LA talker and former Seattleite Bryan Suits (KFI m-f, 7-10p) says he agrees with one of our commenters, who wrote that he is a bit of an ass.
"I am a bit of an ass and in fact purchased a Nautilus machine to enhance that part. I lack empathy, and I'm cold-blooded but I'm here to tell you I treat people the way they should be treated."
He says a conversation reported by BlatherWatch "never happened, never would have happened."
We reported in passing that Suits had been heard to say that he told KIRO Program Director Rod Arquette, "I want to shake the hand of the guy who put the no.1 station in Seattle in the toilet."
"None of that occurred. Everybody in the KIRO newsroom were witness. I didn't even stick my head in Rod's office to say hello I haven't talked to him since 2001."
Suits was in town last week, visited Eastlake, then went across the street for a beer with his old friend and Dori Monson producer Phil Vandervort.
Now Phil is under suspicion for revealing that conversation to BlatherWatch.
Vandervort is not, never has been, a source for us. We feel confident in saying that Phil would sooner blow a goat than speak with us, and even though that hurts our feelings, we don't want Phil's many professional friendships harmed by the vile apocrypha that he'd even answer our email. (Phil, we'll say it again: the door's always open).
(Photo: Phil Vandervort dates Lucie Arnaz)
Bryan suspects our source might have made an embellishment or an embellishment of an embellishment. He denies he's trying to set the record straight because his agent is trying to shop syndication of his Sunday (5-7p) show.
He says that to be so insulting to somebody would be "phenomenally out of my character- whether or not they could do me any good- I don't talk like that to interns."
He's not happy about what's happened at KIRO after their flip to FM, and the spectacular dive in the ratings so vividly charted by the PPMs. "It breaks my heart."
If he's a bit of an ass, Bryan Suits is now kicking ass. Suits was fired from KVI in 2008, and almost immediately grabbed by LA programming diva Robin Bertolucci who partnered him with ex-MTV personality Lisa Kennedy Montgomery (stage name Kennedy) and put them evenings in the huge LA market where they have thriven.
Radio biz being the radio biz, he's learned you don't need to get too wacked-out when you get fired. "You pack your shit, you get out, and go."
Easy for him to say after his Cinderella radio story: "I walked out, and on the way home Robin Bertolucci called. I know every single day I'm the luckeiest fucker in radio."
Bryan Suits is damn funny and I know that when he goes to syndication that I will be subscribing to his show.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 02:24 AM
if you want to listen to the show, podcast has been available for awhile:
podcast bryan and kennedy
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 02:32 AM
Suits and Kennedy is the only radio show that I watch on the computer. He is funnier than goat blowin' and smart.
Posted by: chucks | July 31, 2009 at 06:45 AM
I agree. Bryan has a very acute and subtle sense of humor and those who can pick up on that will be entertained. I also like his total knowledge of the military and his ability to relate, having 'been there'. Apparently the folks in the L.A. market are picking up on this.
Posted by: Duffman | July 31, 2009 at 07:00 AM
yep, we in seattle let a real homegrown treasure go. actually, he's more of a port angeles boy but that's close enough.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Although the Radio Equilizer -Brian Maloney- doesn't seem to care for Brian Suits so much. A battle of Brians of sorts back in the days of the Gas Tax Initiative brouhaha that Kirby and Carlson ran a few years ago:
"In KVI talk host Bryan Suits, it seems Washington liberals have found a potent ally behind enemy lines. Regardless of what he might have done for his country in Iraq, at home, he's providing aid and comfort to the enemy.
In a move that delivered instant ammo to area leftists, Suits denounced his conservative KVI co- hosts before a group of liberal "Dan Evans Republicans" (meaning RINOs: Republicans In Name Only) for using the airwaves to build support for a gas- tax rollback initiative:
My radio station crossed the line in my book in terms of going from advocacy to leadership on a political issue, which is why the 912 talk stopped at 6 p.m. when I came on the air and my name was never on the initiative.
Memo to Bryan: with a statement like that, you've proven you don't belong at KVI radio. If you were a DJ at a country station, would you speak out against Hank Williams, Jr.? As KVI was built on activism, that's the most appropriate comparison.
