There’s plenty of life left for Roe Conn at WLS
Reports of Roe Conn’s demise — like that of another Midwestern humorist — have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the Chicago radio veteran is close to signing a new deal to continue as afternoon personality on Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890).
Barring a last-minute snafu, sources said, Conn is expected to sign a two-year renewal any day now, superseding his current contract, which expires June 1. In exchange for the additional security, he’s likely to accept a reduction in his previously reported seven-figure salary.
The only obstacle to finalizing the deal could come from Citadel Broadcasting’s top bosses, who were reported to be preoccupied Thursday preparing to file for bankruptcy by the end of the year. Such a move would allow the company to restructure its $2 billion debt.
Word of Conn’s renewal comes despite speculation that his days are numbered at WLS. After the latest Arbitron survey showed him significantly underperforming the rest of the station, the Sun-Times’ Lewis Lazare cited unnamed “observers in the local radio market” who asserted that “the high-priced WLS talent might not be able to hold on at the station much longer.” My friends at the ever-vigilant ChicagolandRadioandMedia.com went even further, declaring it “the end of the line for Roe Conn at WLS,” and identifying three potential replacements for him.
When completed, Conn’s new deal is likely to be followed by another round of personnel changes on his show. Earlier this year, contributors Bill Leff and Christina Filiaggi were replaced by Amy Jacobson. Jim Johnson continues as news anchor.
Apart from his WLS renewal, Conn recently signed a new syndication agreement with United Stations Radio Networks to distribute “The Roe Report,” his daily news and commentary feature. Airing on WLS and WABC-AM in New York (and soon to return to KABC-AM in Los Angeles), it was launched in part to fill the short-form programming void left by the late Paul Harvey. Nick Verbitsky, chairman and CEO of USRN, said in a statement:
“Roe Conn has proven himself to be not only a great local broadcaster, but a guy with great instincts for what the whole country is thinking and talking about. Frankly, we see Roe Conn as one of the bright spots in the future of talk radio, and we’re thrilled to be able to grow our menu of services in that format with Roe in the spolight.”
Conn, 45, a Chicago native and onetime producer for CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and the former WMAQ-AM, joined WLS as a weekend host in 1989. He’s been hosting afternoons since 1996.
Elsewhere on the media beat:
- The history of Chicago television from 1940 to 1990 — in photographs from the archives of the Museum of Broadcast Communications — will be presented in a new book scheduled for release Feb. 1. Chicago Television, part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, was edited by former museum archivists Daniel Berger and Steve Jajkowski. Bob Sirott wrote the foreword. Advance orders for the $26.99 paperback are being taken at Amazon.com.
- The demise of Editor & Publisher after more than a century Thursday closes out a troubled year for media watchdogs. In June, the broadcasting bible Radio & Records ceased operations after 36 years. Both trade publications were owned by Nielsen Co.
blogs.vocalo.org
One moronic know it all prognosticator even had Kevin Matthews coming back to WLS to replace Roe Conn! Do you believe that?? Thank god you are back on the beat Mr. Feder so you can school all these pretenders to your throne!!!
what about me?
…
Um… Ok. I don’t really have a blog to plug on here.
I just wanted to beat Bruce Wolf to the punch for once. He’s surely going to whip out a quick Roe Conn blog in a few hours and mention it here.
…
Uh oh…
…
Now I’m starting to feel bad. What if this sends Bruce Wolf into a deep depression? The man lives for his daily “what about me?” posts on here. It’s Friday, so what if his new depression causes his Friday Chet Chitchat voice to sound more like Orion Samuelson? What if his Accuradio “Smooth Hannukah” voice overs sound less joyous and more like Herb Morrison describing the Hindenburg slamming into the mooring mast? That could ruin the audio fun for thousands of Internet Hannukah Smooth Jazz fans (and by “thousands,” I mean maybe two dozen, but still…). What if he’s so depressed that his next “News without HD makeup” video is just 8 minutes of uncontrollable sobbing (well, 6 minutes of sobbing and 2 minutes of him turning his camera on and off, but still…)? Even HD makeup can’t cover that up. What if his being unable to post “what about me?” on Rob Feder’s blogsite causes him to to be so depressed, he’s found later by workers in the Cal Sag, frozen solid within an Asian Carp net?
