~~ It's our favorite radio commercial at the moment, so it's been placed on our hallowed ad list along with the Toe Tent. It's titillating especially early in the morning, to hear KTTH's hot, news frump Teresa Joy panting about the Hide-a-Hose, which we fantasize as a direct order. We're not sure exactly what it is, but we're thinkin' it must be the suburban version of the Hide-a-Salami, (fyi, the Vancouver Island native edition is called the Haida Salami), which has always been a game that's given rise to more than our culinary passions.
~~ Fortunately, this TV commercial has not yet reached radioland: nor has this one.
~~ KIRO's doing better in some ways but it'll take a while for the ratings to catch up, if they ever do. KOMO beat KIRO by a full half point in the 12+ Arbitron ratings book. We've only had cursory glances at the money demo (25-54) but it looks like moving Dave Ross back to the 9-ta-noon really helped (whooda thunk it???) but the Ron & Don (m-f 4-7p) Show? ...not so much. In combined morning and afternoon drive KOMO was again the number one AM in adults 25-54 tied for 9th in AQH Rating, KIRO came in 13th in drives.
~~ The biggest story in the new ratings is the success of The Woof against KMPS in the shit-kicker music arena, although we don't much care about music stations.
~~ can't help, in all this Sturm und Drang with Mike Webb, but ponder whistfully the opportunities lost to local progressives before and after he threw himself in front of the bus that he, himself, was driving. He can't blame the righties, he can't blame George W. Bush, or the homophobes, or BlatherWatch. He was one of the very, very, few liberal talk hosts in Seattle; had a long standing job on the largest talk station. Unfortunately, even before he shat on that, he was invisible in the local progressive community, rarely dealt with local issues, nor local politicos. (he once told us local issues were boring). It was unfortunate, especially considering how conservatives such as John Carlson (KVI m-f, 3-5p; KOMO, m-f, 10a-12p) and Kirby Wilbur (KVI m-f, 5-9a) have used their talk talent and bully-microphones to significantly further their partisan interests- and made successful radio in the process. Liberals have none of those in this liberal town. (Dave Ross is liberal, but doesn't really work the party line; we do have great hopes for David Goldstein (KIRO Sundays, 4-7p).
~~ "All art is nonsense," at least it is to neocon talker, Dori Monson (KIRO m-f, 1-4p). We'd include, of course, the art of conversation on KIRO in the afternoons. Not sure if our leakers are correct, but we've been told that Dori has become what he's become because he's been hanging out with neocon Michael Medved (KTTH m-f, 12-3p). That's a cruel rumor- we'll let Dori correct us if it's false. He used to talk so mean about Michael...
~~ Speaking of Dori- got a letter from readers talking about how he'd been ranting about how shameful it was for parents to use their kids to make their political points for them. Barry wrote: "I refer to an article at Blatherwatch, in which it was pointed out that you told a lie about your daughter's school project to see "An Inconvenient Truth." Apparently, in your interview with Ann Coulter, you told Coulter that you bought tickets to cover her because you didn't want her to watch Al Gore's movie. Seems pretty hypocritical to me to not include yourself in today's rant." We say: here, here, Barry. Dori says his kid eventually went to the movie on her own despite his moral lapse. We'd love to know what she thought of it- most who criticize it on talk radio haven't seen it, it seems.
~~ We don't like to talk about 2nd tier talker Frank Shiers (KIRO Saturdays, 7-10p; Sundays, 4-7p) much, because we don't like to listen to him much. But we did hear him complain because we call him "smarmy." We won't evah call you that again if you nevah, evah laugh again at something you don't really think is funny. Deal?
~~ We're getting kind of obsessive about these google search words that bring up Blatherwatch. Got one today that's kind of scary- it was "Dennis Kelly tai chi supplement Pat." Dennis Kelly is the KOMO program director- wish we could think up some juicy gossip here, but we can't. Another one that baffled us and hurt our feelings, was discovering that googling "hallmark humor going away" brought you to these pages.
~~ But we've got "naked" locked up- which has nothing to do with bondage. It's just that if you google "Laura Ingraham naked" you won't see the snideful Ingraham in the buff, but you will get to BlatherWatch. If you search for "Dr. Laura naked" you will get to see the nasty Dr. Laura in all her 28- year-old, hirsute, yet perky self AND get to BlatherWatch. You'll find us also if you search for the "the truth naked," "the naked erin," and even, god help us, the "naked Kirby."
