WTKK Rearranges Its Deck Chairs
by Brian Maloney, July 1st, 2009 at 12:36pm
Has Boston’s hapless FM talker WTKK finally acknowledged that it must repair its sinking ship?
At Radio-Info’s Boston discussion board, several listeners have noted how the station has tinkered with its “clock”, breaking up WTKK’s notoriously-long breaks and getting to programs earlier in the hour. It’s a necessary move that should have occurred years ago.
But it doesn’t address the key issue: unpopular programming, positioned poorly and sinking fast under the new Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings system. WTKK is now a minor player in the Boston radio scene, absent from the top ten locally.
Greater Media has shown itself to be incredibly stubborn at a time when the boat is quickly sinking. It consistently responds to WRKO’s programming blunders with even bigger mistakes.
If WTKK sinks much lower, it could be at risk for a format flip to music. At a time when talk radio is on fire nationally, that would be unfortunate for both the company and Boston alike.
Entry Filed under: Boston Radio Ratings, New England Talk Radio, Uncategorized, WTKK
53 Comments Add your own
1. stonecutter | July 1st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Imus: same old same old lite
Graham: for some reason has gone to the multi-topic at the same time format, I guess that makes for more phone calls but lousy radio. Also has the embarassing beating up the producer segment every hour which is a total shop stopper(in a bad way)
E + B: Out of control too many topics and plenty of dopey potty talk.
Jay: same old same old lite
Use to leave the work radio on TKK all day but now it’s hardly ever on. Rush kills E + B in entertainment and information, Howie on his worst day is still better then the new Jay. The rest of the time it’s music these days. Even when I have a week moment and tune in I can barely go 30 minutes before I change it again. Local talk is one thing and bad local talk is a totally different thing.
2. Pat Lucci | July 1st, 2009 at 1:26 pm
If Maggie would stop giggling like a blythering idiot at the less than humorous nonsense that Jim throws out and Jay actually simulated a conversation with callers instead of lecturing and McFee would stay home more often, the air at TKK may actually be worth an occasional listen.
3. piratetoby | July 1st, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Magpie is announcing a pie-eating contest this weekend, if anyone’s interested. (giggle, giggle)
Yes, my bad.
4. str | July 1st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
What might have been if Howie Carr had gone to WTKK 2 years ago?
5. medic | July 1st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I am listening to Howie and Sandy told him that the new website was not up and therefore the poll question was NOT showing. He asked her if ENTERCOM happen, she would not answer, but said something to the effect that “bleep” always happens around “this dump!” He ain’t too PO’d!
6. medic | July 1st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I should qualify what I wrote. Howie was the person who said “bleeep always happens around this dump” not Sandy! Sorry!
7. whatever | July 1st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Excuse me for pointing this out but other than Howie (who I can’t hear with all the static right now) what does wrko have going for it? I think we are screwed if wtkk goes back to music. I will take what they have to offer right now because it is all we have. Oh, wait, There is always NPR.
8. swami | July 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
WEEI is notorious for ignoring the clock. “20/20 sports flash” is NEVER at :20, :40 or :60. New hours of talk typically begin at :15 or even :20.
If a real program director were there he’d exert some discipline on the self-important windbag hosts….but there isn’t.
9. grace | July 1st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
hey, whatever ……. happened to Karl’s site?
10. bob | July 1st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
WTKK is missing so many golden opportunities to leap forward. But the station has no identity. It’s like they’re stuck in a radio vortex, just blandly spinning in one place. It’s almost like they don’t “get it”.
Everybody on this site is a critic, so I’ll toss out a softball for some fun. If YOU were Grace Blazer, Program Director, what immediate changes would you make to transform WTKK into a solid competitor? Bear in mind, they can’t have Howie. C’mon…what’s the new lineup? And don’t leave out imaging and promos.
You can bet TKK management visits this site, so who knows…maybe YOU have the golden idea. The prize would be a 50kw FM beast of a station Boston could rally around, a station that made a difference and mattered…instead of the “also ran” we hear now.
11. whatever | July 1st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
bob, wtkk has not changed much in the way of hosts right? Barnicle is gone and Graham is in his place. Where was Graham before? I can’t remember. Laura Ingraham was dropped as was Bill O’Reilley.
Other than that I am still listening to Imus on the way in to work and Severin or Howie on the way home. Same as always.
I think it is the content and delivery that has changed. And not for the better.
