youngsag said:
Re: Wild guess concerning Geraldo displacing Doug McIntyre on KABC mornings -- PLEASE - ASAP! The poor quality of the KABC morning disaster could not be made worse by Geraldo and his huge ego. McIntyre and cackling sidekick T-Rae have been able to take a show that was terrible from the outset and, somehow, goodness only knows, make it worse week by week. It is a case study on how to take a poorly formatted and badly executed show and, as if by design, make it worse and worse and worse over time. And the newly released stagnant ratings prove the point.
The countless and clustered commercials (you can take a shower between 6:14 and 6:22/3 each day) is absurd. The cackling sidekick who also mumbles her way through what is supposed to pass as newscasts must regret leaving KFI. Today they announced the call in number in the 5 o'clock hour (it is a talk station, they say, after all) and took no calls (per usual). I think the formatting of the traffic reports has negatively impacted the show and compromised the ability to format (plus many would like the full ABC top of the hour newscast).
My speculative guess: 1. Geraldo replaces McIntyre and the Cackling Lady in August. 2. McIntyre does not return to Red Eye. 3. The trucking show (now Red Eye) stays right where it is with the oil commercials and Dallas duo. Thus, McIntyre will be gone. Cackling Sidekick, too. Exec. producer Lane tossed (should have been long ago). KABC saves money. And when we next hear of McIntyre he will still be at the big box store trying to buy a new TV set. And, perhaps, trying to figure out (because he just does not get it) why KABC would drop him after doing what has to be, in my view, one of the worst talk shows in many years in this major market. Would suggest starting over in Palm Springs for him. But I like Palm Springs a lot. Would not wish him (or cackling lady) on Coachella Valley. P.S. to McIntyre: Not enough people listen to you to allow you to claim you had any role in the district attorney's race. Do the numbers. No impact. KABC is a lost station. Not "legendary" anymore. Just lost.
Much to digest here. Some of it is valid, some of it is simply dismissive, but the conclusion is wrong:
* Cumulus may be stupid and run Geraldo in AM drive here as you surmised, but that would be a mistake since it will not be an AM drive show in NYC, and will be nationally syndicated, so its aspirations will not be to serve a morning commuter audience. I suspect that it will air 9a to Noon here, which will be a lousy idea too, since an actuality show aired on tape delayed basis is by definition stale and disrespectful of the audience that gets it on delay. Market #2 does not deserve to be disrespected thusly
* McIntyre in the morning is salvageable and shouldn't be disposed of as you suggest - however many of your critiques are on-point. The clock does not serve Doug well, too much focus on repeating news headlines and commercial clutter, with no time for Doug's personality, passions, and interaction with callers. KABC should either let Doug be Doug, or let Doug host a live and local overnight show for LA in place of the trucker show you rightfully lambaste. This is market #2, so the rules of cost savings have to be hedged against the revenue potential available here from a station that has achieved 2+ and 3+ shares when programmed correctly. Note the amount of agency sourced commercials on KNX vs. the number of second-tier spots that run on KABC. This is part of the formula of a vibrant station.
* Salary - talent here has historically gotten paid handsomely by this legendary station, and that needs to be brought more in line with current realities. Doug may be highly compensated, and Cumulus is certainly not comfortable with that, and that may lead them to want to do what you propose (dump him).
* KABC is a heritage station and can be a force again in this DMA market #2 IF and only IF it gives LA what it wants: Local talk & local issues (a memo that Larry Elder has yet to read). What I mean is lots of Hollywood, local celebrities (not just entertainment, but the Wolfgang Puck types too), frequent interviews, and making the listener feel like they are in the know and ahead of the curve.
* Interviews on talkradio - Look at Larry Mantle's rolodex and popularity on KPPC, much like Michael Jackson used to be on KABC during its heritage peak. A station like that would be a PR agent's dream. Think of the chatter that would happen as every person who has a chance to be interviewed on-air will tap into their network to encourage listening to them on KABC. A station like 790 needs sampling to have a chance at revival.
That is some of the formula I think KABC should attempt to mold itself toward. Don't throw this "legendary" baby out with the bath water.
