The Sage from South Central
is no longer gracing the airwaves of KABC (790 AM): Larry Elder was let go from
the talk station he called home for most of the last 20+ years. He was informed
of the move after what turned out to be his last show on December 2nd.
Rumors of Elder being
replaced have actually been around for a while. He’s been working on a
month-to-month contract for the last year or two, according to sources familiar
with Elder and the station. Why he was let go so suddenly and without an obvious
replacement is unknown, but those same sources hinted that salary may have
played an issue.
Former local talk host and
current internet host Tom Leykis (www.blowmeuptom.com) was the man who broke
the story; I asked him -- halfway joking -- if he would be Elder’s replacement.
“No,” came the immediate reply, “but you’re not the first to ask me,” he
said.
Regardless, for now at
least, no replacement has been named.
I personally think Leykis
would be a good choice, if anyone could talk him into it. There are a few
issues, though, for anyone who gets the shift. Primary problem: The Kings. KABC
is the Los Angeles flagship for the LA Kings hockey games, and many of the games
begin during the late-afternoon/early-evening shift vacated by Elder.
While I would be hesitant
to say that “no one” listens to the Kings on the radio, that statement would not
be far off. Any host hoping to build ratings would be at a huge
disadvantage compared with competing stations. At least during hockey
season.
So who are the potential
candidates? Names thrown around include Leykis and Joe Crummey, who took Elder’s
place and did a stellar job last week. Rumor had the station courting John
Kobylt and Ken Chiampou from competitor KFI (640 AM).
On the other hand, the
station could do some switching around of the current programs.
Here’s what is definitely
true: For the first time in years, KABC has a chance to make a play against
perennial talk leader KFI. KFI is vulnerable. Ratings have been off for various
reasons (including questionable methodology on the past of ratings company
Nielsen), and some of the shows have gotten a little too predictable.
Personally, I would have
kept Elder on, but tightened up his format. Elder is an intelligent host who
covers issues from a totally different angle than most. Regardless, if KABC
makes the right changes, they could start making headway. They already have
strong shows in the morning with Doug McIntyre, the vastly improved (compared to
his early days on the station) Bryan Suits, and Mid-Day LA with John Phillips
and Jillian Barberie. Get a decent show in the evening and dump the weekend
infomercials and KABC could make a comeback.
Not that I am necessarily
counting on them actually doing all that ...
As to Elder, if management
of KEIB (1150 AM) was smart, they’d hire him. Yesterday. Not only would Elder
better complement morning host Rush Limbaugh better than anyone currently on the
station, he’d actually be a breath of fresh air on the station.
Elder is more intelligent
than the vast majority of talk hosts. He has a BA in political science from
Brown University, received a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1977,
was recruited by the 9th largest law firm just out of law school, and worked as
a commercial trial lawyer in Cleveland before starting his own company and
eventually switching to radio.
The combination of
Limbaugh-Elder on KEIB could really pull some ratings ... IF -- and that is a
big if -- KEIB management and owner Clear Channel actually want KEIB to succeed.
You see, KEIB is sister to KFI. And if KEIB succeeds at the expense of KFI ...
let’s just say that will never be allowed to happen.
For now, Elder can be heard
on the internet at LarryElder.Com
Career Spanning Radio
Michael Stark and I have
been doing interviews with some of radio’s recent greats. Fun, career-spanning
interviews, in fact, recorded at the LA Radio Studio in San Pedro.
Beginning at 7 PM on
Wednesday, December 17th, Stark will be running a marathon of these interviews
played randomly. Podcasts on Shuffle, you might call it, repeated continually
for about three weeks.
You’ll want to hear them
too. The list includes Dave Hull, Lee Marshall (recorded fairly shortly before
his death), Jeff Gonzer, Darrell Wayne, Mo’ Kelly, Gino Michelini, Dr. Demento,
Cynthia Fox, JJ Johnson, Dave Beasing, Elliot Mintz, Ace Young, Jim “Poorman”
Trenton, a tribute to Liz Fulton, and the just-completed super-high-energy
interview that will start off the marathon: Shotgun Tom Kelly!
For information, head over
to www.LARadioWaves.com.
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