Billy Bob: exterminators, commentators, playboy & the flintstones

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, augmented his influences, and diminished his circle of friends.

by Billy Bob

 

I've got a fresh triple-latte from my favorite Bikini Barista and I'm ready to tackle the Northwest's most pressing media issues....

Dear Billy: Didn't there used to be a rule about talk hosts from other stations doing commercials?  I'm listening to the Dave Ross show on KIRO and on comes David Boze from KTTH with a commercial about some upcoming seminar with Rob McKenna attacking health-care reform. That commercial is followed by Michael Medved for some pest control outfit. And I'll get a rat-killing discount if I type the word "Medved" into a box on the exterminator’s website. After the Boze and Medved commercials, it's a commercial by Pat O'Day. Sheesh. Talk about addictions!  Signed, D'Angelo Barksdale

 

Dear D'Angelo: I find it hard to believe there was no Dori Monson Gutter Helmet commercial.

 

Dear Billy: I like Carlson and Schram and The Commentators on KOMO. But, is it just me, or are most of the callers incredibly old and stupid?  Signed,  Roland Przbylewski

 

Dear Prez: I'm not able to read your email; the tea-bags on my hat are dangling in front of my eyes.

 

Dear Billy:  On the Blatherwatch comment section, I saw where one-time KIRO Program Director Bill Wippel is urging KIRO to return to AM, beef up their news staff and bring back Oldies on FM. I think this could happen. Don't you? Signed, Bubbles

Dear Bubbles:  Yes, and the Sonics could return to Key Arena.  And the Bubbleator could return to Seattle Center.

 

Dear Billy: I think my sex-life is over. I just opened my June issue of Playboy magazine and there's a whole segment and interview with Michael Savage. Thankfully, no naked pictures, but still, talk about a de-boner. Don't you think KTTH or Blatherwatch or someone should have warned us?  Signed, Omar Little.

Dear Omar: That's exactly why, years ago, I switched to Hustler- none of those annoying "articles."

Dear Billy: I'm a big flag-waving, tea-bagging fan of Freedom 570 and I like to think I'm pretty hip. But could someone please tell Freedom 570's Bryan Suits to stop with all the You Tube videos. Every time I turn on Freedom 570 in the morning he's playing some You Tube video and explaining it to us and laughing about it with the Freedom 570 morning producer. Then he always reminds us we can go to his Facebook page if we want to actually see the video. If I wanted to actually see You Tube videos I probably wouldn't be listening to Freedom 570. Don't you think that's stupid?  Signed, Snot Boogie

 

Dear Snot: What I really think is stupid is the name "Freedom 570."

 Dear Billy: I miss some of the great liberal talk hosts who used to be a regular part of local radio in Seattle.  I'm talking about people like Bill Gallant and Mike Webb and Erin Hart and Ron Reagan. And even David Goldstein. When will KIRO come to their senses and hire back some of these quality hosts?  Signed, Clay Davis

Dear Clay: The chances of Hart, Reagan or Goldstein coming back are about the same as the return of Gallant and Webb.

 

Dear Billy: It seems like all the Seattle stations refer to themselves as "New."  In the radio world, at what point does the word "new" become absurd?  Signed, Cedric Daniels

 

Dear Cedric: Not sure, but I'm hearing that if Phil Vandervort gets his weekend show back on KIRO, it will be called, "Phil, the New Junkie." 

 

Dear Billy:  I'm hearing rumors that KONG-TV is working with Dori Monson on a new late-night weekend sitcom based on a cartoon using local radio types. What's the scoop? Are Ron & Don involved? Signed, Bunk Moreland

Dear Bunk: They're considering a local remake of the Flintstones. Dori would play Fred Flintstone. Fred's wife, Wilma, would be played by KOMO newsie Jane Shannon. KIRO night-yakker Frank Shiers will play Barney, and his wife, Betty, will be played by KOMO producer Tina Nole. The Groz nabs the role of Dino. And, yes, Ron & Don are involved. Don O'Neill plays Bam Bam and Ron will be Pebbles.

 

Comments

[Coiler]

I just figured out Billy Bob is a fan of The Wire

[Rich]

I just figured out I'm a fan of Billy Bob.

[AprilMayJune]

Any fan of The Wire is a fan of mine ...

[Bunny Colvin Fremont]

But who was "Snot Boogie"?

[Duffman]

Kirby Wilbur. Sour grapes, ya know.

[KIRO vet]

Like a fungus, Billy Bob grows on you. At first I thought Bla'M was bullshitting that he was a radioguy, but it is clear that he knows a lot more about radio than Bla'M.

[KS]

Billy Bob - the tongue in cheek meister of local radio. Some real snotr-knockers there.