Given that fellow KVI hosts Kirby Wilbur and John Carlson have had to endure a nasty court battle to defend their rights to free speech over this very issue, what Suits has done is the ultimate in backstabbing.
If it was simply about Mr. Suits taking a principled stand that we merely disagreed with, that would be one thing, but his questionable track record strongly suggests something sleazy occurring here.
With Suits as the left's new poster child, it's ironic to think that just over a year ago, the ultraliberal Daily Kos did a well- researched hit piece on him. In it, they found Suits had given the media conflicting statements on even the most mundane of details, including whether or not he was married.
So how did Suits reinvent himself as a "KVI conservative"? That's a good question. During his previous stint at Seattle's KIRO-AM, his evening show was a watered- down cross between the on- air sex antics of Howard Stern and "guy talk" utilized by Tom Leykis. Generating some of the lowest ratings KIRO had ever witnessed, he didn't belong there, either.
With no previous talk radio experience, he'd apparently been an FM morning show producer on music stations in California before his curious KIRO hiring.
Around the newsroom, Suits was known for looking at porn on his computer and running to management with anything he'd overheard other staffers discussing. He allied himself with fringe- left talk hosts and producers in the building.
For reasons that are still baffling, Suits suddenly appeared on KVI as a would- be "conservative", but never seemed to know how to do more than a weak imitation of what other hosts were saying.
Now, of course, Suits has outed himself as a phony. Will KVI management wake up and smell the fraud in latteland?
Disclosure: yes, your Radio Equalizer worked at KVI during the 1990's and later for KIRO-AM."
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 08:41 AM
More Malarkey disclosure: Except for talk host like Rush, Brian Maloney is critical of anyone, liberal or conservative wjo might be more successful than himself. Your Radio Equalizer has never forgiven KVI or KIRO for firing him, and bad mouths them to this day. He has no sense of humor, which ws always a problem, and is filled with the bitterest of schadenfreude for anyone he ever worked with. He tried business talk, brokering a show for a while in Everett which never got off the ground. He is away from radio, now, except for his radio blog which owes its success to Michelle Malkin who he knew when they were both in Seattle.
Posted by: KIRO Kubicle man | July 31, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I worked with Brian. One of the most decent people in radio - and hilarious. Glad to hear he's doing well - and somewhere other than KVI - fools!
Posted by: bodiddly | July 31, 2009 at 10:31 AM
oh hahahahahaahaha bwahaahh yukyukytuk that Brian Suits is So FUNNY!
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 31, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Interesting and readable piece, Michael, even if it was a correction for your poor original reporting.
Posted by: KIRO-gyro | July 31, 2009 at 12:21 PM
When will KVI flip to oldies or sell it outright to Salem who will turn it into all-christ-all-the-time? they might as well. Firing Suits was not the beginning of the end but it played a big part. What the he'll happened at Fisher? Did the owners just quit giving a shit about radio?
Posted by: larry mars | July 31, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I think they should go to an 'an all-news all the time' format with Carleen Johnson.
Posted by: Duffman | July 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Not a big fan of Brian "Suitsy" Suits. But I must admit, KVI blundered by unloading him.
Not sure what Dennis "Pinchy" Kelly was smoking at the time, but shit-canning Suits and teaming John "Narcissus" Carlson with Ken "Craters" Schram and then moving them to KOMO was a horrendous blunder.
Not in the same league as Bonneville's systematic dismantling of 710 KIRO; but still a significant head-up-ass move.
And speaking of ass, I also worked briefly with Brian "Fuckface" Maloney and I can assure you he is not decent.
Posted by: Billy Bob | July 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Puts..why do you read the Radio Fertilizer stuff? It's bad enough that he is all the things Cubical guy said, but have you ever seen another blog that pimps for money after EVERY post??? You are smarter than that.
Posted by: sparky | July 31, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Hey Suits, SHOW US your ratings!!!
Real ones, not fake B.S.
Good luck with that.
