RIP -- PAUL HARVEY 'News and Comment' 1959-2009

[fb219]

With more and more stations dropping PAUL HARVEY, and with his advertisers abandoning him, how long before ABC/Citadel pulls the plug?

 

[bossbill]

Doesn't he still have time left on his latest contract?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Yes, there are still years left on the contract. However, I think fb has a point. If Harvey isn't going to produce the programs himself, affiliates aren't going to keep "him", so ABC may be forced to cancel.

I think this will only happen if the ABC execs can talk Harvey into retirement, though.

 

[fb219]

ABC execs probably can't convince the elderly 90 year old HARVEY to 'retire', however, the GRIM REAPER can! And he doesn't take no for an answer.

The poor man should have left the broadcast years ago before his health (and voice) began to fail and went out with class, rather than ending like this.

SAD

 

[KeithE4]

ABC execs probably can't convince the elderly 90 year old HARVEY to 'retire', however, the GRIM REAPER can! And he doesn't take no for an answer.

But he hasn't yet. I hope Harvey lives to be 100 (or more), but he should have retired 25 years ago.

The poor man should have left the broadcast years ago before his health (and voice) began to fail and went out with class, rather than ending like this.

SAD

His type of newscast has been an anachronism since the other long-form radio newscasts died in the '70s. The demographic for that type of broadcast is 70-to-dead. Lowell Thomas knew when to quit (or CBS did it for him, I forget which, but it was in 1976). Harvey doesn't.

 

[fb219]

Actually there aren't 'years on his contract', it's up in 2010 (next year). Although truthfully, his health is so poor, he doubtful will survive to complete even that.

He's now barely able to get thru the 2-3 segments he does each week. Which is why
the show profits have fallen so drastically. When he returned last October, after being absent for months, he promised a 'gradual return.' But that hasn't materialized and won't. I mean, let's face it - he's a human being, not fine wine - it's not like he's getting better with age! ABC/Citadel now has a real dilemma beyond just sentiment for the old man. They're starting to lose money. That'll guarantee a swift 'retirement' for the broadcaster who expected to 'go on forever.'

Either way, the end is near..............

 

[anotherguyTN]

I had hoped forthe best, but I know at best he is on only occasionally, so once the contract is up I won't be surprised if it's the end. I just hope they let him do some kind of final program.

 

[C414B]

I had hoped forthe best, but I know at best he is on only occasionally, so once the contract is up I won't be surprised if it's the end.

Amen,

I just hope they let him do some kind of final program.

and amen.

While I freely admit I fall well under the 70+ target demo, I've grown up listening to Paul. IMNSHO, Paul the younger (and the others except maybe Fred Thompson) don't do justice to Paul the elder. Let him do a final program, put it out on MP3 for download (for those of us who would care to have it in their archives) and let it go out in somewhat of a blaze ember of glory.

 

[elchupacabras]

ABC would be best served by having Paul Harvey, Jr. take over for his Dad. The lack of continuity really is a factor. While some say such a newscast is an anachronism, it is a tradition that somebody should keep, just freshen up the approach a little to appeal to younger demos without bastardizing the product.

 

[benwolf]

It is still a viable feature, and could have continued with a very good replacement. Huckabee was very good, and his own daily feature is superb, IMO. Gil Gross would also have been a good choice. But ABC/Citadel seems to have hastened the end of this with Ron Chapman and his very poor Harvey imitation. We get the "when's Paul coming back?" calls when he hosts.

 

[fb219]

well,

the old man is missing again....... and nary a word from ABC/Citadel or affiliates.

of course, no one's supposed to notice!..... yeah, right