A Personal Message from Michael Zwerling; Owner of KSCO/KOMY Radio and CEO ZBS Inc



Michael Zwerling

 

You could have knocked me over with a feather when Rich Lieberman invited me to pen a guest column for his ever-growing 415 Media blog.

 

"Wow, what an honor", I thought to myself.  Now I have a chance to talk directly with his audience, however large -- or small-- it is.  But what do I want to say to his audience? 

 

Shucks, I don't know; maybe I should just relate my thoughts about why I think Rich is a diamond-in-the-rough, brilliant talent poised to blast off to true celebrity status if only someone could find his fuse and light it...

 

I've been trying to do just that for the more than two years since I become acquainted with Rich, but have yet to succeed.  Could my premise be wrong?  Most of my staff at KSCO/KOMY/ZBS think so.  For the life of them, they cannot understand what I see in Rich.

 

Well, for starters, he is very intelligent, very eloquent, very well-read, very dynamic, very commanding, very affable, very articulate, very well-rounded, very clever, very funny, very rude, very crude, very low class, very self-deprecating, very introspective, very confident and very insecure (huh?-how is THAT possible??) and very many other, often conflicting things.

 

Rich is the ULTIMATE enig-man; and there MUST BE a way for him to cash in on that prominence!

 

I've been yammering at him almost since day one to do what I do to successfully fund my media operation; KSCO/KOMY/ZBS.  I leverage my audience, not by "renting it to advertisers" although we certainly do that; but rather to educate the audience about the importance of nutrition over prescription drugs to achieve and maintain optimal health and longevity -- and hopefully influence them to get on the high quality supplement program we support and promote-- thereby generating a compounding monthly residual revenue stream that enables us to "support our independent media habit."

 

But maybe I have put the cart before the horse.  Rich is fat and not very healthy.  We have to make him a believer first by getting him on our program and for him to experience firsthand the success of weight loss and increase in his overall health and well-being.  He recently told me he's ready to get serious about losing weight and getting healthy.

We'll see...

 

I believe that if Rich keeps growing his 415 Media blog, and adds the dimension of interactive audio (ideally VIDEO) it's possible that he can become a modern day Herb Caen (the beloved "Mr. San Francisco" columnist of the San Francisco Chronicle for nearly six decades -- people would KILL to be mentioned in his column)

 

We at KSCO/KOMY/ZBS hope to assist Rich in broadening his media presence by integrating an on-demand talk-radio component to his existing blog -- that way he will be able to do his radio program on HIS schedule, when he wants, just as he has always done his blog posts, while his listeners will be able to hear him at the same convenient place they now read him: also on THEIR schedule!

To those of you in the media industry who read and use this blog, please join me in saluting, supporting, and celebrating Rich Lieberman, this unique character who loves to read, loves to opine, and TRULY loves his mom (you have to love HIM for that alone! :-), who works tirelessly to bring it to us daily, and who has single-handily created his own unique medium to fill a niche void when no other outlet could or would.  Oh yeah -- and donate to the 415 Media Blog.  You'll feel good you did!

To those Anonymous cowards out there who take bizarre pleasure in trying to tear Rich down by throwing the rock and hiding the hand:  seriously now, get a life or at least grow the balls to own up to your toxic negative comments by identifying yourself.  Or better yet, go out and create something of value to others, as Rich has done!  Oh yeah -- and donate to the 415 Media Blog.  You ESPECIALLY will feel good you did!

Here’s to you, Rich Lieberman.  Keep up the GREAT work!

Michael L. Zwerling
Owner, KSCO NewsTalk AM 1080
Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz-San Jose

Statement from Michael Zwerling of KSCO Radio About a Certain Media Blogger And The Future

 This may or may not be BIG news...(Either way, the blog will remain).

Michael Zwerling is the owner of KSCO Radio and sent this notice out.

Be sure to tune in his "Saturday Special" from 10 AM-Noon Saturday, (duh!) to hear the skinny.

Here's Zwerling's Statement:

On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of KSCO's birth, KSCO will present a frank discussion of a major programming change we have in store for our listeners.

We have engaged the services of a high-priced consultant who's knowledge, regard, and SUCCESS in the radio industry is UNPARALLELLED!