12. piratetoby | July 1st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
For 12 hours, from 9 am – 10 pm WTKK has 4 shows w/local hosts. For these 4 shows, there a 5 hosts. Three are of the conservative right-wing variety and two are of the more liberal/progressive left. The two liberals, Jim and Margery are put together as co-hosts. I have friends who think WTKK is just another right-wing talk radio station. They must include more liberal/progressive programming.
Whatever chemistry between Jim & Margery they once shared is now gone. She has gone off the deep end with the silliness and giggling. Frankly she seems disinterested in anything of substance, and is obsessed with putting some kind of sexual slant on every topic. She even pulls it on unwitting callers, asking sexual questions.
I think Margery should be paired with Michelle. They could dish, and Michelle needs a co-host on air, because she is so not able to pull it off by herself. I think Margery should do a show with Jim on occasion, but not as a co-host.
In addition, I’d like to see hosts pair up occasionally for a discussion/debate. Point/counterpoint style. Liberal/Conservative. Male/Female. I’d also like the programming to include more guests. Not regulars like Coakley or Patrick, just a variety of in-studio guests. Not all the time, but just for a change of pace.
The first change Grace should make is finding some balance. The programming should reflect both conservative AND liberal ideologies. And she should insist her hosts DO NOT HANG UP ON CALLERS WHO DISAGREE WITH THEM. It’s TALK RADIO, yes? Let the callers talk
13. Pat Lucci | July 1st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Bob,
I’d try this.
Bring in Rod Fritz to anchor news and co-host the A.M. drive slot with news analisys with Melanie Morgan from KFSO in SFO and have lots of local and natonal guests. This would give us two great news people for stimulating A.M. drive with a focus on news.
Graham really wants to do stand up so let him and send him packing to be replaced with Braude who is decent without giggles. He would be forced to stick with issues without a dim wit to wise crack to and the incessant laughing would be replaced with stimulating contravercial conversation.
Dump Cockley and Duval. They add no value.
Noon to 3:00 go and pay Gene Burns at KGO anything he wants and compete respectibly with Rush.
Bring in VB, Doug Goudy, from 3 to 7 to compete with Howie. This would mean a lot of production stuff. Who better to compete with Howie than his product.?
From 7 to 10 go fetch Dan Rea and get rid of the dumb screacher with the tackey clothes from the third floor piazza in East Boston.
14. Pat Lucci | July 1st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Notice I did not put myself in the line up. I am out of the business!!!!!!!!!!!
15. Bob Schieffer | July 1st, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I’d put VB on 11-3, simulcast Peter Blute from WCRN in the morning (I think he’s 6-9), and hire Ted Koppel to do anything he wants, from 5 minutes to 5 hours. I don’t really listen to WTKK, but the woman in the evening who works for the newspaper is unlistenable. Replace Jay 3-7 with Dale Dorman in the afternoon and let him spin some records and sing karaoke along with (pre-screened) callers with decent voices.
16. Pat Lucci | July 1st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I would finally get rid of the rip and read newsers and replace them with real reporters. May I suggest Paul Tutthill and Marga Bissette and Caroline Murdock.
17. piratetoby | July 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Wow, Pat. You really cleaned house. I like replacing Graham with Braude, and putting him in that time slot will help transform TKK’s right-wing nut image. His talent/knowledge is wasted in the 12-3 time slot.
I’m not familiar w/the two you proposed for the AM drive, but anything has to be an improvement over Imus.
Don’t know enough about VB, but the little I’ve heard, he sounds OK. He’s fairly young, and I like that. What a breath of fresh air he’d be to replace Gumpy! Severino is so dead. Get it over already. Stick a fork in him. The fat lady is done singing. Hit the road w/a Johnny Winter revival tour…(is he still alive?)
It’s too bad there isn’t a decent local female to add into the mix. What will we do w/out the Magpie, the gift that keeps on giving?
18. Circlet Soft | July 2nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
What, Mauzy Stafford would not survive your cut, Pat Lucci?! Where would we be without her faux-breathless reportage? She must be a looker, though, because Michael Graham seems gaga over her. This is her, on the right:
http://www.bambinomusical.com/hist_pic.jpg
And here:
http://imgsrv.oldies1033.com/image/DbGraphic/200604/248243.gif?1246523013
I strenuously disagree with VB. He is only good in short spurts, not carrying an entire show.
19. Larry | July 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 am
During commercial breaks I sometimes switch to TKK…Graham has gotten weird. His conversation with a female caller about skidmarks on the underwear hindering romance serves as an indication of the “talk devolution” in Boston… Marge and Jim are just too silly about every topic to listen to… Maybe with Howie’s bad hip someone will push him down the stairs the way he did to Jerry Williams… I find myself listening to music more often.
