~~What will we do when KIRO radio fires the last man standing? We woke up with the cold sweats last night with fevered dreams that Dave Ross trekked off to an NGO in Africa; Dori Monson was busted for payola involving dog food; Procaccino got a soap; Vinnie ate something he shouldn't have; Shiers put his finger on something he shouldn't have, and Ciscoe went to Muscle Shoals to cut a record. There was no one left but Tom Douglas, Heather Bosch and Carl Jeffers. Tom was noodling around the KIRO kitchen with a Top Ramen, Heather was frantic (if you can imagine such a thing) looking for the door; Carl was burning to the ground unattended.
~~What will New York Vinnie do on his new sports show when the Mariners get going? (we realize that's a stretch) But who'd wanna listen to Vinnie talk about the Mariners while they're actually playing over on KOMO? How long can this last, this 7-9p sports blather?
~~Seattle Weekly Editor Knute Berger wrote us about being stuck in his Eastside home that windy Saturday two weeks ago without electricity. Of course, local TV crews were standing out in their storm parkas all over Western Washington, giving the tedious minutiae of how hard the wind was blowing, where and when it'd begin and end; who had electricity, how many puppies were impacted and all the other attendant drammer around the storm. This was lost on Berger, and everybody else who hadn't the juice to crank up the TV. When he went to get storm news on his car radio, all he could get was gardening with Ciscoe Morris, (KIRO 10a-1p) Home Front with Tami Michaels (KVI, noon-2p) and Republican Radio (KKOL,10:30a-12:30p).
~~And speaking of sports (and you know we'd rather not) Everett's KRKO is going to 50k watts. The idea is to splatter across the Seattle market, but...with what? They're ESPN now, but that would conflict with KJRAM, also ESPN and huge in this market. May we suggest progressive talk radio with local talk hosts? Nobody else does it in this liberal town. (we know, we know, it won't happen, but we never give up).
~~Is Lou Pate gay? that's the question asked in about half our mail. Of course not, is the answer. As a matter of fact, Pate is heterosexual to a fault according to the other half of the mail. Despite the conspiracy theories about race-crazed Hawaiians, mahalo justice, and a million dollar a year offer as a weather man on Iraqi TV, the longtime overnighter left on his own steam, despite his every effort to get fired.
~~We've seen the Fall Book and we don't believe it. Tony Snow, (KVI m-f, 9-noon) the big-haired, small-minded, vanilla neocon suit more than leads the pack with nearly a 14 share, which we wouldn't believe if it were half that high. All other talkers in town are down in the normal 3 & 4 % range, except, of course Big Pants (KTTH m-f, 9-noon) who's half that. (He once ruled here, but the drug addiction, trading his 3rd wife in on a CNN anchor, the on-air blow-job talk, the celebrity farting and the distortions have apparently caught up with him with the local values crowd). As for Snow's astounding numbers, some Arbitron glitch has him towering over everybody in town- not only in that time slot- in any time slot. He might be steady, he might be doing OK, but not that OK- it's anomalous to anything around it. There's plenty of opportunity for glitches in the pseudoscience of radio ratings.
~~Boyo, did we stir it up when we mentioned the het intramural panky going on between a talk host of note and a producer. They've reportedly not spoken publically to each other ever since, which has caused all manner of speculation and suspicion from the biddy class. We didn't mean to come between them- we're in love with love around here at BlatherWatch and it is Valentine Week.
~~The nine-ta-noon can be pretty packed up for good political talk- if it weren't for podcasting we don't know what we'd do. There's Schram & Carlson at 10a (KOMO m-f) who are agreeing with each other altogether too much these days. We're hooked on KUOW's Weekday's news segment at 10a on Fridays with Seattle Weekly Editor, Knute Berger, PI columnist Susan Paynter, and Times editorial columnist Danny Westneat. It's hosted, of course by the bombastic Steve Scher, who pulls down the best 9 ta noon ratings in this town (Tony Snow's false pregnancy not withstanding). Both shows are podcasted.
