Back to you, Ron: WLS Radio restores Magers’ role
Ron Magers
Great news for fans of Chicago’s No. 1 anchorman: Ron Magers is returning to Roe Conn’s afternoon show on Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890). Starting Tuesday, the principal news anchor for ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 will be back as a daily contributor during the 3 p.m. hour of Conn’s show (which he now co-hosts with Cisco Cotto).
“I could not be happier to bring you that [news],” Conn told his listeners Monday.
The announcement of Magers’ return comes seven weeks after he was dropped in a budget cut at the station. For almost 12 years, Magers’ role as a commentator and raconteur often was the highlight of Conn’s show — and the best half-hour of conversation in all of Chicago radio. Bringing him back was among the top priorities of Michael Damsky when he was named president and general manager of the station last month. On Monday, Damsky said:
“It’s a piece of the show we felt the loss of immediately. This is the senior most credible newscaster in Chicago. We certainly would want him to be part of one of our premier shows. The first thing [Channel 7 general manager] Emily Barr and Roe Conn advised me to do was to put Ron Magers back on. So it was the first thing I set out to do.”
Magers, 65, a 28-year veteran of Chicago television news, continues to anchor Channel 7’s top-rated newscasts at 5 and 10 p.m. weekdays. Asked to comment on his radio comeback, Magers said:
“I’m very happy to be back with Roe. It was always a very fun part of my day, and I’ve missed it. We set no agenda and just let events take us where they may, and sometimes it surprises both of us. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Cisco in his new role.”
08
02 2010
blogs.vocalo.org
THANK YOU, GOD!!!
“Advised me”
What does Emily Barr know about radio?
This guy is the GM, he has to make executive decisions not let other media people in town bully him around.
Don’t get me wrong, Magers is a good part of the show, but hello, the problem is Roe. He has to go. He just does not work right now on WLS.
Bravo!
“best half hour in all of Chicago radio”……man, I just can’t agree with that. I like both Roe and Ron, but the combined ego and loquaciousness is too much. Ron’s got more stories than the Willis Tower….a bit too many…..I believe he cherry-picks stories from a variety of sources and passes them off as his. Listening over the year, it is impossible for that many things to happen to one person. Roe is good, but he’s not as interesting as he used to be…..so maybe it is good that he gets “the most intersting man in the world” back on…Ron Magers….the man who invented the question mark…he’s so eentresting.
What about me?
What about Todd Donnahoe? What about Fritz Coleman? What about Chuck Henry?
Ooops! I’m not in L.A. anymore.
Now if only WLS would a podcast of this segment…
I agree that this is consistently the strongest thirty minutes of radio offered in Chicago. Great stories, interesting insights, I’m delighted Ron Magers will be back on. I don’t listen to WLS regularly, but I always try to catch that half hour.
NOW IF ONLY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF WGN COULD FIGURE OUT WHEN THEY MAKE A MISTAKE & FIX IT IMMEDIATELY. THE WORLD WOULD BECOME A BETTER PLACE.
Ahhhh, welcome back to Ron Magers. Ron, “stay thirsty, my friend”.
Roe’s show needs a heck of a lot more than Ron Magers to turn it around. His entertainment “shtick” has become a total insult to listener’s intelligence. So forced and unnatural, so different than he used to be. Have you radio listeners checked it out recently? Roe’s now a full time comedian- never fails to go for the cheap sexual innuendo and sexual angle about, oh, every segment. Roe does funny voices now, too! Roe, you’re so hilarious in your new radio comedian role! NOT…
Thank God the show was dying without Ron Magers.
Mike Damsky spent most of his career at a radio station known for its relatively high programming standards. Glad he brought this perspective with him over to the Big 89. Nice idea on making these 30 minute segments available on podcast. They could also look at re-running them at 6pm and delay Hannity a bit. His act is getting tired.
Now hopefully the GM and PD of WLS-AM will get rid of the “canned-satellite” shows. Listeners want to talk about the issues of the day as they relate to Chicago. In order to make money, you have to spend money.
This is great news. Ron Magers is a class act and is very entertaining. It’s not only good for the show, it’s good for Ron to have a venue to “let his hair down”, so to speak. He’s a great news anchor, but he has a lot more to offer than what he is able to show within the limited parameters of a news anchor role. The next step to improve the program (assuming they won’t jettison Cisco altogether and bring back Garry Meier or Bill Leff) would be to make it less political. Hopefully now Roe will revert a little to his old self and not be so shrill!
Wow – I hope Roe reads these posts – it’s fairly unanimous that he has lost his touch and really needs Ron for those precious 30 mins daily because the rest of the time he has become a total yawn. He used to be so funny – what happened? Did someone higher up tell him to change? And considering how unfunny he now is, a vanilla co-host like Cisco is a perfect fit. Again, it’s like overhearing a conversation at the booth next to you in a restaurant – nothing interesting, just blah blah blah.
Yawn. I am tired of hearing the horse racing stories. The show is getting too political and is not entertaining. I never liked Garry Meier but I must admit his show is funnier…thank goodness for Garry.
Ron back on is good. It’s local. Local is good.
Now, as noted above… remove the satellite stuff and get LIVE people on the weekends and make it a CHICAGO station again.
“But weekends don’t MAKE money” is the argument…
If you give up on them… don’t care… that’s true.
the audience is smarter now… they KNOW when they’re getting syndicated drivel with no local appeal.
Why not create a dual personality like the Loop did years ago… “The Weekend WLS”. It allows you to broaden what you do… take some risks under the “new” name and lets people who listen think they’re getting something special.
or just have Ron Magers on for a half-hour every day part.
wow no wonder Chicago radio is in the dumps if ron and roe is “the best half-hour of conversation in all of Chicago radio”.
I find it one of the most mediocre conversations in ALL of radio.
Todd Donoho did that great Time Out For Trivia, and is now doing Unversity of Missouri games for radio.
Ron’s Back! This is good. An intellegent GM, and that is no oximoron.
I see that Rich Samuels is on board here. Rich is the next one we need to get back on the air. Rich is a class act, and no one s better at what he does than Samuels.
1) Bravo to Emily and to Michael! And Roe!! They are all terrific and it’s good for everyone – especially the listener(s). SMART MOVE
2) WLS, I love ya but start PODCASTING like WABC-AM in NY, your sister station. Come on, when I am not available to listen, you’re missing me and countless others.
Good luck Michael in your new gig and WELCOME back Ron!
I was station surfing this morning and landed on WLS with Amy “Bikini Reporter” Jacobson whining about Ron Magers. She described Magers as arrogant. She said that when Ron and Roe did their afternoon segments, she was not allowed to speak. Boo hoo!
Roe: “Amy, Ronnie and I are gonna have big boy speak time now. How’s about being a good little girl and make us some coffee?”
Amy: “But Roe…”
Roe: “Amy… zip it. Less talky, more coffee!”
Now they should correct another mistake and bring back Christina Filiaggi. She may only have as much credibility as Amy Jacobson, but at least Christina wasn’t trying to pass herself off as a serious reporter!
Can’t wait until 3pm!!!
Best part of the show, wish it could be longer. I’ve listened to Roe it seems most of my adult life, but the show isn’t as “fun” as it used to be. I miss Garry’s impersonations bouncing off Roe’s intellect. Truly, one of the best combos on afternoon radio.
I used to listen to Cisco in the morn with Howell. He’s ok, just seems a little “square” for that show. I want a “good-time Charlie”; boozer, partier, with some thoughts in their head. Cotto is just too, eh, in the middle.
Good to see you back, Ron.
I must agree with previous bloggers, Roe has certainly changed. I have listened to him for several years with different partners. I have been a very loyal listener. I now find him overbearing and INSUFFERABLE!! Just the tone of his voice now makes me wince. What is up with him?? He is always screaming at me! I have switched over to Garry on WGN as well..he is funny, intersting and humble. The chemistry on his new team is incredible.
