November 17, 2007
Another radio host bites the dust
Fall is upon us. And it looks like it isn't just the Thanksgiving turkeys that are getting their heads lopped off around here what with the string of local radio personalities given the axe. Apparently 770 KTTH no longer needs the services of morning co-host Dan Sytman.
David Boze, the tandem to Sytman, has been given his own show during the coveted afternoon time-slot from 3-6 p.m. He'll be going mano-a-manos against "The Commentators" at 570 KVI.
Nationally syndicated host Glenn Beck is being moved to the morning from 6-9 a.m. The change means Beck's show will now be aired live in the Seattle market.
News of the change was announced on Friday, yesterday with a press release posted prominently at KTTH's website. This is marked difference from how KVI handled its firing of popular afternoon radio host Bryan Suits.
KTTH is owned by Bonneville International who recently re-acquired the station and KIRO 710 in a swap with Clear Channel. KVI is owned by Fisher Communications.
When news of Suits' firing was posted here last week it elicited one of the greatest responses by readers at Sound Politics in recent history; 218 comments and 71 respectively and still counting. Most were hyper-critical of the decision by management at Fisher Radio.
Judging by some of the opinions already written, Sytman's departure is sure to elicit a slightly different response from SP readers...
Another fatality in the move appears to be Teresa Joy, the morning show's news reporter. An entry by Boze at his blog wishes both Joy and Sytman well on their future endeavors.
Errata: Congratulations go to Michael Hood at Blatherwatch for being the first reader to give the heads up. Your Sound Politics "No-Prize" is in the mail.
Posted by DonWard at November 17, 2007
03:23 AM | Email This
1. So, Classic KING in the morning it is, then. I wasn't a huge fan of Sytman & Boze but at least they were sometimes funny and goofy and definitely more entertaining than Kirby & Company. On the other hand, at least this gives me someone to listen to at 3:00 - I'll try it for a while.
2. Now if they just shit-canned Goldy's whiney drivel from the airwaves, it would reduce noise pollution.
3. It seems to me that talk radio has gone seriously downhill in the past years.
I think the "team" concept hasn't helped. Too many people babbling at once and two or three people interviewing one guest is silly.
4. Dan Sytman seems to be taking it well. From his webpage:
"Being the ridiculously blessed person that I am, I have a little extra time off this November. I hope to talk with you soon. In the meantime I'll leave you with my favorite quote from President Ronald Reagan:
'Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.'"
Well, I don't know if I can handle Glenn Beck so early in the morning, but having Boze on in the afternoon will be nice.
5. Although this move seems to be a wash, the trend certainly is phasing out local content in favor of the cheaper syndication. This is bad, regardless of the shows' political persuasions.
Does this mean that Michael Savage is out? At least that would be a plus!
6. I like this change. David Boze has always been a bright spot on the radio dial deserving of his own show; and if I have to listen to a national host (Beck), I'd rather hear him live.
Dan "don't call it amnesty" Sytman will land on his feet somewhere; hopefully somewhere that I don't have to hear him.
I can't imagine the brain-addled Teresa Joy returning to radio, but you never know. She seemed to have an unusual amount of difficulty reading the news every morning.
7. What the F&*#@!? First Bryan Suits and now the Sytman and Boze team is broken up. What a bunch of idiots. Who cares about The Commentators? They suck and it pissed me off to have Suits taken off the air and have those two windbags accupying such a valuable air time slot. The Commentators just reminds me of the usual political correctness commie crap - Seattle Style. With The Commentators they're trying to "balance" ie soften good old conservative opinion by having an establishment liberal. I hear enough liberalism in the Seattle Media (Seattle Times, Seattle PI, Seattle Weekly, Stranger, KOMO, KVI, KIRO,), I need some decent local conservative opinion on current events. The Sytman and Boze team along with Joy was a great way to wake-up in the morning and they always made me laugh. Errr, I'm really steamed. I expected them to be on the air together for the next twenty years.
8. Sytmann is better behind the scenes and detracted from the show at times. Boze has the talent and will do well against other stations (KVI included). Would like to see him have Weissbach on his show periodically.
Glenn Beck is too much of a drama queen - seems like he is better on TV. Maybe Laura Ingraham followed by Dennis Praeger on 1300 is the best talk radio.
9. Does anyone here know how we can access the last/latest Arbitron ratings for the Seattle market? Or is it only available to the industry?
10. How about one of the folks from Air America.
Gag, spit, laugh.
sorry guys. (-:
11. Team up Suits with Boze! That would be an outstanding radio program that is sure to be entertaining and not the same boring regurgitated republican party line non sense.
