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O'Dell to Retire: Who Would You Hire?

When Spike first indicated that he was going to retire several months ago, then WGN hired Bob Sirott to do an hour show and John Williams moved to middays, I called it back then:
Either John Williams or Steve Cochran will move to mornings. The other will take afternoon drive (3-7 or 4-7).
Bob Sirott will take noon-3 or noon-4.
 
I've listened to WGN for over 30 years. Whe Wally Phillips retired, I thought I wouldn't like the change because I listened to Bob Collinsin the afternoon & evening. When Bob left us, I wasn't sure about Spike. Each of these people turned out to be great morning men for WGN & I've enjoyed them all.

Now that spike's leaving, I'm again wondering. Steve Cochran's OK, but I really don't like John Williams very much. If one of these moves into the morning drive, only time will tell whether or not he's accepted.

I know one thing. I'll be listening. If it's John, maybe he'll grow on me.
 
...my personal choice would be to move Steve King & Johnnie Putman up from overnights, but knowing Steve's preference for the overnight hours -- and complete avoidance of inter-office politics those hours provide -- I'd probably go with Cochran. Lujack should go to WLS-FM, his material is best when done between records and not in a continuous stream...
 
It's going to be a sad morning when Spike retires, because to me, it is like having the old Ray Reynor on the radio duing in the mornings before going to on your way to work.

But no doubt about! It is 100% sure that it is going to be John Williams in the mornings! the one who I have no interest for, because he always bores me to death without no personality.

You go figure! Everytime when Spike is not at the office, it is always John Williams who loves takes over Spike's spot at 5am with his rather so called boring subjects.

I Love You Spike!!! You will be missed!!!!!!.......
 
I agree it will be either Cochran or Williams. Even with all of the recent changes, WGN has done the afternoon-to-morning progression ever since Wally Phillips.

But if new management is going to start moving away from the tradition of WGN Radio of years gone by, they might then consider a certain market veteran who would keep or bring the 35+ audience they carry in the morning and would actually fit the format. That would be John Landecker. I'm sure many posts will follow that it won't happen, and it probably won't. But Landecker being able to take calls, be serious one minute and show his sense of humor the next, and discuss movies and show biz without having to play a song every 10 seconds, would fit where he wants to go.

But again, I still don't see WGN breaking away and bringing in anyone not currently on the air there.
 
chgodave said:
I agree it will be either Cochran or Williams. Even with all of the recent changes, WGN has done the afternoon-to-morning progression ever since Wally Phillips.

But if new management is going to start moving away from the tradition of WGN Radio of years gone by, they might then consider a certain market veteran who would keep or bring the 35+ audience they carry in the morning and would actually fit the format. That would be John Landecker. I'm sure many posts will follow that it won't happen, and it probably won't. But Landecker being able to take calls, be serious one minute and show his sense of humor the next, and discuss movies and show biz without having to play a song every 10 seconds, would fit where he wants to go.

But again, I still don't see WGN breaking away and bringing in anyone not currently on the air there.
Click to expand...
John Landecker!!! Don't make me laugh! Ha! Ha! Ha!
That boy tells a bunch of dirty jokes [EDIT], just like he did on WJMK 104.3.
One time I recall one incident that John Landecker had made a dirty comment about Lesilie Kyling's panty-holes.
He called it Thong Of The Day and kept on raging on saying how sexy Lesilie looks with her panty-holes over the airwaves.

I like to see Bob Sirott in the mornings because he reminds me of Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats or better yet The Chicago's Rockabilly guitarist in the land....





[EDIT-offensive content]
 
As infrequently as the job becomes open, the route to the morning show on WGN has been through afternoon drive.
However, with the new ownership and management, do not expect the same ole' same ole.' And I'm not sure they're rounding up the usual suspects for consideration, either.
 
I agree, dino, it has little to do with the thinking of radio geeks, here.