~~Teamed up on Valentine's for one show with John Procaccino (KIRO/temp, m-f, 9-noon) was none other than former Seattle City Councilwoman Judy Nicastro. (PD Clendening has a thing, recently for teams, it seems). Unfortunately, it wasn't so much a team effort as a prolonged interview of Nicastro. While she's funny, bright, politically experienced and a slick chick (who announced, btw, her engagement on-air) she's been out of the news for several years and the interview wasn't much more than a rehash of old Council issues. Thrilling radie-yo, it wasn't, but we don't think KIRO should give up on Nicastro just yet- she needs mileage alone with a live microphone before anyone can know whether she's the next Peter Weissbach.
Vinnie ate something he shouldn't have
Yeah, about 250 pounds ago. And he hasn't stopped.
Posted by: Ted Smith | February 17, 2006 at 04:52 AM
"Tony Snow, (KVI m-f, 9-noon) the big-haired, small-minded, vanilla neocon suit more than leads the pack with nearly a 14 share, which we wouldn't believe if it were half that high."
That's the problem with liberal talk radio heads. They honestly can't figure out how or why a conservative talk show can be a success here in this market.
How about substance versus Bush Bashing? Personally, I have a hard time finding very many liberal talkers that devote most of their 3 hours to talking issues. They'd rather rehash over and over how Bush is a lier, an idiot, incomptetent, etc. Case in point, look at how much time some are spending on Cheney's hunting accident.
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 06:06 AM
the only good thing about stock yard Vinnie is his bad english , des, dat, du, de, Au, and he suck more air when he talk, SO Friday night we are having a drinking game, every time Stock yard Vinne , uses Vinnie english we have to take a shot, We did this on Tuesday night , and all nine of us were shit faced in 15 min . You GO STOCK YARD! And we all know why we call him Stock yard Vinnie???? his show SMELLS LIKE A STOCK YARD!! TAke DAT Vinnie P.S, HAve a double cheese burger!
Posted by: Lee | February 17, 2006 at 06:14 AM
I am pretty certain there is no place for Pate as an Iraqi weatherman. Not much has changed there as they seem to be labouring under a rather prolonged and stalled desert storm.
"How many puppies were impacted." Narrow focus journalism, this calls for a little broader investigative work, with coverage including kittens. They are much more warm and fluffy.
Posted by: Liz | February 17, 2006 at 06:40 AM
ok
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 08:00 AM
"There's plenty of opportunity for glitches in the pseudoscience of radio ratings."
Like Erin's 0.0 rating for instance?
"They'd rather rehash over and over how Bush is a lier, an idiot, incomptetent, etc. Case in point, look at how much time some are spending on Cheney's hunting accident."
Given that all these things are provably true, where's the lack of substance? Or do you like being presided over by a lying, incompetent CEO as long as he keeps your taxes low?
Posted by: joanie | February 17, 2006 at 08:22 AM
OK, so who's the highest rated local talk show host? Could it
be Dori because there is so much sniveling about Dave Ross?
Posted by: Lump | February 17, 2006 at 08:37 AM
"May we suggest progressive talk radio with local talk hosts?"
I stillthink KTPK is missing a huge opportunity by not having at least one local host. "Bubba" (thanks, Sparky) Schultz would be the first to go for me.
"May we suggest progressive talk radio with local talk hosts? Nobody else does it in this liberal town. (we know, we know, it won't happen, but we never give up)."
Maybe KUOW has the market cornered. They do it so well and possible Seattle liberals are really into more objective kinds of programming which leaves the rest of the market open for spinning, bashing, idiotic, mind-numbing conservative radio. Except for KTPK, where's the liberal talk today in Seattle?
