WGN Radio rolls out welcome mat for Johnny B.
Johnny B. on the loose
In the closing moments of Jonathon Brandmeier’s now-famous music video screed, “Johnny B.: The Unemployed Radio Mo Fo,” there’s a shot of him in front of Tribune Tower holding a sign that says: “WILL WORK . . . for a million dollars” (followed by a 12-letter epithet). Could that turn out to be a prophecy come true?
Adding high-octane fuel to speculation that Johnny B. might indeed be headed for WGN-AM (720), the veteran Chicago radio personality was spotted being given a grand tour of the Tribune Co.-owned news/talk station Saturday by program director Kevin “Pig Virus” Metheny.
While no formal offer has been made, sources said, Brandmeier’s personal inspection of the studios and facilities — in full view of numerous staffers — was the surest sign yet of WGN’s interest in hiring him. Adding Brandmeier is seen as a way to re-energize the station’s lineup — particularly in mornings, where newcomer Greg Jarrett has been struggling to fit in since June. Middays and afternoons also are possibilities, although frequent preemptions for Cubs baseball broadcasts make those options appear less likely for Brandmeier.
It’s not the first time WGN executives have expressed interest in the funnyman from Fond du Lac, but talks appear to have progressed farther this time than ever before. Tom Langmyer, vice president and general manager of WGN, is known to be a fan and admirer.
Brandmeier, 53, has been weighing his options since Nov. 30, when he was abruptly dropped after four years as morning personality at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9). He still had three months left on his million-dollar contract when cash-strapped Emmis Communications chose not to renew the deal. His high-energy comedy/talk “showgram” was replaced by a music-intensive morning show hosted by John “Byrd” Kempf.
A fixture on the Chicago radio scene for nearly three decades, Brandmeier’s star shined brightest during his initial run on the Loop from 1983 to 1997. At WGN, he’d find some familiar faces from that era, including his former producer and right hand, Jimmy “Bud” Wiser, and midday host Garry Meier.
18
01 2010
blogs.vocalo.org
So, if Johnny B was hired at GN, he might do mornings to relieve Greg Jarett of disaster of a morning show? GJ adds nothing to anything he talks about. I could do that damn show. All I’d have to do is read the AP wires word for word and interrupt myself for traffic and weather every 7 seconds.
I’m doubtful that a GN morning audience would like Johnny B.
But Greg Jarrett would probably sound better in the PM, where at least he wouldn’t be on everyday.
I think this would be a good fit, tho it might be hard to get JB fans to jump over to AM. Still it’s smart of WGN to court him. We’re all 20 years older, (I still recall Steve Dahl prophetically saying during his Wally Phillips-bashing days that he knew that one day he’d be getting bashed by the next wave of younger radio talent). The only prob I would foresee with an AM drive slot is the same predicament that befell Kevin Matthews ages ago: too many breaks for news/weather/traffic during the slot to actually get any momentum going, however JB has the AM experience and can make it work.
Good luck to all involved!
I agree with Thelowedown. I don’t see the general GN audience taking much to Johnny B.
gentleman, what ‘gn audience ? the days of wally ,roy, bill berg and uncle bobby are long gone…why not blow it up and bring in a guy who truly loves and knows chicago. brandmeier is smart, quick and his energy is contagious, the sooner the better i say…chicago needs and deserves the worlds greatest wake up call, Johhny B !
You know what… I would be ok with them putting Jarrett on in the afternoon after 4 p.m. And you know why? One, I am at the gym at the time… second, if I do have to listen to the radio at that time, I at least have B&B, Afternoon Saloon, and at the very least, Roe and Cisco. The options in the morning are limited.
what about me?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/blogshakalaka
“three-dog weekend, and this just in…”
as for this post, jonathon b., as he’s affectionately known by no one, has been there, done that. but will he ever “make it with linda yu”?
my folks (ma in 70’s, pa in 90’s) have listened to gn pretty much their whole life….i hope johnny bee does do a show there cause i’d love to see how they react…
Brandmeier made the people of Bangladesh forget they were hungry.
Johnny B at GN replacing Greg Jarett, I’d buy that. Jarett is so awkward, its painful to listen to. Not sure how Johnny B would do having to cut his bits into 6 min timeslots. That may be painful too. But Johnny B at GN would have to have Archie and Edith, I mean Don and Roma, worried. It would bring me back.
