(Billy Bob (whose name is neither Billy nor Bob) worked long in the Seattle radio market wearing a suit. He says the experience heightened his sense of irony, and diminished his circle of friends. Recently, he and his faithful readers had a chat about how to fix KIRO, the station that threw it
(photo: Mr. Bob; thanks, Diane Arbus)
all away by flipping to FM, and leaving a sports talker in their heritage AM blowtorching spot on the dial).
Dear Billy Bob: The brass doesn't know what KIRO should be. They need to start by getting in a room and coming up with a real strategy. The station is all over the map. Shouldn't KIRO start by just figuring out what KIRO should be? Signed, Mr. Mission Statement.
Dear Mr. Statement: Hell No. That sort of stuff is for thinkers, not doers. Just get out there and throw guano against the wall. See what sticks. That namby-pamby strategy-wategy stuff is for losers.
Dear Mr. Bob: Was putting TBTL and Phil Hendrie on KIRO a huge mistake? Signed, L.Burbank.
Dear Luke: No. Not a mistake. Nothing says hip like 60-somethings from Salt Lake deciding what people in their 20's want to hear. As Brittany Spears often says, "With age, comes much wisdom." 60-something gray-hairs know that, more than anything else, 20-somethings really, really, really want to spend their after work hours listening to talk radio. Plus I hear guests on Phil's show that you never hear on the liberal mainstream media.
Dear Billy Bob: I think the switch to FM was a blunder. Look at the coverage maps. 710 AM is one of the best AM signals in the United States. Why waste that signal? Signed, A Broadcast Engineer.
Dear Engineer: Waste? Are you kidding me? Have you heard The Herd? Have you heard ESPN basketball scores? Where else are you going to get that stuff? Plus, they'll soon have Seattle University basketball games on 710. Buddy, you should stick to meter readings and EBS tests.
Dear BB: I get up in the morning and check the Internet. I get all the news and background on stories I care about from dozens of websites. KIRO re-hashes the same 5 or 6 headlines over and over, along with the same, usually incorrect, traffic information. Don't you think they should be go more in-depth, like NPR? Signed, Steve Scher
Dear Steve: So what if the NPR stations are doing well. Their listeners all eat brie and drink pinot noir. KUOW can have 'em.
Dear BB: The research I see says people want more local information. KIRO reduced their news staff and eliminated a bunch of live and local shows like David Goldstein. They should put the local shows back on and do more local news by hiring more reporters. Signed, Whipple
Dear Whipple: David Goldstein is a commie, and only people who eat brie and drink pinot noir like him. there's a reason "news" rhymes with "lose." Get over it and enjoy the syndication.
Dear Billy: It seems those guys in the afternoon talk non-stop about American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. I think they should either start talking about issues, preferably local issues, or go back to a news show. And that one guy with the mohawk is overbearing. Agree? Signed, Ron U.
Dear Ron: Hey, Tom Delay is a newsmaker and he was awesome on that dancing show.
Dear BB: I think the problem is ego. They made a big mistake switching to FM and their egos won't allow them to admit a mistake. Gentlemen, be human. Admit your mistake. Billy, what are the chances Bonneville brass would check their egos at the door, admit their blunder and go back to AM? Signed, Jim French.
Dear Jim "Freedom Fries: "About the same as the Pope giving up the big hat and converting to Mormonism.
Dear Billy: Wasn't it a mistake to drop the name NewsRadio? Signed, Branding Expert.
Dear So Called Expert: I'm calling BS on all the inside radio branding fooey. So what if "newsradio" was a 30-year heritage positioning statement? Big fricking deal. Oh, sure, Nike sticks with the swoosh and McDonalds keeps the arches and Mercedes insists on hanging onto that peace thingy on the hood. But really, how well are those companies doing? Why should KIRO be stuck with a boring old moniker like NewsRadio? Screw it. Let KOMO have it.
Dear BB: I miss the CBS newscast at the top of the hour. When KIRO dropped that, I dropped KIRO. Signed, Missing the Net.
Dear NetMisser: CBS employees are all communists or are sleeping with their staff. If you miss that crap so much, go pick up a copy of The Daily Worker.