I am so happy that Ron Magers is back on the Roe Conn Show (which is what I still consider it rather than the Roe and Cisco show). I have consistently found Ron and Roe’s conversations very interesting and/or funny. As for Roe losing his touch, I’m guessing that with the way everything is politicized these days that somebody told Roe he had to talk more about politics and whatnot than he used to. I agree that it can get a little old which is why I usually only listen to the first couple hours of the show at the most, but I still like Roe and think he’s funny and intelligent and that the issues people have with the show have more to do with the format that was probably pushed by a station manager rather than Roe himself. Oh, and as for Amy Jacobson, I’m with Ron, I didn’t want to hear her in that segment. Or any segment for that matter.
I listened at 3pm and there is no love loss between Magers and Jacobson. I wonder what caused Mr. Magers to not want her to speak at all.
Was it wise for her to even say anything since her time at WLS is predicated ( as I read Mr. Feders site) upons someones maternity leave.
Amy Jacobson’s bitchy rants the last few days are totally unwelcome. I don’t know what she has so against other people. Usually the forgiven have more patience with others in similar situations. She hasn’t made a lot of friends this week.
Amy Jacobson? This week? I thought she wasn’t on the show anymore…?
Amy Jacobson is not on Roe’s show anymore. She’s been relegated to Man-Stink (untalented) Mueller’s show. That’s where she’s been doing her whining. Poor Amy. Be glad you even have a job in media. If all else fails, summer is right around the corner and Amy probably has an open invite to the Stebic Cabana Pool Party.
when i heard that ron was “leaving” i felt relieved. his return to roe & cisco’s show reminds me of when christina filiaggi returned—felt like i was gonna puke. i can only take so many 30 minute racehorse stories.
Amy is vindictive litte B who is having years and years of built-up karma dumping right back onto her. Serves her right to suffer…..clearly she must be a short-timer at WLS and like an idiot, is burning her last bridge. Try another market….get a better attitude…..accept that you effed up, make some apologies rather than sticking to guns and believing you are continually unjustly wronged. You are one unlikeable lady.
Great to have Ron back with Roe!! It was always my favorite part of the show, and I couldn’t imagine why Ron would be let go. (Should have known it was something as stupid as budget cuts. One thing many suits-and-ties in the entertainment business never knew how to do was ‘cut the budget’ right.)Anyway, it wasn’t until WLS dropped Ron that I started scanning the dial and discovered Garry Meier over at WGN. (I wonder how many others WLS lost during the last 7 weeks who may not return?) Anyway, I’m still a Garry Meier’s fan, but will be dial-jumping to hear Roe and Ron together again.
Speaking of WGN, I still think the Meier Show should be re-run sometime during the late night rather than having so many hours of the current late night shows. But, so much for beating a dead horse, I guess…
Does this mean Amy Jacobson now has the free time to play in the lingerie bowl?
I am VERY pleased that Magers is back with Roe. I always felt that I got a glimpse into the pulse of Chicago when those two talked. I don’t even mind the horseracing stories.
But, I don’t like what has happened over the last couple of days with the Jacobson/Magers feud that is brewing. Jacobson is attempting to inject more drama with a crying rant on the Mancow show. Even Mancow appeared very uncomfortable with it. She said that she respects Magers as a newsman, but doesn’t like him…and he doesn’t like her. She said that it started with her helping Jerry Springer in the Channel 5 newsroom by logging him onto a computer and helping him with a script, which Magers didn’t like. Everything that she said she respected Ron Magers for (i.e., his ethics/being true to the language of news and lack of sensationalism) I question in her own abilities as a news person.
All in all, Jacobson is proving herself again as a classless, “poor me.” She said that Magers has horses and she has rats. I welcomed her “reassignment” from the Roe Conn show.
I pray that Magers does not respond with anything snarky today and remains the classy newsman. Put this thing to rest and let Jacobson leave WLS for good.
