The gruesome twosome have a contract but it's not binding enough to create a hassle if KGO/Cumulus wants to disconnect (so says an influential agent) ...and based on ratings and general interest or perhaps in this case, disinterest, "A&G" are not working out in the Bay Area.
I have a variety of reasons; first off, the duo isn't funny; there also not "live and local"; they broadcast out of Sacramento which would be ok because "A&G" are popular in some locations like Sacto and the Northwest but not here.
It was never going to work out in the Bay Area long term which any half-brain PD would have gathered but at KGO, where the incompetent Cumulus programs its vagabond outlet and has a crisis with its working folks, they were too dumb to figure it out. Figure what out? Let me explain.
Armstrong and Getty have a Midwest flavor and theme; as a morning drive program they're fairly adept and possess just enough fake cackles and sound effects suitable for small markets and cow towns where a Dennys would be considered haute cuisine. Not in San Francisco. This is by no means being snooty. It's just not a Bay Area centric show. Never has been. I'm surprised the fart guys have lasted this long but when you're talent-impaired like Cumulus/SF/KGO is and don't want to spend the financial resources on a legit, LOCAL morning show you end up with an Armstrong and Getty.
Armstrong and Getty are not horrible. I've heard worse. They occasionally do a decent interview. That's good. They skew politically, toward the right which is not necessarily bad but for some reason they try really hard to come off as neutral when they're really soft conservatives --again, no issues but A&G would like it both ways. That would be cool if they were funny and creative, original, a bit unpredictable, but they're hog-tied on cue and they have a neo-right bend and it's so evident. Again, were they capable of being entertaining and enlightening, it would pass. Instead they're just predictable oafs with a saltine diet in an area that prefers more spaghetti and meatballs. You get the drift.
I don't know exactly when the plug is pulled on "A&G" in the Bay Area but it's sooner rather than later.
Good riddance. Even on albatross KGO 810.
My 84 year old dad in Auburn likes the show (he watches Fox News too lol)
ReplyDeleteI gave it a shot but find it boring and like you said, they think they are middle of the road but they aren't. Basically just a pedestrian radio show, it needs an edge, somewhere, anywhere.
Bummer. It's a great show if I want to laugh at myself and my bleeding heart liberal ways. At times they can be hilarious.
ReplyDeleteNow why can't they just put Chip in that morning slot? He has done mornings before...or is he smarter than that????
ReplyDeleteDo you think Chip would sell airtime on his show, just to save it?
Chipper is nothing more than a paid shill for nearly every crackpot thing being sold via radio; My Pillow, Rich Uncle's and more stuff which I cannot recall since I tune out the instant I hear his voice which is akin to fingernails on a chalkboard. Cannot tolerate him in the least. But he and the Bearman are the very likely future of KGO.
DeleteI'd rather listen to A@G then Ethan and/or Chip.....in fact that's exactly what I do.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they'll simulcast Lamont and Tonelli from 107 The Bone!!
ReplyDeleteThis never made any sense. KSFO has the right of center audience locked up, about a 2.5 share for the market. So in effect KGO was competing with its sister station for the same audience!
ReplyDeleteAgree.
ReplyDeleteI too have tried Armstrong & Getty, but can't.
Worst of all, are these random outburst of laughter.
They will be in the middle of a conversation, when out of the blue, you hear this uncontrolled laugh?
Difficult to listen to.
Ethan and Chip are boring and obnoxious but probably do have younger listeners...I have been listening to A&G for about 10 years and they are not cutting edge, BUT they do keep up with current events which is sooooo lacking in the Bay Area...besides I like hearing about the goats and I am not a mid-westerner...if they are pulled I will just have to find them somewhere else..because Ronn is not cutting it anymore...if I want a one way dialogue I will go to CNN or FOX which I do so I can learn how each side is spinning the current news...they are not horrible and can be really entertaining and a great way to start the morning commute...
ReplyDeleteI heard that A&G and KGO were getting top-5 ratings in the morning drive timeslot. Don't have access to the broken-out ratings. On the beauty contest all day/all ages rating, they're statistically tied for 12th to 15th place.
ReplyDeleteKFTC
ReplyDeleteA & G were on 910 AM before that station flipped to Spanish. Their ratings were lousy then.
ReplyDeleteI long for the days of Eason and Rodgers. Maybe even Bernie. With the dreck on local radio, if you have web access try Newstalk.ie in the morning.
ReplyDeleteIf A&G are to go, could they take Ronn with them?
I have a six-pack case of the Sads reading that A&G may be off 810am soon. NO!!! I'll look for them somewhere else with a good signal.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Michigan Man, so Rich may have a point about the brand of humor. I long ago gave up on KSFO, once I knew it Sussman was there for good. I immediately felt better when I did!
I do hope Rich is wrong about this!!!
KSTE 650AM from Sacramento, their home station
Delete7:49 AM, Thanks for the A&G tip, but 650AM does not come in for me. I hear nothing but static. I'm in San Rafael.
DeleteI may just have to go cold turkey when they are replaced on 810am.
Not sure why you keep bringing up "Branson" where the fuck is that? of course the message is that anyone outside of the bay area is stoopid, especially our mid western population. You do come off sounding snooty. Born and raised in the bay area. Tired of the progressive liberal sheeps. I can think for myself, like to hear both sides, a&g give me that, good interviews, don't make me want to kill myself, need some humor in the insanity. They do get annoying at times, but I am allowed to come to my own conclusion. Listen to the news here and can't stand the fucking bias. So tired of the people who think that if I don't agree with them I am ignorant, racist, fill in the blank. I get along with everyone because I do not being up my conservative leanings. If I did, that would be dangerous. The liberal, inclusive bay area is so accepting of everyone, except those who might differ in opinion.
ReplyDeletethey are obnoxious right wingers and are only on the air because obnoxious right wingers control the am dial. dead air would be more entertaining
ReplyDeleteIf A & G get cancelled, I'll eat my truck!
ReplyDeleteStoopid?
ReplyDeleteYup, stoopid!
DeleteIf A&G go away from the Bay Area air, I'd probably chuck the radio living in the bathroom. As for radio, by cell phone has an app for that: Hello, KFI!
ReplyDeleteActually, I like their neutrality. BUT, the idiotic incessant laughter, for what? Almost nothing they laugh at (each other's jokes) is funny, or is the laughter a medical condition? It is OBNOXIOUS.
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for that, I would listen to them more often, rankin them, for locals, easily my favorite.