Dear Billy: King County makes up 50% of the Arbitron defined Seattle Metro and, as you probably know, it's one of the bluest counties in the US. Plus KVI and KTTH are already conservative stations. Isn't going more conservative a programming blunder? Signed, UW Demographics Researcher
Dear Husky Researcher Guy: When you've got a Muslim president who pals around with terrorists and wasn't even born in America, you can't have enough stations telling the truth. If I was Bonneville, I'd fire Dave Ross and put Mike Siegel on 9 to noon. By the way, when your football team can beat LSU and Notre Dame, then maybe you'll have some credibility.
Dear Mr. Bob: I love your wisdom. You are so witty. You seem like a very sexy man. I think Frank Shiers is the best talk host I've ever heard on any station. What say ye? Signed, Mrs. Shiers.
Dear Madam: I agree with all your points.
Dear Mr. Statement: Hell No. That sort of stuff is for thinkers, not doers. Just get out there and throw guano against the wall. See what sticks. That namby-pamby strategy-wategy stuff is for losers.
Dear Mr. Bob: Was putting TBTL and Phil Hendrie on KIRO a huge mistake? Signed, L.Burbank.
Dear Luke: No. Not a mistake. Nothing says hip like 60-somethings from Salt Lake deciding what people in their 20's want to hear. As Brittany Spears often says, "With age, comes much wisdom." 60-something gray-hairs know that, more than anything else, 20-somethings really, really, really want to spend their after work hours listening to talk radio. Plus I hear guests on Phil's show that you never hear on the liberal mainstream media.
Dear Billy Bob: I think the switch to FM was a blunder. Look at the coverage maps. 710 AM is one of the best AM signals in the United States. Why waste that signal? Signed, A Broadcast Engineer.
Dear Engineer: Waste? Are you kidding me? Have you heard The Herd? Have you heard ESPN basketball scores? Where else are you going to get that stuff? Plus, they'll soon have Seattle University basketball games on 710. Buddy, you should stick to meter readings and EBS tests.
Dear BB: I get up in the morning and check the Internet. I get all the news and background on stories I care about from dozens of websites. KIRO re-hashes the same 5 or 6 headlines over and over, along with the same, usually incorrect, traffic information. Don't you think they should be go more in-depth, like NPR? Signed, Steve Scher
Dear Steve: So what if the NPR stations are doing well. Their listeners all eat brie and drink pinot noir. KUOW can have 'em.
Dear BB: The research I see says people want more local information. KIRO reduced their news staff and eliminated a bunch of live and local shows like David Goldstein. They should put the local shows back on and do more local news by hiring more reporters. Signed, Whipple
Dear Whipple: David Goldstein is a commie, and only people who eat brie and drink pinot noir like him. there's a reason "news" rhymes with "lose." Get over it and enjoy the syndication.
Dear Billy: It seems those guys in the afternoon talk non-stop about American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. I think they should either start talking about issues, preferably local issues, or go back to a news show. And that one guy with the mohawk is overbearing. Agree? Signed, Ron U.
Dear Ron: Hey, Tom Delay is a newsmaker and he was awesome on that dancing show.
Dear BB: I think the problem is ego. They made a big mistake switching to FM and their egos won't allow them to admit a mistake. Gentlemen, be human. Admit your mistake. Billy, what are the chances Bonneville brass would check their egos at the door, admit their blunder and go back to AM? Signed, Jim French.
Dear Jim "Freedom Fries: "About the same as the Pope giving up the big hat and converting to Mormonism.
Dear Billy: Wasn't it a mistake to drop the name NewsRadio? Signed, Branding Expert.
Dear So Called Expert: I'm calling BS on all the inside radio branding fooey. So what if "newsradio" was a 30-year heritage positioning statement? Big fricking deal. Oh, sure, Nike sticks with the swoosh and McDonalds keeps the arches and Mercedes insists on hanging onto that peace thingy on the hood. But really, how well are those companies doing? Why should KIRO be stuck with a boring old moniker like NewsRadio? Screw it. Let KOMO have it.
Dear BB: I miss the CBS newscast at the top of the hour. When KIRO dropped that, I dropped KIRO. Signed, Missing the Net.
