KIRO officially announced the Dave Ross & Luke Burbank Show (m-f, 9a-12p) today at an all-staff meeting. It'll replace the iconic Dave Ross Show.
(photo: King Dave)
That means, of course, that after 23 years of Mr. Ross, 58, going it alone, Luke Burbank, 34, will become a permanent half of what is the nine to noon.
It's a big deal in Seattle radio. For one thing, it means Dave Ross isn't, as many feared, going anywhere.
No surprise: The pair have been blabbing together for months. KIRO tried-out several other folks from around town (Nicole Brodeur of the Seattle Times for one) and early-on settled on Luke.
The Bonneville suits like the chemistry: the December/May tension; the smart mix of reason, and the absurd; thought-out public policy vs pop cultural vulgaris.
(photo: Luke Burbank)
Luke's a Seattle native who returned to Seattle after few years at NPR news. He cohosted (with Alison Stewart) NPR's shortlived morning news from New York; he's an infrequent panelist on the popular NPR comiquiz show, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. He's the creator and host of the breakout podcast, Too Beautiful to Live, which the KIRO website has long hosted. Burbank's been on the radio since college: as a KUOW intern and staffer, Metro Traffic reporter, KIRO evening talker, and a producer for Kirby Wilbur, and Peter Weissbach at KVI.
A former KIRO staffer writes: "Dave keeps Luke focused and Luke actually has a bit of personality and willingness to learn new stuff."
Operations guys Ryan Hatch and Pete Gammell are remaking the stuttering KIRO. They got Burbank pal, Bill Radke from public radio (another Seattleite, KUOW alum, and national personality well-known to Seattle). He will start anchoring the morning news next week. They've got a new imaging person (who does the promos and audio liners) to change the soundscape of a station that's been set in amber for a decade or so.
"They're really going for it. If this station doesn't work, it's not for lack of imagination on management's part," says a KIRO staffer.
Dori needs a sidekick...maybe with a foreign accent. French would be good.
Posted by: drool | October 26, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Hopefully this means the John Curley - Nicole Brodeur experiment is over...that was painful radio!
Posted by: Nick | October 26, 2010 at 12:35 PM
I'm very happy about this... thanks for getting it first, Mike. It seemed inevitable, though.
Posted by: bang boy | October 26, 2010 at 12:41 PM
I would listen to Luke Burbank doing pantomime, that man is perfect in every way. I actually have a reason to listen to terestrial radio now! Good choice KIRO!
Posted by: JAJA | October 26, 2010 at 01:09 PM
I have a feeling Dave wants to retire and go back east, and that this is a way to ease Burbank into the slot. If they don't feel that Burbank works well on his own, they might just pair him up with another straight news guy when the time comes. Nicole Brodeur didn't work out to well, but that doesn't mean someone else can't. I'm sorry to say, but I think it has to be guy. All the women side kicks they tried are too deferential and just back off when the conversation starts to heat up, even if they were winning at the time.
Posted by: Andrew | October 26, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Prefer Dave Ross alone but rather have Dave and Luke than no Dave at all. Luke is pretty good if Dave has to have a hip sidekick. Enjoy an occasional pop culture subject but hope we have some serious stuff like Dave used to do.
Posted by: Erictheeditor | October 26, 2010 at 01:18 PM
I'm a bit torn - Luke is awesome and his return to the airwaves is a welcome addition, but I've never been a Dave Ross fan, so to me they go together like eggs and chocolate. But Blatherwatch really missed the boat by describing Luke's TBTL program as "KIRO evening talker". The show is kind of big deal, folks, and even bigger as a podcast.
Posted by: Newb E | October 26, 2010 at 01:24 PM
I love Luke Burbank. He's funny and smart, and he and Dave compliment each other. I've found myself comiong back to KIRO mornings lately. Bill Radke is another old radio friend, I could stay on KIRO all the way to Dori.
Posted by: Marsha Toles | October 26, 2010 at 01:39 PM
Glad to have Luke on permanently in the morning - his presence has made me go back to listening to KIRO after TBTL was cancelled. Luke in the morning on KIRO and then the TBTL podcast in the afternoon...my day is now complete!
Posted by: Christine | October 26, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Hmmm...nice hatchet job with the pix. Dave is the old king of the hill and Luke is the young, hip, beer-sippin' yuppie. What I don't get is why they would bring Luke back after they took him off the air for low ratings. What's changed since then?
Posted by: Jaime | October 26, 2010 at 01:53 PM
The question should be what hasn't changed, and the answer is "Luke's talent", it's always been there.
Posted by: MstngSally | October 26, 2010 at 02:02 PM
*rawr* Luke on real radio and Jen coming back to TBTL - is it Christmas?!
