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LEAH BRANDON IS ANNOYING AND UNINTELLIGENT

X

XL1000

Guest
I was driving down the coast on Tuesday night listening to KFI. The host was a guy
from Dallas, he was attempting top discuss the JFK murder, every few seconds the
bombastic Leah Brandon jumps on with some lame sound byte which sounds like pillow
talk she picked up from Zeigler about how everything the host said was wrong. She
sounds culturally illiterate & never knows when to shut up. Not that Z boy is gone
they need to shut her down she adds nothing to the content, just distracts.
 
You took the words right out of my mouth!

She is VERY annoying. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she didn't sound so SHALLOW and ditzy.
 
Who are you listening to? I've never heard Leah Brandon sounding unintelligent or annoying. I think you must have passed into the "Twilight Zone". All of the news people on KFI are professional and I believe have more than average intelligence, though I've never seen their IQ test scores.
 
nmoore6676 said:
Who are you listening to? I've never heard Leah Brandon sounding unintelligent or annoying. I think you must have passed into the "Twilight Zone". All of the news people on KFI are professional and I believe have more than average intelligence, though I've never seen their IQ test scores.

Really?

That grating voice is tolerable to you?

Shallow comebacks?

Different standards, I guess.
 
brifi8500 said:
nmoore6676 said:
Who are you listening to? I've never heard Leah Brandon sounding unintelligent or annoying. I think you must have passed into the "Twilight Zone". All of the news people on KFI are professional and I believe have more than average intelligence, though I've never seen their IQ test scores.

Really?

That grating voice is tolerable to you?

Shallow comebacks?

Different standards, I guess.


If you don't want to hear her and unless someone has glued your knobs in position, turn the dial ::)
Send me your demo and I'll decide how good your voice is. People who have such a low opinion of others like your's are usually not so good themselves which explains why they are so bitter.
 
If you don't want to hear her and unless someone has glued your knobs in position, turn the dial
Send me your demo and I'll decide how good your voice is. People who have such a low opinion of others like your's are usually not so good themselves which explains why they are so bitter.


Last I heard, this was a discussion board to discuss what people hear on the radio. Seemed to me that's what the original poster was doing--discussing something someone heard on the radio. The boldfaced comment above seems out of place to me. That's like suggesting that only people who have ever succeeded as air talents should be allowed to critique other air talent. Get over yourself.
 
this isn't rocket surgery: it's everyone's roght to have an opinion...
in teh business or not...doesn't matter.
listen to what you like...skip what you don't.

just remember...Leah is working at KFI...and the complainers are not.
coincidence? don't thin' so.
 
Shoot From Hip said:
If you don't want to hear her and unless someone has glued your knobs in position, turn the dial
Send me your demo and I'll decide how good your voice is. People who have such a low opinion of others like your's are usually not so good themselves which explains why they are so bitter.


Last I heard, this was a discussion board to discuss what people hear on the radio. Seemed to me that's what the original poster was doing--discussing something someone heard on the radio. The boldfaced comment above seems out of place to me. That's like suggesting that only people who have ever succeeded as air talents should be allowed to critique other air talent. Get over yourself.

Critique is one thing, making outright insulting comments is another. The days of the smooth deep voiced impeccably enunciating announcers is over. And because of various technical issues radio has never been particularly flattering to women's voices (friends who are women have mentioned this to me).

My disapproval is not for the right to comment, but the tone and content of the remarks which I felt to be disrespectful. I can state an opinion about someone without insulting them.
 
nmoore6676 said:
Shoot From Hip said:
If you don't want to hear her and unless someone has glued your knobs in position, turn the dial
Send me your demo and I'll decide how good your voice is. People who have such a low opinion of others like your's are usually not so good themselves which explains why they are so bitter.


Last I heard, this was a discussion board to discuss what people hear on the radio. Seemed to me that's what the original poster was doing--discussing something someone heard on the radio. The boldfaced comment above seems out of place to me. That's like suggesting that only people who have ever succeeded as air talents should be allowed to critique other air talent. Get over yourself.

Critique is one thing, making outright insulting comments is another. The days of the smooth deep voiced impeccably enunciating announcers is over. And because of various technical issues radio has never been particularly flattering to women's voices (friends who are women have mentioned this to me).

My disapproval is not for the right to comment, but the tone and content of the remarks which I felt to be disrespectful. I can state an opinion about someone without insulting them.

Well, the guy who can't spell/type agrees with you. That should make you feel better.

Also, you would think the #2 market's leading N/T station would have the pick of the litter at this point, irrespective to your theory about smooth voices no longer being an issue.