Dear NetMisser: CBS employees are all communists or are sleeping with their staff. If you miss that crap so much, go pick up a copy of The Daily Worker.
Dear Billy: King County makes up 50% of the Arbitron defined Seattle Metro and, as you probably know, it's one of the bluest counties in the US. Plus KVI and KTTH are already conservative stations. Isn't going more conservative a programming blunder? Signed, UW Demographics Researcher
Dear Husky Researcher Guy: When you've got a Muslim president who pals around with terrorists and wasn't even born in America, you can't have enough stations telling the truth. If I was Bonneville, I'd fire Dave Ross and put Mike Siegel on 9 to noon. By the way, when your football team can beat LSU and Notre Dame, then maybe you'll have some credibility.
Dear Mr. Bob: I love your wisdom. You are so witty. You seem like a very sexy man. I think Frank Shiers is the best talk host I've ever heard on any station. What say ye? Signed, Mrs. Shiers.
Dear Madam: I agree with all your points.
I've always enjoyed reading Joanie's entries. I never agree with her. But generally she seems like a nice person. I think she's a teacher. If so I hope she provides some sort of "other side" aspect to her teachings...not sure. I constantly worry about what goes on in our public schools.
Posted by: Radio is Dead | October 09, 2009 at 11:42 PM
No Radio is Dead. That is not an opinion. It is fact. Joanie is a khunt. Yes, she is a teacher. She has ruined many children in her career.
Nothing about her is nice.
Posted by: black is beautiful | October 09, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Rado is Dead says "Isn't it ironic that the continent responsible for the two greatest 'loss of life' events in world history vote Barry the Appeaser Obama as the Prince of Peace?"
Hahahahhahahhahahahhahaacoughhahhaha!!!!
This is the epitome of poor reasoning right here. This continent has a population of seven hundred million unique individuals, fifty distinct countries, two hundred and thirty spoken languages, but you try to draw a causal correlation between some award given in Norway with completely unrelated events at a different time in history many thousands of miles away... to smear the first black president.
There are a lot of dumb people who pass through blatherwatch, but few have the straight faced audacity of Rado Is Dead. He doesn't just chuck shit, he shovels it. Ladies and Gentlemen, putz has been dethroned. It's not every day that you get a conservative NuTbaRr through here that spends a saturday evening trying to justify some of the dumbest statements ever seen this side of TCP/IP.
Forget about that donation, you've provided us with more than enough.
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 10, 2009 at 12:51 AM
"epitome of poor reasoning". Your comments display your desperation AA. Forget about reasoning. How about a simple yes or no answer.
I continue to wait patiently on your response.
Would Obama be President if he wasn't black?
Would Obama have received the Nobel Prise if he wasn't black?
Try not to think too hard. We both know where that gets you.
Posted by: Radio is Dead | October 10, 2009 at 01:08 AM
AA how about some accuracy with all those numbers....
700M on this continent...WRONG
50 distinct contries...WRONG
230 different languages...WRONG
First black president is also a questionable fact. Strong arguments exist for Warren Harding.
Stop throwing around garbage statements and patently inaccurate statements posing as facts.
Posted by: Radio is Dead | October 10, 2009 at 01:14 AM
i know that there is an exit sign here someplace...
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 10, 2009 at 07:48 AM
At just 11 days into his Presidency Pres Obama was awarded the Nobel.
Look at who was passed over (hat tip towards Victoria Taft):
"Sima Samar, women's rights activist in Afghanistan: "With dogged persistence and at great personal risk, she kept her schools and clinics open in Afghanistan even during the most repressive days of the Taliban regime, whose laws prohibited the education of girls past the age of eight. When the Taliban fell, Samar returned to Kabul and accepted the post of Minister for Women's Affairs."
Ingrid Betancourt: French-Colombian ex-hostage held for six years.
"Dr. Denis Mukwege: Doctor, founder and head of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. He has dedicated his life to helping Congolese women and girls who are victims of gang rape and brutal sexual violence."
Handicap International and Cluster Munition Coalition: "These organizations are recognized for their consistently serious efforts to clean up cluster bombs, also known as land mines. Innocent civilians are regularly killed worldwide because the unseen bombs explode when stepped upon."
