Mike McConnell leaving 700 WLW...

[savafan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/23/bu...er=rss&emc=rss

Tribune Company ousts Randy Michaels

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by savafan

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/23/bu...er=rss&emc=rss

Tribune Company ousts Randy Michaels

Wow. That article does not reflect well on Randy Michaels nor WGN as a whole. Kind of makes you wonder whether McConnell made the right decision. His buddy is now gone and his employer is knee deep in chaos and bankruptcy. Under those conditions contracts can be terminated at any time. This will be interesting to follow

[Dom Heffner]

I look at that picture of Michaels, read that he was involved in sexual chicanery and have come to the realization that all the hours in the gym have been a complete waste of time.

[LoganBuck]

Originally Posted by Dom Heffner

I look at that picture of Michaels, read that he was involved in sexual chicanery and have come to the realization that all the hours in the gym have been a complete waste of time.

You just now realized this? Alcohol and money, are great aphrodisiacs.

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

Not sure how long it will take but Mcconnell will be back at 700 at some point.

[Bob Borkowski]

Originally Posted by BUTLER REDSFAN

Not sure how long it will take but Mcconnell will be back at 700 at some point.

Why do you say that?

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

Originally Posted by Bob Borkowski

Why do you say that?

Just my feelings--nothing to base it on

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by BUTLER REDSFAN

Not sure how long it will take but Mcconnell will be back at 700 at some point.

He's got a 3 year deal in Chicago -- I don't see WGN paying him to take a walk unless the ratings are really awful. I expect he'll get some time to build an audience there.

As for WLW, they're a different organization now than they were 10 years ago. I don't know if they'd pay to bring Mike McConnell back when they can get Eric Deters or Scott Sloan to host the time for next to nothing (or, in the case of Deters, absolutely nothing). Willie squeezed them for money and guaranteed years on his deal because McConnell was leaving and the station couldn't afford to lose it's two biggest advertising draws. I don't know that the station would be quite as generous to bring McConnell back. After all, the whole reason he went to WGN was because he wasn't getting what he wanted from Clear Channel. If they wouldn't pay him as a current employee, I highly doubt they'll throw cash at him as a returning ex-employee.

[medford]

Originally Posted by savafan

I just gotta say one more time that they were incredibly stupid for letting Eddie Fingers go.

I agreed with this statement until I read something that John Keiswetter (sp?) wrote on his blog comparring to when Chanel 5 (?) kept Jerry springer, but let the girl go that everyone liked in order to shake up their lead news team.

Everyone thought Jerry should have been let go, nobody liked thim or his reporting style, and John agreed until a business exec explained the reasoning, which kind of fits the Eddie/Tracy scenerio.

Basically, Eddie/(the girl on Ch5 that I can't remember) are your professional radio/TV people, and while you may like them, from a broadcast standpoint, they're easily replacable. Jerry/Tracy are your unique personalities that you just can't stand, but for some reason keep tuning into to see what's the next thing they're going to say that you can't stand. Basically Jerry/Tracy move the needle, while the Eddie type only catches the people that are going to listen anyways.

Kind of made sense to me.

Regarding Mike, from an outsider, it sure does seem like he made a mistake. perhaps he survives the shuffle, but it seems more likely that they whomever is the new guy taking over will find it easy to replace the guy who's only been there a year (I assume he signed a 1 year deal) while in Cincy he would have more security, a loyal listening base. He could have continued his weekend gig, etc....

Says above he signed a 3 year deal, I guess he's got time to figure things out or at worst, live pretty nice for the next couple of years with out having to do any work.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by medford

Regarding Mike, from an outsider, it sure does seem like he made a mistake.

From what I know of the situation, the decision was pretty much made for Mike based on what was being offered (both in terms of dollars and years of guaranteed employment in the contract) by the respective companies.