Mayhem in the AM getting lighter?

[TheRealOtherNeil]

Rather than having Brisket Shapiro take a seat, it appears that Chris Domino is not going to be a co-host. He has been a "contributor" this whole week from St. Louis. Brisket hasn't mentioned his name when coming back from breaks. Add to that his page at 790thezone.com still has him working the 10a-noon shift. Lastly, the billboard on CSS has dropped Domino's name.

Any one have any more news on this?

 

[taylorengineer]

These guys might be dangerous with a lighter.....

 

[rho01]

Dimino works two jobs. He has a show on Big League Broadcasting's sports station in St. Louis as well as 790/The Zone. So he spends a week a month in St. Louis, which he did the past week.

 

[atlsportsnut]

The show was lighter this week with Dimino as a contributor.
The guy is so damn serious about everything and really brings down the fun vibe that morning shows are supposed to have.
Before he started to read his own station created press clippings, "best baseball guy in america" garbage, Dimino was a much mroe interesting listen.
You can only recite stats, interview people who have not been newsmakers for 20+ years and talk about what kind of a bad ass you are for so many years.
A lot of these radio personalities never evolve as people. They still think in their mid-40's that things they talked about and ways that they acted 10 or 15 years ago are still acceptable.
You want to know why 790 has been crashing, no new blood and the survivors fail to ever evolve. They are the same people that they were 10 years ago.

 

[RTibbs]

Doi you listen much to Mayhem. Chris can play along he is not just a stat guy. Maybe intense but no dorky stat guy. WThe listeners know the real baggage on that show and it is brisket head Steak Shapiro.Could he be more full of himself.

 

[atlsportsnut]

Yes, I do give them at least 1/2 hour of my morning commute along with another half hour split between Rude and 750 for traffic and weather.
Dimino is not morning show material. He is serious as a heart attack and likes to pull the I'll let you all act childish and laugh about stuff routine. Chris is very good when he is talking baseball and not doing the expert thing he likes to pull with callers and co-workers alike.
It is funny, I remember when Cotter and Oliver joined him for the afternoon show and he would not call Oliver the king because he said it was a radio schtick nickname and he would not play along.
Yet he has no problem with the whole, best baseball guy in America promos which are flat out ridiculous.
Dimino is a solid listen, but one of the best in America? First of all, what would ever give him the qualifications for being the best baseball guy in America? He has never been a ratings producer in Atlanta and I can't speak for St. Louis.
I met him at Glavine's pool party with other sponsors and he seemed like a nice enough guy. I wondered why that does not translate to the airwaves?
790 has the same problem with all of their talent expect for the Stews. Ryan and Doug were years late to the 790 party and have eclipsed all of their other on-air talent. They have syndication, the drive time spot and even ESPN exposure. Come to think of it the same could be said of Kincade who left 790 and went to 680. He has easily eclipsed all of the talents that were there at 790 before he left and he has the same kind of national syndication and exposure.
790 never has been able to know when they have top talent and how to use it. I am sure that the Stews will move on soon and then 790 will shuffle their lineup again.

 

[zoneguy]

The problem is they keep shuffling the lineup, but it is essentially the same lineup. Whether it's Steak in the morning or Steak in the afternoon, or Dimino in the afternoon or Dimino in the mid day or Dimino in the morning or Cellini in the afternoon, Cellini on the unemployment line or Cellini in the morning, or Chernoff and Oliver, Chernoff and Smith, Chernoff and Oliver and Smith or Chernoff and Oliver, The Stews at night, Stews in Mid Day. Stews in the afternoon...It is the same talent pool.

You can try every combination you like, but there is only so much you can get out of it. The thing is, this group appears to have built up a very solid group of loyal advertisers and as long as that is the case they have to be afraid to make any radical changes, regardless of how former long time listeners like me are spending way less time with the station.

 

[atlsportsnut]

Zoneguy,
Any idea from behind the scenes what the relationship is between Buck and Kincade and 790? I know Kincade has worked there and even appeared on Monsters of the Midday to congratulate them on their 10 years. Chernoff said that day that Buck had also worked there, but that was before my time back here.
Why wouldnt 790 make a move to try and sang Buck and Kincade to come over? They seem to have the advertising dollars to be able to afford the move and would that not effectively sink 680?
I don't know that Kincade would do it because of his ESPN affiliation, but maybe even Buck would jump.
Does that not seem like the obvious next move for 790?

 

[STF]

I like Dimino, but that morning show has way too many personalities on it. Steak doesn't bother me as much as he used to, but I think he's the weakest link there, not Dimino.

