A listener cornered us at a glamorous party recently and said,"If Bryan Styble causes Seattle radio to lose its only live and local overnight show, I'll be extremely pissed."
(OK, you're right, people who go to glamorous parties don't listen to overnight radio, but that doesn't mean that we don't go to glamorous parties or that the listeners we talk to don't have good taste... truck drivers listen to the overnight. Crack heads, hookers on their lunch hours, bloggers on meth, raccoons and possums...).
The KIRO overnight(1-5a) with Bryan Styble (rhymes with non-viable) is pulling as bad numbers as we've ever seen anywhere- with a .08 in the 25-54 demographic. (That's a percentage of the total market- a very, very small one).
The competition, George Noory's ufological Coast to Coast (KVI m-f, 10p-3a) turned in one of its all time best Seattle books at 18%. As a matter of fact, a source says it's the highest number it's gotten in a single book in this market, ever. CtC is what Art Bell's woo-woo show became and, unfortunately, it's not local. But it is in over 400 markets in the US and Canada- to broadcasters, CtC is "the big dog that eats your lunch late at night."
Styble (don't call him Styblehead) is the quirky-alone talk geek doing permanent fill-ins on this shift. To be fair, he has his own scheduled show, early Sundays. But he's been given the overnight pretty much without portfolio since it was orphaned when Lou Pate left for warmer pastures.
(The time slot hasn't always had bad ratings. Pate had the best numbers at KIRO; scoring often between 9 & 15 shares. (Of course, at this time of night that might mean 32 listeners and a couple of cats). We have to admit, even though we didn't love Pate's politics, and almost never listened to him- he's missed by listeners, many of whom say they didn't know what they had until he was gone and they got Bryan Styble).
Styble makes people crazy with his self-obsessed rantings. He can turn any topic- even astronomy or geology- into a self-serving screed. His constant on-air obsessing over the Coast to Coast is unprofessional and bad radio. A source told us: "He's so over the top with that, he may actually make people curious enough to switch stations to see what's going on over there and if that happens- they'll find they're doing a better show."
We've been complaining about KIRO's dumbing down of talk radio. Ron & Don; Bob Van Dyne; Frank "Shudder" Shiers and Styblehead are second rate and are hardly off-set by 3 hours of Dave Ross and Dori Monson; an hour of Ron Reagan ,and a 3-hour Sunday night tease by David Goldstein.
Bryan Styble: how long can he last at .08? Judging from our mail- KIRO oughta install Scary Gary, the overnight producer who used to get a lot of airtime in Pate's day. Don't know why they call him scary, but he could never scare away as many listeners as Styble.
Styblehead's show is nearly 100% unlistenable. That voice, that ego, & that name-dropping - my god - the name-dropping. Styblehead drops names like Lou Pate bragged about his 4 hrs of cardio (advantage: Pate).
There's really only one way to improve on Styblehead boast-to-boast - Listeners should routinely call-in using the words "Styblehead" & "Crap". Apparently he dislikes both intensely, & flies into fits of rage - I like to call em "Stybleseizures" - which are pretty entertaining. Stybleseizures = Ratings incarnate.
Thats all I got. The only other option is go to the weekend "When Radio Was" format. Probably better ratings in them hills
Posted by: mercifurio | August 09, 2006 at 01:57 AM
last week he was suggesting he might broadcast some of his recorded call-ins to other radio shows over the years.
apparently he has quite the collection. (can't he just jack-off to internet porn like a normal person?)
to give him some credit - didn't erin hart score a perfect 0 in the ratings a little while ago?
Posted by: spambutcher | August 09, 2006 at 02:18 AM
Styble must be catching on; he's getting more and more mention on this blog. Ratings mean little in that shift.
Posted by: Jack | August 09, 2006 at 05:47 AM
well that sums it up on the over Baked Brain on the over night its not funny its just really ! really BAD ! Maybe Tommy from Kiro will put the weather channel on And remember call in after 4:00am and ask the over baked brain the one the only styblehead , what his ratings are to cost , to cost and see if he has an open mind and will talk about how bad his radio program is ! its just really bad
Posted by: Brian In Lacey wa | August 09, 2006 at 06:39 AM
I would have to disagree with the suggestion of the current show producer.
I caught the last couple of hours of the show on Monday night (no I am not a hooker) and I was surprised when I heard a voice (which I am assuming was the aforementioned producer) actually criticize Styble on the air.
Further, this same "voice" actually interrupted the broadcast again, and wanted to "take on" one of Styble's callers who actually used an analogy of Ed McMahon/Johnny Carson as an example of on air teamwork.