Posted by: Sclub | July 31, 2009 at 03:50 PM
you mean the guy that Blam pimps as speaking 'authoritatively about Radio?'
like so:
"The Radio Equalizer
prolific former Seattle KVI, KIRO talk host speaks authoritatively about radio." why dont'cha take issue with Blam?
i read the equalizer. sometimes i agree and sometimes i disagree with him. i think he is all wet about bryan suits. as the facts show, he was 'spot on' about air america.
it's kind of interesting to read people you disagree with. you know, the whole 'mind is like a parachute...only works when open' mindset.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Just consider it a teachable moment, Sparky.
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Spot on about Air America? You mean about how its demise was imminent?
Posted by: sparky | July 31, 2009 at 04:40 PM
sure, let me provide another 'teachable moment.'
lets start with the whole bankruptcy dealie that put a major hitch in their giddyup.
and prior to that, Brian Maloney had been among the first to report the shafting of the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 04:49 PM
here is a little more detail.
"For Air America Radio, Evan Montvel-Cohen is the story that just won't go away. As co-founder of the liberal talk radio network, his tenure was marked by the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club Scandal, where $875,000 in taxpayer funds were diverted from the Bronx-based children's charity in order to pay the salaries of Al Franken and others inside the fledgling firm."
if you want to read the whole disgusting story -from the one Blam says speaks authoritatively on radio- check out this link.
Teachable Moments Continued
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 04:55 PM
You will now be entertained by everything the parroter has ever read on the subject. None of which will have been synthesized from various objective sources but will be culled from the archives verbatim from whichever right-wing or center-right source he can google or has bookmarked.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 04:56 PM
you know, it's funny when someone tries to use 'big words' to communicate.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Well, look 'em up if you don't understand them. You do know your abc's, right?
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Continue your conversation, Sparky I've had my fun.
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 05:06 PM
"None of which will have been synthesized from various objective sources..."
There she goes, Mrs Seattle.
Odd Joanie would use such wording after just linking a story of a poll from Daily Kos ten minutes earlier. Thanks for the laugh Joanie.
Posted by: nevets | July 31, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Break it down Joanie, show us where the Radio Equalizer is wrong.
Posted by: Puget Sound | July 31, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Steven, citing stats requires a source. Remarks and opinions don't.
Spotsie, the point being: who cares?
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 05:41 PM
SPEAKING of asses, Kirby and Dori are both gleefully predicting the failure of light rail in SEATTLE before it's even had a chance to start. Everyone take light rail to Seafair this weekend. i'm planning to- the classic Mercedes might get roughed up by yeahoos, dolts, hooligans, drunken lout and knuckleheads down there.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 31, 2009 at 05:54 PM
All that cutting and pasting is a waste of time, Puts. Air America is still on the air. The Fertilizer was hoping against hope, but it's still there. And the man who drives him nuts, Al Franken, is now a US Senator. Meanwhile The Baloney man has a pitiful little blog that he uses as a shrine to Rush and tries to hit up people for money after every thread.
Posted by: sparky | July 31, 2009 at 07:01 PM
So what, its a free country up to now; Air America can stay on the air.
Bryan Suits is likely reading this post and laughing all the way to the bank.
The radio equalizer (fertilizer) is disdained by the progressives - what else is new ? He criticizes a leftist icon and the progressive lemmings come back with ad hominem attacks at him. More political warfare - bla bla bla.
I'd rather pay attention to actions and am more concerned about keeping our freedoms intact, which will be an uphill fight !
Posted by: KDS | July 31, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Speaking of Rush, now Rush has resorted to playing clips of Obama with a speeded up tape player so that he sounds cartoonishly highpitched. This is the same 1950's technology used to create Alvin and the Chipmunks. The other day he said he was getting complaints about the speedy voice clips, so he started playing slowed down clips of Obama. No wonder Savage has such contempt for Rush. Savage get's favorably profiled in the latest New Yorker Magazine- Rush delights his legions of dittoheads (knuckleheads) with speeded up tapes of Obama, so that he sounds like he's just inhaled helium.
