Sondland Testimony to House Impeachment Inquiry that there was 'Quid Pro Quo' Portends to Lively Rothmann Show on KGO Tonight

IT'S NO LONGER JUST A BOMBSHELL --IT'S FACT.

Ambassador Gordon Sondland 

Ambassador Gordon Sondland-- testified under oath before the Congressional Impeachment Inquiry; a quid pro quo was administered and that "everyone was in the loop." Including the President, Donald Trump, said Sondland.

The various media outlets have begun to spin Sondland's testimony but his words to Congress' House Intelligence Committee were clear.

I've watched Fox News Channel and both CNN and MSNBC and will be eager to listen tonight on KGO Radio here (locally) when political historian,  John Rothmann, is sure to talk about today's (Wednesday) testimony. Rothmann will broadcast a three-hour special from 6-9 PM; should be appointment listening.

John Rothmann

This has suddenly exploded.

Could be the smoking gun that Trump loyalists have been waiting for and undoubtedly a signature moment that may be their move to distance from POTUS.

*Developing...
415 Media

Rothmann, Thurston Loyalty Pays Off (Finally) in New KGO Radio Gigs

John Rothmann

WELL, ABOUT TIME

KGO Radio, in announcing its morning, midday, and evening line-up reshuffle, finally added longtime hosts, John Rothmann and Pat Thurston (12- 3 PM and Rothmann, 6-9 PM)

Along with new morning guy, Mark Thompson, KGO suddenly has a pulse and Cumulus, after years and years of dubious experiments, is suddenly recharging its 810 AM 50K-watt news talk powerhouse, albeit in the fractured universe called AM Radio. It's not perfect but it's a good start.

In light of the political climate called "The daily President Donald Trump" it is highly logical that KGO, notably, PD, Lee Hammer, found the gumption to get political guru, Rothmann on the air to gauge the machinations of Trump and his frequent news-making items and policy. Trump is a daily laundry box of news-talk zeitgeist; not having someone on the air to talk politics, especially in this Bay Area, was almost illegal. Rothmann is a center-left talker but has enough savvy and objectivity to fry the fish both ways. He'll be good at night and his callers skew educated and enlightened. It should make for entertaining radio.

Pat Thurston

Thurston has a good mix of present-day politics and pop culture, well versed in almost all talk-radio minutiae and an ability to mix and match, she's in her element at the noon hour. She's also popular with women and can opine on certain family, lifestyle issues.

The reshuffle isn't nirvana; it won't single-handily catapult KGO to its familiar top-10 but it gives it hope and an air of fresh AM relevance --something it has needed for almost a decade.

Bill Martin Days Numbered at KTVU After Grogan Hire; Low Ball Offer to Sam Mohr Doesn't Help; Sal Castaneda Wants More Money; The 'Gaas' New Haircut; Rothmann Demanding Wife Impedes KGO Progress; KNBR: Too Many Black Crows Not Enuf Bald Eagles; Fong-Torres Kiss Ass to Cumulus SF Boss Harvill; NBC Bay Area Blew It with Christina Loren Canning; HBO Doc on Sandra Bland Worth Watching; Hey, Brighten Up 415 Media With Holiday Donation; Rich Loves Turkey and Happiness; Thursday Nosh

Bill Martin

THURSDAY MEDIA NOSH

KTVU has 4; Four! Weather yellers; the latest hire, Kyla Grogan, (lots of teeth and mileage) so my spies say someone might be needing to update the resume. That individual? Veteran Bill Martin who only a few years back was a mainstay.

Martin now continues to mumble more frequently and he isn't slowing down in that department; making matters worse: he isn't blond, female and possess big boobs so he doesn't fit Fox-like elements: my prediction and others: his days are numbered. Calling on Fresno!

*Had KTVU not low-balled former KPIX weather countess Samantha Mohr, they'd have scored something far more unique and compelling: a very smart, sexy, attractive, engaging, mature weather woman with flair and attitude to boot not to mention more eyes and ears.

Samantha Mohr

Yes, Sam is older but so what! She's incredibly easy on the eyes and has far more weather moxie then the latest yenta KTVU hired, more because she's willing to work for far less dough then Mohr who stated flatly to station brass that in order to pay for living in the Bay Area, you'd better pay. They did not. DUMMIES!

