to Ronn's favorite tune!
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I was really repulsed by the Owens festivities yesterday...it was only 4 years ago that the "Great Purge" happened & everyone got let go at KGO except Owens, allegedly because there would've been a big payout if Ronn was let go. I believe Ray had 34 years seniority when they let him go & not a peep about him. Ray & the gang took the high road when they didn't say anything after they left, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall at Ray's house right now..."damn shaky ass, Hmph!!"
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that Gene Burns never recovered from the perp walk, which is why I can't celebrate. He handled it badly, and to those who say, he had no choice but to tow the company line, that's BS. He didn't have to gush about the new format. The infamous "up to 30" segment around Thanksgiving 2012, (or 2013) , when listeners finally tried to express their dismay, he got angry, mean and disrespectful.
DeleteIt's sad - I am now in the 50 plus club, and used to listen to Ronn at work at my desk for more than 30 of his 40 years. Not any longer. I wish him and his family the best, because dealing with illness is no picnic. But the radio celebration, meh.
Let the contract expire in 12/2015....game over. What is the problem.
ReplyDeleteExactly! He's the media equivalent of an independent contractor...not an employee...and, I believe, never has been.
DeleteAgree. It is time for this guy to retire.
DeleteThe good old days of KGO are gone forever.
Never to be seen again.
Seeing him on TV yesterday, he looked like a bowl of Jello..."shake dat ass!!!"
ReplyDeleteIt's people like you who are empathy challenged that make me not check in with Rich's blog. If you are the type of posters he wants to attract, then I don't belong here. I have better places to spend my time, but then again, someone has to present an alternative view because many of us have one.
DeleteYou must be new around here. Regarding Rich's comments section, one comes for the media discussion and scoop but they stay for the misogyny, right wing drivel and subtle racism. Good times.
DeleteMust be jelly cause jam to shake like that
ReplyDeleteCriticizing Ronn for not disclosing his medical condition? Surely you're kidding.
ReplyDeleteWell Rich, you've managed to offend many people who listen to radio including men in Hayward (cheaters or not), 50 year old housewives and those of us who very much enjoyed Ronn's celebration yesterday. Everything you hated, I thoroughly enjoyed. I like that you cover Bay Area media, but am really sick of your negativity. People could find many faults with you and if you were more famous, they could be hammering on you for years and not acknowledge your assets.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronn.
DeleteBefore Rush came to KSFO, he was beating Ronn on KKSF 25-54! KKSF beating KGO! Rush beating Ronn in San Francisco!
ReplyDeleteDo you know what Ronn's ratings were out of 9 am into 9:30 in the summer before that happened?
Here's the answer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V3CfD8TPac
Can anyone explain why Rich Lieberman hates Ronn Owens so much? Ripping Ronn, so viciously at this point in Ronn's life unseemly and kind of shocking,
ReplyDeleteBecause before Ronn played his "I'm sick" card to the newspaper in order to keep himself on air, he basically turned his back on every other employee at KGO except himself. That's who Ronn is though.
DeletePoster at 1:31pm.
DeleteApparently you did not read his vanity piece in the Chronicle.
A preemptive strike to keeping his job.
Are we all that naive?
It is amazing this story did not come out prior to the Cumulus takeover.
long time listener to ronn..he is the best...since jim dunbar.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally check this site as there are occasional interesting insights regarding local media put forth either by Rich or the posters.
ReplyDeleteI don't support the site or check frequently as it's so mean-spirited and deeply misogynistic, traits I think we need less of in society and online.
I am a long-time fan of Ronn's although he could have handled the implosion at KGO much better. No one locally has the connections, had had the guests and can lead a conversation better than he can. There is a reason he has been on the radio for such a long time.
As for the anger and bitterness of the people here, you have to figure out for yourself why you make decisions to post as you do.
Maybe its best, given your careful consideration to your well-being to refrain from coming here--I wouldn't want the possibility of you becoming ill by reading 415 Media.
DeleteI think Ronn proved how good he was when all that remained was his show and he got no ratings. He stayed on the air because there were few options on radio, and the talent surrounding him was strong. He used to be much better but he was never truly that interesting and certainly not entertaining. Informative sure. Poor man's Larry King.
Delete