We thought it was over and done.
And it is.
Cliff Mass, however, got the memo, but not the message. Remember him from a few news cycles ago? He's the public radio weather babe fired because he wouldn't shut up about other topics in his 5-minute weekend weather report.
He's still trying to climb back into the news hole by complaining that KUOW is spreading 'misinformation' about him. As recently as Tuesday, he was still begging KUOW to reinstate him on his blog, and trying to stoke the fires he built on his Facebook pages. His fans say they'll be some 'action' (picketing something?) on Monday afternoon. They're talking about approaching KUOW underwriters. Nothing, in the end, will transpire.
(If we could just have a moment to speak with Cliff... just leave us alone for a minute...'kay?
Cliff: It's over, baby. You were last week. Now it's this week and besides, the real world of radio doesn't have tenure. After your original screw-up, you said angry things about Steve- that precludes you ever going on the station again. KUOW doesn't like angry things. Did you think they'd fire Scher and re-hire you??? Of course not. Besides, Jeff the Program Director backs up Steve; Guy, the News Director backs up Jeff; the Board backs up everybody. Don't think about moving the Board... you think climate change is slow-moving? It's a tornado compared to the KUOW Board. And, of course, they DO NOT LIKE to mess with the station's day-to-day. They gladly leave all that up to the same trusted folks who have each other's backs on the canning of you. You said you had other offers on teevee and radio?... take 'em! Although, gotta say it- your post-employment sour grapes might not look all that great on a broadcast resume. Buddy, you were toast from day one; now, please, know you are toast, quitcherbitchin' and get on with your life. Don't sound like a kvetsher. You're better than that.
Love, Michael
Well put, Michael "the real world of radio doesn't have tenure" is such a true and well stated axiom. Dude you need to move on, move on little doggie move on. Hahaha
Posted by: Sarah | June 02, 2011 at 12:41 PM
If I were a weather professor who wanted to take time on the air during 'weekday' to talk about the UW, I'd ask the host if they could pencil it in as a topic for which I'd be the guest, and then I might have 20 minutes plus to talk about how the local govt. is destroying education, and they might even bring in a second guest who disagrees with my viewpoint to make for a more enlightening debate. And since I'd have had long standing good will with the host, I would expect some genuine consideration. That would be the proper procedure, you know, just in case this was a mystery to anybody.
Posted by: Andrew | June 02, 2011 at 01:20 PM
214 pounds of shit in a 142 pound bag.
Posted by: anonymous | June 02, 2011 at 01:54 PM
Cliff Mass needs to take it to the next level! File a lawsuit against KUOW!
Posted by: JimF | June 02, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Him expecting the host to be fired is as absurd as thinking KIRO would fire Jane Shannon & Gregg Herscholt for having their tiff exposed on Blatherwatch. Long-standing hosts ain't gonna be canned, my friend.
Posted by: Cliff M. Ass | June 02, 2011 at 04:55 PM
There was never any tiff, but...never mind.
Hey, KTTH has a sports department! They are broadcasting the NBA Finals! Who knew???
(Actually they had their ass in a sling---KIRO AM is, of course, obligated to carry the Mariners---but as an ESPN affiliate, they are also obligated to carry high-profile ESPN Radio coverage---so they just shlep it onto KTTH.)
Posted by: JimF | June 02, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Sounds like win/win for Bonneville...
Posted by: Minkie | June 02, 2011 at 09:39 PM
He's got bupkis for a lawsuit. He was fired for cause... oh, that's right- he had no contract because he wasn't getting paid.
Posted by: gemini | June 02, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Hey JimF. Did you hear the big announcement on 710 today? They gleefully revealed that KTTH will be carrying all the WSU Football and Basketball games. With the Huskies on KJR and the Storm now on KPTK, is there the possbility of all 4 (or at least 3 since the Storm plays a shorter season) broadcasting a game at the same time? Who says Seattle is a sports wasteland? Not on our radios!
Posted by: OSK | June 02, 2011 at 10:26 PM
He could file for mental anguish?
Posted by: JimF | June 03, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Michael,
I really appreciate your advice, I truly do. But you have the facts wrong and you don't seem to understand my motivations. If you really want the facts, give me a call...your appreciative friend, cliff mass
Posted by: Cliff Mass | June 03, 2011 at 08:42 PM
8675309
Posted by: Coiler | June 03, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Cliff, on a related note, you can't expect to get your job back after trash talking KUOW. There is no tenure in radio--let it go.
Posted by: Coiler | June 03, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Coiler,
I have a job..UW professor. This was a volunteer gig and I can do that on other radio stations, if need be. Or my blog. This is about principles..about the values of a public radio station run under the control of my real employer..the UW...cliff
Posted by: Cliff Mass | June 03, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Sounds like he has let it go.
Coils has become the blog thought police - go visit Venezuela or Cuba and let us know how you like totalitarian dictatorships that are filled with thought police.
Posted by: KS | June 03, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Ok KS. I get to have an opinion. You're a fine one to mouth off about geo politics.
Posted by: Coiler | June 03, 2011 at 09:47 PM
If you have a job cliff, move on. Principles mean nothing if Steve Scher is not allowed to exercise his once in a while.
Posted by: Coiler | June 03, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Professor Mass, I trust you are well. Where will you be heard in the future?
Posted by: BlackRhino | June 03, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Describing KUOW as being "under the control" of the UW is inaccurate. UW owns the FM license, but UW isn't involved in the operations of the station. Mr. Mass doesn't seem to get this basic point.
Posted by: Listener | June 04, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Principles mean nothing if Steve Scher is not allowed to exercise his once in a while.
Posted by: Coiler | June 03, 2011 at 09:58 PM
WTF ? Principles always mean something. Saul Alinsky would have said what you just did.
Posted by: KS | June 04, 2011 at 09:46 AM