I, for one, used to be really high on the Stews, but that duo has simply worn on me. I hardly ever listened to Buck and Kincade, but pretty much since they've been against the Stews I split my time 50/50 between those two shows.

 

[zoneguy]

Zoneguy,
Any idea from behind the scenes what the relationship is between Buck and Kincade and 790? I know Kincade has worked there and even appeared on Monsters of the Midday to congratulate them on their 10 years. Chernoff said that day that Buck had also worked there, but that was before my time back here.
Why wouldnt 790 make a move to try and sang Buck and Kincade to come over? They seem to have the advertising dollars to be able to afford the move and would that not effectively sink 680?
I don't know that Kincade would do it because of his ESPN affiliation, but maybe even Buck would jump.
Does that not seem like the obvious next move for 790?

Kincade is always thinking about the next move, so he tries to stay friendly with everyone. Both he and Buck were considered second rate players by the Zone management back when 680 first got back in the sports game and decided to take them on. The Zone let them go while opting to protect others and it appears Buck and John have the last laugh in that regard.

As for the Zone luring them over, if it was even something they wanted to consider, I would have to imagine their contracts with the Dickeys have some pretty good non compete language preventing them from leaving to do sports elsewhere within the market.

 

[atlsportsnut]

Any idea how long the typical no-compete clause is for these people typically. I know that I am not allowed to move from my position in the market for 3 months.
I don't know if there is a typical standard for these types of things.

 

[RTibbs]

I notice the last couple of weeks Dennis Scott has been on Monsters. Try out to take Chuck Smith's role? He is a lot better than Chuck Smith

 

[zoneguy]

Any idea how long the typical no-compete clause is for these people typically. I know that I am not allowed to move from my position in the market for 3 months.
I don't know if there is a typical standard for these types of things.

It depends on the deal...90 days is often standard, particularly if you have been fired. But if you quit, some deals may keep you out for up to a year.

 

[Phronen]

I notice the last couple of weeks Dennis Scott has been on Monsters. Try out to take Chuck Smith's role? He is a lot better than Chuck Smith

I suspect that rather than a try out to take Smith's old role on Monsters, it's just a way to help get the word out about Dennis Scott's new show that airs 10pm-midnight on 790.

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

I notice the last couple of weeks Dennis Scott has been on Monsters. Try out to take Chuck Smith's role? He is a lot better than Chuck Smith

I suspect that rather than a try out to take Smith's old role on Monsters, it's just a way to help get the word out about Dennis Scott's new show that airs 10pm-midnight on 790.

How did he get that coveted slot? Who can even pick-up 790 at that time? I hope the night cleaning crew in the BC/BS building likes the show.

 

[FlyingHeel]

I'd take that slot if I had the chance.

 

[zoneguy]

I notice the last couple of weeks Dennis Scott has been on Monsters. Try out to take Chuck Smith's role? He is a lot better than Chuck Smith

I suspect that rather than a try out to take Smith's old role on Monsters, it's just a way to help get the word out about Dennis Scott's new show that airs 10pm-midnight on 790.

How did he get that coveted slot? Who can even pick-up 790 at that time? I hope the night cleaning crew in the BC/BS building likes the show.

On the other hand, it is that mentality that has most talk stations turning those hours over to syndicated product. The end result of that is less opportunity for those trying to break into the business to have a shot to to hone their skills and develop a true personality and style.

If it wasn't for the Stews taking a chance on that slot for almost no money, Ryan Stewart is probably playing Arena football and Doug Stewart is still working the mortgage business. Today, they are a nationally syndicated product. I would say the late night slot on 790, paid off pretty well for them.

 

[atlsportsnut]

Doug and Ryan did the 7pm-10pm slot, not a late night spot if I remember correctly.
I agree that the strategy of using those off hours to let personalities develop is a great strategy.
You may just hit the occasional home run.
By the way, talked to someone in the know with B&K and they reportedly have 6 month no-competes within the market.
I wondered to this person whether that kept Buck from getting to do the GA games instead of Zeier.
I remember when Zeier used to be on Mayhem to counter balance Buck and he was awful.
I don't know where that decision came from with the GA folks.
Buck is a national champion, has a large local radio following and 10 times the radio/tv experience of Zeier.
Since they said it is a one year arrangement, maybe Zeier is just keeping the seat warm and then Buck will take over when Munson retires.

 

[RTibbs]

I heard a little bit of conversation on B & K and a caller suggested it was because Buck was not a UGA grad and thew feeling was it might have been a prerequisite even though Larry obviously isn't. Buck did not deny that might have been the issue but from what I heard he never said he was ebven up for it. Either way I think Zeier is a lousy pick based of when I heard him on 790.