its all about money. nothing personal people. the big green wins again. radio stations really don't care about the on air talent. i lived in pittsburgh for a few years off and on. I always listened to WDVE. great solid classic rock station. Great on air talent. solid. since then i have been all over. memphis, miami, cleveland, fort myers, portland, SF and a few other beat town that used to have great iconic radio stations. they all change and wither. true, it is now on Randy's shoulders. He's making the bulk of the money. based on years, market share-- Probably around 400k. take off Krenn's similar salary, get scott p and crawford-- a pretty unknown middle of the road comic for around 150k total and CC saves the remaining 250K and the station looks profitable. Sounds like good business, right? CC honchos pat themselves on the back. but in the mean time, as the the brainiacs have ripped out krenn, they have pulled out the supporting roots and stable ground from under station. now watch the tree die. ooops, sorry audience. whatever people thought of krenn, good bad or indifferent, he was a major root for the last 20 plus years. so long wonderful radio rock station. I've seen it happen before all over the country. excuse me while i power up my iPod and sit back with a nice cold iron city.
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Scott Paulsen and Bill Crawford joining WDVE
- Thread starter DavidZ
- Start date
A
Alton
Guest
I think the hiring of Paulsen is exactly what was needed to keep the Krenn fans still at DVE. Management wanted to dump Krenn. If you get rid of a longtime morning personality, bring in the guy who brought him in and it's almost like you're still appeased because after all Paulsen introduced Pittsburgh to Krenn.
I don't begrudge Paulsen for returning. I think it's smart of him to take the offer he was given. I think CBS is probably kicking themselves for not getting him, but they had their chance.
Yes, CC bosses are patting thmselves on the back and collecting a bonus check for getting rid of the deadweight. By the way, the deadweight had his issues. Ask anyone in that studio and on staff.
Alton said:
It was smart for CC's point of view, as it keeps a Paulsen and Krenn reunion from happening on a CBS or Steel City. I'm not sure Paulsen would have gone for it anyway, but money can make anything right. Something still doesn't seem right though, unless as your said, there were non-money related issues. The show was #1 and holding steady. No reason to tamper with that, especially mid-contact, unless there was no other choice. I guess we'll find more out after the 15th.
All I know is that Bill Crawford can't be worse than Gab Bonesso.
I too was curious if signing Paulsen was done primarily to prevent a reunion on another station. Have only been a casual morning show listener since Scott left and after listening this morning, I thought having him in studio next to Randy really exposed what a second rate talent Baumann is (I admit I've never found him that funny or knowledgable about much outside of the music industry). Crawford seemed to be little more than lightly discernable background noise.
A
Alton
Guest
I'm sure a part of the signing of Paulsen was so there was no reunion on any other station. I also think it cushions the blow for Krenn fans to have the guy who brought him onto DVE in the first place to be his replacement. Although, we won't hear him everyday, Paulsen filling in for others like Michele will be a refreshing twist and he will (hopefully) cross-promote the DVE morning show when he does do her or Sean's show. The only person who I hear cross-promoting anything is Sean. Michele only sticks to Michele stuff.
Granted it was the first day, and had that "intrdoduction" feel to it, I think it was a much more funnier show than when Krenn was on. I truly laughed at stuff Crawford said. His observations are subtle, yet funny.
Business is business, that's true. This is about $$$ and changes to radio in general. Which is why I think this will eventually spell the end to the 'DVE Morning Show. Maybe it has run its course with Krenn, Bauman, Paulsen and anyone else they parade into the studio. If CC can save money even if they lose some fans, they don't give a crap, believe me. They lopped Krenn's head, but who knows if this new line up will sustain the ratings.
But let's look at Krenn vs. Bauman, Paulsen, Crawford. First off, I got the impression that Krenn showed up late a lot and Bauman obviously did the lion's share of the writing, just like Paulsen did back in the day. However, Krenn is a Pittsburgh institution with a large and loyal fan base. He might have his faults but he is a good guy and does good things in the community. That goes A LONG WAY in this market. He has also given lots of comics a break in this town and he is connected in the stand up circuit. Jim Krenn was well-known locally before joining the 'DVE morning show full time. He, along with Billy Elmer and some other local comics, were part of the "Jimmy and Steve Comedy Caravan" that would do the local college circuit and other venues. Crawford isn't nearly as well known going in.
