WIND’s Big John Howell vows to keep turning right
Big John Howell acknowledged Monday that he was blindsided by the defection of his radio partner, and he promised listeners that he would not eliminate “true-blue, right-wing conservative thought” from his morning show on Salem Communications news/talk WIND-AM (560).
It marked Howell’s first public comment since news broke here Dec. 18 that Cisco Cotto had quit after three years at the station to return to Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890) and join Roe Conn’s afternoon show as co-host.
Howell told listeners he learned of Cotto’s move in a call from WIND program director Marcus Brown late Dec. 17. Although Salem believed it had reached agreement on a renewal with Cotto, the contract had not yet been signed, Howell said. That opened the door for WLS, which offered Cotto a more lucrative two-year deal. “I wish him the very, very best,” Howell said of his former partner. “I have nothing but the best feelings for him. I think he’s a great guy and a real talent, and I look forward to watching his career progress, and I’m going to miss him here.”
Salem has begun lining up off-air auditions to replace Cotto, who was the more staunchly conservative of the duo. Howell said he has heard from “a variety of really interesting people” about filling the job and expects a new co-host to be named within “a couple of weeks,” adding:
“Until that time, I would like to tell you true-blue conservatives out there — and I know that you consider me to be a dirty moderate — well, you are needed more than ever on this program to tell me where I’m wrong, what I should be thinking of, what I’m missing. I certainly do not intend on eliminating true-blue, right-wing conservative thought from this program. That would be extremely foolish of me. And I consider myself to be a conservative anyway. You might not. But I consider myself to be conservative. So with that in mind, I intend on being informative, interesting, hopefully entertaining, being funny without being vulgar, being funny without being juvenile. And I look forward to your participation and your continued help in building this show and rebuilding this show and moving it on down the line.”
At least in terms of ratings, Howell and his new partner will have their work cut out for them. Arbitron figures for December show WIND ranked 29th in mornings with a 1.0 percent share of all listeners. Among adults between the ages of 25 and 54, it’s tied for 35th with a 0.5 share.
Cotto had been expected to debut Monday on Conn’s show, but a paperwork delay shifted his on-air start to sometime later in the week, according to Mike Fowler, president and general manager of WLS. On his website Monday, Cotto wrote:
“Within a few days I’ll be back at AM 890 WLS. I’ll be on the radio from 2-6 weekday afternoons (right after Rush) with Roe Conn. I worked at WLS for six years previously and am very excited to be heading back there. For those folks who have allowed me to wake them up on my most recent radio home, please know I wrestled with this decision specifically because of you. Your loyalty and friendship mean more than I can express. I hope you’ll follow me back to WLS.”
Elsewhere on the media beat:
- In what may be a first for Chicago television, three members of the same family anchored newscasts on the same night for three different stations: Last Saturday saw Karen Jordan at 5 and 10 p.m. on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7; her husband, Christian Farr, (filling in for Lisa Parker) at 5 and 10 p.m. on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5; and Jordan’s father, Robert Jordan, at 9 p.m. on Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9. How’s that for a triple play?
- The Sun-Times lagged hours behind the Tribune in reporting the death Sunday of legendary former Sun-Times sports columnist Bill Gleason. But the Bright One made up for it Monday with beautiful tributes by Rick Telander and Jim O’Donnell. Telander worked with Gleason on “The Sports Writers on TV,” which began locally and later aired in national syndication. Gleason pioneered the concept of sports/talk on radio in 1975 with the original “Sportswriters” roundtable on Tribune-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720).
- The Tribune is raising its Monday-through-Saturday newsstand price to $1, effective Jan. 18. Think that’ll help boost circulation? (The Sun-Times says its price will remain at 75 cents.)
- “Countdown Chicago 2010,” the New Year’s Eve special on Channel 7, pretty much was a train wreck from both a technical and a creative standpoint. As scores of astute comments to this blog attest, it’s time to rethink the concept from top to bottom. Local television bosses have no excuses for next year.
- Hailed as Man of the Month in the new issue of Today’s Chicago Woman is Erich Mancow Muller, who doubles as a nationally syndicated morning personality and midday talk host on WLS. “In this world of politically correct sheeple [sheep-people], where we’re like lemmings running off a cliff and everyone must agree on everything, some consider me shocking,” he says. “I’m not a shock jock; I tell it like it is. I never say things to be shocking.”
