Airwaves: December 23, 2011
Readers Revenge
Last week’s coverage of real and potential changes at KABC (790
AM) brought in more emails than any single topic in a long time. It appears
you are passionate about talk radio and, perhaps, have a fondness for KABC
dating back to their past record-setting ratings in the era dominated by Ken
and Bob, Michael Jackson, Ray Briem and others. It was KABC
that proved a full-time talk station could succeed; it was more recently that
the station proved living on past glories and syndicated fare will not attract
listeners. The following are some of your comments:
Syd Rubenhold: “I've been a listener to KABC many years when Ken
Minyard and Michael Jackson were on. I like Doug McIntyre and Peter Tilden
equally even though Doug is right of center but at least he's not an idealogue.
I agree with you that Sean Hannity and Mark Levin should be dropped. I would
like to hear a mix of views from the whole political spectrum.”
S. Boren: “I think KABC should have a mixture of talk and music
and see which gets the higher ratings. I do not understand folks that call
into talk radio shows ... the messages are ALWAYS the same; if they need therapy
go to a therapist!”
Woodie McBride: “I adore radio and boy! do I wish you ran KABC.
Terrific suggestions all. Sorry to hear about Peter Tilden leaving his current
slot. He's been getting me to work every morning since Mister Misinformation
on KFI (640 AM) became unlistenable. The sharp, humorous Terri-Rae Elmer is
the primary reason to tune in to John & Ken at all -- one can only take
just so much of Kobylt's angry bloviations and Cunning Dental ad spots about
bleeding, pus-filled gums. Yecch. It will be lovely to hear Ms. Elmer's infectious
giggle on KABC before the sun comes up.”
Ellen V: “I am really excited that Doug is returning to morning
drive - nothing stirs the morning blood like an irate Doug demanding answers
from local politicians! You asked for suggestions - here are mine: See
if Michael Jackson would be interested in returning to radio. He was one of
the best talk show hosts KABC had. They should continue with talk - take a
page from KFI - they should focus more on news, weather, sports besides
traffic - especially in the mornings. The two minute segments for national
news is terrible given the fact that people tune in on the hour to learn the
latest.”
RD (Sherman Oaks): Are you kidding me? You want to take Hannity and
Levin off the air in an election year? Even a big lib like you should know
better than that. Wise up.”
Richard Barnicki (Rancho Palos Verdes): “As a listener to
KABC since the Ray Briem years, KABC is definitely not
what it used to be. At times I've had to stop and think about whether
I had dialed in 790 AM or not. Now with digital radio tuning
everywhere, I now know for sure that I'm tuned precisely. Sadly, that
leaves me on the weekend, overnight, tuned into a KABC infomercial
where public airtime is used to hawk potions, cures, and schemes,
and that's the entire program. So how about KABC airing actual, real programming
all the time, 24/7, news or talk.”
Rick Petitfils (Calabasas Hills): “I agree with your assessment
of KABC programming during the middle of the day. Hannity and Levin are boring
and I am a conservative! I like Geraldo. Maybe from 12-3 you could get Dennis
Miller. I also believe Bill Wattenberg (fired from KGO) would be a great asset
on weekends. 3-7 is a tough one you have to compete against John and Ken on
KFI. I only listen to KABC for the Redeye show and on Sunday to Leon (Motorman)
Kaplan. Keep up the great columns maybe you could be a guest on McIntyre's
new show next year.”
Alan Wolfe (Canoga Park): “The line-up of hosts on KABC needs
to be reworked and the station needs to bring in other personalities to broaden listener
appeal. Doug will be a welcome addition to the morning time slot. Larry Elder
needs to move back to his afternoon drive time and have the same type of show
he had when he was the only person we would listen to at that time. Sean and
Mark need to go because their shows do not capture listener input. Their telephone
calls are always softball questions from people that always have something
nice to say about them. Dump the network news feed. Give (programmer)Jack
Silver full control and let him succeed or fail but let him do something
without the owners telling him what to do. Corporate control does not work.
One last suggestion. Since the station is now owned by Cumulus Media, how about
changing the call letters to disassociate the station from ABC?”
Quick Takes
Want something different in your holiday music selection? Go to www.JazzKNOB.org (dedicated
to the old KNOB/Long Beach of the 1950s and ‘60s) beginning at
6 PM Saturday December 24th. it’s 30 hours of commercial free music spiced
with a reading of the classic “Night Before Christmas” by late LA
jazz radio personality Chuck Niles.
The Fish (95.9 FM) personality Lara Scott will broadcast live
December 31st from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Irvine’s Orange County Great Park’s
first-ever family New Year’s Eve party. The event itself runs from 5 to
9:30 PM and will feature live music and dancing, rides, food and activities
for kids and adults of all ages in a safe, alcohol-free environment. Free admission,
$10 parking at 6990 Marine Way in Irvine.
And finally, you are the reason for this column. Thank you for reading it;
I wish you and your family the best for the holiday season!
///
Copyright © 2011 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
To subscribe to The Daily Breeze, call (310) 540-5511