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Monday, January 12, 2009
1/12: Ryan Seacrest starts today on Star 94
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Dunwoody resident and ubiquitous host Ryan Seacrest’s syndicated afternoon show started today on Star 94 from noon to 3 p.m.
From what I’ve heard so far, there is some artful editing and even a bit of personalization on Seacrest’s part. He has mentioned Star 94 liberally. For instance, he does some generic Star 94 intros to songs such as “Light On” by David Cook and “Just Dance” by Lady GaGa.
They insert little phrases from him such as “Back home in Atlanta on Star 94.”
Not surprisingly, you don’t hear Ryan that much. This is mid-days when “more music” rules on most stations. At about 1:30 p.m., he did talk briefly about who he liked at the Golden Globes last night (Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes and Rachel Evan Woods.). Beyonce, he added helpfully, “has really great skin.” Some sidekick Ellen K. chuckles a lot.
Since none of this is live or local, you won’t hear Ryan say the time, the temps, the traffic or anything about Atlanta. But the tradeoff is Ryan is a familiar voice and brings along the Ryan “brand” cache.
At about 1:45 p.m., Ryan played a clip of Alec Baldwin from last night’s Globes mocking Seacrest on E!, saying he saw him in the tabloid mags in a waiting room. “They were talking about your love life,” Baldwin said. “Women you’re sc—- seeing.”
“We have the same neurologist,” Ryan joked. He then teases a book by Perez Hilton. (An interview with the hideous gossipmonger is coming up, Ryan says.). He notes how Perez thinks Robert Patterson of “Twilight” will crack under the pressure. And Ryan says Perez gives Zac Effron too much heat.
After 60 seconds of such (obviously edited down) patter, Ryan suddenly says, “Love Remains the Same, Star 94,” leading into the Gavin Rossdale song.
At 1:55 p.m., Ryan and Ellen talked a bit about Drew Barrymore and Madonna and they were out in less than 60 seconds.
From 1 to 2 p.m. EST on Star 94, the played 12 songs, two ad breaks and maybe four minutes of Ryan total, including three minute-long talks and a few shorter comments between songs.
Ryan already does a regular morning show in Los Angeles on KIIS-FM from 6 to 10 a.m. PST (or 9 to 1 p.m. EST). It’s not clear if the patter comes from that show or is done specially for his syndicated show, which is heard on 70-plus stations nationwide.
The music mix sounds like what Star normally plays though the turnaround of “Single Ladies” by Beyonce at 12:07 p.m. and 1:48 p.m. was rather fast. Ditto with Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” heard at 12:31 and 2:07 p.m. (The gap has usually been at least two hours between repeats on Star, even for the most popular songs.)
I’m awaiting callbacks from program director J.R. Ammons and/or general manager Rick Mack for what they expect from Ryan and how the show is going to be structured.
Seacrest’s arrival means an Atlanta DJ’s departure. For now, Tripp West is covering 10 to noon but will leave in May when his contract is up or earlier if he finds a new job.
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1/12: 680/the Fan’s Buck Belue has Bell’s Palsy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buck Belue of 680/The Fan called me back this morning, said he has Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis of the cranial nerve. He’s not sure exactly when he’ll be back on the air but will continue to blog. “I could work if I didn’t have to talk on the radio four hours a day,” he said. “It’s a little frustrating. I’m not the most patient guy in the world being out right now with all this football going on.”
The afternoon co-host with John Kincade was out last week but the station wasn’t saying what was wrong with him. Belue said it could take a couple of weeks to months before he’s fully recovered after taking medication. He said it may have been brought on by a combination of a respiratory cold he had before Christmas and stress.
A couple weeks back, “I thought I was going to have a freaking stroke watching Georgia practice,” he said. He went to the hospital and they diagnosed him with Bell’s Palsy.
“It’s a nerve in my left cheek,” he said. “I couldn’t close my left eye. I had numbness on the left side of my face. I have a droopy left eye, some slurred speech.” (I could barely tell any slurring as he spoke to me.) He was on his way to the doctors as he spoke to me. I’ll update you all about his progress and when he’ll be back on the air.
Belue, 49, has been with the Fan for more than eight years and is a football specialist. The former UGA star and Kincade have the highest-rated show on the station.
