Out at KNBR

http://blog.sfgate.com/sportsevents/2012/04/11/ralph-barbieri-let-go-by-knbr/?tsp=1

:beer::beer:

glb78;735621 said:

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Out at KNBR

http://blog.sfgate.com/sportsevents/2012/04/11/ralph-barbieri-let-go-by-knbr/?tsp=1

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:cheer:cheer:woohoo:woohoo:bravo:bravo:bravo:bravo:
Thank you god! How he even got on the radio in the first place is beyond me.

ADA lawsuit to follow. I hope 95.7FM The Game craters that whole homer station.

Long overdue. But...LOL.

Good riddance.

..there is a god!!!

:woohoo:woohoo:woohoo :beer: :beer:

I feel bad for Barbieri only in the sense that he has Parkinson's and wish him well in fighting the disease.

That said, this guy should have been sent packing a long time ago. He is a pompous, insufferable windbag that loves to hear his own voice, with no regard for courtesy or manners. He interrupts guests, callers and co-hosts alike at an alarming rate, presumably whenever he hasn't heard himself speak in more than 10 seconds. Good riddance. I like Tolbert and may now listen more often to a show I used to tune in regularly (far more of a 95.7 fan now).

bearister;735631 said:

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ADA lawsuit to follow. I hope 95.7FM The Game craters that whole homer station.

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correct. the only thing 105o has is the Rome show. Otherwise 95.7 is far superior at any other time slot.

Loved that guy!

GoBears58;735695 said:

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correct. the only thing 105o has is the Rome show. Otherwise 95.7 is far superior at any other time slot.

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The only time I liked Rome was when Jim Everett tackled him during a disrespectful interview and Rome squealed for help like a prison house bitch.

why did they stop with Barbieri. Other than Tolbert the whole regime sucks.
Murph and Mac, Radnich, fitz and the fool. just awful compared to 95.7 with Roxy and Greg Papa...

bearister;735718 said:

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The only time I liked Rome was when Jim Everett tackled him during a disrespectful interview and Rome squealed for help like a prison house bitch.

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that was very funny indeed. He is pretty obnoxious but I am from the OC and listened to him when he was on the mighty 690 broadcasting from San Diego. He used to really go after the Clippers owner and Elgin Baylor many years ago. Hilarious stuff when they used to call up Elgin's office to remind him it was draft day.

I know I'm in the minority, but I liked the Razor & Mr. T Show. I like them both individually a lot less than as a team.

Ralph was a homer. He was annoying, interupted guests too much, took forever to ask a question, said "2 things can be equally true" 20 times a show, but... I love his passion, especially for the Giants.

Listening him break down the Giants was one of my favorite sports radio moments.

I wonder why he was let go?

Reason let go: the cost of "reasonable accommodation" can really effect the bottom line (not to mention the increase in premium on the health insurance when an employee taps the policy for a big hit). They didn't let him go because he sucks since if that was the reason they would have sh*t canned him years ago.

bearister;735757 said:

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Reason let go: the cost of "reasonable accommodation" can really effect the bottom line (not to mention the increase in premium on the health insurance when an employee taps the policy for a big hit). They didn't let him go because he sucks since if that was the reason they would have sh*t canned him years ago.

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if they canned him because his illness affected their health insurance premiums that's unconscionable.

BearyWhite;735761 said:

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if they canned him because his illness affected their health insurance premiums that's unconscionable.

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Yeah, this thought is why I'm not really celebrating here. I have the feeling it has something to do with his Parkinsons diagnosis, which isn't something to cheer about.

BearyWhite;735761 said:

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if they canned him because his illness affected their health insurance premiums that's unconscionable.

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KNBR has good labor lawyers so they have it figured out. I am just speculating. Once an employer becomes aware an employee has a disability, it can be real tricky discharging them without liability. You know my politics. I don't trust most corporations. I find most of them are short on compassion.

bearister;735757 said:

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Reason let go: the cost of "reasonable accommodation" can really effect the bottom line (not to mention the increase in premium on the health insurance when an employee taps the policy for a big hit). They didn't let him go because he sucks since if that was the reason they would have sh*t canned him years ago.

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Well, I think he has sucked a lot more recently than he had in the past. He had become far less obnoxious, but even more clueless.

He's made some money there. Nothing wrong with retiring at 66.