20. bob | July 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Since my earlier post, look at the pattern that has developed regarding everyone’s opinion of WTKK.
My feeling is there’s a liberal Democrat mindset that TKK management is scared to death to excorsize from the lineup. I hear it every day on that station. Severin’s been warned not to cross the line that sissy management has drawn. Graham stands up to it frequently. So does McPhee to a degree…but being “polite”, sensitive, and PC won’t grow a listener base. Eagan and Braude are the worst example!!! And kissing the ass of an ineffective governor is embarrassing.
This doesn’t mean the station should become a basher, but if they followed the business model of Fox News, they’d win the market. Speak up to corruption on Beacon Hill. Out the rotten politicians!! Speak for the PEOPLE instead of the hack establishment.
The Dems think Fox is the devil….but why do they consistently trump MSNBC, Headline News, and CNN combined??? The answer is because they have the content, attitude, and political message people want. It’s obvious! It’s also why Howie wins.
21. Mr. Pragmatic | July 2nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
“The Dems think Fox is the devil….but why do they consistently trump MSNBC, Headline News, and CNN combined??? The answer is because they have the content, attitude, and political message people want. It’s obvious! It’s also why Howie wins.”
Then why do we have a democrat in the white house, a democratic house and a filibuster-proof democrat majority in the Senate?
Fox News does well because they deliver the content, attitude and message that heavy (in terms of usage) TV users (and talk radio listeners for that matter) gravitate to. They do not always reflect the national zeitgeist, but they know their audience exceedingly well and they deliver consistently.
22. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 am
Bob,
Are we listening to the same station? Liberal Democrat mindset mgmt. is scared to exorcise? Polite, sensitive and PC?
And while I agree the “Ask the Governor” segment is a disappointment, you can’t really blame Jim and Margery. Patrick is on for one hour and he is there to answer callers. Brown nosing? Magpie maybe a little bit, and Jim no.
And……Howie WINS? In my book, Howie blows.
23. Marco | July 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 am
Brian is spot on with this article. WTKK needs to do a massive overhaul in order to save it. What that overhaul is I don’t know but dropping Michelle McPhee from the airwaves is a good start.
24. listener | July 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Bob:
Lets start with replacing Imus with Quinn & Rose. As rating increase, and they will, you’ll have more revenue to make more changes.
Braude goes. So does the horny cheerleader. Imagine getting Rush from RKO and getting him for that time slot.
Once Rush is gone from RKO, I don’t care how much of a wining season the Sox have, they won’t generate enough to pay Howie’s salary. When he’s relieved from his contract he’s now an option for PM Drive. (Buh-bye Jay.)
What to do with Graham, he could follow Howie and that would make room for Laura or Beck. He could stay put and then run Laura or Beck after Howie. If you’re not hot on the Laura / Beck idea, somebody else mentioned bringing back Rod Fritz. I like the Rod Fritz idea, but not with Morgan. Some of the other names mentioned that sounded interesting were: Tutthill, Bissette, and Murdock. Sorry McPhee, but you’re better writing than talking.
Sort of a moot point though. As soon as the “Fairness Doctrine” (or the local radio scheme) returns, we’ll all be listening to hip-hop anyway.
25. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Can someone please answer this: who in their right mind, assuming they are not hearing impaired, would put Michelle McPhee on the air?
Her show, between that voice and her limited grasp on the news (unless it involves one of Boston’s finest, police and/or firemen), could be mistaken for a parody! Seriously, someone tuning in for the first time could very easily mistake her show for some college radio parody.
If mgmt. at TKK was trying her out, when will it occur to them her trial period has long expired? She is the worst!!
No one likes to see anyone lose their job, but if TKK wants to salvage the little they have left, and build on improving, they need to make some tough decisions.
26. Cap'n Spackle | July 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
27. Cap'n Spackle | July 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Softie, is that you in the middle?
(stupid no-Preview mode!)
28. Cap'n Spackle | July 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
McPhe is a conservative right-winger — funniest thing I’ve seen so far today, thanks!
29. Cap'n Spackle | July 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 am
By all means! Stop rearranging those deck chairs and set fire to the lifeboats at once! TKK needs to become as successful as those other lefty talk stations such as…
(crickets)
I’ll have to get back to you on this later.
30. Sorenson | July 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 am
medic: on the “bleep always happens around here”
You still don’t know shtick when you hear it?
Howies the master.
pirate: you gotta keep Jim and Margery together
it always takes “2″ half assed liberals to make a whole. You know that!
