by Billy Bob
Back home after doing 60 days. I swear, I didn't know there was weed in the glove compartment. Anyways, I'm reloaded and have your radio queries in my cross-hairs:
Dear Billy: Most sports play-by-play types have a signature catch-phrase. You know, like Dave Niehaus and his "My Oh My." But last weekend when Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch made the greatest run in the history of Seattle football, Seahawks play-by-play guy Steve Raible capped his call with the phrase, "Oh, My Word." KIRO replayed the call dozens of times, but I've noticed now they've edited out the 'Oh My Word.' Maybe it was a little too embarrassing. Anyway, I'd like Blatherwatch readers to start a list of possible suggestions for Mr. Raible, so next time Seahawks have a huge play he has something a little better to say. Any thoughts? Signed, Hawk Fan in Dupont
Dear Fan: How about "Gee Willikers" or "My Stars." Or the always popular, "Pass me the bong, Warren."
Dear Billy: On the Tuesday afternoon after the horrible shooting in Tucson, I heard something really weird on KIRO-FM. Jessica Gottesman started off her newscast talking about the parents of the young man who did the shooting. She referred to them as "Mommy and Daddy." I think her exact words were "Mommy and Daddy don't know what caused their son to do the shooting." Her voice seemed to be dripping with sarcasm and I could only interpret it as some sort of criticism of the parents. It just struck me as beyond odd. Why would a news anchor, at a time when no one knows anything about the parents, refer to them as "Mommy and Daddy?" If she thinks the parents should be blamed, why doesn't she just say it instead of hiding behind a thinly veiled insult? And if she really is blaming the parents, I pray that her kids turn out perfect. Honestly, it was the most vile, sanctimonious cheap shot I've ever heard on any newscast. Signed, Angry Mom in Edmonds
Dear Mom: I kinda like my news sprinkled with opinions and insults.
Dear Billy: I really like John "Let's Put it This Way" Clayton and his NFL insight on 710 ESPN. Me and two of my buddies started a drinking game. We'd take a drink every time John would say "Let's put it this way." All three of us are now signed up for Schick Shadel. Signed, Drunk in Kirkland
Dear Drunk: Let's put it this way, the guy knows his football..
Dear Billy: I'm still trying to be a fan of KPTK and progressive talk. But I'm suffering from Lee Callahan overload. That woman is on the station every single time there's a commercial break. She's either pitching supplements or giving me an eco-minute tip on her compostable paper coffee cups or telling me she ate too much over the holidays. Don't they have anyone else at that station? Signed, Ticked at KPTK in Seattle
Dear Ticked: I know nothing about KPTK. My radio is locked (and loaded) on KTTH because I deserve the truth.
Dear Billy: Kevin Colabro has become the best talk-host on Seattle radio, in my opinion. When 710 ESPN first started, I didn't think much of him, but he has really settled into a nice rhythm and is doing a great show. The guy is very sports-smart, and not just about basketball. He is really displaying his football knowledge. He's witty and funny and really brings out the best in his guests and co-hosts. He makes Jim Moore sound better. When John Clayton is on, he makes Clayton sound better. This week, he had on Brock Huard and he made Huard sound much better than he sounds when he's teamed up with someone else on his own show. A lot of the sports talk on Seattle radio sounds like it's aimed at 8th graders. Colabro is smart but still very entertaining. Signed, Sports Fan in Seattle
Dear Sport: Yeah, and how does the guy find the time to do all that and the Sonics?!
Dear Billy: I really wish all the lib-talkers on KPTK would get off Sarah Palin's Ass. Sarah Palin didn't shoot anyone. Sarah Palin didn't write that speech. She didn't come up with the term "blood libel." Even now, she probably doesn't know what it means. Sarah Palin didn't put cross-hairs on that map. Sarah Palin, even now, probably couldn't name half of the members of congress who were 'targeted' on that map. She is simply a vapid puppet whose strings are being pulled by right-wing operatives who are using her to push their agenda. She is making millions in the process. But she is only a figure-head and has no control over her organization. Even if she wanted to have control, she's just not smart enough to do so. If not for John McCain, Sarah Palin would be fucking up something else in Alaska and hardly anyone would know anything about her. Signed, Old Coot in Carnation.
Dear Coot: Thanks for coming to the defense of this fine tea-baggin' patriot. Now if she'd only pose for Playboy.
Dear Billy: Is KVI having technical difficulties? I just moved back after a year living in California and every time I try to catch Kirby Wilbur or John Carlson, they’re just playing some old fill music? Signed, Back Home in Lacey
Dear Back: Not sure, I’ve been in the can for the last few months.
Bill Swartz or Kevin to replace Dori next year on Seahawks pregame!
Posted by: Rich | January 13, 2011 at 10:53 AM
How about Raible says "Now that's a spicy meata-balla"!!!
Posted by: hammering man | January 13, 2011 at 01:26 PM
Jessica Goddessman leads every story with a question? It's very annoying.
