*Cumulus, in that festive, Lew Dickey, holiday spirit plans another round of layoffs at both KGO, KNBR, and KFOG. Most of the pink slips will involve inside people, but don't be surprised if a "big-name" air talent gets shown the door.
I just love the corporate culture at this broadcast behemoth: make people miserable. A great line I mentioned a few weeks back from a Lew Dickey disciple: "Cumulus makes Clear Channel look like Levi Strauss."
*Ralph Barbieri Update: The more people I talk to say they wouldn't be surprised if KNBR's Ralph Barbieri was gone at the beginning of the year. His contract expires Dec. 31 and while ratings for "Razor and Mr. T" are good, Barbieri's Q rating couldn't be any lower.
And Lew Dickey doesn't like to pay big money to those he perceives on the way down. Whatever the outcome, said a local broadcast exec, "it'll be ugly."
*KPIX, (CBS5) scored a coup, (however grisly the visual details), with exclusive OPD surveillance of the shooting rampage in West Oakland Monday night.
Speaking of PIX, I have grown to like reporter, Anne Macovec, and that's a surprise. Macovec, who joined the 855 Battery crew almost two years ago, is an adept reporter, smart, sensible and seems to have a grasp on the local scene. That's a commodity these days in local TV news.
*Still don't get it: "Armstrong and Getty" on KNEW. In Missouri, maybe.
*Yeah, after 22 years, K-101's Don Bleu is moving to another station. Call the authorities.
*I like Don Bleu, but he's no Dr. Donald B. Rose. Rose will forever be the king of Bay Area radio. He was corny, funny, so 70's and unforgettable. And those of you in SanRAQUEL! and SacraTOMATO! understand why. Rose died in 2005.
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