Further Proof that Talk Radio in this market is useless

[westfield60]

So yesterday we had quite an eventful day in Anaheim where we had a group of trouble makers storming the streets and smashing windows, throwing bottles at police and lighting trash cans on fire. So here was the coverage I listened to this afternoon on our glorious talk radio stations.

1 - John and Ken - They have been so neutered by Robin at KFI that they are clearly scared of saying anything against any Latino group. They had this activist on and were basically letting her make her wild and unsubstantiated claims about the issue. In the past John would have destroyed idiots like her but instead he stayed quiet for most of the time. Handel on his morning show was more direct and brutal against the troublemakers. Robin has so destroyed this show. Given any more suspensions, I think Ken will be singing Broadway tunes for the duration of their show for the rest of their contract.

2 - Got sick and tired of the new politically correct J&K, so I switched over to KABC. Larry was talking about Dick Durbin and the congress vote on taxes. Talking about local issues is so abhorrent to this dope that day in and day out he talks nothing but Washington politics. World War III could be breaking out in LA and he will be reliving the whitewater fiasco with the Clintons. And you wonder why KABC is in 33rd place.

3 - Got tired of the idiotic Larry Elder and tuned over to KTLK and David Cruz. He was on a mantra blaming our society for not giving people a chance to vent. Was this idiot not watching what happened? Does he condone this type of behavior. Apparently he does. More genius programming from Robin.

Got so sick and tired of all of these useless idiots, that I put on my CD's and enjoyed my drive. If talk stations disappeared tomorrow in LA, I certainly would not miss them.

 

[henry]

Should've listened to Conway. Had Steve Gregory out there, getting police guns pointed at him. Excellent coverage! Way better than 7 or KCAL. Better than KNX.

Before you complain about LA talk radio too much, go visit San Diego, Denver, Salt Lake City, or even NYC. There's not even a LOCAL show on during the same time as the Anaheim riot.

 

[Gregg]

And why do those kids walk all over westfield60's lawn on their way home from school? Can't they go back wherever they came from? At least westfield60 can put his own music on as he drives around in his Ford Fairlane.

 

[RadioStarOne]

Austin, TX. KLBJ is live and local other than Rush, and has some interesting talk show hosts on the air. Sounds like KGO used to be like. Three man morning show that play off each other very well. They'll have you wanting to throw your radio right out the window sometimes, and at other times wanting to hug your radio. The LA talkers could learn a thing or to by listening to KLBJ. Not the greatest talk station ever but better than anything in the LA, or SF area, IMHO. Charlie Jones on KRLD 1080 Dallas, TX. 10 PM to 2 AM Pacific is fun to listen to also.

 

[wadio]

... or even NYC.

Especially NYC! Talk in the #1 radio market has degraded to the point that there are only two live & local issue-oriented shows during the week -- WOR AM & PM Drive -- WABC will have none after Geraldo goes national.

From noon to 3 pm, the only issue-oriented talk show in NYC is Rush ... 3 to 4 pm it's Hannity. (There is a third station, Salem's WNYM, but it's puny signal makes it non-existent in many areas.)

I was never much of an all-news fan but that's what I listen to most these days.

 

[davideduardo]

Austin, TX. KLBJ is live and local other than Rush, and has some interesting talk show hosts on the air. Sounds like KGO used to be like. Three man morning show that play off each other very well. They'll have you wanting to throw your radio right out the window sometimes, and at other times wanting to hug your radio. The LA talkers could learn a thing or to by listening to KLBJ. Not the greatest talk station ever but better than anything in the LA, or SF area, IMHO. Charlie Jones on KRLD 1080 Dallas, TX. 10 PM to 2 AM Pacific is fun to listen to also.

Interestingly, KLBJ and KFI share the distinction of being PPM market news/talk stations that get well inside the top 10 in 25-54... both bubbling right under the top 5 of recent.

KLBJ has Rush, Boortz, Clark Howard and C2C, while KFI only has C2C in addition to Rush. Of course, KFI has $48 million in revenues to work with, while KLBJ is around $7 million.

