Ryan Leslie gone?

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by jnmoore

As mentioned. I hope humphries doesn't take over. He's beyond terrible.

He will be eating crow today since he picked the russians to win the gold medal in mens hockey

[mikeecho]

Nault referred to Adirondack as Adrinak about a dozen times yesterday. He's likely gonna fill in a lot now, so get ready for what sounds like bad college radio for the foreseeable future.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by nixon45

Decent on air personality fired due to budget restrictions?

Perfect time for Boomer to tweet a photo of his Vegas hotel room with the caption - pretty "suite"

Class

In fairness, I think that picture was from Philly, and that city is a hell hole.

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

In fairness, I think that picture was from Philly, and that city is a hell hole.

Huh? An MGM Grand in Philly? Wasn't aware there was one that looks exactly like the vegas hotel in a #### hole like that.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by nixon45

Huh? An MGM Grand in Philly? Wasn't aware there was one that looks exactly like the vegas hotel in a #### hole like that.

I may be thinking of another picture. He was in Philly a few weeks ago and posted a picture from his hotel room with a similar comment.

[worth]

What kind of business sacks someone in the morning because of budget cuts and then goes to air in the afternoon without a replacement or any sense of knowledge in what they are doing?

If you're going to cut someone, why not keep them on for a couple of weeks and figure something out first, then let them go and go to air with a replacement or some sense of control over the situation.

Everything the Fan 960 has done in the past 5 years with the continual rotation of personalities just screams incompetence. Perhaps this is more of a Rogers issue, but cripes guys, get it together.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by nixon45

Huh? An MGM Grand in Philly? Wasn't aware there was one that looks exactly like the vegas hotel in a #### hole like that.

AC perhaps? Not far from Philly.

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by MattyC

AC perhaps? Not far from Philly.

Definitely in Vegas.. there is an advertisement for Cirque Soleil - Ka in view

[Flame On]

Budget issue! Is poor Ryan paying for the new NHL contract rogers has?

[mikeecho]

Poor ratings ---> loss of advertising revenue ---> budget cuts ---> cut back on talent ---> replace with a desk jockey and some guy with no experience ---> lower ratings ---> budget crisis ---> format change to country radio 960 with boomer doing the farm report and broadcasting Flames on game day.

This station has been so complacent for the last 5 years with no strategy at all. Same format, nothing creative, just status quo. In the early years, you had guys like Mike Richards, Joe Sports (even Dowbiggin in his absence) and Rob Kerr w/Boomer (sarcastic/comedic foil to the wound tight antagonist) that had personality and could get you to listen whether it was because you liked them, hated them or a mix of both.

Over time, they were replaced by guys who could just talk on the radio and had some sports knowledge. No compelling personality and even someone like Boomer who is okay was played to his weakness as the goofball to the sarcastic Walker.

Their searches for replacements always brought in lower level "talent" and they have rode the success of the founding team for years, constantly trumpeting their ratings success whenever confronted by criticism.

Now if looks like the ratings are in the toilet. Cutting back on staff and budget isn't going to help. Am I really going to go out of my way to hear Kirch and Nault on Hockey Central... not a chance. Bring in some personality that will help recover ratings, which will drive up advertising revenue. The path they are currently on is a path to self destruction, but it's clear the station has no strategy or real business acumen.

[CaramonLS]

Richards had excellent ratings - I think he was 3rd in the city at one time for all AM shows. 960 can draw people, it just needs the talent. Whatever their recruitment strategy is, it has failed miserably.

Kirsch should be on the hot seat next.

[JAllen]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

He probably left on his own -- radio isn't really a very good job.

I was in school with a girl who's friends with Steinberg and said he has to still live with his parents.

I can confirm he does not live with his parents.

[Zarley]

I haven't really listened to 960 in a few years outside of the Flames broadcasts and Rome occasionally. I tuned in a couple of weeks ago to the afternoon show and it felt like I was listening to two guys arguing at a bar. I realize that I shouldn't expect any intellectual discussion from sports radio but it was painfully obvious that these guys were just trying to fill airtime. At least you could count on some interesting discussion when Kerr and Joe Sports (RIP) were around, and Dowbiggin was good because he was one of the few guys who would make an effort to talk about sports other than hockey.

[JiriHrdina]

Is Kirsch on again today during Leslie's former time slot?
What a brutal business. That's all I have to say about it.

[nik-]

It really does seem like the sneakiest worst job that people think would be awesome.

"I'll get to talk sports all day!" Yeah, sorta, but they'll pay you peanuts and they'll pimp you out for ad fills all day.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

It really does seem like the sneakiest worst job that people think would be awesome.

"I'll get to talk sports all day!" Yeah, sorta, but they'll pay you peanuts and they'll pimp you out for ad fills all day.

It is an awesome job for sure. But the price you pay in the rest of your life is quite severe.

I started too late. If I had started when I was in my early 20s instead of early 30s I would have been able to give it more time to get me to the point to make a decent living. But as my life advanced - getting married, wanting to start a family - the job became a major roadblock to things that were becoming more important.

I'm able to dabble in it still doing some pretty cool stuff - and I don't regret giving it a real crack. But it is too bad that an industry that depends on its talent treats their talent so shabbily.

That's why I defend radio personalities which such passion sometimes - I know how hard they work and I know what good people a lot of them are.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Yep. Talent level might not be amazing, but when you don't give guys a chance to prepare, you will not get much.

On a typical Flames game day, Steinberg does 4 hours in the afternoon, flames pregame show, intermissions, and hosts OT. Guy can easily be in the air for 8 hours in a single day.

This is why we don't get quality programming. Already 4 hours on air is too long, they should be on for a max of 3 + appropriate prep time.

I'd definitely like to know the ins and outs of the last few personalities leaving the program. Was it entirely their decision or are they continually being asked to do more for less etc.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

They need more of that guy from cbs radio who sounds like he smokes heavily.........

I'm amazed that guy has a radio show. Sounds like he's on his death bed.

[CaramonLS]

Looks like Walker will be doing a regular correspondent segment at 4:40 every Wednesday now. Whatever comes cheapest I guess.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by troutman

I'm amazed that guy has a radio show. Sounds like he's on his death bed.

Farrell is a legend, worked with Stern,Rome..etc. He's a big hockey fan and I think was the Atlanta Thrashers radio voice for a while. he knows his sports and has great guests on his show. I would rather listen to 5 hours of his show than 5 minutes of friken Jim (wanabe from the hood) Rome.

And I doubt Scott Farrell even smokes, I think his voice was made up ala Wolfman Jack.