"Hu Jia, a human rights activist and an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, who was sentenced last year to a three-and-a-half-year prison term for 'inciting subversion of state power.'"
"Wei Jingsheng, who spent 17 years in Chinese prisons for urging reforms of China's communist system. He now lives in the United States."
Anyone really think that Pres Obama in his first 11 days did more than these people?
BTW Andrew, I can see you're still angry about that Waitress dealie, eh? Try to move on, the rest of us have.
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 10, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Ask Billy Bob
Last night Frank Shiers had a topic that people wanted to talk about (Pres Obama and his Nobel Peace Prize) and yet he cut it off to move on to something else that few wanted to discuss.
Why would a host not ride the hot topic of the day?
Even on the Left you have people like Michael Moore saying to the effect, 'nice award, now go out and earn it.'
On the left and the right people wanted to discuss it. Frank Shiers elects to move on to another topic despite having callers wanting to discuss it.
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 10, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Because he knows he isnt smart enough, nor is he interested in anything but pop culture. To discuss it would expose his depth of character and knowledge.
That would be about a quarter of an inch.
Posted by: former KIRO listener | October 10, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Barack Hussein Obama, mmmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmm did in fact win the Nobel Peace Prize.
To those of you that were listening and paying attention did hear that he was the 10th caller.
Posted by: chucks | October 10, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I'll wait and catch this runaway light rail on the return trip. Remember the Firesign Theatre ? One of their albums: "We are all bozos on this bus" pretty well describes this thread.
Among the world's smallest books - Lessons in humility by Barack Hussein Obama
Posted by: KS | October 10, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Yesterday Dori "the world's tiniest man" Monson started his show with mock, forced laughter about the choice of Obama afor the Nobel Peace Prize. He pretended to yuk it up in amazement but he really was stone dead furious and jealous. I took a bath after a while and lost track of his pukings and mewlings then turned back in during his third hour and Christ he was STILL talking about Obama not deserving the prize. The squirrel-faced little man with the chipmunk's voice even went back into his Grooveyard of Magic Monson Memories, and pulled out the clips of Obama directing the bottled water to what Monson claims were staged fainting victims during the 08 primary campaign. "This guy has fooled a lot of people" he blathered on in his jealous, inane voice........
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 10, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Frank Shiers is still just a fill-in.
Posted by: sartre | October 10, 2009 at 10:39 PM
ask billy bob
kiro's best show is the pregame and post game seahawks game with dori and the boys.
how long will it be before kiro screws that up?
ks
don't mind Andrew. he comes off as a pretentious little man making pronouncements that he can't back up or readily support. one can imagine if he is like this now what he'll be like when he hits 50. yikers.
NY Vinnie was spot on about Andrew.
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 11, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Hah...I got a survey in the mail asking me to listen to KIRO FM for an hour and then fill in answers to the questions. It was easy..in the comment section I wrote:
"I had a weak signal before when you were on the AM band, but could get KIRO on my car radio with no problem. Now that you have moved to the FM side, I can't hear you at all."
I wonder how many other people will tell them that.
Mostly they wanted to know what I thought of Dave, Dori, Ron&Don.
Posted by: sparky | October 11, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Billy Bob
Below is your demographic. Authentic Andrew. Enjoy.
"I fear that some deep end conservatives are going to make attempts on Obama's life. Inspirational figures often seem to be the target of assissination or murder by state, Lincoln, Kennedy, Kennedy again, MLK, Benazir Bhutto, Jesus, John Lennon, etc. They've even been describing Obama as the "Messiah", implying that he's a threat to the figure of Jesus himself. I will be very sad if Obama gets cut down.
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 09, 2009 at 02:28 PM"
Probably one of the most irresponsible things ever written on this blog. Predicting future assassination of a President and already naming his killer.
Last time you made one of these crazy predictions you were made to look like a fool (recall the attempt to pin the arson on 'conservative homeowners' despite the fact that the Earth Liberation Front was repeatedly claiming credit on its website for it...we still haven't heard your apology, professor).
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 11, 2009 at 07:48 PM
That wasn't a prediction..it was an expression of concern. And he isn't alone in that fear.
