Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > December > 24
Monday, December 24, 2007
12/25: What’s up with Matt Chernoff?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Matt Chernoff was the odd man out in the reshuffle of the Zone lineup a couple weeks ago. His agent Jamie Bendall said he didn’t know specifically why the Zone dumped him and the Zone itself was suitably vague. His contract ended in late November so in the end, they simply chose not to renew it.
Chernoff, a Dunwoody High School and Georgia State grad, had been there for a decade and was most recently a co-host with Chuck Oliver during Monsters of the Midday on the sports station. He has also been a fixture on CSS’s evening sports show “Sports Nite.”, which also features Nick Cellini, Bob Neal and Bob Fischella. And he’s a regular contributor on Jamie Dukes’ NFL Network football show.
In other words, Chernoff still has his TV gigs. Bendall said Chernoff loves radio and after a non-compete is over, he will be still seeking a job in that arena. (Chernoff was on vacation when I called him and referred comments to his agent.)
To summarize for those who missed it, the 2 Live Stews got a new syndication deal with the Sporting News and are moving to a 1 to 4 p.m. time slot. This led the Zone to moving long-time morning man Mike Bell to the 4 to 7 p.m. slot with Chuck Oliver and “Hometeam” Brandon Leak. (Given Chernoff’s TV responsibilities, he couldn’t do that time slot anyway). The Zone also promoted weekend guys Brandon Adams and Jeff Woolverton to middays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. All changes start January 7.
Former AJC Braves writer I.J. Rosenberg, who owns Score Atlanta and Score Marketing and does a weekend show on the Zone on Sundays from 2 to 4, has far more insight into the talents of the various Zone personalities than I do. He wrote about the changes here, the second item down.. Here’s an excerpt:
First, why is Matt Chernoff out? He is a good guy, but they didn’t feel he added anything special, say like a Chuck Oliver, who has tremendous college contacts and does a lot of reporting. Chernoff is perhaps the only one over there that actually has a face for television and not radio. Chernoff needs to go into TV fulltime. I told him that a few years ago and the money is much better. I hope he doesn’t land at 680, which would be a death knell. With ESPN only getting bigger, his agent needs to get on the horn and get him an audition. I wish Matt the best of luck.
And here’s Rosenberg’s thoughts on Adams and Woolverton, who will also continue to do their Saturday show but will no longer to Sundays from 10 to 2 p.m., replaced by Sam Radin and John Michaels:
My advice to Adams and Woolverton is to not just rely on straight talk and callers but give Atlanta what it so desperately needs on radio and that is someone that does some reporting. Make the two hours at midday a show that gives us some sports news, a perfect time to break stories and get guests on the phone to talk about them.
Also, another former AJC writer and freelancer Caroline Wilbert did a Q&A on Sunday with Weather Channel morning weekend host and former Miss Georgia Samantha Mohr here.
