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Jimmy Failla replaces John Batchelor weeknights on WOR

R

rickydradio

I can't believe nobody has posted about this. While I am not a fan of John Batchelor, he was a NY legend for about 25 years between WABC and WOR. Obviously being 77 has its disadvantages. I met Jimmy Failla after a comedy show at a casino he did in Pennsylvania with Kennedy. While Jimmy was very nice and humble, Kennedy stole the show. If you get the chance to see her, I highly recommend it. I have not heard Jimmy's radio show, but I watch his show on Fox News. He does a great job. Obviously, like Richard Neer, down with the seniors and up with the "New Kids on the Block" who work cheaper. Happy to see Jimmy get even more national attention, but hate to see Batchelor not even being remembered.

I grew up on Long Island from the mid 60's to the early 90's when I decided to go south young man to Atlanta where I spent a dozen years working in new talk radio behind the scenes and occasionally on the air; however, I always knew that was not my strength. Making talented hosts sound better, writing outrageous comedy bits and informing the public of breaking news was my passion. I grew up in Huntington where my mother made me listen to 740 AM, WGSM with Jim Ferguson and Vince Lipari. I then ventured to other stations and talent on my own including Bob Buckman on WBAB, Rambling with Gambling on WOR, Imus, Brink and Belzer, Soupy Sales and Howard Stern on wNbc which of course became WFAN where I was influenced by "Coleman and the Soul Man," "Mike and the Mad Dog, Steve Fredricks, Jody McDonald, Mike Breen, Howie Rose and Richard Neer, Harry Harrison started my morning on WABC followed by Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram only to give way to Ross and Wilson, Bob Grant, Art Rust Jr and Steve Chip Hobart on my commercial free summer on WAPP, the best radio news team on CBS News Radio 88, the sexiest voice on NY radio, Carol Miller on WPLJ and the Z Morning Zoo. These were my influences that would make my Atlanta radio career for a dozen years of success which lead to being considered for jobs at WABC, WOR and Fox News Radio. When it came to an end, my wife who is Atlanta raised didn't want to move so I became a regular employee in the job market.
 
rickydradio said:
I can't believe nobody has posted about this. While I am not a fan of John Batchelor, he was a NY legend for about 25 years between WABC and WOR. Obviously being 77 has its disadvantages. I met Jimmy Failla after a comedy show at a casino he did in Pennsylvania with Kennedy. While Jimmy was very nice and humble, Kennedy stole the show. If you get the chance to see her, I highly recommend it. I have not heard Jimmy's radio show, but I watch his show on Fox News. He does a great job. Obviously, like Richard Neer, down with the seniors and up with the "New Kids on the Block" who work cheaper. Happy to see Jimmy get even more national attention, but hate to see Batchelor not even being remembered.

I grew up on Long Island from the mid 60's to the early 90's when I decided to go south young man to Atlanta where I spent a dozen years working in new talk radio behind the scenes and occasionally on the air; however, I always knew that was not my strength. Making talented hosts sound better, writing outrageous comedy bits and informing the public of breaking news was my passion. I grew up in Huntington where my mother made me listen to 740 AM, WGSM with Jim Ferguson and Vince Lipari. I then ventured to other stations and talent on my own including Bob Buckman on WBAB, Rambling with Gambling on WOR, Imus, Brink and Belzer, Soupy Sales and Howard Stern on wNbc which of course became WFAN where I was influenced by "Coleman and the Soul Man," "Mike and the Mad Dog, Steve Fredricks, Jody McDonald, Mike Breen, Howie Rose and Richard Neer, Harry Harrison started my morning on WABC followed by Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram only to give way to Ross and Wilson, Bob Grant, Art Rust Jr and Steve Chip Hobart on my commercial free summer on WAPP, the best radio news team on CBS News Radio 88, the sexiest voice on NY radio, Carol Miller on WPLJ and the Z Morning Zoo. These were my influences that would make my Atlanta radio career for a dozen years of success which lead to being considered for jobs at WABC, WOR and Fox News Radio. When it came to an end, my wife who is Atlanta raised didn't want to move so I became a regular employee in the job market.
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I was streaming WOR recently and was surprised he was still on. He had previously been nationally syndicated and I had been under the impression he retired some time ago. Obviously, I was incorrect. Perhaps he just decided to retire? I agree that he had a notable career worthy of mention. Failla will be a worthy successor, I believe.
 
umfan said:
I was streaming WOR recently and was surprised he was still on. He had previously been nationally syndicated and I had been under the impression he retired some time ago. Obviously, I was incorrect. Perhaps he just decided to retire? I agree that he had a notable career worthy of mention.
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After he was canceled by WABC, Batchelor managed to get a syndication deal from CBS Radio. In fact, his show is called "CBS Eye on The World." As in the CBS logo "Eye".

CBS Radio doesn't have many syndicated radio shows. I think his is the only one that airs five nights a week. CBS has some weekend shows such as "Jill on Money" with CBS financial reporter Jill Schlesinger. There's "CBS Eye on Travel" with CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg. And there's "The Takeout" with Major Garrett. They don't have a lot of affiliates, mostly Audacy (formerly CBS)-owned Talk stations and CBS News Radio affiliates.