[EDIT]


[EDIT-inflammatory]
 
Market two has the pick of the litter. So what does that say about the litter? There are no more farm clubs anymore what with voice tracking and network news being the norm in the smaller markets. KFI brought Leah in from KIIS where she was the overnight jock. I’ve spoken with her and she's actually a bright articulate human, but like anyone else you don't always get on the air what you might get in person. Perhaps it's the direction she gets from the PD or News Director? As for her voice, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. She’s the female image voice for KFI and other stations as well, so it can’t be that bad. I actually like it myself, but that’s just my opinion. Still, if she sounds vapid or shallow on the air, well it just might be that it is what it is and I've been fooled. But I do agree that you can make a point here without being too insulting. The again, I have written about talent I don't like and I guess it can get a little mean. Sometimes I just hit the send button too fast.
 
brifi8500 said:
nmoore6676 said:
Shoot From Hip said:
If you don't want to hear her and unless someone has glued your knobs in position, turn the dial
Send me your demo and I'll decide how good your voice is. People who have such a low opinion of others like your's are usually not so good themselves which explains why they are so bitter.


Last I heard, this was a discussion board to discuss what people hear on the radio. Seemed to me that's what the original poster was doing--discussing something someone heard on the radio. The boldfaced comment above seems out of place to me. That's like suggesting that only people who have ever succeeded as air talents should be allowed to critique other air talent. Get over yourself.

Critique is one thing, making outright insulting comments is another. The days of the smooth deep voiced impeccably enunciating announcers is over. And because of various technical issues radio has never been particularly flattering to women's voices (friends who are women have mentioned this to me).

My disapproval is not for the right to comment, but the tone and content of the remarks which I felt to be disrespectful. I can state an opinion about someone without insulting them.

Well, the guy who can't spell/type agrees with you. That should make you feel better.

Also, you would think the #2 market's leading N/T station would have the pick of the litter at this point, irrespective to your theory about smooth voices no longer being an issue.

[EDIT]


[EDIT-inflammatory]

Obviously, from your manners and way of expressing yourself you are not old enough to remember when only men were radio announcers, men with deep resonate voices who pronounced every syllable accurately and distinctly. Also there were pronunciation guides so that an announcer in Omaha would sound pretty much like one in New York, regional accents were not tolerated. Pull some air checks from old WSM announcers like Grant Turner and you'll see what I mean, not a trace of southern accent. Women could be a part of entertainment shows but never an announcer or news reader.

Today things have changed and people with less than perfect, by bygone standards, voices are accepted in all markets, big or small. Women have become prevalent, I can also remember when all DJ's were men. If they were go back to the "old days" you and I too would wonder why does it sound like a historical documentary.

My main point is that if you don't like what you hear on any station from any person on that station you are free to exercise your freedom of choice and turn it off. If and when a significant number of people join you the problem will be solved.

Finally I respect your opinion, even though I do not share it, so I would ask that you do the same and do not denigrate myself or anyone else who posts here.
 
I wish people would STOP with this "if you don't like it, change the dial" nonsense.

ONCE AND FOR ALL:
Everybody KNOWS that they have an option to NOT listen to something.

AGREED.

But that is a reeeeeeally lame way of defending against a criticism.
 
brifi8500 said:
I wish people would STOP with this "if you don't like it, change the dial" nonsense.

ONCE AND FOR ALL:
Everybody KNOWS that they have an option to NOT listen to something.

AGREED.

But that is a reeeeeeally lame way of defending against a criticism.

It is not a defense, you miss the point. There is no defense for a criticism, especially not from those who are not the target of the criticism. What you have here are various other views commenting on what you and others have said. Talking about what you don't like here does nothing to change it but you can tune out and if a lot of others join you that will make a clear statement. Also, even more directly, you could write or fax and e-mail programming at KFI.

To make a parallel, the central reason for the political mess and the do nothing corrupt politicos at all levels in government is that everyone is complaining and opining but not enough are actually taking the trouble to go vote and thereby effect a change. So getting back to the theme here, if you write and also tune out and get a lot of like minded people to likewise express their dissatisfaction with Ms. Brandon she will not stay on the air. In this case that would represent the ballot box for all of us as radio listeners. The majority rules in our society like it or not.
 
I realize a lot of talk radio has become very pedestrian and a lot of hosts sound more like a regular joe than a real airtalent but in the defense of Leah to come back with a condesending remark like a certain category of male talent "is over.." ...say's who? YOU? The art of radio is communication ability with talent. Why should someone with a great voice be penalized because he doesn't sound like a dude at the next table at Starbucks.
I would say Soledad O'Brien's voice drives me up the wall but that would ignite a reaction since Tom Brokaw doesn't matter? Is that the logic?