For those saying Krenn's act was stale, maybe. BUT please, please point to something on this morning's show that was fresh. The return of "Pants-n'at"? That bit was not funny in the least and it was uninspired. We get it...yinzers talk funny. BUT it's only funny when they say funny things that tap into the nuances of being a yinzer. "Spit Chokenpuke"? Again...if this is about freshness, then don't give me the same old, same old.
Bauman was trying too hard this morning and he has become a horrific name dropper (this is a near quote from this morning: "The Clarks were kind enough to invite me on stage again to sit in on "Cigarette" then I hung out with Tom Green at his show." You text with Bill Burr...blah, blah, blah. Holy crap....get over yourself, dude. Nobody like a name dropper.
There was an uneasy feel about Paulsen being in the studio with Bauman. And what about Paulsen? As I recall, when he took over for Jimmy and Steve back in the 1980's, his morning show was average at best until they added frequent guest Jimmy Krenn as a full time sidekick.
I can get a steady diet of more diverse classic rock on Sirius/XM anyway, without all the hit and miss comedy bits.
Not defending Krenn since I don't know what went on, but business is business, so we'll see what happens from here...
But let's look at Krenn vs. Bauman, Paulsen, Crawford. First off, I got the impression that Krenn showed up late a lot and Bauman obviously did the lion's share of the writing, just like Paulsen did back in the day. However, Krenn is a Pittsburgh institution with a large and loyal fan base. He might have his faults but he is a good guy and does good things in the community. That goes A LONG WAY in this market. He has also given lots of comics a break in this town and he is connected in the stand up circuit. Jim Krenn was well-known locally before joining the 'DVE morning show full time. He, along with Billy Elmer and some other local comics, were part of the "Jimmy and Steve Comedy Caravan" that would do the local college circuit and other venues. Crawford isn't nearly as well known going in.
For those saying Krenn's act was stale, maybe. BUT please, please point to something on this morning's show that was fresh. The return of "Pants-n'at"? That bit was not funny in the least and it was uninspired. We get it...yinzers talk funny. BUT it's only funny when they say funny things that tap into the nuances of being a yinzer. "Spit Chokenpuke"? Again...if this is about freshness, then don't give me the same old, same old.
Bauman was trying too hard this morning and he has become a horrific name dropper (this is a near quote from this morning: "The Clarks were kind enough to invite me on stage again to sit in on "Cigarette" then I hung out with Tom Green at his show." You text with Bill Burr...blah, blah, blah. Holy crap....get over yourself, dude. Nobody like a name dropper.
There was an uneasy feel about Paulsen being in the studio with Bauman. And what about Paulsen? As I recall, when he took over for Jimmy and Steve back in the 1980's, his morning show was average at best until they added frequent guest Jimmy Krenn as a full time sidekick.
I can get a steady diet of more diverse classic rock on Sirius/XM anyway, without all the hit and miss comedy bits.
Not defending Krenn since I don't know what went on, but business is business, so we'll see what happens from here...
A
Alton
Guest
Krenn was came in later and later, eventually 7:30 being his "start" time. As was pointed out in other posts on Krenn, he was lazy and did not contribute much to the show. His good guy persona can only go so far. Perhaps it'll get him a new gig somewhere. Perhaps people will have heard the stories from friends of how he really was in that studio.
It was their first day and sounded like first day "jitters" and getting the feel of the land again. For a first day, I thought it wasn't bad at all. I can really hear this gelling. Let's remember, Paulsen isn't there EVERDAY, just one day a week. They will get in sync with their roles.
I think Crawford fit in well. He was funny on relevant observations and did not rely on the old yinzer talk, which is so 1990's (aka the stale Krenn humor).
I think PorkyBogut hit it on the head. This isn't just about firing Jim Krenn the guy on the morning show, this is about firing Jim Krenn the guy who donates tons of $$ and time to Animal Friends and lots of other local charities. You don't want to screw with someone like that around here and it's obvious that this decision was made by CC people who just don't get that part of Pittsburgh.
Can I hear a replay of the show anywhere online? I want to experience the Scott/Randy awkwardness. The idea that because two people both meshed well with a certain person, they'll mesh with each other, is just so flying sillypants to me that I can't believe it.
