Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > November > 02 > Entry
11/2: Star staff says goodbye to Steve & Vikki
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Above: the lobby features this monster-size version of the Atlanta magazine cover story about Steve & Vikki during their peak days in 2000
Steve & Vikki this morning wanted to do a regular morning show with minimal histrionics about the departure. They aired an interview with Steve Carell and brought in comic Kathleen Madigan like any other day. They didn’t take calls from listeners wishing them good luck and kept the goodbye brief and poignant. Radio is a cruel business and Steve isn’t leaving on his own terms, but at least Star gave them a chance to say goodbye to their listeners (unlike, say, the Regular Guys or Jimmy Baron or countless others.)
Their boss Mark Kanov wanted to give them a surprise. So he gathered about 25 people from the Star 94 staff into the lobby and brought them upstairs and held up signs saying “Star 94 will always love you Steve & Vikki.”
While Madigan (in studio to promote her Punchline appearance Friday and Saturday) was gabbing about “Cops” and “American Idol,” the staff walked into the studio. Here’s the audio.
Long-time news guy Rob Stadler opened with a speech. “You wanted today to be kind of low key,” he said. “It’s the end of an era.”
Steve offered a few words: “It’s kind of like being at your own funeral and you’re alive. It’s with mixed emotions. We understand the nature of the business. We hope we will be able to get by this. We thank you one and all that have been part of our lives at work and will continue to be friends, I hope.”
Vikki simply said, “Thank you.”
At about 9:30 a.m., I asked the pair if they’d like to talk but they both said they are worried about a clause in their contracts that says if they say anything disparaging about Star, they could lose their remaining pay and benefits (or worse). They don’t want to take any chances because they aren’t sure what could be construed as disparaging if they do talk to me. And they are under a six-month noncompete once their contracts are up at the end of the year. So they won’t feel comfortable talking until July. When I told them that Kanov said it was okay to talk, they passed. In this emotional situation, caution prevailed.
The final goodbye came at 9:43 a.m. Steve ended it with a live verson of “Your Song” Elton John did at Star a few years back.
“This is not the way I envisioned leaving,” Steve said, getting emotional. “I have no plans to retire.”
“Tragedy plus time equals comedy,” he later said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to laugh again.”
“We’ll going to be greeters at the Wal-Mart in Roswell,” Vikki joked. She handed Steve a poem by Kipling “If.”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Night-time jock Nudge even stopped by to wish them luck.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Jim
November 2, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
damn, I’ve never even listened to them (I have testicles), but reading that almost made me cry
By Fat Jeff
November 2, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
They will end up somewhere on the Atlanta dial…but where?
By Little Bert
November 2, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
I heard that Vicki initially wanted to go per the health thing…had 2nd thoughts about it but by that time the writing was on the wall.
By john
November 2, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
For cripes sake, WHO cares? These two duds wouldn’t have lasted at all if listener standards weren’t so pathetic.
By Barf Show
November 2, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
They will be missed. I for one can’t stand the second rate failed attempts at humor and entertainment at Q. Such a low-class operation. Way to stay above the fray, unfortunatly when you don’t appeal to the lower masses, you tend to loose your job in radio. Can’t wait to have you back! Good Luck.
By LINDA
November 2, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
You know, who can blame them for for having no comment. After all the press and/or media has always been known for getting it exactly right. These folks have responsibilities and obligations, not to mention contracts. And it seems to me last time Ms. Locke made a comment, some people had not so nice and somewhat nasty things to say. Why would she want to hear it again
By Boomer
November 2, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
I didn’t listen to Steve & Vikki very often. However, a radio show doesn’t last for 17 years without reason. They were a class act and they will be missed. My sincerest hope is that Vikki’s health issues work out for the best and Steve finds a new, long running gig on the Atlanta airwaves soon.
By Brian
November 2, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
My money’s on Steve McCoy being back on the air as soon as he is legally able to be.
There is not a nicer guy in the business.
By Anna
November 3, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
I stopped listening to Steve and Vikki about 8 years ago when Maya Angelou was on their show and Vikki would not shut up and let such an amazing woman talk. I was perhaps 12 at the time…
You know you’ve been in the business for a long time when college students can recall waking up to your show before they would get on the school bus for elementary school.
At any rate, Steve has always been a very approachable radio personality, and I hope the very best for him. It’s a shame they’re having to leave on such bitter terms.
By Teacher
November 3, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
My radio has been set to Star 94 for the last 15 years. I wake up every morning to Steve and Vickie and the rest.
When I set my clock back, I am changing the alarm to a CD. Star 94 just lost one listener for sure. The morning show was the only one i could stomach. Hope they make it on another station soon.
oh yes. ROLL TIDE and GO BUCKS!