I disagree with the caller who suggested that "the voice" should agree with Styble on his views on "Coast to Coast". Obviously the "voice" has a definite affection for alien implants and chupacabras, to which he is fully entitled. But taking a host to task, on the air, not so much of a good idea. This was a bit high school, I think.
I know Styble mentions C2C, but he also rants about Oprah (and who wouldn't?) but I haven't heard the level of obession he was accused of having.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I did not feel the need to post this message three times, so I hope it doesn't lose its impact.
Posted by: Liz | August 09, 2006 at 07:23 AM
Liz the only impact that you may have is your cowyboy boot are on the wrong feet Again ! Hooty hoo!
P.S. It Not funny its just really bad radio! the over baked brain of the over night the Styblehead, KIRO 710 Boast to Boast radio
Posted by: Just bad radio | August 09, 2006 at 07:35 AM
Styble is unlistenable.
Fortunately the Air America stuff at that hour is pretty good.
Rachel Maddow rocks!
Posted by: Lyle Dean | August 09, 2006 at 07:36 AM
I have never been able to listen to Bryan for more than 5 minutes.
Every time I hear him, I get one thought "This guy needs therapy".
Posted by: Jennifer | August 09, 2006 at 08:08 AM
great blog! I thought nobody cared about the overnight. KIRO! get rid of this Styble. Get Lou back, get Gary, get Turi, Dave Delackey, where are you? I can't stand the Coast to Coast, and I don't like the Air America reruns. I want a warm body at KIRO that doesn't make me want to listen to music.
Posted by: Sal | August 09, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Sal are you the sal that blogs on Polgara's board?
Bla'M HAS to listen to this stuff as part of his blog duties...the rest of you are just masochists...change the damn channel.
Posted by: sparky | August 09, 2006 at 09:20 AM
Did anyone catch Styble a few nights ago when he was complaining about the young Bob Costas(destined to become an NBC Sportscaster) bumping him off his regional Knowledge Bowl team? This must have been when Styble and Costas were high school kiddies in St. Louis, because they're both from there. He's obviously still angry and resentful to this day that the officials dared to bump him off the team for Costas. The outraged tone of voice he used was most peculiar and humourous, as if there could be no valid reason why anyone should have bumped "The Great Styble" off the team.
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 09, 2006 at 09:35 AM
Did anyone catch Styble a few nights ago when he was complaining about the young Bob Costas(destined to become an NBC Sportscaster) bumping him off his regional Knowledge Bowl team? This must have been when Styble and Costas were high school kiddies in St. Louis, because they're both from there. He's obviously still angry and resentful to this day that the officials dared to bump him off the team for Costas. The outraged tone of voice he used was most peculiar and humourous, as if there could be no valid reason why anyone should have bumped "The Great Styble" off the team.
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 09, 2006 at 09:37 AM
I heard that Monday morning confrontation between Styble and his producer. Producer was saying that Styble seems to be obsessed with the Coast-to-Coast show, which overlaps with his show for just one hour, and that it's inapproporiate and unprofessional to bad-mouth the competition.
I assumed that the producer had been steaming about this for a while, and finally took on Styble on-air after similar one-on-one conversations during breaks and commercials. If Styble had any clout at KIRO, that incident would have gotten the producer fired.
I would love to know what KIRO's front office is thinking about Styble -- they have to be getting complaints from listeners, and probably from in-house people. They don't give him the weeknight gig permanently, but they've keep him on for months now. Are they looking for a replacement? Do they understand how badly Styble is destroying the credibility of the rest of the station?
Posted by: rev | August 09, 2006 at 10:05 AM
C'mon you guys . . . have some patience when posting. This triplicate stuff is getting old.
So Styble is a peer of Costas? Never liked Costas much either. Always thought he sounded pedantic and full of himself.
AA overnight - even repeats - are better than anything else. (Except for Bubba whom I've never heard repeated. He'd probably ask for more money . . . )
Posted by: joanie | August 09, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Ray Taliaferro, KGO, 1 - 5 am, gotta love him!
Posted by: AprilMayJune | August 09, 2006 at 11:43 AM
bubba Ed is doing one of his fake rants about "his" stations that are not carrying his show the "right way"...something about "dead air." Sounds like a program director somewhere decided that dead air was better than Ed's voice...lololol...
Actually, I wonder if he is talking about KPTK? They have the production values of a jr high communications class.....
