Len Tillem, 'Da Loyah', Talks About Sexual Harassment--Should He Be On 'Da Radio'? Of Course

Why do I still laugh at DA LOYAH, Len Tillem? Maybe it's because Tillem, who last broadcast for 'Talk 910' and KGO Radio, doesn't force it, doesn't seem contrived--in fact, Tillem, who really doesn't need the fame and fortune--torture and aggravation too, is at his best here on YouTube.


I stumbled on this, accidentally no less, and wondered aloud why da loyah isn't on a radio program today--he's genuinely funny, informative and enlightening --which probably irritates the hell out him because he can't stand compliments, seriously.

Tillem swears he's content being a wills and trust loyah and doesn't need radio and/or TV but given his track record and ratings run in the past--(he had the highest numbers in his time slot at KGO) there's a market for legal talk, let alone legal talk from a guy from New Yawk with a sense of humor and tons of moxie.


Tillem tells it like it is; a sort of sweet, wise-guy verbal assault in-your-face--he's not for everyone, but his sense of humor is wicked and he knows what the hell he's talking about, all the while giving you the lowdown on everything from personal to professional, after all, HE'S DA LOYAH!




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Yes, It's Sort Of Crummy That 'Da Loyah', Len Tillem Has Apparently 86ed Radio

 Anybody out there still misty-eyed about the radio disappearance of The Loyah--you're preaching to the choir.

Len Tillem has all but abandoned broadcasting. Which is a shame because like many observers I think Da Loyah is always entertaining and funny.

I'm surprised, and have told DA LOYAH himself, Tillem, that given the right direction, he'd be the perfect practitioner a la syndication let alone local broadcast.

But Tillem recently told me he's through doing radio. How much so? Enough to haul out all the broadcasting equipment in his Sonoma-area office.

Oh hell.

Tillem is grouchy. Impatient too. Sure, he can be a pain in the ass--which is his greatest asset --on the air and off. Too bad the loyah has closed the door. Then again, never say never.

Right?

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Len Tillem, The 'Loyah', Is Ready And Willing To Get Back On The Radio But KGO Needs To Make The Phone Call

 KGO Radio, in its new talk reincarnation --and who knows what the particulars are at this point, it's months away--could start off with a great acquisition, a proven hitter, an across-the-board winner who is a proven commodity with all demos---the Loyah himself, Len Tillem.

First things first though; I called Tillem and asked about his future plans and it's real simple at this point. He refuses to even think about anything until the big suits at 55 Hawthorne contact him.

"There's no point in my speculating what I'd do about being back on KGO at this point. All I've heard is rumors so far."


Let's be blunt here. KGO, if it's serious about its new re-branding back to a talk/news-talk/personality-driven hybrid should go all out and get Tillem back on the airwaves--but at this point, KGO needs Tillem more than Tillem needs KGO. Tillem is perfectly happy at his law offices up in Sonoma devoid of the broadcast biz. Then again, and this is just a hunch from me, he's itching to be back on Bay Area airwaves.


Jack Swanson, the former KGO Opps Mgr and now an industry consultant once said about Tillem:

"Sure someone can send me one good tape or audition--what I need is someone who can be fresh, alive and most importantly, larger than life 1 to 3 hours a day every weekday, week after week, for years...now THAT's hard." 

No question Tillem would make for an immediate buzz hire for Cumulus not to mention his presence would produce instant traction and notice. Tillem had the highest ratings on KGO when he was doing his wildly popular talk show. Moreover when he appeared as a guest on other host's programs, their ratings went through the roof. No surprise.

As I said, Tillem is the rare bird who transcends all demos and figures. He's popular across all fronts; young and old, Black, White, Yellow and Brown, Tillem's loyah show is a potpourri of advertising nirvana, a virtual can't miss with a zest for the funny and legal stories bonanza.

I've often told Tillem that his legal show --in a tight, two-hour format would be even more popular on the syndicated level--a legal version of Dr. Dean's show only more comedic and unpredictable given Tillem's "why you callin' a loyah?" routine.

But let's stick to the present. Tillem awaits the call from the KGO management team. They are aware, at least most of them, of the Sonoma legal ace. They can begin a successful transformation of their reimaging by calling Lenny.

I think they know the number.

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Immediate On The 'New'/Old KGO Talk Radar

 The Loyah!


Developing...




























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Has The 'Loyah', Len Tillem Put Broadcasting In the Rear-View Mirror? I Asked Him

  Repeated e-mail from my readers: What's going on with Len Tillem? Da Loyah has been conspicuously silent lately. His podcasts have sort of disappeared and I too was curious.

So I decided to e-mail Da Loyah myself and see what was going on.

RL: Are you doing any more podcasts or are they in the rear-view mirror?

