Posted by eh on April 27, 2009 at 18:42:26:
In Reply to: Today's WGN is not yesterday's WGN posted by Unsure on April 27, 2009 at 18:41:22:
Seems like a harsh blanket statement. First of all, NO radio station today is the same as it was 30 years ago, or even 3 years ago for that matter. The only full-time hire WGN has done in a long time was Garry Meier, which was a smart, inspired move. They have been experimenting with out-of-towners plenty. This week alone has a Kansas radio personality, Randy Miller, filling-in for Kathy & Judy. He is being closely looked at as a possible future hire. One of their top fill-ins, Dan Deibert, comes from Wisconsin. Another fill-in, Bob Malkowski, comes from southwest of Chicago and is by no means looking to retire anytime soon. In fact, all of the fill-ins and try-outs they have been using are far, far away from retirement. The same cannot be said of some of the regular staff such as Milt Rosenberg, Steve King or Kathy & Judy, though.
Bruce Wolf is one of Chicago media's most talented stars. If WGN can snag him, that would be a tremendous hire. If WGN can one day get Brandmeier, Dahl, McMurray, Matthews, Ferguson or Conn, it wold be fantastic for the station, regardless of the fact that these folks have worked in Chicago radio previously.
Change is a necessity. They have been stagnant too long and the recent drop in ratings proves that. Fresh blood is coming, like it or not. There is nothing wrong with it coming from within the same town, especially if that talent is as good, if not better than talent from elsewhere. In many cases, it brings increased ratings faster and helps strengthen the brand as Chicago's talk station.