Seattle Babble-on: what will happen at KVI, and when will it happen?

 

Marketers made the above ad hoping you'll believe The Commentators (KVI 9-12p) are a couple of bad asses.

We ain't buying it even though Ken Schram looks like he just bit off your ear, and John Carlson's lip-curl is like someone just farted in the elevator.

We got one of the 'Tators-as-Blues Brothers ads in our e-mail this morning and at noon, the mailman delivered another to our door in an envelope full of coupons for pizzas, laser hair removal, and carpet cleanings.  

Leads us to believe that KVI isn't giving up on the 'Tators, even though they aren't exactly burning up the morning ratings.

And no wonder: the Schram and Carlson cluck like a couple of old hens with the toothless jibing of a couple of geezers in a barber shop.

Schram is a libertarian, not really a lefty- and Carson is a doctrinaire conservative. The twain meets entirely too often.

Agreeing on plenty, the passion seems like Memorex. The callers all agree with Carlson; and disagree with Schram who's too altogether comfortable in the role of minority whipping boy, and lovable fuck-up.

It's gotten old- just like their demographic. (If there's a bad flu season over the winter, they're in deep shit).

We keep hearing that KVI, which has been dragging for the last couple of books will be making some cut-to the-muscle changes coming up- we're always hearing stuff like that.

But with KIRO rumored to be making some huge changes, something's gotta give- you think? We do. Usually we see these changes come in Indian Summer; we'll be watching both KVI, and KIRO.

Maybe The Bad Lieutenant, Bryan Suits (m-f, 3-6p) will feel the blade. With the notable exception of Rachel Maddow, (KPTK m-f 3-5p) the best talker in radio these days, the afternoon drive on the Seattle AM dial is a tragic waste pile.

Bryan sweeps up behind such white elephants as Dori Monson, Ron & Don, and Glenn Beck. You wanna hear why? Listen to Bryan talk pidgin English to a Chinese guy who owns a sushi joint; go deep into all-you-can-eateries, shrimp feces, and the late, great, Skipper's restaurants. 

NPR has never sounded or done better.

(We're happy that KVI is finally podcasting live and local shows. You can download Kirby Wilbur, The Tators, and Bryan Suits, and listen to them anytime you want- but a BlatherWatch caution: listening to these shows are not recommended before or after sex).

Comments

[joanie for Mark]

Sounds like the flaw in their plan was thinking a liberterian vs. a conservative would provide enough fireworks to be interesting. I wonder if they are afraid to put a liberal next to Carlson?

Or perhaps they were thinking Schram would attract a different market but one that would be consistent with their conservative bent?

I think Goldstein would do well in that kind of format. He's passionate and articulate. I can see Carlson and Goldstein having some very interesting exchanges. I think Goldstein needs some structure . . . the professionalism of Carlson would demand the best from David.

Finally, that ad makes a promise to the listener that the broadcast will be tight, disciplined, tense and interesting. I hope they find a way to keep it.

Having said all that, I never listen to KVI . . .

[Duffman]

I listen to Suits (on way home) at times and do find his humor somewhat amusing. However I will tune in to Larry Elder (on XM) and I think he w/be a great fit for that KVI time slot.
John Carlson belongs by himself (in my opinion); he's at his best talking about National and local (political) issues and with the upcoming election I would think they (KVI) would go to their strengths. Ken Schram is a 'non-event' in my book; KOMO suits couldn't find a place for him so he was put with Carlson. I don't think it will ever work (despite the apparent ad campaign). I used to listen to Carlson a lot when he focused on local politics and issues but this childish banter with Schram is unbearable. It (& Kirby Wilbur, who should still be in real-estate appraisal or whatever he was in) have driven me over to KIRO for the most part, when I do listen to local radio. SOMETHING needs to be done at KVI, as it's currently a bit like listening to paint dry. Be BOLD KVI, it's time for a MAJOR shake-up.

[Flub]

How the hell did Bryan Suits ever get a talk show?

[Duffman]

He did have a good point tho in regard to shrimp feces; why DO they call it 'de-veining'?...ha

[Duffman]

PLEASE everyone, as we start this new day - for the sake of 'sarge', let's try to keep on topic and AWAY from talking about me. Let's talk more about you'all (and what you think about me)....ha ;o)
Enjoy yet another beautiful day in the best place (as Medved says) 'on God's green earth'.

[Tommy008]

SURPRISE! Suits showpage on the KVI website appears to have podcasts of his old shows, just as The Commentators have on their showpage, but they are just links to newspaper or other media stories concerning his show topics. The Chinatown restaurant link connects you to the Seattle Times article about the dispute. Apparently even KVI is embarrassed by the show. Alas. Those who missed it live will not be able to hear Suits make fun of the restaurant owner's accent, and claim that he couldn't understand him ( he wasn't that bad-I was able to catch the meaning of nearly everything the owner said). You were spared the torturous attempt at the end by Suits of a joke with the guy. Captain Smartass, who claimed to be a fan of the restaurant, said he was gifting the man with a slogan for the joint-"easy to find, hard to leave". The owner thought Suits was making a negative comment on the parking at the place, and Suits should have cut his losses and done a "forget it/bad joke" but apparently he thought this little catchphrase was the funniest thing since Desi and Lucy, so he grotesquely continued trying to force a chuckle out of the owner over it. That never happened. Suits is the worst.

[sr]

Not a huge fan of the commentators, I actually will give them props for their tribute to Reservoir Dogs in their new ad. I like it.

[JDB]

The 'Tators definitely could be better. They jump subjects too quickly. They agree to much. And they would be much better in Afternoon drive than in the morning against Ross and Limbaugh. Still, I appreciate an attempt to change things up, and Carlson is actually at his best when challanged (and give John his due, he is one of the few conservative talkers who really likes to get into a scrap with the other side..., he doesn't pull the Michael Medved "lets find some nutty leftist and make them look foolish" bit that often).

In the end, what they need is for the producer of their show to step up and find more topics where they can disagree and argue with each others. Otherwise, they will simply become the Hannity and Colmes of local radio.

[sparky]

Breaking News:
Leahy issues a subpoena for Rove, 4 Senators call for a special prosecutor to investigate Gonzo, and within minutes, an anthrax scare at the Long Beach airport and ABC Newsroom.

Karl moves quickly!

[coiler]

Yes, he is pure evil, just like Goebbels.

[Duffman]

OMG! sparks/coiler/fremont: just MAY be(?) the fat lady hasn't sung yet...let's HOPE!!!

[mercifurious]

Duff stuff (re: Gonzo)
OMG! sparks/coiler/fremont: just MAY be(?) the fat lady hasn't sung yet...let's HOPE!!!

Translated out of Duffspeak: "Please believe me! I really am one of you"

Note: SO when are you gonna finally man-up and show-up to DL, Duffy?

[Duffman]

Now...who lifted that rock so we could have the pleasure of more of merci's vomit. And the day was going so well.
Lord have merci!

[mark]

???

[KS]

Clark Howard would be an improvement over the Tators, but that show is apolitical. The Commentators have deteriorated in the last year - since they came over to KVI.