IT'S KAREL, NOT DR. BILL, SAYS CITADEL

[ABQTom]

Looks like Citadel chose Karel to replace Ward M-Thurs,
with Christine on Fr. Karel continues his weekend shows 7p-10p.

Interesting that the far right wing, ultra-conservative Citadel didn't take this opportunity to choose pro-war/pro-nuclear Dr. Bill as part of this substitution arrangement.

Anyone know how long this arrangement will last?

Well, I guess Dr. Bill will certainly have 18 hours per week to monitor Karel, on his C.C. Crane Pogo Radio LX Tape Recorder, to play back at the next KGO All Stars (*IF* there ever is one again, after what happened on stage in 2005).

When and where will Bernie appear in court in January?

Karel Schedule:

http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?DJID=13535

 

[DavidKaye]

Looks like Citadel chose Karel to replace Ward M-Thurs,

Whatevever you want to believe....

It's unfortunate that Karel is being given so much airtime when true professionals such as Angie Coiro and Christine Craft are doing exemplary jobs.

Karel has gotten better, but better isn't good enough. I can never take anyone seriously whose command of politics comes not from working in a politician's office, not from working as an attorney, not from working on political campaigns, but from watching CNN. It would be good if he could switch to something he knows, but discussing female vocalists and Apple products doesn't carry a 6-night schedule.

Oh the pain.....

 

[doublecashkgb]

Christene Craft sounds like an angry old bag on the air. One night she was discussing how terrible
some of the young female TV news anchors were, it was obviously professional jealousy. Just google
her history, she was fired righteously years ago from a TV gig for being unattractive & negative. Karel
is a frigging embarrasment to talk radio, jeez didn't anyone else apply?

 

[LKellerIII]

"...jeez didn't anyone else apply?"

What about John Rothman? Too old school?

 

[DavidKaye]

Christene Craft sounds like an angry old bag on the air. One night she was discussing how terrible
some of the young female TV news anchors were, it was obviously professional jealousy. Just google
her history, she was fired righteously years ago from a TV gig for being unattractive & negative. Karel
is a frigging embarrasment to talk radio, jeez didn't anyone else apply?

I strongly disliked Christine Craft when she started on KGO. I thought she was the worst of talkshow hosts. She dwelled on her lawsuit ("Too old, too ugly, not deferential to men...") But, I have listened to her recently and I say this: Her choice of topics is fresh. Her take on these topics is often fresh (or sometimes downright bizarre, if you remember the cell phone cancer topic). I think her only real fault as a host is talking over a guest when she knows what they are going to say. She doesn't have to prove her knowledge. She can sit back and let the guest go on, and it'll be just fine. I've come to look forward to hearing her. Two years ago I had nothing positive to say. Today I do.

John Rothmann....damn, I love his civilized style, but I wish he'd talk about something more recent than Nixon's presidency, the woman who played Lois Lane on the TV Superman, and Wendell Wilke. I know he's an historian, but jeez, a lot of history has happened in the past 30 years, that audiences under age 60 could relate to from personal experience.

It's hard to believe Rothmann is only 58. He sounds about 88. But I can't even say that, because Paul Harvey is 88 or 89 and he sounds fresher than Rothmann.

 

[ABQTom]

You have mentioned weaknesses for Karel, Craft, and Rothmann. I'm a huge fan of both Karel and Rothmann so it's hard for me to decide. I think Citadel will pay the price with lower ratings in the absence of Bernie Ward, both in terms of ratings and revenue. Green 960 could take advantage of this, and add SFO radio veteran Peter B. Collins on delay at 10pm, taking ratings from KGO (well....960 signal not as good....class B).

