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Michaels being ousted from Tribune?

It would be a big mistake to "oust" Michaels and his team at this point in the restucturing of Tribune and WGN. Much, much smart and hard work would be lost. Surely those with money involved will and do realize this. More than likely all of this hub-bub is coming from ner do wells who couldn't make it and those wannabees on the outside who have no clue. I suspect those in the know with the doe know that the Michaels team is a winner.
 
The question is, does WGN radio return to being the old-school, old-skewing station it once was, and would McConnell actually go to work for WQRT should he exit WGN? Is it possible for fences to be mended between him and WLW?
 
Sorry I'm on the mobile and thought I was on the Cincy board. WQRT is a small Cincy station that McConnell originated his WGN show for a week
 
gr8oldies said:
The question is, does WGN radio return to being the old-school, old-skewing station it once was, and would McConnell actually go to work for WQRT should he exit WGN? Is it possible for fences to be mended between him and WLW?
Click to expand...

As I said on another blog, even if Pig Virus is kicked out tomorrow, don't expect Kathy and Judy back next week.

They might be able to toss News Junkie and French Guy out immediately, since they're weekenders and they probably don't have contracts, but it seems to me that Jarrett, Laski and McConnell (and Garry Meier, who is a Chicagoan but not traditional WGN) all have contracts and can't all be tossed at once.

And in some ways, I suspect that the shorter newscasts and much more formatted drive times will stay, since that all seems SOP on today's talk stations. It sure is hell to try to establish a topic or a bit when you have traffic on the sevens, though.

I would expect, though , that there will be some attempt to reign on the excesses of the Metheny regime and that they'll return to the old "Voice of Chicago" slogan soon. Isn't that hour opener jingle from the TM package that the previous PD bought and never used (with the possible exception of Cubs jingles)? TM claimed it was the first jingle package 'GN bought in its history.
 
Wow what chain of events. Air talent ousted by former talent, former talent ousted by investors and bankers. Mega chains talking about selling stations off. What to do to save the industry. Staff memo: Would the last person who VT'd the afternoon shift turn off the light in the production room, and make sure the computer is set to start the syndicated 7-12 show on time. Make sure all breaks are filled.  :'(  The new ratings system will do away with great talent. Sorry you had the #1 morning show but now you are #13 bye bye. Sad.
 
Well, I hope they don't bring back the jingle whatever happens.
VERY distracting to be listening to WGN and then hear the jingle notes which mean to me, "WCC" (O)
and then have to remind myself that this really IS WGN , not WCCO.

I'm pretty happy with the changes made. Question now is it all going to change again?
That would be bad, as the current product is good, and still fairly true to its "traditional" mode,
which means you can still tell that it IS WGN.
 
I wish we could have Wally Phillips, Flying Officer Irv Hayden, and Harold Turner (at the WGN pipe organ) back on 'GN!
 
McConnell wouldn't have left WLW without some guarantees; he could have easily re-signed with WLW and coasted to retirement. I doubt any management team is going to want WGN to be the number one 65 and older station, unless they are extremely bullheaded about bringing back the past.
 
Looks like Randy is coming back to Cincinnati. I learned alot about him in some recent articles. Things I didn't know, and gotta say didn't like.
 
Thanks for the insight, Mark. Is it a given that Metheny is or should be out? Other than the fact that Randy brought him in, (and that he made Stern say "wNNNbc") he's had a successful record at legendary stations. I can't think of a worse scenario than a four person "Office of the President" running day to day programming. If they are going to hand pick a successor, who?
Michaels has plenty of irons in the fire.
 
Mark Jeffries said:

As I said on another blog, even if Pig Virus is kicked out tomorrow,
Click to expand...

I saw this on the "other" blog - you mean All Access - and thought it was just a typo. I don't think the folks at RI are that paranoid that they wouldn't let you mention that. But that's not my point. I think you are referring to the infamous "Pig Vomit" as portrayed in the Stern movie (and in Howard's real WNBC life), not "Pig Virus." Unless, of course you are mixing it up purposely. And FYI, it's rumored (wink-wink) that was Kevin, not Randy. You don't make that clear... and now even I'm confused.
 
NamJock said:
Mark Jeffries said:

And FYI, it's rumored (wink-wink) that was Kevin, not Randy.
Click to expand...

Sorry, missed saying this in my above post. As to Kevin and the nickname - I never thought he deserved it. He was the PD and if he wanted the calls pronounced a certain way, it was not up to Stern to determine whether it was correct or not, it was his job to follow the format and let the listeners as reported by Arbitron determine the success of the station as a whole. Kevin's a good guy - known him for years and can't say anything bad about him. He got a bum rap on that whole deal - movie and all. I feel badly for him as he recently joined Tribune and is probably "branded" as one of the frat-house boys.

It would be in Tribune's best interest to leave him alone to do what he does best and not lump him (or any of Randy's hires) automatically in the out-basket.
Click to expand...
 
Pig Virus or Pig Vomit...he's a freakin' radio genius. WNNNNNBC gets a lot of laughs from folks who don't know or understand what makes great radio. Look back. There was WABC...established music leader in NY, and new comer WNBC. A vs N. What's a guy to do? A brilliant mind came up with the answer...WNNNNNNNBC. No mistaking A and N there. And, guess what. WNNNNNNNNBC WON. The whole Pig Virus/Vomit "feud" between Stern and Metheny was concocted to stimulate listening to WNNNNNNNBC. Both are still friends and are still enjoying playing their game. ;D
 
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