• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

THE most overlooked sports talk talent in Cleveland

U

UnknownError

Ok ok ok, I know that all of you HATE OCB, but you have to admit that WKNR utility man Mike Cattan is funny on the air! I mean, isn't anyone tired of all the same old idiots like Les Levine, Brinda, Drennan, Triv, Roda, etc?

I think Mike has shown his talent as host of various post game shows, and should be given a chance to host a night time sports talk show... Maybe from 7-9 pm daily??? I mean, what does KNR have to lose???
 
Let's look at some facts

So I've been reading some posts lately regarding sports talent in town. It's apparant that they're being written by young kids looking to make a name for themselves, which is fine. But let's look at some facts:

-This Catan you're taking about is part of a group of "kids" at 'KNR who truly have little to no right getting most of their airtime. They benefit from a wackjob PD, and a sports director who has become nothing more than a "yes sir" guy, based on what I'm told. If the big blowout of last year never happened, and Legerski still ran the show, they'd all still be doing exactly what they were at the time: board opping, answering phones, and producing. None of them have paid dues in smaller markets, but apparantly in today's radio, Cleveland IS a training ground for kids.

-I believe it was the same Catan who, with a partner in mid-July, announced that the Indians season was officially over. Think it was after a tough Friday night loss to the Mariners. I vividly remember them saying over and over and over again that it was time to focus on football, and forget about the Indians. I think we all know what the Tribe did after: win and win and win, take the wildcard lead, and stay in the hunt till the final day. Nice credibility; it sounded ridiculous at the time, and was proven so after the fact. A veteran "journalist", not an OCB grad, would know better.

I suppose I'm just an old-schooler who still believes in paying dues and getting gigs based on what you've done, not if you happen to be in the hallway when the PD needs somebody. Maybe it's whining, and maybe it's sour grapes, but it seems like a lot of people that should be getting airtime are on the sidelines, while unproven and unskilled kids are in the drivers seat. I come from a different era where you had to go to some small market to earn your stripes. Maybe those days are over, but I can still pine for them, no?
 
Re: Let's look at some facts

> -This Catan you're taking about is part of a group of "kids"
> at 'KNR who truly have little to no right getting most of
> their airtime. They benefit from a wackjob PD, and a sports
> director who has become nothing more than a "yes sir" guy,
> based on what I'm told. If the big blowout of last year
> never happened, and Legerski still ran the show, they'd all
> still be doing exactly what they were at the time: board
> opping, answering phones, and producing. None of them have
> paid dues in smaller markets, but apparantly in today's
> radio, Cleveland IS a training ground for kids.

You better watch out--that "wackjob PD" is probably at his computer right now furiously typing an email to you, bemoaning how much you "hate" him and calling you "disturbed".

Hi Mike! :)

> -I believe it was the same Catan who, with a partner in
> mid-July, announced that the Indians season was officially
> over. Think it was after a tough Friday night loss to the
> Mariners. I vividly remember them saying over and over and
> over again that it was time to focus on football, and forget
> about the Indians. I think we all know what the Tribe did
> after: win and win and win, take the wildcard lead, and
> stay in the hunt till the final day. Nice credibility; it
> sounded ridiculous at the time, and was proven so after the
> fact. A veteran "journalist", not an OCB grad, would know
> better.

Bill Livingston said the same thing in about July. It's not just an OCB grad--it WAS veteran "journalists" who said so.
 
> Ok ok ok, I know that all of you HATE OCB, but you have to
> admit that WKNR utility man Mike Cattan is funny on the air!
> I mean, isn't anyone tired of all the same old idiots like
> Les Levine, Brinda, Drennan, Triv, Roda, etc?
>
> I think Mike has shown his talent as host of various post
> game shows, and should be given a chance to host a night
> time sports talk show... Maybe from 7-9 pm daily??? I
> mean, what does KNR have to lose???
>

I think WMMS' Mark "Munch" Bishop is one of the best sports/talk talent in the market. And he did it for years @ WTVN/Columbus. Aside from the Browns pre-game Munch should have his own show.<P ID="signature">______________
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.</P>
 
Re: Let's look at some facts

>
> Bill Livingston said the same thing in about July. It's not
> just an OCB grad--it WAS veteran "journalists" who said so.
>
Anybody with any sense might have thought the Indians were done in July..Who knew they would mount a charge that almost saw them overtake the White Sox..<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by TimL on 10/27/05 05:18 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Let's look at some facts

Actually, and I hate to give them credit, both Triv and Brinda stayed very positive this season. At the time of the "this season is over" comment, the Indians were only about four games out of a playoff spot. That's why it took me by storm; there was a LOT of season left. I should have mentioned that in my first post.
 
