BANGOR, Maine — On Thursday afternoon, Dale Duff and Clem LaBree were preparing for their 4 to 6 p.m. sports talk show on Bangor radio station WZON-AM 620.
At 1:30 p.m., Duff was editing and cutting highlights of Wednesday night’s Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics games.
Fifteen minutes later, Duff and LaBree were told they were out of their jobs immediately.
Duff, who writes a blog for Bangor Daily News, was the sports director and sportscaster and LaBree was a reporter and sportscaster.
Duff was hired by station owner and best-selling author Stephen King 19 years ago to be the sports director of the state’s first 24-hour sports talk station.
It was King who delivered the news on Thursday, Duff said.
“He said we were losing too much money. He said it didn’t have anything to do with broadcast quality,” said Duff. “He thanked us for our hard work.”
Duff said he and LaBree cleaned out their desks and left the station for good Thursday night.
He said they will receive severance packages.
The Zone Corp. has undergone a number of changes in recent years.
The 24-hour, all-sports format was ditched in favor of a progressive liberal talk show format in November 2010.
Duff and LaBree had their 6-9 a.m. sports talk show shifted to 4-6 p.m.
The FM station, 103.1 The Pulse, has been simulcast with WZON-AM although sports broadcasts were carried exclusively on the AM station.
Rock station WKIT-FM 100.3 also is part of the Zone Corp.
In 2008, WZON lost the broadcast rights for University of Maine games to Clear Channel and Learfield Communications.
King signed a three-year contract to broadcast Boston Red Sox games this past offseason, but that represents the only sports on the station.
Duff and LaBree have broadcast a number of high school games in addition to Husson University contests up until Thursday.
In fact, Duff, LaBree and Toby Nelson combined to do a pair of high school baseball games on Wednesday.
“I can’t say I’m devastated. I don’t know how I feel,” said Duff, who was composed but obviously disappointed.
WZON-AM was chosen by The Associated Press as the state’s best station on two occasions and won 135 awards.
“I think we served the community well sportswise,” said Duff, who is president of Bangor East Side Little League. “It’s all about local sports now. When we were doing University of Maine games, we did 120 Maine games and 150 high school games in one year. We carried every [Boston] championship including two Boston Red Sox World Series championships, last year’s Bruins Stanley Cup title, the Celtics’ championship in 2008 and the Patriots’ [three] Super Bowl wins.
“There isn’t a station in Maine that did what we did, sportswise,” he added.
The 54-year-old Duff, a Houlton native who has been a fixture in the Bangor media for 34 years including a stint as sports director/anchor at WLBZ-TV Channel 2, said he isn’t sure about his future but he would like to stay in sports.
It’s a shame that even someone with the money and intelligence of S. King can’t found the giant consortiums and monopolies that run the media like a hierarchical mafia.
“Losing to much money”??
When you replaced thousands that listen to ESPN with the 27 that listen to far left talk radio, what did you expect.
One objection, King could keep the station running in the red indeffinately with a small percentage of the interest he’s earning on his wealth. Guess he doesn’t care that much after all.
I lost my interest in Stephen King when I read the short story he wrote about the hotel maid that was eating semen off the bed sheets and got pregnant as a result. If this is the best that the master of short story can come up with, I will stick to reading the BDN classified ads in the john for my literary entertainment.
He doesn’t even do that very well anymore.
Let’s be honest, he put his name on a roll of toilet paper someone would would call it genius.
Truly sad. I have to say, I have lost a great deal of respect for Stephen King through the WZON transition. I understand that it is a business, but to not even give professional courtesy to two guys that have become staples of Eastern Maine sports is outrageous. They clearly had intentions of pulling the plug on the local sports arm of the station and should’ve given these guys advance notice. At the very least, Dale & Clem should’ve been given the opportunity to conduct a final broadcast. Best of luck to both Dale and Clem and a great deal of thanks from a fan of the incredible entertainment they provided on the air with their show and award winning coverage of local sports.
“Incredible entertainment”???
Just looked up definitions of both just to be sure. Want to be fair. You clearly have very low standards for both words and a very boring life.
Stephen King provides 19 years of a “community service” with a losing business and you rip him. Dale and Clem should have been on their knees in thanks that it lasted that long.
“Sportswise” clearly doesn’t equal “business wise”.
I think you should re-read what I wrote. I very clearly stated that I understand that this is a business move by King. I think the writing has pretty clearly been on the wall regarding WZON’s involvement in local sports. My beef with King is the way he handled it in the end. I think it lacked professionalism. But then again, I wouldn’t expect you to understand professionalism based on your response to my original comment.
I’d like to think that there is a decent severance arrangement. It is very interesting to see this handled this way…I suspect if some big company From Away did this to some Mainers, he and his team would have plenty to say about it.
And you clearly are focused on the last sentence in my reply. I think that we can agree on that one.
You did write “INCREDIBLE ENTERTAINMENT”. That is an issue. Maybe a little over the top with that??? C’mon.
Yes. Mr. King could have allowed them to finish out the week. Sometimes in business you just have to get the decision behind you. Don’t forget the weeks, months & years that he continued to employ them only out of the goodness of his heart.
They got a severance package so they were just taken off the air without any cushion, but have their pay and time to find a new job.
How is that generosity beyond what is legally required unprofessional?
Are your referring to Bain Capital?
Yes, I find the instant dismissal curious and disappointing as well. Was Mr. King worried about what they might say on air if given the opportunity?
Regardless of whether you considered the show goofy, irrelevant or worthwhile, that is not the way to treat long term employees. The folks working there now might be wise to prepare resumes, as the current sour format can not be profitable either.
a heads up would have been nice, but they did get a severence package. More than most folks get. Usually you’re handed the paper, you clean out your desk and leave…….NO package. Been there, done that. Thank you Leplaque.
Severence Package was a signed copy of “The Dead Zone”!
I am not in that listening area all of the time but it does seem that they could’ve finished out the week and said goodbye to their listeners.I wish them success in a tough market.
They cut their own throats when they wouldn’t allow anyone who called UMaine games on the show. Rich Kimball’s show is doing quite well. Dale Duff was a big crybaby, good riddance.
Gee, even Stevie King lays off people? His venture
is losing money? Blame Romney.
Probably WKIT does just fine. From what I hear it has carried WZON forever.
maybe George Bush is to blame as well.
Probably right on this post Kowie
Romney is a major stock holder in clear channel. He’s obviously a hater of folks like SK. How does anyone stand up to such hatred and wealth? To all of you folks out there that listen to all those right wing channels. Enjoy your rich, hatred life. Keep your blinders on to the less fortunate and keep your eyes to your back. What goes around comes around.
I watched an interview with a TPer who-surprise-lost her job,her house,got sick and was at one of the free clinics.She begged for forgiveness and said”I didn’t think this could happen to me”
Was she one of the TP protesters who were carrying signs that read
“Keep the Government out of my Medicare?”
That one was pure comedy.
They’re the ones who are bleeding us all dry.
America was the greatest country ever in the history of civilization. Why? One word: FREEDOM.
Progressivism/liberalism has stolen and destroyed many of our freedoms in America over the past several decades under the LIE that government regulation and intervention in the lives of AMERICANS is good for everybody.
STEALING FREEDOM from one person steals it from everyone.
The idea that government is essential to “leveling the playing field,” or “making it fair,” or “equal” is a fool-hardy notion.
“A government big enough to give you everything you need is big enough to take it all away from you.” ~ Thomas Jefferson.
Obviously…
Hows that working out for you?
It all started downhill when Hannigan left ,he was easily the most talented person they had ,then they stupidly tried to play games with UMO didnt work, they cut their own throats,by giving Kimball and Churchill ultimatums,so they said see ya ,that was Dale;’ doing i beleive ,i used to never miss, both morning and afternoon shows loved the espn hosts , with a couple exceptions, i havent listened to them in many months now.
UMaine, not UMO.
Oh, please. You still getting worked up about this?
UMO! UMO! UMO!
You still living in the past? Give it up.
UMO UMO UMO UMO UMO Go Blue UMO UMO UMO go blue. When in Maine and asked where did you go to school? If you say Umaine the next question will always be which one?
Only one.
The University of Maine
BINGO!
Dunbar typical spin feeling you have to call it UMAINE. You guys make me sick. It is University of Maine at Orono always has been and always will be. Until UMO decides to quit the UMaine System it will have to be referred to as University of Maine Orono. If the University of Maine at Orono wants to make the decision to disband from public funds I will gladly call it the University of MaineThe good news is we have the University of Maine Fort Kent, University of Maine at Presque Isle, University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Machias, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Southern Maine, and oh yeah University of Maine at Orono.
The official name of the school is The University of Maine and has been from 1897-1967 and 1986-present. It is the flagship institution of the state and is referred as so. Facts are facts, stop living in the past.
You are the only one who cares, and rightfully so.
It has been and always will be referred to as UMO.
It isn’t and you’re wrong.
Mr Dunbar call the school and ask what the web address use to be for UMO hummm http://www.umo.maine.edu it just recently got changed after some liberal crazies had a stick up the back end.
UM’s website has been umaine.edu since 1999 and before that it was ume.maine.edu.
www.umo.maine.edu
No.
dunbar 1 must be the bright one.
I’m calling my representative and requesting the school name be change back to University of Maine at Orono again :) Here is some great links that feel UMO is the correct name.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?key_school=eae4f2fa&exact=1&query_type=key_school
http://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Maine-at-Orono-Historic-District/146547202031888
http://www.nndb.com/edu/648/000082402/
http://tclf.org/landscapes/university-maine-orono
I can provide you a bunch more. So lets just simply call it the UMO like it should be :)
It shouldn’t be. It wasn’t the original name and never should of changed. UM is the flagship institution of our state. The University of Maine existed far before any of the satillite schools.
It’s just Maine.
It should have never been “UMO”. The University of Maine has existed in it’s current name far before (1897) any of the satillite schools in the University system. The fact you think a flagship institution should have a suffix on the end is embarrassing and so is calling a school a name that onlt existed for 19 years (67-86).
UM is Maine.
