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| The Chronicle Building at Fifth and Mission |
Does anyone admit to actually reading Leah Garchik? The female Herb Caen she isn't unless you like Marin society women and countless references to the Getty family. Real riveting. Beyond that, what else is there? Matier&Ross every now and then and Kathleen Pender in business. Willie Brown is hit and miss. Nobody stands out. I read SFGate to get local news but the website is more apropos for real estate pictures and Bay City news rewrites. It's a popular site and its Internet traffic is the most prolific in the Bay Area but it too doesn't muster up a whole lot of enthusiasm. One last thing: Michael Bauer, the Chron's veteran food critic, retired out of the blue. I liked reading his reviews; in fact, it was the first thing I read on Sunday after Mick LaSalle but he's gone. Whatever. Time to smell the coffee. |
| Jack Swanson |
On that front, for my two cents I offer this: reluctantly, OK, an hour of Ronn Owens in the morning is palpable. Owens isn't the same robust guy and his schtick is pretty much worn out but he's much better then Ethan Bearman, who should be packing and stay permanently in LA.
Early morning drive, the two buffoon, tea-party guys, Armstrong&Getty belong on KSFO and Brian Sussman should be gone Jessie. Swanson might be tepid to the idea of hiring his wife, Melanie Morgan (another mum individual lately) but Mel is good radio and with a Cross-Fire-like other (liberal) voice that can co-host, would make for an entertaining duo. Lord knows there's a lot out there to talk about these days.
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| Melanie Morgan |
Len Tillem, 'Da Loyah' at noon is a keeper. John Rothmann and Pat Thurston from 7-10 PM at night makes too much sense. Forget about the fantasy of Bernie Ward. Two things: ain't gonna happen because too much a public relations nightmare. It's harsh but it's true. Secondly, I don't think Ward wants to get back into radio anyway for a variety of reasons. He's laying low these days.
I'm not, personally, a fan of Christine Craft; she is, however, a damn good talk-show host and definitely knows how to move the needle. If Swanson has a few hours to offer, Craft, late night, would be a good listen.
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| Armstrong and Getty: KSFO would be tolerable |
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The world of Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best were fictionalized mirrors of the supposedly perfect world of the 50s and 60s. Media vibrancy was limited to three television channels and a handful of AM radio stations. Newspapers were more widely read and there was "fresh" news every afternoon when the PMs hit the street. Radio and television of the 70s and 80s could be inspiring and interesting to watch or listen to. But, the world has changed and gotten a helluva lot smaller. Attention spans are minimized to the point of non-existence and no one has the patience for say a talk radio discussion to unfold. Advertisers want only one demographic and it isn't one that would listen to KGO. The advertising it would attract would be target ed to the aged, but it wouldn't be the good ads, more like direct response. Fewer ad dollars mean less expensive talent. A year or so ago, the FACC held a reverse auction for television frequencies, where licensees would be paid to go off the air or combine with another broadcast aster. The response was huge and the television landscape is shrinking to accommodate cellphone networks with greater capacity. As for the Chronicle, if you don't like what they are doing, don't put your money in the box. Nothing YOU do or say will change any of this. And the youngsters at the Chronicle who you say are new, are not writing for you, but for those prime advertising targets. One last note: Tuesday newspapers have always been thinner than the rest of the week. Tuesday is the lowest readership day and therefore what advertisers there are stay away. And you should be happy that the paper publishes seven days a week. Those days are long gone in many markets, even some larger than this one.
ReplyDeleteThan how do you explain KQED being #1 (at least last I saw) in the local market? They do news talk, on a single topic, often for a full hour. They do in depth stories that do require your prolonged attention.
DeleteArmstrong & Getty aka "My Boys". I like listening to them most the time. However, I have been on an A&G 'Fast' for the last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Because there are so many high profile, cliffhanger type political events going on today, or expected shortly, that I need a break from starting my day with a fresh new wave of concern.
I decided during The Battle For Brett, that I would stay away from my pals on A&G until Nov. 7th, The Day After midterm elections.
I think about it on my own enough as it is. I will be going back to the show at that time. I have not missed those damn Kars4Kids commercials at all. Meanwhile, I don't have much anywhere else to hang out other than Doctor's Office Muzak on 98.1 Am. They have a tiny collection of 18 songs that are played over & over & OVER!
I had forgotten just how milquetoast and trite the group Chicago became in the 1990's. Do not even say the name Phil Collins in my presence. Mein Gott!
I agree that technology has revolutionized all media. But I’m skeptical of the idea that the world of 2018 is so different that a talk station like the old KGO just couldn’t thrive today. The primary reason for my skepticism? LBC in London. They are a 24/7 talk station with highly talented hosts, great guests, and a variety of topics. They are also the #1 commercial radio station in London and the entire UK. Sure, the history of British media is different, but the same technological and culture shifts have affected London as have affected San Francisco. Why does LBC thrive? In fact, London now has a second live 24/7 talk station.
