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KATHY & JUDY AIR FINAL SHOW ON WGN RADIO

C

Cornflake the Destroyer

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Friday, May 22, 2009 – WGN Radio 720 AM announced it is discontinuing the “Kathy & Judy Show,” featuring program hosts Kathy O’Malley and Judy Markey, at the end of today’s broadcast. Friday’s show will present some of the duo’s finest, funniest and most poignant moments and the hosts’ reminiscences about their 20 years together on WGN.

The show was unprecedented in local radio when WGN brought together O’Malley, then a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, and Markey, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. They took on topics that were once taboo in talk radio, injecting wit, wisdom and women’s insights into their daily mid-morning conversations.

“Kathy & Judy have been a phenomenal chapter in WGN Radio’s rich history,” said Tom Langmyer, VP/General Manager of WGN Radio. “They have a level of personal connection with their listeners that is extremely rare. They’ve shared fun, laughter, joy and a wonderful relationship with their many ‘Girlfriends.’ They will be missed and we wish them much happiness.”

“This was a business decision,” Langmyer added. “The media business and the Chicago radio market have changed dramatically in the last few years, including a new method of ratings measurement. WGN needs to respond to these changes, and this is the time to move in a new direction.”

Though they will not be on-air program hosts, O’Malley and Markey will continue to be employed by WGN and will be heard in commercial announcements.

WGN will name a replacement host or hosts for the mid-morning program in the coming weeks.


WGN Radio 720 AM, the 2008 Illinois Broadcasters Association Large Market Station of the Year, is dedicated to being the #1 source of Chicagoland entertainment, news, sports and information. WGN Radio is the official broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks, and Northwestern University. It continues over 80 years as “The Voice of Chicago.” For more information or to listen online, visit wgnradio.com.

You can also read their final message at the following link:

http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/kathyjudy/
 
It says a lot for the classy chicks they are that Kevin would give them the air to say goodbye rather than just announce it at noon. That doesn't happen a lot.
 
WGN is no longer the radio station I grew up with. First they hire a dolt (Garry Meier) and now this?

*sigh*

Someone upstairs just doesn't get it.

Quality is no longer appreciated nor desired.

This just gives me more time to listen to podcasts that I enjoy, I guess. I'm tuning out.

When are they going to fire John Williams and replace him with Howard Stern or Don Imus?
 
Their show was entertaining...but more from a train wreck point of view. They would take calls, and clearly never listen to what the caller was actually saying, I don't know how many times I heard a caller frustrated that K&J couldn't understand what the caller was talking about.

Nothing was more gross than listening to a couple of 60+ year olds talk about their vibrators

Their constant praise of Obama leading up to the election was annoying.

It's true, WGN is not the station we grew up with. It's always sad when a local show hosted by actual Chicagoans (not transplants) goes away. But it's good to see WGN attempting to go after the younger demographic. John Williams is absolutely horrible, not like Spike was too much better, but personality wise, he was easier to listen to. Now if a station were smart (WIND?) they'd go after all the 60+ year old listeners WGN has turned off the last year or two.
 
I loved listening to Kathy & Judy, even if they were a little too girl talk for this man.

If WGN's idea for change is having John replace Spike & Garry bumping Steve, I don't know what they werre thinking.

I'm only 43 & WGN's (& other stations') actions of the past few years are all the more reason to switch off radio altogether. Sometimes you just want to be entertained, not thought prevoked. Must every station have an "agenda"?
 
When I left Chicago, I hunted everywhere on the dial for a WGN-like radio station locally. I'm convinced they don't exist. At least I had the internet.

Now, WGN doesn't resemble WGN. The era is gone. (Yes, I get the money thing - I guess I'm making a statement about what Americans consider quality these days.)

I'm 42. I don't really believe that only 60+ listen to WGN. That's not who calls into the shows.

(I like John Williams, btw. I like him better than Spike.)

Based on the Garry Meier decision, I would bet they will go the Jerry Springer route to fill the void. Blech.
 
The perfect replacement is Larry Lujack.
For many reasons.
 
Jerry Agar would be the best for the long haul; however, Lujack will probably end up in the slot for what he can bring right now.
 
I, too, was deeply saddened on hearing the news that WGN’s Tom Langmyer, WGN-AM's vice president and general manager, supports the sudden and immediate removal of Kathy & Judy from the WGN airways. These ladies have continued to give their heart-felt and thoughtful views throughout the long history of their program.

As I understand it, their contract is up next year. In view of the poor performance of most recent hires by WGN, I strongly suggest that these gals be put back on the air immediately with chastened on-air and online apology from an appropriate and high-level manager who still can combine leadership skills with bottom-line skills. Use the extra time to make a strong replacement program selection that will carry on the traditions of this station and the Land of Lincoln.

Listeners, show your support for Kathy & Judy and WGN Radio... Show Your Support in a visual and compelling way. Teach your children about the values and merits of good radio and good Television. Explain how both will enrich their lives. Don’t accept any new host who says it is the woman’s role to passively accept and forgive a cheating husband so as to keep the family unit intact.

Go to the WGN Radio Home page ... At the top of that page you will see a row of links running across the bottom of the big black bar. Near the right side of these links, mouse over the Shop WGN link.... A drop-down menu appears. Mouse down the list and click on Buy WGN Apparel. You will see a big picture of Judy, John Williams, and Kathy. In the text above that picture, there is a contact phone number for the St. Andrews apparel customer service - 1-800-628-9922 Mon - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

I suggest everyone pick a PINK item of your choice from the clothing list and ask Customer Service to put Kathy & Judy across the back in two inch letters and/or on the front pocket... have Kathy & Judy added in bigger size letters above the usual WGN 720 logo...

Front Pocket
Kathy
Judy
wgn 720

On The Back
Kathy & Judy


For the guys, there aren’t any pink color choices that I saw on the sites, but there were a few items that offered a rose color choice.

And all of you can also click on the Cubs Merchandise choice in the same list, select Cubs or other team sports items that offer a logo option and request Kathy & Judy be placed across the back in place of a player name or your own name. The MLB online shop contact # is: 1-888-652-7467.

Wear these at work, when you go with your girlfriends to stand in front of the WGN Showcase Studio Window, take a tour or attend a meeting at Tribune tower, go to sporting events like Cubs park, Sox park or other entertainment venues, and when you go shopping in the Kathy & Judy Tradition.

As Ever, a reader and a listener:
Orin Keplinger
 
Goldear said:
Jerry Agar would be the best for the long haul; however, Lujack will probably end up in the slot for what he can bring right now.
Click to expand...

It won't be Lujack. Bob Sirott & Marianne Murciano are being considered according to the Sun Times.
 
talk_radio_nut said:
WGN is no longer the radio station I grew up with. First they hire a dolt (Garry Meier) and now this?
Click to expand...

How can this be? I thought corporations only higher the best and brightest.

It says so on their mission statements!
???
 
justula said:
talk_radio_nut said:
WGN is no longer the radio station I grew up with. First they hire a dolt (Garry Meier) and now this?
Click to expand...

How can this be? I thought corporations only higher the best and brightest.

It says so on their mission statements!
???
Click to expand...

Maybe they just made a mistake. ;D
 
Kathy & Judy are a couple of very nice people whose show didn't crack the top 25 in 25-54. In the end, it's about making money. The WGN sales staff can walk on water but really...a 50,000 watt blowtorch and they can't get enough listeners in the dough demo to start a fight.
 
Hmm I thought I read on DRUDGE last month that Obama was killing the PPM off because the PPM was unfairly targeting minority and urban stations.
Guess not, party on. ;)
 
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