This man KNOWS what audiences want and what makes great stations great-- and he has written a prescription for a MASSIVE OVERHAUL of your favorite radio station.

Phase one of the massive overhaul, the installation of a bright new future radio superstar Rich Lieberman as a five day a week anchor talent on KSCO, is at hand, and should take place shortly.

We realize that this will be upsetting to some of our loyal listeners, however, the high-priced consultant has spoken and far be it from us to question his judgement.  Besides, why waste all the money by NOT taking his EXCELLENT advice?

Who will Rich Lieberman replace?  Rosie and Rick? Rush?  Ethan?  What's Left?  Charley and Dave?  Find out on the next KSCO Special this Saturday 10 AM to 12 Noon, right here on sometimes we have to go through childbirth-grade pain to get to where we want to be and put smiles on more faces radio AM 1080 KSCO.

 

Listen to the KSCO promo : http://dev.ksco.got.net/podcasts/122consultant.mp3

Michael L. Zwerling
Owner, KSCO NewsTalk AM 1080
Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz-San Jose

122consultant.mp3

KTVU's Somerville Joins Me Live on KSCO/KOMY Radio To Talk About SFO Jetliner Crash Media Coverage; Updated: Sal Castenada and NBC BA's Raj Mathai Also on Program

One of the very best anchors in town...KTVU's lead anchor, Frank Somerville, who began working in studio moments after the Asiana 777 jetliner crash-landed at SFO and who did some stellar anchoring for eight straight hours, will be my guest on radio, today, from 1-1: 30 PM.

Here's the link to listening live or later, (a podcast will be up a few hours after the show).

UPDATE: Both Sal Castenada and NBC Bay Area's Raj Mathai will also appear on the program; Castenada, 1: 30-2PM and Mathai, from 2-2: 30 PM.

We will discuss the media coverage of the story and take your questions and comments.

*Follow me on Twitter

NBC Bay Area's Raj Mathai and Warriors Radio Tonsil Tim Roye on my KSCO/KOMY Radio Show Today

On my radio show today:

1-1: 20: Raj Mathai, lead anchor at KNTV, (NBC BAY AREA)

2-2: 30: Tim Roye, radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Golden State Warriors.

**To listen LIVE: click here or catch the podcast on demand by clicking on the streaming audio link.

**Follow me on Twitter

Old-Fashioned Radio in the SF Bay Area; MZ and a Passion for the Future; Oh, and Respect for the Listeners

Remember the old KFRC?

The 'Big 610?"

Dr. Don, Bobby Ocean, Bill Lee, Marvelous Mark, Don St. John, Bam!

I loved Dr. Don, (San -RAQUEL!")

Let's retreat from 1976 and concentrate on Today, shall we?

Those of you that miss talk-radio in the Bay Area; those of you that have an insatiable love of genuine conversation with host and caller; those that miss the idea of an audio-broadcast bar to commiserate, to celebrate, to vent and to rage, I do believe all of you have hope. Listen to me.

There's this maverick businessman out there. You'll have to excuse me because I'm biased here. He's a close friend. His name is Michael Zwerling. "MZ", as he's known to his friends, is a broadcast impresario. Among other businesses he oversees, he has a love for the radio business when radio meant something, particularly local, independent, original radio that has a pulse and that listens, that covets, that respects its core audience: its Listeners.

Recently, I asked MZ about the idea of acquiring a San Francisco radio frequency. He told me that he has a grand vision. Keep in mind that MZ already owns KSCO and KOMY Radio in the Santa Cruz-Monterrey Bay Area. He also has several vested business interests in SF too. So, what about radio in SF? I asked him point blank if he had the resources to nail down a Bay Area frequency.

MZ told me that if he wanted something he could apply himself to "do anything." I believe him. In fact, I'd go as far to say that I think MZ has a plan in his head that transcends a mere new, exciting radio station in the SF Bay Area--I can't speculate specifics yet because, A. I don't want to jinx, and B. I don't know the full-scale business model of radio but I also know he's on to something and has a passion for the craft.

Let me know what you feel. Tell me, all of you, including the ex-KGO legion, how you feel about vintage radio; the radio you looked forward to and that you could trust and respect and have adulation for your favorite host and hostess? Give me your thoughts. More importantly, tell me how you'd love to have YOUR radio station back.

