KIROFM is no. 1 in the ratings, but can anyone take it seriously as a community forum? Or anything but a dumbed-down Page Six with sports and pets?
We'd say no. Latest evidence to the contrary: air time spent nearly every day for a week on the Nancy Grace flatulance "issue." Did she fart loudily and cartoonishly during a recent Dancing With the Stars episode? Or is the YouTube audio a fake? Inquiring children need to know...
Nancy claims she was framed, but doesn't anyone when accused of making the choice between shame and pain?
Dori Monson (KIROFM m-f, 12-3p) took time away from his pet and government abuse stories numerous times over the week, always playing the audio at least twice per. He and L'il Jake couldn't resist the latest "development" that the audio rights were being requested of ABC from a "fart fetish group." The "reporting" was done, of course, accompanied by two more plays of the alleged flatulance, "Just so you can decide for yourself." Ron & Don couldn't resist playing it a few times. Even Dave 'Bigfoot' Boze, (KTTH m-f, 3-6p) filling in for John Curley, played the cut (if you will) in the evening. (Ya think he's auditioning for the job?)
Frankly, there's nothing that Nancy Grace could do or say that would make her remotely interesting to us. It's hard to imagine Dancing with The Stars generating any real news. Celebrity farting is a recent entertainment phenom, but one we'd rather explore on our personal computers late at night.
Can anyone take KIRO seriously these days? The old Dave Ross must be rolling in his grave... reminds us to get our pledge into KUOW.
I can't fault KIRO for doing whatever it takes to be #1. High minded Dave Ross was a perpetual also-ran before Burbank became full time.
Posted by: The Original Andrew | October 07, 2011 at 03:45 PM
KIRO radio has become a sad joke. What else is there to say?
Posted by: Ryder | October 07, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Every now and again, it's OK to talk about something completely inane--it gives us a break from the economic and political doom and gloom.
Has anyone noticed that it sounds like Tom Tangney is co-hosting with Bill Radke in the morning? And then I heard him again filling in for Burbank from 9-noon. What does KIRO like about this guy? He makes Burbank sound totally, like, um, coherent.
Posted by: Radio Queen | October 07, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Today I proudly pledged $100 to KUOW, and another 100 to KPLU. Got run off of KIRO a year or two ago. It was Ron & Don, then Burbank, then Curley. I stopped listening to Dori long ago. I've learned to enjoy the BBC news hour. It's been especially great since the Arab Spring. There IS an alternative to the fart jokes and pet kill of KIRO for the mature listener.
Posted by: Mango Jerry | October 07, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Listening to Tom Tangney and Bill Radke talk about Steve Jobs the other morning was painfuly awkward radio. I had to turn away. They were completely out of their element, fumbling for things to say.
The problem has been that many people don't really know what Steve Jobs did exactly. They seem to understand that he himself didn't invent anything in particular, yet he was the founder and CEO of a company that brought us many firsts, so hearing news guys try to eulogize him this past week has been exhausting.
Posted by: The Original Andrew | October 07, 2011 at 10:09 PM
I am sure that Steve Jobs was a wonderful, smart, and innovative person. Not being a techie, I don't know exactly how wonderful he was. IMHO, he was an Icon to a generation that idolizes technology. I am not sure if that is worthy of idolization for the rest of us?
Posted by: AprilMayJune | October 07, 2011 at 10:34 PM
It is, but in the name of all that is holy, don't ask Tom and Bill for their two cents on it.
Posted by: The Original Andrew | October 07, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Nancy Grace is adept at jumping the shark with her commentary- besides having the nipple shot when she had the wardrobe malfunction on DWTS that she roundly denied.
Posted by: KS | October 07, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Coming next week: did Nancy Grace have a one-night stand with a basketball player 25 years ago? Enquiring minds want to know. We'll be right back with more on this breaking story, right after eight minutes of commercials.
Posted by: Pete | October 08, 2011 at 10:06 AM
A turd can fart?
Who knew?
Posted by: Itchy | October 08, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Poor Pete...your cable must be disemboweled. There are fifteen, not eight, minutes of commercials between breaking stories, alas!
Posted by: fremont | October 08, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Radke is difficult to listen to, especially when he thinks he's being funny. He's not. KIRO bought a lemon with him. I've noticed Tangney in the morning now too. It's painfully obvious that Radke is painful as a host. He can't pull a thought out of his @SS. They pair him up with Tangney who has an opinion on almost everything whether he knows something about it or not. I'd rather hear Tangney and Thomas ditch Radke.
Posted by: NoBS | October 08, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Monson needs to stay away from the fart clips. A normal man with an adult male voice can perhaps indulge himself occaisionally with such a story, but Dori's voice and sloppy, undisciplined diction literally sounds like that of a midteens , immature youth. When he goes for these types of stories over and over you literally feel loke you're behind the gym at junior high, sneaking a joint with your buds and giggling away.
Posted by: Tommy008 | October 08, 2011 at 11:46 PM
"Radke is difficult to listen to, especially when he thinks he's being funny. He's not. KIRO bought a lemon with him"
I was waiting for someone to say it. Does anyone know the term of his contract?
Thomas is the only strong one. Tangney's opinions are tedious and self-satisfied.
I can tell you the value of most of the hosts opinions. Burbank says what everyone is thinking, but more clever. Dave Ross amazes audiences with his astute centrism. Dori amuses listeners with Libertarian craziness. What does Tangney bring to the table?
Posted by: The Original Andrew | October 09, 2011 at 02:14 AM
I thought I was the only one who thinks KIRO's 5am -9am drive time is a train wreck. I do turn on Ross and Burbank. For almost thirty years I listened to KIRO mornings, but turned it off in the first 30 minutes the day Radke started and won't tune into their morning drive time show until they throw Radke out the door.
Posted by: The seeker | October 09, 2011 at 03:52 AM
Radke is a sorry excuse for a host. There is no chemistry with the News Chick and they probably brought Tangney in because...why? If you ever followed Radke's blog on the KIRO website, he was relentlessly harrassed by his commenters--nobody liked him. He finally switched his blog comments platform to facebook a few weeks ago, where commenters are identified, because he couldn't take the heat. He is the most useless host KIRO has ever hired. Bring back Tony Miner or Greg Hersholt.
Posted by: Radio Queen | October 09, 2011 at 07:39 AM
Greg Hersholt is in Portland on KXL now, so it's too late to get him back. Tony Miner would be good though, if he's still available. Don't listen to Radke, but from what I have read, I doubt if he can hold Hersholt or Minor's jock strap (in sports terminology) - could have said candle, but it sounded too mundane.
Posted by: KS | October 09, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Hersholt is still commuting from Seattle to Portland, so he'd probably love to get a callback. Miner is doing the 3-7pm news for the R&D show now and probably doesn't miss the 2am wake-up call that's required for mornings.
The real point is that if you're going to call it Seattle's Morning News, then you damn well need credible news people. Linda Thomas is the only thing going for that show right now. KIRO would be smart to center the show around her.
Posted by: Radio Queen | October 09, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Let's be clear, Linda Thomas is better with the news than even Jane Shannon was.
Posted by: The Original Andrew | October 09, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Has anyone ever noticed that Burbank...when he starts talking about an important or even a trivial... and its important to talk about both kinds of stories...hey dave here is a funny story....
Never finishes his sentences? he just talks.
Posted by: jesus | October 12, 2011 at 12:54 PM