And just whom did he name as the killer??? The state?
Come on, Puts..you're just fishing for something to be outraged about if you go trolling for stuff like this.
Posted by: sparky | October 11, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I have a question: are terrorist groups known to claim responsibilty for things they did not do?
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 12, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Also, how did I name the killer? Is there someone named "conservative"? Would I find "Mr. Conservative" in the white pages?
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 12, 2009 at 01:10 AM
'Chubby' infant denied health care ; would have no problems in Canada.
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 12, 2009 at 03:39 AM
andrew likes to live in world where an addled thought and a wave of a hand makes it so to score some political points. the destruction of the radio tower was the work of 'conservatives' per Andrew despite the fact you have a group (Earth Liberation Front) claiming credit for it. a group with a track record of doing this sort of thing. a group that is formed in order to do this type of criminal activity.
nope, per Andrew's addled brain it was the 'conservative' homeowners that committed the crime.
President Bush was the source of a lot of vitriol directed at him for much of his presidency. very little 'concern' expressed towards his welfare by people on this blog. humor skits such as that on Randi's radio show making light of assassinating Pres Bush are irresponsible. right?
sparky, we should always have a concern for the safety of OUR president. albeit Pres Obama or Pres Bush.
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 12, 2009 at 05:30 PM
"sparky, we should always have a concern for the safety of OUR president. albeit Pres Obama or Pres Bush."
I agree with the above statement. However, that logic may be beyond comprehension for a number of the Lib Progs here re: Pres Bush. Bush Derangement Syndrome still persists in the leftwing media.
Posted by: KS | October 12, 2009 at 09:13 PM
How many times did you see liberals on tv scream "kill him!" at protests or at campaign stops for Kerry or Gore ?? How many liberals did you see whipping up the crowds and telling them to go out and buy guns? Why is it that death threats are up 400 percent for President Obama over Bush? How many people did you ever see protesting Bush at his public appearances, period? Dissenters were never allowed within a mile of him.
As far as the Randi "skit", you are married to an idea that is pure fiction and nobody will convince you otherwise.
KS, you using "comprehension" in a sentence in regard to others is funny!
Posted by: sparky | October 13, 2009 at 06:02 AM
I honestly don't believe Bush was ever in any real danger.
Even commentators at Obama's innauguration were fearful of assassination attempts when he exited his limo and walked several blocks before getting back into the heavily armored car. But that's just the kind of man Obama is.
The conservatives on this blog are desperate to regain ground and are resorting to distortion and fuzzy logic, the worst of them being putz. I'm still waiting on that name of the person I supposedly accused of something.
Conservatives are going nuts. I think that for the past eight felt vindicated because their guy was in charge - and liberals were pissed off so he must be doing a good job - and now all of that validation is completely gone. They are becoming very emotional and turning to people like Glenn Beck for support and comfort.
Posted by: AuthenticAndrew | October 13, 2009 at 10:05 AM
There are gun "shows" going on across America, but they're really places where people who can't pass the federal criminal background checks can find a vendor that will sell them a gun, literally no questions asked. It's not the liberals who are condoning that; it's always been the cons. Also found at these "shows"- an abundance of anti-Obama literature, because you'll sell more guns if you keep the fear going.
Thank God for your "free" market...
Posted by: Drew | October 13, 2009 at 10:07 AM
If convicted felons can get their voting rights automatically restored after having served their time, why should their gun ownership rights be any different?
Why did I have to go to the county to get a permit to carry when the Second Amendment says it is my God given right to be armed?
Posted by: chucks | October 13, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Because Ben Franklin or John Hancock didn't want to have to check out all the crazy people. They left that up to the sheriff.
Posted by: Coiler | October 13, 2009 at 12:37 PM
KS, you using "comprehension" in a sentence in regard to others is funny!
I thought that was funny too, beside using Lib Progs comprehending in the same sentence is an oxymoron.
Posted by: KS | October 13, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Franklin and Hancock were quite different from the left currently in charge and much of Congress unfortunately. They took the Constitution seriously and had principles !
Posted by: KS | October 13, 2009 at 06:48 PM