*Follow me on Twitter

*Be sure to listen to me today on my radio show on KSCO/KOMY from 1-4 PM PT--we'll discuss all of this and I invite you to call in and/or listen. The phone number is 831-477-1340.

Broadcast Maverick, Michael Zwerling, Has Sights set on Bay Area Radio Frequency; Talk Radio Format on his Radar

In the 17.5 months since quality live and local TalkRadio all but died in the Bay Area NOTHING has been done to revive it.  On the contrary, it has gotten even worse: example: dropping of Len Tillem (John Rothmann?) and other local voices by Clear Channel's KKSF AM 910.

Killing quality local programming seems to be the trend at Clear Channel -- recently veteran broadcaster Mark Carbonaro's very popular 6A to 9A morning drive program was dropped by KION AM 1460 Salinas-Monterey-Santa Cruz and replaced by Armstrong & Getty from Clear Channel's Sacramento outlet, also carried on KKSF AM 910.

Over the weekend the San Jose Mercury News published an interesting story about Family Radio, Inc. the Oakland-based, donation-supported religious broadcaster that owns radio stations, translators, and shortwave outlets throughout the country, including locally, KEAR AM 610, the old KFRC (Dr. Don Rose, etc.)

It seems that donations to that radio ministry are down significantly as a result of a sluggish economy AND fallout from repeated predictions of impending Rapture (end of the world) dates which failed to materialize.

As I read this Mercury News story (see it at http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_23224368/end-world-oaklands-family-radio ) I could not stop thinking about how GREAT it would be if somehow, some way, some TIME soon, this channel could be tapped to reinstate ( perhaps more appropriately, "resurrect" in this case :-) quality LIVE AND LOCAL talk radio in the Bay Area.

Then I thought about Michael Zwerling, "MZ", the major sponsor of this blog, and the owner of KSCO AM 1080 and KOMY AM 1340, the Monterey Bay stations that originate the Lieberman Live daily three hour talk show.

Last month I wrote a story about MZ ( http://richliebermanreport.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-i-got-current-kscokomy-radio-gig.html ) planning to bring independent (non-corporate) talk radio back to the Bay Area.  But that story wasn't up for fifteen minutes before the Boston Bombing mega-story hit, so a story that is particularly meaningful to me and many other talk radio enthusiasts -- pretty much got buried...

I have encouraged MZ to follow his dream of establishing his brand of talk radio in 415 -- as well as in 510, 925, 707, 650, and 408!

He says any frequency will do, AM or FM, so long as it has a strong signal into San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Marin, and the peninsula.  Concord, Walnut Creek, and Martinez would be a plus.  

He will buy from, lease from, or partner with an operator who wants their channel to perform better.

MZ is a pretty clever and creative guy.  Herewith I re-offer the audio red meat I put forth in the April 15 post:  Attention Bay Area radio broadcast operators who are tired of swimming upstream in a business that is going south fast:  Make a deal with MZ: he GETS IT -- and knows how to turn negatives into positives--AND put smiles on many faces.  



*Follow me on Twitter

So Damon Bruce Rips Me and Gary Radnich? OK, I'll Have to Bite; Friday Chatter

Oh, do I have to react to La Damon? Of course.

On Thursday in my notes blog, I made a reference to KNBR's Damon Bruce.

Bruce went all gonzo and called me and indicated he was outraged. OK, fine, aren't we all. The World is outraged too, seems we all have issues. Ain't life a bitch?

Let's address Damon's beef and go at it full throttle.


This blog is not for everyone. It is my space and vehicle where I give my opinion on Bay Area media, people, stations, radio/TV and I have an audience of people who look forward to and expect me to give an honest take on the various characters here.

I don't always rip. I occasionally praise. Frequently most people get both ripped and praised. Most of the people in the biz get it when I opine and every now and then throw a dart. Some are even smart enough to know that being darted isn't life and death. There's already enough shit and mayhem in the world to go around and my opinion about a few of the working masses here is pretty much tame compared to the calamity currently taking place around us. Just talk to the people in Cleveland and Newtown and Boston--think they have issues?

On many occasions, I have praised Damon. I think Damon is a gifted sports radio talent and still think so but, like me, Damon has occasional thin skin. That's OK, he's human. And he IS talented and he does stand out in a market that is full of a bunch of din-witted, boorish nincompoops that are in their sunset years working with an assorted mass of lightweights and beige wallpaper.