 

[coppersmom]

Actually..I'm not jealous of young female television anchors. I did television for twenty-five years and I can tell you it is a vapid wasteland of buh-byes and mindless chatter. Radio is infinitely more fun and a much hotter medium. Don't you think? While no one likes getting older(or maybe some do)..you do get wiser and that's why the bulk of radio talk show hosts are my age(yes I know they are 99% male) Radio is about your brain and your mouth...not your pores. I also enjoy the lawyering I do. By the way for the poster who thought the cell phone topic was bizarre...you might want to check out the research on parotid gland tumors. They are not typically cancerous. But when they are removed,facial nerves are often destroyed. That could wreck a lot of things for you ,especially if you talk on the radio for a living.
I wasn't fired for being "too negative" God forbid that a female anchor would find any of the news she reads off a teleprompter disturbing! I was removed from the anchor desk because I wouldn't play dumb to make men look smarter..still won't. If you find that righteous , then you belong in a different century. Two juries in two separate trials in federal court found unanimously in my favor. Doublecash KGB is just jealous he didn't get to go on "The David Letterman Show".(it's really fun) I'm not intimidated by being called "Old" or ugly..because I'm cute as hell..and I can kick your ass in the pool ...any day. I'm also very proud to have been named the "best radio personality in Sacramento" by the Sacramento News and Review. My producer and I had a great time both on the air and leading timely,artsy political protests against the Boobengrabber, Alberto Gonzalez, this war , Dick Cheney and Rudolph Giuliani. I'm also very proud of having taken care of my 92 yr old father for the last thirteen years including seven years of diapers on a 6'5" man with aggressive dementia. That meant having to say no to KGO many, many times. Get your local stepford wife anchorette to do that for you..good night and good luck.

 

[coppersmom]

and one more teenie weenie little thing...I've been doing fill-in at KGO for over fifteen years..not two. Every host on KGO has their pluses and minuses and there isn't one I don't enjoy. bestus.cc

 

[LKellerIII]

I hope I don't sound like I'm sucking up, Coppersmom, but I always thought your KGO appearances were great - thought provoking and entertaining at the same time. It seems to me that you talked very knowledgeably about "mangled" (health) care too before most people seemed to be interested. Still a very important topic, obviously.

I haven't been a loyal talk radio listener for a number of years...I found that a steady diet of even intelligent talk like KGO provides makes me...tense...after awhile, so I probably only listen a couple of hours a week these days. Rothman is great, too, in my opinion - I haven't noticed that he talks only about long ago bygone days like some posters have mentioned, but maybe I've only sampled his work when he's talking about current issues.

I hope you have the opportunity to do many more shows on KGO.

 

[coppersmom]

suck up all you want!! One more(Ipromise) thing. Peter B. is a friend of mine whose shows I enjoy. He's also a mensch. BUT...I'll take him on head to head..any day.xo Peter!!

 

[DavidKaye]

and one more teenie weenie little thing...I've been doing fill-in at KGO for over fifteen years..not two. Every host on KGO has their pluses and minuses and there isn't one I don't enjoy. bestus.cc

Ooops...Christine, that's you, eh? As to the 15 versus 2 years, I realize that you have been on KGO a long time, but I really didn't like your style until these past couple years. Now I like what you're doing a lot.

 

[DavidKaye]

Karel
is a frigging embarrasment to talk radio, jeez didn't anyone else apply?

Karel & Andrew had good ratings on KFI, I think in afternoon drive. So, I could see why KGO went with Karel initially, even though I'm told that the only reason the show worked on KFI was because of the balance between Karel and Andrew. And I can also see that KGO saw an openly gay talkshow host as an advantage. (Jeez...you'd think at least one of KGO's gay personalities would come out, but nooooo....)

Anyhow, that was then and this is now. Karel is simply not good. Sure, he leads his time slot, but on those weekend nights the competition is reruns of syndicated talkshows and infomercials. I think just about any live program would do as well.

The problem is not his queeny style. The problem is not his singing along with the bumper music. The problem is not so much talking about his late husband (though that did used to get annoying). The problem is that he takes on topics that make him look ignorant. He is not a political talkshow host. He has no grasp of politics. It was so embarrassing to listen to him go on about Middle East politics that I got to the point that I couldn't even listen to him in the background anymore.

And yet if I turn on KGO at night it seems that more often than not I get Karel. Thankfully, this problem has re-introduced me to KALW and KQED at night, for which I should be grateful, and probably am.

 

[fandango]

1) John Rothman talks about Israel entirely too much. Period.

2) Craft talks about pets and animals too much. She doesn't talk about the Legal background to political events nearly enough. She has a superb original political voice when she discusses the legal background to political events. She knows these things, so I just tune her out when she's not discussing politics.