 

[ercjncpr]

So yesterday we had quite an eventful day in Anaheim where we had a group of trouble makers storming the streets and smashing windows, throwing bottles at police and lighting trash cans on fire. So here was the coverage I listened to this afternoon on our glorious talk radio stations.

1 - John and Ken - They have been so neutered by Robin at KFI that they are clearly scared of saying anything against any Latino group. They had this activist on and were basically letting her make her wild and unsubstantiated claims about the issue. In the past John would have destroyed idiots like her but instead he stayed quiet for most of the time. Handel on his morning show was more direct and brutal against the troublemakers. Robin has so destroyed this show. Given any more suspensions, I think Ken will be singing Broadway tunes for the duration of their show for the rest of their contract.

2 - Got sick and tired of the new politically correct J&K, so I switched over to KABC. Larry was talking about Dick Durbin and the congress vote on taxes. Talking about local issues is so abhorrent to this dope that day in and day out he talks nothing but Washington politics. World War III could be breaking out in LA and he will be reliving the whitewater fiasco with the Clintons. And you wonder why KABC is in 33rd place.

3 - Got tired of the idiotic Larry Elder and tuned over to KTLK and David Cruz. He was on a mantra blaming our society for not giving people a chance to vent. Was this idiot not watching what happened? Does he condone this type of behavior. Apparently he does. More genius programming from Robin.

Got so sick and tired of all of these useless idiots, that I put on my CD's and enjoyed my drive. If talk stations disappeared tomorrow in LA, I certainly would not miss them.

You sound like a typical Limbaugh bigoted dittohead, therefore I will label your comments on KFI programming as useless

 

[talk chick]

Since no one else mentioned it, I'll shamelessly plug KRLA. (AM 870) Have you listened in the morning? 6-9 AM

Longtime LA radio buffs know Brian Whitman, who is on the "Heidi Harris in the Morning" show, along with Ben Shapiro, prolific writer and Editor at Large of Bretibart.com.

Tune in and let the 'message board bashing' begin!

HH

KRLA/KTIE

 

[youngsag]

Yes, I did tune in to KRLA mornings. Anything to be rid of the "McIntyre Mess in the Morning" on KABC. I wrote on this site on Ms. Harris twice. I said, and this was when she'd just started her show there, that she had a decent chance at KRLA and although I disagreed with the vast majority of her views and viewpoints, that she could properly succeed here IF she would not talk so, so fast (a la "Fast and Mumbles" Teri-Rae on KABC). And Harris doesn't mumble, but she does speak very, very quickly.

That said, and I think she had the makings of a good show -- and she is not afraid to take calls, for which she deserves credit -- the show has devolved into more of the same garbage that has become talk radio in Los Angeles (much to my sadness). Why? The addition of the two sidekicks has really thrown the show in a downward spiral. Too much ego on the air. Unclear pacing. Hard to follow.

Again, I would love to debate politics with Harris. She has a lot to offer - though wrong on so much of what she thinks. And I would listen to her show again. Maybe regularly. But dump the sidekicks. Dump the heavy commercial clusters. Get back to the radio show you wanted to do when you came from Vegas. I'd be happy to listen then. Btw, will someone opine as to what the question is that "The Answer" is answering? I don't know.

 

[DJBigOne]

You sound like a typical Limbaugh bigoted dittohead, therefore I will label your comments on KFI programming as useless

Thank you for having an open mind! :

It is sad that most L.A. talent has no scroti.

Did you even notice westfield commended Handel's balls?

 

[ChannelFlipper]

So yesterday we had quite an eventful day in Anaheim where we had a group of trouble makers storming the streets and smashing windows, throwing bottles at police and lighting trash cans on fire. So here was the coverage I listened to this afternoon on our glorious talk radio stations.

1 - John and Ken - They have been so neutered by Robin at KFI that they are clearly scared of saying anything against any Latino group. They had this activist on and were basically letting her make her wild and unsubstantiated claims about the issue. In the past John would have destroyed idiots like her but instead he stayed quiet for most of the time. Handel on his morning show was more direct and brutal against the troublemakers. Robin has so destroyed this show. Given any more suspensions, I think Ken will be singing Broadway tunes for the duration of their show for the rest of their contract.

