Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > December > 24 > Entry
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.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Sportstalk
December 25, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Speaking of not adding anything special, what does Dimino bring to the table besides reading stories off the internet. 790 should have dumped him and added Chernoff to that slot since they pulled the only intriguing personality on that show, Mike Bell. At least Chernoff is somewhat humorous, articulate, and knows sports a little more than just pulling stats from espn.com. And what are they thinking by adding the throwaway timeslot 11-1? Who would possibly listen to that over Cowherd?
By peter
December 25, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Bring on the I-Man!
By yogi
December 26, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Matt’s career in broadcasting will end inside of 2 years. He is on NFL Network because of his relationship with Dukes. No one watches CSS or cares. It’s obscure fellas’, no one really knows, talking about things no one really cares about. Without the 790 gig he will eventually lose that too. CSS wants to be “friends” with the Zone management. Sports radio talent is a throw away. Local tv? He is not a reporter or an anchor. ESPN ? As what? too competitive for a guy that is simply put…. “loud.” And here is the deal breaker, he is a difficult person to be around.
By local yank
December 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
What’s the name of the show he’s on? The Best Damn Comcast Sports South Show Ever Period! Where did CSS come up with such original programming? Why is it when the Zone actually gets good chemistry in their show pairings, they always manage to break it up? It happened with Beau and AJ, Nick and Chris, and now Chernoff and the Queen (seen his bowl picks lately? What an absolute fat no-nothing bozo). Chernoff was no great shakes but the chemistry between him, the queen and Carlos worked well. I guess we need an update as to when the Stews are dumped, err…I mean up for their next contact. That way we will know when the Zone is going to screw up,err…reshuffle their programming again!
By Michael
December 28, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
With Matt being gone, there is no more mid day sports talk to listen to. I am not interested in the “dog pound” or the hip hop version of sports talk. Monsters was entertaining and a great way to spend four hours everyday driving around working. 790, you lost a listener.
By Michael
December 28, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
With Matt being gone, there is no more mid day sports talk to listen to. I am not interested in the “dog pound” or the hip hop version of sports talk. Monsters was entertaining and a great way to spend four hours everyday driving around working. 790, you lost a listener.
By bernard rolax
December 31, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
I thought this would happen to MATT because all this time it was CHUCK SMITH who got the big names in on the show now that he’s gone it was just a matter of time before that line up had to be taken down so I WOULD SAY GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEXT JOB BUT I’LL HOLD THAT UNTIL I HE RIDES THE COAT TAIL OF THE NEXT BIG NAMES PERSON HE TEAMS UP WITH. I HOPE C.SMITH IS HAVING A COLD ONE.
By dolo
January 2, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Matt! why do we feel sorry for a guy when all he did was make fun of Oliver on air constantly, he was very annoying. The stews is the only reason this station is relevant (recognize that STEAK) and if you dont like them dont listen during that time slot, and old listeners stop being such haters for something thats new and different