Comments on: A rude ‘Pig Virus’ infects WGN Radio

By: Kent Brockman

Kent Brockman — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:31:43 +0000

Great photo of Kevin “Porky” Metheny… “I smell bacon!”

By: matt

matt — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:12:14 +0000

hi great article on john records i was a big fan also i think that was clark weber,i heard clarke weber on the scott alan show about a year ago.scott does a great interview. clarke weber was the best dj in chicago. thanks matt

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:01:04 +0000

Bravo. An excellent assessment and commentary on the demise of WGN. I quit listening to WGN a week into Greg Jarrett’s appearance. The fundamental reasons that I listened to WGN for years no longer are there. I’ve moved on to WBEZ Public Radio. WGN has lost my ear and my trust.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:52:24 +0000

And where is Bob Sirott at noon time? I miss his voice. He announces the names of shows but not on until Sunday nite. Another change?
The management is acting erratically.

By: I Degnab Hcaleip

I Degnab Hcaleip — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:01 +0000

Pig Virus…best name ever.
RIP WGN.

By: Jack Casey

Jack Casey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:01:25 +0000

I believe the epithet used by Howard Stern was “Pig Vomit,” not “Pig Virus.” It weakens your credibility when you don’t get your facts straight.
Whether you like them or not, Randy Michaels and Kevin Metheny have experienced huge successes as programmers of radio stations. And, like it or not, in the end, it’s all about ratings and revenue. Whatever doesn’t support those ends will be sacrificed. That’s always the way it’s been in commercial radio, and it will likely always be this way. If you can’t stand the heat, get a real job.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:37:47 +0000

Well, at least this explains the mood swings of WGN lately. I always used to listen, but now I find myself tuning into other stations.
You could always count on WGN for news, but that has been screwed up by the new powers that be. The station is starting to go back to it, but not fast enough. “Emergency closings are on our website”- who has time in the morning to check it out.
Greg Jarrett should do a show for MENSA people, as he feel he needs to explain info to us. I think he may be on the way out, as when he first got to Chicago, he mentioned looking for a house and now he isn’t bringing it up anymore. He has started to give up looking for freebies for food and various attractions (thankfully).
I think John Williams should go back to being himself. It seems as though his job has been threatened and the bosses wavering on what they want has him desperately trying to please the powers that be.
Garry Meier was fine going solo, but I have to turn him off due to Elton Jim laughing at everything ( that drives me crazy).
Cochran is fine.
I too wish Nick Digilio was on more.
Simon the french dude and the News Junkie should be gone. Jerry Agar can be very overbearing.
I like Steve Bertrand, Orion is hanging on. I miss Max Armstrong and Wes Bleed.
I liked Kathy O’Malley and miss Speak Your Piece- Jarretts’ version sucks as he feels the need to explain and paraphrase (on a first grade level) what people eloquently say.
Sad to see a proud and respected station go down the crapper.

By: Barb Shiman

Barb Shiman — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:56:12 +0000

I’m a little late on the comments, but just heard Dean Richards (one of my faves) say his commercial job taken away. I was panicky for a moment that the Sunday show was going to be gone. I already stopped listening to the Saturday morning show which hasn’t been the same since the Roy Leonard days. Loved when John Williams did it, but the constant change of hosts got old fast. It’s not fun anymore; serious, serious, serious. My biggest complaint is WHERE IS NICK? I wait all week for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights to hear Nick, but Cubs games and Hawks games always seem to interfer. Fine, I get it; the games are important. But last week Steve and Johnny were gone and Nick always filled in – no Nick, just BORING Jim Laskey. Nick also used to fill in during the day – no Nick. He has a huge following – get rid of him and I’m done. After the Kathy and Judy let go disaster, it’s getting harder and harder to listen to WGN. Still love John and Gary Meier is fun, but there is no continutity. Every time I turn on the radio, there is someone new. By the way, JERRY AGAR – yuck! “The times they are a chang’n” and not for the better. Hang in there John, Nick, Dean.

By: RickO

RickO — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Kevin “Pig Virus” Metheny! Ha! What a joke. Nice wacky promo pic there.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:38:06 +0000

I love Rick Kogan- he makes my Sunday mornings. I learn a lot about Chicago and what’s happening.
I still listen to John and Jarrett each morning too. But in the afternoon I get tired of oldies but goodies time.
I turn the dial a lot now-never used to. Good Chicago radio is a thing of the past I am afraid. If there is too much “Conservatism radio”, I turn the dial.
John interviewed Ann Colter today; what a disaster! She was pushy and rude with a giant ego. What was he thinking?