Posted by: joanie | February 17, 2006 at 08:41 AM
Yeah if there had to be a local, then the 12-3 slot would be a good place to start. Ed would do better being on KIRO in Dave's slot ( who cares if Ed gets interrupted by traffic reports--there is no long range theme to his shows anyway)--and Dave could switch to KPTK at the same time Dori is on KIRO and then a lot of people would be happy. We would see who would really pull in the numbers then....
but I would still listen to Randi on KPOJ at that time....
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 09:04 AM
Joanie says:
"Given that all these things are provably true, where's the lack of substance?"
Okay, fair enough,if that's your opinion, but how many times do you have to hear it before you say to yourself..."okay, how about something different?" I can site chapter and verse all the Bush lies, his incompetence, failures from the liberal viewpoint.
I don't know, maybe it's just one of many reasons why liberal talk radio doesn't get the ratings that conservative radio gets
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 09:16 AM
Tony Snow is a dope and a boor. People would rather listen to him than Proccacino because John is a girlyman, not because he's a liberal. Dave Ross isn't a girlyman, Al Franken isn't, even Mike Webb wasn't but don't get me started on him(good riddance, Mike).
Posted by: Tommy008 | February 17, 2006 at 09:40 AM
I dont know what to think about the "ratings" when KIRO brags that an overnight host that most people dont hear because they are sleeping gets the "highest rating" moniker.
Did republicans ever tire of bashing Clinton? I dont think so. It was Rush's bread and butter...and it still is in some cases, when people like to drag Clinton back into the mix, even though he has not been President for 6 years.
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 09:53 AM
The really odd thing about Tony Snow's fall numbers is that he missed a large portion of the fall due to some surgery related to his cancer he was recovering from. John Gibson substituted and he's awful.
Posted by: Vince | February 17, 2006 at 10:04 AM
audioslave "but how many times do you have to hear it before you say to yourself..."okay, how about something different?"
Isn't that true of all political talk radio?
The real question should be "why do conservatives listen to political wind bags who share their same opinions all day long?"
You won't find so many liberals listeing to Bush bashers but they are listening to NPR which covers a wide gamut of topics and news.
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 10:13 AM
sparky "people like to drag Clinton back into the mix"
They use Clinton to sometimes show that Bush's incompetence is shared with a former president, and I guess that's supposed to make us feel better?
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 10:17 AM
Not so fast on the KRKO upgrade!
They've been trying for at least the past 12 years to raise their power past the 5kW they have now.
Presently, they've submitted an application to raise power,
but the FCC has granted no CONSTRUCTION PERMIT to do so... unlike the KKOL upgrade, which has been approved.
Search page: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html
Posted by: Jimbo | February 17, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Blam says May we suggest progressive talk radio with local talk hosts?
Why do we wish for more talk hosts who complains about the oposing political party? How about a host who covers corperate abuse, popular culture in general or the decay of society, or how about "what features would your dream car have"? That would be cool.
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 10:30 AM
So sorry about Judy NiCastro's engagement, Bla'M...I know you interviewed her and she has appeared in your dreams ever since. Oh well, happy valentine anyway...
Posted by: Fremont | February 17, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Nah, it's Michele Malkin that makes Michael's heart race...
ick!
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Michael: deconstructed rabbit? you must have eaten at Veil. How did you like it? did you have the PB&J?
Posted by: tangletoes | February 17, 2006 at 11:12 AM
Andrew says:
"The real question should be "why do conservatives listen to political wind bags who share their same opinions all day long?"
If you had the answer to that, maybe the ratings of liberal talk radio would reflect more of how the country is evenly split.
Or....maybe that isn't it at all. Clear Channel owns the most radio stations (over 1,200), and they have a reputation as being conservative. It's all their fault. They've been brainwashing all of us conservatives for years.
Boycott Clear Channel.
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 11:13 AM
audioslave If you had the answer to that, maybe the ratings of liberal talk radio would reflect more of how the country is evenly split.
Who's to say liberals and conservatives are equaly interested in politics in the first place? Maybe liberals prefer music stations. You assume that there is behavioral uniformity between between libs and cons but theres no proof of that.