Young Kids vs. Veteran Talent On The Mighty 'KNR

> Maybe it's whining, and maybe it's sour grapes,
> but it seems like a lot of people that should be getting
> airtime are on the sidelines, while unproven and unskilled
> kids are in the drivers seat. I come from a different era
> where you had to go to some small market to earn your
> stripes. Maybe those days are over, but I can still pine
> for them, no?

I'll certainly agree with you on one count - there are an awful lot of decent sports talk hosts in this market who got pushed aside, had to settle for lesser gigs, or who retired basically off the air. Everyone here knows the list... it includes people like Adelphia's Les Levine, and former WKNR weekenders Rich Passan, Dave Milo and others.

But, for whatever reason, the current management of WKNR (waving to Mr. Luczak) either hasn't employed these people, or has had differences with opinion with them, or can't afford them, or any of the above reasons.

If we're not going to have talent of that caliber on 850, I don't have a problem per se with giving "the kids" some off-peak airtime. One of my regular complaints with the station is that producer/reporter Andre Knott wasn't given a regular slot, like evenings or a weekend daytime show, to sharpen his talk skills. Now that Andre hopped over to Oak Tree, I'm not sure who among the current youthful 'KNR folks deserve such a shot.

But it's clear we're not going to hear any of the above former or not currently on-air hosts, and while that's so, I wouldn't mind them giving Catan or someone a chance in an off-peak slot. It is what it is, and no amount of pining for Les Levine or Rich Passan (as much as I think both would be somewhat more effective and both are pros) is gonna change how 'KNR staffs its operation. And I see nothing wrong with building talent through late night and weekend slots...it's done all the time.

While we're once again questioning 850's operation and programming, and Salem's dedication to it, I'd like to mention a positive...the station carried (as far as I know) all of the World Series PBP from ESPN.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Young Kids vs. Veteran Talent On The Mighty 'KNR

> While we're once again questioning 850's operation and
> programming, and Salem's dedication to it, I'd like to
> mention a positive...the station carried (as far as I know)
> all of the World Series PBP from ESPN.
>
> -OA
>

Yet, it was so sad that I, in Brunswick, not more than 8 miles from their transmitter and towers, got better reception from the "homers" at WMVP ESPN 1000 in the Windy City.

I applaud WKNR for having the World Series PBP full-time, but many of us suffered from its notoriously poor nighttime signal.
 
WKNR vs 1460 The Fan

Here in Columbus, that's ALL we got. Clevelanders can complain about WKNR, but you likely have no idea how bad 1460 "The Fan" is here in Columbus. They carried not one game of the World Series. THIS IS A SPORTS STATION!!! If it's not Buckeyes, they don't give a crap (and this an OSU fan speaking).
I know a lot of Clevelanders have a beef with 850, but I listen to WKNR to hear what the better sports stations sound like. Local programming most of the day, not just 4 hours. Jim Rome! The NBA on ESPN radio. Major League Baseball other than just on Sunday nights. All things that, believe it or not, our supposed sports station refuses to provide.
I just wish 'KNR could make it this far south after nightfall! We get a tremendous signal during the day.

> Yet, it was so sad that I, in Brunswick, not more than 8
> miles from their transmitter and towers, got better
> reception from the "homers" at WMVP ESPN 1000 in the Windy
> City.
>
> I applaud WKNR for having the World Series PBP full-time,
> but many of us suffered from its notoriously poor nighttime
> signal.
 
WKNR's Night Signal

> I applaud WKNR for having the World Series PBP full-time,
> but many of us suffered from its notoriously poor nighttime
> signal.

But though WKNR's notorious 4.7KW night signal is flaky down here, for whatever reason, I live in one of the spots that can get it OK at night. However, if I get in the car and drive less than a minute, it sounds like crap...then if I drive another minute, it comes in again...etc.. :D

-OA <P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Young Kids vs. Veteran Talent On The Mighty 'KNR

> While we're once again questioning 850's operation and
> programming, and Salem's dedication to it, I'd like to
> mention a positive...the station carried (as far as I know)
> all of the World Series PBP from ESPN.
>
> -OA
>

Good. Now can you please carry the NBA Finals, 'KNR?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom