shotbanner.jpeg

September 29, 2005

Rumor Mill: Lewis Is Back

A fairly well-placed source says Jason Lewis is coming back to the Twin Cities.

To which station - his alma mater, KSTP, or the new Clear Channel outlet KTLK - is not yet entirely clear. He'd be a coup for both stations; his local popularity would help staunch the bleeding at KSTP with Limbaugh's coming departure, while it'd give KTLK an instant local presence.

For various reasons, I'm leaning toward thinking it's KTLK. Lewis was not a happy camper when he left KSTP; word from various sources had it that he was not at all happy with the treatment he'd gotten. And sources told me there was some friction between Lewis and also-returning Program Director Steve Konrad, as well as with boss Ginny Morris, who is not especially comfortable with political talk in the first place. Finally, there always the sense during Lewis' first hitch at KSTP that the building wasn't big enough for both him and Joe Soucheray (again, according to sources at Hubbard.

On the other hand, he's a known quantity at KSTP-AM, and I'm sure enough money and promotion would solve any interpersonal issues. Don't rule out KSTP.

However, I'm just connecting old dots here. I'll try to dredge up another source or two to try to nail this down.

Either way - and assuming the rumors are true - welcome back, Jason. It'll be fun being a competitor, rather than a caller...

Posted by Mitch at September 29, 2005 12:11 PM | TrackBack
Comments

*doing a Snoopy dance*

Mitch, you and NARN are the best - we'd love to have you compete with Minnesota's Mr. Right. There's plenty of room at the table for excellent broadcasters.

Posted by: Nancy at September 29, 2005 01:32 PM

There is one other thing that I remember from his departure. He mentioned that KSTP was not able to work in a good enough television deal and that was the clincher for the Charlotte deal. Maybe KSTP is trying to ease the bleeding and was able to work in a better TV deal.

Posted by: Tony at September 29, 2005 03:01 PM

Mitch,

You didn't say the NARN would be COMPETITING with Jason did you? How will the Elder and SP handle this pressure?

You know how they crack under the pressure-cooker Saturday Drive Time gig now!

I'm worried...

Posted by: jb doubtless at September 29, 2005 08:56 PM

It's funny I just e-mailed Jason the other day out of the blue and asked him to come back. He replied and what he said might suprise you. But I will let it play out it is not my place. And Mitch you are great, but FR is not a fringe group and nothing like DU.

Posted by: Brian at September 30, 2005 01:26 AM

If I'm Clear Channel, I want Jason Lewis, January 1 along with EIB, to immediately grab a huge chunk KSTP's listeners. Personally, I'd put him at 2-5pm as a direct challenge to Garage Logic. And this may be heresy, but I might even find a spot for Katherine Lanpher before Rush.

Posted by: R-Five at September 30, 2005 06:56 AM

R-Five:

As much as I like Sooch on GL, He would have no chance against Jason Lewis. Sooch has effectively retired in place. He's just phoning it in now.

His show also is suffering from something that happens to a lot of talk radio shows after being on the air to long: Too many inside references. If you haven't been listening to the show for years, you can hardly even make sense of it now. It's all references to stuff that happened years ago.

Posted by: Mr Cranky at September 30, 2005 12:05 PM

Heh, have Jason join NARN!!

Posted by: Kevin at September 30, 2005 12:24 PM

I thought one of Jason's big reasons for leaving was his time slot. He wanted to mornings or something other than every evening. Given that 1500 has some huge holes he would seem to fit there. But then maybe Clear Channel is giving him the morning slot on 100.3. Either way good to have him back. Big for conservatives in Minnesota.

Posted by: paddy at September 30, 2005 12:49 PM

Best news of the day. Jason would be another great conservative to get back on the air. I loved the opening to his show. Every time it came on my dog "Rushmore" would perk up when he heard President Bush saying Jason's name and then start howling away when he heard Jesse Ventura and the theme to Blazing Saddles. It was funny because every time the show started that dog howled like he just loved doing it. I really missed that and really miss "Minnesota's Mr. Right". Welcome back Jason.

Posted by: 5 O.T. at September 30, 2005 01:02 PM

Great news!!! (Coincidentally, I just invoked Lewis' Law for my wife last night.)

If he goes up against Souch (and I don't yet believe he will) then a little extra compitition might bring Joe back into fighting shape. I still listen when I can, but that 5 o'clock hour has too much coasting (and too much Rookie).

If he goes to 100.3 I fully expect him to go in before Rush. He wouldn't fit very well in the early morning drive spot, but eight or nine o'clock to eleven should be just as good as afternoon drive for Lewis.

Now, if he's coming back to KSTP they ought to dump Rosenbaum/O'Connell... or put him in the old Rush slot. (Damn, to have a choice between Rush, Prager, and Lewis... that's a feast!)

Even his old slot on KSTP would be a good place for Lewis.

Whoo-hoo!!!

Posted by: Badda-Blogger at September 30, 2005 01:19 PM

If Jason Lewis does go to KTLK, it will not be the 2:00-5:00 pm slot. Sean Hannity's show will be broadcast live in that spot starting in August. I can't believe they would put Jason there and then yank him after only eight months or so.

Either way, I hope Jason returns to MN radio!

Posted by: Brad Carlson at October 2, 2005 12:52 AM
hi