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L.A. Progressive Talker Bans "Best Ofs"

S

Scribbler

Los Angeles progressive talker KTLK has a policy of not running "best ofs." As a result, weekend talker Johnny Wendell has been pulling some marathon shifts. Yesterday he did seven hours, filling the slots usually occupied by Al Franken and Randi Rhodes. Today he's doing six straight hours, filling in for Stephanie Miller and Franken. Personally, I prefer Wendell to both Rhodes and Miller (and would prefer him to Franken if he had the same caliber of guests).

You can stream KTLK at www.ktlk.com
 
> Los Angeles progressive talker KTLK has a policy of not
> running "best ofs." As a result, weekend talker Johnny
> Wendell has been pulling some marathon shifts. Yesterday he
> did seven hours, filling the slots usually occupied by Al
> Franken and Randi Rhodes. Today he's doing six straight
> hours, filling in for Stephanie Miller and Franken.

I don't see the problem with running a "best of" today and, say, Monday and Friday of next week. They're basically holidays. And the entire ratings process won't be up and running again until January 3rd, as we're in that rare break for Arbitron.

That said, Mr. Wendell will reportedly fill in for Stephanie Miller on her national syndication at least a couple or three times next week, probably Tuesday-Thursday. If he was already doing KTLK for Steph this morning, I'm surprised that they didn't throw him on the bird anyway.

The other question - doesn't KTLK have other weekend talkers they can throw on instead of just Johnny Wendell? Last I checked, they had at least two other hosts...

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Mario Solis is co-hosting the Franken segment today with Wendell and said that he (Solis) would be soloing in that slot next week, as Wendell fills in for Miller.


> The other question - doesn't KTLK have other weekend talkers
> they can throw on instead of just Johnny Wendell? Last I
> checked, they had at least two other hosts...
>
> -OA
>
 
It's great to have that policy if you have the bullpen to pull it off. <P ID="signature">______________
Classic Christmas Jingle

http://www.thebig8.net/merry_christmas_from_cklw.mp3</P>
 
I can see why that station would ban "Best-Of's". They might want someone "in the chair" on both their local and national programs should a major unexpected news event occur over the Holidays.

Last year's biggest international news story (the Tsunami that devastated Indonesia) occured the day after Christmas (local time in Indonesia; I remember that news about it broke prior to 12 Midnight Christmas Day on the East Coast). Most nationally-syndicated talk show hosts were on vacations and their shows' syndicators were more often than not running "Best-Of's".
 
> Los Angeles progressive talker KTLK has a policy of not
> running "best ofs." As a result, weekend talker Johnny
> Wendell has been pulling some marathon shifts. Yesterday he
> did seven hours, filling the slots usually occupied by Al
> Franken and Randi Rhodes. Today he's doing six straight
> hours, filling in for Stephanie Miller and Franken.
> Personally, I prefer Wendell to both Rhodes and Miller (and
> would prefer him to Franken if he had the same caliber of
> guests).
>
> You can stream KTLK at www.ktlk.com
>

Is there a podcast or a sample of Johnny? I heard him in an interview on KFI's website but can't get a real feel for him in action on my Holiday schedule...

I heard a guy subbing for Steph months ago that was really hot. A total Savage type. Is this the guy? If so- he needs to go national- he was great.
 
Johnny Wendell

> Is there a podcast or a sample of Johnny? I heard him in an
> interview on KFI's website but can't get a real feel for him
> in action on my Holiday schedule...
>
> I heard a guy subbing for Steph months ago that was really
> hot. A total Savage type. Is this the guy? If so- he needs
> to go national- he was great.
>
I don't know of any Wendell podcasts, but it sounds as if you heard him subbing for Miller. You can stream his weekend shows (at www.ktlk.com) on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm (PST) and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

I rarely listen to Savage, but from what I remember he and Wendell have similar styles. BTW, Wendell used to be a rocker using the name "Johnny Angel." <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Scribbler on 12/24/05 01:40 AM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Johnny Wendell

> I rarely listen to Savage, but from what I remember he and
> Wendell have similar styles. BTW, Wendell used to be a
> rocker using the name "Johnny Angel."

I haven't heard Mr. Wendell, but from what I understand, he's the only live voice who has ever filled in for Ms. Miller on her national show. If he's not there, they run "Best Of".

-OA <P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
>
> I heard a guy subbing for Steph months ago that was really
> hot. A total Savage type. Is this the guy? If so- he needs
> to go national- he was great.

That's the guy. Air America should syndicate Johnny Wendell nationally or, at least, Clear Channel should put him on a regular M-F schedule in L.A. He's too good to be relegated to weekends and fill-ins.
 
The notion of "fresh" programming on holidays/weekends, like the five-day workweek for announcers is a nice luxury. Unfortunately, outside the biggest markets it's considered just that - a luxury. Self-fulfilling prophecy?
 
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