3) Karel doesn't know much about politics but I like his energy. It's too bad he's never read a book on the subject. I *really* don't like the way he cuts off callers... way too short. I assume that I am not a person Karel is usually interested in entertaining, so I just go to KING-FM in Seattle when I notice Karel's logic take two stumbles in a row.

That said; these three people are still great hosts -- I think the industry is lucky to have any of them.

... and I miss Bernie Ward. He knows politics. He actually talks to callers. He talks about animals and Israel only when important stories justify it; which is enough for me. While I respect the news blackout on Ward's future here; it has to be lifted soon for his sake. Ward had one of the few really informed talk shows on the air, anywhere in the country.

fan

 

[DavidKaye]

1) John Rothman talks about Israel entirely too much. Period.

I don't have a problem with that, but I do have a problem with his talking about so many events that happened before most of the U.S. population was born. History is important, but instead of using it in context he uses it because he remembers much of it and has audio clips of it.

2) Craft talks about pets and animals too much. She doesn't talk about the Legal background to political events nearly enough. She has a superb original political voice when she discusses the legal background to political events. She knows these things, so I just tune her out when she's not discussing politics.

I agree that pet-talk could well take a back seat to legal talk, especially civil rights cases and other things she's a specialist in. This has been refreshing when she's done this.

3) Karel doesn't know much about politics but I like his energy. It's too bad he's never read a book on the subject. I *really* don't like the way he cuts off callers... way too short. I assume that I am not a person Karel is usually interested in entertaining.....

Well, judging by a meet'n'greet I went to, his core audience appears to be over 75 and using walkers to get around. I kid you not. Since it's all about him I'm sure he's annoyed that he even has to take callers. I fully understand people like Karel because I once had a boyfriend exactly like him. It's like seeing a parakeet preen himself in front of a mirror all day. Nobody else exists. For me it's tiresome, not endearing.

That said; these three people are still great hosts -- I think the industry is lucky to have any of them.

Having traveled around the U.S. I can say that what passes for talkradio in most other cities is terrible. But I'm also spoiled by the good hosts I've heard, so when I hear people such as Karel I wonder why they can't see fit to put Angie Coiro on more often.

... and I miss Bernie Ward. He knows politics. He actually talks to callers. He talks about animals and Israel only when important stories justify it; which is enough for me. While I respect the news blackout on Ward's future here; it has to be lifted soon for his sake. Ward had one of the few really informed talk shows on the air, anywhere in the country.

Though I agree with him politically I've usually found Bernie to be annoying when he talks politics because his take is always gloom'n'doom. It's depressing to hear him talk about politics. John Rothmann has the same take on many issues but I don't get depressed listening to him. Again as I've said before, I think Bernie Ward is best when he's not discussing politics. On the other hand, if he didn't discuss politics, there'd be nobody with his expertise on the air doing it nightly. The guy has a phenomenal memory and an ability to connect the dots that surpasses just about everybody doing political talk. I just wish he wasn't so gloomy about it.

 

[mred]

I don't think Wrottenburger wants more air time....I think he like late night weekends so he can talk to the west coast.. the rest of thed time he can act like an expert. Since he is radioactive he broadcasts from a secret compond in the Sierra's ...he would subject the studio to radioactivity. Rotman does talk to much about Isreal..I think he has a gig teching at Jewish events, Isn't the head of Citdel an Arab or Iranian??

Craft brings the animal rights agenda but she is not as predictible left as ward.

 

[fandango]

I appreciate your comments, David; even while I don't quite go along with all of them. Great minds can differ

I think John Rothman talks about Israel (always taking the Administration side) about as often as Fox and CNN talk about Britney Spears whenever a big Bush Scandal breaks -- and for similar reasons. That's why the frequency of his Israel topics bother me.

I think he uses his history topics for the same reason. Have you ever stopped to consider that he discusses all those old, history topics you don't like, precisely because he's on the wrong side of some similar current event topic that he DOESN'T want to discuss? The man has been going through a personal intellectual crisis of faith ever since Bush failed to find WMDs in Iraq. He's dancing to the political Center as fast as he can, hoping that nobody notices the neocon shadows he came from just a few years ago. This also goes for Michael Krazny on KQED and should go for Ronn Owens as well, but Owens seems to be too (frankly) stupid to come in out of the cold.