Less reason for me to lisen to WGN Radio. I am sick of Gary Meier, the Frenchman, Gerry Agar, and Gary Meier. If I wanted to listen to them I would listen to WLS. let’s not make WGN the same as the Tonight Show
Thank you for coming back Robert. You were the only reason I ever bought the Times.
Well if he does go to WGN it’s official: Johnny B is old and should change his on-airname to Jonathan. LAME.
“It’s over Johnny…”
Mancow still does his “Morning Madhouse” in syndication but in Chicago he’s reinvented himself (with the help of poor Pat Cassidy) on WLS-AM. I don’t think he’s setting the local radio ratings on fire (hey, it’s 9-11am) but it’s something I’m sure WGN has watched with interest. Question is whether Johnny will adapt to the station. Doubtful. Mancow is a political junkie so he fits in somewhat in the WLS format. Johnny is so not WGN. 75 year old “Madge from Orland Park” will jump out of her Dearfoams the first time she hears “Eat Me!”
Game over for WGN. They have completely lost any connection with their audience and going for the younger demographic has killed their core. If they are seriously thinking about Brandmeier, they may as well get Mancow and be done with it. Blow the whole place up and start all over. If they are going in that direction, they may as well dump the Cubs and Northwestern, as well as the Hawks because they can’t be edgy radio and sports radio together.
The problem with WGN is that they always tried to be all things to all people. It worked for a long time. Most of the reason that it worked was that they had the right mix of personalities. While the personalities weren’t always Chicago in origin, they came to be seen as Chicago personalities or simply were compelling enough to listen to, that you wouldn’t turn the dial.
What they need to do is make a decision about what kind of radio station they want to be. They need to figure their brand and go with it. If they want edgy, then lead with Johnny B and Garry Meier. Dump Dr. Milt and Steve and Johnny and the farm and agribusiness reports, as well as sports. If they want the Chicago brand, get rid of Jarrett and feature Bob Sirott and Nick D.
The bigger problem is that WGN simply has too many personalities. They are incredibly inefficient as a business. There are a ton of one and two hour slots and they have big dollars in three hour slots. That means they have little continuity and little opportunity for the audience to get to know the personalities. If I’m running the place, I slot it morning drive (5am to 9am), morning (9am to 1pm), afternoon (1pm to 4pm), afternoon drive (4pm to 8pm, sports (8pm to midnight) and overnight (midnight to 5am). The afternoon and sports guys know that they are hosed during baseball season. The afternoon person is your new talent. Mornings is where you put your John Williams interviewer. The thing that WGN is missing with Jarrett is someone who “gets” Chicago and can make you laugh. If I want dull commentary, I’ll listen to WBBM. He’s a dud and after all these failed experiments, WGN management needs to be jettisoned.
Thanks for the Insite Mr. Feder. This is a great site that I go to every day to hear the ins and outs of Chicago media. Thank you!
Thirty-somethings, like me, represent the future audience of WGN. I grew up listing to the likes of Johnny B. and Garry Meier. The future of WGN is the past of WLS; i.e., local broadcasters who put a smile on your face and who were not pushing a political addenda.
*agenda
Still DUMPSTER DIVING through the detritus of Chicago radio, eh Piggy?
I repeat, if you want edgy radio, bring back LARRY “I’m on The Scene Live (from My Living Room) SHRYE-NERR!” To afford him, you dump the news room expendables like Simple Steve and Devastatingly Dull Dave at City Hall. Edgy, Piggy, they are not. But Larry, oh man. Larry can take a simple car crash and turn it into a CATASTROPHE, sort of like what you’re doing with the radio station, so you should be able to relate. You’ll like him.
Then, in a second masterful stroke of genius, you replace the morning news anchor with She Who Wore the Bikini and Cavorted in the Wife Murderer’s Pool. You put her on early in the morning so, if you’re lucky, she’ll show up some days fresh from partying the night before. Those news scripts will never sound better.
You can’t pay for great advice like this.
WGN has something going for it. It’s all local….and live. 20 years ago that was the norm for many radio stations. Today that makes it very unique.
