Several listeners wrote in to report that Dori Monson (KIRO m-f, 12-3p) blithely told his producer on-air Monday that Bonneville had fired him in the middle of December; he'd sued, he said, and an arbitrator got him rehired.
"It's good to have muh show back." Never at a loss for a cliche, he added, "It's the dawn of a new era."
This was apropos of nothing, and Producer Jake, fielding frantic email from listeners, lept in to urge him to make a correction.
Just joking, Dori said.
We listened to the podcast and it's hard to know what to make of it. It was off-hand, detailed, realistic, and believable. The specificity of it showed he gave it some thought. Did it really happen? And it's all in the confidentiality agreements (He does have the best agent in town, Paul Anderson) ... Or was it whistling past the graveyard?
(We remember a jerk in high school who told everyone he had cancer and had only months to live. It got him a lot of attention for a short period of time, and derision and ridicule for a long period of time after it was revealed he'd said it only to get attention, and approval).
Seems like Dori was aiming it specifically at Blatherwatch for more free blog publicity.
This was not like he had cancer - that ploy would have been insidious. It would have been more appropo if he had saved it for April Fool's Day.
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Perhap the seahawks were making a bid to improve the product in the off season. Dori is not a football broadcaster
Posted by: rich | January 05, 2011 at 10:39 AM
But he didn't save it for April 1st, which makes it, as you say, insidious.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 AM
I heard the story and it was so straight forward sounding it was very believable. The correction was just strange.
There have been rumors again lately that Dori might leave his spot at noon and go to all-sports. Dave and Luke have been building a new audience, but so far, nothing Dori, Jake and a consultant or two have tried seems to be working.
Posted by: Junius | January 05, 2011 at 11:08 AM
He was obviously kidding. Jesus people, let's practice our critical thinking skills.
Posted by: ClamCaravan | January 05, 2011 at 11:09 AM
The time frame is way too short. If he were fired, he'd be off the air while the issue was resolved, and it wouldn't all happen over Christmas break, I assure you.
Dori always takes excessively long December vacations. He must be the least hard working radio host at the station. Surprising given his Ballard-working class upbringing. I can imagine how contract negotiations must go with Dori: "I want to be payed the most and heard the least... your move."
Dave Ross, on the other hand, has a work ethic forged from stainless steel. If there were two hollidays one day apart, he'd show up on that day.
Posted by: Andrew | January 05, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Don't forget Tom Turner who did I live show christmas day. 6 to 8 am kvi. I must need a life!
Posted by: rich | January 05, 2011 at 12:12 PM
I wish they would fire this racist creep.I now listen to Ken Schramme from Noon to 3 .Dori is not a Football announcer and it would behoove Kiro to bring back Tony Ventrella
Posted by: Kyle Mesherscmitt | January 05, 2011 at 12:20 PM
I would be ok with Tony doing the pre game. Although my first choise would be Brock.
Posted by: rich | January 05, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Andrew i think dori's longer vacations are more because previously companies would pay your vacation as pay and let you also work, and now you lose the time if you dont actually take it off, hence dori has to take more days off to get his vacation paid.
Also, politically i dont agree with dori, sports wise i think he is interesting, has local knowledge, has humour, and shows a softer less vitroiolic side of him when hes off talking politics.
Posted by: dave, not dave ross | January 05, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Well before Christmas Shiers was saying he was going to be filling in for Dori. Non event.....tempest in a teacup...where there is no cup.
Posted by: drool | January 05, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Dave and Dori work for the same company. Why does Ross take many, many fewer days off over all the years? Simple. Dori is a lazyass. Dave is not.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 05, 2011 at 12:49 PM
i normally can listen to Dori a little at a time as just a monitor on whatever ridiculous opinion he is ranting at the time, but today he seems to have crossed a line. Maybe something changed while he's been on vacation, because i think this started with him on Monday, and is reaching a peak today. He just seems way more full of himself now than ever, to the point where today, at least, his obnoxiousness is making him totally unlistenable. I've tried to tune in at various times the past hour or so and find myself forced to shut him off each time.
Posted by: Tommy008 | January 05, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Form an office politics point of view, occasionally closed door meetings lead to gossip. And rumors at KIRO tend to leak like an elephant with diarrhea. So it wouldn’t be out of step for someone who attended the meeting to toss out a smoke screen.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 02:48 PM
If management wants to fire you in media, you're usually gone. I don't think it happened. He certainly couldn't claim discrimination. Depends on his numbers. If they are still up, he's earning money for them. If they are down, management's call.
Case closed.
Posted by: The Anti-Dori | January 05, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Monson needs to jump into his new Jaguar and drive to his palacial cabin on the Columbia with its new roof and windows he scammed off one of his "best friend" advertisers and broadcast on the ethernet to whatever fool still wants to listen to him. He lost me four years ago.