Posted by: Mahinainseattle | October 26, 2010 at 02:10 PM
Congratulations to Dave and Luke. Congratulations to us.
Posted by: Bitty from Lake City | October 26, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Not surprised Luke got the job over Brodeur. Nothing like a radio person for a radio job...a few others break through, but usually the experience and skill set wins the day. I like that B'ville is willing to spend money on radio talent. That is something that has become increasingly rare.
Posted by: PeakLimiter | October 26, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Finally, a reason to tune into KIRO again! Dave and Luke: who knew I was such a fan of eggs and chocolate?
Posted by: sarakay | October 26, 2010 at 02:56 PM
Whats changed? Well, 100,000 downloads a month for TBTL the podcast might be a start...
Posted by: JAJA | October 26, 2010 at 03:04 PM
My Luke is awfully taken with himself these days. That's one of the big things that makes him unlistenable. He sounds like he's 16 years old and pleased a punch that he's so precocious, overmature for his age and bright that he's able to almost sound like a grown man along side "Dad" Dave Ross". He's not "kind of a big deal", nor is boring TBTL
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 26, 2010 at 06:28 PM
thread obviously is packed woth TBTL types who worship Burbank. In honor of the new show i refrained form calling Burbank any nasty names tonight.
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 26, 2010 at 06:34 PM
@Tommy008
Bitter much?
Posted by: Bob Winters | October 26, 2010 at 06:40 PM
The listeners could be full of "NPReastCoastLiberals"
Posted by: Coiler | October 26, 2010 at 06:45 PM
"Bob Winters".....another new name coming out of the woodwork just to flack and shill for Burbank....was this thing organized...seems so
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 26, 2010 at 06:46 PM
I have to admit, I like LB better when he is with Dave than when he is on TBTL. Dave pulls him up, without being pulled down. It works.
Posted by: AprilMayJune | October 26, 2010 at 08:28 PM
Kiro made the right decision rehiring Luke! Dave and Luke are great together! I will be tuning in everyday faithfully!
Posted by: Susan | October 27, 2010 at 01:53 AM
I can't wait to find out how they do ratings wise. I've never seen such overwhelming approval. Usually people come here to do the exact opposite.
To the Luke haters: you're dying. Get your affairs in order and make peace with yourself.
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2010 at 02:26 AM
Maybe a reason to try "talk radio" again for a few hours a week. Maybe. Most of it has become so mind numbing. While I've always liked Dave' act, all of Seattle talk radio was starting to sound like wall to wall Dori Monson.
Posted by: Chuck Bolland | October 27, 2010 at 02:31 AM
Who could KIRO possibly pair with Frank to get people listen at night?
Posted by: AprilMayJune | October 27, 2010 at 08:47 AM
I was not a big fan of Luke - he sounded like a fake college kid*, but perhaps Dave will forge him into something palatable to us on the far side of 40.
*kinda like Bob Rivers, somebody pretending to be half their age
Posted by: mark | October 27, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Pairing with Dave Ross is exactly what Luke needs to hone his talent. Nobody does an interview like Dave, and that's Luke's weakest point. Also will tame his potty mouth, which is why I stopped listening to the podcast. You don't need to cuss to be real.
Posted by: sleepr | October 27, 2010 at 09:29 AM
"thread obviously is packed with TBTL types who worship Burbank."
Did Luke's overly protective sister take on 10 different posting names and go nuts here or what?
Like... Whatever.
Posted by: Rat_Bastard | October 27, 2010 at 09:47 AM
December/May? Geeze, give Dave a break -- maybe October/May? He's not *that* old!
Posted by: Rex Kat | October 27, 2010 at 10:37 AM
And, it shall be known as the R&B Show, no not rhythm & blues, but The Ross & Burbank Show. Viva la R&B !
Posted by: MstngSally | October 27, 2010 at 11:37 AM
"you're dying, get your affairs in order"....does that mean i should "lock in my cremation at today's low prices"?
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 27, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Yes, do right by your loved ones.
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2010 at 01:07 PM
I forgot. How do I unsubscribe from Dave's show in iTunes? The stuttering, stammering fool that is Luke Burbank heralds a new era for KIRO -- The era where I don't listen to the station AT ALL. I can't stand that little moron.
Posted by: Dori, Panty Sniffer | October 27, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Luke is a heck.Makes Dave sound like a conservative.
Posted by: E R | October 27, 2010 at 06:55 PM
Luke is growing on me now that he is paired with dave. Much less time for actual calls, however that seems to be by design. And perhaps it is the too often a tedious caller that drags down 'talk radio', lol. Nick, i agree, if this means i will never have to hear John Curley again on KIRO then mores the better.