Once again, WGN, putting Brandmeier in the morning should boost your ratings considerably, if you give him an opportunity for some freedom. The days of Wally, Bob, and Roy are over, unfortuantely, and you have to deal with a new demographic in listeners. Yes, I am 59 and feel “our generation”, has been totally dissed in the last few years with station and salary reductions. While those guys mentioned previously, were the backbone of “GN”, it’s not that way anymore. Hiring Garry Meier was a plus, Steve Cochran is good in the afternoon, but Johnny is the best thing that could happen in the mornings. It is time to realize that the old demographic of “GN” is now the new one for the baby boomers – Their Wally, is now our Brandmeier, or someone who brings us fun in drive time (sorry, JB, don’t mean to compare you with WP, just trying to get a point across)
Thanks for this very exciting news.
WGN is the best fit for Johnny. Forget what you know as the audience at WGN. If they wanted status quo they would have resigned Kathy & Judy. They want to get younger and with guys like Johnny and the rest of the moves they are making, paired with the right marketing WGN can own the 25-54 demo once again.
you take the head of johnny b. then you reanimate the corpse of wgn. IT’S ALLLLIIIVVE!!!! during the 60’s 70’s and 80’s, when my parents were in their 40’s 50’s and 60’s, they listened to wally and uncle bobby, it’s only natural that us baby boomers, who are now becoming retirees and grandparents, would gravitate to “our parents station”, how ironic, wgn needs to make a bold move like this to change with the times, better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all
Isn’t Steve Cochran’s contract up in March? Give that slot to Brandmeier, with Garry Meier as a lead-in. The KEY is to lose Jarrett & get Sirott to do morning drive–he’s smooth as silk & he’s Chicago. Johnny B. is way too manic for my 50-something tastes that early. This ain’t 1978 with the Insane Coho Lips (I know, that was Dahl, just makin’ a point.)
I agree with putting John Williams back in the mornings, or Bob Sirott. They and Orion, Milt and Steve and Johnny are all that is left of the great WGN that appealed to all ages for so many years. All of the rest of the people are JUNK. and if WGN gets more JUNK they will lose a faithful listener for almost 50 years…way back when I was a pre-teen.
My advice is to give Morning Drive to Johnny B. What a brilliant move that would be. And yes he could attract the old and crusty crowd. Hell I’m 66 and I think he’s a hoot! Greg Jarrett is dull, not “Chicago,” and just doesn’t connect with me, Johnny B. does.
WGN does need to can the Frenchman and Jerry A. Their political haranguing causes me to turn the dial.
John Williams and Steve Cochran are brilliant and funny. Please don’t touch either one.
Do something better with Nick Digilio. He really connects with his audience. This guy is WGN’s hidden treasure.
I am indifferent to Steve and Johnny. However, I am really growing tired of their continuing pissing and moaning about their Ciliac’s disease. And please dropped all the guitar talk.
WGN, like Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, is an institution, and while the memories of Wally, Sugar Roy, and Franklyn MacCormack are all part of its legacy, it may be time to move the station forward and add Johnny to the lineup. Two observations about that:
First, since the audience of WGN currently is so small and old, Johnny could play all his old bits from the last 30 years and nobody listening will know they are reruns. Might want to remove all the Jane Byrne and Bill Buckner references though.
Secondly, Johnny was at his best when he had a hot babe working with him. Who can forget those glory days with now TV Superstar Robin Baumgarten or the fabulous Dorothy Humphrey? I propose Johnny be paired with the modern day Seka, the semi-lovely Melissa Forman. Think of it, Johnny and Melissa (I personally would prefer Melissa and Johnny) in the morning! Mr. Pig Vomit, it should make you quiver, and not as in Robin Quivers.
Johnny and Melissa. And maybe some leisure suits. Let’s go!
Please just bring him back somewhere!
I am stuck listening to Raw Dog on XM Radio. If i have to listen to one more debt consolidation or penis enlargement commercial I’m going to kill someone.
Who cares? Let’s wad up all our panties over something important. Something *I* freakin’ care about!!!!! CNN’S RICK SANCHEZ SUCKS. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Blog about palamino Bob!
Rob Feder,
You have to admit that this is much more fun than your Sun-Times column – instant feedback. You used to respond every few weeks, now you have it in an instant!!. Would be great to hear your responses to ours
You’re right, Tom. It’s terrific.
Rob,
Johnny B sucks and so does WGN… Pig Vomit at WGN how appropriate.