*Meanwhile in the morning grind at KTVU 'MO2' veteran traffic guy, Sal Castaneda, is complaining about his $400,000 yearly salary. A source: Sal seems to think for all he does at the station (not just the traffic) he should get a lot more moolah.

Some background: Sal is part of ball and chain he being more ball and his demanding wife almost all chain. Add a growing family and you get that he wants and needs more toys for the clan.

That said, asking for Somerville-like money you need leverage: NOT!

My feelings are that Sal has to work with chirpy, chatty, Gasia Mikaelian and on that basis alone he should be given more gelt.

Frank Somerville and THE GAAS

THIS IS BIG NEWS: The Gaas has a new haircut and supposedly has asked every KTVU employee including the janitor how it looks. A new haircut? Gaas might be auditioning for a future LA gig as is the chore for many FOX female anchors just be prepared for her eternal chirpiness and out-of-toon giggles and cackles.

*Another great Bay Area radio guy run shamelessly by his wife: KGO now and then political guru, John Rothmann.

His would-be rise at KGO would be significantly improved but Rothmann's power-driven wife gets in the way of those who want his career to once again shine and allow for his astute political analysis to be heard. Unfortunately, due to domestic reality, Rothmann's path has suddenly taken a off-road detour. Add to the fact that when you BLOW OFF a good friend when he's down and out, that portends negative things will happen. It's called karma.

Sal Castaneda: show me the money!

*KNBR is in the toilet the combination of no sports teams and emphasis on has-beens having to talk on the radio. KNBR has a lot of black crows in the studio and not enough bald eagles. They reek and smell like year-old cattle carcass. In fact, KNBR is so low now in the ratings they put the human waste machine on the air in the morning to fill in for one of the prime dudes. Leaving us entertained by Powlie Mac and some wasted LA chick that doesn't say a word but has nice gums and a great rack of lamb.

*THIS JUST IN! Hey, we found someone who likes Ben Fong-Torres. Or better know as Ben Press Release Torres.

Sad, really, Doug Harvill kowtowing to BFT who showed his incompetence by NOT asking DH about why Jack Swanson wasn't given any money to retune KGO.

Ben should write for Readers Digest --he'd be a great addition to the first wives club and bring in the Rossmoor crowd.

*MORE WEATHERING THE STORM; KNTV still hasn't gotten over dumping Christina Loren who was shown the door because she was caught sending resumes to other TV stations and reading my 415 MEDIA.

Loren was quite the package and then some but she emerged as a real, celebrated NBC Bay Area starlet. Problem is she should have been on at night because women don't watch nor like strippers in the morning it's an industry no-no but what do I know.

Christina Loren

*IF you didn't catch that HBO doc on the mysterious death of Black woman, Sandra Bland, you NEED to watch it.

Tense, powerful, chilling at times and infinitely watchable the Bland story is another reminder that America has a very deep disconnect with the African-American community and this doc is proof positive. I watched from beginning to end and had a chill up my spine; still do.

*IF YOU LIKE 415 MEDIA (and who doesn't) then please show me some love for the holiday (even if I can't enjoy this year) by making a donation to 415 MEDIA.

Go to the right side of the blog to the "Donate" button and CLICK ON IT and follow the prompters; it takes but less then a minute and you'll help me during the holidays and help sustain the Bay Area's most-read 24/7 media blog; I will e-mail and call you thanking you for your donation --any amount counts; those donations also help me pay my bills and eat turkey just like you and your family. Thanks to all of you.

Ronn Owens And John Rothmann Deliver Vintage Radio On KGO; Presidents' Day Boffo Performance Brings Back Old Memories; (Audio)

John Rothmann

 It was like old times on KGO Radio Monday morning. More specifically, from 10-11 AM, the vintage Ronn Owens; the guy who can still hit it out of the park every now and then blasted an audio grand slam, with an assist from a former colleague.


John Rothmann guested, as he always does on Presidents' Day, and you had about as terrific and informative a program as there is; (here's the audio link)--hey, Cumulus, if you keep this up, pretty soon you might have to hire this guy back and then you might have a legit radio station once again. Did you hear the show? He killed.