Hooooo-boy…!
That’s a lot of guilt for me to carry around.
I just don’t know if I can handle this.
…
Fine then…
I can’t take it anymore!
Here’s a link to his little dog & pony show blog:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/blogshakalaka/
I didn’t want to do it, but I have to sleep with a clear conscious.
Or my wife.
Either way…
All is right now.
“And that’s the Lobotomy Line on blogs.”
There’s no question Roe’s a big talent. But is it a good show anymore? It definitely was at its apex with Garry, Jim, Christina & Ron Magers. That lineup had that sweet mix of comedy & compelling dialogue, and was the go-to place on the dial when big news hit. These days, even Ron’s contributions sound somewhat forced in counterpoint to Roe’s ‘bits’.
what about larz?
roe conn. very talented. but not a passionate conservative. he needs a partner coming out of rush limbaugh. someone who, like limbaugh, was inspired by william f. buckley and larry lujack.
for more obsessing about the public’s obsession with tiger, see http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/blogshakalaka
I don’t personally dislike Roe Conn – he seems like a nice guy over the air and is obviously very bright. I think he tries too hard to add humor at times, and I wish he would be more willing to let other people talk (i.e. his guests, instead of his continued interruptions).
I’m very curious as to Mr. Feder’s suggestion that more personnel changes may be implemented to the show in the future. I sincerely hope that doesn’t include Mike North. I think a change in the news department is long overdue. Jim Johnson just really doesn’t add much to the show, and I don’t think he is that great of a news guy. I’d like to see the station utilize Monicca DeSantos a lot better – I think it is a crime that she is only on for one or two minute news bits in the evenings. She would contribute to Garry Meier’s WCKG-FM program a few years back and I always though she came off well.
If Roe wants to have a mix of news and fun stuff, he needs to add a voice that can handle a majority of the one-liners and other funny lines. And, unlike Bill Leff, he needs to allow the other person to actually speak more (still not sure if Roe held a leash on Bill or if Bill just didn’t feel compelled to talk much – four was a crowd, afterall). If Roe wants to keep a more serious news show, he needs a new news person, and Monica or even the addition of a Pat Cassidy would be real intriguing in my opinion.
I don’t think more or less conservative opinions will ultimately make Roe’s show better or worse. On the contrary, a level-headed person who is willing to see both sides is quite refreshing in my opinion. One of the reasons I do like Roe (when he is serious) is because he doesn’t blurt the conservative line all the time (I’m not a liberal… I just don’t believe one side is always 100% right).
you want to talk about survivors in the local radio business, how about jim johnson
Good for Roe. It’s nice to hear *someone* in radio keeping a job.
Speaking of that, they do need to give Monica DeSantis a higher profile on the station. She is no doubt a close second to Jim Johnson as top newspeople at that station.
I’ve listened to Roe sinc 1996. His show has hit peaks and valleys…and it is definitely in a valley. Amy Jacobson does nothing for me….not that Christina was any better. I agree that he needs a #2. Its almost as if Jim Johnson has gone all Chevy Chase and gotten unfunny. He used to be hilarious. Roe really likes to hear himself talk…..its hard to listen to Magers and Roe together because they are just waiting for the other person to shut up so they can talk. A snarky female #2 would be great….but we’re not talking Monica and definitely not Amy “nobody knows being persecuted like me” Jacobson. Roe, Amy Sedaris and Jim Jonhson would be great.
Not sure how Roe’s ego will take a salary cut. Maybe they can now cut out some commercials.
Roe Conn brings a unique mix of humor and intelligence to his show everyday. The only issue I have is replacing Bill and Christina with the talentless Amy Jacobsen. She lost her job, husband, house, and self respect in a 6 month span of time. There’s karma for you as she wants to have it both ways. Claiming she was a dedicated journalist while crossing the line to get a story. Then takes the “woe is me” position when exposed. At least now that she’s on the radio, we don’t have to look at her “praying mantiss” like features on TV anymore.
Wow! Roe Conn’s show has lost its zest. I for one would have rather seen Kevin Matthews in that slot. F-u all you Kev haters! I listen to his show online and its much better than Anything I hear on Chicago air waves. For the life of me I can’t think of anybody you could bring in to breath some life into Roes Show. I’m hoping I’m proven wrong because at one time His show was Very good.