I so hope Johnny B goes to WGN. The Loop has not been the same since he left. Now, they just play musical DJ’s and don’t even bother having extra people to cover vacations when somebody is off – they just move Pete off evenings for coverage or use the computer. It is worse than Jack FM. Just a computer running what was once an illustrious rock station in Chicago during many hours. Today, there were no jocks at all during the times I tried to listen…unbelievable. Johnny was smart to jump ship. WGN can attract new listeners with the addition of Johnny B. Johnny and Garry on the same station are going to resonate with listeners who miss some of the veterans who are no longer on the air because of budget cuts in this town. Hope WGN hires him, soon.
Rob Feder
Somebody mentioned WGN’s ratings and share in one of the earlier comments. One of the things you did almost religiously at the Times was publish the rating and share numbers. Any plans to do the same here?
Once again, really glad to have you back.
If Johnny B wants to do well on WGN, I recommend he give away door chimes, panty hose and dinner at Mama Luigi’s to callers, and remember that it’s about people helping people.
Wally & Uncle Bobby are turning, wherever they are. And much of their demographic is with them. Life moves on, and it’s the year 2010.
There has to be a home for radio personalities that appeal to today’s old people; personalities like Johnny B, Bob Sirott, Garry Meier. Even perhaps a Steve Dahl, or a weekend shift for Tommy Edwards and our charming & delightful ‘ol Uncle Lar.
If that home is WGN, great. Young punks have rolled their eyes at the mention of WGN for generations. Nowadays, I find karma can be a bit@#!
JB gave away everything from odorless toilets to live lobsters.
“Paying It Forward” is the new “people helping people.”
WGN was a class station. Gary Meier took that down a notch. Johnny B brings it down more.
While I do feel that JB was at his best and unrestricted on the Loop, if you listened close he could always get big name guests, including pol’s. He conducted fast paced and interesting interviews. While GN may not offer the freedom he enjoyed, it would be an AM powerhouse to spread him across the Midwest and his many existing and new fans. The bottom line is Johnny is Chicago and that’s what GN claims to be! GJ was just cast away filler from the West Coast with no ties here. Good luck to Johnny wherever he ends up! I can’t wait for his return, mornings are so boring now! WLUP you lost the best!
WGN apparently uses the same programming model as the 3 major TV networks, which means it is a virtual certainty that nothing innovative or fresh will ever appear there. And at this point, Johnny B isn’t edgy. I tried to go back with him after the LA experiment ended and it did not work for me. Johnny B at that point was like a “fake” McDonald’s milkshake — made from a pre-formulated mix and inflated with 30% air, while I had moved on (or gone back) to real ice cream shakes made at Oberweis or Steak & Shake.
That said, there’s no shortage of weak radio talent on the air these days. Riddle me this, Joker — How is it that the somewhat unique perspectives of broadcasters like Laura Ingraham, Steve Dahl, Deborah Rowe and Larry Elder have all vanished (or been significantly demoted) from Chicago airwaves while guys like Greg Jarrett, Mike Gallagher and newsman Jim Johnson still have regular employment?
Johnny B is back! Let’s really bring it on…..Buzz where are you? Steve……Garry is there waiting to hook up and Mr. one and only Chet “Cit Chat Coppock” ……your book is great and your time has come to make this one Grand Finale!
Can you imagine this line up….The resurection of a Chicago institution…….A real loopapalooza!
Coppock, bring it on!
Wayne Allen?…Hmmmmmmmmmmm……back again too?
Hurry back, Johnny B. Morinings are not the same without you!!!
Are you choking?
I am looking forward to listening to WGN for the first time in a long time if Johnny comes aboard.
I too will give JB a chance on GN. Not a fan of the AM dial unless I want instant weather and traffic, but have missed JB dearly in the morning drive. Just hope he is on during my commute. He is unique and one of a kind left from all the guys I loved (all the ones mentioned and don’t forget Kevin Matthews). But the comedy is lost on many of the current listeners I fear. Can’t wait!! And YES!! I AM CHOKING!!!
Couldn’t agree more with some of the latest posts, but must admit that when I made similar comments, was categorized as a “Loop” junkie who was after Lorelai – nothing farther from the truth. Only was trying to get the program managers in Chicago to “wake up”. We love what you gave us, and then took it all away. If it weren’t for Eric and Kathy (Melissa, too) Chicago radio would be a total wasteland.