I don't know if she was taught this or is directed to do this. She should just read the news. She is a spoiled women that lives off the dime of her new doctor husband as she drives the Acura MDX down I-90.
I miss the professionaliam of Tony Miner.
Posted by: Observer | January 13, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Ya gotta love Billy Bob. This blog needs more information about local media--with some humor thrown in--and fewer posts from pompous, political, polarizing, pundits who take themselves WAY too seriously. Just sayin...
Posted by: Radio Queen | January 13, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Dear Bily Bob;
If Palin doesn’t have anything to do these days, except say stupid things, why not fill in for Ted Williams for a while. I hear he will be away for a while.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 13, 2011 at 06:07 PM
You've observed the kind of car Jessica Goddessman drives??? You're officially a stalker. Report yourself to the nearest police station. Then calmly lay down on the grown and allow the the police officers to restrain you.
And an MDX isn't even all that expensive. You're really reaching there, sicko.
Posted by: Andrew | January 13, 2011 at 06:14 PM
I also heard the Jessica Gottesman say "Mommy & Daddy" when talking about the parents of the Tucson shooter.
I also remember a time when KIRO did professional, non-partisan news.
Posted by: Earl Shankmeister | January 13, 2011 at 06:26 PM
It took me a few moment to figure out who Jessica whatshername was talking about when she made the mommy and daddy comment. When I figured it out, I was totally blown away. She was talking about the parents of a crazed murderer. Could she be more insensitive if she tried?
Posted by: MacTwinny | January 13, 2011 at 06:44 PM
The free market is so wonderful, it gives us so much objective, unbiased news. American media is a like a wellspring of impartial, fact based journalism. It's not like the "most trusted newsman in America" is a fucking comedian or anything. The pinko Brittish should take some pointers from us, right after they get through adopting our superior healthcare system.
Posted by: Andrew | January 13, 2011 at 07:08 PM
it would be special if Jessica's hubby was one of those million or two million dollar a year doctor's , causing Jessica to look with disdain and mockery on the 100k and mayble slightly over income Dori is so "salary proud" over.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 13, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Dori claims to have taken a paycut. If he does make over $100k, it's likely only after combining the weekday show with his weekend sports stuff, so that's like working two jobs. If the "joke" about being fired has any truth to it, it goes without saying that he's not in the most maneuverable position, contractualy speaking. I'd like to think it's a joke, but they've played musical producers with his show, and usually "jokes" don't impart such detail.
With Curley filling in so much lately I feel that KIRO management really wishes a more friendly, upbeat personality could replace the doom and gloom of Monson. The fact that local politicians won't touch Monson's show with a 10 foot pole doesn't just relfect badly on his show, but it lowers the profile of the station as a whole. Name one other news program that has been essentially blacklisted by the fairly elected officials of the region.
Posted by: Andrew | January 13, 2011 at 07:41 PM
I can't stand John Curley. Can't stand Monson either. But I have lost count of the number of times that Curley has put down and ridiculed the woman he is paired with on the station. That includes Jessica whatshername and some woman from the Seattle Times. He obviously has a very littly wiilly.
Posted by: MacTwinny | January 13, 2011 at 07:48 PM
What if Raible and Moon did the Blazing Saddles sports call:
Raible: Touchdown, Seahawks!!!
Moon: Scuze me while ah whips dis out!
Posted by: Earl Shankmeister | January 13, 2011 at 08:06 PM
AHhhhhhh HAHAHAHAHA...
That wuz funny!
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 13, 2011 at 08:18 PM
That's a good point, how long can they pay out 100k a year contracts with declining revenues?
Posted by: Coiler | January 13, 2011 at 08:29 PM
I have no doubt that there are some ratings monsters like Bob Rivers that can demand $100k plus, but that's not Monson. I'm not hearing 100k quality talk from him, not by a long shot. Maybe in the boom times, but in a downturn, people want solid, meat and potatoes radio. I don't keep a spread sheet, but I don't believe I hear as many of those higher priced endorsement spots like in did back in '06, '07. I think the high flying days of "Stupid Prices" are behind us. Infact I've been hearing more spots from Luke Burbank lately. He's starting to get the hang of the whole "professionalism" thing.
Posted by: Andrew | January 13, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Ron, Don and Shiers each make $300/show.
Dori makes over 250K because he locked in when ratings were high.
Dave makes 150K but also makes some syndicated CBS News money. I don't have Burbanks number.
FYI-All those newsreaders/reporters (i.e. Radke, Thomas, Sullivan, Bell, etc) all make in the range of $100 - $300 per show.
Posted by: Observer | January 13, 2011 at 11:59 PM
@Observer...I think you meant per year, not per show, for those salaries. You're probably close on the main hosts being in the $150-300k range (except for Shiers) but the reporters, etc are more likely in the $50-60k range.
Posted by: Radio Queen | January 14, 2011 at 05:22 AM
Radio Queen, I read that as $300 per show or $60-70,000 a year. Dori and Dave are salaried employees maybe.