Can I hear a replay of the show anywhere online? I want to experience the Scott/Randy awkwardness. The idea that because two people both meshed well with a certain person, they'll mesh with each other, is just so flying sillypants to me that I can't believe it.
A
Alton
Guest
No, this was about firing a guy who slacked off and wasn't doing his job and co-workers were complaining. Not defending CC, but any company would do the exact same thing. They especially realized it when he was on by himself when Randy was out in negotiations and lately with the staggering late start times. Couple that with the fact that the CC managers are kind of new to Pittsburgh. Regardless, they knew the heritage and didn't care. It was a bottom dollar decision.
I'm sure CC managers knew his committment to Animal Friends. After all, they were there when he was feted by them last year.
I understand what you're saying and yes, it makes business sense. However, Pittsburgh and business sense do not always go together!! 8)
I have to agree with that statement Corporateradiosucks. Pittsburgh in a fiercely loyal town. I'm not sure if 'DVE's listeners care if krenn was late for work. He was never the tech/dee jay/writer guy. He was the stand up/impressionist guy. He was visible in the community and does a whole lot of real charity work. I'm just bringing a dose of reality here. Let's say Krenn was fully deserving of getting his walking papers. If it was at all precipitated by complaints from his co-morning show folks, then they better be prepared to knock it out of the park with their new show. That's going to be an uphill battle with so many people mad at CC and 'DVE about this. If what you say is true and it becomes public knowledge, they'll permanently lose a good chunk of the audience, right or wrong.
Your judgment is a bit clouded by something Alton. You say "I think Crawford fit in well. He was funny on relevant observations and did not rely on the old yinzer talk, which is so 1990's (aka the stale Krenn humor)." I guess you have an issue with 1990s yinzer talk, but 1980s yinzer talk (a "Pants'n'at" bit that was so unfunny it was painful. Spit Choke n Puke, etc.) is new and fresh. There is nothing fresh going on in the morning at 'DVE. I'd say you were on to something, but there is nothing to support that.
That's why I said in my original post that this may spell the end of the 'DVE Morning Show. Krenn was the one constant in the last two decades when the morning show was #1. If Randy and Bill and the sometimes present Paulsen can't regain the plenty of really angry Krenn loyalists and sustain those the ratings from the last 20+ years when the "guy who slacked off and wasn't doing his job" was the one constant, then CC'll scrap the whole thing. It's all just about $$$. I hope for their sakes they can get it done.
Your judgment is a bit clouded by something Alton. You say "I think Crawford fit in well. He was funny on relevant observations and did not rely on the old yinzer talk, which is so 1990's (aka the stale Krenn humor)." I guess you have an issue with 1990s yinzer talk, but 1980s yinzer talk (a "Pants'n'at" bit that was so unfunny it was painful. Spit Choke n Puke, etc.) is new and fresh. There is nothing fresh going on in the morning at 'DVE. I'd say you were on to something, but there is nothing to support that.
That's why I said in my original post that this may spell the end of the 'DVE Morning Show. Krenn was the one constant in the last two decades when the morning show was #1. If Randy and Bill and the sometimes present Paulsen can't regain the plenty of really angry Krenn loyalists and sustain those the ratings from the last 20+ years when the "guy who slacked off and wasn't doing his job" was the one constant, then CC'll scrap the whole thing. It's all just about $$$. I hope for their sakes they can get it done.
A
Alton
Guest
I never said Pants'n'at was funny, nor did I say it was fresh. Nor did I even admit to liking yinzer talk, which I think just is not funny, period, no matter what decade you write. I merely pointed out that if you're going to get rid of Krenn, who represents a lot of years at the station, bringing in the guy who brought him on and people related to, both on DVE and elsewere on the dials in Pittsburgh, should appease and/or help the backlash of fierce Krenn supporters.
Let me also say that there is a lot of judging this team on it's first few days. I think there is a mutual respect between Randy and Scott. I also think they need to develop a chemistry. If you were in town when Krenn first was on with Paulsen, that had to develop. And, let me say that in the years Krenn has been with DVE, HE should've developed. It's not just about running the board, it's about driving the show. He NEVER had that ability. He also slacked in his impressions and characters. THEY never developed from when he first started at DVE. Stale, stale, stale. And, boring!