Ronn Owens

What began as the usual subject matter of presidential trivia and stories soon morphed into the biggest news of the past day--the latest horror story from the Isis savages and its aftermath; both Owens and Rothmann provided the listeners a solid, candid assessment of what's going on and the ramifications that affect the US and the west. Rothmann, who knows the Middle East like George Will knows a conservative, was masterful in his analysis. Owens too who asked the right questions and delivered one of his best shows in years. It was most compelling and dare I say, entertaining.


More to the point it reinforced the idiocy that Rothmann isn't on KGO as a full-time host. And for what reason? Because he's perceived as a one-trick pony who concentrates only on foreign affairs and the Mid-East? I believe they have a guy from NY who does that type of program and he's pretty damn good. Just imagine if Rothmann were to precede him.


If Cumulus and KGO want to win back a part of their shrinking listenership they could do worse by hiring back Rothmann, who has a loyal legion of fans--yes, people who actually like to listen and talk about that age-old relic called "News-Talk" --remember that? It's a format that brought universal acclaim and legacy status to the station; a station that once dominated SF radio and was the envy of the industry.


Ronn, you done good on Monday--you too, Mr. Rothmann. Here's hoping your audience doesn't have to wait until Presidents' Day, 2016 to hear you on 810 AM again.


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Talk 910 Chooses Ed Baxter For 10-1 PM Slot; 'Safe Decision'; John Rothmann Gets Screwed

 Longtime Bay Area radio news anchor, Ed Baxter has been chosen as Talk 910 AM's new host from 10 AM- 1 PM.

I like Baxter. Good guy. Professional, interesting and compelling. Slightly.

Not a talk-show host though, my opinion.

I expected this gig to go to John Rothmann who is an outstanding interviewer, has a keen eye on the political arena and deep knowledge of the Middle East debate.

Of course this was a safe pick for the Clear Channel SF crowd and that is why its ratings are in the dumper too.

Choices like this will never move the needle.

Oh well.

It could have been worse.

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Three Finalists For 'NewsTalk 910' 10-1 PM Slot; Rothmann, Baxter And Hughes

 Talk 910, has been auditioning various hosts to fill its 10 AM-1 PM slot. A decision is expected sometime in the next few weeks but I've got the final three favorites, according to a local broadcast source familiar with the probable pecking order.

The "live and local" mantra is a key to the eventual winner; it's highly unlikely that Clear Channel would make an out-of-market hire but nothing surprises me anymore.

The 3 finalists, according to my source--

1. John Rothmann: the former KGO Radio talk host and frequent fill-in at Talk 910 is the odds-on favorite. Rothmann has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Middle East, politics, Presidential Elections and current events. He's also a terrific interviewer and would make for an outstanding three hours of informative and entertaining radio.

2. Ed Baxter: Baxter spent over three decades as an anchor at KGO and did some sporadic fill-in both at KGO and 910 AM as a talk host. He also recently launched a website with content from Bay Area TV and Radio talent. I loved Baxter as a news anchor; I'm not so sure if I could listen to him as a talk host three hours a day--not a knock on Ed, just my own opinion.

3. Spencer Hughes: The weakest link, and the least-likely choice. Hughes has been all over the talk map bouncing from station to station. His most recent foray was at KSFO where he chose to resign rather than being fired. I'm not a fan of this guy; his annoying style, the faux outrage, the constant mumbling has never quite caught on with me yet Hughes keeps getting jobs. And keeps getting fired too. Go figure.

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Sunday Night Appointment Radio: Rothmann on Talk 910 8-11 PM; US POW Release; Hillary Book and Politics on The Agenda

 Lots in the news tonight including the controversial release of the US POW; the practical and political implications; and the forthcoming Hillary Clinton book--both subjects got a lot of play on the Sunday talk shows.


John Rothmann is guest-hosting tonight on "The Open Line to America" show on Talk-910 from 8-11 PM and will be talking about these and other issues.


Rothmann, the human encyclopedia is a must-listen if you enjoy politics and International affairs, most notably the Middle East. His insight and presentation is second to none, especially for those of you immersed in true news talk and information.


We tend to take Rothmann for granted in these parts particularly at a time where's there's a lot on the table, give a listen tonight while you enjoy your dinner.


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John Rothmann: The Perfect Host For KGO's 10-1 PM Saturday and Sunday Time Slot

 Rothmann...intellectually honest, phenomenal presidential historian, Middle East expert extraordinaire and a master on politics--with a great set of pipes to boot.

I might even listen.