One thing Damon has to learn is that I'm not his publicist. It's perfectly his right to cherry-pick a mostly, tongue-in-cheek  item among other items on a relatively tame list of darts. I don't owe him a thing and even if his outburst on radio was lapped up by a sage Bay Area Sports media guy, fine, so be it. Frankly, yes, I love, wait, I'm cackling over all this attention and hell yes, you wanna give me a ten-minute commercial, Damon, (and subsequent ancillary media, fine, go ahead--make my day.)


Damon referenced The Radu and the fact he doesn't like him. I don't dislike the great Radu I only have called him out, UP FRONT, not hiding behind my computer. If Damon has issues, his real beef is with the bloated one, that, I'll agree with him on.

I wrote, tongue-and-cheek, that it's best not to confront the Radu. The Radu has an insecurity problem and really is paranoid that Bruce will eventually take his seat. That remains to be seen but I will say this and hear me out.

Radu is a schmuck. He's a bully and he takes a lot of shots at people without mentioning their names. He knows, like I know, that a bulk of the Bay Area media peeps don't particulary care for him and would love to get in his face and tell him so but are intimidated by his presence here even though his influence and cachet have disappeared into the bucket as fast a Steph Curry 30-foot shot above the arc.

Raddy is a clown. Quote me. He used to be relevant back when Bill Clinton was president almost twenty years ago. I'll give him credit for having to work with Fred and Ethel so he can bring home a paycheck for his overhead. The TV gig, which he calls his "Buster Brown" gig, he's still good at that as long as the mood is good, but that's not the point here.

What is the point is that I will continue to say what I say. I will continue to dish it out, unfiltered, unedited, and you like it? Great, if not, fine, I don't like strawberry ice cream, everyone has different tastes.


Damon, go get 'em. But you're not Willie Mays yet and most likely, never will be. Keep doing what you're doing and I'll keep doing, (God willing), what I'm doing. And let the Radu prance on before his next insecurity act which is beckoning.

Funny, he, (The Radu), sounded noticeably withdrawn today. Maybe he got orders from the Hammer time to chill.

Follow me on Twitter and listen to me Monday-Friday on KSCO/KOMY and KMPH 840 in Modesto and Fresno from 1-4 PM. I will most likely address this later today on the radio.

How I got the KSCO/KOMY Radio Gig; Could the 'Old KGO' Brand return to Bay Area Radio Airwaves?' Broadcast Pioneer Zwerling has Sights set on SF Market; Media Rundown Special

Let's talk about a significant moment in Bay Area radio broadcast history. And better yet, let's talk about something in the future that might get a lot of people excited.

Me especially and probably many thousands like you that never forget and long for the good old days when an iconic station was hijacked by a bunch of corporate raiders who didn't know about a huge legacy station beloved by an entire region.

Most will agree with me that December 1, 2011 was the day talk radio died in the Bay Area.  That was the day Cumulus Media sent corporate hacks into 900 Front Street SF to put a bullet in the head of the longest-standing, most successful commercial US news/talk radio station of all time. 

The unexpected and incredibly disrespectful firing of KGO hosts John Rothmann, Ray Taliaferro, Gil Gross, Len Tillem, and Bill Wattenburg in an attempt to compete with KCBS in an all-news format was stupid stupid stupid, and the proof is in the pudding: KGO's ratings are now less than half of what they were the day they killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

But KGO's loss became KSCO's gain.  Michael Zwerling, the eccentric 61 year-old owner of the 10,000 watt, Santa Cruz-based independent talker actually went on the air with a promo BLASTING Cumulus for the decision He knew would immediately result in a huge increase in listeners for his own station.  (Full Disclosure: I'm a talk-show host at KSCO).

Click http://ksco.got.net/podcasts/122invitation.mp3 to HEAR that promo  

Click http://ksco.com/a-special-message-to-kgo-listeners to READ that promo and comments from listeners) 

Why would Zwerling do that?  

"Because you don't shit on loyal people, the hosts AND the audience, who made you what you are", he said in typical MZ mince-no-words style.