Posted by: sparky | August 09, 2006 at 12:14 PM
If you listen to Ray, you have to be sure to remember that he says stuff to enrage the listeners to get them to call at such a late hour...he used to make me mad until I figured that part out...
Posted by: sparky | August 09, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Joannie, if by 'Bubba' you mean Big Eddie, he's not AA, but Jones Radio Networks. He won't go directly with AA 'cuz he wants more control over his syndication.
Posted by: Tree Frog Farmer | August 09, 2006 at 12:20 PM
The overnight or early-morning slot on radio has a long and proud history due to the late hour, the warmth and intimacy of the medium, etc.
The history is distinguished by such luminaries as Larry King, Bill Watson, Long John Nebel, Jean Shepherd, Barry Gray, Allison Steele and MANY other talented personalities.
In any discussion of relatable, engaging, even marginally-listenable qualities, one personality that does NOT come to mind is Bryan Styble.
They've gotta be paying him just scale..and he sounds desperate and insecure enough to work for it.
Posted by: Hal Zimmerman | August 09, 2006 at 12:34 PM
Thanks TFF. I think I knew that but always think of KPTK as AA . . . I'll have to watch that.
I wish KPTK would repeat Franken's show at night. They used to do the first hour. And I sure wish Franken would provide repeat podcasts. His show is so informative that sometimes I want to hear guest segments a second time.
Posted by: joanie | August 09, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Although Coast to Coast is better radio than Brian, I'll take science and reason over C2C any day. Aliens have not visited Earth at any time, no one has psychic abilities, NASA did not fake the Moon landings, remote viewing doesn't work, nearly all alternative medicine is crap, the US government did not orchestrate 9/11, Intelligent Design is not science, yes anyone can talk to the dead, but they sure as hell aint listening and ghost hunters are really only chasing their own shadows.
Posted by: Skeptic Tim | August 09, 2006 at 12:48 PM
Joanie..KPTK IS Air America. Ed and Stephanie Miller are syndicated by Jones Network and are carried by AA stations, and a few other independent ones. Thom Hartmann is "local" when he is doing his 6 am-9am show on KPOJ but is considered a "syndicated AA" when he does the national show. thats why some stations carry reruns of him on weekends. He, and stephanie, gently remind people of the difference. Ed is the only one who blows smoke out his ass when people make that mistake. sigh,,
KPTK also carries some independent programming....a lot of people think it is all air america but it isnt :-)
Clear as mud, eh?
Posted by: sparky | August 09, 2006 at 12:56 PM
I feel sorry for you folks who never heard "real" overnight radio personalities.
The last "great" one was Larry King, when he was on Mutual 5 nights a week from midnight to 5:30!
He'd interview someone long-form for an hour (a real interview, not his current, shallow TV shtick) then take phone calls for 2 hours with the same guest.
Then he'd do open phones for 2 hours and come back and do sports for 30 min.
Of course, he was smoking at the time and that nicotine gives you all that energy.
Posted by: X-Ray Elvis | August 09, 2006 at 12:56 PM
X-Ray E, I remember him! He started it all . . . I can remember checking in to see who he was going to interview. It meant the difference between being perky and being sleepy in the morning! More often than not, I was sleepy!
Thanks for trying Sparky. But, you know what? I'll never remember it so I don't really care. (lol)
Great analysis and discussion on Lamont/Lieberman on Reynolds "The Conversation" on KUOW right now.
Posted by: joanie | August 09, 2006 at 01:38 PM
I would go for Franken repeats. The best thing about Styble is on low volune, the fact that he is not saying anything keeps me completely asleep! Does that make me a listener?
Posted by: Rich | August 09, 2006 at 03:16 PM
> the fact that he is not saying anything keeps me completely asleep
bingo! that was my first take on Styble - and it still holds.
the man keeps talking and talking, but never says anything.
Posted by: spambutcher | August 09, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Coast to Coast is a winner not because of it's content, but HOST.
George Noory simply knows how to handle his guests and audience and that's almost always with grace and poise. He's able to disagree without being combative and loud such as that Styble loon.
Until and unless KIRO dumps the trash I won't be tuning in. (To be fair, I listened to probably a total of one Styble hour - was appalled. And seriously, thought the guy was having some sort of public meltdown.)
KIRO simply sucks. What's amazing, though, is how long they keep absolute losers. Even the numbers don't seem to make a difference.
Posted by: Chris | August 09, 2006 at 05:21 PM
Styble is a pain to listen to. His delivery SUCKS ! His content is half-intelligible at time, but his on-air personality kills it.