“It is University of Maine at Orono always has been and always will be.”
No, it has not always been that way. It was University of Maine for the longest time. Then with the creation of the University of Maine System in the late-1960s or thereabouts, the name was changed to University of Maine at Orono.
Fortunately, good sense prevailed in the mid-1980s and the name was changed back to University of Maine. The University of Maine has always been the premiere state university, with the largest campus, the most degree programs, and a research mission second to none. There is no confusion as to where it is, as there is no other institution called the University of Maine.
you are so funny Ryan i assume you are one of the liberal UMO grads. The point is if you said you went to the University of Maine everyone will ask you which campus did you go to. Also USM has had the lead on number of students in attendance for years now. I went to the university of maine orono and i am always asked which campus if i didn’t say UMO. I think you will find in your lifetime USM will continue to grow in size and become known as the flagship university.
The point is that there’s only one school called The University of Maine. The other schools have completely different names. They are separate institutions with the flagship being UM. It’s been UMaine since 1986 and before 1967. Get your head out of your butt.
And UM has 12,000 students, USM 10,000.
Who the hell cares re: UM / UMO?
hey Stevie you said “tax me for **** sake “so apparently you have lots of spare money whats the prob?
Can’t say that I am shocked he pulled the plug. The station can’t make money with a talk show format. I AM Shocked in the manner he did it. After all those years, I would think they should have been allowed to say their good byes in a final show.
The beginning of the end came when they didn’t keep the UMAINE deal. That hurt, as they made a decision to not keep any broadcasters who continued to work UMAINE sports for the other company. It didn’t take WZON very long to lose many listeners and advertisors. When they became a talk radio station, that was a real horror story to many of us sports fans.
I don’t know what other station in that area will step in to fill the void in local sports programming, but I hope someone does. You could have a PVHS – Searsport girls basketball game on the air and have more listeners tuning in than you ever will to the talk format that is on the air now.
Dale and Clem were the ONLY reason that your few remaining advertisers were there. When their contracts are up they’ll leave too. You might as well shutter up WZON now…….Sad day in Bangor Radio…..
Newsflash! Their contracts are up!!
Newsflash! Their contracts are up!!
The dream is over but the memories remain. Pioneer sports broadcasters that fostered a spirit of camaraderie and a sense of pride in our community like Clem and the Duffer did are one in a million, and I for one am thankful to have grown up in the heyday of Sports Radio 620, the ideal childhood Americana experience, without a care in the world. There are more pressing issues of our time more worthwhile, unfortunately, than for Congress to investigate steroid use in baseball and for our thinking that “the powers that be” have everything under control and all we need to do is to pick a political party to vote for every four years or so and in the meantime all there is for us to do is to watch grown men get paid millions to toss a ball around. While we were sleeping the banks and corporations that grew up around the Federal Reserve, a private central bank, have nearly deprived the people of all property by foreclosing on their homes; and some of us have awoken to find ourselves homeless on the continent our forefathers conquered. Had Thomas Jefferson spent all of his spare time watching baseball America never would have made it this far. I still think perhaps at times he was missing out!
And what about the Fox Sports clowns- McCarver and Buck could make people fall asleep describing the Hindenburg.The WORST ever not named Joe Morgan.
WZON Am62 with CHUCK FOSTER was awesome back in the day ….the crackle of AM with ROCK ROCK ROCK !!! Id request “KISS” and theyd play iyt…along with my voice asking for it …was cool. WKIT gets that glory Now . But Ill never forget the 80’s with WZON . Dale Duff is a Sports Legend and he’ll do more…DUFFLE BAG outta rock this week :) . And Ive met Stephen King in his home way back when interviewing him w/ CHUCK Fosters 4 ALL HIT VIDEOS . Hes a great guy and RICHER THAN YOU so nnnyyyyah ! LOl :)
What do you even mean???
When they moved the morning show to the afternoon, WZON was never the same to me. Mornings with Dale and Clem was as routine as my coffee. Dan Hannigan was hard to replace as well (no offense Jeff).
My wife and I went on several Fun Rides to Fenway,and attended all but one of the Hot Stove Nights. They were great times and we wish you well Dale and Clem…Toby too.
Yeah, I agree. Will miss the Fun Rides, Fenway Faithfuls, and esp Dale & Clem. (Did I miss that Toby was let go? Hope not)
No Dale and Clem at the Basketball tournament in February. I will miss them.
sorry to see my former Houlton High classmate go! I enjoyed listening to him, especially during tourney time, he was a voice from the county and helped give us props when he was on!
Way to go…………You have just lost hundreds of listeners, and I am glad to say I am one of them. To fire Dale and Clem right before they go on the air is the most unprofessional thing I could have ever imagined. You lost hundreds of listeners when you put that liberal agenda on your radio stations. Don’t blame Dale and Clem for your mistakes. You need to learn what a local radio station is supposed to do.
If you open up your ears to the liberal talk, you will learn to open your heart. Then when YOU end up in the soup kitchen line…………you may have a few friends. The conservatives are selfish, poor people haters and could easily end up with nothing in the end.
Is that how you justify your existence? Soup kitchens are for those too lazy or irresponsible to take care of themselves!
Sounds more like you kept an open mind so long your brain fell out!
Wow you’re hatred button was sticking right out there today. I have worked since age 15, never collected welfare and have a loving open heart and mind. UNLIKE you with your selfish hatred. Have a great day and go listen to your right wing hatred spreading shows.
If it was that loving and open you wouldn’t have to brag about it, it would show.
What portion of a person’s love and openness would you expect to be apparent from BDN forum contributions? At least Mr. Fat isn’t an obvious troll who shows little respect to those with whom he is in discussion.
FATBOY07 WROTE: ”
I think NOT! Take a look at his history and there isn’t ONE right wing greedy puke that thinks they should be paying more taxes like he admits!!! One has to be logically stupid to think that the rich are paying enough to keep this wonderful country moving forward and not leaving the less fortunate behind.”
Is this what you consider “love and openness” and showing respect for those with whom he is in discussion?
Amazing …
I don’t care about his history any more than I do yours. He was being civil in this feed yet was being told his brain fell out.
For that matter, I never once claimed Mr. Fat was exhibiting an iota of ‘love and openness’.
You’re arguing semantics for the sake of trolling, and you’re not even good at it.
Give an example of what you consider “hatred spreading.” I am having a hard time coming up with a real life example of “right-wing hatred.”
Conservatives do not hate others. We do not use racism, class warfare, sexuality, or any other divisive tool to divide Americans.
However, I can point to countless examples where liberals have done this kind of thing … THIS WEEK!
But, if you’d like to take a walk down memory lane …
It was the Democrats who killed EVERY SINGLE equal rights bill dating back as far as the Civil War. It took the Republicans in Congress to pass it in 1965, forcing LBJ (a Democrat) to pass it.
It was the Democrats that created and grew the Klu Klux Klan that killed thousands of blacks all over the country as far back as the early 1920s.
It was the Democrats who divided the country during the Vietnam War, as they were the ones responsible for escalating the war, and then losing it.
It was the Democrats who were responsible for Jim Crow laws.
It was the Democrats who … (it’s a long and disgusting list) …
And it was your Hero Ronald Reagan that supplied arms to terrorists. He saved American lives though, so well done!
You might be surprised at how many of your fellow righties are hiding their income to get something there.Or not.
Of course we are hiding our income! What’s the alternative with obozo in office, let him give it away to the Solyndra’s of the country? His union thugs? I think not! After he’s thrown from office watch how fast investment increases!
See that was easy to get you to admit you’re all thieves.Calling the IRS.
Okay, once more for those not blessed with intelligence; “Hiding’ is not illegal if it is done correctly and lawfully! There are many MANY places to park income and investments where obozo can’t get his grubby, wealth distribution hands on it! Ask any wealthy Democrat! You’re just jealous because you don’t have it, but think you’re entitled to it!
YOU ARE NOT! Go earn your own!
It’s not really hiding it from the government if it’s done lawfully, now is it?
Yet when a person leaves the country to achieve a lower tax rate they are ‘unamerican’ and a ‘traitor’. Ah, I see. Tax evasion is only ok when there’s a democratic president in office.
How do you know that?
Did you know that the Obamas “gifted” a total of $48,000 to their daughters in 2011 to avoid paying taxes on that money? At 33%, that is almost $15,000 in money that they avoided paying taxes on.
Want more? Joe Biden claimed less than .5% of his income was given to charity.
If you have some names of “fellow righties” who are hiding their income, post them here, otherwise, you may just want to shut your pie hole and stop making stuff up to prove a point. That’s called lying.
How funny is that?
“The conservatives are selfish, poor people haters … ”
The fact of the matter is, conservatives are far more generous than liberals. They donate more money, more time, and even more blood than liberals do. Conservatives believe that they know how best to do good with their money than the government does.
Conservatives are far more religious than liberals are. They attend church in far greater numbers.
Liberals are more than happy to take (steal) from conservatives through government to re-distribute wealth. They are more than happy to tell everyone else how to live. Liberals are more than happy to give the God-given rights of everyone else to the government.
The TRUTH is, fatboy07, is that conservatives believe in self-reliance. They believe in hard work. They believe in being rewarded for making good decisions. They believe in taking care of themselves, and exercising their God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Conservatives don’t put government BEFORE God.
So for that, they are “selfish, poor people haters?”
“Government isn’t the answer. Government is the problem.” ~ Ronald Reagan.
“You can’t make the poor rich by making the rich poor.” ~ Abraham Lincoln.
“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
I’m liberal, I donate money and time to charity. You just won’t see me helping to raise any numbers, because unlike others I don’t have to brag about it. I started working when I was 14, unless you count picking potatoes then I was 8. Now I work from home since I can make more than minimum wage. You really need to stop watching Fox News all the time.
In typical liberal fashion, you can’t understand the concept of “in general.”
In general, conservatives are FAR more generous than liberals. Is that better?
There will always be the odd exception to the rule.
Steve Jobs, for example, wasn’t one of those exceptions. He made it company policy at Apple to make absolutely NO donations to ANYONE OR ANYTHING, and his company has more money that the entire government of the country of Poland (and many others).