2 - Got sick and tired of the new politically correct J&K, so I switched over to KABC. Larry was talking about Dick Durbin and the congress vote on taxes. Talking about local issues is so abhorrent to this dope that day in and day out he talks nothing but Washington politics. World War III could be breaking out in LA and he will be reliving the whitewater fiasco with the Clintons. And you wonder why KABC is in 33rd place.

3 - Got tired of the idiotic Larry Elder and tuned over to KTLK and David Cruz. He was on a mantra blaming our society for not giving people a chance to vent. Was this idiot not watching what happened? Does he condone this type of behavior. Apparently he does. More genius programming from Robin.

Got so sick and tired of all of these useless idiots, that I put on my CD's and enjoyed my drive. If talk stations disappeared tomorrow in LA, I certainly would not miss them.

You sound like a typical Limbaugh bigoted dittohead, therefore I will label your comments on KFI programming as useless

...said the enlightened tolerant one.

 

[DJBigOne]

You sound like a typical Limbaugh bigoted dittohead, therefore I will label your comments on KFI programming as useless

...said the enlightened tolerant one.

There is no tolerance for those who disagree with the left. My experience is once one has no intelligent response, they resort to name calling.

Then again, Dad always told me to never argue about politics and religion. 8)

"The truth is treason in an empire of lies" ~George Orwell

 

[MC]

Suppose they had a riot and no one covered it? Then why have a riot? KGO sent a reporter to cover LA riots in the past. Nowdays who knows what is going to be covered by who. John and Ken used to try to get a spokesperson from the group and interview them.

 

[talk chick]

Thanks, "youngsag"! I didn't see that you had written about me...I don't check the boards that often.

Thanks for the kind words about my abilities. Yes, let's debate! I can handle it, and I'm sure you can, too.

Heidi Harris
KRLA/KTIE

 

[robnokshus06]

Funny:

There is no tolerance for those who disagree with the left. My experience is once one has no intelligent response, they resort to name calling.

Yeah, like "slut" or something. Glass houses, dude.

 

[youngsag]

MC asks great question-- suppose we had a riot here. Who would cover? Nominations:

1. Doug McIntyre. No, on second thought, he doesn't like to leave the station. Further, on his return from vacation, he went on at length as to how out of shape he is and how WHITE. Plus, Doug has a self-described difficulty pronouncing names. Strike two. And he cares little about our could-be-great community EXCEPT the current mayor of Los Angeles. Understatement: Doug does not like him. Many sound reasons. I AGREE. I can add a thousand more but the chief exec of our city is not in the city long enough at a given time to meet with him. Charging taxpayers for his trips, security for the trips, and, I guess, until recently for his gal-friend. Ugh.

Doug could not cover a riot here. He needs to talk about Jerry Sandusky. Don't ask why. Doug could not cover a trash can with a lid. But he CAN (reluctantly) mow the lawn at his home. Aren't you glad he told us?

2. Newsperson late of KFI, Teri-Rae Elmer gets second nod. Second banana to the KABC "McIntrye Mess in the Morning", she is no more a newsperson than Doug is (not). Not even a good rip and read artist. Why? Her "newscasts" (ha!) are awful. No original reporting. No depth, no context, no background.

Plus, the speed-talking, mumbling just adds insult to listeners. Well, we could not understand her anyway. She is off the list. Back to KFI. Doubtful they would re-hire here.

So, hmmm, who could cover a riot in L.A. (and we hope we never have one again - I am native of Los Angeles, second generation. Trust me, we don't want another riot! I remember only too well.) But who else to cover?

3. Larry Elder. OMG! He would be so busy blaming politicians (of a certain party) and never looking at the roots of crime and of riots and of desperation that leads people to riot, along with the inequality between many people and groups of people here as has existed for decade on decade on decade, well, let's not say objectivity is something Mr. Elder (you know, the LAWYER, as he keeps telling us all the time as if being a lawyer gives one higher knowledge, higher ethics, higher wisdom (don't kid yourself). It would be these attributes necessary to report the tick/tock hot news on field and updated, but the real task would come post-riot. This is when TALK RADIO could (repeat: could) make a difference. Bring people together, find jobs for the jobless, medical care for those is need (yes, even if they cannot afford it!) - and not just one-time, on scene acute care.

