Scott Gerfen leaving 610

[del_griffith]

I thought I read somewhere that Gerfen took a job at the Ohio Consumers Counsel's office.

 

[Thomas Blixa]

@spacefan- Yes that's pretty much it

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

As someone who rarely listens to TVN I'm still not sure I understand exactly what has (or hasn't) transpired here. Is the bottom line that some big change was teased, but then nothing actually changed?

 

[Allfirdup]

Joel Riley's show was extended to 10 am on Monday replacing the first hour of Glenn Beck. There was a very strong negative reaction from listeners on the station Facebook page and I assume on the phones as well.

So by Wednesday Glenn beck was back at 9 and all references to this change had been wiped from the TVN web page.

 

[del_griffith]

What a kick in the nuts for Joel.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Maybe it was all a conspiracy, er, stunt, to help revive interest in Beck.

 

[spacefan]

What a kick in the nuts for Joel Riley!

Its the norm. Joel Riley! is quite used to getting his nuts crushed by Glenn.... remember back when the PD at the time tried moving Beck to 1230AM and he jumped to WTDA? 610 replaced him with Joel Riley! from 9-12 and that effort crashed and burned and Beck took back his time slot.

Joel Riley! is a fine journeyman Clear Channel employee.

 

[Mr. Glimps]

I speculate that the whole reason for the ill-conceived extension of the morning show was Riley's idea. and I think that is, unfortunately, the original problem. Riley is handed one of the premiere news/talk morning program's in Ohio, yet his comfort zone is not the morning presentation. I think he sees himself as a shunned talk/topic host, re-grooved into a role he feels diminished by. Cheerleading for the market, providing the routine daily information, doing quick/concise set-up interviews of reporters/newsmakers/etc. may leave him feeling unfulfilled. Why? Instead of creating a strong listenership in the strict confines of the formatics he probably yearns for 13-minute momologues, partisan argument and opinion radio. Other Clear Channel talkers have parlayed their spin into bigger deals nationally, like Bill Cunningham and Mike McConnell from WLW. Maybe he feels he can cut a path to that kind of notoriety and cash if he can talk more. It may also be a form of self-defense. He hasn't improved the morning listenership, he really doesn't reach out to a larger demo beyond the "Bass Brothers" and their ilk. So where does that leave the thousands of "others" who find Joel abrasive, narrow-scoped, ill-suited for the role? Good question.

 

[del_griffith]

If you're correct, maybe that's the difference between a person like Joel and a person of my temperament. I would have relished a role like the BC morning show. It's perfectly suited for the type of person I am and the type of presentation I enjoy.

Now I personally don't find Joel abrasive but I don't find him persuasive. I don't find the gravitas that I once enjoyed listening to the show (when I do and I admit that over the years, and that includes the BC years, I started gravitating away to other stations)

As for reaching beyond the Bass Brothers, I thought the Bass Brothers/Tea Party crowd (pretty much one in the same) was what the station was seeking and anyone else who joined in was welcome but not necessarily sought out.

 

[Chuck Douglas]

I feel bad for Joel and I feel bad also for PD Mike Elliott. I would think that this was an attempt to answer all the people that are constantly saying they want "more live and local". They tried something, it went wrong, but at least they TRIED something. More astounding to me during the entire process was what I believe was Beck's camp chiming in on the 610 FB page to tell people how to listen to Beck elsewhere. Now, while I have been and remain irritated at CC corporate for forcing local stations to promote listeners listening to non-local stations on I-Heart, I found the FB posts from (again, what I PERCIEVE to be) Beck's people to be pretty low-class. Just my opinion.

The fact that they did try something might mean that they will try something else. Ultimately, I think that is a good sign for the station and the market.

 

[del_griffith]

I feel bad for Joel and I feel bad also for PD Mike Elliott. I would think that this was an attempt to answer all the people that are constantly saying they want "more live and local". They tried something, it went wrong, but at least they TRIED something. More astounding to me during the entire process was what I believe was Beck's camp chiming in on the 610 FB page to tell people how to listen to Beck elsewhere. Now, while I have been and remain irritated at CC corporate for forcing local stations to promote listeners listening to non-local stations on I-Heart, I found the FB posts from (again, what I PERCIEVE to be) Beck's people to be pretty low-class. Just my opinion.

The fact that they did try something might mean that they will try something else. Ultimately, I think that is a good sign for the station and the market.

They only want live and local when it appeals to their narrow interests. Otherwise, give them the syndicated programs that narrowly meet their interests. Since it was the top 5 stories discussed, and I only heard portions of it, the listeners weren't fed/led to stories that played to their interests like the Sunday afternoon show you and/or Dirk hosted over the years nor were they given pretty much free reign like the Saturday morning show to just more or less toss something out there and sometimes it would stick and others times not.

And although I only heard portions, it sounded as if the lines were full. I thought they pulled the plug too soon.

I didn't discern any of Beck's camp (I guess you're referring to Beck's employees/associates) leaving comments. I did see some potential egging on from Beck's camp by liking the disgruntled comments. The comments left seemed to be from locals.

 

[spacefan]

I feel bad for Joel and I feel bad also for PD Mike Elliott.....

Sounds like their hands are tied... the clear channel edicts make it tough to have great local talk radio.
Wasn't that long ago when the had BC, Corby, Sterling/Joel, Cannon.

Now we have only two; an uncomfortable Joel and Corby who is still having fun and doing a solid show. The rest are syndicated stuff broadcast all over the country.

Weekends except for open phones is the time to change the dial and listen to the amazing, thoughtful shows on NPR.

The weekends on 610 are 'best of shows' <snicker> and local shows which are pure drivel... Westside Jeff.. really... is that all they could come up with? I know its hard to find someone to work for minimum wage in radio, but that show is not worth the $15.70 they pay him. Sad to say be Dave from Powell might do a better show... wow, did I really go there?

 

[del_griffith]

A couple of things. Do you really think Joel Riley feels uncomfortable in his current assignment? Other than he had some big shoes to fill (and let's face it, BC originally followed some big shoes when he replaced Spook). But I don't get the impression he's uncomfortable. Suited for it? That's in the ear of the beholder.

I was talking to a station owner/friend the last few days about this. That person speculates that the change maybe really didn't have the blessing of corporate brass and the Beck people through Premiere may have put put pressure to ax the change. I find that hard to believe as toilet flushes need corporate approval in order to save $$$ on water and sewer and to let local leaders know who's really in charge. Ok, that's a stretch, but you get my point. But I have heard stories of rationed paper clips.