Posted by: Two degrees left of Center | January 05, 2011 at 04:26 PM
"Dori always takes excessively long December vacations. He must be the least hard working radio host at the station. Surprising given his Ballard-working class upbringing. I can imagine how contract negotiations must go with Dori: "I want to be payed the most and heard the least... your move."
First you complain when Monson is on the air and now you complain that he takes too much time off the air.
Really, can't you folks keep your complaints logically consistent?
Liberalism may indeed be a sign of mental disorder.
Posted by: The Anti-Usual Suspect | January 05, 2011 at 04:29 PM
The Anti-Dori;
I don’t think he was fired either or I didn’t mean to suggest it. But perhaps something is afoot, like a move to KTTH or some other sort of prodding from management.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 04:36 PM
"Dave Ross, on the other hand, has a work ethic forged from stainless steel. If there were two hollidays one day apart, he'd show up on that day."
Andy now that reads as Dave being a little to needy or to insecure.
Are you really saying that Dori is calm cool and collected while Dave is fighting off the flop sweat reserved for those who feel less than confident? I hope not about Monson.
I have a higher opinion of Dave Ross than that. I would hope that you would recognize that in the man after all these years.
Mabye you shoold listen more and critisize less.
Of course if you would like to rambel on about what you dont know then go ahead.
Posted by: The Anti-Usual Suspect | January 05, 2011 at 04:39 PM
The Anti-Dori;
I don’t think he was fired either or I didn’t mean to suggest it. But perhaps something is afoot, like a move to KTTH or some other sort of prodding from management.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 04:36 PM
Sounds like you are backtracking. I can't abide a weakling.
Spit it out son. Monson can't hurt you.
Posted by: The Anti-Dori | January 05, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Guess I missed the show when this all started...
I thought Dori's 3 year contract was getting close to being up and always had hoped he would bounce to KVI.
I suppose that's not going to happen now.
And come on...
Dori has always been full of himself with that fat fish in a small pond thing...
It's part of his persona.
I still like his show and listen at the start, then I tune away when Jessica's ass kissing becomes unbearable.
I like Jake too even though the Jake/Boze chemistry was damn good.
Also hoping Boze keeps his 1 hour.
Those don't usually last.
Posted by: Rat_Bastard | January 05, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Fake “The Anti-Dori”, talk about a weakling. Instead of trying to incite a fight why not post as yourself?
Hahaha, you blithering cons.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 05:28 PM
But he didn't save it for April 1st, which makes it, as you say, insidious.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Wrong, my comment - "This was not like he had cancer - that ploy would have been insidious." You're putting words in other's mouths again.
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 06:46 PM
KS, you did. Anyone can see it. It’s the first post in this thread.
“It would have been more appropo if he had saved it for April Fool's Day.”
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 07:04 PM
You never answered about David Brock being subjugated by Richard Mellon Scaife.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Well, I just had a chance to listen to the start of Monday's show... Sure sounded serious, but I don't have time to look for the "just kidding part".
If he was joking, sounds like maybe there was something that happened in "mid December" that was either an episode with management or maybe even something more.
Either way, I thought Dori's contract was up soon...
If ratings are good, as someone here posted...
That's it, end of story.
It would have to be something pretty heavy to go over the head of ad sales.
Radio these days more than ever needs every dollar it can find.
Posted by: Rat_Bastard | January 05, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Yes, my point BR. KS never follows up.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 07:10 PM
that's cause KS makes his point the first time, Coils.
if you can't keep up, try concentrating harder.
Posted by: Puget Sound | January 05, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Go fuck yourself, Polluted Sound. He is a paranoid city worker who rails on gumbmint all the time and you're a wall street apologist who takes advantage of free market abuses. I concentrate on keeping up with the filth your side puts out.
Next?
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Coiler, did you hear Dori’s disclosure? I don’t listen to his show, but I do read Tommy’s descriptions. I didn’t see 008’s perspective of the broadcast either. As I examine the posts of others, every one seem to repeat the same understanding.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 07:26 PM
Putz, you silly goose. Let me know what sense KS had bestow upon us. I believe you have earned something, lord knows what, so share.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 07:30 PM
They're all opportunists. I could care less about Monson's career. The people who pimp for him are just as classless as his trips to Vegas.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Oh Coils and BR,
you both sound like you have anger issues. And on the Eve of the 112 Congress.
It's a time to celebrate. Lets all join hands, sing Kumbaya, and then get to work cutting the wasteful Federal Gov Budget.
We have Pres Obama on board, so hurry up. Last one on the Fiscal Express is a 'rotten Pelosi'!
Posted by: Puget Sound--Kumbaya time for Coils and BR | January 05, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Puget Pimp, your side has already reneged on cutting.
