Friday oddems: and the answers to- where's carleen johnson? how's val stouffer? why billo reilly? why not stephanie miller? whither KBSG? are you done, jim mcdermott?

~ Billo Reilly (KTTH m-f, 6-8p) never makes personal attacks, at least that's what he says. Or maybe you'd better ask somebody else... like this U of Indiana study that compared The Big Fat Head to the fascist, Jew-baiting, 1930's radio priest Father Coughlin. O'Reilly's mouth beat even the old Nazi's. Romenesko: "Bill O'Reilly calls a person or a group a derogatory name once every 6.8 seconds, on average, or nearly nine times every minute during the editorials that open his program each night. "It's obvious he's very big into calling people names, and he's very big into glittering generalities," says IU j-prof Mike Conway.

~ A conservative making a principled stand against her "liberal media" bosses? We hear that's how Carleen Johnson sees herself. After anchoring and reporting morning drive news on KVI since 1998, she either quit or was fired, depending upon whom you talk to. Johnson, a staunch conservative was unhappy by the way KOMO/KVI covered certain news stories- and it culminated with KOMO's coverage of the late term abortion decision that came down a few weeks ago. It wasn't fair and balanced enough for her and she confronted news director Brian Calvert. In the ensuing heated discussion, she reportedly called him a liar. There'd been previous skirmishes with PD Dennis Kelly so he and Calvert drew up an Attitude Improvement Plan which she refused to sign. They told her they'd take that as a resignation. This was Friday- on Monday, she came to Fisher Plaza accompanied by her lawyer, but the two were shown the door by security. Wonder if this is over?

~ Welcome back Val Stouffer! The former KIRO news anchor at is now doing the same at liberal talker KPTK. wonder where Kevin Ebi will pop up? He was eliminated in the same Entercom pogrom as Stouffer. Real pros, bof'em. 

~ We loved the Stephanie Miller radio show on the MSNBC simulcast. She's really on, she's at ease (belied by the armpit stains) she's got TV looks; her politics are pristinely liberal, and even with all of that-  the joke's usually on herself. Whuzzahell Dep't: they've got their Marsden, we've got our Miller; they've got Coulter, we've got Maddow. We've got the Daily Show, they've got Red Eye. Why can't the right ever be funny on purpose? Here's a funny clip from Miller's Day 1.

~ Word on the street is that the failing oldies station KBSG (where Frank Shiers is thought to be normal) will become KIROFM and will either simulcast the AM station (Bonneville lies to do that) or... bring on a new format- who knows? FM talk is hot these days. Not sure that, for all their fine qualities, being "hot," is Bonneville's forte.

~ Do Ron & Don fit in on KIRO? (m-f, 4- 7p) We've never thought their doofus-ified, tabloid show fit the format. Folks who listen to Dave Ross, may not be up for all the down & dumb American Idol fascinatia, and Don (or is it Ron?) referring to newsman Tony Miner as "Big Tony." Might be OK on KIRO FM, though. Apparently, we're not alone on that- a KIRO staffer told us, "...they're embarrassing." Seems they're loud careering around the news room does not make them beloved among their cohorts.

~ Rush Limbaugh back on KVI? Sleeping through the Kirby Wilbur Show (KVI m-f, 5-9a) early one morning last week, we were ripped untimely from our motel room on the outskirts of Snugglesville where we were making lascivious banter with Kim Komando, Sylvia Plath, and the 7 dwarfs. It was Rush Limbaugh's voice coming out of the KVI loudspeaker just like the old days that gave us the start (Rush was famously ripped off by KTTH in 2003). Turns out Kirby was playing Big Pants' bloviating about the big win Wilbur and Carlson had in court. It was just like old times. We bet when Fisher suits are in Snugglesville, The Big One's still in their dreams ...

~ contrary to what a flaming commenter says, Frank "Shudder" Shiers (KIRO m-f, 9p-1a) has assured us personally (we are SO getting along) that he's not yet been given full-time in the long open slot.

~ Jesus Jim: are you gonna be mired in the last century forever? Rep. Jim McDermott lost in court again over his purloined tapes affair in 1997, and says he's considering appealing it to the U.S. Supreme Court. Enough already! wish he'd put as much energy passing liberal social legislation as he has stubbornly prolonging this kerfuffle with Rep. John Boehner (Or John Boner, as a KIRO newser called him the other night). Not that his last Republican opponent, the snappish little Steve "20%" Beren had anything but bitter snark to add to the subject yesterday on the Bryan Suits Show (KVI m-f, 3-6p) He's got the smell of "perennial candidate about him...

