Ok, let's start by all agreeing that david Field does NOT listen to The End on a daily basis, heck I don't even think Dave Richards spends much time listening to it.
That's not to say The End is a bad station (but it is getting better since the announcement of Lazlo leaving), it's just that I don't see Dave as a big End listener.
next, I am sure nobody was serious about R&M being back on the air and the afternoon drive hosts on The End.
Knowing all that Mike Kaplan MUST find himself a live, local afternoon drive show.
Not ALL the members of this ensemble need to be from Seattle but there should be some representation it'll help with the transition and also help the other members of the show to know the ins , outs, local jokes and references all in an effort to endear themselves to listeners.
I understand that the whole "Being an A$$h0le - to chicks also translates to being one to listeners" sometimes works when it comes to radio jocks who want to seem like rebels and not catering to the locals but it's just not going to work here.
Next you MUST have more music in the show if not then don't bill yourself as being "all about the music", there's plenty of room for personality breaks where talk, bits and phone interraction can happen you just need the right programming person to design the clock and show as such.
Next, know your audience! know who's listening during afternoon drive, know them insdie out and try to pull them in and keep them, give them a REASON to listen and make that reason the show itself.
This can be done, it sounds like a daunting task but it can be done and if Mr. Kaplan can pull it off he will be viewed as a savior.