But instead of focusing on some air talent I've never heard of anyway, go back to the original post. It's laughable. First we're dealing with a night show (check audience size. You'll be underwhelmed). Then pickup on what nobody else has commented on: Katie Couric, I mean leah whatever, is moderating a discussion about the JFK assassination? You gotta be kidding. Of all the topics in the world she's back in the 60s rehashing something like that. What's she doing next week, the OJ story? Now I see why she's on nights, why she's not syndicated, and why nobody sends out airchecks of LA radio anymore. Folks let's forget her voice, talk radio is becoming as dull as a visit from the State farm agent and as shallow and boring as a Tupperware party. If that's the best la talk radio has to offer, I'll just drive in silence please.
 
Ready for air said:
I realize a lot of talk radio has become very pedestrian and a lot of hosts sound more like a regular joe than a real airtalent but in the defense of Leah to come back with a condesending remark like a certain category of male talent "is over.." ...say's who? YOU? The art of radio is communication ability with talent. Why should someone with a great voice be penalized because he doesn't sound like a dude at the next table at Starbucks.
I would say Soledad O'Brien's voice drives me up the wall but that would ignite a reaction since Tom Brokaw doesn't matter? Is that the logic?

But instead of focusing on some air talent I've never heard of anyway, go back to the original post. It's laughable. First we're dealing with a night show (check audience size. You'll be underwhelmed). Then pickup on what nobody else has commented on: Katie Couric, I mean leah whatever, is moderating a discussion about the JFK assassination? You gotta be kidding. Of all the topics in the world she's back in the 60s rehashing something like that. What's she doing next week, the OJ story? Now I see why she's on nights, why she's not syndicated, and why nobody sends out airchecks of LA radio anymore. Folks let's forget her voice, talk radio is becoming as dull as a visit from the State farm agent and as shallow and boring as a Tupperware party. If that's the best la talk radio has to offer, I'll just drive in silence please.


Wow, at least be informed about what you're commenting on.
Leah is the NEWsperson on at night on KFI, not a talk host. Thank God.
 
nmoore6676 said:
It is not a defense, you miss the point. There is no defense for a criticism, especially not from those who are not the target of the criticism. What you have here are various other views commenting on what you and others have said. Talking about what you don't like here does nothing to change it but you can tune out and if a lot of others join you that will make a clear statement. Also, even more directly, you could write or fax and e-mail programming at KFI.

To make a parallel, the central reason for the political mess and the do nothing corrupt politicos at all levels in government is that everyone is complaining and opining but not enough are actually taking the trouble to go vote and thereby effect a change. So getting back to the theme here, if you write and also tune out and get a lot of like minded people to likewise express their dissatisfaction with Ms. Brandon she will not stay on the air. In this case that would represent the ballot box for all of us as radio listeners. The majority rules in our society like it or not.


The POINT is, if you MUST defend Leah's honor, do you have to resort to the most useless and tired fallback "if you don't like it, change the dial"?

Let's ALL start responding with that every time someone says something critical of ANYONE on air ANYWHERE!

That'll be exciting reading!

Try this one: If you don't like what I wrote, CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT FORUM!
 
Since I started the topic I thought I would clarify a few things. I have nothing against Leah's voice, she has good pipes actually. She just isn't very good at interacting with hosts. Her takes aren't that interesting, or enlightening. Nothing to do with being female, just not being that remarkable at ad-libbing. It perhaps worked a little better with Ziegler since they appeared to have some kind of off-air relationship. Even that had a short shelf-life.


I never criticized her news read either. She should stick with that, I just don't want to hear her awkward interactions and opinions when she is primarily there to do her news packages. Mr. Moore sounds as if he has a personal investment in her career, as several people have mentioned the old "change the station if you don't like it" canard is silly as hell since this is a radio discussion board.
 
XL1000 said:
Since I started the topic I thought I would clarify a few things. I have nothing against Leah's voice, she has good pipes actually. She just isn't very good at interacting with hosts. Her takes aren't that interesting, or enlightening. Nothing to do with being female, just not being that remarkable at ad-libbing. It perhaps worked a little better with Ziegler since they appeared to have some kind of off-air relationship. Even that had a short shelf-life.


I never criticized her news read either. She should stick with that, I just don't want to hear her awkward interactions and opinions when she is primarily there to do her news packages. Mr. Moore sounds as if he has a personal investment in her career, as several people have mentioned the old "change the station if you don't like it" canard is silly as hell since this is a radio discussion board.