12. Congrats to David Boze. His talent has been shining through for quite awhile now. Makes me laugh, which is always good when I'm listening to radio. Michael Medved can elicit a good laugh from me now and then, as well. I still think Medved gives the best commentary on national news events of anyone. Boze, you are an original for sure.
13. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the best local talk show in town, Dori Monson on KIRO from noon - 3 p.m.. He blows all the other guys away with his humor and style. He covers local and state issues with a conservative viewpoint. Definitely not shy about calling out libs and their questionable policy decisions. And entertaining as well.
14. Although I am sorry Bryan Suits is gone I am getting a lot more done in my afternoons. I do wish 1300 could bump up their signal or do something for us here on the eastside. Does anyone have any idea what kind of money these local folks make? I would imagine the morning and afternoon hosts at KIRO must do very well,although the 3pm pair are a good argument against the minimum wage.
15. Gee, they've managed to rotate through everyone who's ever known Michael Medved, including s-st-stutter-master David Boze. Who will be hired next? Michael Medved's cleaning lady?
16. MB, sometime in the last year or so, I happened across the Dori Monson show and he was ranting about how republicans want decide how kids should pray in public schools or something equally vapid and I thought "I don't know anyone who wants to do what he's complaining about". He lost whatever credibility with me he may have had right there on the spot.
17. Dorrie is a fiscal conservative and is one of the few local voices against light rail and higher taxes. KIRO likes to put him up as a true conservative in debates against their stable of other communist hosts (this passes for "fair and balanced" with them), but socially he is left of midline.
18. Dori Monson is KING of Seattle-area radio, PERIOD!! It used to be Dave Ross (who precedes him from 09:00 - 12:00), but Dori has taken over.
19. I am sad to hear that David Boze is moving to the afternoon slot when I don't get to hear any radio, but I am kind of glad that Dan Sytman is canned. He may be conservative, but he's done way to many childish antics with a lot of kiddy name-calling that I just couldn't stand him.
20. Dori is a libertarian and fiscal conservative and middle of the road on other issues. Duff - He does not and will not support Hillary (he's one of those 50% that would not vote for her under any conditions)- but if you still like him, you have an open mind. BTW - If Al Gore declared for Presidency, he would create such a groundswell that it blow Mrs. Clinton's candidacy out of the water. I'd say there's 40% chance that he will do it and if he does - he would defeat any Republican (as it stands today).
Dave Boze is the talent of the future - he is also a libertarian, but more conservative than Monson - but he is also balanced, has great humor as Dori Monson displays also and Peter Weissbach and him are the best banter on the air and put Carlson & Schram to shame.
21. Dori is a libertarian and fiscal conservative and middle of the road on other issues. Duff - He does not and will not support Hillary (he's one of those 50% that would not vote for her under any conditions)- but if you still like him, you have an open mind. BTW - If Al Gore declared for Presidency, he would create such a groundswell that it will blow Mrs. Clinton's candidacy out of the water. I'd say there's 40% chance that he will do it and if he does - he would defeat any Republican (as it stands today).
Dave Boze is the talent of the future - he is also a libertarian, but more conservative than Monson - but he is also balanced, has great humor as Dori Monson displays also and Peter Weissbach and him are the best banter on the air and put Carlson & Schram to shame.
22. Despite his non-support of Mrs Clinton, I'm still a great fan of Dori and enjoy his show (whenever I get to listen) very much.
KS: I tend to agree with you on AG. I believe he is the 'fly-in-the-ointment' (so to speak) in this race. I believe he is the only one on the current scene who could steal the support from Mrs Clinton and indeed become POTUS. I really don't think he'll run however, as I thing he is devoting himself to Gorbal Warming...and why shouldn't he...plenty of $money there (& recognition)...and not even have to deal with that 'pesky' war.
23. Actually of the whole lot, Brian Suits is the only one I miss. The rest are whiny idiots. If only Michael Savage were more moderate, then I could listen to him again.
24. Michael Savage is a left-wing mole who makes such outrageous ring-wing comments that he winds up embarrassing conservatives. He has the effect he intends - make Republicans sound like stupid extremists.
Weissbach used to verbally berate Boze on the radio. I found it embarrassing. If he was joking, the tone sure didn't sound like it. It is so unprofessional to dress down a colleague or subordinate in front of the customer. I'm glad Weissbach is gone.
25. Dave Boze has come a long way since he used to drive a Geo Metro... you aren't STILL driving it are you Dave????
Congrats on your new position.
26. #24 Michael Savage is an independent conservative who has the hutzpah to tell it like it is. He salutes Bush when he does something worthy and rips him a new one when he screws up. Maybe not the due respect for one in his office, but since when has he earned it ? Bush is a very poor communicator and Savage calls him on this, along with his incompetence at managing the Iraq War - which is showing an uptick. If anything, he is more harsh on the Democrats. He believes the current field of Dems running for President is woefully pathetic and knows that Al Qaeda would vote for them if they could. He is not impressed with the Republicans either. His basic issues are language, culture and borders and not one candidate is able to be trusted about protecting our borders.
Re: Weissbach and Boze have a good comradery - he used to refer to Boze as Grasshopper when he was on KVI 6-7 years ago. They seem to get along - Weissbach is terse at times, but Boze has talent at making it work and their views are similar - I like their political incorrectness, which is one of the things that I also find refreshing about Savage - although he can wear thin in larger doses. Dave Boze has probably evolved to where he will handle his own show well, but Weissbach -who fills in for Savage on occasion can add to his show, just like Dana Carvey can add to the Dennis Miller show. I also consider Dennis to be entertaining and informative to listen to.
27. No. 8----Is Laura Ingraham on 1300? I have been looking for her in the area. Anybody know for sure?
28. Laura Ingraham can found on KKOL 1300 from 6-9AM weekdays.
29. If you like GOOD AM radio...my I suggest that you go on line and listen to KSTE 650 AM...the Armstrong & Getty show 6:00a to 10:00a weekdays.
30. Dan Sytman and Bryan Suits will be back on the air in some different incantation in 3 to 6 months.
Their's and other firings for not meeting Arbitron ratings numbers and/or program realignments really do not mean much, because Puget Sound has a proud tradition of resurrecting local media personalities.
(BTW the local KIRO? TV guy is now on ABC World News Tonite)
After appearing on KCTS Friday nite John Carlson went to the Seattle Times and ended up on KVI.
In the Fall of 1998 Carlson was fired by Schram? and replaced by Herb Weissbach.
KVI's ratings dropped so bad that Schram? begged Carlson to come back to KVI.
(This is not mentioned in Wiki)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carlson
Michael Medved started on KVI in 1996? and was fired because he did not want to work in a different time slot than Noon to 3pm.
Medved surfaced on KTTH several months later
(This is not mentioned in Wiki)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Medved
Mike Siegel has been "all over the road" starting as a liberal on KING or KVI ~1992, becoming a conservative, speaking to Aliens on Art Bell, broadcasting in Fargo ND, and is currently on KITZ in Bremerton and KGTK in Olympia.
(Once again Wiki is incomplete)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Siegel
Peter Weissbach, formerly of Canada, has been on KVI, KOMO, KIRO, et al
I do not know where he currently resides.
Even Eric Slocum who got fired in budget crunch at KOMO TV has resurfaced on KOMO 1000 AM
31. Wow, 'radio host gets canned' topics sure do bring in a lot of newbies that like to hit the 'post' button more than once.
Any way, not sure why David B's fan club is so strong. He laughs too much at his own words and stutters. Sytman was funny. A lot of the humor he slipped in under the radar (ironically, not unlike bryan suits) so I don't fault you dense people that like to hit the 'post' button more than once.
32. Green Lake,
You referring to Aaron Brown? He started on KING 5 and was my fave. Had great back-and-forth with weatherman Jeff Renner who got canned and then was hired back after viewers complained.
33. I hope Glenn Beck's move to mornings so his show will be aired live here isn't an attempt by CNN to get it's hooks into KTTH the way FOX has infiltrated KVI. If anything, we need more local talent to keep an eye on the slimy democrat machine in this state.
34. I can't stand Glenn Beck and his holier then thou pronouncements and his chicken little "the perfect day" of chain-reaction Islamic terrorism. Screw him.
35. I liked Sytman & Boze, and also Kirby Wilbur in the mornings. I listened to both, depending on the topic. I do NOT like what KVI had done with Kirby recently (sharing with "Kirby & Company"). I like Beck, but I also like local radio. My guess is that I'll mostly switch to KVI in the AM now.
As for the afternoon, I miss Carlson solo. Sorry John, you need a Shrammie for partering up with that moron. I suppose I'll be splitting my afternoon time between the local Boze and the local Thor Tolo (AM 820).
If you like a Christian perspective, give Tolo a listen. He can be a bit annoying, but he is usually entertaining.
36. Thor Tolo can be good on AM 820, but may I also recommend during approx. same time slot (3-7) the Dave Ramsey show on AM630. Excellent show, especially if the subject of money interests you (as it does me).
