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Ask Michael Klein
Inquirer Columnist
Michael Klein writes about local people, places, and things three days a week in his column INQlings and contributes on video as "The Insider" on Philly.com. He also writes about the restaurant scene in his column Table Talk.
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Most Recent Questions & Answers
Questions: 71 - 10 of 500
How about Booker's new gig?
QSo any thoughts about booker's new gig? Is he still with Alycia, how much is making and is it what he wanted?
Kris, Blue Bell, PA 01/12/09
AI'd say landing the afternoon show in Market #1 is a decent career move. He and Alycia Lane are still together, dividing time between her condo here and his apartment in New York, which is across the street from the station. I'm not sure of his salary, but I did hear that Q102 was paying him $333,333 a year. All told, he's doing pretty well.
Michael Klein
Gary Papa
QHey Mike,
Is Gary Papa battling cancer again? I know he had a second bout with it, but his hair had grown back. Now he is bald again.
Anonymous, PA 12/15/08
AYes. I wrote about it several weeks ago. He announced at a sports banquet that he is undergoing treatment again.
Michael Klein
Mike Miss
QIs he gaining any ground on Eskin? He said yesterday that he is actually beating Eskin in one demographic
Mike, Norristown, PA 12/10/08
A
In November's book, Missanelli isn't beating Eskin in any demographic that I see. Comparing both shows November '07-November '08, both are up among men 25-54.
Michael Klein
Where is Dorothy Krysiuk
QWhere is Dorothy Krysiuk and why did she leave Fox 29?
Sharon, Philadelphia, PA 12/10/08
ARight now? She might be at the mall. Or at home. She and Channel 29 did not come to terms and she left the station Oct. 31. Keep your eyes open, though...
Michael Klein
Ratings?
QThoughts or further info regarding Philly's November Arbitrons? I see Now 97.5 scored a full point increase by starting all-Christmas on Halloween. I theorize B101's mini-slump is due to 97.5's gain. Do you agree? Thanks!
Roscoe, PA 12/09/08
A
November's Arbitron does show an increase for Now 97.5 among the listeners ages 6 and over, but advertisers tend look at demographics. While Now 97.5's 6-plus rose 1.0, among the target Christmas music demographic, persons 25-54, it's a rise of only 0.1.
B101 was up 0.5 in November in its 25-54 demo and down 0.4 among listeners 12-plus.
That all said, the early and unoffiicial reports from the next weeks of ratings showed a more marked rise at Now 97.5 and slippage at B101. Tom Taylor of Radio-Info.com covered the topic in his column today.
Personally, I think B101 should have matched Now 97.5's launch date, if only to set itself in the minds of listeners. B101 has a strong brand while the new Now 97.5 had absolutely nothing to lose by jumping early. Now 97.5 also will have many more presets on Dec. 26. I wonder, though, if so many Christmas stations will lead to "Kris Kringle fatigue" -- that maybe My106.1 and Ben 95.7 will pick up listeners who are tired of yule tidings. Or if Sirius/XM units will be under trees.
Michael Klein
WIP 610 AM
QFor the first time, I heard a commercial for Sirius/XM on WIP during Eskin's slot.
Are times that tough or am I missing something?
Thanks.
Ed, Cherry Hill, NJ 12/09/08
AYes, times are that tough -- for both Sirius/XM (which needs subscribers) and CBS Radio (which needs ad revenue). I haven't heard anything official from the station, but I'm sure the justification for accepting the ad is that WIP is all local and satellite is not and so they're not "competitors."
Michael Klein
Smerconish-Beck
QMichael,
Do you know if there was a falling out between Michael Smerconish and Glenn Beck? I used to see and hear Smerconish filling in for Beck on a fairly regular basis and don't seem to see that anymore.
Ed, Valley Forge, PA 12/06/08
ASmerconish has an exclusive deal with MSNBC, which precluded his guest-hosting on CNN. Besides, Beck has no show right now anyway.
Michael Klein
Courier Post layoffs
QWhat writers were let go last week at the Courier Post. I heard several sports guys but cannot find anything on-line.
Joe, Mt Laurel, NJ 12/06/08
A
There's no official list out there, but I heard that among the riffed C-Pers are Kevin Roberts (sports columnist), Mike Radano (Phillies), Sean McCann (Eagles), managing editor Joyce Gabriel and "Taste" editor Pam Lyons.
Michael Klein
Marnie
QSo, who is this Marnie Hall gal on the gossip? She cracks me up! Where did she come from?
Amanda, PA 11/28/08
A
"Marnie is local girl. Born and raised in South Philly and graduate of University of Pennsylvania. Long time documentary and news producer. This is her first time on-camera gig," said Jim Barry, executive producer for Philly.com. Barry himself is a veteran producer in town.
Michael Klein
'OGL Christmas
QPlease-please tell me it's not true that we'll have to bare--yet ANOTHER all-christmas station? This time, from WOGL playing classic christmas songs?
Taylor/Montgomery county, PA 11/18/08
AYes, Virginia -- oh, sorry,
Taylor. WOGL seems poised to go to all Christmas, too.
Michael Klein
Questions: 71 - 10 of 500