WGN has been on top, mornings since roughly 1966 when Wally beat WIND, because Howard Miller got fired. Whoever WGN puts there will be the right choice.

Also, I don't think Williams necessarily "loves" am drive. He is too annoying for that job, but Cochran is a close second in annoyance.

I think the PD "tests" people for the "big show" there. In the days of Uncle Bobby subbing for Wally, you would have NEVER believed the job would go to Collins. Bobby was often yawning on the air, slow, and worse than Wally for keeping things on schedule.

Landecker or Sirott (each from "the once big 89") would actually be perfect.
 
I would go in a completely different direction and strongly consider John Minko of WFAN. The guy is very good at his job and he's paid his dues in the nation's biggest market, making Chicago a snap by comparison.
 
Mr. Minko may be good, but what does he know about Chicago?

A New Yorker (who sounds like New York) on Chicago radio wouldn't last long.

Uncle Bobby knew Chicago because of his Milwaukee time and could relate.
 


First of all, I'd like everyone reading this to know, that I'm happy to find a place
to talk about my favorite subject radio.

I cannot believe Spike O'Dell is retiring. This has to be one the worst
decisions I've ever in radio. He's sitting on top of the ratings on the
number one station making millions all because he does not want to
get up early.

As far as a replacement, how about Robert Murphy?
I thought he was the most talented and underrated guy at the time.
WGN needs to find talent outside of itself this time.
Other names below:

Fred Winston
Gary Meier
Johnathan Green (WTMJ-620 AM ) Milwaukee afternoon personality.
Roe Conn with Gary
 
IMHO, Murphy--like Lujack--does better with a few records a hour thrown in. I don't see that happening at 'GN.

I would like to see Murphy, Danger Dan, and Dave McBride reunite in Chicago. That was entertaining radio.
 
We have not had a lot of new talent come into the Chicago market
since the eighties with the likes of Steve Dahl, Robert Murphy, Brandmeier and
Bob Collins. I have not seen any effort on the part of any program directors
in Chicago trying to find the next Larry Lujack.

Do any of you fellow radio enthusiasts agree?

Getting back to Spike.

Spike O'Dell in my opinion, never filled the shoes of Uncle Bobby. I really believe
Spike has been in over his head at WGN since he arrived. Now WGN has a real
opportunity to find the next major morning host.
 
'Spike O'Dell in my opinion, never filled the shoes of Uncle Bobby"

I LOVED Bobby and you are correct, but then how do you explain BETTER ratings than Bobby's?
 
Remember how Bobby left WGN -- by perishing in a plane crash in Zion, Illinois. Spike has been somewhat "under the gun" ever since, but he pulled it off admirably.

Higher ratings may have come because Spike played it right when he took over for the beloved Bob Collins. And he did it with class. That was a LOUSY situation to be in.

Perhaps he never forgot it. I wonder if that's really why Spike is retiring -- the ghost of Bob Collins won't leave him alone.
 
One wild card in the decision-making process: Randy Michaels and Lee Abrams are in the house, making high level decisions at the top of the Tribune Co. hierarchy with an attitude that we've never been seen around WGN Radio before. Unlike the newspapers and the Superstation, WGN Radio ain't broke, so they may stay out of it. But don't be surprised if they break the mold and hire an outsider. In that scenario, Steve Dahl, with or without Garry, wouldn't be that unusual. I'd love to know when his CBS contract is up.

And a historical clarification:
Prais said:
WGN has been on top, mornings since roughly 1966 when Wally beat WIND, because Howard Miller got fired.
Click to expand...
It was April of 1968 in the wake of the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King
 
Barefootom said:
Prais said:
WGN has been on top, mornings since roughly 1966 when Wally beat WIND, because Howard Miller got fired.
Click to expand...
It was April of 1968 in the wake of the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King
Click to expand...

...and although Miller resurfaced in the same time slot almost immediately on WCFL, eventually taking the afternoon drive slot on WGN soon after that, Miller never recovered...
 
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