It was as a result of the KGO meltdown that I became acquainted with MZ and his AM talk radio duopoly (KSCO AM 1080 and 1KW KOMY AM 1340) operation.  He had me on his Saturday Special and several other programs to talk about the KGO drama.  He reached out to Wattenburg, Rothmann, and other hosts to appear on interviews and to host shows.

He reached out to ME to encourage me to add a live news/talk radio dimension to my growing 415 Media blog.

When I visited KSCO I was amazed to see a family of secure, happy people, some of whom have been with the station for many decades.

MZ says, "If I can't have a station with a heart and a soul and a personality that SERVES its community rather than RAPES it, then I don't want to be in the business; I'll find something else to do."

The more I observe KSCO, KOMY, MZ, his staff, and audience, the more convinced I am that the Bay Area could benefit immensely from and would SURELY embrace a true "voice for everyone" talk radio station run  by Michael Zwerling.

Zwerling wants to bring a little of the old KGO back to the Bay Area. He has the means, both financial and practical. He's the ultimate business purveyor with a keen sight on coming into the SF market. Am I being a bit self-serving? No. I'm just telling you the truth. Per that feeling, I'm going to throw out a nice piece of audio red meat.

I urge any owner (or even lessee) of an under-performing Bay Area AM or FM broadcast station to contact MZ, email mz@ksco.com, and make a deal with him.

Like Mickey Luckoff and Jack Swanson, MZ "gets it" and he has the resources. Seriously.

Bay area radio will be all the better for it.


*Follow me on Twitter and LISTEN to me Monday-Friday on "The Rich Lieberman Show" from 1-4 PM PT LIVE on KSCO/KOMY, (click on the streaming audio site and podcasts are available).


*Tips-E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com

ADVERTISE on 415 MEDIA: The Bay Area's #1-read media blog: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com --Reasonable rates; great demos with over 300K documented monthly page views.

The Lost Culture and Why Everything is Garbage; Today on KSCO/KOMY; Or Haven't You Noticed?

I'll embellish and if you'd care to chime in, agree, disagree, I'm all ears...mouth too.

My thoughts begin at 1 PM and we'll end at 4 here on the radio show. Click on the streaming audio link. To call in and participate, bitch, moan, groan, kvetch and all: 831-477-1340. Oh, you want to debate too? Bring it on.

*Follow me on Twitter

Radio Blockbuster Friday; Joe Starkey on US Miracle on Ice; Dr. Bart Rossi on Oscar Pistorius and FishBowl LA's Richard Horgan on the Oscars



Joe Starkey

On my KSCO/KOMY Radio Show Today:

Joe Starkey called the last 10 minutes live on KGO from the Lake Placid Arena as the USA beat the Russian Hockey team 33 years ago today...Starkey recounts that incredible game today from 3-3: 40 PM PT...

Straight up at 1 PM: Dr. Bart Rossi, the nation's preeminent political psychologist--we discuss the Oscar Pistorius story and serial killers...

And finally, from 2-2: 2: 40: Richard Horgan, editor of FishBowl LA on the Oscars.

To Call In: 831-477-1340

*The 'Rich Lieberman Show' is on KSCO/KOMY every Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM PT.

*Follow me on Twitter and Facebook

*Tips/E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com

The Real King of SF Media? Me

I've been invited to a pajama pillow party Thursday night, (tonight). Lots of very beautiful young media, PR, and business ladies will be there.

They called me first and insisted that I make it. Stand in line, ladies.

Seems everyone wants a piece of me. Why? Hello. You are looking at the SF King of All Media. The empire is being built. And I'm at the top of the hill.

You all who were here first at the kingdom? Didn't imagine you'd be witness to what has transpired, eh? I'm not stopping either. We've only just begun. I can't tell you all the details yet, but we are negotiating with the truly heavy hitters who acknowledge the greatness that is me and 415 Media. Radio Show? Ha! Satellite? (Oh Nellie!) TV? Get outta here!

I'm not boasting because I already knew. The posers are still out there. They underestimated me and when the chips fall, they'll be the last to be conquered. "Big Vinny"--"you da Man!" Damn right I am and just you wait 'cause you ain't seen nothing yet.

Stay tuned.