WASHINGTON -- The GOP "budget cut" numbers are getting squishier by the minute. At least it seemed that way in the hallways of the Capitol on a ceremonial first day of swearing-ins, family photo ops and back-slapping goodwill.
Republicans campaigned coast to coast on, among other things, a promise to cut $100 billion out of the federal budget.
But now they are talking about cuts as slim as $30 billion, blaming the change on the fine print that no one read -- or if they read, did not understand.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 07:44 PM
you both sound like those 'angry white middle males'we hear so much about. Coils especially sounds like he is working on a coronary.
Coils/BR I have a perfect solution.
Monson podcasts. That way you'll have plenty of Monson and can listen to the 'Best of Monson' at your leisure.
Posted by: Puget Sound--Kumbaya time for Coils and BR | January 05, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Putz, you silly goose. Where is my anger?
Let’s see
The eight flawed character traits of Putz.
1. If it’s in quotes it has been mischaracterized.
2. If he’s characterizing another’s post it’s a lie.
3. Projection
4. When one post is achievable, multiple posts’ is the typical.
5. The flogging of straw-men is blood sport for Putz.
6. Weak arguments need support, so calls for assist are required. Right KS?
7. When Putz has lost footing for his straw-man, his posts’ get insipidly long.
8. Cannot connect dots
Is this number 2 at work Putz?
Gez, you are the eazy one, HAHAHA
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Thank you, Coiler. Been a while since we've had such fun with the little guy with the big ego. Why is everybody talking about him as if he's special? He's a has been. Is he still sharing duties with a better half on KIRO?
And I see sputs is trying to change the topic to KS again. Ahhhhhh . . .
Posted by: joanie | January 05, 2011 at 07:47 PM
In fact, I predict that Dori will follow in the tracks of his hero, Glenn Beck, and be dropped from a radio station. Beck from WOR NY and Monson from KIRO Seattle. You heard it here first.
Posted by: joanie | January 05, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Your rants are getting tired, repetitious and hypocritical - trying going outside the box for a change; BR,the aspiring lefty propagandist.
Coiler - So tell us if you will, what do you do for a living ? Don't be ashamed and don't lie.
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Monson podcasts? No thanks Putz. Anyone willing to disclose a private conversation is not trustworthy; moreover anyone who would lie concerning this situation is not trustworthy. I think Monson has cornered himself. My guess is everyone at the station knew this but him, and you(his fans). And he was made to correct himself on air. But I stand by my position. He’s covering something up.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Squishy...love that word. Agent Orange showed up with his giant Thor's gavel. The congressional audience tittered when he held it up.
Notice that nobody is denying the Pubbies are already backtracking. Just more name calling and LMAO.
Joanie, the Becker might also get the boot from a Philadelphia station as well.
Posted by: sparky | January 05, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Oh, Putz…your support is here. KS, you have met Putz’s 6th. Stand up and collect your…whatever it is you guys exchange.
6. Weak arguments need support, so calls for assist are required. Right KS?
Yoink!
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Where did you read that, Sparky? Ratings again?
Posted by: joanie | January 05, 2011 at 08:28 PM
BR - you try sound like a pig ? Your rhetoric is repetitious, weak and hypocritical. Is that all you have ?
You guys are on the rag - must be due to the new congress is in session and the Demorats are out of power in the House - they brought it on themselves and the voters took note.
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Kind of fun watching coiler and rhino play ping pong with kS and sputs. Waiting for the return, Rhino.
Posted by: joanie | January 05, 2011 at 08:44 PM
It was on a media newspaper..I can go back and look it up because I sent the link to Bla'M. Yes, both stations were getting poor ratings during his show.
Posted by: sparky | January 05, 2011 at 09:11 PM
As with Putz, I was wondering about the character of KS. It seems KS is very easy to read. Take a look at the disapprove of Coiler by KS.
But he didn't save it for April 1st, which makes it, as you say, insidious.
Posted by: Coiler | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Wrong, my comment - "This was not like he had cancer - that ploy would have been insidious." You're putting words in other's mouths again.
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 06:46 PM
But here is the post Coiler was responding to. Looks like Coiler got it right.
Seems like Dori was aiming it specifically at Blatherwatch for more free blog publicity. This was not like he had cancer - that ploy would have been insidious. It would have been more appropo if he had saved it for April Fool's Day. Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 10:37 AM
KS will say any damn thing. Many times I thought KS was an ignorant fool. A toady mislead by those he sought approval. Now I know, KS is a liar.Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 09:12 PM
BR - HA ! Are you illiterate or just an ass-hat liar ? Any clown could see that Coiler was inaccurate and I pointed it out - Are you on the rag ?
Posted by: KS | January 05, 2011 at 09:27 PM
KS, you should take up the moniker KSL(KS the Liar)
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 05, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Maybe he is just extremely near-sighted.
Posted by: sparky | January 05, 2011 at 09:37 PM