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Andrew says:
"Who's to say liberals and conservatives are equaly interested in politics in the first place? Maybe liberals prefer music stations. You assume that there is behavioral uniformity between between libs and cons but theres no proof of that."
Good points. Maybe thats why conservatives are winning in the arena of ideas, debate, and elections.
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 12:57 PM
They're winning in the area of ideas and debate? You're also winning in the area of making shit up.
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 01:02 PM
Well, isn't the result of the last one,winning elections, a direct result of winning the first 2, ideas and debate?
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 01:20 PM
No Audioslave. You forget how you've been tricked by the Republicans and their allies in the mainstream media to vote against your own self interests.
It's easy to see how Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, the NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, etc. have been powerful advocates for Republican candidates and how that has influenced public opinion to vote for conservatives.
What's more of a mystery to me is how Karl Rove has tricked so many people. His most devious accomplishment was engineering the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in 1994, before anyone knew who he was outside of Texas. Someday, the public will wake up and take back our country....
Posted by: ExDem | February 17, 2006 at 02:38 PM
An idea can't be "won" children.
The only debate the election settled was the debate over who would win the election.
The reason people vote the way they do is a secret. Allot of people are said to have voted for Bush because he's the kind of guy they would like to "drink a beer with". You can't assume that they are advocating everything a candidate stumps on.
And I don't want to remind you again that just becuase a person is in minority, it doesn't mean they are wrong.
Posted by: Andrew | February 17, 2006 at 02:49 PM
D.i.e.b.o.l.d.
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 03:20 PM
Sparky sez, "D.i.e.b.o.l.d."
Isn't how blacks talk about being daring?
Still waiting for KIRO host rankings. Must be bad for the libs.
Posted by: Lump | February 17, 2006 at 03:26 PM
"No Audioslave. You forget how you've been tricked by the Republicans and their allies in the mainstream media to vote against your own self interests."
Thanks, ExDem. We finally agree on something.
Posted by: joanie | February 17, 2006 at 03:55 PM
Lumpy, I see you are reading the new "Ann Coulter's Humor" book. Hope it is worth the $1.89
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 04:46 PM
Does anyone remember THIS???
What was Suits THINKING!!??
Local News: Tuesday, November 09, 1999
Nicole Brodeur
The Fairy Tale Hasn't Ended For Jersey Girl
Nicole Brodeur
Times Staff Columnist
The midnight bell was chiming, and Judy Nicastro was wondering if, when it stopped, she was going to turn back into a parts buyer for Boeing, just another idealistic thirtysomething in funky black shoes.
As Friday ended, though, Nicastro got word that Cheryl Chow, her opponent in the race for Seattle City Council, had conceded the race for the Position 1 seat.
The glass slipper fit.
Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and Nicastro's is a classic: a child of hard knocks who grew up to knock a political grande dame off her throne.
She skipped the gown for jeans and short, cropped hair; and skipped the ball for a pub crawl that won her legions of voters - many of them young and renters, like her.
Plus, Nicastro is funny. She's refreshing. She tells you things she shouldn't.
"In my 11 years in Seattle, I was never hit on," she said the other day. "But from April to August, during the campaign, I was hit on 30 times."
Twenty-seven men and three women. Some married, some not. But they all should be worried. Nicastro, 34, kept a campaign journal, and recorded names.
"My advice for women running for office is: Be single!" she said.
Around us, Nicastro's staff broke down her election headquarters, in the basement of a brick house in Wallingford. Stuffed with bags of junk food and The Mountain on the radio, it feels more like a dorm room than a dream factory.
But it was. And it worked.
People who wouldn't return her calls when she was fund raising are now clamoring for an audience.
"Three weeks ago I resigned myself to losing," Nicastro said. "The name `Chow' in Seattle is as familiar as `Kennedy' in Boston."
And what does "Nicastro" connote now?
"Jesse Ventura," she said. "Nobody knew him and he came from a different world and he wasn't easily boxed in.