~~ Speaking of Laura Ingraham- rumors are rife that KKOL, (1300 KHz) Salem's conservative talker will be boosted to a full 50,000 watts in the next month. Ingraham is alleged to be leaving KTTH to be live from 6-9a on KKOL. Some other syndicated right-wing shows may be moving around as well in the next few months.
I like Dave Ross precisely because he doesn't work the party line. I find Goldstein's show a bit annoying. Seriously--we are all very lucky to have Dave in this city.
Posted by: lukobe | July 28, 2006 at 04:50 PM
Speaking of annoying....the Head-on commercial wins! It makes no claims, therefore is not liable for anything! But, we all know what it says....brilliant advertising? (Doncha just love YouTube?)
Posted by: Fremont | July 28, 2006 at 05:12 PM
See what all this religiosity has generated? I wish we lived in a truly secular society. Mike Malloy is so funny tonight! Black humor I agree. I'm listening on-line. I didn't know Las Vegas had made it illegal to feed homeless people.
So much for private charity. I guess we're getting to the point where we should just kill everybody who doesn't fit the Biblical version of saved people. (That being having a roof over your head, enough to eat without asking for charity, enough saved to survive earthquakes and hurricanes, and attending church on Sunday even if you cheat on Monday like Reed and Sweigert.) If Jesus came back and was a homeless person, he'd be effin' out of luck. He'd starve to death if he wasn't lynched first.
And for the record, I admired Jesus. I try to be like him.
Posted by: joanie | July 28, 2006 at 08:22 PM
If Jesus came back today I don't know who would kill him first, the politicians or the church.
Posted by: Ryder | July 28, 2006 at 09:09 PM
on friday,s dori show he had 15 mins for open air to talk about anything during the week so i jumped all over the chance to call Dori on his feckless interveiw on thur about the harm to children,so when they cone back from break sorry folks no time for calls because Ron and Bomb came in to talk about the cost of milkshakes and burgers. Alas i used my real name so i have no doubt ihave reached ban status on dori's show
Posted by: snoutcounter | July 29, 2006 at 08:42 AM
I'd have anyone named "snoutcounter" on my show any time! Please tell me that's your real name....
Posted by: Fremont | July 29, 2006 at 11:54 AM
Hey gang! Anyone hear what is going on with my favorite, Robin and Maynard? Seems a little odd they not being on the air for this long...
Posted by: Cool Papa E | July 29, 2006 at 03:09 PM
If anybody's out there, John Dean is talking about his book "Conservatives without Conscience" on CSpan now. He's talking about two studies showing that some people will follow without thinking much like happened in Germany during Nazi-ism.
Pretty interesting. Even if you don't agree, listen to see what has to say. He talked about the Madam-gate thing and his wife as well.
Posted by: joanie | July 29, 2006 at 04:22 PM
the real name is Rusty ...in tacona
Posted by: snoutcounter | July 29, 2006 at 04:45 PM
Shiers Calls Joanie an idiot! (T8 News Service) Just moments ago Frank Shiers said the following on his KIRO radio talk program- "Now let me preface my remarks with this, before Joanie or some other idiot rushes to their computer to get on some website and call me a racist...." Shiers made the comments in connection with critical remarks about radical Muslims in relationship to Friday's hate crime shooting at the Jewish Federation of Seattle.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 29, 2006 at 07:38 PM
Darnit Joanie, thats TWICE you got mentioned on Frank's show. I want equal time.
What does rubbing a glue stick on your forehead do to help your headache??
Why does anyone still listen to KIRO?
When religion ruled the world it was called The Dark Ages.
Posted by: sparky | July 29, 2006 at 07:54 PM
Blathering Mike:
All day Friday Medved was saying that Dumb and Dumber had the number one morning (either conservative or talk) show in Seattle. Any truth to this? Who the hell tunes in to KTTH and listens to Sytman and Boze unless they want a good laugh?
Posted by: JDB | July 29, 2006 at 08:06 PM
Let me know when Dave mentions my name, then I'll know I've made the big time. . . (yawn)
I think Frank is still feeling guilty for giving airtime to that fraud of a climatologist who isn't even respected by his colleagues at OSU! So much for integrity. God only knows what misinformation Frank dispersed today . . .
