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John Labarca out at WICC??

According to sources inside, John was officially let go on Thursday. Rumor had it he was under suspension prior to that, but who knows what ultimately led to his dismissal.

I had previously worked with John and I wouldn't be surprised if some of his antics were the cause of what happened. I had heard things in the past when I worked with him that had I been in management I would have never tolerated, no matter how much he brought in to the station.
 
MarcB said:
According to popular opinion JLB's Italian show was the second most popular Italian Show in the state of Connecticut.
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According to the books, his show "Italian House Party" was the #1 rated Italian radio program in the country. He had listeners from the entire Tri-State area (NY/Long Island, NJ and CT), as well as into Massachussetts and Rhode Island. Cumulus Media sister station WFAS-AM 1230 in West Plains, NY simulcasts the program (as did WINE-AM 940 in Danbury and WPUT-AM 1510 in Brewster, NY before they switched from standards to ESPN sportstalk in August 2005). His program has also been streamed live on the internet for some time, drawing an audience of native Italians, ethnic Italians, and others from throughout the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe.

John left for a Mediterranean cruise two weeks ago, as I remember him saying on his last Italian House Party show. For those who don't know, he does the Italian show every Sunday, in addition to hosting the "Family Breakfast Show" weekday mornings. According to an article in the Connecticut Post, it says his last day was Monday morning. I didn't listen that morning, but it must have been his first day back from the cruise, and his last day at AM600. Talk about shafted. This is terrible, not only for him and the Italian-American community, but for the station. He brought in a lot of money and publicity. I never listened to WICC, let alone AM radio, until a relative told me about the Italian show twenty something years ago. And I've been hooked ever since! John was also a giving person, doing charities for all sorts of groups, with Swim Across the Sound sticking out in my mind the most. He supported alot of people in their endeavors from Italian authors and upcoming musicians to veterans. I think he served in Nam if I remember correctly. Funny, I write about him as if I knew him personally. I think that's why John was so special to the people who listened to him. You felt like you knew him, and he became a part of our Italian family and Sunday tradition. I can't imagine this happening to someone when they just got back from vacation. WICC said it had to due with "personnel" issues. I just hope he hangs in there. He's was battling health and weight problems, but said recently that he lost close to 100 pounds. He sounded like a new man on the air, and I pray that this stupid decision on behalf of WICC doesn't make him relapse. John's a good guy and wears his heart on his sleeve, I just hope he can make it through this. Everyone I talked to about this is in shock, and kind of depressed, I can't imagine what he's feeling. The article also says that he will be replaced not only during the morning show, but also during the "Italian House Party" show by some new guy. Wait a minute, last I remember John started this show in Long Island years ago, and brought it to Bridgeport with him. I don't know the legal or contractual agreements but I thought this was his show to take along with him to the next station. And I remember him saying that all of the music you heard on the program was from his collection gathered over the years from trips to Italy. I wonder what they'll do if he also has the right to take that with him. This should be interesting to see how it all plays out, and if we'll ever find out what "personnel issues" led to this. But don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of John La Barca first. I don't resent his replacement - that wouldn't be fair to him - but the Italian House Party was JLB - he made the show. Now I have no reason to listen to WICC. I feel alot of people will think the same way. He has a loyal following and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at another local station doing an Italian program, either by the same name or a different one. This happened not too long ago when WICC canned the Peter Polka guy, and then he took his Polish music show to another station. I don't know what WICC is thinking, they had a good thing going, now then went and killed it. Not a smart thing to do when Connecticut has the highest percentage of Italians in the country, followed by Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. We'll see if people start listening to the new guy, or if they jump ship and go to wherever JLB ends up. Maybe he'll appear on another station or start an internet radio stream. Regardless we'll definitely miss John and his music and WICC screwed up big time... but I'll be grateful for all the songs and memories he brought into our home, and the joy he brought to those of us born and raised in the old country. Thank you!

http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_7723187
 
Bill DeFelice said:
I had previously worked with John and I wouldn't be surprised if some of his antics were the cause of what happened. I had heard things in the past when I worked with him that had I been in management I would have never tolerated, no matter how much he brought in to the station.
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Hey there, you must have submitted your post before I finished writing mine. That's unfortunate to hear. I don't know the guy, but he always seemed like a giant teddy bear on the radio. I guess you never know. But he still did a service to the community, at least that's the only way I can look at it now - he was part of our Sunday for years.
 
oldschooltv said:
... I guess you never know. But he still did a service to the community, at least that's the only way I can look at it now - he was part of our Sunday for years.
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There are quite a few skeletons in his closet and I honestly don't feel this is the venue to air them (no pun intended). While it is true John has done good for many, there are quite a few who were burned along the way. It's too bad. A mutual coworker use to tell me he thought his antics were "entertaining" until things start to look downright ugly. Sadly, you reap what you sow.