John Huntsman Sr, is a billionaire, and he’s established in his will that when he dies ALL of his billions of dollars will go to charity and not his children who don’t really need it.
Two examples that do prove the point.
There have been several recent studies that show that conservatives IN GENERAL give more money, more time, and even more blood than liberals.
Conservatives are not heartless as the left would want everyone to believe. We just believe that we know where better to put our money to make a difference in our world.
Selfish ? “Poor people haters”? Odd, seems Conservatives are more charitable, hands down, than liberals. Not even a close call. So what were you saying again?
Really? Where do you find most soup kitchens? In churches. Are churches often populated with more left or right leaning people? Since Christians are often equated as “rightist” and “conservatives”, then I guess you have your answer. Oversimplified, maybe. But not inaccurate.
You think the losses just started when the station went to progressive talk?
They started when the station lost the UMaine contract.
Maybe not, but it is certainly when the bleeding became critical.
Is a local station supposed to hemmorhage money?
They were making money until their owner decided to ditch the format people actually listened to to make the change to a progressive/liberal talk radio format.
So, to prove his ideological point, two people had to lose their jobs.
Stephen King jumped the shark a long time ago.
No they weren’t. They’d been losing money for years.
Exactly. When they lost UMaine sports that was a dagger and it all went downhill. While it seems a bit unprofessional to pull them before their show on Thursday, I’d be willing to bet that Dale and Clem knew it was coming soon and I’m also willing to bet they are getting nice severance packages.
So you admit that people who listen to conservative radio only have half a brain… We who do listen to Progressive radio already knew that about you but it’s nice to see you and yours are gaining personal insight.
you mean both of you? progressive radio listeners I meant.
Yeah…if you listen to right wing radio you have half a brain, so I figured I’d listen to progressive radio for the other half, but just ended up with no brain. Cheap entertainment is all it is.
It all started when you started shoving that liberal agenda down the throats of your listeners. You started losing money when you went to that programming. It has nothing to do with Dale and Clem. You need to learn what a local radio station is supposed to do. I hope you, Obama, and your liberal agenda are very happy. You have just lost hundreds more listeners , and I am proud to say I am one of them.
Shoving it down your throat?? I love the people around here all staunch libertarians until it brushes up against things you don’t like. Property rights are god given by Jesus unless your Roxanne quimby. Addicts are diseased puke unless your rush limbaugh. And mr king is now a leftist jerk instead of a well known local benefactor because as the owner he makes decisions you don’t like. You hicks should be on ur knees thanking your god the guy didn’t left this one horse town years ago when he hit it big.
Ummm, I believe he lives in Florida for a large percentage of the year but maintains a house here. He’s here but he’s not and to be honest most people wouldn’t notice if he did leave for good. How many people still read? If it’s not on tv then people are out of the loop.
And to refer to someone as a hick because they disagree with you? LOL. Perhaps the people you are condemning to hickdom because their beliefe don’t match yours aren’t that different from you after all.
Omg the guy is in his 60’s and has a place in Florida. What a sell out. Yeah no one reads anymore those things called tablets ( iPads/ kindles) are complete failures. People only watch tv? U stay right there in the county and watch fox news god forbid u listen to progressive opinions that would require an open mind and an indication u might change it.
You know nothing about me yet jump to conclusions. I said absolutely nothing about whether him being in Fl was good or bad I just stated that he does, in-fact, spend most of his time there. As for Fox news, I don’t watch it or any of the other channels. I get my info online where I can read something and then verify it if I wish. However, I’m not a progressive but have listened to that station to attempt to understand. I won’t get it and never will, simple as that. As far as I’m concerned progressive or neo-con, it’s all the same. It’s all about government having too much control over the people.
He lives in Florida because they don’t have an income tax.
If he doesn’t “pay enough in taxes”, why not simply mail a check for 8% of the $32 Million he makes each year to the State of Maine?
The ones who talk about open minds the most are the least likely to posses one.
SK has given more to the people in this state than most anyone else. He still pays taxes here and realizes that the rich ARE NOT taxed on their share of income as the working class. Wow, that makes him a bad guy. You just keep listening to all the right wing disease spreading channels that Romney owns. One day you will be in the soup kitchen line without a bowl!!!!!
I doubt it. One of the wonderful things about being raised it a well adapted culture while at the same time having exposure to our history is I can grow, kill, clean, and cook my own food. I don’t worry too much about being stuck in line at a food kitchen. As for Romney, he’s just as much of an a** as our current President and I won’t be voting for either of them.
There’s a reason the word snowbird exists.And what other old white man from ME has a FL house?LePage.
Go find out where he pay’s his personnel Income Tax, his wife also, Hint, it wont be in Maine.
P.S King has always been a jerk, it’s the Lib’s who are on their knee’s begging him to stay.
I am shocked and dismayed to hear that the author of Portage and Pet Mausoleum has resorted to underhanded capitalist stratagems by firing the staff chop-chop. Egad! Holy bat gate, Stevie!, would it not have been preferably to seek a government bailout and avoid the backdraft?
Sorry to hear about this, Duffer. You and your crew did great work on the Kenduskeag, as well as the other mainstream sports. You’ll be missed, but I have no doubt you’ll end up doing sports with some other local media that will be glad to have you!
Um, it’s only the sports show that’s being cut. Read the story before you comment on it.
They were fired because the station is losing money. They are losing money because nobody wants to listen to progressive/liberal talk radio. AirAmerica didn’t work. MSNBC doesn’t work. Time Magazine, the New York Times, and the rest of the liberal mainstream media doesn’t work as a business model.
The station would not be losing money had it stuck with its original format, and had not taken their broadcast relationship with the University of Maine for granted.
Stephen King is not a businessman. He’s jumped the shark in his writing, and he’s alienated fans because he’s taken himself far too seriously in his own importance to American culture, believing, like far too many “entertainers” that his leftist/communist/socialist/Marxist ideology is what AMERICANS want to hear/see/read.
It’s also the reason that print newspapers across Maine and America are dying.Americans don’t want to be lied to. They don’t want to have an ideology pushed on them disguised as “news.” They don’t want those who entertain them to tell them what to think.
Americans don’t want to be lied to. They don’t want to have an ideology pushed on them disguised as “news.” They don’t want those who entertain them to tell them what to think.
I have to disagree, if the programming on tv that gets all the ratings and the types of magazines (“entertainment”) that sell, are any way to gauge this, then it looks to me like a lot of Americans do, in fact, enjoy being lied to, don’t even try to have original ideas, and don’t want the truth in their news, they want to be entertained by the news. Personally, I do agree with you, I do not want those things.
Even if that were true, your response doesn’t follow. I listen to AM in one of my vehicles because the FM doesn’t work anymore. I like Randi Rhodes from 3-6pm and would feel only slightly inconvenienced, when the sports would break in. I was never a big fan of broadcast games even on TV, but I like Clem and Dale well enough.
So if the topic was good, I could turn on my stereo when I got home and pick up Randi again.
Ed Schultz, who has a show on MSNBC can be found on ZON in the earlier afternoons, before Randi. And Stephanie Miller is on in the morning.
I’m grateful to Stephen King for the simulcast of liberal talk radio and not being forced to listen to the likes of Medved, Limbaugh, or Gibson etc.
Convservative talk radio programming is disturbing, when it’s not being just boring.
Who, in or out of the radio business, ever would have thought that Rock n Roll would ever disappear from AM radio, almost entirely, or that subscription Satellite would in anyway be preferable to ‘free’.
I feel the same way about TV and cable. It used to be there were good shows worth watching, and all you needed was an outlet, a TV set, and some rabbit ears. If you had money, you put an antenna on your roof.
Now, there’s 200 channels and nothin’ to watch but low budget reality shows, repeats, and commercials. Why are Americans paying to watch commercials? Wasn’t that the draw in the 80’s? Cable had NO commercials.
I stopped listening because of the change in broadcast. When Solari’s show ended I tried sticking around, but as someone else posted, the hosts were whiny and condescending and often, like extremists are prone to, just spouted their rhetoric instead of backing it up with any facts. They don’t even preclude statements with “I/we think”, or “allegedly” anymore, everything is presented as fact, and the sheeple of America are content (for the most part) to let others do the thinking for them. Thank God for FSR, I guess.
The talk show hosts you cite spew venom on a daily basis, and twist truth and logic into pretzels. If I was you, I’d be much more careful about associating myself with the likes of them.
The reality is that liberal media isn’t as successful because we, liberals and progressives, actually use our brains to think about how we feel about topics, rather than having the “talking points” spoon fed to us.
And Jeff, I loved your quote of, “They don’t want to have an ideology pushed on them disguised as “news.”” That certainly doesn’t describe the folks at Fox News, whose audience is actually less informed about real events than people who don’t watch news at all. It’s all ideology pushing over there, and rarely news.
I don’t think that WZON took their UMaine contract for granted. They did a great job of covering UMaine sports over the years, when no one else was. It wasn’t until an out of town entity, Learfield Sports, came in and messed with things.
I think it is to his credit that he isn’t a run-of-the mill businessman. It was businessmen that ran this country into the toilet by giving all the jobs away. While they were grabbing all they could, Steven King was doing all he could to help those who were left hanging.
I wish Dale and Clem; The Best of Luck as they move foreward. Our local Sports Programs are better because of the Service they provided for all these years.
—
Times are a changing! To those who write comments, me included, we are all plugged in for different reasons. When times get tough and they are not quite here yet, each of us will have our plugs pulled…no pun intended. Take for example the mail processing facility in Hampden, the plug was ready to be pulled, but Senator Collins has to get re-elected so plugs will be pulled after the voting.
This should send a clear message that Maine is not a leftist, liberal state. You would have thought King would already have been up on that. Guess not.
Funny, no one listens to anyone anyway why spend money on talking when no one is listening?
If a business isn’t carrying it’s self, you don’t let it drag everthing else down.
The IRS frowns on taking money out of your pocket to feed a dead horse, because they don’t want you to use it as a loss and write it off.
