Turn that frown upside down and put on a happy face!

Okay, it's time to stop being so morose.

I'll admit, the most recent news entries here have been rather depressing. I've covered the deaths of people (Tom Snyder, Mike Webb), the death of a tabloid, the death of local programming on KOPT in Eugene, the death of a show (The Air Americans) and even the death of a radio network. Not to mention the I-35W bridge tragedy last week in Minneapolis. This grim focus is rather accidental. Nothing intentional. But now, the time has come to share some good news. Namely, some people got jobs. How much more upbeat can one get than that?

This past Monday, WWRL/New York added veteran radio and TV talker Richard Bey for the 8-10PM weeknight shift. Bey is best known for his old daytime TV talk show (think Jerry Springer but with more silliness, self-deprecating humor and game show-like competition). In recent years, he has worked at WABC radio (prior to the liberal purge) and has been a frequent guest host for Alex Bennett on Sirius Left. Bey will replace the Sammy and Army replay that so many listeners loved so dearly. Yes, the sarcasm is intended.

Broward County Commissioner and former Florida State Representative Stacy Ritter is debuting a new radio show this Saturday on WFTL (850AM) in West Palm Beach. Some may remember her as the legsilator who recently proposed that the county stop using WIOD (610AM) as the official station for emergency announcements, because it runs Rush Limbaugh's show. The move failed, but it received nationwide attention. Limbaugh even called here 'a babe,' surprising, since I assumed his tastes ran more towards Dominican teenage boys. Of course, with her blatant anti-Rush stance, the dittohead militia are sure to bring the torches and pitchforks. They obviously hate her for her freedom. Anyhoo, listen for her show Saturday mornings at 10:30AM ET. She'll be in (ahem) good company on the station with the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham and the usual gang of idiots.

After previously announcing her move into syndication, Los Angeles-based talker Leslie Marshall has finally launched her new syndicated radio show. The show is being produced by TalkUSA Radio, headed by former Air America and Democracy Radio head Tom Athans. Currently, it airs live from 7-10PM. Or is that 3-6PM? Who knows, since NOBODY THERE IS TELLING ME ANYTHING!!! I swear, some of these people have more secrets than the Illuminati. I'm not even sure if there's any affiliates yet (it's being offered to all talk formats, not just liberal talk) but allegedly, her old employer, Buffalo, NY-based WWKB (1520AM), has picked it up. However, WWKB doesn't offer a webstream anyways (and neither does the host) so nobody outside of New York can hear her. Besides, 'KB can't even maintain an accurate website. Perhaps Ms. Marshall or anyone else involved in this little endeavor could drop a line (hint, hint) and perhaps let people know her show actually exists. Remember, if a tree falls in a forest...

And finally, Enid Goldstein, late of KCTC in Sacramento, KNRC in Denver, and various other radio and TV outlets, is now a political commentator for KCRA-TV in Sacramento. She will be featured on the station's evening newscasts.

Congratulations to all the newly employed. And remember, smile, darn ya' smile!

Oh, and don't forget to pimp your news tips and press releases here.

Leslie Marshall makes a comeback - in syndication

Only a mere few weeks following her departure from WWKB in Buffalo, Leslie Marshall is back, and will be offered for syndication, according to AllAccess.

Envision Radio Networks and Tom Athans' TalkUSA Radio are set to launch their first weekday offering, as they sign Marshall to a syndication deal. Her revived radio show air live in the 3-6PM ET slot, putting it up against Air America Radio's Randi Rhodes.

Marshall has a long history in broadcasting and media, as she had a brief stint replacing the former Tom Snyder radio show for ABC Radio Networks in 1992. She has also worked at WGR in Buffalo, WLS in Chicago, and KLAC in Los Angeles, among many others. She is also a frequent presence on cable news channels, and occasionally sits in as guest host for Alan Colmes' radio show. In addition, she has many television acting credits to her name, according to her website biography.

"Leslie is nothing short of an amazing talent. She’s got the perfect balance of charisma and experience that makes her incredibly compelling to listen to," said Athans. "What’s particularly special about Leslie is that she’s equally effective on television as she is on radio. She’ll have great crossover appeal as a frequent pundit on the news shows."

Talk USA update/correction

While I was away for the past week, I have gotten quite a few emails from readers. One that I particularly want to publish is from Tom Athans, formerly of Democracy Radio, Air America and his latest endeavor, Talk USA Radio. In a previous entry, Talk USA was described as a 'network'. That is not the case, and LTR regrets the misunderstanding, and would also like to thank Tom for checking in.

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006
From: "Tom Athans"
Subject: Thank You
To: ltradiomail@yahoo.com

Just a short note to thank you for the recent mention in your blog regarding the launch of Talk USA. I should be announcing some new developments in the next few weeks that might interest you.

There were a few points that weren't quite accurate in your article. First, Talk USA is not a "liberal network." It is a "programming company" that develops and launches talk radio programming into national syndication. As I have been one of the principle founders of progressive talk radio, I believe in its commercial viability. Which means Talk USA will definitely produce progressive talk programs, but not exclusively. Other programs will be developed (with the obvious exception of conservative talk).

(snip)

You're doing a great job with the blog.

Regards,

Tom Athans
President
Talk USA

And from today's All Access:

Envision Radio Networks has partnered with Talk USA Radio to syndicate newly developed talk radio programming.

"Talk USA Radio will provide a new generation of entertaining talk show hosts for radio stations to offer their listeners," says ERN Pres./CEO Danno Wolkoff. "We look forward to working with [Tom] Athans, who has a proven track record of identifying great talk talent."

Added Athans, "Our mission is simple, to create great talk radio. With the market being overwhelmingly saturated with the same style of general talkers, we hope to develop shows that offer entertaining and compelling alternatives to what is currently available to listeners. Danno and his team know what it takes to make radio programs succeed. So there’s no question that Envision will be a great strategic partner to Talk USA."

Athans, most recently with Air America Radio, founded liberal talk programming developer Democracy Radio and is the husband of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

Ready for another liberal talk network? Introducing... Talk USA Radio

In the wake of the recent announcement by Air America Radio (AAR) that the network would file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, former AAR executive vice president Tom Athans has launched Talk USA Radio, a new radio program supplier that he says will "develop new progressive talk shows in an effort to broaden the format and provide more options to listeners across the nation."

Prior to joining Air America, Athans was the founder and CEO of Democracy Radio where he was involved in the development and launch of progressive talker Ed Schultz - whose program is now syndicated by Randy Michaels-owned Product First - and WYD Media's "Stephanie Miller Show," which is distributed by Jones Radio Networks.

Athans reports that Talk USA Radio has several new programs in development and said, "We’re