"People can't do that with me, either," she said. "They can't throw me into the lefty pool. There's a new political paradigm, and that's where I am."
She supports social programs focused on jobs and housing, but demands responsibility from those who are given a leg up.
That paradigm fits her personal life, too: Nicastro has become engaged to KIRO radio personality Brian Suits, but doesn't want a ring.
And it is born of her own story, now familiar, of a father who died when she was 12, a mother who struggled to get by and a young woman who entered the University of Washington under a program for the economically disadvantaged.
Nicastro made the best of what she was given, becoming student-body president and graduating from law school. (She didn't pass the bar her first time out, but hopes to take it again, once she settles into her City Council seat.)
I listen to her stories, I hear the phone ringing, and I worry like a father whose daughter has suddenly blossomed. This is the juncture where Nicastro's belief system can lead her to great things, or be abandoned altogether, in the name of politics.
So here's to the belle of the ball - a Jersey girl, no less. I hope she remembers that basement campaign office while she dances through City Hall. Glass slippers can shatter, you know.
Posted by: Scrilla | February 17, 2006 at 04:57 PM
she tossed him out after awhile..i will never forget that night...
Posted by: sparky | February 17, 2006 at 05:22 PM
Ex-Dem writes:
"No Audioslave. You forget how you've been tricked by the Republicans and their allies in the mainstream media to vote against your own self interests."
Thanks Ex-Dem, sometimes I get the urge for independent thought, then I remember I have to get back in lock step with the media. Thanks again to Dan Rather, your 60 Minutes piece on Bush's National Air Guard service, with local support from producer Mary Mapes, really made the difference for me this last election. I only wish it was brought up when he ran against Gore, but Mary was still researching, I guess.
Andrew Says:
An idea can't be "won" children.
Andrew, ideas are won and lost everyday. Take a field trip down to Olympia.
And you also said:
And I don't want to remind you again that just becuase a person is in minority, it doesn't mean they are wrong.
I have never said that. When a person or idea, or issue, or cause is in the minority opinion, it's just that, the minority. It's America. When things don't go your way, you take it to the courts. Thats why we have the ACLU, God Bless them for looking out for ALL of us.
Posted by: audioslave | February 17, 2006 at 06:05 PM
aparky sez, "Lumpy, I see you are reading the new "Ann Coulter's Humor" book. Hope it is worth the $1.89"
Actually from Al Sharpton on how to get a date with Tawana Bradley.
I see Michael still isn't cutting loose with the KIRO program ratings. Must be even worse news. Dori #1?
Posted by: Lump | February 17, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Speaking of Brian Suits, here's something on the many hats he wears:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/1/83454/08397
Posted by: kublai khan | February 18, 2006 at 05:06 AM
Sadly, Dori would not be #1 in the ratings if he was the only host left at KIRO..
Posted by: sparky | February 18, 2006 at 06:31 AM
omg....that kos article on Bwyan...hilarious to read what people who dont know of his local radio history think of him...golly.
Mostly they dont understand why someone is still a Lt. after 17 years....
Posted by: sparky | February 18, 2006 at 06:40 AM
Frank "talk to me" Shiers just came back from vaction and he's proving tonight why people like me consider him an ignorant, peabrained butthead. A caller nailed the Cheney situation dead on by pointing out that the County Sherrif voluntarily gave Cheney until the next morning to meet with them, whereas any regular citizen would have been face to face with officers within minutes after reporting the shooting, so that they could assess his sobriety. Shiers reminded the caller that Secret Service men were also law enforcement officers, as if they were going to tattle on Cheney to the local police that he'd been drinking. Then he went on to use the completely irrelevant example of the Ramsays (parents of the Boulder girl found dead in the basement) to show that other citizens have negotiated the time and conditions of being interviewed by the police. The Ramsays were only potential suspects in a crime where their use of alcohol was irrelevant. Cheney had already admitted to a shooting where the question of whether he'd used alcohol was a crucial thing to be determined in order to properly decide on charges against him, if any. Pate and Shiers- dumb and dumber
Posted by: Tommy008 | February 18, 2006 at 09:10 PM
Of course, Tommy008, Shiers is a "legal expert" as well because, as he constantly reminds his listeners, his dad was a judge.