I think Mr.and Mrs. King tried their hardest to keep these guys employed for as long as they could, probably for too long.
King shut the wrong radio station down. Rock 100.3 should have gone and let Bobby go. There was the problem with the zone to much crying to King about the zone. Duffer and Clem where the best and who had the final word on losing the UMO contracts Stephen or Bobby???
UMaine, not UMO.
Thank you and I will have a better weekend knowing that.
Listen to the 2 stations 5 days ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Then do some simple math. WKIT is not the problem at Zone Corp. Facts stink when they get in the way of your opinion.
From what I hear on UMaine contract, you wouldn’t want to know about that either.
BgrJoe your the man that knows everything in Bangor I am asumming. By your comment. So tell me about the UMaine deal. I will be waiting to here.
shut 100.3 down? you realize it is the money maker of the two stations.
Shut 100.3 down? Really? You know KIT is the money maker right?
Air America Stevie,Lefties dont listen to talk radio ,they consider it beneath them mentally ,had a lefty buddy of mine that said one time you dont listen to talk radio do you with a sneer ,well guess what ,they loved it when there wasnt nothing else before Rush and Hannity and the fairness doctrine,there was no way to combat the Dan Rathers/blathers,now they are busted immediatley and it drives them CRAZY !!!
I have listened on occasion to the ” progressive liberal talk show format”….wow….and some people complain about the “far right” talk shows???
sorry to have Bangor lose the local sports programs…hopefully someone else will step up……
seems like kind of a harsh move to fire right before the show……no final good bys?
I can’t think of any case where someone who has been fired has been allowed to finish out the day. Imagine the damage that could be caused. I do have to commend Mr. King for having the decency to come in to the station and address the situation himself. ? He could have just as easily had the station manager do the dirty work. By the way , who listens to AM radio anyway ? Sometimes change can be good !
That was an incredibly rude and heartless act.
I am not sure why people find this unexpected. King has been loosing money for years now he has his left wing station to fill the gap in his tax return.
progressive liberal says it all….not real bright
It’s ironic that a station that airs angry rhetoric about “evil corporate capitalism” would abruptly cut it’s staff without warning to save money. Steven King lives a life of double standards but no one will call him on it because he is the beloved philanthropist of Bangor who writes twisted books.
Read the Bible if you want twisted books.
What is the difference when the other channels air “hatred of the working class/poor?” Corporate/government greed is at it’s finest these days and if you support that……………your disgusting!!!
And Downtown with Rich Kimball has added three stations in the mean time. Can’t say I’m surprised.
It’s more accurate to say that it is being simulcast on the Augusta affiliate of their Bangor station. The Augusta affiliate has 3 frequencies for the same station.
No one wants to continue to lose money and it had to end. Radio is dying and it must combine itself with internet radio these days. I’m for a live 50′ & 60’s station until such time as voice , rhythm and harmony are put back into music. Even the old time radio shows would be a unique novelty. Stephen & Tabatha have done amazing things for their community and there is nothing wrong in giving up on a dead horse. It’s like the Newspaper and the land line telephone, times have changed and these items are outdated and dying off.
I turned in season hockey tickets at UMO because of the zone losing the contract. King’s donated Millions to the UMO. What a fool I was. Now since Dale and Clem are gone I am boycotting anything to do with radio that belongs to SKing. Rock 100.3 are losers Bobby.
UMO doesn’t exist.
I think UMAINE is sill in Orono, Me. or maybe that Greenville, Me. I will sleep better this weekend knowing this. Thank you!!!!!
More of UMaine’s land is in Old Town, actually. Thus, it should be UMOOT.
UMaine
LOL
You’re right Dunbar, UMO doesn’t exist when it did tuition was more affordable. Now students have to go into debt before they start out in life.
Glad I read this article. I did not know progressive talk radio existed in Maine until now. I tuned in on line. Very refreshing and interesting. Thank you Steven King. We need more enlightened discussion of the issues. And we need more people like you who can and do make the effort to see that it happens.
Ms. Lamarche and the morning team are a welcome antidote to the thick-headed venom coming from WVOM. Thank you Mr. King! I love your radio station and the community service that you are providing through it.
Actually Pat Lamarche is a woman…
She is a woman and a mother, hopefully a better mother than talk show host. It is horrid!
She should go back to being her “Genny Judge” personality on radio that she is well known for being on Portland and Augusta area Country, Rock and Pop Radio station that she worked for . She was very entertaining doing that and it got alot of listeners more people like her as that character. Instead of her now being a Liberal Talk Show host that is drawing noone to the air to hear her.
“He said we were losing too much money. He said it didn’t have
anything to do with broadcast quality,” said Duff. “He thanked us for
our hard work.”
It looks like Mr. King could not wait to get his progressive views aired even more, not even 3 hours as he summarily fired his two long-time radio talk show hosts because the show according to him was “losing too much money”. If the show was losing too much money I doubt he would have held on to it for as long as he did only to end it abruptly. There’s something strange going on here that Mr. King is not letting the public know. Besides, it’s well known that liberal talk shows do not have a good successful record.
You really think this was a spur of the moment thing? The ad reps from zon have been telling us for months that this was going to happen.
I wonder how the ad reps like selling time on a station with a 1.0 share?
Your explanation doesn’t account for the fact he pulled off his two long-time radio talk show hosts as they were preparing the next show merely two and one half hours away. Most folks are given at least a week’s notice. I predict the radio station will die out in a few months due to lack of interest.
Trust me that is how things work in the radio business, been there done that! There is no two week notice, often for security reasons. It’s like that on other fields as well. Not saying its right just standard operating procedure.
He doesn’t have to let you know anything. it is his radio station.
That’s because Liberal radio doesn’t spew hate, conspiracy theories, fear mongering , or any other kind of negative thinking. Therefore, it has no chance of selling in this Country to the vast majority of uninformed citizens.
Of course the elite liberal media wouldn’t do any of those things like spew hate, conspiracy theories, fear mongering, etc(?) Today I witnessed Florida Representative Democrat Debbie Shultz Wasserman on CSPAN in a House hearing spewing one innuendo after another basically accusing former Florida Governor Bush of corruption. The governor was an invited guest at the hearing to give his opinion on how the country could get the economy running again. But Ms. Wasserman decided to use her allotted time to embarrass the former governor instead. Needless to say she made a fool of herself and embarrassed the entire committee in attendance. She couldn’t possibly be one of those elite Democrats, could she?
Precisely.
So YOU’RE the one who loves it.
I doubt you ever listen because it’s not Mr. LaMarche it’s Ms. Pat Lamarche. Bangorian, you have prove once again what a phony liberal you are.
What’s wrong with WVOM? Oh that’s right they speak the truth and liberals can’t handle that! Funny how they’re not losing money and firing people!
maybe you need to start supporting the sponsors (assuming there are any).
radio is JUST a means of hooking YOU into listening to ads and buying the advertised products.
I guess lefties do not want to buy propecia for their hair and hoodia, like the hard right does…. who wouldda thunk it
Really? That all ‘radio’ is to you? That’s about all cable television (and the internet) is is to any of us, except now we get to pay for privilege. Not a good deal, in my view!
You have got to be kidding! Are you related to them? Even if you are left wing they are horrible they have no on air personality and horrible guests. Have you seen their ratings? Mr. King is very generous to keep them on the air. They have a 1.0 market share, sounds like a new book for Mr. King, “Radio Station Cemetery”.
You didn’t know progressive talk radio existed in Maine? Don’t worry you weren’t missing much. Most of the hosts are very unprofessional and the women have the most annoying whiney voices. I really have tried to listen to progressive radio, but just found them so uninspiring. Most liberals come off so condescending and presumptuous, it’s no wonder no one listens to them.
Too bad for Dale and Clem, I guess you two have been thrown under the bus by your “progressive ” boss.
I think that should read “Uber-Rich” progressive boss, unless anyone thinks raking in $32 Million a year is anything but the top 0.05%.
“but just found them so uninspiring. Most liberals come off so
condescending and presumptuous,” kinda sounds like the conservatives
No, that is a perfect description of NPR.
You literally just ate your own words….Your opinion isn’t even worth arguing.
Did not know progressive radio (liberal radio) existed in Maine? What about Maine “Public” radio, NPR? WERU?
Thank God Dale and Clem didn’t work for Mitt Romney, because he would have fired them for not having a profitable contribution to the business. At least Stephen King only fired them for, well, not having a profitable contribution to the business. But the Left and Kings talk station haven’t criticized Romney right? They LOVE Romney and Bain right?
Progressive LIBERAL
Liberal radio has always been a failure in every market with the exception a few isolated pockets ie: San Francisco, Berkley. Remember Air America?
What happened to Mr. Compassionate King who gives all this money away. The cost of keeping these dedicated people on board is a rounding error to him.
They xucked, thats why.
Nice swipe at King however.
19 years of welfare, community service and losses. You are missing the boat.
He will immediately start saving money and can give it to charities other than Dale and Clem.
unlike those of you that eat up the rightist propaganda
Eating up Rightist propaganda – BAD
Eating up Leftist propaganda – GOOD
Eating up any propaganda = bad.
People need to make their own decisions on the issues, not side one way or the other based on what their favored party thinks.
Tell that to a Progressive Leftist Democrat and see what happens!
Try telling anything at all to a regressive neo-con. Well, anything except bomb foreign civillians, jail people for possessing marijuana and don’t go to college, that is.
Thank you! You are the first comment on the comment thread that makes some sense…. When are you people going to realize throwing left vs. right around is not going to win any one to “your side” (whatever that may be….)? And Reich instead of right, really Uncle Paul? Are you attempting humor or just trying to tick even more people off? I will admit, I tend to be more right-leaning than left – but I do not consider myself to be closed-minded or unwilling to discuss the issues with anyone; and frankly I enjoy the banter back and forth on WVOM during the GHRT show…. don’t listen to it much beyond that. Find I have a better mood and a better outlook on life if I stay away from political talk all day.
Rightest propaganda?
Most people would call that “TRUTH.”