Suggestion: Force Jay to “go to school” and learn “authentic”.
He never did and oh that sounds excruciatingly pitiful and lonely. (so sorry jay, who beat you?)
His “you are the best and brightest” is the first cousin to “oh I love you so much…….may I get in your pants pretty please?”
I can’t believe anyone wants to go to the principals office [calling Dan Rae] and be treated like a 12 year old.
Sheiffer: MM: like strong liqueur: required taste.
and oh, be local or be gone.
Bob: talking to a Governor of Your State is a good gig if you can get it. Grow up.
Pirate, I have heard Michelle “news blunder” yet her handlers get it corrected on the first break and sometimes before (oh well).
Yet Listen to her callers. She is “the beloved” to many of them.
If you can maintain the bottom line, Let people have their voice is what I say.
Oh and Pirate, on sovereignty, that is for your girlfriend to help you with or heaven for bid your wife(cough). If they toss MM, still she will always have that!
Ta ta!
31. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Sorenson,
Yeah, I know the meaning of the word, but didn’t understand your point in regards to McPhee. I get it, and based on the limited knowledge I have on her listeners, I agree. They DO love her.
And regarding your speculation, king or queen, sovereignty works both ways. I need no help, thanks anyway.
And Cap’n,
Glad to give you a chuckle. And you’re correct. Labeling McPhee a right-wing conservative! I stand corrected. She is an ill-informed, dope. Like a parrot, she has a few talking points. And that’s fine, because her listeners are also ill-informed dopes, and like many mentally impaired people, they are lulled into a comfort zone by her repetitive words.
Toodles!
32. Sorenson | July 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Ohhh Cap’n you see that?
pirate”boy” has the hots for MM.
Oh why didn’t I see that sooner.
I know I know pirate,
it’s hard it’s hard!
rotflmao!!
33. Circlet Soft | July 2nd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Cap’n, no that is not me!!!
34. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Sorenson,
Ha! You got me! Sadly I am not a man in a uniform. I don’t stand a chance with the fair maiden, McPhee.
Gang of Four’s, “I Love A Man in a Uniform” could be McPhee’s anthem…
“The girls they love to see you shoot
I love a man in a uniform
I love a man in a uniform
I need an order
(Shoot, shoot)
I need an order
(Shoot, shoot)
The girls they love to see you shoot
I love a man in a uniform
(They love a… they love a… they love a…)
(They love to see you shoot)
The girls they love to see you shoot
(Bang bang you’re dead)
I love a man in a uniform
(They love a… they love a… they love a… bang bang)
(They love to see you shoot)”
Really, Sorenson, it’s not THAT hard. Unlike you, I have not acquired a taste for McPhee.
35. Sorenson | July 2nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
The pirate doth protest to much me thinks!
Everyone can see ………..
I win!!! (again)
still rotflmao!!!
Nice song though psycho. Your too easy.
Yuk yuk yuk
36. listener | July 2nd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
would be nice to get a reason as to why a comment was not posted. you do have an E-Mail address which to send it to.
Bob’s question is moot. After the “Fairness Doctrine” (or the local radio mandate) we’ll all be listening to hip-hop anyway.
The 1 good thing about that would be felon replaced with bad music.
37. Karl from Malden | July 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I hear that TKK actually has good weekend ratings why not use some of those hosts more? Just a thought, I’ll wait to be bashed.
38. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Sorenson,
You won, AGAIN? I must’ve missed the first win. I, too was busy…..laughing MAO. God ” for bid” I would “require” a taste for MM.
Re-read your post, Sorenson. You’ve got nothing to brag about. I’d suggest a remedial grammar lesson. How can anyone take your post seriously?
Methinks you being such a fan of MM, you’re popping those Budweiser tops a bit too early in the day.
Bottom’s up!
39. Sorenson | July 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Pirate!
An extra space and spelling?
That’s all you got?
You want a shovel?
Keep digging pirate keep digging!
All Because I called you out on your MM infatuation! It’s ok pirate. It happens.
Frustrated people like yourself just do that stuff.
Get over it.
chuckle chuckle.
40. whatever | July 2nd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Karl from Malden (didn’t you just pass away?) I won’t bash you. I like the chick who is on Saturday morning. Joe and Huggy are fun sometimes. Jimmy Myers makes me want to kill myself.
41. piratetoby | July 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
No, you dope.
“Sheiffer: MM: like strong liqueur: required taste.”
Chuckle, chuckle……don’t you mean “acquired taste”?
If, God “for bid” if I ever acquire a taste for bikey chicks, trust me, there will never be a liquor strong enough to include MM.