I’m sorry that I don’t have a blog site of my own to plug but, ChetCoppock.com has some fun shows with Chet and The Pinker that I’ve taken a liking to. See I am not a shameless whore!
While the Citadel budget may not allow it for WLS, for some reason, I think the show title “Conn & Cochran” sounds great. It is heavily speculated that Steve Cochran will be leaving WGN-AM sometime next year (I believe his contract expires in March). Not sure if the egos could handle it, but if they could, why couldn’t these two put together a good show? Both can be serious when necessary, but I think the two of them together can provide a fun show as well.
Kevin Matthews, already employed by Citadel at the Grand Rapids, MI station, could maybe be a personality (again, if ego would allow it) that can work well with Roe. I still like the idea of Cochran better, because I primarily think Matthews is more effective as the main attraction, where he would have a better opportunity to incorporate his brand more (and of course, Jim Shorts).
If Amy Jacobson doesn’t work out how about Eddie and Jobo? I hear they are looking for jobs.
I believe Glen Beck has the copyright on uncontrollable sobbing during a newscast. Oh. Wait. Glen Beck doesn’t do a newscast. Never mind. Go Bulls. Later sucky.
Roe Conn is almost “last man standing” in the top tier radio talk personalities category. Sandwiched between Rush and Sean isn’t easy (nor visually appealing) for a local humor based program. Not sure that all the tinkering has helped or hindered his performance since Garry’s departure. But he’s a smart guy and that comes through clearly. Important on a station like WLS. He’s soldiered on through three General Managers and three Program Directors in the past 4 years as well as the shift from Disney to Citadel. All in all he’s done a fine job. What this market sorely needs is a station with a humor/personality format that can be sold despite the low PPM numbers some of the brightest folks in the business garnered. May not be the biggest cume audience but it will be engaged and loyal…good for advertisers.
It was great to hear Kevin Mathews fill in for Mr. Conn earlier this year–he was a breath of fresh air in the right-wing Mad-As-Hell/Not-Going-To-Take-This-Anymore miasma that sadly pervades WLS. Roe Conn is, possibly, the most level-headed personality they’ve got, but I usually tune him out when he jumps on the liberal-bashing bandwagon. While I’m in favor of topical radio, the politicizing of everything has low entertainment value and it really isn’t useful–but I guess I’m in the minority on that front. Lastly, hands down, Bill Leff was the most entertaining personality on the station. But, again, in its present incarnation, WLS exists more to enrage than to amuse or inform.
The problem all along with Roe Conn has been the fact that he, at best, is only #2 material himself.
Roe needs Gary and Gary needs Roe. I listen to both shows and both are missing that one important element to make a top rate show. Bury the hachet’s, make peace and go on to produce some of the best radio in Chicago.
I think that Roe and Company are doing a fine job. Personally, I enjoy the show when he goes on a rant, and I do like when he and Ron Magers interact. Its almost like a father and son.
That being said, I discovered Roe about 5 years ago, and I would not listen to anything other than silence if he were to go away. I believe he is one of the smartest and well informed people one will ever be exposed to. His love for the city is truly second only to Mayor Daley. Yes he may be more conservative than others, but he is not the doom and gloom of Hannity, nor the I am superior attitude of Rush.
He and Jim are great, and I think that if Amy moves forwardwith life in general, stops playing the poor poor pitiful me cards, (there are only 52 in the deck!) and steps up to interact with the king, I think we will all be pleasantly surprised!
What about me …Bruce Wolf. I heard Bruce on the SCORE a few weekends back. A brilliant sports authority that has more sports knowledge in the left pocket of his talis that most people have in their whole body.
When Roe was with Gary I’d listen to the whole show. Now, you can tell Roe blows his load during the first hour, then, after Magers does his two, 6-minute segments, Roe is out of gas… so, for me it’s 5-11 Stern, 11-1 Rush, 1-2 Gary, 2-3:30 Roe, 3:30 -4 Gary.
P.S. I also fit in the Dahlcast! I can’t forget Stever!!! :-)
The grand majority of folks who still listen to WLS (or AM radio for that matter) will loose their hearing inside of a decade, anyway. If Roe wants to be relevant, he should move on.