The TRUTH HAS NO AGENDA.
60 GOP people haters liked this. I find it sad for anyone to lose their job. Almost all radio stations around the country that spread the hate that the GOP supports should be shut down.
Shut down by whom? The Progressive Totalitarian Thought Police?
funny isn’t it, they call themselves progressive until someone disagrees with them; then they want censorship; shut down anyone opposing us!
It’s the only way their ideology survives!
You mean like the right wants to censor pornography and music?
Choosing not to view it or listen to it is not censorship. Do you really need that difference explained?
It is censorship when millions of religious nutcases wish to prevent everyone from viewing or listening to whatever they wish.
Are you so sheltered from reality that you are thoroughly unaware of the Right’s crusade against freedom of expression?
It isn’t millions by a long shot.It’s a tiny number of wealthy conservatives such as Tony Perkins that hate anyone who isn’t JUST like them.
It absolutely is millions. There are millions of people in this country who wish to impose their specific morality on the rest of the country. I can’t believe anyone would even take issue with this fact.
Do you honestly believe that only one side of the fence is guilty of stepping on our freedoms?
They both do, they just go after different things. (i.e. I’m pretty sure the politician trying to ban drinks over 16oz in his city is not one of the “religious nutcases” in the “Right’s crusade”)
No, I believe democrats and republicans are two sides of the same corrupt coin. I simply take issue with religion and its associated intolerance and prejudice, and conservatives are by definition the party of religion. It’s not easy to become a successful conservative politician while being an atheist.
You can’t get your point across without calling names, can you? Nutcases? Why on earth would you characterize people who believe in God, “Nutcases”? Did you know that almost 88% of Americans consider themselves to be Christian? Does that mean that 88% of Americans are “nutcases?”
“Crusade against freedom of expression”? Can you give an example? Careful how you respond, because it most likely will expose you for who/what you really are.
Anyone who believes an invisible magician created and controls the entire cosmos has an insufficient grasp of reality, so yes. All religious people are by definition delusional. If a majority of citizens in this country fit the criteria, who am I to question the truth?
More than one billion muslims on this earth believe it’s perfectly fine to stone your wife if she shows her face in public. The fact that a large group of people believe something doesn’t make it right.
Here’s a study from Stanford delineating the conservative push to ban pornography:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pornography-censorship/
This was one of the first hits in my Google search. The proof is out there if you wish to look for yourself. As an alternative you may argue my points of fact with poor logic and a refusal to objectively view reality.
A Conservative will never argue a fact.
Well, the problem with your suggestion, is that the right-leaning talk shows actually have listeners…and therefore good ratings.
If you want a left-leaning show to succeed, they people need to actually tune in to it.
It’s a business…if it makes money…it stays…if not…bye-bye.
One of your heroes, Rush is having some sponsor problems, hate doesn’t always sell:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/rush-limbaugh-ratings-drop_n_1532807.html
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/conscience-realist/2012/may/22/rush-limbaughs-ratings-get-reality-check/
Where did snakebite say his hero is Rush? Or are you making assumptions again?
Sorry, but no.
I am not right-wing.
I am not left-wing
I am not a liberal, or conservative.
I am an American, and as such, my personal views encompass the whole spectrum.To sacrifice certain views in order to join a group that endorses some of my other views…is something I could not even imagine doing.
No sponsor problems for Rush Limbaugh. Several of the ones who left him after the Sandra Fluke incident tried to come back. He told them to go pound sand. He has PLENTY of advertisers who understand exactly where they NEED to advertise to make money on their products.
I provided links saying their Rush is having some sponsor problems. You provided nothing but hot air.
Right-wingers in general are more apt to be taken in by irrational points of view. They’re used to it from being brainwashed with christian intolerance their entire childhoods. Most ‘liberals’ can think for themselves and have reasonable critical thinking skills, and therefore usually choose not to be lemmings. It’s not difficult to further hoodwink millions of people who already believe an invisible magician created and controls the entire cosmos.
By what logic have you arrived at the notion that conservatives are “more apt to be taken in by irrational points of view”?
Christian intolerance? Can you give a real-world, 21st Century example of Christian intolerance?
Is it really possible that liberals “can think for themselves and have critical thinking skills” and that they can all arrive at the exact same conclusion on virtually every political discussion — oftentimes using the exact same words, phrases, and name-calling?
Did you know, Carlton, that there is proof that God exists? Did you realize that the evidence is all around you and that about 88% of Americans, and more than 75% of people world-wide believe in a higher power/God? That would make you part of a very small minority.
Platitudes are the hallmark of liberal-think.
Have an original thought once in a while Carlton. You may amaze yourself.
Most conservatives self define as christian. This means they attribute the creation of the entire cosmos to the omnipotence of an invisible magician and believe that all who refuse to accept jesus as their savior will burn in fiery torment for the rest of time. The vast majority of christians have been brainwashed since early childhood to fear going to hell and to either convert or condemn all nonbelievers. One who has been manipulated in such a manner from an early age has been conditioned to reject the reality with which they are presented in favor of irrational traditions and loosely defined allegory from a two millennia old book. This inherently prepares one’s mind to be “more apt to be taken in by irrational points of view”.
A real-world 21st century example of christian intolerance? Rick Santorum. That is all the argument I will ever need for this specific topic.
“proof that god exists”? You are delusional. There is clearly no deeper manner of discussion we can have if you are unwilling to use reason in your argument.
Five hundred years ago the vast majority of people on earth believed it was flat. The dissenters were a drastic minority and were often burned at the stake or tortured for their beliefs. Guess what? We learned the earth isn’t flat, and despite the irrational penchant of the religious to reject any claim not expressly advocated by the church, humanity had no choice but to come to grips with the irrefutable observational reality of our (to high prescision) spherical planet. Being religious is tantamount to still believing the earth is flat. Believing in a christian, muslim or jewish god is precisely as ridiculous as worshipping the entire Graeco-Egyptian pantheon.
We are evolving past the sickness of dogmatic intolerance and hate. Scientific rationale, objectivity and pragmatism are the cure for this sickness.
Not in the liberal/progressive Utopia. In their world everyone has to listen to liberal talk and believe that the government is the answer to everyone’s problems.
The very essence of progressivism is to create “the perfect man.” They believe that they can regulate everyone to be just like them.
Bill Ayers was quoted by an FBI agent who had infiltrated the Weather Underground. He said that when the progressives took over the country, that there would be “re-education camps all over the country,” and that those who couldn’t be “re-educated,” would have to be eliminated. His estimate back in the 1960s was that more than 25,000,000 people would have to be “eliminated.”
Progressivism is a disease at least as dangerous as communism.
I am sure there are some that would say any station that spreads the leftist message should be shut down as well. Thank God we live in a country where (at least for now) we are free to choose what we want to listen to – whether it be left, right, center, country, rock, etc. etc…
Why, afraid of the truth gettting out? Where’s the hate the conservatives spread? Give an example, with some audio. It would sure be nice. Because I listen to it an awful lot, and don’t hear much hate, but rather a desire to fix America.
So only liberals are protected for freedom of speech?Fatboy, did you go to public school?
I bet you listen to the stations that spread the hatred around this country…….The greedy corporations and politicians that steal millions and just as soon let the poor starve . That’s a great idea to teach your children…………..
Yea, reality really is inconvenient! By ‘greedy corporations’ are you referring to King? He is certainly a greedy corporation!
I think NOT! Take a look at his history and there isn’t ONE right wing greedy puke that thinks they should be paying more taxes like he admits!!! One has to be logically stupid to think that the rich are paying enough to keep this wonderful country moving forward and not leaving the less fortunate behind. Do you think the rich care for one second that these two men lost their job. SK isn’t one of the richest, he does his best. I”m sure his station has been just holding it’s head above water and keeping these two employed as long as it could. Perhaps YOU could open your mind and listen to some of the left wing ideas and see how much better off this country would be rather than listening to the over 600 shows/stations that the Bain corporation owns and continues to spread greed and hatred around this country. Greed and hatred will get this country NO WHERE.
The only greed and hatred I see is coming from the Left! You can’t wait to get your hands on other people’s money! You label them rich just to satisfy your sick sense of entitlement to everything they own!
If you think the country would be better off if the wealthy give up all they have worked for, then put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is and give up all YOU have! I am sure there are others out there with MUCH less than YOU! That makes YOU rich in THEIR eyes!
Right now,m the ‘rich’ pay more than 50% of all taxes! When is enough enough for you greedy Leftists?
You kept an open mind and you brain fell out!
“The only greed and hatred I see is coming from the Left!”
Seriously? You mean like the right hating on same sex marriage, non-christians and anyone who even considers libertarian rationale in more than a passing manner?
Conservatives will never argue a fact my friend. Not even worth arguing with them.
Blacks in America are opposed to same-sex marriage by a 9-1 margin.
There have been 31 states that have had same-sex marriage on the ballot as a referendum. California has had it twice.
IN NO STATE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY has same-sex marriage been approved by voters. The only states which have same-sex marriage have had it added by either liberal legislators or activist judges.
It’s been turned down by voters in California TWICE. A very big reason it didn’t pass in California is because of the black and Hispanic voters who are extremely opposed to same-sex marriage.
Does that surprise you Carlton? You can’t get this information from the liberal, lame-stream media. You can look this stuff up on the Internet if you need to see it for yourself.
When Obama loses in November, you can bet that one of the big reasons is that he is losing the black vote, he’s losing the Hispanic vote, and he’s losing the women’s vote because of issues like this.
It’s amazing to glimpse into the liberal mind to see what a scrambled mess it really is.
Regardless of the political party one chooses to join, the intolerance is a result of religion. It’s not the political right per se that I take issue with. I am actually a strong supporter of the principles of limited government and personal liberty. It’s the idea that one cannot be considered Conservative if he is not also Christian with which I find fault. The left in general doesn’t demand that the rest of the world espouse their irrational beliefs just to put that D next to their names. Don’t get me wrong. I despise democrats just as much as republicans, just for different reasons.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/jun/1/black-pastors-group-demands-meeting-obama-over-gay/
Here is an interesting link to a story about a growing group of black religious leaders who are demanding a meeting with “The One” to discuss their dissatisfaction with his “evolution” to accept gay marriage.
