When he's on, like he was after the silly 49ers press conference introducing new coach, Jim Tomsula, The Game's (95.7, FM), PM talker, Damon Bruce, can be rather spectacular. Can be.
Those of you that watched that rather unintentionally funny bizarro had the same thoughts I do: God, am I hearing what I'm hearing?
I listened to the presser, (or maybe depresser) on the all-sports station and immediately after, Bruce was pitch-perfect in his assessment. (Here's an audio link--give a listen) He ridiculed Tomsula like most of us. He also mocked the proceedings with near eloquence like a champion race-car driver. Better yet, Bruce, with an assist from an astute caller, did a hilarious impression of the NFL's domestic violence commercials with deep and heavy breaths --just like the actors on the screen. It was both entertaining and incredibly funny, and even more to the point, brilliant because it was completely spontaneous --no silly sound effects nor song parodies needed. (By the way, in case you're wondering, NO, Bruce didn't parody domestic violence).
Bruce is by no means everyone's cup of coffee, including me; he's an acquired taste --matter of fact, there's times where he becomes obsessed with telling all of you just how great he is, which is fine only that Bruce comes off as narcissistic and annoying. Sure, you have to have an ego because that's the center of gravity in the sports-talk business, all media members for that matter but there's also a fine art of keeping it on the inside. If that's Bruce's only negative issues, I can deal with that.
He's a breath of fresh air in a market that could use some. He sometimes wanders off into foreign territory and gets into trouble but that's a small price. He certainly learned a lesson. He's also helped immeasurably by a very nifty update woman, Gianna Suter-Franco, who's smart and compliments both Bruce and the show in general. Smart radio is good radio. It doesn't dumb down its audience nor does it coddle the stupid business that has become an unfortunate staple of sports-talk radio.
Bruce is a welcome respite from the usual suspects --he doesn't mince his words. I was delighted to listen to his show on Thursday and make it a habit of listening when I'm in the car. You should too.
ITEMS...ITEMS...ITEMS
*He said that: Pete Liebengood, who used to work with Gary Radnich at KRON checks into 415 Media with a potent quotable: On Radnich: "I'd never want to share a foxhole with him."
*It bears repeating: The rank and file at KQED is major irritated that almost every manager makes about $200,000.
*A constant: dead air on KSFO --especially in the late night and early morning. Maybe it's a sign from God.
*Allen Martin on KPIX: still not taking Liz Cook too seriously. Funny, I feel the same about Veronica De La Cruz.
*I get asked --a lot: "Why do you write about KGO Radio so much?" Respect for the once-mighty call letters. Which is a far different view from some of the miscreants who work at that place now--some of whom should know better.
*Sure, the Giants are the toast of the town but it's the 49ers that rule the airwaves. Just listen to the commotion post-Harbaugh. Yeah, I know the Giants still play in SF and the Niners play in Santa Clara, but that's all anyone is talking about.
*From a sage social 415 Media observer: If Willie Brown were mayor of SF, the 49ers would have never moved to the South Bay.
*The reason why KNBR's ratings tanked last month is the increasing migration of their listeners to turn the dial while they run a THOUSAND hours worth of commercials.
*Azenith Smith, a reporter at KTVU, has improved dramatically to the point where I not only like her work, I look forward to it. I would not have said that a few months ago.
*Dennis Richmond was universally detested at Jack London Square to a point where most of the staff avoided him.
*Gary Radnich said this the other day on Knibber: "Vicky Nyugen looks like a person that was terrorized in a prison for eight years without food."
*Those of you that will say I'm kissing Damon Bruce's tuchas should ask Damon himself about some of the things I've said about him---to his face.
*Kate Kelly is supposedly splitting from PIX although her on-air presence has been noticeably eradicated of late anyway. Kelly: at one time a spitting image of Princess Grace.
*The Mrs. Doubtfire house on Broadway and Steiner: did we really need 5000 live shots on that matchbox of a "fire." Slow news day ...again.
*If "The Game" had smart radio on in the morning, it would be near perfect. And yes, it's a helluva lot better than KNBR. But that's like saying a corned-beef sandwich at Tommy's Joynt beats Denny's.
As I said last month, KRON's Jacqueline Bennett is leaving --last day is Jan. 28.