*Follow me, minions, on Twitter, and listen to me every Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM PT on KSCO/KOMY

A Free-Thinking 'Lib-er-al' has Issues with Barack Obama

One of the many things I've posted here is the repetitious, predictable offerings of some of the President's most frequent critics on radio...Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, and Sean Hannity. I've left out a few others, but you get my point.

I'm not a conservative. More a deep thinker and tend to be independent. I'm more center-left, but I like to look at all the issues and make my judgements based on certain events and circumstances, accordingly.

In other words, I'd like to dare say, I'm more or less supportive or critical and am not a he-can-do-no-wrong advocate for Barack Obama.

This hasn't been a good weekend for the POTUS. And more to the point, his advisers have to do better. A whole lot better. And I'm no GOP operative or strategist. In fact, I voted for Obama, twice.


*Follow me on Twitter

The Perils of being a Radio Talk-Show Host and how the Gun Issue has become useless Fodder

I just let loose on my radio talk show Tuesday only some very cruel irony took place and therefore sabotaged my intial plans to discuss anything except guns.

I've come to the conclusion that the so-called "gun-control" debate has become the radio talk-show equivalent of the abortion debate. Both sides on each subject are dug in and there's really no in-between. It's black and white and absolutely no gray area.

So, like other hosts, I hate talking about guns. It's lazy. Now do I believe there needs to be some sort of legislation, maybe longer background checks, more oversight, perhaps strengthening our mental health curriculum? Yes and then some. Something. Anything is better than the status quo but talking about it on the radio I wanted nothing to do with it--like I said, it's become wasteful and I'm sick of it. Gimmick radio.

Then shortly before I went on the air, another campus shooting took place in Houston. Just another day in America. Fortunately, no fatalities, just a few wounded.

I immediately ditched my idea not to talk about the "gun issue" because at the time I went on the air, the situation in Houston was still fluid and was being carried by all the cable outlets. I thought it would be foolish to ignore what was happening, again, at a campus in America, although nowhere near the magnitude of Newtown, fortunately; nevertheless, another gun-related incident that seems to be a near -weekly/monthly phenomenon.

So I opened the show and the lines were jammed. I explained to the audience my predicament, gave updates to what was transpiring in Houston and got to the callers. As usual, the same old tired talking points resurfaced. Dumb, stupid and inane analogies that have existed, it seems, forever, reappeared.

One caller went to the old-reliable: "well, you know, car accidents kill a lot of people--'should we outlaw cars?" I went ballistic. Then the "banning guns ain't gonna work--then only the criminals will have the guns." Yada, yada, yada and old dummy me fell for it. Like I had a choice? One female yahoo then went to the Hitler/tyrant card by piously stating when the GOVERNMENT starts confiscating the guns, the tyrants will then invade our homes and the world will end. Again, I fell for it and proceeded to tell some of these people how goofy they are--just like the topic itself has become and talking about it on radio, (and in other mediums for that matter), is like having a psychic on the air. It's now firmly gimmick radio. There's no use to discuss it.

I got sucked in Tuesday but at least I had an excuse. No more. I'm done. And just another day in America.

*Follow me on Twitter

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

Follow me on Twitter

Stan Bunger Clarification; Fitz on TV better than Fitz on Radio; Randy Hahn; Carolyn Johnson; Mick LaSalle; Sunday Coffee Media Notes

SUNDAY COFFFE NOTES

Note to KCBS morning anchor, Stan Bunger: using the term, "slipping" wasn't meant as a knock; in fact, to address a reader who was rightfully ticked that I insulted Bunger, but really did not: I was actually complimenting him. Specifically, his banter work with Phil Matier and Willie Brown and John Madden.

Even the best occasionally slip. The greatest hitters in baseball who fail seven out of ten times make the Hall of Fame. Bunger hasn't really slipped but stumbles every now and then. It's OK. But a knock that seemed like an insult was not a knock. I hope we can all sleep now.

*On NBC's "Meet the Press", Sunday, panelists used the phrase, "At the end of the day" about 23 times. That's not good.