They are NOT happy.
Read the current RS article by Tim Dickinson about the Richie who raced out of Manhattan before midnight 182 days a year to avoid taxes.He’s not the only one.
Fatboy07: You are so woefully uninformed.
Do you realize that the top 1% of the wealthy in America pay 35% of the income taxes? Do you realize that the top 5% pay about 50% of all of the income taxes in this country?
Did you know that 53% of Americans pay 100% of all of the income taxes in our Republic (which means that 47% of Americans pay NO INCOME TAX, yet take full advantage of the “generosity” of the federal government)?
Can you come up with a list of Democraps who have voluntarily paid more in taxes than they are legally bound to?
Do you know that Obama and MamaObama made tax-deductible “gifts” to their children in the amount of $12,000 each and that combined, they reduced their own taxable income in 2011 by nearly $50,000? HOW IS THAT FOR PATRIOTISM?
Did you know that Warren Buffett — the guy Obama holds up as the poster child for the rich not “paying their fair share in taxes” — currently is being sued by the IRS because he owes BILLIONS OF DOLLARS in back taxes?
I’ve had it with the “do as I say, and not as I do” crowd.
YOU REALLY NEED TO LEARN WHAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING when you spout liberal talking points.
You will NEVER get the facts or any real truth from liberal media outlets.
You can only keep your head buried in the sand for so long before you have to come up for air.
You’re absolutely right…… I don’t understand how anyone could think that raising taxes on the lower and middle classes and cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans won’t balance out the economy.
SK paid for plenty of Mainers to stay warm last year.Find me one R who contributed as much.You won’t and never will.And he didn’t ask what their politics were-he simply provided for the least of us.
Name them! Can you say tax write-off? But then King is one of the 1% that the Libs actually LIKE!
Probably a really bad idea for an R to ask for names unless NOM is going to comply with its court order.Let’s see that list first,shall we?
Just take a look at the Donor List at the United Way for instance!
While few in the area make as much money as King, a great many donate a far greater % of their hard-eanred money to help their neighbors.
Let’s see: Ralph Leonard, Wilma Bradford, Herb Sargent, Galen Cole, Dick Dyke, Richard Collins, Doug Brown, LeJune Means…all major philanthropists in the Bangor area… are all Republicans I beleive.
So, the Bangor Public Library and Old Town Public Library Projects, Mansfield Complex and Beth Pancoe Pool Project plus many more at the University and around the area equates to a donation to United Way in your eyes? Is that what your comment is meant to state?
Can you step off your soap box for a minute and let us know what you personally do to help the poor and the starving? You are busy pointing fingers at greedy corporations and politicians, but do you chip in and do your part?
Greedy corporations? That would mean that corporations ARE people after all, right?
Stop speaking/writing in cliches, fatboy07. Have an original thought for once.
You should also know that when you talk about greedy politicians, that the progressive/liberal/Democrats control the White House and the Senate. That would mean that ALL of the problems we have in this country right now can be traced to progressives/liberals/Democrats who have virtually stopped doing their jobs.
Harry Reid’s Senate hasn’t passed a budget in over 1100 days (even though they are required by law to do so). Obama’s budgets have been voted on three times and he’s never gotten a single vote to approve in the House OR the Senate.
It’s all on your side.
Progressivism/Liberalism doesn’t work. It never has. It never will.
So Mr King has now become the evil rich man Fired 2 guys over money geeesh where will it end?
“The 24-hour, all-sports format was ditched in favor of a progressive liberal talk show format in November 2010. ”
That’s as predictable as any King story! And he wonders why it’s losing money? Maybe the same reason no one is buying his books anymore! Sorry Steve, you are old news. That minivan shook something loose!
Typical Liberal Progressive-ism, failure is always someone else’s fault! The buck NEVER stops at the top!
As any thread on this forum proves, there are a lot of Leftists with MUCH less than half a brain! From their posts, I seriously doubt some have more than two brain cells to rub together!
While your callous, insulting and oftentimes name-calling comments are an example of your stunning intellect, personal respect and extensive education.
That’s not even a complete sentence. Let me guess … public school?
I suggest you enroll in a remedial English and reading comprehension course.
‘comments’ – noun
‘are’ – verb
My previous statement is by definition a complete sentence.
What was it like quitting school in the seventh grade?
I thought the AM Stereo would have sunk WZON.
Is King part of the 1% the Left loves to hate?
Yep. But he gets a pass because he is outspoken liberal.
Guess he lost his tax write-off.
How compassionate. 20 years +/- and not even a thank you for your service. A guy who says he wants to pay more taxes but can’t see his way clear to keep a couple of guys on for our local schools games? Typical liberal. Talk the talk but won’t walk the walk.
You’re always complaining that liberals don’t know about business.Guess what?He makes a business decision and you rip it. The usual double standard from the right.If you think PDs in any radio format or market don’t live by the Arbitrons,you don’t know radio AT ALL!
Clearly you don’t understand compassion. The criticism is not that he made a decision but in the fact that prior notice was not given. Some people at least don’t blindside employees with this type of work history and endurance with a 15 minute notice. Even Blueberry rakers know that the job will be over when the berries are picked.
I stated elsewhere that I thought that part of the situation was poorly handled.After 19 years,I’d be surprised if they didn’t have a contract and a lawsuit pending.Radio is notorious for even the most well known changing jobs suddenly.Ask Jim Ladd for one.
The liberal talk format is a sound business decision? On what Planet? If you knew anything about Radio, you would know what a joke that is. These two guy’s were fired to accommodate the hemorrhage of money cause by the Lib talk format,plain and simple.
Clearly didn’t read the article. He (and only he) “kept” them on for 19 years!!!
Dale said that he “thanked” them and he gave them a severance.
Typical right-winger…ignore the FACTS!
lol, Steve killed these two fellas job’s with the format change, plain an simple. And finding out you are fired 20 min. befog air time is a , well I cant type what that is. So continue to praise your hero , and over look the facts.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
So Stephen King fires two outstanding and loyal employees so he can add another talk show ranting about those big evil corporations unfairly firing THEIR loyal employees. “Sorry, it’s just a business decision, but you’ve gotta go” sounds like something we’ll hear them tell us that Romney did at Bain Capital and how evil and uncaring it was of him, but it’s perfectly OK for a lefty like King to do the exact same thing, the very definition of hypocrisy! Is anyone really surprised?
People are tuning in for the lefty talk. It was the sports that was a flop.
Just like AirAmerica, right?
If they are tuning in for the “lefty talk” in the Bangor area, that would make it the only market in America where they are.
It’s not hard to look up the Arbitron ratings online. Take a look at who and what is bringing in the listeners. It’s conservative talk radio morning, noon, and night.
Liberals are under-estimating the number of conservatives in our country. Those who identify themselves as “liberal” in the United States is at about 23% of the total population. That would mean that 77% of the population ISN’T identifying themselves as liberals.
It is amazing how much noise, however, that only 23% of the population can make when the silent majority is silent. What the left is finding out now, however, is that the silent majority is starting to find their voice.
Libs are picking a fight with the wrong group, and this coming November, they will find out how wrong they have been.
I’ve never listened to the station, so I can’t give my opinion on the quality of the sports broadcasts, but I do know that in general that sports talk radio and broadcasting is a winner and liberal talk radio is a huge loser (see Air America). Not sure how it was determined that Duff and Labree were the source of station’s financial woes. The biggest thing I take from this is King is always flapping his gums and parroting the whole redistribution of wealth thing, but when the rubber meets the road, he shows that he really is a capitalist (as it should be). He’s just another phony.
“Not sure how it was determined that Duff and Labree were the source of station’s financial woes.”
Answer – It is far cheaper and less expensive to air syndicated shows and pay an engineer to make sure the station stays on the air then both on air “personalities” AND the engineer. Look across town to WVOM…how many “local” shows do they air M-F? 1 The “Voice of Maine”. How many “local” shows does the Zone Corporation air M-F? 1 “The Pulse”.
I like the Pulse as a Repub you would think I would hate it. But Pat LeMarche is a liberal Paul Lepage.. She says it like she sees it. You may not like it but, she is honest in her beliefs.
Unlike wvom with rick and george who pander to everyone in order to not offend. might as well listen to msnbc as to listen to wvom
Rich Kimball’s show is much better anyway…
S. King has GIVEN real things to the people of Maine that REALLY make their lives better. He continued to pay Dale & Clem out of the goodness of his heart for years and years despite the LOSSES and the lack of RESULTS. Unlike most employers, their severance package will help them in their transition.
The talk format change is what killed these guy’s job’s, and the way they were canned is disgraceful.
They were losing tons of money when it was all sports!!
And it went downhill with the format change.
People around here actually still listen to radio? :)
As long as there aren’t too many buttons to figure out.
Sorry to hear the final plug has been pulled on Dale & Clem. They have done a tone of good things for the local sports scene broadcasting thousands of games from all kinds of sports. They were a great duo and will be missed for sure. Not having the basketball tourney and other playoff games on the radio will be a shame. Also the work they did each year with the Jimmy Fund charity and the amount that people donated on their behalf was awesome. Don’t believe there will be anything like the run they had for 19 years. I do find it somewhat cowardly to not allow them at least one final show to say their thank yous to eastern Maine. They are professional and would not have said anything bad in my opinion.
It’d be nice to have a local sports show on am 910 with these guys instead of the crappy Imus show…
Actually these two jobs were killed by a rabid ATM.
and a robot.
This is too bad. Shifting the station from its core competency (sports) to being a liberal talk show station was a poor decision and was probably the result of King wanting to drive his own agendas. It’s his radio station and he can do what he wants, but it’s a shame to see local people lose jobs over a decision to make an unnecessary change.
Just two more of the 8.2% Unemployed!
ESPN would be out of business if it had to share a TV or Radio station with a liberal or conservative talk show format. Those guys will land on their feet real quick. Good luck guys.