*Underrated weatherguy: Paul Deanno at PIX.
*Overrated: Bill Martin at KTVU. Although it's not Martin's fault that they have more teases at Channel 2 than a Broadway strip club.
*The Tom Vacar, John Fowler, and Rob Roth watch at 2: still working but the suits wants all of them to depart the premises sooner rather than later.
*I'm glad the Chronicle hired a woman, Audrey Cooper, editor-in-chief. Now if only she can fix that crappy website, SFGate. What a complete disaster.
*Speaking of fixing: If Kevin O'Brien were to go to KRON --and that's a pipe dream --he could make KRON worthwhile again.
*Way overrated: Heather Holmes. Please, I don't get it. And that part too.
*If less than 1 percent of you were paid subscribers of this 415 Media I could sleep at night. (Psst, 9 bucks for a YEAR!--Or two Starbucks for God's sake.)
*Stan, I tried, I really tried. (And just like that, he's gone!)
*Follow me on Twitter
TGIF
ITEMS...ITEMS...ITEMS
*He said that: Pete Liebengood, who used to work with Gary Radnich at KRON checks into 415 Media with a potent quotable: On Radnich: "I'd never want to share a foxhole with him."
*It bears repeating: The rank and file at KQED is major irritated that almost every manager makes about $200,000.
*A constant: dead air on KSFO --especially in the late night and early morning. Maybe it's a sign from God.
*Allen Martin on KPIX: still not taking Liz Cook too seriously. Funny, I feel the same about Veronica De La Cruz.
*I get asked --a lot: "Why do you write about KGO Radio so much?" Respect for the once-mighty call letters. Which is a far different view from some of the miscreants who work at that place now--some of whom should know better.
*Sure, the Giants are the toast of the town but it's the 49ers that rule the airwaves. Just listen to the commotion post-Harbaugh. Yeah, I know the Giants still play in SF and the Niners play in Santa Clara, but that's all anyone is talking about.
*From a sage social 415 Media observer: If Willie Brown were mayor of SF, the 49ers would have never moved to the South Bay.
*The reason why KNBR's ratings tanked last month is the increasing migration of their listeners to turn the dial while they run a THOUSAND hours worth of commercials.
*Azenith Smith, a reporter at KTVU, has improved dramatically to the point where I not only like her work, I look forward to it. I would not have said that a few months ago.
*Dennis Richmond was universally detested at Jack London Square to a point where most of the staff avoided him.
*Gary Radnich said this the other day on Knibber: "Vicky Nyugen looks like a person that was terrorized in a prison for eight years without food."
*Those of you that will say I'm kissing Damon Bruce's tuchas should ask Damon himself about some of the things I've said about him---to his face.
*Kate Kelly is supposedly splitting from PIX although her on-air presence has been noticeably eradicated of late anyway. Kelly: at one time a spitting image of Princess Grace.
*The Mrs. Doubtfire house on Broadway and Steiner: did we really need 5000 live shots on that matchbox of a "fire." Slow news day ...again.
*If "The Game" had smart radio on in the morning, it would be near perfect. And yes, it's a helluva lot better than KNBR. But that's like saying a corned-beef sandwich at Tommy's Joynt beats Denny's.
As I said last month, KRON's Jacqueline Bennett is leaving --last day is Jan. 28.
*Underrated weatherguy: Paul Deanno at PIX.
*Overrated: Bill Martin at KTVU. Although it's not Martin's fault that they have more teases at Channel 2 than a Broadway strip club.
*The Tom Vacar, John Fowler, and Rob Roth watch at 2: still working but the suits wants all of them to depart the premises sooner rather than later.
*I'm glad the Chronicle hired a woman, Audrey Cooper, editor-in-chief. Now if only she can fix that crappy website, SFGate. What a complete disaster.
*Speaking of fixing: If Kevin O'Brien were to go to KRON --and that's a pipe dream --he could make KRON worthwhile again.
*Way overrated: Heather Holmes. Please, I don't get it. And that part too.
*If less than 1 percent of you were paid subscribers of this 415 Media I could sleep at night. (Psst, 9 bucks for a YEAR!--Or two Starbucks for God's sake.)
*Stan, I tried, I really tried. (And just like that, he's gone!)
*Follow me on Twitter
TGIF