37. There is no way I will listen to Glenn Beck every morning. He's too much of a doom and gloomer, always ranting that we are on the verge of a recession, etc., etc. Doom and gloomers are right every once in a while but they never let up. An earful of that every morning and I think I'd just pull the covers over my head.
38. Tom @ 32 You're right about
KIRO & KING alumni Aaron Brown, former ABC News and CNN anchor. now teaching journalism at Arizona State Univ.
however, I was thinking of another young guy w/o glasses w/ red hair and freckles who is now on ABC World News Tonite
39. talent will find its own level; i dont like the changes, but it's not my invested capital; free market, with all the ramifications; like the game? then take all its rules;
but--like the PI & the pervasive Kumbaya blue attitudes here, Seattle will realize that a one-party/atitude taxing state with lib papers to boot can't be self sustaining; talk radio hosts will pop up again like the ever present 'shrooms in our lawns; it's like the NW climate--seeking its own balance;
aside--as for Arbitron & its workings, I've yet to be asked in my entire radio listening life the stats of who & how long; dont know how the #'s get complied; presumably surveys? dont like those pesky phone ones anyway;
40. I was gone while this happened. Did Dan find out in advance? Did he give any fairwell message? This change seems so mysterious.
41. I for one am sad to see Dan go, and most of all, losing a fun morning show to another national show. I enjoyed hearing Dan and Dave discuss and debate local topics/issues that impact me. I guess I'll just leave my radio turned off in the morning.
42. I will miss the Sytman and Boze show in the morning. It was a good way to start the day. I walked into the office with a smile on my face more often than naught.
I was hoping KTTH would step up and put Suits on later in the day. I am not a Glenn Beck fan but Savage is the worst part of that lineup and even though I would rather have Suits on from 3-6, I think his style would fit better later, such as 6-9 pm. If KTTH would have kept the lineup and simply replace Savage with Suits, it would have given them, for the most part, a local lineup of hosts that have a solid sense of humor and can also discuss topics in an entertaining way, not in the wonkish way that is often heard on KVI. I have a hard time listening to Washington State tax policy @ 6:30 in the morning.
No idea how Boze will do in the afternoon. I really enjoy Medved, Dr. Laura... what was KVI thinking?
43. I have called KTTH Program Director as well as emailed and finally got to talk to the real guy in October. I told him that putting Michael Savage to the 6-9 slot was the worst decision - not only do we not get to hear him live OR streaming anymore, but we get the Stupid Sonics taking the evening slot much of the time! I was happy that they moved Glenn Beck, but I want Michael Savage put back into the 3-6 slot to compete better against the local yokuls the Commentators! Put David Bose to the 6-9! He is good but Michael Savage is the BEST talk show host who has the guts all the time to tell it like it really is!!!!!
44. If the Arbitron numbers are an accurate reflection of listeners' preferences -- and have become a primary, determining factor in who stays or goes (presumably considered within a similar-format context); then the Conservative Talk portion of the "new media" would seem in peril of the same homogenization that currently afflicts the rest of media. The market place is driven by freshness and innovation. Even Conservative Talk.
The discriminating (thinking) listener, while valuing information and news content, highly PRIZES and places a premium on an intelligent, irreverent (even edgy), off-beat treatment and delivery of the otherwise daily drum-beat-din of news and politics that currently prevails.
With that bit of preface; I greatly anticipate the return of Bryan Suits to the microphone -- in whatever medium. And, let's just hope that his sudden departure (or extraction) from the 'station formerly-known-as...(having the yams for the Suits Show)' -- is neither tantamount to (nor a microcosm of) the old, stodgy, conservative-body politic rejecting it's long-overdue, critically needed -- humor transplant!
45. Sytman should team up with Goldstein and they can have a high-pitched catfight version of "hannity and colmes" every morning.
On a serious side, though, I'm finding myself turning to the FM station (or egads Dave "I'm not short,damnit!!" Ross) until noon when Medved comes on.......first time in several years.
Bring back Lou Pate or Brian Suits or I'll just tune out altogether from the AM channel in the a.m. hours.
46. Sytman should team up with Goldstein and they can have a high-pitched catfight version of "hannity and colmes" every morning.
On a serious side, though, I'm finding myself turning to the FM station (or egads Dave "I'm not short,damnit!!" Ross) until noon when Medved comes on.......first time in several years.
Bring back Lou Pate or Brian Suits or I'll just tune out altogether from the AM channel in the a.m. hours.
47. Sytman should team up with Goldstein and they can have a high-pitched catfight version of "hannity and colmes" every morning.
On a serious side, though, I'm finding myself turning to the FM station (or egads Dave "I'm not short,damnit!!" Ross) until noon when Medved comes on.......first time in several years.