I am at a loss as to how any Cal fan can like that asshole, never a good word about the Bears, and to say he was a pompous blowhard as one said on here is a gross understatement, time for a good bottle Zin tonight.

Ding dong the witch is dead! I hated Ralph's holier than thou attitude. He should have been fired years ago. I am going to crack open some champagne and celebrate. I wish him the best in his battle with Parkinson's disease I just hope I never have to hear him on KNBR again.

He should be replaced with Glenn Dickey

I don't want to attack the guy personally because I don't know him, but I won't miss his act or the way he was consistently disrespectful to guests. There is one thing I loved about him though, he always signed off with "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly". For a guy who uttered the phrase thousands of times over the years, it's amazing that he never realized how funny that was coming from him. Unless he was saying it in a masochistic way to point out how un-angelic he acted on his show in which case that's next level sh!t and I applaud his self-awareness.

I actually liked the razor. Been listening to him for the past 25+ years. Haven't been in the bay area consistently over the past 12 years, but still enjoyed listening to him because he did ask tough questions and was entertaining. He was not a friend of Cal, but nor was he an enemy. Cal hsan't really been relevant over the past 25+ years, so hard to blame him when 90% of the callers call in about the Giants or 49ers.

That said, regardless of whether we like him or not, this sucks if it has anything to do with his diagnosis. Would KNBR be subject to an ADA claim if his contract was running out?

What more can be said? He was an insufferable jerk, blowhard and ego maniac. Listening to Tolbert alone, to start the show was actually refreshing, once Ralph got on the air (consistently late), it completely changed the tone of the show and every segment became a count-down to see when Ralph had a 'listen to me' moment.

I think the biggest problem with the 'old guard' of sports talk show hosts is, they aren't informed. The power of multi-media has allowed the general public access to large quantities of information about their favorite team and their sport's in general. Go across the country, and you can tell which sports hosts are able to keep up with the call-in guests and able to banter and provide insight & perspective. The 'old guard' such as Barbieri and Gary Radnich, are limited and aren't voracious in the information that is available. National Letter of Intent Day and the NFL Combine/Draft are two hugely popular days across the sports landscape, yet, both Barbieri and Radnich couldn't talk with any level of insight or, perspective. Personality aside, the only host that KNBR/KCTC has that is able to stay relavent with the daily evolving sports scene is Damon Bruce. The morning guys are too casual about sports, Fitz & Brooks are in-love with their opinions and Eric Brynes is a neophyte.

Barbieri down, Radnich next.

http://richliebermanreport.blogspot.com/2012/04/barbieri-ouster-its-all-about-money.html

Quote:

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Barbieri Ouster: It's all about the Money; A Simple Story
Ralph is out, as I had openly speculated some time back.

His disclosure to Scott Ostler about having early stages Parkinson's disease was a precursor and intentionally-timed negotiations tactic, it's now confirmed.

Barbieri has not talked yet, but I hope to talk to him soon and get some info, but I know this is all about money and how Cumulus looks at bottom line deals particularly when it comes to paying its six-figure people.
Barbieri recently told me he re-upped his deal but was adamant about not disclosing terms. I was told by a Cumulus source that it was for only a year. Presumably, he'll get some severance.

I do know this: Top Cumulus and KNBR brass were less than thrilled about Barbieri's multiple days off and frequent vacation time, even during important ratings periods. In addition, in the past few years, partner, Tom Tolbert has carried the show while Ralph was away and the ratings were higher. Not coincidentally, Barbieri's Q rating slipped considerably. The industry people insisted to me that Barbieri was rumored to be a "goner." The thinking then and now: why pay 2 people when 1 will suffice minus about $300,000.

More details coming...

Posted by Rich Lieberman at 1:43 PM

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I think it's kind of a shame because while there were things about the Razor (Ralph the Razor? Really?) that annoyed me, he'd been on so long he was like family. He was around 30 times more listenable than Radnich (150 times when Bruno is on too), even though I never heard much chemistry between him and Mr. T. Maybe he was awful during negotiations, but you'd think they could have given him a couple days to do victory lap shows.

Based on a re-read of the article he technically was not fired rather his term contract expired and he wasn't renewed. No lawsuit. He's SOL.

Update: Ralph said his contract was to expire in November. KNBR will pay him the balance owing and then he is SOL.