Angie Coiro(sp) is a fine host, but a little wooden I think (bearable to me), and I don't think she quite has a handle on the rough and skraggly wild-eyed two-percenters who call KGO. ... And she can't recognize a planted Freeper trollcaller to save her sugar-sweet life. If she wants a job at KGO, she'll have to learn to play with the Freepers. When he puts on his Jesuit scream-suit, Bernie handles freepers better than anybody I have ever heard, anywhere.

I appreciate your attitude toward Bernie Ward. I don't share it because I really appreciate the homework he does; and the fact that he doesn't sugar-coat the cyanide pills we've all been asked to swallow these last eight years.

NOTE: KGO has competition. Karel doesn't hold a candle to Rachael Maddow on KKGN. He should thank his little gold stars that he only has to compete with her during the first hour of his fill-in show for Bernie. Given how good Rachael is, I think Christine Craft would do a better job in that fill in spot.

fan

1) John Rothman talks about Israel entirely too much. Period.

I don't have a problem with that, but I do have a problem with his talking about so many events that happened before most of the U.S. population was born. History is important, but instead of using it in context he uses it because he remembers much of it and has audio clips of it.

2) Craft talks about pets and animals too much. She doesn't talk about the Legal background to political events nearly enough. She has a superb original political voice when she discusses the legal background to political events. She knows these things, so I just tune her out when she's not discussing politics.

I agree that pet-talk could well take a back seat to legal talk, especially civil rights cases and other things she's a specialist in. This has been refreshing when she's done this.

3) Karel doesn't know much about politics but I like his energy. It's too bad he's never read a book on the subject. I *really* don't like the way he cuts off callers... way too short. I assume that I am not a person Karel is usually interested in entertaining.....

Well, judging by a meet'n'greet I went to, his core audience appears to be over 75 and using walkers to get around. I kid you not. Since it's all about him I'm sure he's annoyed that he even has to take callers. I fully understand people like Karel because I once had a boyfriend exactly like him. It's like seeing a parakeet preen himself in front of a mirror all day. Nobody else exists. For me it's tiresome, not endearing.

That said; these three people are still great hosts -- I think the industry is lucky to have any of them.

Having traveled around the U.S. I can say that what passes for talkradio in most other cities is terrible. But I'm also spoiled by the good hosts I've heard, so when I hear people such as Karel I wonder why they can't see fit to put Angie Coiro on more often.

... and I miss Bernie Ward. He knows politics. He actually talks to callers. He talks about animals and Israel only when important stories justify it; which is enough for me. While I respect the news blackout on Ward's future here; it has to be lifted soon for his sake. Ward had one of the few really informed talk shows on the air, anywhere in the country.

Though I agree with him politically I've usually found Bernie to be annoying when he talks politics because his take is always gloom'n'doom. It's depressing to hear him talk about politics. John Rothmann has the same take on many issues but I don't get depressed listening to him. Again as I've said before, I think Bernie Ward is best when he's not discussing politics. On the other hand, if he didn't discuss politics, there'd be nobody with his expertise on the air doing it nightly. The guy has a phenomenal memory and an ability to connect the dots that surpasses just about everybody doing political talk. I just wish he wasn't so gloomy about it.

 

[oaktree]

Though we disagree on several fronts (but not all,) I'd listen to Christine Craft late night on KGO in a minute. She is better than the other two women who fill in (too sweet and syruppy for me,) and is better hands down than Karel, who shouldn't be an exploited gay man on radio just because he has "the credentials." He doesn't know how to use the 50,000 watts, in my opinion, though I did think he and Andrew were pretty funny on KFI. But not now. He sounds unprepared, way too defensive, cuts listeners off out of fear of their disagreeing with him and is a horrid listener ... let alone a host.

I go back to the days of watching CC on KEYT in Santa Barbara, the trials she won and the non-payment of a half-million she was to get. In fact, her book is still a favorite.

I've also listened to her through the years on KGO and think, too, that she has "evolved" a lot more in recent years than merely, "changed." Yes, she can be a one-trick pony politically, but I think her "lawyering" has brought a liberal understanding and clarity that I find interesting to listen to, though I disagree with her a lot.

Though she "isn't deferential" to men ... and I'm glad of that, the others are just to much so. Pat Thurston grinds up callers, but CC doesn't ... but can be feisty and intelligent about it. I like that.

