Signs of Toucher and Rich's Return to Atlanta Radio?

[99XWatch.org]

Here's some speculation on my blog:

Rodney Ho writes on Radio Talk:

Out of the blue this weekend, former 99Xer Crash Clark emailed me, apologizing for yelling at me in fairly blue terms a few weeks back for disclosing his precarious financial situation.

Crash is a big hearted guy and I had little doubt that he would cool down and mend fences with Rodney. What is interesting to me is the timing. Why, all of a sudden, would Crash write a letter of apology to Rodney Ho? Consider the following:

* Toucher's last day at 99X was March 17, 2006. While I don't know when the non-compete became effective, but six months from Toucher's last day is September 17, 2006.
* Tomorrow, September 18, 2006 Dave will announce its "fall lineup".
* Toucher and Crash have a built in fan base in Atlanta.

 

[sidechick1]

Hmmm...where do you think they might go? Dave? Back to 99X? It's an interesting thought...

 

[automationasphyxiation]

Maybe BCN decided to trade them back to Dave, as they are CBS co-owned. However, I think its unlikely, if you consider Michelle Engel's 'More Music' posturing with the release of Barnes and Eric last week.

Additionally, it would be a HUGE mistake for CBS to simulcast the show in both markets, as both ATL and BOS have very unique civic cultures, and it would be difficult to play to both markets.

 

[Russy Pelican]

Maybe BCN decided to trade them back to Dave, as they are CBS co-owned. However, I think its unlikely, if you consider Michelle Engel's 'More Music' posturing with the release of Barnes and Eric last week.

Additionally, it would be a HUGE mistake for CBS to simulcast the show in both markets, as both ATL and BOS have very unique civic cultures, and it would be difficult to play to both markets.

Compelling radio is compelling radio, no matter where you are.

 

[automationasphyxiation]

Compelling radio is compelling radio, no matter where you are.

True, but we're discussing Toucher and Rich. Not a jab at them, but rather a testament as to how difficult it is to deliver such compelling content that will play to both unique markets in a medium where you are competing with local hosts in touch with the local community specific needs. (I believe this is reflected by Free-FM's failure around the country).

While Dave has nothing to lose, T&R need to succeed in one market before they can consider syndicated their show. Additionally, it would be very difficult for the PD to announce dismissals based on a more-music position, to replace a daypart with some dudes talking about how they got drunk for 4 hours.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

In before deadman posts.

Maybe BCN decided to trade them back to Dave, as they are CBS co-owned. However, I think its unlikely, if you consider Michelle Engel's 'More Music' posturing with the release of Barnes and Eric last week.

Additionally, it would be a HUGE mistake for CBS to simulcast the show in both markets, as both ATL and BOS have very unique civic cultures, and it would be difficult to play to both markets.

I don't think it's impossible to entertain both cities. The Z Morning Zoo in New York's WHTZ is also syndicated to WHYI in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, and they're doing extremely well in both cities. Another, and I hate to bring up this memory, is the MJ Morning Show, which does well in both Tampa and St. Louis.

I wouldn't mind if ZGC gave it a try. I hope they don't really go with "more music" because they already seem like Atlanta's too cool for the room station. Apparently they're too cool for the Arbitron books.

 

[96atl]

What's all kind of weird about this Dave thing, is it was announced that Firfer would be staying on in mornings and Sully would be taking over afternoons. However, the way they have their website with the "new line up coming Sept. 18" makes it seem like maybe more changes than that are coming. Back on Wednesday they had put "Music Mornings" in the morning slot on the webstie. They could have just scooted Sully over from the overnights one to the afternoons one. It just seems like the changes that have been announced aren't big enough to do all that to the website. Just my thoughts.

Then there's also the Mara thing that has been brought up. Dave's #1 show is #1 because of the personality behind it. Yet they are wanting to minimize talk. I think this is just their way of saying "we didn't want Barnes and Eric anymore".

I don't see Toucher and Rich thing happening. Just because I think if any personality-driven show was to come it would be O&A- which I really only see happening if it was to become Free FM.

I guess we'll see over the next week or so (along with that Lite Rumor).

 

[evnlee]

I don't see Toucher and Rich thing happening. Just because I think if any personality-driven show was to come it would be O&A- which I really only see happening if it was to become Free FM.