- On a personal note, I’d like to welcome three new bloggers to the Vocalo.org family: Starting Monday, Lee Bey, an old pal and former Sun-Times colleague, will write about architecture, “Hungry Hound” Steve Dolinsky will write about food, and author Amy Krouse Rosenthal will write about creative inspiration. It’ll be nice to have a little company around these parts.
blogs.vocalo.org
Very strange portrait of Mancow in TCW. According to the author Katie Schroeder, Mancow`s show airs daily on WLS from 530-10am. How do you screw that up? How long have Don and Roma held morning drive on the Big 89?
what about me?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/blogshakalaka
um, haven’t posted anything new because i was too busy reading comments about me after your post yesterday, including a mocking one from eric zorn, someone i will always be grateful to because he wrote a long piece about me (the lawyer/sportscaster) in the tribune years ago, which led to a sports illustrated piece about me, which led to not one but two channel 7 stories about me, which led to my tv career, which led to my current status as a commenter on blog post comments by eric zorn.
speaking of whom, i heard him on the john howell show yesterday, and he was remarking how wls radio used to be more entertaining because it wasn’t such a right wing bastion. liberal opinions were welcome there and made for better programming. it’s interesting to see things through eric’s liberal prism. i, on the other hand, hardly see wls as conservative at all. don wade doesn’t have the heart for it, mancow is a libertarian (half a conservative, and he’s watered down by the cronkitean pat cassidy), rush limbaugh is a conservative (but he’s not local, so there’s no access to him), and roe is an ecletic sort who would rather be staging newsapaloozas with anna davlantes than ripping the latest michael moore movie.
as for the jordan family, i had the pleasure of doing the sports on nbc5 the night christian farr was on, and he was very pleasant. and just a few months ago i was at my daughter’s wedding reception at gibson’s and saw bob jordan coming out of his car. we recognized each other and i said, “bob, i could use some work. could i be one of your relatives?” and he laughed and said, “i’ll adopt you!”
in my born-again role as a family law practitioner, i plan on drawing up the adoption papers as soon as it’s practicable.
correction
the word should be “eclectic.” vocalo.org does not regret the error.
“I’m not a shock jock; I tell it like it is. I never say things to be shocking.”
Is this quote from 1995 or 2010? Sorry buddy, but radio and opinions don’t shock anyone anymore. Have you seen what’s on the Internet?
Mancow Man of the Month ?
What in the world has happened to Today’s Chicago Women ?
Have you run out of women to feature ?
Mancow has done nothing but ridicule women (and everyone else who doesn’t have his freedom-for-me-but-not-for-you right wing attitude) from the time he hit town. He loves to beat up on Steve Dahl, without the wit or substance or ability to change with his audience. Steve (and of course, Garry Meier) has some depth, staying power and loyalty. Manic Mancow’s shallow one note – loud and obnoxious – became tedious and tiresome very quickly.
Ahh, I subjected myself and my wife to the “coverage” of New Years Eve on ABC7. Train wreck is describing it mildly. Technical qualities were lame, at best, where one reporter was constantly breaking up and having to go back to Mark and Janet. Mark, always playing too cool for the room, had his comments and Janet (you’re great on 190North, but here??) looking a bit lost. Rob, you said it best in your column before this fiasco hit the airwaves: you could put the same show on you showed the year before, and just put new titles, and it would still be the same. Still wonderful garbage.
I remember in the 80s, WCIU used to broadcast a polka New Year’s Eve party and it was 50 times better than what ABC7 is doing now. Lets get back to that or why doesnt one of the big network stations, conjure up a celebration on State Street, Michigan Avenue, etc, where Chicago could do a big outdoor celebration; show that compared to the “coverage” of ABC7s? Or maybe we just do what CBS and NBC does now; nothing!
wow, who knew cotto was such a hot property….i probably could’ve gone the rest of my life without having to hear him on any station. But i guess its good for him.
see yall
Granted there were a bunch of tech glitches, but at least WLS7 had something on the air on Chicago. Of course it took a magnifying glass to see the Navy Pier fireworks, but “Countdown Chicago 2010,” was at least on “Chicago related,” and not NYC reruns, or the Vegas show two hours early.
Why can’t Chicago do a ball drop (or something similar?) Why can’t someone even upgrade that now very very lame and often repeated lighting of the Michigan Ave lights?