And Christine, as one who has followed your career a lot, I personally enjoyed and empathized with your stories and comments about your dear Dad and your pets. The stories about your Dad have not been easy to hear, let alone knowing that you said them ... but they are very real coming from you and that comes across. I know that your Dad would love the attention and care his daughter gave him these past 8 years.

You always seemed to put him first ... above your careers and your activism. I enjoy that very much. Makes you "real." Thanks for joining us here on Radio-Info. Wish you were on late night or all-night, for that matter permanently. Don't get me started on brother Ray ...

 

[ABQTom]

David: "The problem is not his queeny style. The problem is not his singing along with the bumper music. The problem is not so much talking about his late husband (though that did used to get annoying). The problem is that he takes on topics that make him look ignorant. He is not a political talkshow host."

Tom: We agree on Bernie Ward on these forums, and I appreciate your posts on Ward, because otherwise I'd be the only one in support of Ward on Radio-Info (although originally I had mixed feelings). AAnd with all due respect, I disagree with you here on Karel - I'm of the philosophy that talk should be about entertainment value + passion first, and politics, second. Karel is INCREDIBLY entertaining and passionate. This gets the attention of listeners. He has a good TSL.

"He has no grasp of politics. It was so embarrassing to listen to him go on about Middle East politics that I got to the point that I couldn't even listen to him in the background anymore."

I know what you're saying, however, when I listen to Karel discuss the Middle East or China, it's more from a cultural or sociological perspective...more like how an actor, author, or songwriter
(Karel is all three!) would view the political world, as compared to a political analyst like Rothmann or Gene Burns. What do I mean by that? Well, a few nights ago, "You know, folks, oil's gonna be so expensive that we'll all be speaking Chinese..." or something like that...

"And yet if I turn on KGO at night it seems that more often than not I get Karel. Thankfully, this problem has re-introduced me to KALW and KQED at night, for which I should be grateful, and probably am."

Again, if that's the case, then Collins should go on Green 960 at 10p = good opportunity for Clear Channel. Sorry to see Bob Agnew exit.

Anyway, Karel is among my top favorite talk hosts, and I think it's because I listen to talk radio primarily for entertainment value. Of course, it seems that those in programming never disagree on these issues....and that's great because stations like KGO contain such a diversity of hosts...from Gene Burns as an analyst to Talliaferro a satirist, to Dr. Bill a scientist who stretches the truth to make his points....

 

[DavidKaye]

I think John Rothman talks about Israel (always taking the Administration side) about as often as Fox and CNN talk about Britney Spears whenever a big Bush Scandal breaks -- and for similar reasons. That's why the frequency of his Israel topics bother me.

Uh? Most of the time I've listened I've heard John Rothmann blast the Bush administration saying things like "travesty", "losing our precious freedoms", and "rapidly moving toward an oligarchy". These words don't seem like taking the Administration side to me.

Angie Coiro(sp) is a fine host, but a little wooden I think (bearable to me), and I don't think she quite has a handle on the rough and skraggly wild-eyed two-percenters who call KGO. ... And she can't recognize a planted Freeper trollcaller to save her sugar-sweet life. If she wants a job at KGO, she'll have to learn to play with the Freepers.

I'd wager that she knows exactly what she's doing and simply giving them a forum to help balance out the show. She's very bright and not at all the sugar-sweet you think she is. She's just a happy person who doesn't take the talk radio thing all that seriously.

 

[ABQTom]

"KGO has competition. Karel doesn't hold a candle to Rachael Maddow on KKGN. He should thank his little gold stars that he only has to compete with her during the first hour of his fill-in show for Bernie. Given how good Rachael is, I think Christine Craft would do a better job in that fill in spot."

Rachel MAddow is not competition to Karel. Neither is Mike Malloy who follows at 11 on 960. Maddow and Malloy have failed to pull significant audiences on air america stations, and both lack entertainment value. Maddow doesn't even take any calls, and Malloy barely takes any calls. Malloy is bitter and angry too much of the time.

960 should take this opportunity and put Collins on tape delay 10pm-1am. Peter B. Collins is a San Francisco radio veteran and everybody knows him from KSFO and KNBR where he got great ratings. He now has his own syndicated show M-F 3p-6p Pacific.