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There are few things former Star columnist Jason Whitlock enjoys more than pimping people in KC….
So after putzing around with Nick Wright on 610 Sports a few weeks back, Whitlock let it be known he just might be returning to local airwaves September 5th. Coy Tweets to that effect aside, if Big Sexy’s living so large blogging for Rupert Murdoch in LA why is he entertaining the notion of returning to a gig he was fired from here that paid measily $100,000?
That’s chump change for a blogger of Whitlock’s stature, is it not?
Having spoken recently to both of Whitlock’s former radio bosses in KC – Kevin Kietzman and Bob Zuroweste – I can tell you neither see much more than a snowball’s chance of that happening.
The $64 million question: How good was Whitlock when he was on the air here?
"There are different qualities of an on-air talent," Zuroweste says delicately. "They’re name recognition, star quality, content and on-air delivery. And Whitlock went three for four."
I’ll bite, which of the four did Whitlock fail in?
"On-air delivery," Zuroweste says. "Jason’s biggest issue was his ego. He was a great writer but that doesn’t translate into being a great radio performer. He sounded like he had marbles in his mouth. He was also very controversial; the question was, did the controversy appeal to the more plus or the minus side."
Zuroweste learned the hard way what Whitlock flying solo was like after his falling out with on-air mate Bill Maas.
"Jason had a co-host on WHB – him and Maas – but he wanted to do his own show when we hired him," Zuroweste says. "But he needed a good co-host no matter who it was. He needed somebody to partner with."
Would Zuroweste bring Jason back if he could?
"I’m not in a position to."
That said, there is a school of thought that putting Whitlock back on the air at Entercom after having to forcibly remove him from the studio would be too risky.
"Too dangerous," says one radio exec who asked not to be named. "You don’t take somebody back after they do what he did. He burned a (effing) bridge. And you can’t burn the bridge you live on."
Oh My Gosh!
Jr. has died in mid-sentence!
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“On-air delivery,” Zuroweste says. “Jason’s biggest issue was his ego. He was a great writer but that doesn’t translate into being a great radio performer. He sounded like he had marbles in his mouth. He was also very controversial; the question was, did the controversy appeal to the more plus or minus side.”
Zuroweste learned the
FAINT PRAISE?
“The $64 million question: How good was Whitlock when he was on the air here?”
– how good does someone have to be exceed the ponderous Kietzman? Rather then an affirmation the ponderous guy, be indictment Whitlock’s failure to translate on-air his rapier poison pen, print. To wit, personally I would prefer the sound a continuous loop Howard Cosell “telling it like it is” to the 810 drone.
Using cliffhangers to raise interest are we, Hearne?
Uh, my bad…
I was in the middle of writing that puppy – got the new radio ratings – and posted it in error. Not so much a cliffhanger as tripping and falling off the cliff. Check it now!
Keitzman goes down
I just heard Nick Wright say on the air he beat KK. I looked it up in the new ratings and it’s true. Men 25-54 Mon-Fri 2pm to 6pm Nick 6.8 to Kevin’s 6.7. This is going to be fun.
Pioneer Stereo-Type
JW accurately portrayed every KKK Negro stereotype; unintelligible, inarticulate, slow spoken to the point he sometimes sounded mentally challenged. He often seemed unprepared and uninformed.
Eveything you could possibly hope for in a radio host in Kansas City.
I was posting this as you were looking it up! Small world.
Not Going to Happen
Never in a million years would JW be allowed back at KCSP. Not only did he burn the bridge, but he drained the river it crossed.
Wonder where he’s planning to broadcast from here on September 5th? Oh, wait! Forgot we’re not supposed to pay attention to anything he says on Twitter
LETS BE HONEST WE MISS JASON
Like someone else I know, he is hard to “not have” in KC. I say BRING HIM BACK, to the Failling Star and Sports Talk, an hour with Nick then his own show with say Mass or Tim Grunhardt. Even me for a minute. I liked working with the guy.
LOOK IF HE CAME BACK TO THE STAR AND 610 man it would be a STORY..the whole town would be talking about it. In fact the Star should have their two most Controversial guys back…WHITLOCK IN SPORTS AND HEARNE IN FYI WHICH IS NOW ALL BUT DEAD, so is sports. I’m sorry I like Sam Mellinger but he has no controversial game, much…good writer but too safe. He can stay but add Jason
Best thing the Star could do is bring both back, BILLBOARD IT, ADD READERS AND HAVE SOME GOD DAMN NEWS…FOR A CHANGE….Hearne will come back at a lower rate, pssst, he doesn’t need the money…Jason will come back lower pssst, he needs the money…both love the action…BRING THEM BACK..BRING THEM BACK..SAVE THE STAR…WE WANT THEM BACK.
Akon Responds to Glaze
Know me, ya know how I do The way that I move, nigga (Ya neva gonna get it)’Cause I’m too smooth, nigga (Ya neva gonna get it) I thought you knew, nigga (Ya neva gonna get it)You ain’t got a clue, nigga (Ya neva gonna get it)
he is coming back… burned bridges mean nada in radio
It isn’t like he is a doctor and sewed a dropped scalpel into someone. This is radio… the gimmickiest industry on the planet. They may protect themselves better and the lawyer may take a longer look at the contract this time… But I agree with Glaze again… he will pop up somewhere soon and he will make a difference. I thought Maas was awesome. I root for underdogs… We all have to overcome problems and mistakes… sometimes repeatedly.. But if you have talent… and stay relevant… you will have opportunities.