Posted on 02/18/2010 9:26:02 PM PST by Roberts
Veteran KSFO morning personality, Lee Rodgers, has been let go at the Citadel-owned, right-wing talk station, it has now been confirmed. Weeknight host, Brian Sussman will replace Rodgers. KSFO is the sister station of KGO radio.
Attempts to reach station management were unsuccessful. On KSFO's web site, Rodgers is not listed on its weekday schedule, and an independent source close to the station, told me, via e-mail, that Rodgers "was out."
It is not known why Rodgers was 'shown the door, although his hefty financial contract may have contributed to the sudden decision. His ex co-host, Melanie Morgan, left the show late last year to work for the Washington Times radio show. Morgan recently revealed she was battling thyroid cancer.
Attempts to contact Rodgers were unsuccessful. He has been at KSFO since 1995 and also spent many years at KGO. His contract status was unclear, but many high-profile Citadel/KGO/KSFO personnel have been laid off and/or given severance buyouts at the financially-beleaguered broadcast company.
Probably one of the best interviewers in the industry—crusty ole ba*tard though!
As a former radio talk show host myself, I totally agree. Lee Rodgers is GREAT. He will be missed. Brian is OK, but not in the same ballpark.
They should bring back Al Collins :-)
Are they keeping “OV” Officer Vic?
From the KSFO website:
“The station’s supporting cast including traffic guru, Officer Vic and business reporter, “Big Buck” McQuillan will remain on the show.”
Oh No — First Melanie and now Lee! This is terrible news.
Yes, I totally agree about his interviews. He gets tremendous authors and really does his homework for the interviews.
What’s his monthly feature...something like the “Word Man” — the guy who knows all about the English language. I love listening to that show (last Friday of the month, I think).
Six or seven years ago, I was queasy from leaving the ER as my wife tried to tank up in the South Bay and was having trouble with the pump. She was not very familiar with our new car. I was in no condition to help and Brian Sussman steps in, introduces himself, lends a hand, and composes my wife. Not normal for the Bay Area and certainly not normal for a local celeb.
The real thing.
SUSSMAN IS AN IDIOT.
http://ksfo.com/showdj.asp?DJID=11187
Melanie Morgan had some kind comments:
http://www.melaniemorgan.com/
Sorry, I disagree with most here. Could not stand the ever- grumpy Lee. The show lost all appeal for me after Melanie left. Brian Sussman is ok, but he needs to crank it up a few notches. I’ll probably stick with A&G on 910, but don’t like them all the time either. Guess that’s why I’m listening to more and more books on CD these days.
The Word Man is/was Richard Lederer, father of poker pros Howard Lederer and Annie Duke. Richard is admittedly a liberal guy, yet he and Lee got along famously in their monthly chats.
One thing (among many) that I always respected about Lee Rodgers was his command of, and appreciation for, the language.
I liked Lee, way back when he was on KGO.
Sussman does NOT prepare for his interviews in the manner Lee did —the fact that Lee did meant Lee could ask very penetrating questions.
He started prepping for his 5:00 am start from 11 pm the PREVIOUS DAY, a crazy schedule.
There is no longer any reason for me to listen to KSFO, really, although I liked Officer Vic very much.
Sussman is corny and cannot get his words out. Also boring. I do not doubt for a second that he is a real conservative, of course, but sadly, that isn’t enough.
My guess is that Lee simply wanted too much money...? I hope he made a whole lot...
I couldn’t stand Sussman when he was the weather man.
Sorry to see him go! Actually, I am shocked. I wake up every morning and the first thing I do is tune him in-then brush my teeth!
I will miss him swearing at the lousy phone line when someone he is interviewing is talking on a cell phone!!!
I also miss Melanie —she had great boobs, and she was also funny and genuinely warm. I met her a number of times.
Not many people know that being from Missouri like Rush, she worked with him at the time he was in Rock & Roll and no one really knew him.
Mel and Lee were.......just WOW..!!
..........at least Savage is gone............right?
Rodgers was not a fan of the call-in format, and never used it except when Richard Lederer was on. Sussman opens up the phone lines a bit in the mornings.
But I loved Rodgers' interviews.
I see that they replaced Sussman's evening show with John Batchelor. The last time he was on the station, it was from 2:00AM - 5:00AM.
-PJ
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