Don’t forget us 60 somethings who grew up with gn and wind and WLS when it was great. don’t take the last bit ofour radio away. Keey Steve and johnnie, Greg and John and Milt and get rid of the rest of the junk
WGN is still there? Um, lets see, switch to AM, tune to about 700, oh! I cant beleive it. I havent listened to AM since WCPT started simulcasting on FM. Why dont they give the AM band to the ham radio guys? Now that digital TV is here the FM band should add the 76-88 area where channels 5 & 6 used to be. Anyway, I listen mainly to NPR.
The Hyperooster on WGN was a 4 letter word 10 years ago. But today, sounds good and it seems right. Go for it, Johnny!
Oh yeah, one more thing Brandmeier:
Eat me
I hope that Johnny B was at WGN just to pick up Gary Meier so they both could ride off into the sunset together.
Don’t know about JB in the AM slot (still have a feeling that Mr. and Mrs. Sirott will end up owning it) but PLEASE somebody give Nick Digilio more air time!
I still hunger, Hoover. Suppose you make fun of Haiti, too? I be Haiti2 in March, God willing. But I got melonoma trying to look like light-skinned black with no Negro dialect. You should meet Linda Yu sister, Scru Yu. She like Linda, only not like Linda. She look more like Theresa Guitierrez if Theresa not Haiti9 and get hit with slap shot and four-iron from Giangreco and Taft, disrespectfully. I leave message for Amy Jacobson to meet me at Nine at 10 in bikini. And Walter Jacobson drive through window of 10-Pin at 9 in bikini. Moral of story: Be careful what you wish for. And put on glasses before drunk dialing. Come back to Chicago Johnny B so I have reason to get up in morning!
I never liked Johnny B and I was in the demographic he was appealing to. He would be a terrible fit at the once great WGN. Uncle Bobby and Wally must be rolling over in their graves.
Johnny, come on back! But PLEEEEEEAZZZZZE try something with a different band of flunkies: No more Buzz, no more Bruce Wolf, or Dorothy Humphrey.
If you can’t come back, why not a fun Johnny & The Leisure Suits show at the Beverly Art Center?
For all those saying that WGN won’t be a good fit for Johnny, you can’t prove that yet. This is a new experience for WGN, and unlike the Loop, the management seems to approve of him. I bet they’ll make some changes to accommodate JB.
Amen if this is true….Johnny B would shake it up in the am. Please keep Cocharan, Meier and Sirott….jettison Steve and Johnny. Felix…you’re out of touch….Patrick had it right. Nicl Digilio is the hiddent treasure of 720 am. Let’s make this happen now!
You may think I am out of touch, but I know what I like, and I will be one of those that stop listening if they get any more idiots on like Gary, Jerry Agar, and that stupid frenchman….They are all irratation
A moment of silence please for Peter Kalantzis, aka ‘Spiro the Greek American Hero’. He passed away at age 36. Love you Pete!
I am a JB fan, so as long as I can listen to him somewhere I am happy (AM, Satellite, whatever). I just can’t stand these lame radio shows for the morning drive…painful! As if traffic isn’t bad enough, can we get some relief? Give me something good to listen to! Go get ‘em, Johnny. Whereever you go…I will follow.
I am very sad to hear about Peter Kalantzis. I was looking forward to meeting him one day. RIP Spiro. I loved you.
Hope he can handle Pig Virus the same way that Howard Stern did!
The thought of Brandmeier makes me… yawn. As someone pointed out above, WGN is acting like the cheapest, losingest team in baseball with their dumpster diving– to mix metaphors.
I’m in my 30s. But for me, aging shock jocks aren’t going to get me to tune back to a station that I deprogrammed from my presets last year. Tired schtick won’t invigorate a thing.
WGN management needs to be replaced. Now. They have no clue. Foundering.
And, yes, I agree with previous posters– the absolute best thing about WGN currently is Nick Digilio. Why he’s relegated to weekend latenights only (not even replacement material any longer, apparently) is a mystery to me. He’s funny and fast, considered cool by my younger brother’s friends in their 20s as well as by my older pals, a terrific interviewer, and as Chicago as they come. Give him a more visible and permanent slot, and I’ll tune in a lot more often!
Damnit WGN – LET’S MAKE THIS HAPPEN SOON – Mornings haven’t been the same without Brandy – Here’s to you “Hyper Rooster” and hopefully your TRIUMPHANT return to the local airwaves of Chicago SOON.!! Peace and ROCK ON!