Ray T. on KGO is the most arrogant talk show host I have heard - he tries to be that way and goes out of his way to call those who he disagrees with racists - which is the pot calling the kettle you know what color.. The combination of those two could drive someone who is feeling down suicidal in a short period of time...
For a pick me up, try listening to Imus on KXL 750 - Portland - think he is on from 3-5AM. Much better.
Posted by: KS | August 09, 2006 at 08:23 PM
Styble is dreadful! What does KIRO have in mind? Invite Mike Webb back and give his producer access to jazz tapes for when Mike is late comng back from the 7-11.
Posted by: Stephen Schwartz | August 09, 2006 at 09:51 PM
or he could do a remote from McNeil.....
Posted by: sparky | August 09, 2006 at 10:01 PM
P.S. It Not funny its just really bad radio! the over baked brain of the over night the Styblehead, KIRO 710 Boast to Boast radio
Just to note that "Styblehead, Boast-to-Boast" is hereby the trademarked insult of mercifurious limited©... Testify
Posted by: mercifurious | August 09, 2006 at 10:39 PM
Styble is probably the most forthright honest person on the air. We are not used to that; it takes a while to acclimate to his style; we can learn from him. Ratings (in that shift) matter little.
Posted by: Duffman | August 10, 2006 at 08:52 AM
he is constantly referring to himself in the 3rd person which is
profoundly annoying and more than a
little odd. one night we counted 32
times he said his name instead of
me or my.......
Posted by: jed clampett | August 10, 2006 at 06:03 PM
What ever happened to Drake Collier?
Posted by: Rich | August 10, 2006 at 06:48 PM
Whatever happened to "I Remember Mama" and "One Man's Family"?
Posted by: Fremont | August 10, 2006 at 06:55 PM
With the space needle to my back....I like Styble. Please don't bash this guy. I hate listening to taped late night shows or god forbid "When Radio Was.."
Style is OK...yeah weird but OK.
Posted by: Space Needle Jack | August 10, 2006 at 07:14 PM
The third-person self-references are annoying, the overly frequent mentions of Dylan and Asimov are annoying, and a good two dozen other things about him are annoying, but I don't mind admitting he puts on an interesting and unique show.
Posted by: Anthony | August 11, 2006 at 02:37 AM
Drake sells real estate in las Vegas.....really!
Posted by: sparky | August 11, 2006 at 06:15 AM
I tried to call in the over baked brain of the over night the one the only Styblehead its not funny its just really bad !!!!
Hairy Berry behind the glass smelling his feet because there no calls comming in , Well come to think about it ???? Even if the phones were ring , I think Hairy Berry would still be smelling his feet and making funny face at the over baked brain on the other side, of the glass. Back to what, I was getting too , I wanted to get on the air and ask the over baked brain ( ITS NOT FUNNY ITS JUST REALLY BAD RADIO !!) about how bad his ratings are and what his plans are to fix the big problem Hairy Berry that Likes the smell of his own farts, would not let me on the air, I was hung up on . So come on all you people that want some good over night, live radio , start calling in after 4:00am and asked the over baked brain the one the only Styblehead its REALLY BAD RADIO and ask him why he wont talk about his ratings what ever happend to open line for open minds Sound Like the Styblehead Mind is closed
Closing thought on the over baked brain Its not funny it just really bad radio . P.s If you want to call KIRO NEW radio KEN BECK VP- NEWS / talk is the Big guy call in and let him know how bad the over night is !!!! LETS GETTER DONE!!! Later this week well have Ken Beck email address also in line phone number he is now here in seattle at Kiro and he be the man !
Posted by: just bad radio | August 11, 2006 at 07:53 AM
I tried to call in the over baked brain of the over night the one the only Styblehead its not funny its just really bad !!!!
Hairy Berry behind the glass smelling his feet because there no calls comming in , Well come to think about it ???? Even if the phones were ring , I think Hairy Berry would still be smelling his feet and making funny face at the over baked brain on the other side, of the glass. Back to what, I was getting too , I wanted to get on the air and ask the over baked brain ( ITS NOT FUNNY ITS JUST REALLY BAD RADIO !!) about how bad his ratings are and what his plans are to fix the big problem Hairy Berry that Likes the smell of his own farts, would not let me on the air, I was hung up on . So come on all you people that want some good over night, live radio , start calling in after 4:00am and asked the over baked brain the one the only Styblehead its REALLY BAD RADIO and ask him why he wont talk about his ratings what ever happend to open line for open minds Sound Like the Styblehead Mind is closed
Closing thought on the over baked brain Its not funny it just really bad radio . P.s If you want to call KIRO NEW radio KEN BECK VP- NEWS / talk is the Big guy call in and let him know how bad the over night is !!!! LETS GETTER DONE!!! Later this week well have Ken Beck email address also in line phone number he is now here in seattle at Kiro and he be the man !