~ "It's strange to be 25 years on, and read in the national press some old argument you had with your dad." In a rare occasion, the usually family-shy Ron Reagan (KIRO m-f, 12-1p) talked Thursday about the daylighting of his famous father's diaries to be released later this month, and quoted in this month's Vanity Fair. Ron was angry when Secret Service agents entered his apartment to fix an alarm: "I tried to reason with him," wrote the President, "that this was a perfectly O.K. thing for them to do. ... I told him quite firmly not to talk to me that way & he hung up on me. Not a perfect day." Later, the president wrote he wasn't talking to his son until he apologized for hanging up." Reagan told listeners: "All families are weird, my family gets to be weird in public. 

~Which reminds us: What an opportunity missed by KIRO, and MSNBC by not sending Ron Reagan home to Simi Valley to the GOP debates today at the Reagan Library. Ron has denied it's because of a long overdue book.

Comments

[joanie]

Miller's great; Stouffer's back; and now it's official: O'Reilly fans are name-callers and hatemongers. Maybe some of them will look in the mirror, try some introspection, and change their ways. Gracie - you reading?

Things are finally looking up!

[Andrew]

If FM radio is so hot then why did "The Buzz" flip? I knew a lot of people who listened to Pat Cashman, Leykis or Love Line. I was shocked when it went away. If it didn't work then, then why would it work now?

[Tommy008]

Attitude Improvement Plan-bwahahahahahaaha i love it! hey Carleen good riddance and good luck. Whenever i tuned into Kirby, your religious right slanted crapola was always a low point.Kirby has practically turned his show into a Sunday megachurch service, with his ads by local pastors, Carleen, etc. so "hit the ramp, tramp","down the road with your load" , and don't let the door hit your lawyer's and your asses on the way out. bwaahahahahaahah "Have security escort them out of the lobby, please." bwahaaaaaaaaawaahahaahahaaha

[Don, a "centrist"]

Being called, in terms, a "liberal, conservative, centrist, right, left, progressive, etc. is offended name calling, get educated & get a life.
I've watched O'Reilly every once in awhile. I don't agree w/some of his views, but "name calling"? Wake up people.

[mark]

As a native of Simi Valley, I never understood the connection to Reagan. I e-mailed the question, and received a pleasant reply that the 150 acres was donated by a developer. None of the Reagans lived there, B'lam.

[Brian]

Lionel will be on Air America starting May 15 07.
9:00 am east
6:00 am are time.
The station web cast /www.wwrl1600.com/
We should be able to get back to some good old fashon wacky radio fun ! ( Remember Styblehead radio is more than just bad it's plan WRONG!} hooty! hoo !

[sparky]

I watched the Repub. 90 minute political commercial ( ne "debate") and Reagan came up 19 times...it was hilarious to see these mooks try to "out-Ronnie" each other. Im sure Ron jr was cringing....
So interesting that they tried not to mention Shrub at all....

I started out laughing, then I was embarrassed for them, and then I had to turn it off...it just got higher and deeper...

[bills]

I thought Mitt Romney came off pretty well and did better than the so called 'front-runners' Giulianni and McCain. He won't attract many Dems by his pro-life stance tho.

[sparky]

They all thought that it was just fine for the government to interfere in family medical decisions such as the Terry Schiavo debacle...no thank you.

So much for "small government."

[talkradiofiend]

Kevin Ebi does traffic reports and spins the platters on KJR-FM.

[sage]

I watched both debates (such as they were) and in my opinion the Repubs looked more professional and presidential than the Dems. Except for Obama I feel the Dems paled in comparison telegenically.
Unfortunately many voters can be swayed by television appearance over-shadowing issues and content. I am puzzled as to why the Repubs apparently want Hillary to be the Dem nominee; they must have a lot on her? I tend to agree that the 'not so dark horse' here on the Repub side could be Mitt Romney, he may be able to capture the imagination of the American public. He has all the attributes and if their big war chest of funds (and the Carl Rove's of the world) get behind him, there could be concern for the Dems.

[blathering michael]

Hey Mark thanks for the Simi Valley info. I'd imagined Nancy Reagan living in the back of the library, and tidying up after hours. I could picture Ron Reagan going home, staring into the fridge, kicking around Mom's place having a beer and shooting some Whiffle hoops with Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann while Nancy made some nachos before the big debate. I was mistaken.

[sparky]

I think that as long as "looking Presidential" means rich, middle aged white guy...nothing will ever change.

[sage]

Je suis en desaccord, mon ami, il est telegenique!

[sparky]

wee wee monsewer

[sage]

Sparky I meant that last statement in reference to Obama; I believe it would change with him.

[mercifurious]

It was Rush Limbaugh's voice coming out of the KVI loudspeaker just like the old days that gave us the start (Rush was famously ripped off by KTTH in 2003).

Perhaps KTTH will send back the Black Rose Bouquet that KVI sent them when Limbaugh jumped.

Note: According to Medved's broadcast that day, the black roses included a note reading "Congratulations on signing the junky"
(Medved had a grand mal whine about the note)

[sparky]

I figured as much, sage. It would also change with Richardson or Hillary....not sure the country is there, yet.