GN has to evolve. The notion of WGN 15 years ago? 2010? absurd. Makes sense, the likes of Johnny B, Dahl, Meier all ending up there. Would be amazing to have AM1000 20 years later. We’re all in GNs demo now folks. Hard to face… I know.
Jimmy Bud hung up on me!
Do you think Johnny will Play the Cubs Still Suck on WGN?
OMG are you people still interested in the crap on local radio?!?!?….GET SIRIUS/XM!!!…..HOWARD STERN is the greatest & all of the personalities on Howard 100 & Howard 101 & Jason Ellis WHO IS THE FUTURE OF RADIO on Sirius faction 28 are a million times better than anything terrestrial radio has to offer with it’s 6-10 minute commercial breaks…those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about have successfully been CONNED by the colluding Chicago radio stations & programmers…just look at the local radio personalities on all of the stations & you will have to admit that you actually hate about 95% of them because they are cheesy & horrible…one major example of that is B96 having those idiots “Eddie & Jobo” on their air for decades…talk about dumbing down radio & they are just 2 of the MANY morons who actually got jobs on the radio in this town….I’m just thankful that FINALLY we have choice to get Sirius or to simply use my ipod or iphone & I’m not trapped listening to “Johnny B” or any of the other lame on air personalities that are peddled to us by the likes of “pig virus”.
Howard Stern is a funny man, and probably a genius in terms the business of radio and media. He is also a fine interviewer, getting better over the years. Noone would dispute that Howard is perhaps the most successful radio guy in history. But does that make him the best? Is American Idol the “best” show on TV because of it’s ratings?
While I find Stern’s show very funny, sometimes it sounds like a little clique of 13 year olds talking he said she said. A casual listener would have no idea what they are even talking about half the time. Plus Howard spends an awful lot of time talking about himsel. I submit here, on the venerable blog of Robert Feder that I have never heard Mr. Stern run a show like that of Jonathon Brandmeier. I have never heard Stern match Johnny in terms of pacing, great interviews, rapid fire use of sound bytes, live calls, vmails, emails, listener song parodies, local bands, unpredictability, and lack of self-reference.
So to biggybob, I say this: go back to your satellite radio, listen to Howard Stern 24/7 and enjoy. But please refrain from calling Johnny B lame because if you do, I will tell my wife and she will be very upset. Actually…she won’t care, but that’s a separate issue. ;)
hey Squirehogg I really appreciate your opinion on Howard but in my opinion there is no such thing as a “casual” listener in the world of Stern fans, I often find that people who criticize Stern have actually NEVER listened to the show or have only listened to a few minutes of the show. I on the other hand listened to Johnny B for most of the 80s so when I say he is lame it’s because he has BECOME LAME after selling out to lame terrestrial stations ran by people like “pig virus” over the years, actually I think that Johnny B would be kinda great uncensored on satellite radio & as I said before Chicago radio is just like most things in Chicago it is corrupt & they collude to keep certain elements of the air which makes it all VERY LAME & it doesn’t matter if it’s urban radio or rock radio or even oldies just look at how those stations are ran & the same old personalities…it’s sad when they have a “new” personalities on a station who sounds exactly like the person they replaced but they are just being paid substantially less to play more commercials than music…..to anyone who doubts what I’m saying is true go to sirius.com & try the free 3 day trial & listen to stern & commercial free music all uncensored & you will see what I’m talking about…if you are a fan of radio you will see it is a great investment because terrestrial radio is free & guess what, you are getting what you pay for…also is it really “free” when your time is spent listening to endless commercials???….you are paying with the most precious thing we have in life & that is your time.
Johnny B would certainly be better than Jarrett. Jarrett tried to study up on Chicago, but his show is just flat. I sometimes feel he’s just trying to show how much he’s learned about Chicago and what a smart guy he is. Not really an authentic voice, though he made a valiant effort to fit. For years, I’ve thought Nick D. is the best thing going on ‘GN. Fresh voice, not establishment, but knows where to draw the line when he has to. I’m currently irked with ‘GN. I can’t stand some of the new talent. Agar’s voice is grating and his politics are too extreme. If I want that, I’ll tune to WIND or flip on FOX News. And there’s been a guy covering for Steve and Johnnie this week that made me turn the dial, and I always listen to part of the overnight show. Edgy voice, bad content. I don’t want programming on overnights that is annoying. S & J may be predictable, but at least they’ve got some good content and some interesting perspectives and guests. One high point in the new talent is Brian Noonan. He’s a sweet guy and very funny and original. Suffice it to say I’m relieved when I hear his voice in the middle of the night, and not one of the edgy shrill guys that seem to be cycling through the line up.