How can you listen to him? He is so all about himself!
I, too, read the Daily Kos on Bryan Suits and it also points out his contradiction about whether or not he's married. Apparently, he's not sure himself!
Why oh why would Nicastro, whom I sort of like, ever attach herself to someone like Bryan Suits. On the sole basis of his duplicity as a so-called reporter/soldier in the war, he's a lying idiot. Happy talk, keep a talkin' happy talk . . .what a loser.
Posted by: joanie | February 18, 2006 at 09:29 PM
Relax, nobody needs to worry, Frank Shiers is not good enough for weekdays. John Procaccino was chosen over him. John Procaccino. John Procaccino.
Posted by: Andrew | February 18, 2006 at 10:51 PM
John Proccacino a girlyman. Even the callers down at KVI are snickering about him.
Posted by: Tommy008 | February 18, 2006 at 11:08 PM
Andrew, I'm listening to something called RadioPower.org Progressive Talk Radio on line. Ever heard of it? I'm curious to know what you think if you have. The first talkers referred to themselves as the young turks and now it is Bob Kincaid.
Anybody else know about these guys?
Posted by: joanie | February 18, 2006 at 11:12 PM
They replay one of their shows on Saturday mornings on 1090 AM. One of them is from New Jersey and apparently used to be a conservative. The few times I've heard them, they seem to be listenable, especially compared to most everyone else on 1090.
Posted by: ExDem | February 18, 2006 at 11:18 PM
I have heard them now that you mention it. Also, a show called Ring of Fire featuring Robert Kennedy Jr. which I like.
I think Michael might have to start including streaming webcasts (if I 've put that right) in the discussion since great liberal radio seems to be fading away . . .
Posted by: joanie | February 18, 2006 at 11:27 PM
I'll try RadioPower.org. Noon-3 is dead air anyway.
"John Proccacino [is] a girlyman"
And yet he still beat Shiers for the fill in gig (in fisticuffs out by the Entercom dumpster I imagine)
Posted by: Andrew | February 18, 2006 at 11:36 PM
Joanie: the best part of the DailyKos smear piece is the rebuttal from a liberal. BTW- Suits got married on leave, AFTER the first article and BEFORE the BBC blog. i hope the DailyKos has the integrity to call ME before they smear. (or BlatherMikey for that matter)
Posted by: Scrilla | February 19, 2006 at 05:37 PM
sparky sez, "Sadly, Dori would not be #1 in the ratings if he was the only host left at KIRO.."
How do you know? That's only your wish. Michael won't put out the KIRO host ratings, but he does if it's to bash somebody other than favorites. He had the ratings for that mouthy broad at 0.00.
Is the real truth being kept or is he afraid the troops, meaning the lunatic fringe, might go off the deep end.
Posted by: Lump | February 19, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Hardly, Lump. He'd be glad we all had something to talk about . . . Afterall, this is a discussion board, isn't it?
It wouldn't surprise me if Dori has the highest numbers on KIRO. I love Dave but don't listen to him anymore. Surely Vinnie isn't surpassing Dori's numbers. And, as I said earlier, I think most liberals who are far more discerning in their listening tastes than conservatives are probably on board with KUOW at this point.
What's left to say?
Posted by: joanie | February 19, 2006 at 05:53 PM
What's left to say is that Dori's numbers are probably reflective of the fact that he doesn't have any real competition so of course that makes his ratings look better than he actually is.
Put someone good, local, and live against him and I'll bet he'd be sweating bullets. Just like he never goes into the chat room because he knows that he'd be sliced to ribbons--he's a gutless bully. He's not very bright, either.
Posted by: Dana | February 19, 2006 at 06:01 PM