Big news in NYC radio today: 92.3 K-Rock flipped its hard rock format and will now be another cookie-cutter Top 40 radio station. This has resulted in the firing of the station's morning team, Opie and Anthony.
K-Rock was the home to Howard Stern who did morning for 20 years (1985-2005) before he departed for satellite radio. In 2006, K-Rock became "Free FM", a "shock talk" station with David Lee Roth as the new morning man. "Free FM" was a ratings disaster - its lasted less than a year and a half, and Roth lasted less than five months. He was then replaced by the now departed Opie and Anthony.
Opie and Anthony have been kicking around New York radio for about a decade. They came here from Boston in 1998 and did afternoons at the old WNEW. They were very popular and very controversial, and they were fired in 2002 when they sent some dumb listeners into St. Patrick's Cathedral to have sex -- on air. They then disappeared and went to satellite radio in 2004 before being simulcast on K-Rock in 2006.
Now they're fired again. Will they return to regular radio in NYC ever again? Who knows! This morning on his satellite radio show their old predecessor and nemesis, Howard Stern, talked about their firing, his time on K-Rock, and the miserable state of New York City radio today. As always, Howard is brilliant in his commentary.
God I miss listening to him on New York radio. As he said on his last show on K-Rock, he's "the last of a dying breed."
I have such fond memories of listening to Opie & Anthony during my evening commute in the late 90s.
ReplyDeleteAs a woman, you didn't find their shtick offensive?
ReplyDeleteSometimes but I'm a strange bird. I generally don't like "chick" entertainment :)
ReplyDeletei didn't think any of their stuff was offensive... if you're that sensitive about what a couple of dudes are saying on the radio, then don't listen. it's their opinion and other people's opinions don't affect me at all.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked Opie and Anthony and are bummed they're gone. But I could understand why some women might find their shtick offensive, although I didn't. I was just curious.
ReplyDeleteHoward Stern, don't throw stones XM/Sirius Radio is not going to pay you 100 million a year after your contract ends.
ReplyDeleteDon't be so smug Howard. After your contract is up Xm/Sirius Radio
ReplyDeleteis not going to pay you 100 million a year. They can't afford it.
Howard, You suck! I listened to you in the 90's but O&A whipped your ass which is the reson you keep talking about them. Retire and do yourself a favor you old fuck. How does Sirius justify keeping you on at your salary, you're no longer relevant and the only thing that keeps you on is your contract. Nobody wants you on terrestrial radio.
ReplyDeleteHoo, hoo, Robinnn, I invented everything. Howard was relevent 15 years ago but not anymore. He knows that he can't compete with O and A. Keep going to Mel crying about O and A talking about you. How does it feel that you became the same whinny bitch of a dj that you use to destroy in your heyday. Now you are the one who goes crying to your boss to make them stop. You are so phony!!!
ReplyDeletehoward's show stinks O&A is a much better show
ReplyDeletesooner or later he's gonna get sued for some of that cash back, just watch.
they didnt get fired, they are still on air everyday on XM/sirius-the terresterial radio just got cut cause Krock went down the shitter. but thats wrong of u to get the impression they were fired-they never lost their jobs in this sense.
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