Ughhh. so we trade " Hey....I got soo hammered at 'Compound ' Last nite, here's your traffic' to

" I got soo hammered at FJ Yukbuckets in midtwon manhattan last nite, by the way, we hate Stern, we killed on Letterman, here's our sucky 3 comic sidekicks, and...here's your traffic..'



please, O and A cant do it in Atlanta, put them out there with Bob N Tom,Glenn Beck, and the rest of the 'turd herd'.

Bring in some NEW talent, not these tired old Sternamators.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

please, O and A cant do it in Atlanta, put them out there with Bob N Tom,Glenn Beck, and the rest of the 'turd herd'.

Bring in some NEW talent, not these tired old Sternamators.

That's a rather ignorant statement to make. Stern doesn't have a copyright on shock comedy talk. People may as well say SNL and David Letterman and Laugh-In are all Ernie Kovacs imitators. All those shows are very different from each other. Some might be better than others, but "Sternamators?" Please.

 

[evnlee]

please, O and A cant do it in Atlanta, put them out there with Bob N Tom,Glenn Beck, and the rest of the 'turd herd'.

Bring in some NEW talent, not these tired old Sternamators.

That's a rather ignorant statement to make. Stern doesn't have a copyright on shock comedy talk. People may as well say SNL and David Letterman and Laugh-In are all Ernie Kovacs imitators. All those shows are very different from each other. Some might be better than others, but "Sternamators?" Please.

Half of O and A's show is about Stern. Listen sometime,I've tried them on XM for 2-3 weeks, and that's it, unless they are talking about thier comedy 'tour', or how great they were on Letterman.

I think that they hurt themselves with thier split-show format. Now they have a couple hours with a dump button, and a couple hours off the leash, and both suffer because of it.

Plus, they surround themselves with bad comics, ala Bob and Tom. Stern has his 'crew' but they don't go out on tour doing stand up with him...On top of that, everything they relate to is about the northeast corridor, how bad Philly is, how Boston sucks, how hard it is to get a cab in NYC, blah blah blah. I'd rather have a local piss poor 'shock comedy' host then these guys. They are not a 'virus', more like a bad rash..BUt it goes away ( sometimes for as long as 26 months! )

 

[Insideradio]

Plus, they surround themselves with bad comics, ala Bob and Tom.

What?

Jim Norton - HBO's "Lucky Louie" plus his own HBO special, and Leno loves him.
Bill Burr - HBO special, Comedy Central, and was great on Chappelle in it's day,
Patrice O'neal - VH1 success, and countless specials, and the guy kills on stage.
Robert Kelly - Part of "Tourgasm" on HBO with Dane Cook.


Yeah, they're bad comics...

 

[RTibbs]

It is interesting, they blow Barnes and Eric out on a Wednesday and by the next Monday they have their line-up set. A lot of things are coinciding at once. Crash out of the blue apologizes the day before Dave announces a new line-up. 99x needs a morning show. Dave needs one also. Looks like Dave will beat them to the punch. Could Demery come back to Atlanta on the afternoon shift at Dave and Mara get moved to mornings. Would Dave consider picking up Baron as part of their morning team with Firfer and Mara? Not sure Firfer stays. They might just have been nice to her because she was about to get married. For all we no she doesn't like the gig anyway and withoug Barnes she is quitting.

I don't think a T & R simulcast from Boston would work and not sure the Boston experiment has had enough time to be judged. If T & R came back it would be mornings but still don't don't think they make the grade with Dave listeners. T & R mornings with Demery in the afternoons and Sean handling the music could work if they decide they want to go younger. Drop Dave and bring Z back. "Z93 is back and they are bring Rock back to Atlanta." The River and 96 practically have the same stale playlist and 99x is limited in scope. They don't play classic rock and the current stable of artists is not performing well.

99x and 96 Rock are ripe for the picking. Dave can step up here but more music is not the answer. My guess is they won't capitalize though.

 

[deadman]

T&R's show could work here in Atlanta. They would just have to find a way to work the ATL angle in. I don't see Fred nor Rich coming back to live in Atlanta at all to do a show unless that are making what JB made.

 

[Insideradio]

T&R's show could work here in Atlanta. They would just have to find a way to work the ATL angle in. I don't see Fred nor Rich coming back to live in Atlanta at all to do a show unless that are making what JB made.

