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Chris Barnes

Heard him today. He's the new morning guy. What a coup for Shamrock! He has a website, comedydojo.com and if you check that out, wow! Writing for SNL, MTV, then Second City in Chicago, TV shows, (Life with Bonnie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) movies, worked with Carol Burnett, Jim Belushi, David Duchovny, Whoopi Goldberg.

And he's "affiliated" with the latest developments in the Poconos... ;)
 
It's probably fun for him, no? Although getting up at 4, 5 o'clock in the morning doesn't sound that fun but if you can get past that, why not?
 
It may be fun, but for a whopping $15,500 a year. If this guy has such a fantastic resume and talent, why isn't he doing something in Los Angeles?
 
Will his morning show fit with the "family friendly" image that the station presents on its web site? And I agree, if I had a resume like his I wouldn't tie myself to a long term commitment such as morning drive at a relatively small power station in downtown Scranton. How long term could he be thinking? Morning drive requires a level of commitment that is difficult to maintain for most people. How long before Whoopie gets bored or wants to take 3 months off to do a movie? OK, the movie thing is a stretch but you get the idea. Non radio types who waltz in usually think they can just "do a show" and that's it. Unless they have a clear understanding with the station, that station "owns" them. In a market like Scranton they will be expected to be available from 10am till 10pm to do appearances and meet with advertisors. Calling in sick? Ha,ha,ha, you're joking, right? If WQFM truly is some sort of AC format then they really need someone who "lives the lifestyle" or at least understatnds it. Maybe this guy does and will be a huge success. Time will tell, I suppose. So much for those with radio experience who applied for the position.
 
Well first of all, do you know how "long-term" his commitment is? I don't. I suspect you don't either. Likely only Chris Barnes and Times/Shamrock knows that, yes?

Family friendly? Well, let's remember that Barnes is from Scranton for starters but will he fit the image? He's an actor and an actor by definition fits whatever image the situation calls for, family friendly or otherwise.

He's not in California anymore, his show with Bonnie Hunt was not renewed last year. But from what I read in Diamond City, he's back because he's getting married...to the daughter of a PROMINENT businessman (see my previous post about his "affiliation" with recent developments in the Poconos.)

I do happen to know that he's not removing himself entirely from showbiz (Scranton radio not included).

I also know, again from EC/DC that rumor has it he's looking for some prime real estate in downtown Scranton to open a comedy club/workshop/improv thing, something similar to the improv classes (enjoying capacity enrollment) at the Scranton Cultural Center which he is presently presiding over and which have been SRO for performances.

As far as being a "non-radio" type, he started in radio. His first job was at WPIX in NYC according to his website. His second one was at MTV.

I'm thinking too, having signed some contracts in his life, that the nebulous "10AM to 10PM" commitments you mentioned were likely addressed in his contract with TS.

You're right that time will tell. I think it's a homerun but that's just one man's opinion.
 
Oh yeah, well I married the great-granddaughter of a prominent businessman. You don't see me flappin' about it.

And the "nudge-nudge" tone you've taken is really lame.
 
Flapping?

His fiancee comes from a tremendously wealthy background. I think anyone making a "what is he thinking" noise in here has no grasp on the big picture.
 
NigelWick said:
It may be fun, but for a whopping $15,500 a year. If this guy has such a fantastic resume and talent, why isn't he doing something in Los Angeles?
Click to expand...

Wow, 15,500 where did you pull that number from? I know radio ain't gonna make you rich but trust me he is making more than that!

Prospector
 
I listened a little bit this morning. He said that he really starts Monday. Who knows, perhaps it will be a show the soccer moms will love to hear. My wife heard his voice, winced and said, "ick". She hated what she heard. But that's just one woman's opinion.
 
His fiancee comes from a tremendously wealthy background.

Does aforementioned fiancee have just as wealthy, not very picky, very low standards when it comes to a man's status, non judgemental, possibley myopic half decent looking cousin, sister, or aunt that might give "Gina Davis" like footrubs? Hey...............just wondering.

Yonkstur
 
I heard the guy and wasn't impressed. My wife said she listened on her way to work and wanted to drive her car into a tree. Everybody's talking about this guy as the next big thing, but I personally know people who walked out of his improv classes because they thought he was a creep. I don't see it lasting. Yeah, he's from Scranton, but he's been gone a loooong time.......and ask him about how he got FIRED as a judge for the local Dancing with the Stars event. Face it, he came back here to get married and is trying to do the best he can in Scranton-----but as I said he's been gone a long time and it's almost like he's not from here anymore.
 
The guy's been at it one day. When was the last time you started a new job and hit the ground running? You weren't impressed, fine. The rest of your post, a psychologist would have a field day with.

He's trying to do the best he can in Scranton? You might be right! How un-Scranton like!
 
I could ask you the same question---when WAS the last time you started a job and hit the ground running?
The thing is, with a job like this you ARE expected to hit the ground running. You ARE expected to be there with your A-Game on the first day...at least that's the way it was when I was in radio. Maybe I'm the one that's been gone too long.
 
I'm somewhere in the middle. Of course, there's an adjustment period. On the other hand, he's been on Rock 107 a lot. Barnes is not a radio newbie.
 
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