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The old KGO Radio comes back for three hours; Pat Thurston pulls off impromptu wake for Gene Burns; Ironies galore

As word trickled out Saturday that Gene Burns had passed away, Pat Thurston was in the process of prepping for her show, which is about the only thing worth listening to on KGO.

Thurston was a close confidante to Burns; often times it was her who had the lowdown on Burns health status which had rapidly deteriorated since his dismissal from the station in December of 2011. Burns had suffered a myriad of issues including several minor strokes. The latest one, which had occurred only days before ultimately cost him his life. Burns died Saturday morning.

Thurston was in high gear on Saturday. Before her show, she popped into Michael Finney's show. Finney got a call from Ronn Owens, who announced Burns death. Immediately, word started getting out and Thurston began planning.

Soon, Owens and John Rothmann arrived at the Cumulus KGO broadcast studios. Ever so careful, Rothmann actually asked Thurston if it were OK for him to talk on the air. It's Cumulus, mind you. Thurston obliged.

Suddenly, a stream of former producers and engineers from the old KGO began arriving and phoned in to offer condolences. Mickey Luckoff called. So did Ray Taliaferro and Christine Craft.

What started out as an impromptu hour or so of reminiscing eventually evolved into a mighty, sometimes cathartic three-hour broadcast wake. It was, ironically, sadly, maybe enlightening, the very best three hours of vintage KGO Radio--you know that old KGO where people actually sounded like something and the fact that it had to take Burns death to create it, spoke volumes.

Periodically, audio outtakes of Burns verbal jousts and work were played. The studio ensemble laughed out loud. Hundreds of e-mails poured in as did callers. At one point, Thurston made the dynamic point of saying that Burns demise might have been accelerated by his dismissal from KGO. "I hope this doesn't get me fired", she said half-kidding. A later arrival to the show, Karel, (who can't help making himself the subject no matter what, ) went one step further, (I'm paraphrasing), "His firing probably cost him his life." I immediately tweeted out that I finally agreed with something Karel said, and to his credit, at least he had the guts to say it. As per usual, later on in his own show he resorted back into typical Karel mode injecting his own professional demise. God forbid he stay the course but oh well.

Give Thurston and producer, Lynn Sloan, credit for assembling the masses. It was remarkable auto-pilot radio that reeked of sincerity and sadness. Again, that it took the death of a former legendary host and colleague to pull it off is both compelling and revealing.

I want to make a few points here.

I'm quite happy and give props to Thurston for pulling off the genuinely decent Saturday night broadcast. At first I was bothered by the fact that Cumulus would benefit, (unknowingly), of a host's dismissal. Sure, I know Cumulus had nothing to do with this ad-libbed broadcast but I was still perplexed. Here you have three hours of some of the best radio, (for a change), and yet only hours later, it would all sink back into the abyss.

On Sunday night, KGO broadcast a three-hour tribute to Burns. The program consisted mostly of  highlights of Burns various show themes and his back-and-forth with various callers. It was a nice program. Burn's "Dining Around" show was also lauded with a few of his celebrated pitch outtakes and they were both funny and poignant.

There is no word of a memorial service for Mr. Burns. Should one take place I will mention it in a future blog post.



*Gene Burns

*Obituary

*KGO Radio

*Cumulus

*Pat Thurston

*John Rothmann



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Are Krasny and Rothmann Too Smart for Bay Area Radio?

Michael Krasny

I mentioned the other day that John Rothmann reminded me a lot of Michael Krasny. Then it dawned on me that both are some of the brightest broadcasters in the Bay Area. Which when I further explored, said to myself: Are these pair too smart for a vast San Francisco audience? Seriously now I'm not kidding.

I have always thought the Bay Area is a more cultural, more sophisticated, and therefore, more pithy radio market, yet Rothmann doesn't currently have a permanent gig and Krasny, while a major name and voice on KQED, (which has great ratings), is nevertheless, perceived as ultra erudite and wouldn't translate well on commercial radio. And maybe there's nothing wrong with that given what constitutes as "quality content" on Bay Area radio.

Even Krasny himself alluded to the whole concept of the current lack of depth in commercial/terrestrial radio when he wrote a book on the matter. I must say I'm surprised that a market of this many people who possess such extra mental girth would not have a home to listen to some of our more enlightened broadcasters. Maybe I'm assuming something that simply isn't the case.