Can you imagine a liberal sports network? ERA-SPN-CIO? The scores would go like this:
Boston Red Sox 3, Cleveland baseball team 3. In that brutal concussion-causing sport the preseason opened with the New England Evil-Native-American-Killers playing the Washington Ethnic-Slurs. We won’t report the score, since scores don’t matter, it’s how you played the game. Fortunately, there were no concussions. Meanwhile, how about some exciting golf action? Or tennis lessons with Martina Navratilova? Isn’t that special?
We already have the governor doing our thinking for us.That’s why we’re heading downhill faster than a kid on an orange cafeteria tray.
I wish Drifty Twitchell was on the radio 24/7.
Amen
I haven’t forgot when John Baldacci was Governor and the contract for the Black bears came up.
Ask George Hale What happened, he laughed about it.
John Baldacci made sure Learfield an out of state company got the contract for UMO Sports.. They never gave Steven King the chance to keep the contract.
John Baldacci’s special advisior George Hale wanted to Broadcast UMO Football.
Learfield was given the contract and George Hale was allowed to cover the games…
Ask George Hale how Steven Kings Radio Station a local company lost the contract to an out of State company..
John Baldacci had made a statement at the time that he would form a commission to seek the truth why UMO went with Learfield an out of state company… they never did the study.. It was not about how much learfield gave for the contract UMO because Steven would have given more.
*UMaine
Since Learfield Sports is a Missouri company, UMO in a wicked way is right. Although, true, UMaine is UMaine, and UMO quit being in any way official back about 1986.
.
UMaine athletics bleeds about 9 million a year, yet an out-of-state firm is allowed to profit tremendously off of UMaine. Doesn’t make sense, does it? When Steve Abbott gets a chance to undo Blake James’ backroom deals next year when the contracts are up, it sure should get interesting!
this is not a surprise.. but of course a disappointment..King has turned the corner politically to fit the west coast model .. i don’t blieve that helps … likely was very costly.. Duff is the dude he’ll land square
well of course you are right… there isn’t a progressive program in the country that is a stand alone money maker.. our country is not liberal .. so to think that a program that offers that would make money is foolish.. yes…. some will like it.. and yes there are still plenty of libs .. but no , not enough.. they are the minority
A VERY boisterous minority, much akin to a squeaky wheel. (Or whining lib.)
Some that you describe as “whining lib.” may just be people interested in doing what is right.
A Lib doing something right. Spare me all you scabs want to do is destroy America
Our Country is not Liberal? Scary if it is not.
Twenty-three percent of Americans call themselves liberal. That means that 77% don’t. I’d have to say that 23% doesn’t make our country liberal.
Simple reason for that is because views have certianly changed. I guess we shall see in this years election. Centrist or would that be moderate is a new name.
Never did like that program hardly ever watched it put some of your old movies on the channel I’ll watch them bhahahh bahhahha
Now, if he would just fire Pat LaMarche he get more listeners on the Pulse.
Give it a rest!
Why, he’s right.
I know I’ve said it before but sometimes it is worth repeating…calling each other names to try and get your “sides” point across doesn’t work. If we each could just express our opinion without judging the other side, maybe a more civil discourse could take place. When you call each other names, you look worse than a bunch of 5 year olds fighting over a shovel in a sandbox. Needless to say, that doesn’t make anyone want to listen/read any of the points you are trying to make.
Very disappointed to hear that Dale & Clem have been let go and the Afternoon Sports Show is gone. I hope there’s someone local in sports radio who brings them on. They know local sports like nobody else. It was bad enough when they were moved from morning to afternoon, but to be taken off completely is lame.
Now if the BDN would only do the same with that God aweful ‘Duffel Bag’ blog. Good God is that horrible.
I’m a conservative who love listing to 103.9 but i’m happy the 103.1 is on the air. i don’t listen to it because i disagree with alot of what they say, but if other people like it more power to ya. the right says the left makes up new, the left says the right makes up news, just listen to what you like and don’t worry about what i listen to. If you don’t like Rush, then don’t listen to him, and if you don’t like Pat don’t listen to her. It’s just that Simple!
What exactly does rick and george have to say.. they pander in their interviews. they may have politicans and priest on their shows but never ask them questions.. In all the years that they have been on I have never heard them confront anyone about anything.. I don’t know how to describe their show. a bunch of kissing butts I guess. back patting, etc, etc. what exactly do you get from their show again. confrontation through conversation.. When is the last time they confronted anyone??? Still waiting….. You will wait a lifetime for them to ask any hard questions, just won’t happen.. God listening to them I get nothing…
ok, so don’t listen to them, i hardly do, i might catch 10 minutes on my way to work in the morning. my point is, if you don’t like listening to a radio station, then just don’t listen to them. if Rick and George don’t offer you anything you like, then turn the station. :)
His personal juke box can’t be far behind.
funny it was a good sports station until the liberal BS took over. Should push the lever on the talk show side and let it flush down. Maybe obama can invest in WZON .
Needs more air time to get the progressive marching orders out.Maybe a talk show hosted by occupy.
NO LOSS ! More Maine jobs bye bye. Maybe LaBafoon will hire them.
Went through what you just went through – twice – so I know what you’re feeling. Radio used to be part of the community. Now it’s just another way to make money. Best of luck, guys. You deserved a whole lot better.
I used to listen to Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, Ed Schultz when they
had Air America. After awhile I began my quest to see what the “other”
side was saying. Now I can understand why liberal talk radio never
could survive. Randi and Schultzie were drunks and Al was just what he
still is, a clown. Their whining was just that, whining. I called good old
Schultzie one time when he had a newly elected senator on and was going
to grill him as to why the dems wouldn’t impeach Bush. Schultzie did
everything but say he got a tingle down his leg and never asked the senator
the tough questions. I had to tell him I was disappointed in his slow pitch
questions as opposed to the ones he said he was going to press. At the time
I was a die hard koolaid drinker and wanted him to be tough. I have found all
the libber talk shows just tell us how terrible anyone is who dares say something
that either shows them to be stupid or goes against any marxist beliefs. These
people are plain socialists and are finally showing what they really are even
to admitting it on air. As a democrat I can say, they disgust me and are even
going further left than I can accept. No wonder conservative talk shows are
capturing the great majority of the audience and are thriving, they relate to
what many Americans believe in and feel….even quite a few democrats.
Homer Maine, you sound like you are either growing up or coming over to our side. Either way, welcome to adulthood or consevatism. You may find that you like it.
The University of Maine pulled the plug on Steven King leading King to pull the plug on Dale & Clem!!
I felt for Steven when Maine ignored all he had done for them and moved away from WZON. I now feel bad for Dale and Clem. I have had the pleasure of seeing both of them work over the years and clearly, they demonstrated nothing less than a professional work ethic with a passion for their work. A loss to the sporting community in this area, to be sure. I wish both Dale and Clem all the best!
Blueberry’s stations are much better carriers of Maine sports than WZON was.
This shows the looney left true colors…” we need more unemployment”…S. King…what a bone head!!!!
You are a real boner Mr King. As bad as it was, it was the only radio sports we could listen to. Now you fill the space with political dribbling snobs. There is already way too much of that crap on the air. With all your money you melt into the world of boring idiots. You’ve shown us what you really think of sports.
That stinks! especially how they don’t warn you ahead of time and didn’t try to sell the station if they were losing money. Sounds like bad management and organization
I too love Rush… we should start a cover band.
This really is terrible. Being a young adult, from the Bangor area, both of these men were broadcasting during some pretty memorable moments. Its too bad they’re no longer with the station. Between internet radio, and satellite radio the small stations are losing. Remember “buying local” isn’t just in regards to food. Keep your local small businesses going, radio stations included. You’ll both be missed.
Is it possible to be a big fan of Mr. King (and Mrs. King) for all they have done for the city but not be a fan of liberal talk radio? I don’t listen to any political talk radio. Sports talk and music. Maybe if the station would have stayed all sports times would be better. Far be it for me to advise the King’s though. I wish the sports guys all the best.
You said it! Looks like he traded one money-losing proposition for another.
I haven’t listened to the station since they dropped the sports format. I can’t stand stations like WVOM and Now WZON. Way too much hot air. I am sorry but I liked the local sports broadcasts that we will now not get.
When WZON lost UMaine sports the writing was on the wall. Its a shame. Local radio is dying, just another example. I used to listen to Clem and Dale in the mornings every day, once the political talk came on, bye bye, haven’t listened since
Huh, Liberal Talk radio hemorrhaging money , forcing lay offs. Big surprise.
Returning to a comment a city counsel member made last year, “Bangor is a world class city”
Bangor doesn’t even have ESPN radio.
What a joke.
Dale is a great guy he will find another sportcasting job
It all went down hill when Clem and Dale were forced to do the afternoon stint. Mornings were awesome then. I stopped listening and haven’t done anything with the Zone since that happened. You have lost 2 Icons Mr. King now what are you going to do? Shut it Down!!
“He said we were losing too much money. He said it didn’t have anything to do with broadcast quality,”
Apparently the Obama recovery has passed right by Stephen King.
Did Stephen King not know about the money situation before 15 minutes to airtime…I have listened to Dale Duff for the 34 years he has been on tv and radio…It is a sad milestone for him to be let go…Another foolish move my Stephen King…When people find out I am from Maine, his name is the first one brought up in a conversation…I just hide my head in shame, if that is what associates people to Maine…
“The 24-hour, all-sports format was ditched in favor of a progressive liberal talk show format in November 2010.”
What a surprise, no one listens to liberals. Can anyone name me a successful liberal talk show?
Cue the crickets.
Bill O’Reilly
First let me say that I have enjoyed Dale Duff’s reporting over the years and I wish him the best for his future. I suspect that he will land on his feet! Now let me please comment on his sudden demise from radio. I suspect they had a whisper of a hint that this was coming. The question is, was the rest of the station programing responsible for the failure of the show? You can have a creme puff of a program but if it is surrounded by turkeys, who is going to listen to it. I often times have the radio set on a station not because I like the program on right now but I like the programs on either side of it. I suspect that opposite can be true as well. Only time will tell whether or not Mr. King is throwing out the baby with the bath water.
