BEFORE I GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY LATER, I wanted to royally commend KGO Radio (Stop the presses) for doing yeoman's work on Sunday morning --going almost wall to wall coverage of the Kincade fire.
I had the misfortune of waking up to no power --(and as of this writing, it's finally back on) --as I got into the car began listening to KCBS (of course) and then, curiously, I decided to check on KGO. I expected taped financial shows; boy, what a SURPRISE I got.
Newsman Bret Burkhart, a common rip here, was spectacular on the air with KGO-TV meteorologist, Spencer Christian and it was truly invigorating radio. Christian was talking from his car phone because where he lives, Castro Valley, the power was out and he was relegated to speaking via cell to Burkhart, who I must say asked great questions. The conversation took place amidst some of the most tenacious winds I've experienced living myself in the Eastbay Hills.
KGO, to its credit, didn't back off. Pat Thurston and John Rothmann took the microphone and proceeded to go to 7 PM and it was terrific to listen to LIVE and LOCAL coverage of the firestorm up in Sonoma and of course, its implications here in the Bay Area.
Thurston was spot on with superb questions to a CAL FIRE rep and also a few listeners near the scene of the fire. It was especially good given had/has NO power at her Marin home. (Welcome to the club, Pat)--Rothmann did his usual professional self and showed quite well politics isn't his only savior as he fielded questions from anxious listeners and gave periodic updates on both fire conditions and wind event notices. It was both reassuring and lively; in fact, several callers told Rothmann, "Hey, thanks for being on the air today(Sunday) you're keeping us company."
Indeed, props to KGO and PD, Lee Hammer. Finally, the news-talk giant read the room. Or, more to the point, woke up and saw the news. The area was under siege. Another horrific October firestorm and the Bay Area was talking about it. And of course, Sonoma and North Bay too.
KGO could have went with taped financial shows and ignore reality. They didn't. They sure as hell surprised me.
GOOD JOB. GREAT DECISION BY ALL. Give credit where credit is due.
I completely agree, Rich! I was so pleasantly surprised and really appreciated the continuous KGO radio coverage as I attempted to drive from San Francisco to Sacramento and got caught by the Carquinez Bridge fire. Bret, Pat, and John were spot on with their interview questions, and the callers provided real-time updates. It was a lot like the KGO of the "old days" and much appreciated. Thanks for the good column, Rich!
ReplyDeleteFirst comment one of those stupid asinine comments that don't add anything to the conversation, second comment spot on, kudos to Rich and KGO
ReplyDeleteSorry I did not catch KGO but I must say KCBS did a fantastic job informing the bay area on the fire situation. Years ago I would have listened to KGO but didn't even think of tuning in. Hopefully we don't have any more disasters but if we do I'll check out KGO for the heck of it.
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ReplyDelete"KGO could have went with taped financial shows...."
Disasters (whether natural or manmade or a combination of both as these fires and power losses seem to be) are no excuse for poor grammar!
Ratings are in: 9 people heard it.
ReplyDeleteHaven't listened to 810 for quite a few years now . So this is what it takes to get decent radio from them.... a once a year catastrophic event ??? I missed it and I don't really care....
ReplyDelete"decent" is the right word. i almost miss karel.
DeleteKGO has slowly been getting better, since they went back to talk radio, of course you have to like talk radio in the first place. However since their latest change, especially the noon to 9 p.m. is worth listening to. Pat Thurston is on from noon to 3 p.m. Chip and Niki from 3 to 6 p.m. and my all time favorite John Rothmann from 6 to 9 p.m., all these host are a nice alternative to the otherwise most conservative talk radio. Rush and Hannity are so predictable in their defense of Trump, no matter what he does and say, they are boring. Tom Sullivan on 1530 a.m. Sacramento, is a good listen, although conservative he is not a big fan of Trump, likes most of his policies, but not his personality. 10:59 no more than 9 people tuned in. I turned KGO on at 1:30 and listened for the most part (I was running a few errands)to 7 p.m. there were no shortage of callers, who was very appreciative of being able to talk to someone, some had information there were helpful to those without power and those evacuated. KGO did they right thing, and it shows that they are slowly getting better providing the kind of forum that people use to associate KGO with. Rich's comments about KGO on Sunday is very accurate, like Rich said give credit where credit is due. Rich and many commenters here have been giving KGO a hard time since 2011, myself included, but I think it is time to let that go, and even if KGO is not what it use to be, especially on week ends, and be grateful that they have seen the light and are providing us with some very good radio, discussing events of the day, be it politics or fire.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that KGO did a good job with live fire coverage shows on Sunday. Not too many people listen to KGO on Sundays because of all those garbage shows like con man Doug Andrews and the snake oil sellers.
ReplyDeleteThey did a fantastic job Sunday praising heroic firefighters and good neighbors...and then it happened...they went back into full Trump and republican derangement syndrome never considering that among all those firefighters police and good neighbors that no police officer asked if you were a dem before helping and no dem told a firefighter if your a repub don't save my house.
ReplyDeleteSo I wonder just how many fire fighters cops and good neighbors whom they had just praised heard themselves now being thoroughly insulted??
You did it Pat & John, you turned the fantastic job you were doing into more pathetic BS.
To Bad!
From whence do you pull this nonsensical argument, 12:41, that on the eve of an historic impeachment vote, and in the midst of huge California fire story, that the firefighters would be insulted or even be listening if both events were discussed on the radio? Was it from the same place as you derive your glaring grammar? There is "you're" and there is "your". They do not mean the same thing. Similarly there is "to","two", and "too". Please try to figure it out.Did you think firefighters were just kicked back and listening to a radio talk show? seriously?
DeleteI'm not sure if you are talking about Sunday's show, or you mean that come Monday they went back, for the most part, to the topics the usually cover, which mostly is politics. It sounds like you are saying they should not speak their mind, that makes no sense, a talk host is not a journalist, their job is to speak their mind. So when Obama was President you would have wanted Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity to not be critical of him? I don't listen to Sean Hannity and Rush because I don't find them interesting, they are hypocrites of the highest order, if Obama had said or done half of what Trump says and do, you would never hear the end of it. Why would people be upset if someone has a different opinion than them, a talk show host better be opiniated or he wont have a job for long. If you don't like what is being discussed just turn the dial. Between Sussman, Levin, Hannity and Rush you have plenty of choice for a Trump lovefest.
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