By Melinda
November 3, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
I hate to see them go…loved the morning show. At least they were not as ugly and vulgar as alot of radio shows I have heard! I hope to hear their voices agan real soon! love you guys!!!
By dawn
November 3, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Atlanta radio is losing a pair of very caring radio personalities and I am so sad to see them go. I am disappointed in Star 94’s handling of the situation and will probably be switching over to Q100 and wait for Steve and Vicki to return to the airwaves in July. I wish them both the best of luck and look forward to hearing them again on the ari.
By Jody
November 3, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
I gew up listening to Steve McCoy in the mornings starting in 1984 (I was 9!). I kept listening until I moved to Fort Worth TX in 2006. Even then, every time I’ve been home to Atlanta, I had the radio on to Star 94 in the morning. I have so many memories of both Steve and Vicki being such fixtures in Atlanta radio, that going home won’t be the same without them this Christmas.
Thanks to the AJC for putting an audio link to that last little sound byte so that I didn’t miss it.
Good luck and best wishes for the future. I hope by next Christmas that you guys are back on the air so that I can enjoy you again.
By moze
November 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
I think that this station has made a grave error and will rue the day they decided to treat these 2 so disrespectfully. Steve and Vikki are class acts. I will (as will their other listeners) look forward to listening to Steve wherever he goes in ATL. Best Wishes to them both!
By Valtool
November 4, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
Steve will work in Atlanta again, likely soon after the no-compete ends. I moved here in 1982 and listened to him on Z-93 (top 40 back then). From there he moved to Power 99.7 (yes, 99X now), and since that gig ended, the Star 94 from time to time. The music makes any pop/top 40 station hard to bear, especially as they all play the same songs by the same artists way too often. Nowadays it’s WSB-AM every morning unless I happen to be in the mood for some music and am surfing the FM tuner. The sad thing is, from 1990-2001, while living in Orlando, I enjoyed a better variety of stations and niche formats and would have to say that, for those 10 years, Orlando was the better radio market. My younger brother believes the days of “terrestrial radio” are numbered, and though I think it will come later rather than sooner, I have to agree.
By Tami
November 4, 2007 3:21 AM | Link to this
I honestly don’t get why some bloggers can be so mean here. It is like one blogger said above, though. They weren’t on air together for 17 years without reason. They were a good team together, which is a rare thing in radio these days. It will be very weird listening to Star in the mornings without Steve & Vikki. Depending how it goes, it may move me away from Star. We’ll see. Steve will be back somewhere. Radio can be a tough biz, and finding one’s niche on a station with staying power is not easy. And, for Vikki….she’ll be back on radio if she wants to be. I’m sure her health is better now than it was earlier in the year. If it was really bad, she would have left before the end of her contract. I hope things work out for them both, just the same.
By Andi
November 4, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Mornings without Steve & Vikki will truly feel as if the Atlanta airwaves have lost its heart & soul. And I Thank them for the years of ‘smiles’ that helped me endure so many ‘traffic miles’. This Atlanta native, (along with countless others) have gotten to know them as “A True Class Act” both on & off the air!
And Star94 advertisers take note: move your ad dollars to the next station they are on!
By BulldogATL
November 4, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Hear me now, remember me later. It will be a nice six month vacation for Steve & Vicki then they’ll be on B985.FM The FM’s been living a charmed life lately, first Lite (their main competitor went country) and now their demo’s top rated morning show lands in their lap. Plus the audience in Atlanta is getting older. Must be nice to be the PD at WSB-FM. That being said, I’m happy for Steve and Vicky as they are a radio institution here in Atlanta and two of the nicest people I’ve met. Relax and enjoy yourself guys, you’ve earned a great vacation- take that trip now that you were putting off til retirement. Not that working for COX will be better than Lincoln, but at least you’ll have the promotional resources you need in this town to get the audience. I could be wrong. There’s a first time for everything. Remember Gary McKee.
By scott
November 4, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
I started listneing more to them when Vicki interupted the talentless Maya Angelou
By Clara
November 5, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this
Steve and Vikki kept me listening to Star 94 every morning for years after I started disliking the station’s playlist. I switch to other stations during the songs and back to hear the morning show. Without Steve and Vikki, I have no reason to listen to the station at all. Hopefully the long-time advertisers that I only know about because Steve and Vikki hawk them won’t mind losing my age group as a listener. I don’t know many teens that listen to top 40 who will be going to the Shane Company this holiday season. Short-sighted move on management’s part!
