I’d like to thank the good people of the Bay Area (and beyond) who have supported my work on KSFO. There has been a load of turmoil in the local talk radio field of late, but, for now, I’ve survived. Radio is a volatile business, built on the adage, “What have you done for me lately?” If the ratings are good and can support your salary, you’re fine. If not–curtains.
I would also like to thank my friend, and former sideman, “OV” for his contribution over the years. He and I used to joke about the lack of job security in the radio biz. Behind the scenes we’d often say: “Our job is secure–through this show.” Someday the guy getting the boot could well be me. Like “Vic,” I hope I have the class to not let the door hit me in the rear on the way out.
I’m serious when I say I’m envisioning “Vic” cruising around in his Gremlin, wife by his side, enjoying life in Crescent City. I also believe if he did move up to his beloved Montana (or was it Alaska?) he could run for office and win (by the way, if my initial thoughts on “Vic’s” whereabouts offended anyone, I deeply apologize; it wasn’t as light hearted as I meant it to be). No matter what, the guy behind the character known as “Office Vic” will be just fine, because he is a good, multi-talented guy.
Change is always hard to accept for radio listeners. It has to do with the fact that, as Marshall McLuhan said, radio (particularly talk radio) is a “hot” medium. It engages your brain. You develop relationships with the personalities. When a host gets shown the door it’s always hard to accept, especially when the intimate details of the departure are usually not made public. Generally terminations occur due to poor ratings, high salaries, or the combination of the two data points not intersecting correctly. Also (especially in radio) a canning can come from crossing a verbal no-no line, or getting too ticked off with management. It happens. If we wanted job security we would have become government workers.
Meantime, I’m thrilled to be working with Melanie Morgan again. She helped open the door to get me back into radio after my lengthy time in TV (by the way, I’m really tired of haters claiming I was fired from Channel 5–ask their current management team–I requested to be let go in the middle of a five-year contract to pursue other interests). She is a remarkable talent and a lightning rod (again, that “hot” concept). We work together like a brother and sister, and it will be excellent morning radio.
As for Rush moving to another station, again it’s all about ratings and salaries. If a show costs $2X to air, but only returns $1X in ad revenue, what would you do? Congressman JD Hayworth will be our live and local replacement. It’s a hoot to think that a TEA Party favorite like JD would being doing a radio show in Nancy Pelosi’s district. Long before he got into politics he was a local TV superstar, and he’s been a successful radio host in Arizona too. Besides being very sharp, the former congressman is hilarious! In about a year, the ratings will reveal that his program competes well with the Big Guy’s program, and at a fraction of the cost. Remember, we’re not NPR. This is a business.
Onward. We have an election to win, a state to turn around, a country to save, and laughs to share.
Respectfully,
Brian
I am sad to hear that OV is gone. He was truly entertaining and educational, too. I will be curious to hear Melanie with Brian. When they let her go a few years ago, I was wishing it was Lee that got the boot, so I stopped listening and only came back when Brian took over. Who knows what the real deal is, but an informative show with Brian and Melanie will be appreciated. I have tired in recent years of smart remarks about peoples’ looks with Lee, Brian and OV, they were all too sharp to have to resort to that, so perhaps Melanie can “dress up” the station once more. Her political insight is spot on most of the time, and I think she and Brian will make a good team. Rush……bad mistake letting him go. I can never listen to Rush due to work, but can’t see how this will do any good for the station. Brian, keep up the good political work, you are the man!
Brian,
Why Melanie? Couldn’t you have just continued on as a solo host? I stopped listening to Lee because of Melanies’ obnoxious ways. When she left his show I returned.
Since you took over the morning show with OV, it became appointment listening. Melanie is an insincere phony who grates on the human ear. And Diva? Please.
Haff assed apologys wont do no one no good. JDGayworth is a looser wich is why he lossed to a lib in AZ!!! Meanwhile Big Rush is how MOST Conservatives get there infomation to vote and decide as well as to relly now what the libs are trying to reck AMERICA.
J.D. Hayworth. Live… Local… and he’s from ARIZONA? I’m in Korea and have listened to KSFO for some time via internet. I thought the station was in San Francisco. I guess local is what you say it is.
If the changes don’t work well for you, maybe I can do a local show too?
Hmmm. Last I saw him he was in SF, broadcasting from our studios.
And please, while you’re at it, take a spelling lesson before carrying on about your conservative street-cred.
Ha ha Show them teabggerz Suss. Commy LIBRALS dont now nuttin
I’m confused as to what combatconservative thinks “teabaggerz” are
A teabagger is a stupid LIB
I’m glad youre still on the air Bryan but sad to see OV go
.. I thought you guys were so funny but yet informative, and very unique. You are funnier than “weak arms & spaghetti” thats for sure. You guys had such good chemistry you coulda been on a comedy club…(OV with his ibanez playing cajin WOOLY BULLY at 7:30 :C
Hello Brian,
This will take some getting used to, the changes that is. We cannot believe that OV is gone!
Yes I am a loyal listener and go back to the start Lee and Mel, thanks to my Dad who sadly
is no longer with us. The Melanie “Diva” thing is over the top and annoying to my husband and me. That needs to be scrapped!
We love Melanie and we know she does great things but her talking over you is not
scoring any points.
Keep up the great work Brian, you are the BEST!
Bonnie
Hello Brian
I would like to reiterate above comments regarding missing OV. The chemistry you, OV, Katie Green, and the occasional contributions of your call screener was terrific, not to mention entertaining and informative. I would make a point of turning on my radio at 5:00 am so as not to miss any of it. If I did, I would listen to the podcast later.
Melanie Morgan has a terrific radio voice and does a great job delivering commercials. However, as much as I enjoyed Lee Rogers, I quit listening because of Melanie. And she is even more obnoxious now. No one interrupts her while she is talking, yet she repeatedly interrups others or is interjecting comments while others are speaking. She just does not have the intellect, good taste, and self discipline to match yours, OV’s, Katie Green’s, or your call screener’s. And her rant this morning (Tues, 1/17) about Newt Gingrich was over the top. It is still possible that one of the current candidates other than Mitt Romney will be the Republican Party’s nominee.
However, I would like to send my best regards and appreciation to you and the others for all your hard work. With the exception of Melanie, you are the best.
A former loyal listener
Hello Brian
I would like to reiterate previous comments regarding missing Officer Vic. The chemistry between you, OV, and Katie Green was terrific, not to mention entertaining and informative. I would make a point of turning on my radio at 5:00 am so as not to miss any of it. If I did, I would listen to the podcast later.
Melanie Morgan has a terrific radio voice and does a great job delivering commercials. However, I wish that she would not interrupt others while they are trying to make their point. Also, her rant this morning (Tues, 1/17) about Newt Gingrich was over the top. It is still possible that one of the current candidates other than Mitt Romney will be the Republican Party’s nominee.
With best regards and appreciation to you and the others for all your hard work. You are the best.
A former loyal listener.
I am sorry Brian, I love your show but I turn the dial every morning at 9. It might have been expensive but a little profit is going to be better than the loss of profit with JD Haywoth’s show. I listened for two mornings but I just can’t get into it.
I realize that you and Melanie are required to toe the company line but to say that his ratings just weren’t what they used to be is not credible. I would be interested in seeing the increase of ratings for 910 that correspond to the new programming. Maybe you could prove me wrong, I am sure you know where to look fo the ratings.
Let’s all pull together and make sure Newt wins this nomination, because if Romney wins it, the GOP might actually have a chance of winning the general election, so….go Newt!!!