What do you think?

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John Rothmann

John Rothmann; Un-Civil Discourse; Nurses are Great; A few Easter Sunday Media Notes

Just a few notes and comments...

*It is indeed sad, as a number of commenters have noted, that John Rothmann hasn't landed a permanent position at NewsTalk 910. Rothmann, as I have noted numerous times here, is a brilliant, informed, astute and knowledgeable political analyst. No matter what side of the aisle you're on.

Rothmann is no-nonsense. A deep thinker with a wealth of ideas on the Middle East, politics, Presidential history and a great interviewer. Even better, he's honest to his dedicated listeners and doesn't yell or scream or have to pander to people by shouting or using inane sound effects.

Rothmann reminds me a lot of KQED's Michael Krasny, himself a quality broadcaster who also provides a sophisticated Bay Area audience with intelligent radio and first-rate guests. There's a market here for that type of content, believe it or not.

Here's hoping Rothmann can get a gig soon and I do believe he will.

*Some of you have written comments; including a well-known, part-timer broadcaster and full-time lawyer, that have strayed far from the first topic at hand. I appreciate the passion and dedication, but it serves no purpose other than constant bickering and attacks. I'm not signaling out anybody or anyone in particular, but frankly, some of it gets juvenile and therefore, I have deleted a lot of the comments.

I have no issues with passionate comments and criticizing various people or individuals but keep it central to the topic and most importantly, keep it civil. Believe me, the last few weeks I've had, most of it is really trivial anyway. Don't sweat the small stuff. Trust me.

*Finally, again, I want to thank ALL of you who have sent get-well wishes to my Mom. She's doing better but faces a tough road ahead but that's OK, Mom is tough. And really, you don't know how much it helps to hear from you.

*By the way, nurses are great. Nurses are heroes and deserve all the money in the world. Without nurses, we're all mush. Just my two cents.

Have a very safe, healthy, and happy Easter.

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Rothmann and Baxter also dismissed from NewsTalk 910; Update: Both will continue to Fill in; Baxter Statement

Add John Rothmann and Ed Baxter to the list of those dismissed by Clear Channel's NewsTalk 910.

Rothmann, whose astute political commentaries has made him a Bay Area radio favorite, will continue to fill in for Gil Gross, (3-7 PM, M-F) and still function as the station's political analyst. Gross' added hour was made possible by Len Tillem's firing on Thursday.

"I'm disappointed, but this will not be my last rodeo, " Rothmann told me, "I'm going to still pursue a full-time radio position in the Bay Area." Rothmann confided to me that he had an offer from a station out of the market but isn't interested in leaving San Francisco. Rothmann is married and has one son in college and another in high school.

Clear Channel's financial problems have been the talk of the industry as it faces several debt issues confronting it in the coming years.

UPDATE: 12: 49 PM PT:

Just received this e-mail from Ed Baxter:

For me now, this is a very small part of my business.  I enjoyed having  my "Making Sense" commentaries on their air, but I had been doing the podcasts and posting them on my website  EdBaxterMedia.com for months before they asked if they could use them.   I just wrote two more today...one is up, the other will go up later.  Management has  pulled what it views as features and wants to streamline.  They have told me they want me to continue filling in.  I love the News/Talk format and wish for its success where it still exists....

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Len Tillem, The 'Loyah' let go by ClearChannel

I just got off the phone with Len Tillem.

He's been let go at NewsTalk 910, (ClearChannel).

As usual, all these moves were budget-related. ClearChannel is going through a myriad of financial issues. They have no money, in essence.

This is no last hurrah for Tillem; he told me he plans to institute some form of podcast(s) and that might be accelerated by a local station or two. I will get the info out just as soon as I learn the details.

Tillem is going to e-mail me a statement later today and I will post it.

Inauguration Day 2013; John Rothmann on the Radio Show; Congratulations SF 49ers

Inauguration Day in Washington.

The Obama second term.  Politics and the Presidency is the topic of the day, (along with a certain football team from San Francisco).

I can't think of a better person to have on the radio show today than political analyst and renowned presidential historian, John Rothmann.

Rothmann will be my guest on both KSCO/KOMY from 12-2 PM PT, live, with analysis and commentary on President Obama's speech, his second term goals, and politics in general. Is there really something to the "second-term curse?" I'll ask Rothmann.

To listen live click here

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