OK, I listened to Ron’s return, then this morn I listened to Mancow/Cassidy. I really had no feelings for Amy, now I do. I really could care less about the feelings each of them have for one another. A soap opera of radio personality’s feuds is about as entertaining as going for a prostate exam.
Amy, you’re on a huge powerhouse of a radio station. Screw that one up, where you gonna go, girlfriend? Hopefully you don’t own a home, it’s not a good time to put one up for sale. ‘Cause if you keep it up, you’re moving to Rockford, Quad Cities, maybe even Peoria.
BTW, I did listen to Garry on ‘GN from 1-3, I think I’ll keep him on until Ron comes on, I was laughing, and that’s all I really want.
I have always loved Roe, even through all the changes…hey we all evolve. I was really disappointed when Cristina left. I was even more disappointed when Amy Jacobson took over for her. I couldn’t imagine what WLS was thinking. She is dry, cocky, and I couldn’t even stand the sound of her voice. The way she did traffic and commercials was so monotone and all her words ran together. If I were sponsors of the show, I would have demanded that they be read by someone OTHER than her. If there was an issue with the “boys” wanting her to keep quiet when Ron was on the air, it was probably because Ron only has a half and hour to banter with Roe. She has all afternoon. I’m sorry to say it, but his words are way more valuable than hers. She is showing her lack of professionalism by acting like she was being shushed. She should’ve known her place…which is low-man on the totem pole, and be thankful that she is even on the same airspace with these guys. She could still be unemployed and dealing with the stories that led to her losing her TV gig to begin with. I will keep listening to Roe through all the changes because he is witty, intelligent, and always keeps us informed on the days events!
Amy is burning her bridges in what is likely her final media opportunity in this market.
She hasn’t got a clue yet, but someday she will find out that mean-spirited, petty, and dumb is no way to go through life.
What’s up with the Amy bashing!!! Sure, she is emotional, but aan excellent news reporter. This station has certainly lost it’s touch…..The firing of Mancow made me sad, he is CRAZY, but soo fun to listen to…Roe has already irritated me, I have moved over to GArry on WGN. There is absolutely no way I can listen to Cisco from 9-11, I WILL SLEEP!!!! Over to Wgn I go..Happy trails to me!!!
The best partner for Roe Conn is Ron Magers. Damsky needs to show his worth and make a deal to make this partnership permanent. Is Ron ready to leave the lime light of TV? I don’t know. I do know that there is no better chemistry on WLS than Ron & Roe.
Thank god WLS found a spare extra half million in the budget to bring Magers back for a half hour. We WLS listeners can all relate to owning thoroughbred racehorses, right? I know I just checked with the stable help, and we are running low on phillies. Looking forward to Ron’s inevitable and continued racehorse insights, anecdotes, and fascinating stories.
. What an incredibly elitist, pompous, self-important, ridiculously over compensated, stuffed shirt, unrelateable news reader that guy is! How much money and how many race horses does he need?
Amy Jacobson is infinitely more entertaining and interesting than either Ron Majors or Roe Conn these days. Ron Majors is arrogant and boring; Roe has been getting less and less entertaining or interesting for years. Hearing them together is like listening to a meeting of the mutual admiration society. Roe is trying to be a full time comedian and yells every other sentence, the thing that made Roe a superstar was his thoughtful incite and intelligent discussion on the day’s topics.
I hope for Roe’s sake and our listening enjoyment he gets back to what put him at the top of the talk radio heap, a civil tone and discussion that does not insult the listener’s intelligence.
Could the powers-that-be please burn up the daily script that reads:
RON MAGERS IS WALKING INTO THE STUDIO.
How incredibly uncreative, unbearably predictable, monitor-read, and boring. If that’s the only way he can be introduced, spare us the introductions and just have him start chatting with Roe. Honest to God! How infantile and lame!!
At least dream up a couple other intros, if they really need to be scripted, and “rotate on ‘em!” Seriously!