I don’t need to see any more Double Decker buses featuring sponsors and they spouses.
Boring.
Like a reader said, “It’s time to rethink the concept from top to bottom. Local television bosses have no excuses for next year.” We are putting them on a 365 day notice.
I don’t think that was a reader who said that, Gary. I think it was me. Either way, glad you agree. Now only 360 days left and counting . . .
Well you’re a reader right?
:->)
Besides, you read our comments!
Happy New Year.
And to Bruce Wolf, I’m sure 5 will hire you this summer.
I don’t understand why Chicago can’t have their own New Years Eve Party. Everyone could crowd Daley Plaza and watch the countdown on the CBS2 outside TVs.
And at the very least, CBS2 would have more people watching them at that time, than at other time of the day.
“Cronkitean”? Referring to Pat Cassidy?! That’s like comparing John Facenda (God-like voice of NFL Films) to Chip Caray!
Watch the inventive adjectives, Bruce. You wouldn’t want to be put on terminal block here…
You have to wake up pretty early in the morning to beat Bruce Wolf!
So, what about him tomorrow?
(Does Warner Saunders have any relatives? We need his voice back on the air!)
I like Cisco, can’t take Edith and Archie, and I listen to Roe, but I’ll be interested to see how their dynamics work out. I’m a little skeptical.
And I almost spit out my Dr. Pepper when I read Mancow was featured in a woman-focused rag (and I’m listening to him and Cassidy right now!).
Contrary to Bruce Wolf, there are those of us who agree that WLS *IS* conservative and DID like it better when the station had a variety of programming and viewpoints.
I cringed when WGN hired Jerry Agar, but I’m not a fan of Simon Badinter, with his (heavily accented) almost-constant audience baiting.
Believe it or not, some of us *abhor* extremist views–on the right AND left–and DON’T WANT to be bombarded with daily hate and fear mongering!!
Pair up Teri O’Brien with Big John Howell and watch Edith and Archie swap sides. If Big John thought Cisco could be a pain in the arse…
Why must we have so many extremist right and left shows. A true middle of the road perspective that has no bias to the Republican or Democratic parties would be welcome. It sounds as if Howell might be that way, but he did so much apologizing for not being conservative enough, it’s hard to tell.
Why not judge an issue based on our core beliefs rather than because it came from Obama or Cheney? Those that can distinguish both good and bad in all of our leaders would be the one whose respect America could get behind. That’s what’s wrong with all of these shows because people enjoy being sheep and following their “leaders” and don’t want to hear opposing viewpoints. Baaaaaaaa!
@Mark:
We have those shows, it’s called 780am (snorrrrrrrre).
Janet Davies’ countdown being different than the countdown clock displayed on the screen was one of the many highlights at our New Year’s Eve party. Quite glad the ‘technical glitches’ got a mention.
I’ll say this much — purely for its sound, “Cisco Cotto” is one of the greatest names ever in broadcasting. (For those who’ve only seen the name written, he pronounces it KOH-toe, not, as you might think, COTT-o).
Funny you mention that because I first heard his name SPOKEN, and I thought his last name was “Koto” and he was Japanese!
@Dillweed,
You’re confusing news reporting with actual opinions and conversation that is intellectually stimulating and not opposed to differing viewpoints without showing contempt for the individual expressing them. This is something lacking on WLS, WIND, WCPT, WGN and WBBM.
Isn’t WBBM strictly news reporting? It’s not a talk-radio station…
@Mark:
No confusion here, I know the difference. My point (obviously missed), is what you’re calling for results in boring radio from mind-numbed robots. I want passionate debate and banter, from hosts WITH opinions.
I am conservative, I like Rush, WLS, WIND, Fox News, etc. But, I like to hear good debate. Alan Colmes does this well, but he’s no middle-of-the-roader, he has passion, and I miss him on Hannity. In fact, I don’t even watch Hannity anymore.
There’s nothing wrong with being a moderate or “middle of the road.” It gives one the ability to see things from both sides.
As I said, there are many of us with non-extreme views, and we’re being turned off by “confontational radio.”
confRontational radio, that is…
Well Juliepie, just tune in to “Prairie Home Companion”, wait, even Keilor has opinions (and he uses his “far superior attitude and wit to be a passively aggressive commentator). Hmmm, what to do, what to do?
You know who was middle of the road? Jay Marvin. And he is certifiably nuts. I loved Jay Mac. But, he let you know if you were a “brain stem”.