They are doing a show with music - BCN music. They are playing 4/7 songs an hour.
So, Dave blows out 2 jocks, the new focus is all about the music, and they will put the PMD music in the hands of BCN's PD? Nope....highly unlikely. Plus, they are not even close to doing a syndicated show yet. Syndication doesn't happen just cause the talent worked in a particular city. They have to win, and win BIG in Boston before other markets pick them up. And them coming to Atlanta to do the show right now is ludacris. Dave's new "Lineup" will be "No jocks" in the morning, Sully in PMD for now. Firfer will do news updates, and Denzil will do traffic for service elements.

 

[Russy Pelican]

Additionally, it would be very difficult for the PD to announce dismissals based on a more-music position, to replace a daypart with some dudes talking about how they got drunk for 4 hours.

I'd find that vastly more-interesting than anything they currently spew forth. I'd rather listen to a dog ------ than hear "If I Ever Lose My Faith" again.

***I see that f@rt is a dirty word*** -- "Make Wind"

 

[99XWatch.org]

Plus, they are not even close to doing a syndicated show yet. Syndication doesn't happen just cause the talent worked in a particular city. They have to win, and win BIG in Boston before other markets pick them up. And them coming to Atlanta to do the show right now is ludacris.

One would think, but recent CBS history suggest that they are willing to make big programming decisions based on judgment and not necessarily based on a proven track record. Ask Roth, Carolla, or Rover. CBS Management passed over a lot of shows with proven tracks record in favor of syndicating those guys.

I think it took a lot more guts to turn over WXRK morning drive to Roth than WZGC's afternoon drive to a guy who was top 5 non-ethnic morning drive in the same market. Granted desperation played a part in the former, but it's not like dave has a significant amount of heritage to protect.

 

[Insideradio]

Plus, they are not even close to doing a syndicated show yet. Syndication doesn't happen just cause the talent worked in a particular city. They have to win, and win BIG in Boston before other markets pick them up. And them coming to Atlanta to do the show right now is ludacris.

One would think, but recent CBS history suggest that they are willing to make big programming decisions based on judgment and not necessarily based on a proven track record. Ask Roth, Carolla, or Rover. CBS Management passed over a lot of shows with proven tracks record in favor of syndicating those guys.

I think it took a lot more guts to turn over WXRK morning drive to Roth than WZGC's afternoon drive to a guy who was top 5 non-ethnic morning drive in the same market. Granted desperation played a part in the former, but it's not like dave has a significant amount of heritage to protect.

I don't think the suits at CBS were THAT stupid. No one could follow Stern and succeed, so why not put in a novelty to garner publicity? They were going to lose money anyway in the interim. It would also buy them time to broker the Opie and Anthony deal. Adam Corrolla STARTED his career doing mornings with Kevin and Bean, with Kimmel producing. Plus he had a proven track record by killing on Loveline all those years. Toucher and Rich are only known in Atl, Dallas, and Boston. They have a LONG way to go.

 

[wooder]

Isn't the real bottom line whether or not T&R would be a right fit for Dave. I think absolutely not. Dave has built the entire station's reputation on being chick-friendly yuppie rock (even though I have to admit I haven't used the word yuppie in about 15 years, but you know what I mean) and Toucher, Rich, and Crash work on a [EDIT] rock station and their whole act is about "bangin' chicks, gettin' drunk, Tucker Max, [EDIT], 80's metal, and big racks". And while that's actually perfect for WBCN, it seems they would have a hard time finding middle ground with Dave without ruining their show.


[EDIT=inappropriate language]

 

[rodneyho]

I agree that given Dave's current positioning, T & R aren't quite right and it's a bit premature for them to go syndication just yet. But it's fun speculation. And Dave will be going jockless this coming week. Timing works well with Holly's wedding this past weekend at Barnsley Gardens.

 

[content]

T&R's show could work here in Atlanta. They would just have to find a way to work the ATL angle in. I don't see Fred nor Rich coming back to live in Atlanta at all to do a show unless that are making what JB made.

Even if they find success in Boston, I doubt that any of the current Atlanta radio operators would pay the kind of money JB was getting paid. Unless, of course, our economy (and radio's economy) returned to where it was in the late 90's.