Thanks, Tommy! T8 = "gr'eight' news service!
Posted by: joanie | July 29, 2006 at 08:35 PM
Sparky, perhaps rubbing a glue stick (lol) on your forehead equals a sort-of expensive forehead massage. What do ya think? Maybe it works . . .
Also, did you see the NYTimes online pic? "Evangelical Pastor Disowns Conservative Politics" There's a video that goes with it. There may be some hope afterall . . .
Posted by: joanie | July 29, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Poor Frankie. He can't hep it. He juast admitted tonight that Papa Shiers used to knock him off his chair for spilling his milk at the dinner table. That's why he's such a mean nasty little rat.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 29, 2006 at 08:55 PM
This just in- The Committee to Name the Bastard has called for an extroardinary one-day special session to be held by the Washington state legislature to outlaw Frank Shiers from saying "Craaa-aazy Brian Styble" on the state's radio airwaves. "This proposed law would require Shiers to immediately cease and desist from using this asinine and supremely annoying phrase on the air, under penalty of a six-month jail sentence, in the interest of public decency," a spokesman for the Committee said.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 29, 2006 at 09:19 PM
Maybe that should read "cheap" forehead massage . . .
Better be careful, Tommy, or you'll be the next to be named.
Actually, if you're reading this, Frank, I'm sorry your daddy knocked you for spilling your milk. Sometimes judges are a little stricter than they need to be . . . you should have some empathy for people less fortunate that you. I think liberals must have had very kind forgiving parents. And I think your daddy was a good one . . . would never dis your dad. But a little too hard on ya maybe?
PS: Thanks for making me famous! :)
Posted by: joanie | July 29, 2006 at 10:05 PM
"All art is nonsense" -- Is this quote something Dori actually said?
Not that I really need anything more to convince myself what a total jerk he is...
Posted by: bj | July 29, 2006 at 10:38 PM
I've heard Shiers say he doesn't believe in global warming. Someone said that in the fifties and sixties and maybe even more recently Chinese fan palms ( the only palm tree that survives up here) wouldn't grow in Seattle,but that now because of global warming, you see them all over town here. Can anyone verify this. Being a native, I was here in the fifties and sixties and I certainly don't remember seeing any Chinese fan palms.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 30, 2006 at 05:01 AM
Actually Moose Monson said "most art is utter nonsense" , which is really a distinction without a difference. Anyone who would say that is an "utter" fool.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 30, 2006 at 05:14 AM
Tommy, I'm a native too. When was the last time you saw a really good winter snowfall? I miss 'em.
Posted by: joanie | July 30, 2006 at 05:21 AM
Surfing some different Arab sites and found "Angry Arab" and this "Palestinian Pundit"
The pundit site shows a street sign in Germany that is provacative to say the least. There is so much to know if people are willing to search. Americans are very protected from what is going on in the world.
Posted by: joanie | July 30, 2006 at 07:07 AM
Thanks, James, for the correction of the location of the sign - Finland rather than Germany - in the Palestinian Pundit link. I appreciate it!
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2006 at 11:46 AM
(We don't like to talk about 2nd tier talker Frank Shiers (KIRO Saturdays, 7-10p; Sundays, 4-7p) much, because we don't like to listen to him much. But we did hear him complain because we call him "smarmy." We won't evah call you that again if you nevah, evah laugh again at something you don't really think is funny. Deal?)
I am glad that I am not the only one that can't stand this dude. If there were liberals in a movie theater, he would yell fire.
Posted by: Lynne | July 31, 2006 at 11:59 AM
oh Frank isn't THAT bad
Posted by: lukobe | July 31, 2006 at 12:41 PM
amazing that so many people who can't stand his show know so much about it.....
Posted by: snoutcounter | July 31, 2006 at 05:02 PM
Yep..lucky for me my radio gets other stations! I am not forced to listen to him
Posted by: sparky | July 31, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Now, now . . . some of us have KIRO on and just leave it on until we can't stand anymore. We're not surfers. . . we're loyal! But, they do drive us away eventually - at least some of them do.
We are liberals - right? We tolerate until intolerable! Then we finally get up and change it . . .
or if you are lucky enough to have remote control, you change it sooner!
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2006 at 08:24 PM