Actually, Roe does a good job of interviewing people with differing opinions and not flaming them back to the hole they came from. Big John and Cisco did it good too. Mark Levin, NOT. But, if you don’t agree with Levin, and still tune in, you’re just a sick bastard who is a glutton for punishment.
Jay Marvin was a pleasure to listen to. He said what he meant and meant what he said.
Informative + fun = Good radio
@Mark
WGN airs a great program Monday through Friday nights without hate bashing and has conversation that is VERY intellectually stimulating. The program is very scholarly at times and it is called EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG. The program airs from 9 pm until 11 pm.
Didn’t the Cubs once have a Henry Cotto?
Speaking of Chicago broadcasting families (and tying this all together with a baseball/Cubs reference), Robert Jordan indeed *is* a great guy, and he would be crazy *not* to adopt Bruce Wolf so we can have *four* Jordan/Wolf family members on Chicago’s airwaves. But, this isn’t about Bruce — it’s about Bob Jordan and the Cubs. Namely, about when the Cubs clinched the NL East in 1984, WGN dispatched Mr. Jordan to one of the Wrigley watering holes (the Cubs actually clinched the division title in Pittsburgh), where Bob Jordan had the misfortune of being surrounded on camera by a bunch of inebriated revelers. Pretty standard fare for TV news, right? Sure. At one point, Jordan hands the mike to a smart-ass reveler, who hilariously and drunkenly says — in mock seriousness — “it’s a victory for America. Simply a victory for America.” Jordan looks at the guy like he’s crazy, then turns back to the camera and resumes his play-by-play of fans’ reaction to the win.
Anyone notice how few comments there actually have been today about the ostensible lead subject — Big John Howell? Just a handful. The obvious answer, as Feder points out: no one listens to him!
Dill…
–I’m not saying that I don’t want ANY opinions, I want a VARIETY of them, and not with a constant slant to the left or right. That’s sorely lacking these days.
–I do listen to Milt Rosenberg on occasion…I hope WGN doesn’t make HIM go away.
–Jay Marvin with Eileen Byrne was a great show. Polar opposites, but each one had respect for the other, also sorely lacking these days.
I had to search to find WIND when it was referred to here a week or so ago when RFeder began his series of articles tracking the moment-to-moment travels of the Indian warrior Sis-ko Ko-toe. I listened briefly and couldn’t believe I was hearing Chicago radio. For awhile, I was convinced it was broadcasting from Racine or Waukegan or somewhere else out on the fringe. The conversation, the “hosts”, the writing of the commercials…is it run by a college? A high school? A bunch of people who came straight out of small market radio in the 1970’s?
Juliepie, Juliepie, Juliepie: Hmmm, how do I approach your comment without offending?
“…–I’m not saying that I don’t want ANY opinions, I want a VARIETY of them, and not with a constant slant to the left or right. That’s sorely lacking these days.”
Well, with all do respect, most people (believe it or not) feel strongly about public matters, be it to the left or right. Abortion; not too many middle-grounders. Taxes, either you make crazy money or you want to keep what you earn (whilst supporting a good defense, infrastructure, etc.). 2nd amendment, 1st amendment, blah blah blah.
The only people I can truly think of that have no definitive stand on policies/whatnot, are our spineless, pandering politicians, who choose sides by polls, focus groups, and special interest donations.
I want concise, honest debate, and if that means calling a liar a liar, a thief a thief, etc., so be it.
I welcome people who stand up for their beliefs, and don’t fear the repercussions and consequences, be it lib or conservative. At least they got “cajones”.
Dull, wishy-washy types always finish last. I want a winner on my side, don’t you?
@Dillweed
Great that you want “concise, honest debate etc..” and then you write how you listen to Rush. Yeah, great debate there. I can only deduce that you like honest debate as long as they agree with your viewpoints. -:( Whatever. What I was looking for (and you obviously missed the point) was a great debate from both sides on one show but not just spewing hate because it came from a Republican or a Democrat. People with passion who like some of Obama’s ideas talking with those that like some of Cheney’s ideas and can deliberate their points without prejudice. I don’t want to hear people with bias who don’t like something just because it came from Obama or Cheney which was my original point. I want to hear someone who can debate based on principle. I know it’s possible but perhaps I’m just overly optimistic. What is so dull about that? And why can’t you respond to folks without the condescending attitude? It really doesn’t bode well for the conservative viewpoint, which by the way, I tend to lean towards as well.