4. Heidi Harris. Maybe. She does have a heart, after all. I don't know her. I think she has, though, a good and sincere heart. (Politics are confused, though). She can communicate, however, assuming she talks slower. You do not make your point with greater strength by talking fast.
But one doubts her street cred here having just been here from Vegas a short time. Los Angeles takes years to learn.

5. Designated radio newspeople? Gone fishing. Spending more time with family. Translation: fired, laid off (fired), retired.

It is a helluva question. And pictures from TV cannot do the job that would be necessary. I know of few people who have the skill set, the ability to come on and gain trust of disparate groups, to fairly report the story as is takes place and, later, kick butt of the politicians who are letting elders, youngsters, poor and mid-class people, and disabled STARVE. STARVE! Don't tell me it isn't true. And kids are starving for education. All kids. Don't they deserve a chance? Books? BOOKS? Jobs. Yes, jobs. Even for the undereducated, the races you don't want to hire in the hotshot boutiques and restaurants of Beverly Hills. JOBS can be the savior.

6. KNX. No. Smooth voices. Bland. I have written them to do a story on my mission. They did it years ago. As did CBS national, NBC, Mutual, Christian Science Monitor, Monitor Radio, all talk stations in Harris's old stomping ground, all in Palm Springs, TV here, other syndicated and local radio across the USA - it is such a big story. The Wall Street rip off of Main Street and how real people can fight back and win. But this special, all American story needs a little more than 3 minutes on radio or TV and with the decline of local talk stations, well this can present a problem.

Who would cover a riot from the local L.A. media? Big, huge story with extensive tentacles.

But I can tell you that the story of Wall Street ripping of Main Street investors AND THE PATHWAY IN PLACE FOR BURNED INVESTORS TO RECOVER THEIR LOSSES AND MORE is now a much bigger story. Impacts millions and these millions of Main Streeters have lost billions and, with hard work, may recover some, all or more than all of their losses due to Wall Street fraud and misdeeds.

Cover a riot? Theoretical for now. Cover the rip off of Main Street. Here and now and untouched. Reality alive and well, even on a lazy Saturday afternoon. -PAUL YOUNG

 

[youngsag]

Awright, Ms. Harris. We are ON. Love to debate. Let's work out. - P. Young. Will drop you note at KRLA.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

MC asks great question-- suppose we had a riot here. Who would cover? Nominations:

1. Doug McIntyre. No, on second thought, he doesn't like to leave the station. Further, on his return from vacation, he went on at length as to how out of shape he is and how WHITE. Plus, Doug has a self-described difficulty pronouncing names. Strike two. And he cares little about our could-be-great community EXCEPT the current mayor of Los Angeles. Understatement: Doug does not like him. Many sound reasons. I AGREE. I can add a thousand more but the chief exec of our city is not in the city long enough at a given time to meet with him. Charging taxpayers for his trips, security for the trips, and, I guess, until recently for his gal-friend. Ugh.

Doug could not cover a riot here. He needs to talk about Jerry Sandusky. Don't ask why. Doug could not cover a trash can with a lid. But he CAN (reluctantly) mow the lawn at his home. Aren't you glad he told us?

2. Newsperson late of KFI, Teri-Rae Elmer gets second nod. Second banana to the KABC "McIntrye Mess in the Morning", she is no more a newsperson than Doug is (not). Not even a good rip and read artist. Why? Her "newscasts" (ha!) are awful. No original reporting. No depth, no context, no background.

Plus, the speed-talking, mumbling just adds insult to listeners. Well, we could not understand her anyway. She is off the list. Back to KFI. Doubtful they would re-hire here.

So, hmmm, who could cover a riot in L.A. (and we hope we never have one again - I am native of Los Angeles, second generation. Trust me, we don't want another riot! I remember only too well.) But who else to cover?