Posted by: dave, not dave ross | October 27, 2010 at 06:55 PM
I think they had hoped that John Curley could out-perform Shiers, and from what I heard, I don't think it's going to happen. Curley has some off center view points, but he doesn't stay focused, he banters around the bush way too much.
I definately don't think Shiers is happy about having Curley & Female butt in on the show that does not bear his name. After they left and he came in he didn't so much as mention that they had just been there moments before. Sounded like bitterness to me. But I'm sure they're very friendly in passing.
The worst thing about Shiers is that he's closer to Dave Ross without Luke Burbank. The station seems to think that old, mild mannered white guys is out and duos are in. I feel bad for Shiers. I think they're going to just keep on trying out new hosts until they find a replacement. Northwest Nights will probably be a continuously revolving door until he's finally shown the door.
And their feeling about Monson is probably that he's a reprehensible host, but he's gets their better ratings so there's not much they can do. The few times that Goddesman really chimed in, Monson seemed to go out of his way to make it awkward for listeners, perhaps so he could go back to management and say "see, it doesn't work with my show."
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2010 at 09:24 PM
Looks like King Lear to me. Now what can we make of that?
I can think of several things John Curley is missing. Let's start with talent...and end with intelligence.
Posted by: joanie | October 27, 2010 at 09:49 PM
KIRO FM has jumped the shark. Ross's shelf life is limited and he looks like the dude on the Burger King commercial and Luke to the rescue ? What's wrong with that picture ?
Dori and R & D have the most listeners - and none of them are liberals. John Curley - not made for radio, unless there is music.
Posted by: KS | October 27, 2010 at 10:43 PM
John Curley is not as bad as people make him out to be. He could be good if he corrected his mistakes. He's got energy and a clear speaking voice. I don't want to name any names, but this alone was more than some KIRO tryouts could muster.
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2010 at 11:18 PM
Long time Dave Ross listener here...
Have to say, I still "Dave listen" out of habit, bounce around with Carlson and even a bit of Ingraham.
(since Bryan Suits leads in)
Luke isn't as bad to me as he was, but I'm still seeing it as less than Dave's show was.
Luke should have his own evening show.
True...
KIRO is at least shakin' their tree a bit.
I'm liking Jake with Dori, and Phil has been good for Boze.
Not sure what the problem is with John Curley having a show...
He sounded like a good host that I wouldn't listen to.
I'd prefer that to the Frank Shiers show that I don't listen to.
When are Ron and Don leaving?
Posted by: Rat_Bastard | October 28, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Frank Shiers is a prissy, petulant old ass. Lately he's bween doing these disgusting "bodily function", excrement, smells, and bathroom bowls topics... has anyne heard this repulsive crap...........The guy is a great takl host....for Bremerton radio.....i once sent him an email that said he should be on the Belfair Wa. 5,000 watt station, if there is such a station, but now I really think he's good enough to be the King of Bremerton talk radio.
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 28, 2010 at 01:17 AM
The addition of Burbank only solidifies the leftward slant and eventual capsizing of this 9-12 slot. There was a time when Dave was a bit more centered and did not take the cheap and easy shots he does now, Burbank will only push him farther from a commom sense dialog to a overly partisan gabfest.
Posted by: skamieniecki | October 28, 2010 at 10:49 AM
@Tommy008
Bremerton is offended.
Posted by: Steven Gardner | October 28, 2010 at 06:52 PM
Now we need to get Allan Prell back on the schedule. If they teamed him with Shiers, riveting radio would result.
Posted by: Matt Lutthans | October 29, 2010 at 10:58 AM
They've changed Dave's recorded intro's to Ross and Burbank. A sad day for KIRO radio. A lowering in standards, - grammatical standards, standards of masculinity, and of knowledgable and intelligent discourse. The "fake college kid" Luke Burbank continues to embarrass himself vis a vis "Dad" Ross with his callow, silly performance.
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM
A brilliant move by KIRO, I'm sure that Dave Ross is not far from retirement and mentoring Luke like this will likely prove to be a wise move indeed. ROCK ON!
Posted by: MstngSally | October 29, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Like, I don't know what Tommy008 is, like, talking about. (It bugs me, too.)
Posted by: Matt Lutthans | October 29, 2010 at 07:21 PM
John Curly: the Ryan Seacrest of Seattle Radio!
Posted by: Jkdrummer | October 31, 2010 at 09:20 AM
This is the best thing to happen to music radio in years, it will drive listeners back to music. Where is Carl Jeffers?
Posted by: Brian Stewart | November 02, 2010 at 09:33 PM