Things sure ain’t what they used to be! When I was a little Konehead listening to “The Loop”, I never imagined that Chicago radio would get to be this disappointing! We had the best! They inspired and entertained! Personalities could have personality! We were all part of “the club”! Now the leashes are too short, and the audience is being treated like we are mindless children. That’s why I subscribed to Sirius. I really enjoy laughing along and learning with Howard Stern every day. The only “Chicago radio” I regularly listen to anymore is Those Were the Days (Sat. 1-5 p.m. WDCB 90.9 FM) and Blaze Radio, a hard rock/metal show (also on WDCB Sunday night/Monday morning, midnight until 4 a.m.). Yes, Jack Benny and Metallica on the same station- who’d a thunk it! – but that’s what makes WDCB so great. I guess it’s no coincidence that I support both of my favorite radio outlets either by pledging (WDCB is Public Radio) or by paying my subscription (Sirius). Ya get what ya pay for. Maybe Sirius needs to have a “Chicago Recent-Nostalgia” channel and hire people such as Johnny B. and Garry Meier. Hmmm… My fingertips are tingling with excitement at that thought!
Johnny was a “Funnyman”? When?
Thank you for this,Mr.Feder.
Is anyone at WGN management listening? Like a couple previous comments, I, too, say Nick is your hidden treasure. Put him on more. He has a huge following and every weekend his shows get preempted by Hawks/Cubs. Steve and Johnny were gone last week and that BORING Laskey was on. Where is Nick? He’s suppose to fill in. I was disappointed when he didn’t get a day job after 20 years, but at least put him on more for fill in. And I also agree with others, get rid of the Frenchman, Agar, and again, Laskey. Get some continutity with our Chicago station and stop jumping around so much with personalities. I have never turned on and then off WGN so much since I started listening over 20 years ago. P.S. Kathy and Judy – MISS YOU!!!!!!!
Mornings aren’t the same, come on back Johnny! Love you and impatiently waiting for a call back from Gino.
JB will fit in fine at WGN. The Sixties Cultural Revolution(sex, drugs, rock n’
roll, down with authority, etc.) was launched way back in 1965. Cultural Marxism has been the de facto state religion of the US for about a generation.
By now, even the nonagenarians are accustomed to “transgressiveness”-even if they’ve never heard of it.
I’ll never listen to WGN again!
JB phone home. JB Phone Hooooooooooooooome??
I say they get Kev to come back and be “Eddie” for the overnights…Kiddo!!
Jonny B. go to Sirius and replace Howard Stern
There’s enough room on satellite radio for Johnny B and Howard Stern – something for everyone!
JB can go to Sirius but he could NEVER “replace” Howard Stern…JB was a funny guy…in 1986!!!….Stern is STILL THE MAN!!! & Jason Ellis is the FUTURE!!!….too many folks in this town got used to hearing LAME radio & if the did finally get Sirius it would be culture shock…Bubba & Ferral used to work in this town & now they are a million times better unleashed on Sirius/XM & maybe JB can resurrect his career on Sirius/XM but one guy who couldn’t is Mancow, he has always been as phony & fake as that other loser Mike North….North & Mancow are 2 prime examples of how lame Chicago radio has been because those 2 no talent hacks made millions in this town which baffles the mind…much like people who live in trailer parks voting republican not realizing that they are wasting their voting privilege on a party who flat out lies to them & doesn’t care about them at all…listeners of North & the cow never got the fact that they were being duped & not coming close to being entertained because it was all blowing smoke…hey a sucker is born every minute & if that was not true Chicago radio & Chicago politics along with Cicero politics would be totally different, I mention Cicero because that is a whole town of suckers who constantly vote in the most openly corrupt, racist politicians known to man & have done so for 70 years…ok I am all over the place but I needed to be just to get my point across….GET SIRUIS/XM PEOPLE!!!….REAL ENTERTAINMENT!!
Just keephim away from WGN. WGN is already messed up enough
WGN Sucks! At that station he will be known as Blandmeier.