If all the listeners really knew the man behind the persona they would be surprised, maybe dissapointed and perhaps even appalled.
 
John LaBarca fired from WICC? You know .. just as I was starting to wonder if WICC might be slanting its programming a bit heavily toward the Italian-Americans, Santa steps into the Christmas Season with a REAL gift for listeners. Yes, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus! And yes, WICC, there is another ethnic group out there called plain old AMERICANS .. with no hyphen thank you!

Rumor has it that LaBarca insulted someone in the family. Michael Corleone received a personal call from "someone" at Cumulus Media. Michael called Tom Hagan. Tom called Luca Brasi. Luca put a dead fish in the back seat of LaBarca's vehicle .. and we all know what happened next. It's just business! ::)

Now if Santa can just convince the powers that be down at good old WICC to return to the days of yesteryear and start providing its listeners with great programming, then perhaps WICC could live up to ALL of the claims it makes about being #1 .. and we could all make it a Happy New Year!

Nah .. they're probably all waiting for more orders from headquarters.
 
Of course, this is the show Bob Crane once hosted.

And I have a vague recollection that for several years this show had the highest audience share of any radio show in the US. Anybody recall for sure.

Right now, Imus affiliate reps are probably starting to circle.
 
Platos Notes said:
John LaBarca fired from WICC? You know .. just as I was starting to wonder if WICC might be slanting its programming a bit heavily toward the Italian-Americans, Santa steps into the Christmas Season with a REAL gift for listeners. Yes, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus! And yes, WICC, there is another ethnic group out there called plain old AMERICANS .. with no hyphen thank you!
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Funny, I never really noticed this. I listened in the mornings for traffic (usually morning is when I listen to recorded podcasts of "The Money Pit" and a few other shows not carried locally). I listen to Jimmy B (usually good) and the two "Smith Boys" - I've known David for some time and he's an enjoyable listen and Brian is a much better listen than he was at his former homestead. I didn't notice any slant toward Italians in the past. To me, it seemed the station had a broad-based appeal that was pretty good in general.

<rant> John getting fired isn't like the format change that happened years ago at CBS-FM. I will still be listening to WICC for information and entertainment. The very fact JLB is gone is affects the end product very little as far as listening to the station is for me. If anybody remembers when WEBE came into being back in 1984 most everybody on staff at the old WDJF was fired when the Flamms sold that property - you didn't hear much public outcry about that. Radio companies are in business to make money just like any other business. They have the full right to hire/promote/demote/fire who they wish as long as they have legal standpoint and I'm sure Cumulus would not dismiss him without just grounds. I'm sure John will re-emerge somewhere with his Italian-ethnic programming to please the masses. <end rant>
 
I think it is a shame when such a popular and talented personality such as John is fired, probably for personality differences or power play.
In regards to one submitters comments, that they must have had just cause to let him go. - According to the Business Law courses I have taken, unless there is a Union, where just cause is required to fire someone, we are all employees at will. And what that means is that your employer can fire you, or anyone else for ANY reason, or for NO reason for that matter, as is their "will".
Sad state of affairs.
John, I hope you find another station locally to help us get ready for our days with a morning show. You were very good at it and are missed.
AM...FM... It matters not, your fans will follow you.
Money does talk, if enough people changed channels in the morning, it would hurt. The message must be clear.
Good Luck John, and God Bless.
 
I think WICC wants to remake its image. I always thought of it as a somewhat parochial townie radio station. The "Family" Breakfast show and Italian House Party in particular. As much as I like a radio station with local personalities...evidently the higher ups want something a little more
geared to a "larger" audience.
 
Well, I don't know diddly about the skeletons in the closet, but it was refreshing programming in the AM. Used to commute to Stamford, and WICC was good local info and traffic for 95/Merritt. Nice to hear music and talk along with info. I know that sounds throw-back, but now its rare, and with music selection, quite entertaining. Personnally, I've had my fill of opinion radio.

And as we all know in CT, TV is where you get your news WX TFC... try THAT in a power-outage ! What, no battery operated color TV??? LOL ROTF LMAO

GL JLB
 
I, Bill DeFelice, need to take a moment to apoligize to Mr. John Labarca or the statements I have made here within this forum. I admit I was out of line in any statement I may have made regarding any personal matter that Mr. Labarca has been involved with and it is not my place to make such judgements or statement in that regard. It was clouded judgement on my part that led me to post said statements. I retract any such statement attributed to me and I again, apoligize to Mr. Labarca for the hard feelings these statement may have caused. I wish him all the best with his radio endeavors.
 
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