I thought the Roe & Mike North Combo hilarious. My sides were hurting from laughter. I find Roe and Rogers very very boring. Ron is not funny nor elightening.
Ironically, Bruce Wolf spent a few days on the Roe Conn Show (much similar to what Mike North just did), not long prior to the addition of Bill Leff.
I’m old. I remember Roe as Don Vogel’s producer. Don Vogel was funny and not mean to anybody. I liked that. I also liked the “maam-charge” joke. But like I said, I’m old.
I was a regular listener of Roe & Garry, and was a very vocal supporter when they went on “strike”. I initially sided with Roe in his decision that ended their partnership, but soon realized that he was much more interested in promoting Roe Conn than continuing the relationship. Then he showed up on Glenn Beck’s show. A lot. And without the buffer of the very “middle of the road” Meier, he went the way of every other WLS show and started kissing up to the right wingnuts. What a shame. I do tune in every once in awhile at 3:00 to catch Ron, but otherwise, I never frequent that station anymore.
I just hope the suits at WGN come to their senses before there’s no turning back, as they’re already parroting WLS in content and even personalities. They’ve come very close to losing this listener as well.
WOW…is everyone hearing the same stuff I am?? The show ceased to be listenable after Meier left. Conn has become nothing but loud, obnoxious, stupid, and the ONLY time beginning at 4am that I have to turn something else on…WGN and Meier to be exact. And while Gary is bland at best, I can tolerate him!
Someone else on here said it best. Put those two together again…and I’m there!!
Roe needs some personnel changes big time. Dump Amy Jacobson and Jim Johnson. Hire ANNE MAXFIELD. It would be great to hear on Chicago Radio.
Actually I wish he *would* leave WLS so I would no longer have to put up with commercials for their ranting and raving lunatic “hosts.” Roe started back before WLS became a right-wing mouthpiece, and he is the only reason I can stomach tuning in to that station anymore…it would be nice if I no longer had to go near it ever again!
I used to make sure that I was listenting to Roe, Jim, Bill, and Christina every single day. I never missed a show. These days I barely turn it on. The thought of Amy Jacobson’s voice makes me crazy. She is the worst – not funny and always trying to act like she is a serious reporter. When she is off the show I will tune back in.
Roe & Garry — the best. Roe & Bill Leff — 2nd best (could have been great if an equal on-air partnership). Used to listen until 3:00. Exactly what does Ron Magers contribute other than teasing the ABC News headlines? — yawn.
Amy — puhleeze — so over her pity party. I clicked off WLS in September. Don’t miss it! Good luck, Roe. Hope the Roe Report will open some opportunities for you . . .
Was wondering what the h*** was going on with Conn’s show. Agree with Julie except for the criticism of the Ron Magers segment (the Norma Jean the elephant bit was one of the funniest things I’ve heard on radio). Amy Jacobson on TV reminded me of Glenn Close in “Fatal Attraction” (I will NOT be ignored!) but she was just obnoxious on radio. Guess she boiled Roe’s radio bunny. Pending “improvements” brought to you by the nitwits who put ex-gov. Blag-hole on the air. Face it, Roe, it’s over, done, kaput.
Ok I have read all the comments and somewhat agree with many of them. The Roe cycle is similiar to all the other big personalities in radio. Big local show goes national to some extent and the local show loses its way. Roe does need a partner, and although I enjoyed the Gary days, I also enjoyed the Jim Johnson, Christina times. Roe became too holywood…not unlike Brandmeier etc.
I couldnt stand Bill Left and the Cisco Roe show was getting a little better but now with Mancow launched, Cisco will get his own show again so where does that leave the Roe show? Now Ron is back on the show and although he was around for the good ratings I dont find his contribution will mean anything to the show. I find myself listening to Gary a bit now as the Roe show trys to find its way. Roe also has a bad habit of bringing back the same local favorite guys. If I hear “vehicle” again from that Peteric (spelling) guy I am going to scream. This is Chicago, big market, we dont need a national slant. We need a Chicago show. The market is there for the taking, hopefully someone can get their act together. The Amy Jacobsen hire irritated me. I was happy when Christina came back and then she disappears for Amy?…Not a good move.