Bring back Lou Pate or Brian Suits or I'll just tune out altogether from the AM channel in the a.m. hours.
48. I like Dave a lot and wondered at first why this upstart Darth Syt was being teamed with him, (and headlining) but after a while I really came to appreciate Dan and Dave together. I will really miss this team - including Joy who quite skillfully handled news. Waking up to the three of them and their light reparte in the early hours had become a routine I could consistently look forward to each morning.
Glen Beck is okay later in the day, but he's too harsh for me to enjoy rising to his sarcastic cynicism wedged between his endless harping of his inconventient book. Too jarring so early.
KVI's dumping on Micheal Medved made me a KTTH loyalist. I must admit this change starts me off doing a lot more channel surfing in the morning rather than just keeping it always on 770.
49. It took Sytman & Boze a month or three to hit stride, but their show was easily the most listenable of the drive-time talk radio fare. Dan Sytman was intelligent, articulate and a good foil for David (when they departed from the Amen Chorus so common on talk radio, left or right). I, for one, will miss Dan, and will miss the irregular Friday appearance of Michael Medved on Sytman & Boze's show. Count this as a dissenting vote, for Dan Sytman. I'm sure he'll land on his feet.
Laura Ingraham is pretty devoid of content, and Glenn Beck just doesn't work for me (an orchestra of one drum). Both exceed my willingness to tolerate far too many awful commercials and promos; one thing any station could do to improve ratings is noticeably lower the percentage of time devoted to advertising. And yes, local programming is preferable during drive-times, though Kirby isn't exploiting this due to a very poor choice of co-hosts.
KVI seems never to have recovered from the departure of Rush, and continues to spiral down. Carlson is being wasted, Suits was in a rut but just needed some coaching, and KVI's bench is empty. Fisher needs a new programming director! I've often wondered if Medved had a role in Rush's move to KTTH -- the coincidences are stunning, and Michael definitely had a axe to grind. Anybody have the inside dope on this? Rush's leaving (together with mismanagement) seems to have caused a fatal bleed.
50. How come Bryan Suits MIA? was closed out? Any news on when LT will be back on the air?
Cpt cat
51. So, does anyone know why Sytman is no longer on the air?
Hate to see him lose his job.
Understand: I didn't care for Dan, ever, but I do wish he had his own show, so I could not listen to it. He'll find something. He is a terribly annoying, but can produce shows, and host them if no one pleasant is available.
I hope he learns his lesson -- smugness and sneering are never attractive -- even if your listeners agree with the bulk of what you are saying. I agreed with him intellectually most of the time, but found him so abrasive, I never stuck with the show once he came on board. I simply couldn't take him. You KNOW you are annoying when even those who agree with you find you unpalatable.
He was like every self-assured, East Coast city putz I ever met. I know he is from Seattle, but for all his arrogance and urban provinciality, he could be from NY.
Boze, by contrast, is self-effacing and brotherly. He is authentically West Coast. He is a regular guy. I cried when he was caged with Sytman.
Like Medved, Sytman has a grindingly unpleasant way of always trying to show up those around him. He really assumes from the outset that he KNOWS the answer, and endeavors in a captious way to simply entrap his interlocutors. He sets them up, and as the saying goes, doesn't really listen -- he just waits for his turn to talk. Pretty unseemly for a grown man whose job is partly to facilitate conversation.
I learn from them all, but I hope Sytman learns from this trial, and becomes less of a nudge. He's fighting the good fight, but this time, he used a taser in the bath tub.
Danny
52. #49: IIRC, the reason why Rush was moved to 770 was due to Fisher broadcasting getting the Mariners from Entercom. So, Entercom made a deal with Rush's syndicators, and they switched. I don't think it had much or anything to do with Medved being on 770, though.
Anyway, I'm fairly impressed with the new show. I wish they'd dump Savage, tho, and maybe replace him with Suits. If they did that, I would delete 570 from my radio presets, both in the house, and in the car. Even though I do like listening to Levin, even if his voice is a little too nasal for my taste.
53. The Sytman/Joy Show was rancid. Mr. Boze deserved better from the beginning. Lt. Suits? Too often wrong, too often pathologically agressive, and most often pathologically agressive when he was wrong.
54. Lt. Suits' would likely retort: "No joy, no joy" (in the Defense Dept. use of the phrase), then counter by asking for specific examples to substantiate and justify the use of such inflammatory, ad homonym inflective as "pathologically aggressive."
David Boze, with such a monotone delivery, absent any discernable inflection of passion, might be more appropriately deemed "David Doze."