If the hosts ever read these blogs, I hope you see how appreciated you are. You have managed to find a formula that kept me listening from high school to parenthood. Thank you for sending me to school, college, and work with a laugh each morning. I stopped listening to Z 93 when you left and only morbid curiousity would tune me back to Star 94 now. Whatever station gets Steve, or both of you if Vikki’s health improves, will be my next morning sound track. Hopefully it will be a station that offers some variety! Meanwhile, I’ll be catching up on my CDs on the way to work in the morning.
By who cares
November 5, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Maya Angelou has zero talent and has nothing to say. Then again, this show started going down hill some time ago too.
By Laura
November 5, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Star 94 should be ashamed of themselves.
By sad sack
November 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
I sent an email to Dan Kearney, VPGM of Cox and suggested he “snatch up” Steve McCoy as soon as possible for 97.1 The River. He responded by saying things weren’t always as easy as they seem and he was happy with Lexie Kay in the a.m. on The River. Since he is also VPGM of B98.5 I can only assume he shares the same feelings. I would switch to B98.5 permanently if they got Steve McCoy. I also wonder how the “Cares for Kids” telethon will be affected without S&V.
By Donna
November 5, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
I have listened to Steve and Vikki for as long as I can remember. I still love Rob and Tom, but I changed my radio station to B98.5 at home and at work as of today. Can’t wait to see where Steve goes…..I will follow.
By Rob
November 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I listened to the first morning today with out S&V….awkward, boring, Shannon didnt even know the stations phone number (now that is comedy)… You never really miss something til its no long available. Hopefully they will be on the Air soon, if not both, at least Steve, he just seems like an over nice guy! Wouldnt be hard for him to gell with a new sidekick if he had to. Best to you both, we miss you allready….
By Rob
November 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I listened to the first morning today with out S&V….awkward, boring, Shannon didnt even know the stations phone number (now that is comedy)… You never really miss something til its no long available. Hopefully they will be on the Air soon, if not both, at least Steve, he just seems like an overall nice guy! Wouldnt be hard for him to gell with a new sidekick if he had to. Best to you both, we miss you allready….
By Rob
November 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I listened to the first morning today with out S&V….awkward, boring, Shannon didnt even know the stations phone number (now that is comedy)… You never really miss something til its no long available. Hopefully they will be on the Air soon, if not both, at least Steve, he just seems like an overall nice guy! Wouldnt be hard for him to gell with a new sidekick if he had to. Best to you both, we miss you allready….
By scribe
November 5, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
perhaps, they will use this time to recharge their creative batteries, perhaps do a little research on what is working in other markets and come back better than ever. BTW, do they do anything on the Bert show? (other than Bert talking, that is?)
By sad sack
November 5, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
What a pittiful excuse for morning radio this a.m. Star 94 DJ’s were acting so silly. The only reason I listened until 9:45 was to hear the S&V reruns. I agree with Scribe in that they could have changed formats before just firing Steve. I did a little research on the “Morning Mess” (S&V replacements). Their bios boast of getting drunk and sleeping around. Not the kind of radio I will be listening to.
By Roger
November 5, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
I thought the show this morning sounded great. I think Tom and Holly make a good team. Got me through my ride in.
By I Need Traffic!
November 5, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
Shannon Holly is an embarrassment to the entire radio industry - she must have incriminating pictures of management in order to stay on the air.
Her amateur mistakes would give her a “C-Minus” at any broadcasting school - yet she’s on the morning show at a big-city radio station! Yuck!
I hope the “Morning Mess” has a REAL traffic reporter who knows how to get us to work - and keep us from switching to WSB for boring, mile-a-minute-too-fast-to-hear traffic!
By Charlotte
November 6, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Superfhat Mikey. What kind of stupid name is that. Wish they would just stick with Tommy Sullivan and they have to keep Shannon Holly. She is the hottest woman in ATL radio!!!
By Jon
November 6, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Superfhat Mikey. What kind of stupid name is that. Wish they would just stick with Tommy Sullivan and they have to keep Shannon Holly. She is the hottest woman in ATL radio!!!
By chidog
November 7, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
No she’s not. Elle Duncan on V-103 is the hottest woman in ATL radio by far!
By Shelly
November 7, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Who cares if you think Shannon is hot -she is the worst DJ/Traffic reporter in Atlanta!
By wilma
November 11, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
THE MORNING MESS WILL BE MISSED IN INDIANA. WITH NO MORE PRANK CALLS OR WAR OF THE ROSES.BEST TIMES EVER.ON THE WAY TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL
By Thrash
November 11, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Wilma, why are you writing in all caps? Are you using one of those AOL TV keyboards? Second, where do we send the Mess back to, we haven’t heard them yet and we’re over them already.