Jim Bohannon, Talk Show Host

[TheBigA]

Westwood One confirms that talk show host Jim Bohannon died today:

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He retired a few weeks ago, due to health problems.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Westwood One confirms that talk show host Jim Bohannon died today:

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He retired a few weeks ago, due to health problems.

Dang Bohannon and Westwood One just named successors prior to him leaving the way he did.

 

[Mikey Radio]

Sorry to hear. He was one of the last of his breed - specifically the more objective nationally syndicated talk hosts. A few years ago when it was announced that he was being inducted into a broadcasters HoF, I don't think I saw a single comment on this site dissing the guy. Instead there were words like "much deserved", "one of the better hosts", "I enjoy listening to him". He tended to stay moderate while veering to the right at times depending on the issue. That said, he never gave any of his callers or guests a "free pass" and often challenged those who went too far off the rails, either to the far left or the right. If you made a claim on his program, you'd be wise to also have backup for your statement. In the days of conspiracy theorists, false claims and outright lies being broadcast daily by some hosts, Bohannon's program was a refreshing throwback to the pre-insanity days in some ways.

 

[alg2468]

Sad to hear this; Jim was always a pleasant and refreshing host with interesting topics and guests. He was truly an American classic. One interesting note about his show that I remember is that for several years his show's opening bumper music would be a line from the song Genius of Love from group Tom Tom Club in 1981, in which they repeated the words Bohannon several times, which was Jim's last name. RIP Jim, you will be greatly missed!

 

[crainbebo]

We were just talking about his retirement. Very sorry to hear about his death. A great, mostly-unbiased talk show host in the same realm as Larry King. RIP Mr. Bohannon!

 

[cartman2002]

When I delivered newspapers in Northampton, MA in the early wee hours of the morning, My mother and I listened to Jim Bohannon on WHMP-AM at 4:00

 

[epmarkr]

Always enjoyed Jim's reminiscing about his first station, KLWT in Lebanon, MO. Jim says the call letters stood for "Keep listening, we're trying". That was Jim. A great, creative feature that Jim narrated was "The Offbeat", a few minute humorous segment during which Jim told a story about a person or entities' unusual pursuit, interspersed with from the spokesperson. He was a voice of reason, and never took himself too seriously.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Dang Bohannon and Westwood One just named successors prior to him leaving the way he did.

Rich Valdes taking over in the manner he did felt a lot like Gil Gross “taking over” for Paul Harvey as he died. Citadel retired “News and Comment” only two weeks later as 1) Harvey was irreplaceable and 2) a 15-minute old-school newscast with live sponsor reads and a daily 5-minute history essay was incongruent with modern day radio.

It would have been unfair to end Jim’s show right then and there given his obviously failing health and the midterms rapidly approaching. But that Westwood One still bills it (for now) as The Jim Bohannon Show with Rich Valdes says a lot about Jim being as irreplaceable as Paul was. And make no mistake, Jim is irreplaceable.

 

[TheBigA]

But that Westwood One still bills it (for now) as The Jim Bohannon Show with Rich Valdez says a lot about Jim being as irreplaceable as Paul was. And make no mistake, Jim is irreplaceable.

The same thing happened when Rush Limbaugh died, for the same reason. Contracts with stations are for the Jim Bohannon Show.

It's a temporary transition period, after which the show will be renamed.

 

[Rusty Muck]

The same thing happened when Rush Limbaugh died, for the same reason. Contracts with stations are for the Jim Bohannon Show.

It's a temporary transition period, after which the show will be renamed.

It might be. But at the same time, late evening is not exactly conducive to syndicated talk, especially when stations might find it much easier to run Levin, Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Lee Habib or Dave Ramsey on tape, or opt to carry John Batchelor instead. (Is Rita Cosby’s show being syndicated by WABC?)

 

[TheBigA]

It might be. But at the same time, late evening is not exactly conducive to syndicated talk, especially when stations might find it much easier to run Levin, Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Lee Habib or Dave Ramsey on tape, or opt to carry John Batchlor instead. (Is Rita Cosby’s show being syndicated by WABC?)

It's easier to run whatever has been there. A live show is preferable to a rerun. Syndication is syndication. The deal is the same.

If the issue is that they don't like the new guy, then they do something different after 90 days. It's up to them.

 

[TheBigA]

After a few months of hosting The Jim Bohannon Show with Rich Valdes, the name of the show has been changed:

https://news.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n43106

Cumulus Media Introduces Rich Valdés America At Night

Cumulus Media is introducing listeners to programming from conservative commentator Rich Valdés in an all-new radio program and two different podcasts. Valdés assumed the radio time period from broadcasting legend Jim Bohannon last year and now launches his own distinct programming. The all-new live show airs each weeknight from 10pm-1am ET.

Interesting that it's coming from Cumulus Media instead of Westwood One.