ReplyDeleteTuesday's newspaper will be thicker than usual thanks to a certain (though likely unwatchable for those who know what the likely end result will be courtesy of a different Mr. Rodgers) Monday night game at Lambeau Field.
ReplyDeleteA&G is the best thing on 810. They should be on from 9 to 1 with John Bristow and Chris McCallister doing news up to 9. Pat is ok, but she is so liberal she makes Bernie look like a conservative.
ReplyDeleteRich, you have met Mr. Swanson vis a vi. Does he dislike having his picture taken? Every photo I see of him shows a mixture of exasperation, boredom and bemusement. Is it just an act, so as to appear 'above it all'? Melanie always expresses herself in each still photo, but as an attractive American woman, she likes it. Mel is always ready for her close up. Sounds like the two of them have frozen you out for now, because of your popular and well known Blog.
ReplyDeleteThat is likely to change once the Reconstruction Era of KGO/ KSFO is in full swing, as in by next March or April. You will be breaking bread together once again.
What is it they used to say in WW2? "Loose Lip Sink Ships!"
John Bristow is no longer with KGO. A&G are okay, I have been listening to them for years, until a few years ago, on 650 am, Sacramento, they are strictly a morning show, also use to be on the old 910, I don't listen to all four hours, I use to switch back and forth between Brian Sussman and A&G, but Sussman has become almost impossible to listen to, so mostly I listen to A&G and KCBS. Rich and other commenters keep saying Brian is a one trick pony, I just don't see that. Yes, he talks about race and he is liberal, Dennis Prager and Michael Medved talk about being jewish. Brian would cover local politics, and often had local politicians on his show for an interview, he talked real estate, and interviewed famous people Ben Vereen, and Johnny Mathis is 2 that come to mind. How does that equate predictability. I don't mind Pat being liberal, but at times her liberalism takes her over the edge, not seeing reality, when John is on with her he bring her back to reality. I do think she hates Trump (and I'm no Trump fan) that she looses all perspective. She is a talk show host, not a journalist, so she should have strong opinions, but she goes overboard. Keep saying she think Trump is a fascist, even if he does not act like one, yet is how she put it. Well, there is no proof of that, and to my mind Trump is bad enough, there is no need to embellish. Obama was not Stalin (as some on the right accused him of, or came close to) and Trump is not Hitler. I serve everyone to keep some perspective and keep a cool head. The country is bigger than one man, President or not.
ReplyDeleteKGO should put Knbrs Ryan covay...he sucks and would sound perfe t there
ReplyDeleteI know you hate it Rich, but Armstrong and Getty are the number 5 morning show in San Francisco. The ONLY show KGO has in the top 10, or 15---maybe 20.
ReplyDeleteSwanson may ultimately dump or move (to KSFO) A&G, but it'll be one of the last changes. He's not about to dump what's working until other stuff does.
A few minutes of A&G: "So, i got up this morning" (wheezing laughter), "I started my commute",(Wheezing, uncontrollable, laughter). Yup, these 2 are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteWe're not talking about John Lund and Bob Fitzgerald on KNBR, stay on topic.
DeleteIs Cumulus still a "union shop" offering some level of health care benefits? I ask because it seems to me there might be talent out there making enough money in the "gig economy" to get by, who would talk for an hour or two five days a week for health insurance.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Morgan looks like Jack Swanson with a wig. Amirite? I like Lund.
ReplyDeleteThat's so hilarious. They really do look like twins but I guess that's why they're together! Not sure if Melanie makes a a good looking guy or Jack makes a bad looking chick!
DeleteBring back Len the loudmouth NYC Jew lawyer. Love that guy.
ReplyDeleteYes I like to read Leah Garchik. The people that I read most are Matier&Ross. They did seem to find real stories that TV and print media does not cover. I also enjoy reading "The Mayor". The main thing that I read are the sports page and the food section. The main section is used my pets. My main source of news is Drudge.
ReplyDeleteIf Swanson has budget constraints I'm thinking Tillem would work for free in exchange for plugs for his legal services. Wonderful wacky Christine Craft there too.
ReplyDeleteDitto for Copie the so-called comic who is about as funny as a toothache.
Two things;
ReplyDelete1. 11:49 and 7:00 need to get their eyes checked asap!
Mel does not look like any man I've ever met. She radiates womanhood.
2. Len Tillem is a boring, rude LOUDMOUTH! He should stay gone.
I get what he's trying to do, but too much trying to make the caller sound dumb.
Bill Handel does or used to do this kind of act really well.
I miss Bill Handel.