Answer from Tillem: Rich, I am in biz as a lawyer. I have my same busy practice in Sonoma. We do senior legal work and personal injury litigation. I'm happy.

Gut instinct: Tillem doesn't have a big ego. I think he's quite happy doing his legal work and enjoys life. But given the right circumstances, I would bet he would love to do a little radio show. He has the technique, the subject matter and most important, he has he. But given the state of radio, I don't think Da Loyah has the patience nor the will to put up with all the drama needed to do a radio show this day and age.

I know Da Loyah has a lot of fans. I get repeated e-mail inquiring of his status. And you know what? I agree. But as I said, Tillem sounds content. He certainly doesn't need money. But if there's a will and a way, and it doesn't require heavy lifting, I'd bet Da Loyah might be back soon. Somewhere. Some place. Some day. Maybe, maybe not.

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KPIX5 and The New Bay Bridge Safety Issues Part 2; Len Tillem, The Loyah, is on Ronn Owens KGO Program And That's Kind of Interesting; Friday Opener

I asked, a few posts ago, if KPIX should be more transparent with its viewers about its relationship with Caltrans and the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge.

KPIX has been doing a lot of bridge opening programming. They're also running a program on the bridge's much-publicized safety issues on Saturday night, all well and good, but how credible can PIX be when its also pubbing the Bay Bridge's scheduled Labor Day opening, which now, given the numerous reports about bad bolts and rods, seems pretty dubious at best.

I asked the PR person at KPIX5 to comment. I explained that the response to my initial post last week drew a considerable amount of response. Readers, journalists, many of you thought it was a legitimate question.

After repeated requests for comment, KPIX5 said nothing. Maybe they think everything is OK and it may be the case. But I'm not one of those. I think it would better if the station were to acknowledge their relationship with Caltrans, sort of like a disclaimer, but we haven't seen that and I find that inappropriate at best.

How can KPIX be working with Caltrans, whose contractors and subcontractors are building the bridge; a bridge that has lots of bad bolts and rods; a bridge that has come under considerable scrutiny as to its overall safety and more importantly, the safety of the public.

KPIX chose to ignore this whole matter and its arrangement with Caltrans. I think that's pretty lame but maybe it's just me. You all have spoken. Too bad KPIX doesn't think this is a big deal and has snubbed many of its viewers.

*Former KGO Radio legal minion, Len Tillem, the loyah, is guesting today, from 11-Noon on the Ronn Owens show. That's pretty interesting but there's a multitude of back stories here.

First off, insiders tell me that Owens would like to have Tillem back in his 12-1PM time slot. So too does advertising honcho, Deidra Lieberman, (no relation). Only logical since Tillem still has a hefty following and, god forbid, something relevant to listen to on KGO.

Another story: I was told by an insider that a few folks at KGO are worried that callers might ask on the air why Tillem was let go in the first place. Expect a lot of heavy screening by Lord Jared and be weary of potential house calls when The Loyah does his thing on KGO at 11.


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KTVU hires Rosenthal as New News Director; Respected Indy Exec; Tillem has lunch with Cumulus/KGO boss; Ronn Owens Salary

News, notes and comments...

KTVU has hired Lee Rosenthal as their new News Director. He's a respected and young pro out of WXIN in Indianapolis, the Fox affiliate. Rosenthal replaces Ed Chapuis, who was recently fired.

A veteran TV guy here told me that Rosenthal is well-regarded and liked. He's also only 32, but is supposedly known as a good solid pro. We'll see. KTVU is still king at 10 PM, but its early evening newscast ratings are still tepid, which ultimately led to Chapuis getting pink-slipped.

*Len Tillem had lunch with the new KGO OM, Ron Escarsega. What comes of it nobody knows but don't hold your breath. Tillem was bounced from NewsTalk 910 last Thursday.

*Ronn Owens new salary at KGO: $475K...two years with a third-year option.

*"Live....from the Conklin Brothers studio..."? Just when you thought it couldn't get any less sacred.

*April fools "jokes": so lame and utterly jumped the shark eternity dept.

*Since I've become a total wreck with a few things on my mind, good to know baseball is back, but really I don't get too interested until the fall. In the meantime, go A's and Giants, Meat!

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Len Tillem, The 'Loyah' let go by ClearChannel

I just got off the phone with Len Tillem.

He's been let go at NewsTalk 910, (ClearChannel).

As usual, all these moves were budget-related. ClearChannel is going through a myriad of financial issues. They have no money, in essence.

This is no last hurrah for Tillem; he told me he plans to institute some form of podcast(s) and that might be accelerated by a local station or two. I will get the info out just as soon as I learn the details.

Tillem is going to e-mail me a statement later today and I will post it.