The Saturday Schmooze; 95.7 FM --"The Game" and KNBR: Sports Radio at its Worst; Sara Donchey Still Struggles at KPIX; Liz Cook Improves But Has a Problem; Alex Bennett YouTube Show in NY Weirdly Funny (Sort of); Danny Bringer Brings It (Soundly) at KQED Radio; Susan Kennedy, Peabody Winner and Earns it

Saturday Schmooze...

People assume because I pick on 95.7 FM, "The Game", that I much prefer KNBR (680 AM, 104.5 FM)--actually, I think both statiuons are lousy.

KNBR is a certified joke. They barely exist and are only relevant thanks to carrying the 49ers, and to a lesser extent, the Giants. Without those partners, KNBR would be oatmeal radio.

Wait a second,they already are.

The Game hasn't moved the needle since its inception over a decade ago and might be phased out soon with a coporate parent on the brink of financial purgatory.

First and foremost, both The Game and KNBR don't really talk sports. Oh. they might claim they do, but because of their incompetence, hosts think they're cute and try to talk pop culture and off-sports topics. It doesn't work. It sounds artificial and it's only manufactured BS. The reason why both outlets don't take calls is because they're fearful of engaging with someone with a brain. And who could embarrass the host. Think about it for a moment.

I listen to east coast sports talk radio, WFAN in NY and WIP in Philly. They take calls, in fact, actively encourage calls. And it's a healthy, interesting and entertaining exchange. Yeah, they take sports seriously but they also mix in their talk with humor, personality and vigor. It's no bs too; the callers know their stuff and there's genuine back and forth. It's sincere, you can hear it. Of course, yes, they're passionate. Which makes it all the more entertaining and fresh.

Both The Game and KNBR are stale. There's no sincerity. It's all mush with fake NOISE and sound drops and shock talk that doesn't enlighten whatsoever. Which is why both KNBR and 95.7 have seen their market share drop precipitously. In short, the Bay Area sports fans have REJECTED these silly stations. One day, into the year, 2066, they might be willing to give 'em a second chance.

*Sara Donchey is trying her best to shake off the LA look and demeanor, I'll give her that, but she still looks uncomfortable on the PIX screen. The problem, among many, is she just doesn't have any feel, any conviction. A viewer has to be comfortable watching the anchor. It's pretty simple. Donchey, to her credit, is trying. But unfortunately, she is lacking. It's the absolute truth. Sorry, CBS-SF.

*Then there's hapless Ryan Yamamoto. Oy vey.

*It's entertaining, in a weird way: former SF radio czar, Alex Bennett, is in NY doing a YouTube show. Give a watch. It's not always pristine, unless you like a guy who talks about death a lot (in a comical way) but every now and then, Bennett hits a homerun and can be funny and engaging. His "citizen panel"--a bunch of middle-aged guys with various opinions-- is worth an hour of your time. Remember, it's an acquired taste.

*Liz Cook has greatly improved her anchor duties--I've said as much. She has a problem though: another anchor at PIX, prominent, I may add, has no favorable opinion of her. That anchor isn't alone.

*Local TV News audiences, like the national trend, are diminishing. I know why: because everyone does the same thing. There is no edge anymore. Nobody tries anything new. There is a constant look and it's tired and stale. A lot of it is fear. Fear of trying something original and fresh, creative. Do we have to have 5000 weather updates when there is no weather? Is it required there can't be a lead, Black woman anchor? Yeah, I know Pam Moore and Ama Daetz, but they're rare.

*The sound of KQED Radio is always interesting. Literally. I've always marvaled at the awesome actualities on the local NPR station and there's a reason: veteran station engineer, Danny Bringer, is the absolute TOPS and it shows. Too bad we don't have more of this kind of pro at, say, KCBS, or KGO.

*I forgot to mention Susan Kennedy, the current KCBS weekend anchor, won a prestigious Peabody award while anchoring KGO.

*The vast wasteland: KGO on the weekend.

*Hidden gem department: KCSM, a real, local treasure if you love jazz, like I do --and even if you dont't.

*Ted Robinson and John McEnroe in Palm Springs--now that's a look!