Rating the KGO Radio Hosts on Coronavirus Programs

Left to right: Mark Thompson, Pat Thurston and John Rothmann

* Mark Thompson: Thompson has improved. Moreover, his show has improved but unfortunately, Thompson still suffers from excessive giddiness. He doesn't know when to shut up; he still thinks that his voice is what drives the show. it doesn't. Thompson has this disturbing habit of over-modulating --as if by doing that no matter how impish the subject, he'll make waves because of his baritone voice/ Again, NOT THE CASE. Instead of just talking to the audience, Thompson continues to shout and talk to his listeners as if he were a game-show host. Not only is that not good radio, it's disheartening to the listeners. Seriously, I want to like Thompson. He's got some talent, but he tries way too hard to compensate for a lack of vision. Wisdom too. If he can practice more self control, than maybe his show will get better but don't hold your breath.  GRADE: C-

*Pat Thurston: Thurston, long ago, was not one of my favorite KGO talkers; in fact, I immediately turned the channel and listened to anyone but Pat. Times have changed and changed dramatically. Thurston is appointment radio now. Her style and technique is second to none. She handles calls and subject matter with genuine fluidity as if playing a concert violin --it's usually a masterpiece. Thurston has also become a fantastic interviewer; it started with her gonzo performances during the wildfires that hit our state the past few years. Thurston's creative and combative efforts to put PG&E on notice were almost newspaper-like attention and much-needed public advocacy. The same, spot-on watchdog activism has been the same quality with pols Trump, Newsom, and Breed. KGO's BEST host has been killing it since day one. GRADE: A

Nikki Medoro

*John Rothmann is still the supreme talk host in addition to a virtual professor of sorts when it comes to pandemic coverage, with a major blemish: his insistency to allow some of the most inane caller rubbish on KGO's public airwaves. Rothmann is his own worst enemy: it's one thing to remain sane and tolerant when it comes to caller stupidity. It's another to allow such frivolity to have potent air, as Rothmann allows this to take place on a nightly basis. I will still listen to his 6-9 PM show but he has to become a better editor. GRADE: B

*Nikki Medoro: I have railed on and on and on...about how lousy her show is. She was given the keys to the kingdom for morning drive radio --Medoro could have swatted a huge home run when she debuted in early March, right when the virus was taking hold of the state and Bay Area--she failed miserably. Her pedantic ways; her lecturing us like a kindergarten teacher talking to her students; the constant references about her kids and family, were much too much for me. Unfortunately for Medoro, I wasn't alone. Nikki still has time to re-work her performance; the program is barely 6 weeks old, but her ego apparently is more important than results. GRADE: D-

Chip Franklin

*Chip Franklin: Franklin is still irritating to a degree. Big deal. So am I. Franklin was first at KGO to concentrate heavily on the Coronavirus --he was talking it in early January and interviewing guests. I remember. Yes, Chip has his faults, but I love the back and forths with callers and guests alike. His frequent interviews with Mark Fisher, the editor of the WASH POST, are both cool and entertaining. Franklin likes to talk, a lot. It's not the greatest show buy at times, damn close. GRADE A-

*Ronn Owens: Are you serious? C'mon now. GRADE: F