*As terrible a talk-show host on KNBR as he is, and he is, Bob Fitzgerald is actually a very good, candid, qualified, and yes, frankly entertaining and informative TV PBP broadcaster on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

After a healthy dose of NFL playoffs viewing Saturday night, I watched the Warriors annihilation by the LA Clippers. The whole game, in fact. Fitzgerald made cogent points, (with good help by underrated analyst, Jim Barnett). Fitzgerald knows his stuff and is often quite accurate on the nexus of various games. And better yet, his personality, unlike the smarmy, petulant and arrogant toad he is on radio, isn't anything indicative of his Knibber habits. Bottom line: "Fitz" is a better fit for TV--radio host not so good and we've noted that many times here. And so have you other Flunkster dudedetts.

*Timing is everything: The NHL, for those of you that care, reached a deal with its locked-out players early Sunday, and will play a condensed season Jan. 19. Locally, that means the San Jose Sharks will begin pucking the ice...More importantly, one of my favorite broadcasters, Randy Hahn, (he and color analyst, Drew Remenda), will begin broadcasting on Comcast...and Hahn will guest on my radio show on Monday from 1: 30 - 2 PM PT. Please listen and participate.

*A million times worth repeating: If you're going to take shots at me, fine, do so, but step to the plate, as I do and ID yourself. The basis of this site, from time to time, is that I rip people. Occasionally I do and that's why many of you come here. But when I do rip, I'm not HIDING under some fake name or obvious pseudonym--it's ME and me only. Don't use your staff workers, your interns, to take shots. You wanna take shots, go ahead and make my day, but have the pair to come forward. Like I do.

*Monday on radio:

Carolyn Johnson from ABC7/KGO-TV
Mick LaSalle from the SF Chronicle
Randy Hahn from SJ Sharks/Comcast Sports

The Rich Lieberman Show airs Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM PT and is Live. Podcasts available. You can access the show on the Internet via the web page here. Just scroll down and click on the streaming live mark or by clicking on the KOMY link at the very top of the blog here on the right.

*DONATIONS to 415 Media are appreciated: Click on the paypal site on the right and help support the Bay Area's only 24/7 media blog. Any amount is welcome and you do not have to have a paypal account to make a donation. Thank you.

*Follow me on Twitter

KPIX Moves; Stan Bunger and John Madden; Matier and Willie Brown; Have you heard this before? 95.7 FM is in Trouble; KGO-TV's Carolyn Johnson is the First Guest on Lieberman Radio Show Monday; Friday Buzz

New KPIX GM, Bruno Cohen, hasn't made any significant moves since he took over at the local SF O and O, but if a few sources are correct, expect something down the pike. The password is "sports." And keep in mind that the corporate people in NY in charge of the money have been doing a lot of cutting to people who make too much money.

By the way, there are those who insist to me that the current news boss should keep his resume updated.

*KCBS' Stan Bunger: just when you think he's slipping a bit, you get a dose of Bunger at his best, like on Friday morning...lobbing some good openers for John Madden and making the most of Matier and Willie Brown interesting when time interferes. Speaking of which, when it's obvious that there's really little, if any traffic this week, (which is the case), do we always needs a traffic update every 10 minutes? More Madden, less traffic. Every now and then it makes sense.

*An industry wag with about 30+ years in the biz tells me 95.7 FM The Game is in trouble. We've been down this road before haven't we? The wag offers this: "Listen to their ads--mostly all are national spots. Very little local box retail." He went further: "The A's, (the all-sports flagship station carries them), have begun looking for another station after next year." Plus this: "when you can never get a '1-rating and you have a weak signal it's a problem."

*No, I'm not going to suddenly tame down the critique on this site just because I'm about to do a daily talk show. If you'll notice, naysayers, trolls, the guests have been A-rate, some of whom I've been more critical than others, (see: Dan Ashley and Ralph Barbieri). There's a reason why they do the show: Because, like it or not, I'm a damn good interviewer and my show has staying power and will only get better. That's not chest-bumping, just the facts. Deal with it.

*Speaking of the radio show, the first guest to lead us off on Monday is KGO-TV's Carolyn Johnson, straight up at 1 PM PT. If you can't listen live, podcasts will be up the next day.

*Dear KRON: A source close to veteran newsman, Tom Sinkovitz, tells me he would be willing to come back and work with Pam Moore and/or Catherine Heenan and Gary Radnich. And money probably wouldn't be an issue. Food for thought.

*Raj Mathai and Janelle Wang on KNTV, (NBC Bay Area): an acquired taste that is getting much better with time.

*Follow me on Twitter