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KQKE (San Francisco AAR affiliate) rumored to be debuting local morning show

F

FightingIrish

This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:

I'm checking a tip from writer Mark De la Vina. He says comedian Will Durst and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown will host a new morning show starting Jan. 2 on KQKE-AM (960), home of the syndicated liberal "Air America" network.

You know, the network they said would never work, but is neck-and-neck with its fellow Clear Channel-owned conservative competitor, KNEW-AM (910).

The best thing for a station like that is a solid local morning radio team and you can't get more glib than these two libs. With two Willies as host, what would you wise guys suggest they call it?

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2005/12/new_air_america.html

KQKE (The Quake) is currently running AAR's 'Morning Sedition', which is ending it's run soon and will be replaced by two new shows (Mark Riley and Rachel Maddow).

<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
In other news: KIRO's Mike Webb recently caught picking his nose in a bar

> I'm checking a tip from writer Mark De la Vina. He says
> comedian Will Durst and former San Francisco Mayor Willie
> Brown will host a new morning show starting Jan. 2 on
> KQKE-AM (960), home of the syndicated liberal "Air America"
> network.
>
> You know, the network they said would never work, but is
> neck-and-neck with its fellow Clear Channel-owned
> conservative competitor, KNEW-AM (910).

You know, the station that just made the biggest deal out of non-talent Jerry Springer doing the morning show. You know, most stations of such high regard don't typically cycle through morning shows at one per quarter. Someone should tell them that CC had a spare AM (910) that serves as a dumping ground for their syndicated shows and a revenue generator from Savage's 350-station syndication. The real benchmark is KSFO........ fah... r ..... aw....aaaaaaaaa.....y in the ratings.

Good to see they're tapping people with extensive radio history. Guess without Mr. Kohl running the show they're going downhill.
 
> Good to see they're tapping people with extensive radio
> history. Guess without Mr. Kohl running the show they're
> going downhill.
>

Don't count out Durst so easily....Will Durst has been a political wonk and columnist for over 20 years. His most recent work is located at

http://workingforchange.com

Anyone who knows Durst knows he is incredibly funny and can cover every spectrum of the political arena and its policies.....

Brown has a lot of TV experience but can he make the move to radio, guess we will see soon.....
 
> This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:
>
> I'm checking a tip from writer Mark De la Vina. He says
> comedian Will Durst and former San Francisco Mayor Willie
> Brown will host a new morning show starting Jan. 2 on
> KQKE-AM (960), home of the syndicated liberal "Air America"
> network.
>
> You know, the network they said would never work, but is
> neck-and-neck with its fellow Clear Channel-owned
> conservative competitor, KNEW-AM (910).
>
> The best thing for a station like that is a solid local
> morning radio team and you can't get more glib than these
> two libs. With two Willies as host, what would you wise guys
> suggest they call it?
>
h> ttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2005/12/new_air_america.html
>
>
> KQKE (The Quake) is currently running AAR's 'Morning
> Sedition', which is ending it's run soon and will be
> replaced by two new shows (Mark Riley and Rachel Maddow).
>

I am NOT trying to pick a fight, but why is it that AAR seems to bring on people that are comedians? Why not a true radio personality? Perhaps I am overanalyzing.....
 
This Just In: Clear Channel (not AAR) Owns KQKE

>
> I am NOT trying to pick a fight, but why is it that AAR
> seems to bring on people that are comedians? Why not a true
> radio personality? Perhaps I am overanalyzing.....

In what way is AAR "bringing on" a comedian to this station? KQKE is owned by Clear Channel, not AAR. I suspect that AAR would prefer that CC run AAR programming instead of CC programming, although this move (if it happens) would boost the station's ratings. <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Scribbler on 12/03/05 03:49 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> > This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:
> >
> > I'm checking a tip from writer Mark De la Vina. He says
> > comedian Will Durst and former San Francisco Mayor Willie
> > Brown will host a new morning show starting Jan. 2 on
> > KQKE-AM (960), home of the syndicated liberal "Air
> America"
> > network.
> >
> > You know, the network they said would never work, but is
> > neck-and-neck with its fellow Clear Channel-owned
> > conservative competitor, KNEW-AM (910).
> >
> > The best thing for a station like that is a solid local
> > morning radio team and you can't get more glib than these
> > two libs. With two Willies as host, what would you wise
> guys
> > suggest they call it?
> >
> h>
> ttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2005/12/new_air_america.html
>
> >
> >
> > KQKE (The Quake) is currently running AAR's 'Morning
> > Sedition', which is ending it's run soon and will be
> > replaced by two new shows (Mark Riley and Rachel Maddow).
> >
>
> I am NOT trying to pick a fight, but why is it that AAR
> seems to bring on people that are comedians? Why not a true
> radio personality? Perhaps I am overanalyzing.....
>

