5/27/2004
YOU HAD A TAKE, AND IT SUCKED
From the Chicago Tribune (via the San Jose Mercury News) comes word that Jim Rome may have worn out his welcome in Chicago, and his show may be on the way to the wee small hours:
Unless ratings improve dramatically this spring, WMVP-AM 1000 will designate Rome’s 11 a.m.-1 p.m. show for reassignment. The entire program could be knocked off the air completely, or more likely, shifted on tape to an obscure night slot.
The reason is simple: Rome isn’t delivering listeners. In the winter Arbitron book, the show only did a 2.4 rating among men ages 25 to 54, the most important demographic for sports-talk radio.
[. . .]
WMVP had to wedge in Rome as part of a deal between Premiere Radio Networks, Rome’s syndicator, and Disney, which owns the station. Premiere Radio was willing to pay WMVP a reported $300,000 because it wanted Rome’s show on the air in Chicago. Other considerations also are part of the package.
WMVP received a national personality who is the host of ESPN’s “Rome is Burning,” and whose radio show runs on 185 stations throughout the country. But his success hasn’t translated to Chicago.
Industry insiders say that with the exception of a Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern, it is difficult for a syndicated show to crack this market. That generalization, however, doesn’t fit completely because Patrick’s national program does well on WMVP.
A more accurate reason can be found comparing the formats of Rome and Patrick. Patrick’s approach is subtler, tongue-in-cheek. It’s fun and opinionated without banging you over the head.
Rome wields the sledgehammer. Even his Web site says he is known “for his aggressive, informed, rapid-fire dialogue.”
The show tries to be edgy, going as far as to develop its own lingo. He welcomes guests to “The Jungle,” and his faithful listeners are known as “Clones.”
According to one local insider, “Shtick doesn’t sell in Chicago.” Clearly, local listeners aren’t buying.
Great. Now, could somebody please get him off the air in Milwaukee and/or Madison? I want 3 hours of the Herd, and of Dan Patrick.
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I’m telling you right now that the reason Rome doesn’t work from 11-1 in Chicago is because WSCR’s 10-2 show attracts the same type of audience.
Comment by Jon — 5/28/2004 @ 11:32 am
mark, I was hoping by now that you would have seen through Colin and “the compass” and “ryedog” and all the rest of the stuff on his show. He is like rome, just not as lame, but still annoying. From his personal hatred for Twolves fans, his annoying west coast bias, and his weird takes and stories just seem to go on. While about 20 steps up from Rome, I would prefer to hear 3 hours of phil the showkiller and Leham over Colin..
jamie, still waiting for 1 pm and Dan Patrick…
Comment by j jones — 5/31/2004 @ 10:56 am
The pickings are slim. And I’m resigned that Mr. Tony’s never coming back. I’m not saying The Herd is perfect, just saying it’s growing on me.
Comment by Mark Hasty — 5/31/2004 @ 2:26 pm
well i guess it would be bad to brag that I at least get 15 minutes of Tony on my way home from work everyday when he calls in to Andy Pollen’s and Steve Szaben’s show here in DC. Last week he was whining for the entire 15 minutes about ESPN pre-empting PTI. It felt like old times again.
jamie
Comment by j jones — 6/1/2004 @ 11:24 am
I’m telling you that Jim Rome’s show is a moron. Get ‘em off the air right now!
Comment by Derrick Yee — 6/18/2004 @ 7:45 pm
Why do Chicagoans hate Jim Rome?
Very strange. His show this past Friday (with a lot of riffing on game shows, in re: the DOMINATE Jeopardy! champion) was some of the funniest radio I’ve ever heard.
He can be very erratic, he has the tendency to repeat his jokes in the same segment just to fill time, and the dead air takes a lot of getting used to, but when he’s on, or when a caller chimes in with a scathing take, or (best of all) when some idiot manages to make it through, gets “run” and gets Rome all pissed off for the rest of the show, there’s nothing like it.
The show the day after John Ritter died was classic, too, and I wish I’d taped it–”Okay, clones, no more ‘Jack’s Bistro’ emails, no more ‘Regal Beagle’ emails, IT’S NOT FUNNY……”…..except it was #$#$ing hilarious.
Well, for all the wrong reasons, but even still.
Comment by Archie Leach — 7/4/2004 @ 11:39 pm
The problem I have with Rome is twofold: First, for every 30 minutes of sheer brilliance, you’ve got to sit through eighteen hours of the Pacoima Junior High School Radio Club Show. Second, his callers are some of the world’s most annoying people. If would agree never to take another phone call from the public, I might give him another chance.
Comment by Mark Hasty — 7/5/2004 @ 12:06 am