But like I have read by several other folks posting; this is a business and it simply comes down to whether the listeners of Mr. King’s station support the advertisers that pay the bills for the station. If folks like the programing, they support it with their dollars. If they don’t, they won’t. Again, time will tell whether this was a good move or a move towards the end. And my message to Dale, everything happens for a reason. Land on your feet!
A sorry situation. Bangor is now without a true Sports Station!
Talk about a real “horror” show; it’s the programming on WZON & The “Pulse”!
Dale & Clem deserved better!!
OK, I watched Dale when he was on TV but I bet I haven’t listened
to him five time in the 19 years since he went to radio and I have never heard
Clem but from all accounts they were pretty good at their craft.
The problem is not that Stephen King is or isn’t making enough
money or that the format of the station changed, it is that there are too many
people like me that didn’t listen to the station. Without listeners you either make
quick and decisive changes, which they did not do, or decide to pretty much stay
the course and hope that things get better, which is what they did from when
they lost the UMaine broadcast rights in 2008 until they made a format change
to a good-part of their day in November 2010.
In conversations I’ve had with employees from both stations
and in interviews I’ve read Stephen has not kept it a secret that the AM
station was loosing a lot of money and that profits from WKIT were keeping the “Sports-Zone”
afloat so this change is not a surprise to me and certainly should not have
been to Dale, Clem or any of the other 50-60 employees at the stations.
As for allowing them to do a farewell show, well that is a
tough call as you tell someone that they no longer have a job and then allow
them to take to the airwaves.
I don’t always agree with Stephen’s views but like all the readers
submitting comments to this article, including me, we are all entitled to speak
our mind and if a few more of us who are commenting had listened to Dale and
Clem the outcome would have been very different.
To those who choose to comment about Stephen and Tabitha’s generosity
citing either that they don’t give enough or they only do it because it is a
tax write off I feel sorry that your jealousy shows through so loud and clear. A close friend works at a local agency that
has received several sizable donations from the Kings over the years with the
understanding that they remain anonymous. So while some of their contributions
are well published many are not and I for one am grateful for all they and
their radio stations have and continue to do for our community.
Very good and REASONABLE comments! I don’t particularly agree with their politics, but the King’s have done SO much for Bangor and surrounding communities it’s hard not to like them. I’m a fan.
Now Bangor has NO true sports station! After gutting the great long-running morning show and relegating Dale & Clem to two hours a day we knew the future did not bode well. You want a horror show Mr. King, you’ve got it now. NOBODY with any intelligence will listen to either WZON, The “Pulse” or the other side WVOM. The election is bought and paid for already by Corporate America (as is Congress)and no prognosticating or opinionating by either the left or right will make a difference. So let the ratings fall. AM 620 and FM 103.1 are forever OFF my radio dial. Nothing was more embarrassing to hear Pat and Don try to close out the Fun Ride to Fenway bus trip on their “show” this morning. I would guess without Dale & Clem on board it will be a lot less fun! Thanks for killing off one of the most listenable and award winning sports shows in Maine and putting another nail in the coffin of AM radio!
AM has been dead and buried for a very long time now.
AM 910
Thats the best picture of King I have ever seen.
He’s had some work. He had a mug only a mother could love. And I have waited on him.
Listen to Downtown with Rich Kimball weekdays from 4-6 on AM 910, the flagship home for Maine Athletics, and other stations around the state.
What? Too soon?
Rich Kimball is a talented on-air personality. Doughnut Boy and Captain Obvious were never all that good.
It is too bad. These are nice guys.
No surprise the station is losing money. Its stream of radical leftist rants is absolutely vile. I occasionally check in to hear what “the other side” is saying. The sexual innuendos and slanderous insults turn my stomach.
Steven and Tabitha need to get a life.
“He said we were losing too much money. He said it didn’t have anything to do with broadcast quality,”
The 24-hour, all-sports format was ditched in favor of a progressive liberal talk show format in November 2010.
ROFL!
Stephen King used to be the only non-fiction writer I would read. But over-time his writing became weaker and weaker as his left-wing rantings became stronger and stronger. It does not surprise me to learn that another of his endeavors has failed due to his left-wing ideology.
What left-wing endeavor hasn’t failed? See: Roxanne Quimby, MSNBC, and our wonderful(not) President.
Congratulations to Stephen King, who just helped make his next “Faces of the Poor” presentation possible. He can now combine it with his next “Hot Stove Night” and kill two birds with one stone.
“There isn’t a station in Maine that did what we did, sportswise,” he added.
I guess he failed to listen to WJAB in Portland, which has two local sports talk segments, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. They also carry national sports talk during the day, along with Celts, Sox, and Red Claws games.
Oh God, WJAB sucks. Their morning show is abysmal, centered around 2 insipid hosts and regular callers that add nothing to the show. The afternoon show is decent, but the weekends are terrible as well. And WJAB doesn’t cover community sports like WZON did; when’s the last time you heard a high school broadcast on the Big Jab? Comparing the two stations is like comparing a Whopper to Filet Mignon.
Their morning show is funny, entertaining, and a great ride to work in the morning. And of course they have regular callers, EVERY local talk radio in the country does. Try listening to WEEI or The Sports Hub out of Boston some time. And honestly, there are about three groups people who remotely care about HS sports; those involved (coaches, etc), very recent graduates, and parents with a child playing on that team. However, they did broadcast every game of the HS Football Championships. A Whopper to a filet mignon? Which station is still broadcasting sports 24/7?
With that programming is it any wonder? Really? Lefty libs are in such a mess right now. Makes my day.
I really hate that this discussion has become about politics, when it should be about sports. WZON was our ESPN affiliate in this market. Now they are gone and something different is there. I don’t care what it is, all I know is that I can no longer listen to the best sports morning shows because they are no longer offered in my local market. Its sad. Unlike the people that are now posting I was actually a loyal listener until the change over. I called up and asked about the change and they told me they were 12th in the market. I wonder if the format change has provided any improvement? If they can make more money brocasting something else that is their choice. I hope that I wasn’t lied to just to get me off the phone and an alterior motive prompted the change. I don’t have to like it, but that is why I now have a sirus radio in my truck. Its sad that others who enjoyed the sports broadcast and can’t afford paying for radio are out of luck.
Of course it is “loosing too much money.” What entertainment value does liberalism have? It is the same thing over and over again. Tax the rich because they are bastards and give to the poor because they need it ( when in reality, most liberals think poor people don’t have the ability to take care of themselves, think for themselves, or not look at themselves in any other way except as victims).
What unmitigated hypocrisy from Liberal Loon Mr. King. Firing people because the the company is losing money. Mitt Romney does it and he’s evil incarnate Mr. King does it an not a peep from the moonbats.
guess the leftess pink-o that runs this site didn’t like the truth about stevey, took my comment off…maybe if I was a lefty you might leave it on…
Wow, maybe a bit of a heads up wouldn’t have been as harsh of a blow. It makes your heart drop when you lose a job immediately without being able to get prepared for it.
I used to like listening to WZON. I can’t say Dale and Clem were my favorite but they covered local sports and had some regional sports discussions. I have tried to listen after the format change but it is just terrible talk radio. The market share went from a 2 to a 1, you can’t get much lower than that. Most people are not that far left and like the people at CNN Mr. King just does not see it. We could use a good radio station in the Bangor area but without a total change WZON will not be the one. WAEI 910AM has lousy reception one you leave the city.
Listen, I’m upset about the sports guys here too, but can we please ease off on Stephen King? Do you people realize what he has done for this region? Do you understand what it took to get the Children’s museum off the ground, or the Children’s wing at the hospital? Have any of you had kids that have been helped there? I know that I slid into second on Georgia clay and couldn’t believe what a gift he had given me. Be upset at a situation, not a man that deserves our respect.
The left has been railing against Mitt Romney and Bain Captial for heartless firings in the name of profit and business sense. I have heard the radio Pulse clowns in the morning, ripping Romney apart for “loving money before people and their jobs.” Thank Goodness Stephen King and WZON values people before profits. We wouldn’t want King pulling a Romney, right? Right?
The worst thing that Stephen King ever did to radio was forsake the sports talk radio that was WZON for so long. Now to can Dale and Clem–the only local programming worth listening to on AM 620–when his “progressive” format is losing too much money for the station? I can’t wait for another local station to get the Red Sox contract so I can be done with Mr. King’s lousy broadcasting.
IMO this show has been bad for some years now. Most of the time it was unlistenable. I would try to tune in and they just did not do the basic research they needed to to have intelligent conversations. Just one example of many, earlier this week Dale had on a regular guest and the first thing he asked was about the Celtics’ game the night before and what they guest thought about all of the technical fouls called on the Celtics. The guest replies, “I did not see the game.” Come on, you have to know whether or not the guy you bring on to show to talk about the game actually saw the game. That is just so basic. Plus, it was impossible to ever get past the obnoxious laughing at things that were not even close to funny every 30 seconds. I would tune in on a regular basis trying to give them chance after chance to improve and it just got worse. I know they did not get fired because of the quality of the show and I believe that because if they were going to get fired based on quality, then it would have happened years ago.
And when did The Big JAB have Joe Castiglione and company doing Hot Stove Night during the offseason?
I agree that they know local sports like no one else. They weren’t bad on Boston teams, either. I listened to their morning show for almost ten years and was very disappointed when the format was changed. I will say, though, that as knowledgeable as Dale & Clem were regarding state and Boston sports, I was regularly surprised at their apparent lack of knowledge of many of the key players on teams outside the Boston market, especially in MLB.
Sad to hear this- ?Clem and Dale are truly dedicated to giving a view of the local sports scene- they made local kids seem as important as the pros. Best of luck to both.
The left has been railing against Mitt Romney and Bain Captial for heartless firings in the name of profit and business sense. I have heard the radio Pulse clowns in the morning, ripping Romney apart for “loving money before people and their jobs.” Thank Goodness Stephen King and WZON values people before profits. We wouldn’t want King pulling a Romney, right? Right?