I think that radioexecs as a whole -- not just AAR, note Jerry Doyal, ETC. -- have realized that only people in radio and radio geeks care whether the new AM drive host on their local AM station has radio experience.
Try to be objective for a second. Will Durst has an existing national following from doing stand up. Willie Brown was a popular local mayor. The thought is that they would be a bigger audience catcher then Dick Fitswell the left leaning PM drive host from WXXX in Intercorse, PA. I think this nutty idea just might work, too. The Show will be really entertaining if the chemistry is there. This trend doesn't just play in the world of radio, either. . For example, Lionel Richy's adopted daughter Nichole just signed a development deal with Fox. She is, afterall, Lionel Richy's daughter, and Paris Hilton's friend. What more do you need to be a "star"?
I will admit, it would be great if everyone who paid their dues would get a great gig, but how often does that happen in the real world, anyway.
 
> > This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:
> >
> > I'm checking a tip from writer Mark De la Vina. He says
> > comedian Will Durst and former San Francisco Mayor Willie
> > Brown will host a new morning show starting Jan. 2 on
> > KQKE-AM (960), home of the syndicated liberal "Air
> America"
> > network.
> >
> > You know, the network they said would never work, but is
> > neck-and-neck with its fellow Clear Channel-owned
> > conservative competitor, KNEW-AM (910).
> >
> > The best thing for a station like that is a solid local
> > morning radio team and you can't get more glib than these
> > two libs. With two Willies as host, what would you wise
> guys
> > suggest they call it?
> >
> h>
> ttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2005/12/new_air_america.html
>
> >
> >
> > KQKE (The Quake) is currently running AAR's 'Morning
> > Sedition', which is ending it's run soon and will be
> > replaced by two new shows (Mark Riley and Rachel Maddow).
> >
>
> I am NOT trying to pick a fight, but why is it that AAR
> seems to bring on people that are comedians? Why not a true
> radio personality? Perhaps I am overanalyzing.....
>


As stated above, this is a Clear Channel thing (though I wouldn't be surprised if AAR got involved eventually.

Durst does have radio experience, going back decades via many guest appearances and even guest hosting. He practically lived on Alex Bennett's show back in the '80's and '90's.

Willie Brown is an flambouyant Al Sharpton-type, and one hell of a speaker. He should do fine.

BTW: I posted this in N/T and on the SF board. The reason for posting here is not to post yet another AAR thread, but just bringing up the possibility that this could open up more AAR affiliates that decide to local shows. Or, if the show takes off, maybe Premiere will get involved in syndicating liberal talk (like they surprisingly missed with Springer).

<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
Both Will Durst and Willie Brown are much more glib than Al Franken (I like Franken, but all his stumbling around puts me off). Glibness: good on the radio. Er..ing and ah..ing: bad.
>
> As stated above, this is a Clear Channel thing (though I
> wouldn't be surprised if AAR got involved eventually.

Involved in what way? Syndicating them nationally? Maybe, but Willie Brown knows California politics inside and out and I've love to see him put that expertise to further good use. Maybe CC could eventually put Durst and Brown on in all their California markets.
>
> Durst does have radio experience, going back decades via
> many guest appearances and even guest hosting. He
> practically lived on Alex Bennett's show back in the '80's
> and '90's.

Hasn't he guest-hosted for Randi Rhodes?
>
> Willie Brown is an flambouyant Al Sharpton-type, and one
> hell of a speaker. He should do fine.

Brown has a broader appeal than Sharpton, who's never been elected to anything. Brown was a long-time Democratic leader in the California assembly before becoming San Francisco mayor.
 
> Both Will Durst and Willie Brown are much more glib than Al
> Franken (I like Franken, but all his stumbling around puts
> me off). Glibness: good on the radio. Er..ing and ah..ing:
> bad.
> >
> > As stated above, this is a Clear Channel thing (though I
> > wouldn't be surprised if AAR got involved eventually.
>
> Involved in what way? Syndicating them nationally? Maybe,
> but Willie Brown knows California politics inside and out
> and I've love to see him put that expertise to further good
> use. Maybe CC could eventually put Durst and Brown on in all
> their California markets.



I should point out that the new morning show would displace Jerry Springer's live 6-9 show (forgot about that Pacific Time Zone thing).

And some west coast progressive talkers seem to be opting for Stephanie Miller, though some CC ones are going with local shows (Stacy Taylor, Thom Hartmann).<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
> I am NOT trying to pick a fight, but why is it that AAR
> seems to bring on people that are comedians? Why not a true
> radio personality? Perhaps I am overanalyzing.....