Posted by: Tommy008 | July 31, 2009 at 08:12 PM
BILL MOYERS: So what did you think when you saw that film?
WENDELL POTTER: I thought that he hit the nail on the head with his movie. But the industry, from the moment that the industry learned that Michael Moore was taking on the health care industry, it was really concerned.
BILL MOYERS: What were they afraid of?
WENDELL POTTER: They were afraid that people would believe Michael Moore.
BILL MOYERS: We obtained a copy of the game plan that was adopted by the industry's trade association, AHIP. And it spells out the industry strategies in gold letters. It says, "Highlight horror stories of government-run systems." What was that about?
WENDELL POTTER: The industry has always tried to make Americans think that government-run systems are the worst thing that could possibly happen to them, that if you even consider that, you're heading down on the slippery slope towards socialism. So they have used scare tactics for years and years and years, to keep that from happening. If there were a broader program like our Medicare program, it could potentially reduce the profits of these big companies. So that is their biggest concern.
BILL MOYERS: And there was a political strategy. "Position Sicko as a threat to Democrats' larger agenda." What does that mean?
WENDELL POTTER: That means that part of the effort to discredit this film was to use lobbyists and their own staff to go onto Capitol Hill and say, "Look, you don't want to believe this movie. You don't want to talk about it. You don't want to endorse it. And if you do, we can make things tough for you."
BILL MOYERS: How?
WENDELL POTTER: By running ads, commercials in your home district when you're running for reelection, not contributing to your campaigns again, or contributing to your competitor.
BILL MOYERS: This is fascinating. You know, "Build awareness among centrist Democratic policy organizations--"
WENDELL POTTER: Right.
BILL MOYERS: "--including the Democratic Leadership Council."
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely.
BILL MOYERS: Then it says, "Message to Democratic insiders. Embracing Moore is one-way ticket back to minority party status."
WENDELL POTTER: Yeah.
BILL MOYERS: Now, that's exactly what they did, didn't they? They--
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely.
BILL MOYERS: --radicalized Moore, so that his message was discredited because the messenger was seen to be radical.
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely. In memos that would go back within the industry-- he was never, by the way, mentioned by name in any memos, because we didn't want to inadvertently write something that would wind up in his hands. So the memos would usually-- the subject line would be-- the emails would be, "Hollywood." And as we would do the media training, we would always have someone refer to him as Hollywood entertainer or Hollywood moviemaker Michael Moore.
BILL MOYERS: Why?
WENDELL POTTER: Well, just to-- Hollywood, I think people think that's entertainment, that's movie-making. That's not real documentary. They don't want you to think that it was a documentary that had some truth. They would want you to see this as just some fantasy that a Hollywood filmmaker had come up with. That's part of the strategy.
BILL MOYERS: So you would actually hear politicians mouth the talking points that had been circulated by the industry to discredit Michael Moore.
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely.
BILL MOYERS: You'd hear ordinary people talking that. And politicians as well, right?
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely.
BILL MOYERS: So your plan worked.
WENDELL POTTER: It worked beautifully.
BILL MOYERS: The film was blunted, right?
WENDELL POTTER: The film was blunted. It--
BILL MOYERS: Was it true? Did you think it contained a great truth?
WENDELL POTTER: Absolutely did.
BILL MOYERS: What was it?
WENDELL POTTER: That we shouldn't fear government involvement in our health care system. That there is an appropriate role for government, and it's been proven in the countries that were in that movie.
You know, we have more people who are uninsured in this country than the entire population of Canada. And that if you include the people who are underinsured, more people than in the United Kingdom. We have huge numbers of people who are also just a lay-off away from joining the ranks of the uninsured, or being purged by their insurance company, and winding up there.
Well, how does it feel to used, you guys? How does it feel to be the objects of simple propaganda? You are all so easy.
Posted by: esp for chucks,KS,puts,steven et al | July 31, 2009 at 11:25 PM
yes, the repeat of Bill Moyers was even more depressing than the first time.
Posted by: sparky | July 31, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Wendell Potter. Neo-Commie. Enough said.
