You are 'The Game', (95.7 FM). I'm going to give you a real simple one here, you don't even need the PD for this but if you really want a shot at relevance, you should hire that guy let go by the other guys you used to make fun of, remember them?
Ralph Barbieri, I'm told, is available. He's a bit older, wiser, maybe, but he's not barely breathing and decrepit. More guarded perhaps and maybe one step slower but can still articulate and, in your case, move the fucking needle and boy could you guys need someone like that --seriously.
You've tried everything. Ain't working. You still run contests where the winner gets to be a host which is only funny because the listener might get better numbers than some of your, you know, actual talents who have failed you miserably but we digress.
Barbieri could do two hours a week and get you some traction. Remember that age-old concept? This is probably not going to happen because it makes too much sense. And whenever was sense a virtue inside the office of the current PD?
Yeah, I know, The Razor has his detractors, people that can't stand him and people that loved him, but see, that's the kind of dynamic you need to attract people to your radio station. More listeners, more advertisers, more fun for everyone, god, I'm a damn genius!
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He was incoherent the last couple years of his KNBR gig and pretty bad the time you interviewed him (last year?).
ReplyDeleteI don't think so.
Rich is obviously trolling for comments.
ReplyDeleteBarbieri's shelf life expired years ago.
Ralph's illness has gotten much worse, and he's in absolutely no shape to go on the air at any time, except for perhaps a quick guest shot. I think we should all say a prayer for Ralph and hope that he isn't suffering too much. Cumulus settled on large suit he had filed, so Ralph and his son Tayte will be taken care of for the rest of their lives. The Game wouldn't be interested in Ralph, even if he were healthy. They've made it quite clear that they like out of market talent, with the exception of Greg Papa and a few of the fill-in talk show hosts from Comcast. They will never go anywhere t with a weak signal and mediocre programs.
ReplyDeleteWill never happen. See above. "Shelf life expired" and "incoherent." "Trolling for comments" about says it on this clunker, Rich.
ReplyDeleteLegends pass into the sunset, Rich, they don't come back looking for recovering careers anymore.
Is he required to show up on time?
ReplyDeleteHe got his hand out retirement from CUMULUS. He is DONE ! . NEXT.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of their radio signal....does ANYBODY have a trick to locate it - I can barely find the signal and its really disappointing. By the way the last photo I personally saw of Ralph did not look like the one above. Thank you Rich for posting a pic of Ralph that we all remember.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteBig radio fan. I'm male age 18-54 group. I was a KGO/KNBR/KSFO/KPFA listener depending. Once 95.7 The Game came on, it's my main station. Lately though the weird homophobic/homoerotic shtick with with Papa & Lund has me turning back to Damon.
Rise Guys are good. OC and Steinmetz are good. Guy Haberman is good. I like a few of the fill-ins.
Signal sucks (I guess) I'm in Oakland and it is always crystal clear and strong. One mans experience and opinion. ( I have no other connection with the station)
Ralph is knocking on heaven's door at this point.
ReplyDeleteRalph was losing it when he got let go. There is no way he could do a show on his own. He could be barely follow along Tom's interviews with guests.
ReplyDeleteRalph is close to 70 and in poor health so no. As for KGMZ the ratings haven't improved since 95.7 flipped to sports in April 2011. They get a slight bump during post season baseball when the A's are in the playoffs. Then it's back to under a 1 share. Now that Entercom's market manager has been forced out, KGMZ's PD should be next.
ReplyDeleteLoved Ralph in his prime but that was long ago. His last few years at KNBR were abysmal, and the interviews he's done since then (with you Rich, and on 95.7 the Game) have suggested a further decline - physical, or perhaps (sadly) otherwise. I say let the guy keep his dignity and live the remaining years of his life out of the public eye.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you might get your wish, Rich. The 10am - noon slot has just been freed up... http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/125735/95-7-the-game-san-francisco-drops-sean-o-connell-a
ReplyDeleteDoubt anyone is hired for 10am-Noon. More than likely they'll expand the mid-day and afternoon shows. This station is bleeding $$$.
ReplyDeleteThis is what assumed.... they move back to their original clock of 6am-10am, 10am-2pm, 2pm-6pm, 6pm-10pm. And since the 6pm-10pm slot does next to nothing but replay audio from earlier shows, they should dump that too.
DeleteYour idea to draft the Razor would be a shot across the KNBR bow and would garner attention and listeners--anyone who thinks it wouldn't isn't paying attention to the landscape. He would at least garner immediate interest esp if pitted against Mr T in the 3-7 timeslot.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm in the minority but I like The Game especially when it's Greg Papa vs. Bob Fitzgerald, who is a certifiable bore (and a blow-hard). Papa is the real deal and I like to have an alternative to KNBR (though they're the king of Bay Area sports radio).
Rich, you provide a terrific service to the Bay Area sports media landscape...keep going!
Thanks for posting Greg, it's always nice to hear from you.
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