No, you're right. Liberal talk radio is quickly becoming like the mothers who work flex time, take weeks off, leave early to pick up the kids, and then complain their salary is 75% of those who work everyday... they put on these stooges to do shows, nobody listens, and they complain how "unfair" it is that conservatives dominate radio. Sitting around talking about your blog is not interesting radio. I was listening to Mike McConnell today, and although I didn't agree with his typical Merry-Christmas-at-all-costs callers, he is atleast a true radio personality who has worked in the business and earned his stripes. That's why he has 12 shares in Cincinnati and a national show, and Bay Area residents think "The Quake" is the new NOAA station for emergency earthquake information.
 
Confirmed by Mercury News

> This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:

If you click the link above, you'll see that Mercury News pop music/radio writer Brad Kava has updated it, and has a press release from Clear Channel/SF AM program director Bob Agnew confirming the show. It starts in January.

I'm not sure if this ever appeared in the print newspaper or not. The blog is generally online-only (though I'm sure they move some stuff over to print as needed). Brad used to do a regular radio column in the Dead Trees edition of the Mercury News, but the blog is basically a replacement for it. He still does radio articles in the paper when they're especially newsworthy.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
> I will admit, it would be great if everyone who paid their
> dues would get a great gig, but how often does that happen
> in the real world, anyway.

If you can walk into a studio and belt out a great radio show, good for you. But having sold so many brokered shows to mortgage brokers, doctors, wannabes, etc., they all say, "a radio show... how hard can it be?" It isn't easy, and they soon learn that. Regardless of whether you agree with them, their schtick, etc. please tell me which batch of hosts sound better and have achieved more:

1) Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Tom Leykis
2) Jerry Doyle, Bill Bennett, Michael Medved, Janeane Garofalo

One group has been in radio for 30+ years, the other treat a radio show like getting a cute puppy for Christmas. And it shows. That's a generalization, not an unbreakable rule.
 
Being Handed A Radio Show

> One group has been in radio for 30+ years, the other treat a
> radio show like getting a cute puppy for Christmas. And it
> shows. That's a generalization, not an unbreakable rule.

Indeed.

And people HAVE come into the talk radio ranks, and been quite successful at it, from other walks of life.

Just in California alone, frequent Rush subs Roger Hedgecock (KOGO/San Diego afternoon driver) and Tom Sullivan (KFBK/Sacramento middays) came out of non-broadcast backgrounds. Hedgecock was, of course, once mayor of San Diego. Sullivan was a stockbroker (and still is) who came to the station to do business reports and talk.

But...that's a different situation than many of these other folks have encountered. They're basically handed a prime-time radio show on a large station or network because they have a NAME.

There should be a law against Bill Bennett being on the radio, and not because of his politics...but because his show is so sleep inducing, it could very well cause people to fall asleep at the wheel while driving their cars to work.

On the left side, though he's not QUITE as much Radio Sominex as Bennett, Jerry Springer would be in the same boat. It says something when Clear Channel, which produces his show in Cincinnati and Chicago, starts taking him off of some of their liberal talkers. And he's never even aired (live) some of them, including KTLK/1150 Los Angeles, the flagship for Jones/WYD's Stephanie Miller in AM drive.

This phenomenon isn't even limited to issues talk - look at the laundry list of non-radio "names" being pressed into service for radio by Infinity for its "Free FM" talkers...

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Confirmed by Mercury News

> > This is from a San Jose Mercury News article:
>
> If you click the link above, you'll see that Mercury News
> pop music/radio writer Brad Kava has updated it, and has a
> press release from Clear Channel/SF AM program director Bob
> Agnew confirming the show. It starts in January.
>
> I'm not sure if this ever appeared in the print newspaper or
> not. The blog is generally online-only (though I'm sure
> they move some stuff over to print as needed). Brad used to
> do a regular radio column in the Dead Trees edition of the
> Mercury News, but the blog is basically a replacement for
> it. He still does radio articles in the paper when they're
> especially newsworthy.
>
> -OA
>

Interesting to note that there's a third person joining Will and Willie. Paul Wells is a longtime SF air talent who goes by the name Lobster. Interesting to note that he was a fixture on an '80's rock station in SF also known as "The Quake". I remember him doing the overnight shift then. Also did a morning show for a few years. In another Quake coincidence, Durst was a regular fixture on Alex Bennett's morning show at that very same Quake around the same time (station was on the air 82-84 or 85). When I lived in the Bay Area, The Quake was one of my favorite stations. They were mainstream rock at first, then switched to a KROQ-style modern rock format.<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
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