That 9pm to midnight time slot on WOR changes hands frequently. A few years ago, it aired Dave Ramsey, who is self-syndicated. Then Batchelor, syndicated by CBS Radio. Now it's "Fox Across America" with Jimmy Failla, syndicated by Fox News Radio. I don't know for sure, but maybe the syndicator pays for the time? Or gives it to WOR for free, so it can have a NYC affiliate? Just carry the network spots and we're good?
 
Gregg. said:
I don't know for sure, but maybe the syndicator pays for the time? Or gives it to WOR for free, so it can have a NYC affiliate? Just carry the network spots and we're good?
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Most radio network shows are "given" to stations in exchange for sharing some of the commercial time. In other words, a form of bartar.
 
davideduardo said:
Most radio network shows are "given" to stations in exchange for sharing some of the commercial time. In other words, a form of bartar.
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Quite true. However, for some reason I think Ramsey was pay to play on WOR because he needed a NYC affiliate. And at the time he was looking to impact the NYC market. My guess is that didn’t work out so well as at the time WOR was airing a lot of sports that ultimately pre-empted Ramsey’s show.
 
It just seems odd that WOR, owned by iHeart, goes looking for non-Premiere Network shows for that 9pm time slot. It has Glenn Beck, Armstrong & Getty, Michael Berry, all on the iHeart payroll, with commercials it would like to clear in Market #1. So unless WOR is getting some special benefit, financial or otherwise, from running an outside syndicator's show, why not run what you have available in-house?
 
I tried listening to Batchelor , he speaks well , the topics were initially refreshing.
But over time, he said the same thing over and over and i just had to give up.
Plus he mails it in, he records earlier in the day and in compartments and then someone stiches them up together creating the show.
 
rickydradio said:
I can't believe nobody has posted about this. While I am not a fan of John Batchelor, he was a NY legend for about 25 years between WABC and WOR. Obviously being 77 has its disadvantages. I met Jimmy Failla after a comedy show at a casino he did in Pennsylvania with Kennedy. While Jimmy was very nice and humble, Kennedy stole the show. If you get the chance to see her, I highly recommend it. I have not heard Jimmy's radio show, but I watch his show on Fox News. He does a great job. Obviously, like Richard Neer, down with the seniors and up with the "New Kids on the Block" who work cheaper. Happy to see Jimmy get even more national attention, but hate to see Batchelor not even being remembered.

I grew up on Long Island from the mid 60's to the early 90's when I decided to go south young man to Atlanta where I spent a dozen years working in new talk radio behind the scenes and occasionally on the air; however, I always knew that was not my strength. Making talented hosts sound better, writing outrageous comedy bits and informing the public of breaking news was my passion. I grew up in Huntington where my mother made me listen to 740 AM, WGSM with Jim Ferguson and Vince Lipari. I then ventured to other stations and talent on my own including Bob Buckman on WBAB, Rambling with Gambling on WOR, Imus, Brink and Belzer, Soupy Sales and Howard Stern on wNbc which of course became WFAN where I was influenced by "Coleman and the Soul Man," "Mike and the Mad Dog, Steve Fredricks, Jody McDonald, Mike Breen, Howie Rose and Richard Neer, Harry Harrison started my morning on WABC followed by Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram only to give way to Ross and Wilson, Bob Grant, Art Rust Jr and Steve Chip Hobart on my commercial free summer on WAPP, the best radio news team on CBS News Radio 88, the sexiest voice on NY radio, Carol Miller on WPLJ and the Z Morning Zoo. These were my influences that would make my Atlanta radio career for a dozen years of success which lead to being considered for jobs at WABC, WOR and Fox News Radio. When it came to an end, my wife who is Atlanta raised didn't want to move so I became a regular employee in the job market.
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He still has the show on other stations just not on wor so what do you mean hes going away?
 
Given iHeart has been clearing Michael Berry and Lee Habib on many of their talk stations, I'm surprised they didn't clear either show over WOR on a nightly basis in Batchelor's place. (Yes, I know Habib is on WOR Sunday afternoons...)
 
I’m actually pleased to hear this. I’m not in New York, nor am I a WOR listener, but this seems like a potential way to make WOR a little more appealing to some of the younger demographics. Obviously, we all know that AM radio (and AM talk radio) tends to be a 55+ market. With that being said, I think move challenges the status quo.

Failla has a different style than what you’d typically expect from traditional talk radio. He’s more comedic, conversational, and much more aligned with what you’d expect from a podcast (based on my experiences hearing him). I tend to think that this at least a step in the right direction, since authoritative talk radio doesn’t land well with anyone who isn’t a baby boomer.

Will it make a difference for WOR as a whole? Hard to say, but I like to see something different.
 
I think Jimmy is a breath of fresh air for AM radio and agree with one of the posters above that WOR is probably trying to snag some folks in the younger demos. But hey, 200+ affiliates can't be wrong.

>>> I met Jimmy Failla after a comedy show at a casino he did in Pennsylvania with Kennedy. While Jimmy was very nice and humble, Kennedy stole the show. If you get the chance to see her, I highly recommend it. <<<

Agree 1000%! I have her book "The Kennedy Chronicles," good luck trying to find it, it's out of print
 


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