Posted by: just bad radio | August 11, 2006 at 07:54 AM
I tried to call in the over baked brain of the over night the one the only Styblehead its not funny its just really bad !!!!
Hairy Berry behind the glass smelling his feet because there no calls comming in , Well come to think about it ???? Even if the phones were ring , I think Hairy Berry would still be smelling his feet and making funny face at the over baked brain on the other side, of the glass. Back to what, I was getting too , I wanted to get on the air and ask the over baked brain ( ITS NOT FUNNY ITS JUST REALLY BAD RADIO !!) about how bad his ratings are and what his plans are to fix the big problem Hairy Berry that Likes the smell of his own farts, would not let me on the air, I was hung up on . So come on all you people that want some good over night, live radio , start calling in after 4:00am and asked the over baked brain the one the only Styblehead its REALLY BAD RADIO and ask him why he wont talk about his ratings what ever happend to open line for open minds Sound Like the Styblehead Mind is closed
Closing thought on the over baked brain Its not funny it just really bad radio . P.s If you want to call KIRO NEW radio KEN BECK VP- NEWS / talk is the Big guy call in and let him know how bad the over night is !!!! LETS GETTER DONE!!! Later this week well have Ken Beck email address also in line phone number he is now here in seattle at Kiro and he be the man !
Posted by: just bad radio | August 11, 2006 at 07:54 AM
It's open lines for open minds; not open minds for repeated lines.
Posted by: Duffman | August 11, 2006 at 02:58 PM
I just caught Brian Suits taking a snide cheapshot at a woman he had on as a guest. He didn't realize that he was the obtuse one, for not understanding that blacks still face discrimination here. He chuckled snidely AFTER she hung up,"she has a Harvard education there, buddy". Suits, you're a snide, smug creep, that folks around here are sick of. Don't you know it's a real punk move to make fun of someone after they've hung up on you? Let KVI regain some ratings points by retiring to the shooting range every day and letting Larry Elder permanently take over your shift. It's such a joy when I tune in and hear Larry's professional show, instead of your nasal, attitude-heavy Letterman wannabe schtick. Get lost.
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 11, 2006 at 03:51 PM
There are nights when I want to listen to a live and local show. I turn to Styble because he is the only local overnight show and even then he is tough to stomach for more than 5 minutes. That guy stinks.
Posted by: umo | August 11, 2006 at 03:59 PM
I remember Drake Collier, especially when he did the real estate show with Michael Martin on Sunday mornings.
Does anyone else remember the Sunday morning Martin didn't show up for the show and it turned out he was a complete fraud? Had stolen from and defrauded a lot of people, knew he was going to get caught, and left town? I think he eventually went to prison; I don't know what happened to him after that.
Ah, those were the good old days! :-)
Posted by: Dana | August 11, 2006 at 08:11 PM
my God, Michael Martin the real estate big shot. I'd almost forgotten. The funny thing was, I knew that guy was a phony before he was exposed, but I had no idea he was a swindler. I detested him. He was such a smarmy fellow with his big show of personally helping the little old grandmother on her mortgage problem on his own time after he got off the air. The guy just smelled fake. I called up one Sunday with a phony question about a cabin on Bainbridge Island, just to tell him off, but I got bored being on hold, and hung up.
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 11, 2006 at 08:29 PM
You guys are funny! I thought Mike was a realtor who just got some big ideas and embezzled a bit!
Does anybody remember someone named George who answered structural questions about houses? He was on KING as I recall. Anyway, I hired him to do a structural inspection on my house and he did half a job, I paid him and never got my report. He later sent me a note telling me how disorganized he was . . .and then I heard nothing more. Cost me $300.
He was fun, I'll say that for him.
Posted by: joanie | August 11, 2006 at 09:30 PM
George Guttman or Guthman
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 11, 2006 at 09:41 PM
Thanks, Tommie! It was Gutman . . . we must be kindred spirits when it comes to radio!
Posted by: joanie | August 11, 2006 at 10:00 PM
Styble may have his bothersome and repetitive traits but, "just bad radio" (a/k/a "Brian in Lacey"), at least he displays some intelligence in displaying them. Do you realize how unintelligent you sound?
Posted by: Anthony | August 12, 2006 at 01:19 AM