Well, with all *due* respect…I’m APOLITICAL. I don’t care and I don’t want to know about anyone’s political leanings. Thus, I DON’T CARE what anyone’s opinion is about abortion, gun rights, or the price of tea in China.
I listen to talk radio to be entertained, and I am NOT entertained by people spouting venom, on *any* side of the political spectrum. I like talk show hosts who are funny and/or talk about everyday life.
When Roe Conn talks about Tiger Woods’s failings, I listen. When he talks about Chicago’s parking meter follies, I listen. When he talks about Sarah Palin or Michael Moore, I flee to WBBM or even sports talk.
Politicians are different from you and me. As for me, I’m not dull or wishy-washy. I think for myself, not what some political party prescribes me to.
In short, I want an alternative to extremely partisan political content on talk radio…but apparently that’s a pipe dream these days.
Jeez, with the back and forth between juliepie and Dank Dilweed I wonder how much work either one of them got done today!
@Mark & Juliepie (I’m getting double-teamed here, but I’m a big boy):
First off, I stated I listen to Rush L. just to clear any confusion of my political leanings. Is he preaching to the choir, no doubt, for the most part. But, he comments on the newsmakers and the so-called unbiased media, and challenges one to make their own opinion.
Sorry Julie for the brain-fart on “due” vs. “do”. I am now a better person, forever in debt to you. Please say a prayer you never make a public typo, ok?
Speaking of condescending attitudes, ever read articles from Slate, Daily Kos, etc.? If I could someday reach their levels of “moral and intellectual superiority”, well, I just leave it at that. I have been in no way condescending, if anything, accepting of both of your premises that debate is good.
And yes Juliepie, it is a pipedream to ask and expect things in this world.
@John:
hehehehehehe!
None, but I did make a pot of chili.
And since your moniker states a town I love, I must mention that my folks live in that beautiful city, near Sabino Canyon and River Rd.
Lee Bey always struck me as a good guy in his various guest turns on WTTW panel shows and documentaries. Maybe Geoffrey Baer would listen to him regarding several suggestions for a Hidden Chicago 3 installment? For whatever reason, Baer and the station shy away from two fascinating gated streets in the city: Madison Park and Castelewood Terrace. Madison Park, where Bill Veeck lived his final years, is reached off 53rd Street in Hyde Park. Totally secluded from surrounding blocks. Castlewood Terrace, the longtime address of Studs Terkel, is even more remote. Tucked between Sheridan Road and Marine Drive, impossible to find. There’s also a rather mysterious 6.5 acre parcel of suburban Lincolnshire that went undeveloped. Originally it held three farm houses. They were torn down years ago and the driveway was removed. Woods and prairie quickly reclaimed the property. Today, the woods sit untouched. The only entry point being a 20-foot patch of forest on Route 22. Slip in through that entrance and it all opens up like a funnel into a lost meadow. A total feeling of Brigadoon on a sunny day in July. Lee Bey might have Baer’s ear. He could push overlooked gems like these for a Hidden Chicago installment. I don’t think WTTW listens to civillians. I never had a response when I suggested the sites mentioned above.
And here I thought Eric Zorn couldn’t say a single nice thing about me.
@ Dank Dilweed….I live about 2 miles away from your parents then!
All these comments and no one mentions Bill Gleason. A legend and class act. I will miss you Bill.
Well, since Bill Gleason had nothing to do with Big John Howell or WIND, this wouldn’t really be the forum to comment on Gleason’s passing. But I was a fan of his and I’ll miss him too!
I see that with Cisco joining Roe, Amy Jacobson takes a walk, I mean, “reassigned”. I like when there are women on the RC show, hope it’s not going to be a sausage-fest.
wind? wls?right wing??!! bastion of the fanatical & revolutionary
constitution,economic growth policies of china,jfk,1960s france
nasty vicious,salivating,snapping crazies,gettem off the air.
oughta do sum’in bout that sara palin,bristol & levi like bsmsnbc
them theres newsfolks
I love Cisco…I listen to WLS a lot, as well as WIND. Where is Amy Jacobson? I enjoyed her repartee w/Roe. Couldn’t she be there, too…at least to do traffic and weather.
One more thing…Bruce Wolf is the best!