If Dori is truly making $250K ($1200-1500 a show with his current vacation schedule WTF!) a year as soon as his contract is up he's toast.
Posted by: ExPatBrit | January 14, 2011 at 09:03 AM
ExPatBrit is correct. Dori will likely make a move when his contract expires because there's no way Bonneville will renew it with the current compensation. R&D will renegotiate their contract hard based on their strong numbers and will probably command 100K each. Currently they earn about 50-60K per year.Shiers has a lot of family money and his cartoon work. All the other newsreaders and voices make anythwere from 15K to 50K per year. Radke is about $60K.
Posted by: Observer | January 14, 2011 at 09:42 AM
when is Dori's contract up ? that way i can have two coubtdowns- one to the start of the new Tom Leykis Show (the day after his current CBS contract expires in April of 2012, and the other COUNTDOWN to the end of Dori's regime on KIRO. both dates will be jooyous occaisions.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 14, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I'll feel more pride in my home town when Dori is finally off the air. As it stands, I can't believe his selfish, intolerant, vulgar act is welcome to the ears of so many of my fellow Seattlites. I'm embarrassed for all of us. His finally leaving radio will, one way or another, represent a proclamation that we no longer want to listen to this kind of trash.
Posted by: Andrew | January 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Great Points. And we must keep the Republicans on defense regarding the shooting.
Stop the Hate!
Posted by: Villeneuve | January 14, 2011 at 11:50 AM
on the day of his contract expiration/firing we can all bring big ropes , chains and hooks and puil down the 50 foot statue of Dori in front of KIRO Broadcast House on Eastlake, just like our Iraqi brethren did with the statue of Saddam.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 14, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Jessica Gottesman's use of the words "Mommy and Daddy" to describe the parents of the Tucson adult gunman is a clear display of her ignorance.
Her ignorance of mental illness. Her ignorance of any understanding of what causes mental illness. Her ignorance of how parenting cannot prevent or cure mental illness.
As a human being, her ignorance is not uncommon. Many people are just as ignorant and are just as willing to display their ignorance to others.
The only difference in this case, is she has a microphone and was willing to gleefully share her ignorance to thousands of listeners at one time.
My question and concern is not about her ignorance. Although, if, as others say, her husband is a doctor, one might think she'd be a little more aware.
My question is about what type of 'news organization' allows someone who is so ignorant about such an important issue to be hired in the first place.
Is there no testing during the interview process? Is there no training? Are there no standards?
Does anyone in management listen?
Maybe Gottesman could read about newsman Bill Kurtis and his comments after the Tucson shooting. He talked about his son, who suffered with mental illness and also ended up using a gun to kill someone. Himself.
Maybe Gottesman could refer to Bill Kurtis as his wife as "Mommy and Daddy."
Posted by: James Williams | January 15, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Gottesman is a thoughtless bimbo, a spoiled woman who has gotten a cushy ride through life on her looks.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 15, 2011 at 08:13 AM
You're reading way too much into it. They're on live radio. It probably just slipped out, and I bet she would have issued an apology if only it were a serious enough error to warrant one, which it was not.
Besides, I'm just as disgusted by those who insist the parents are completely innocent. How do we know? Maybe those making the claim haven't been the greatest of parents themselves, and want to take some of the heat off themselves by downplaying the significance of the parental roles.
It's being said that the parents might have ignored letters from the college asking that their son get a mental health evaluation after five confrontations with campus police.
Posted by: Andrew | January 15, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Gottessman is always talking out of line. She plays the 'ditzy blonde' part all the time and is frankly very unprofessional. She was absent yesterday due to a major hangover from the Thursday night dinner out with R&D and the boss.
She's on her 2nd marriage, is married to a doctor and lives on the Eastside. She does NOT need this job. It's almost like a hobby.
Posted by: Observer | January 15, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Gottessman is always talking out of line.
Dori, is that you?
Posted by: Andrew | January 15, 2011 at 10:52 AM
It didn't just "slip out."
It was a bottom-of-the-hour news update.
She was reading a script. Not only did she read it, but I assume she wrote it.
It was not an ad-lib exchange or an off-hand remark. It was the newscast.
It was premeditated. And, to me, inexcusable.
Posted by: James Williams | January 15, 2011 at 10:53 AM
The 'shooter' is not a child.
He is TWENTY-TWO years old. He is an adult and his parents are not responsible for his actions, and they have virtually zero legal control over anything he says or does.
There has been very little information reported about the parents and no one, that I've seen, has offered any firm diagnosis on the shooter.
I highly doubt some news-reader sitting in a studio in Seattle has any inside information on him or his parents. She has no idea on whether they were good or bad parents. And furthermore, if he has a mental illness, parenting is not to blame.
Her disparaging remarks were ignorant and insensitive.
And anyone who says calling her out on it is somehow hiding their own parenting issues, is an even more shallow ass than is she.
Posted by: James Williams | January 15, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Looks like we have a long time to come up with something better than "Oh, my word" for Steve Raible.
Posted by: Dilly | January 17, 2011 at 07:19 AM