I have no investment in Leah Brandon, KFI, or Clear Channel. I am defending her only because some of the commentary was beyond criticism going into a personal attack. If I overreacted I apologize, however I come from an era when courtesy was still valued. I do not think that Ms. Brandon is the most witty and relevant commentator and obviously she is a news anchor, not a talk show host. I guess it is the intention of KFI to have the hosts and news people to interact and some are better than others. Terri-Rae Elmer and Jodi Becker seem to do the best and Gary Hoffman is an integral part of the Handel show. So I would say that while Leah is probably not the best she is not the worst either, however I personally don't find her irritating nor unintelligent.

What Brifi8500 is still not getting is that I am not using turn the dial as any kind of defense. What I tried to say was that if your are passionate enough to continually criticize any one on the radio, at some point you should just turn it off followed by submitting your objections to the station in question. Why you continually use the word defense to characterize my commentary is beyond my ken. Our writing on this board, while it could be read by somebody in management at KFI, will not have the same effect as some form of direct communication. I understand and accept that you do not care for Ms. Brandon, point taken. I reserve my right to my opinion and my remedy for what I don't like which is turn it off.

Finally to Ready for air I only used an example of Grant Turner, who if you knew anything about radio history would be a name you would know. I used him as an example of someone on a Nashville station who had the standard mellifluous voice with a neutral accent which was the standard for announcers at one time. What I meant to state was that the big voice is not the only prerequisite for a job in radio today and neither is being a male. There are plenty of the big voice guys doing voice-over, commercials and other jobs but there is also a place for those with less than perfect pipes. I am not big headed enough to think that what I say is as important as you seem to feel I do nor do I believe that I am the ultimate authority on what is or should be on radio or TV. Again I apologize if I was unclear or ambiguous in my commentary.
 
nmoore6676 said:
What Brifi8500 is still not getting is that I am not using turn the dial as any kind of defense. What I tried to say was that if your are passionate enough to continually criticize any one on the radio, at some point you should just turn it off followed by submitting your objections to the station in question. Why you continually use the word defense to characterize my commentary is beyond my ken. Our writing on this board, while it could be read by somebody in management at KFI, will not have the same effect as some form of direct communication. I understand and accept that you do not care for Ms. Brandon, point taken. I reserve my right to my opinion and my remedy for what I don't like which is turn it off.

nmoore6676 said:
What Brifi8500 is still not getting is that I am not using turn the dial as any kind of defense. What I tried to say was that if your are passionate enough to continually criticize any one on the radio, at some point you should just turn it off followed by submitting your objections to the station in question. Why you continually use the word defense to characterize my commentary is beyond my ken. Our writing on this board, while it could be read by somebody in management at KFI, will not have the same effect as some form of direct communication. I understand and accept that you do not care for Ms. Brandon, point taken. I reserve my right to my opinion and my remedy for what I don't like which is turn it off.


What YOU still don't get, is that a criticism on a messageboard is it's own form of idle complaint. Your irrational solution is to complain to the station? Why? Do you understand the essence of messageboards and forums?

[EDIT]

[EDIT-inflammatory]
 
Oh My GOD. A friend of mine sent me a link to this thread and I think it's EVERYONE'S worst nightmare. I HAVE BEEN FOUND OUT. I appreciate everyone trying to defend me, but here's the bottom line. When it comes to me, it's like the Clear Channel mantra ...... LESS IS MORE. I'm not sure who started this thread, but I have to tell you that on Tuesday night I only did the news and no commentary. And Wednesday. And Thursday.

Many, many people have asked me why I'm not going to do my OWN show during Ziegler's timeslot and I would refer them to the title of this THREAD. I am annoying and I am not smart enough to do my own show. What I have been is LUCKY. I have worked for the greatest stations in this city. I have worked for the greatest PD's with the greatest staffs....although lately, the staff seems to whittle it's way down more and more and more. Which is a shame because I remember when radio was so damn much fun and we were ALL annoyingly overpaid and unintelligently living lives of carefree bliss.

I am not everyone's cup of tea. I do not aircheck myself because I can't stand to listen to it. But I have enjoyed working with the greatest people in this business and while I'm at it, I just want to thank all of those who have opened doors for me and beat the shit out of me when I needed it. I have never forgotten any of you and try to pay it forward all the time. And a special "Thank You" to someone who gets ripped on this board all the time and DOES NOT deserve it................Rick Dees, I will never forget the first words you spoke to me. Carry on people.....I'm right there with you.

As a side note, I am contemplating leaving the biz and doing something really fulfilling with my life in regards to education and animals. I know one of the most annoying things about me is that I never shut the hell up about animal rescue. Perhaps I should actually do something about it, eh?

Leah Brandon\KFI Los Angeles
 
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