Bottom’s up!!
42. Sorenson | July 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Yes Carl, agreed.
Joe and Huggy.
Accompanied by a nice chunk of crusty bread, sharp sharp cheese, and a great Belgian (to help soften the “raspy”). Not bad for week-end.
sad lil pirate:
“Bottom’s up!!” you say?
Your’s, I’m afraid, is already positioned as such.
You should stop. You tire these eloquent posters with your nonsense. ok? I prefer more substantive dialog. Please! Thank you for your obedience.
My sovereignty has apparently hit a nerve whilst you struggle along as nearly corvée.
43. atrueamerican | July 2nd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
The dumbing down continues!…just listen to some of the comments on this site about what may be right or wrong about WTKK. Contributors such as Jay and Michelle and Curtis keep issues that matter on focus on this station. Sadly, there’s so many out there who have no clue of the big picture, and want to see or hear only what is immediate gratification or pleasure, regardless of its superficial value.
44. Marco | July 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 am
The ratings don’t lie. TKK is in 14th-15th place and falling. We have a station that is using the most successful formula (conservative talk) in radio, they are on FM and have a super strong signal. How do you screw that up? By having bad hosts. Again, the numbers don’t lie. When someone’s ears are bleeding because they can’t stand the screech of McPhees voice they don’t say “I’m going to stick with this because, you know, I’ll acquire a taste for this”. No, they turn the dial to one of the 14 stations that are consistently beating her in that time slot. Again, the numbers don’t lie. They need to drop her and bring in syndication or someone that sounds like they have been working at a radio station for more than a week. Severin’s new Prozac approach is also getting old. This station needs to do something drastic and fast.
45. Circlet Soft | July 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Game, set, and match to PirateToby…
46. whatever | July 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 am
The hosts are fine if they would just tone it down and start conversing.
47. Marco | July 3rd, 2009 at 11:45 am
So the Hosts are fine? Then what is causing WTKK’s horrible ratings? They have been in free fall for over a year now.
48. whatever | July 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
I think they all got loud and obnoxious. If they would go back to TALKING to callers and stop trying to be “funny” all of the time. I would be happy. Jay is actually more listenable since his smackdown. (other than his talk about the Gov. who lost his way from NC)
49. Sorenson | July 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Marco
I will concede that you can not wait for acquired tastes while ratings drop. Yet seriously, don’t we do that to a degree with any new host? I mean there is an adjustment period, to a new voice new ideology, new shtick etc. And what I was really trying to point out is how here audience adores her. It is folks without voice who seem to find it with her.
Unfortunately that doesn’t sell advertising.
But wait!
She does a good job on the liposuction add!
I bet that guy is getting good business!
Pirateboy, your mom [ie CircleSoft] is posting.
Or else it is a peer giving you a lil pat on the head. lol
50. piratetoby | July 3rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Thanks, Softy, however it’s a hollow victory. Read the posts of my challenger.
And, Marco, you beat me to the punch. Whatever do you mean, the hosts are fine, the just need to tone “it” down.
Without using Jay again, explain the “finr hosts” and what “it” is then need to tone down.
And Sorenson, yeah I’m sure MM is getting lots of lipo for Dr. Steven Margolis. I mean, “he rocks” and that’s what most folks are looking for in a doctor.
Love those “Mommy” comments. Can’t pull the wool over your eyes. Tell me, where is “God Save the Queen” over an image of MM tatooed on your body? I’ll bet that is a real turn on a “date”. Any I use the term “date” very loosely.
51. Marco | July 4th, 2009 at 9:08 am
MM has had a year to “catch on”. I’m sure she has a limited following but as we both agree, it’s all about ratings and advertising and it seems she isn’t pulling it. I thought the guy they had on yesterday covering for her was good (Dan Flynn). I don’t know where he came from but he seemed at ease behind the microphone (something MM isn’t). He handled his callers well.
WTKK should consider making this a permanent move as the MM experiment has just about run it’s course.
52. susan mcbride | July 5th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
graham seems like he would love to do some morning “zoo” schtick.
he hates women.
all his humor is dependant on denigrating women……yawn.
whatever happened to the “warden”?
53. Summer | July 8th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Graham denigrating women? LOL. I think that job is reserved solely for the one and only pompous Braude. An hour can’t go by without him ridiculing Eagen who, I would normally say doesn’t deserve it, but since she takes it and cackles, I say kick her down a few more pegs.
I think it’s funny when liberals comment on conservative talk radio, like they know anything about it given the track record for the ever-successful Air America disaster experiment.
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