Posted by: nevets | August 01, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Based on what, Steven? Name calling is about you have to offer, isn't it?
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I think, Sparky, it is more depressing now because we are seeing his words come true. We are seeing what bribery by big corporations can achieve. He's the guy who planned the sabotage of a film on behalf of the insurance industry and is now talking about it.
And still stupidity reigns. It is no longer ignorance when the truth is told. Deniers leave the realm of the ignorant and enter the kingdom of the stupid.
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Based on what, Steven? Name calling is about you have to offer, isn't it?
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 12:29 AM
since you trade in it, it is hard to take you seriously.
practice what you preach.
don't run away from the hard math and perhaps you'll get people to engage you.
until then, pot meet kettle.
here is the harder question. step away from michael moore and bill moyers for a second. ask yourself this,
1) why is it so important to ram the bill through without a careful reading of it?
2) dems have all the votes needed to do so yet this same party is balking at doing so.
Posted by: Puget Sound | August 01, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Changing the question again, spotsie? That's why I rarely talk to you. You are unable to respond directly to anything.
Circle talk. Always circles with you.
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 01:15 AM
ph(j)oanie - He is just besting you at your own game and knows you will never answer the above questions - because you would be too vulnerable and transparent.
Must be frustrating - I challenge you go back and reread your own threads, for God sakes - prime examples of circle talk and then ask for examples like you will probably do in your attempt to play dumb. (A skunk never smells its own P U). What goes around comes around.
Posted by: KS | August 01, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Well, klueless, I'll grant you one thing: you're #1 at cliches.
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I grant you something, ph(J)oanie, you are #1 at obfuscating..
Posted by: KS | August 01, 2009 at 12:00 PM
prove it
so far, you've said nothing - nor did your compatriot in insipidness - about Potter's comments.
Nothing to say? Empty brain syndrome? Inability to comprehend?
And you think we're supposed to take you two mouseketeers seriously...
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Blagh blaugh blaugh. You did it again in your last post - you are too biased to admit it - I get that. Just call me Karnak.
Posted by: KS | August 01, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Ok, Karnak. Now I know what you're using for a brain.
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 04:50 PM
"Steven, citing stats requires a source. Remarks and opinions don't."
Posted by: joanie | July 31, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Wow, now remarks and opinions do need sources. Make up your mind Joanie. Which one is it. But since you asked. here you go from his bio at PRwatch.org.
"last year he left his job as head of communications for one of the nation's largest health insurers to try his hand at helping SOCIALLY responsible organizations"
Like I said. A Neo-Com.
Posted by: nevets | August 01, 2009 at 05:05 PM
So? When you start getting social security, will you then become a neo-com? When you greet people which is a social gesture, are you a neo-com?
What is a neo-com?
Posted by: joanie | August 01, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Why is Suits mugging for the camera liek that, in the photo like a goofball? oh i took a listen to the KENNEDY and suits podcasts, i still can't stand Bryan but he does have good chemistry with Kennedy. Also Robin Bertolucci must have listened to old tapes of KVI Bryan and told him to stop talking down to the callers because that's what he did on KVI every single day. He's now showing deference to the L.A. callers, at least some SUPERFICIAL respect. He's still a turd though. Good riddance dude.
Posted by: Tommy008 | August 01, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I believe that a neo-com is a neo-communist, as a neo-con is a neo-conservative. Personally, I prefer neo-commie or just plain Marxist.
Posted by: KS | August 01, 2009 at 11:15 PM
ks
good points.
as you know:
when facts are cited, ph(J)oanie spews that she needs 'analysis.'
when analysis is given, ph(J)oanie calls it opinion and asks for 'facts.'
a true troll. slowly killing a blog.
just be glad she isn't arguing on your side of an issue.
poor m steele.
Posted by: Puget Sound | August 02, 2009 at 07:13 AM
When Steele is away, so is Drew - that may be more than a coincidence.
Ph(J)oanie is too predictable. Her and Sparkles seem to believe that this blog is especially for trolls (mainly for liberal progressives)
Posted by: KS | August 02, 2009 at 10:02 AM