Unit2Sucks;735877 said:

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...he always signed off with "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly". For a guy who uttered the phrase thousands of times over the years, it's amazing that he never realized how funny that was coming from him.

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Unintended irony. The thought that Ralph ever took himself "lightly" is beyond rediculous.

I won't miss him one bit, but I'm not much of a fan of 95.7 either. Their morning and afternoon shows are just as difficult to listen to.

Now if they'll get rid of Ray Ratto, I might start listening. Oh yes, and hire Roxy for the F & B slot.

http://richliebermanreport.blogspot.com/2012/04/barbieri-wont-be-last-cumulus-model.html

Quote:

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Barbieri won't be the last; The Cumulus Model hits KNBR 3-7 PM; Inside Analysis

Remember this:

Cumulus is a money machine. They rely squarely on the bottom line. They don't care about sweet and fuzzy things. You have to understand these people are mercenaries and don't care much for outside entities.

The Ralph Barbieri parting on Wednesday was a pure business decision. That's BUSINESS. In the end, even a veteran like The Razor; the man whose personal style and manner translated into huge ratings, (at one point); whose style and on-air gestalt rubbed many the wrong way, but still delivered big numbers was shown the door. That's nothing new in the radio biz--it's, in fact, a natural crawl and practice. In the Cumulus model, it's straight-forward business down the line.

When you make over six figures and begin to think you have a vice on management, these guys come back with the hammer and it's not named Lee, (this ouster, by the way, was not a Lee Hammer decision).

Barbieri won't be the last. Take a good look over at KGO. If Ronn Owens didn't have a "Personal Services" contract, he'd be gone too. And just as Jan 1, 2013 rolls around, Owen's stay at KGO will be history even though he makes KGO, (and by extension, Cumulus), lots of money.

Cumulus is in the business of bottom-lining. They are the acquisition-supreme machine. They're content whores, quote me. Anyone who's paycheck has extra zeroes will be heavily scrutinized and marginalized. And if deemed necessary, called in and told to take a hike. Or as Ralph Barbieri would say a few many times, "Adios Muchachos." Indeed.

I've already been asked by a few of you who's next. Radnich? He just re-upped, but so what, no one is safe at Cumulus. Cumulus is a big monster and their prey is human beings that make too much money and can be pink-slipped in the blink of an eye. It's that simple.

With all due respect, Tom Tolbert, don't cry just for Ralph. Be prepared to let out a ton of emotion for some of your colleagues on the next list.

There's more to come.

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Unit2Sucks;735877 said:

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There is one thing I loved about him though, he always signed off with "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly". For a guy who uttered the phrase thousands of times over the years, it's amazing that he never realized how funny that was coming from him. Unless he was saying it in a masochistic way to point out how un-angelic he acted on his show in which case that's next level sh!t and I applaud his self-awareness.

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It is well known that early in Barbieri's career he had a substance abuse problem. So far as I know he has led a clean life thereafter.

I believe that his sign off "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly" is homage to Barbieri's recovery and for all those others still recovering from substance abuse problems.

If people don't understand this, I could try and explain it to them, but they still probably would not understand.

Tom Tolbert:

Quote:

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"It is The Razor and Mr. T actually it's not The Razor and Mr. T anymore, it's, it's just Mr. T. For those of you that do not know, have not been on the internet or have not heard from a friend, not been on Twitter my partner of 15 years, Ralph Barbieri, is no longer with KNBR.

"You know, it's tough when you've, when you've been with somebody that long (long pause) 15 years (long pause) I knew this was gonna be tough (long pause) I mean you come in here every single day and you just kind of take it for granted that it's going to go on forever and you know things don't. We all (long pause) hold on a second as much as we watch sports and we see careers come and go, you're never really prepared for when they end."

"When we showed up, we just had a great chemistry. It was just a great chemistry. And, as to the reasons why, that was above my head so I'm just not really going to get into that."

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He can spend more time with his 12 year old sperm

Tom Tolbert is a good guy, lives in Alameda, and is a good part of the community.

Here is his final tribute to his friend Ralph:

http://www.knbr.com/Portals/3/0411tomsegment.mp3

I always thought The Razor an Mr. T were a good team.

KNBR and Cumulus Media made a big mistake.