[mac]

does it surprise anyone that Fisher boradcasting would censor a conservative? they are just as liberal as anyone. They have just been exploiting conservatives for years. I hope Carleen sues their ass. I'd love to hear from her. I loved hearing a newscast every morning that wasn't out of the lib playbook.

[misty]

I hear you, Mac. There isn't a anyone like Carleen on morning news, now. Has anyone written or called KVI? Even liberals should be outraged at this. Of course they won't be, they are so hypocritical.

[reporterward]

Let's face it, Seattle media is Seattle media.

[sage]

Sparky: Vous etas une dame sage!

misty: I actually sent an E-Mail to Kirby Wilbur of KVI asking about Carleen, but go no response (not surprising).

[drack]

Hasn't anyone noticed the Carleen wannabe, and cheap imitation Teresa Joy on KTTH?
She started delivering the news with conservative snark after they told her to kick it up a notch for the right-wingers like Carleen.

[mercifurious]

kerfuffle with Rep. John Boehner (Or John Boner, as a KIRO newser called him the other night).

Correction: as KIRO newser properly called him the other night.

"When two vowels go a-walkin', the first one does the talkin'"

[sparky]

Boeing is now "baying"? Boehms Chocolates is really Baymes chocolates? Whom knew?

[fuzznuts]

KIRO ALWAYS gets it right!

[Val]

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm only filling in on KPTK this week for Tamii Kosch. But thanks for your kind remarks Michael. I believe Kevin Ebi is doing news and traffic at KJR-FM and working on his nature photography business. He's an amazingly talented pohotographer. You can check out his work at: http://www.livingwilderness.com/

[sparky]

those are fabulous photos...that is my dream job..to travel around the country taking pictures....

[sage]

http://www.livingwilderness.com/

Je conviens, très gentil en effet !

[sig]

Hey Val: you've got one of the best voices in the biz. Things really went to hell after you left KIRO. Let us know where you'll be. Hope your life is good,

[bills]

Hey sage:
Vous ne pensez pas Stephanie Miller est extrêmement chaud?

[sage]

Indeed!

[cowpotpi3]

Komo: Read this copy.

CJ: No, it doesn't say that late term abortions are evil, it is skewed liberally! All it does is report the vote and doesn't weigh in on the clear immorality that I'd like to impose (even though I hate big government).

Komo: You're fired then.

"Conservative Blog Posters": Evil liberals! Hypocrites!

(laugh)

[flub]

Liberal or conservative doesn't matter, Fisher treats everybody like crap.

[joanie]

Seattle Channel is currently airing a Town Hall appearance by Joseh Stiglitz . . .don't know when it was taped. But, currently in question and answer segment - he's sure interesting. Nobel Prize winning economist. Talking a lot about globalization/environment.

[joanie]

". . . the only way things will change is if we have a more informed and engaged citizenry." (Joseph Stiglitz, Town Hall)

Never happen. :(

[Andrew]

Ya, I think it's lazy of him, and other people like him, to stop there. You have to be curious as to why the citizenry clearly prefers to be uninformed and disengaged.

[sage]

Vous semblez confus par des choses simples?

[joanie]

Sparky, necesitamos un traductor de Francais. . . . . ayudamos, por favor.

[sage]

Aaah mon ami joanie you could have asked me...it means simply;
you seemed confused by simple things.

[sparky]

Hell if I know....

[sage]

...and was meant for sir andrew, not you

[joanie]

Ah, merci, sage. I got the "simple" part but was "confused" by the rest!

[sage]

I'm sorry my dear was communicating with Sparky in French today, and just continued.

[joanie]

Your name isn't Maurice by any chance? You know, "every little breeze seems to whisper . . ."?

[sage]

Only if you want it to be...good nite; enjoyed chatting with you.

[Tommy008]

Frank Shiers is having on a crank and a loon tonight who calls herself the "ghost whisperer". This crackpot claims , among other things that "much of mental illnes is caused by 'astral possession'".ATTENTION BONNEVILLE BROADCASTING- The KIRO listeners really deserve more than this asinine, banal country bumpkin and his constantly sub-mediocre onair crap like tonight's show. The Temp must go.

[Tommy008]

This kind of junk psuedoscience really angers me, especially when these bookpeddling charlatans and crackpots spread lies about mental illness- it's like going back to the dark ages.

[Ted Smith]

"KBSG . . . will become KIROFM and will either simulcast the AM station (Bonneville lies to do that)"

IIRC, KIRO actually did this for a brief period with 100.7 some years ago, post KSEA. I liked it because, unlike KIRO and all the other AM stations, 100.7 didn't fade on the express lanes.

[Brian]

I had on frank Shiers last night for the first 20 min , Frank DuDE!! I see you did not work on your show prep, for last night show Kids using make up !! come on DUDE ! Work on that Show prep ! your show is about even too the Styblehead radio it's more than just bad it's just plan wrong ! hooty hoo ! Think SHOW PREP DUDE!