3. Larry Elder. OMG! He would be so busy blaming politicians (of a certain party) and never looking at the roots of crime and of riots and of desperation that leads people to riot, along with the inequality between many people and groups of people here as has existed for decade on decade on decade, well, let's not say objectivity is something Mr. Elder (you know, the LAWYER, as he keeps telling us all the time as if being a lawyer gives one higher knowledge, higher ethics, higher wisdom (don't kid yourself). It would be these attributes necessary to report the tick/tock hot news on field and updated, but the real task would come post-riot. This is when TALK RADIO could (repeat: could) make a difference. Bring people together, find jobs for the jobless, medical care for those is need (yes, even if they cannot afford it!) - and not just one-time, on scene acute care.

4. Heidi Harris. Maybe. She does have a heart, after all. I don't know her. I think she has, though, a good and sincere heart. (Politics are confused, though). She can communicate, however, assuming she talks slower. You do not make your point with greater strength by talking fast.
But one doubts her street cred here having just been here from Vegas a short time. Los Angeles takes years to learn.

5. Designated radio newspeople? Gone fishing. Spending more time with family. Translation: fired, laid off (fired), retired.

It is a helluva question. And pictures from TV cannot do the job that would be necessary. I know of few people who have the skill set, the ability to come on and gain trust of disparate groups, to fairly report the story as is takes place and, later, kick butt of the politicians who are letting elders, youngsters, poor and mid-class people, and disabled STARVE. STARVE! Don't tell me it isn't true. And kids are starving for education. All kids. Don't they deserve a chance? Books? BOOKS? Jobs. Yes, jobs. Even for the undereducated, the races you don't want to hire in the hotshot boutiques and restaurants of Beverly Hills. JOBS can be the savior.

6. KNX. No. Smooth voices. Bland. I have written them to do a story on my mission. They did it years ago. As did CBS national, NBC, Mutual, Christian Science Monitor, Monitor Radio, all talk stations in Harris's old stomping ground, all in Palm Springs, TV here, other syndicated and local radio across the USA - it is such a big story. The Wall Street rip off of Main Street and how real people can fight back and win. But this special, all American story needs a little more than 3 minutes on radio or TV and with the decline of local talk stations, well this can present a problem.

Who would cover a riot from the local L.A. media? Big, huge story with extensive tentacles.

But I can tell you that the story of Wall Street ripping of Main Street investors AND THE PATHWAY IN PLACE FOR BURNED INVESTORS TO RECOVER THEIR LOSSES AND MORE is now a much bigger story. Impacts millions and these millions of Main Streeters have lost billions and, with hard work, may recover some, all or more than all of their losses due to Wall Street fraud and misdeeds.

Cover a riot? Theoretical for now. Cover the rip off of Main Street. Here and now and untouched. Reality alive and well, even on a lazy Saturday afternoon. -PAUL YOUNG

I always like John and Ken to cover my riots - the pre-neutered version of course. They take in the riot so I don't have to.

 

[DJBigOne]

Yeah, like "slut" or something. Glass houses, dude.

If she needs the "gubmnt" to pay for her contraception, then sleeps with many, many men, she IS a slut. :-*

However, we digress don't we? This thread started with no mention of politics. It was a commentary on how talk radio sucks in L.A. 8)

 

[henry]

Y'all are just too picky. You have a 24/7 all-news station, the best AM talk station in the country with incredible talent, and a handful of other AM talkers that most of us in smaller markets would kill for.

I find myself listening to KFI for at least an hour a day (between Handel, J&K, or Conway). You have live and local hosts on the weekends, even!

Get in you car and drive north on the 15 to Las Vegas. Listen to KXNT and its nearly-all-syndicated line-up and one very boring local show. Drive to Salt Lake City and listen to KSL's attempt to imitate KNX and KFI (depending on the time of day). Tune your dial to KPCC and fall asleep.

There's still a LOT to enjoy on KFI, KNX, and heck, even KABC and KRLA. If it's still not good enough for you, I'd propose that the radio dial may not be the true source of your problem.