Yes, what is going on in that air studio needs to be without thickness of strife. Unfortunately, you could cut the air in that studio because of the lack of contribution of Krenn and his disrespect of his on air co-horts with his behavior off air. Most importantly, you heard it on the air.
I do think Crawford made quick and funny observations and has been doing well in the few days he's been on.
Change isn't always pretty, but it needed to happen on the DVE morning show.
Listened to the "new" morning show yesterday for about 15 minutes. Very awkward, no timing or sense of roles yet. Crawfords voice doesn't stick out, hard to tell when he's talking. No laughs while I was listening (spitchokeandpuke--really? no laughs there, either, just angst).
Hey, not everyone can do morning radio.
Hey, not everyone can do morning radio.
Alton said:
You appear to have some inside knowledge so what is this tension keep alluding to? I'll admit that I hadn't listened much to the show since I got an XM radio, but the times I tuned in the only real difference I noticed was an almost complete lack of Krenn. Some days I assumed he was on vacation, only to hear him chime in near the end of the show. I thought Krenn was a big part of making sure Randy was brought back. If Randy then turned around and had him pushed out then that is one hell of a way to thank someone.
I agree with Velvet, I want to hear what this "tension" was. I'm working late shift most of the time so I haven't heard the show in a while, but the last time I did, it was almost ALL Randy going on about the Penn State scandal. Krenn was trying (subtly) to get him to shut the **** up about it. You may call that tension, but I call it Krenn doing his job...not everyone wanted to hear about that 24/7, especially on what is ostensibly a comedy show.
A
Alton
Guest
Velvet, corporate, I'm not alluding to any tension.I clearly stated...
I know people who sit in a chair in that studio. I will not mention any more than what I have. It is enough to let people know that a person may portray an image to the public, but when he's not doing his job on a consistent basis and it is dramatically noticed by his peers on a consistent basis, and they have to clean up after him, it's time for him to be shown the door.
I also agree Randy has gone on tangents and needs to know when to shut his mouth. Good. Jim was reigning him in when you heard that Corporate, but that's what he was supposed to do. Remember, one time time does not make someone always doing their job. He needed to do more than just this one time.
pman44, I think Crawford's voice doesn't stick out (it's not recognizable) either. But, what I did hear from him, I laughed.
I am sure that they (the morning show and even CC Management) were given directives. They didn't just cherry pick two people to replace Krenn. They were picked because they have ties with with Randy. Maybe this configuration will stick, maybe not. One thing is for sure, they needed to do this configuration because keeping Jimmy was being unproductive. Forget that he was making a ton more money than the others, if he were in a different industry, and you were working with him, would you want a co-worker who slacked off showed up late, never did his job, you were always picking up the slack? You would not like it eiether and would hope he be disciplined and/or fired.
Lastly, no Krenn did not save Randy back when Randy was negotiating. That was Randy's agent. Perhaps Krenn should've hired him, too.
I know people who sit in a chair in that studio. I will not mention any more than what I have. It is enough to let people know that a person may portray an image to the public, but when he's not doing his job on a consistent basis and it is dramatically noticed by his peers on a consistent basis, and they have to clean up after him, it's time for him to be shown the door.
I also agree Randy has gone on tangents and needs to know when to shut his mouth. Good. Jim was reigning him in when you heard that Corporate, but that's what he was supposed to do. Remember, one time time does not make someone always doing their job. He needed to do more than just this one time.
pman44, I think Crawford's voice doesn't stick out (it's not recognizable) either. But, what I did hear from him, I laughed.
I am sure that they (the morning show and even CC Management) were given directives. They didn't just cherry pick two people to replace Krenn. They were picked because they have ties with with Randy. Maybe this configuration will stick, maybe not. One thing is for sure, they needed to do this configuration because keeping Jimmy was being unproductive. Forget that he was making a ton more money than the others, if he were in a different industry, and you were working with him, would you want a co-worker who slacked off showed up late, never did his job, you were always picking up the slack? You would not like it eiether and would hope he be disciplined and/or fired.
Lastly, no Krenn did not save Randy back when Randy was negotiating. That was Randy's agent. Perhaps Krenn should've hired him, too.
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