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SPORTS TALK 790 BLOG SERIES:
IS MATT JACKSON THE FIRST VOICE YOU WANT TO HEAR THE MORNING AFTER A BIG TEXAN WIN OR A DISAPPOINTING LOSS?
Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 9/21/2011
As I drove in to work the Monday morning after the Houston Texans first road win of the 2011 season over the Miami Dolphins, I realized that there's a fundamental question that needs addressing with the Sports Talk 790 (790) new morning show.
Former 1560 The Game morning show host, Lance Zierlein, is the marquee name leading the new 790 morning show, "The Big Show". Zierlein is joined by the long-time duo of Adam Wexler and Matt Jackson as co-hosts of "The Big Show". Its to be noted that, "The Big Show" has a non-traditional format in the way of production.
Though Zierlein is the clear marquee brand name of the three hosts, he doesn't join Wexler and Jackson until the top of the second hour of the show at 7am. Wexler and Jackson lead the show beginning at 6am Monday thru Friday, and then as previously stated, are joined by Zierlein from 7am thru 10am. Then from 10am thru 11am, Zierlein hosts the fifth and final hour of "The Big Show" solo.
Wexler and Jackson will often hang over into the 10-11am hour with Zierlein, but look for that dynamic to change once Zierlein gets past a minor medical issue. You will then likely see more of Zierlein solo with his assortment of high-powered NFL insiders via coaching, scouting, and the blogger communities.
Reflecting back on my impression of the 6am launch of "The Big Show" the Monday after the Texans first road win of the 2011 season, I came away jaded to say the least. As I drove past the Harris County Homicide Division building sipping on my early morning staple, dark roast with French Vanilla creamer, I heard an annoying voice.
The voice coming from my "front and back, side to side" speakers in my Suburban was none other than Matt Jackson. Ahhhhh my man Matt Jackson, who loves to hear himself talk, and really doesn't value callers according to some I've spoken to. Matt was leading "The Big Show" on this morning as he often does.
Rich Lord of Sports Radio 610 (S/R 610) told me once in a conversation we had at a local Sun & Ski sports apparel store that, "Matt likes to listen to himself talk." Lord added "and we're having a little issue with that right now." Our conversation occurred during the time he and Jackson co-hosted evening drive on S/R 610,
As evidence of what Lord said to me, I can clearly recall Jackson and Wexler co-hosting Texans "Fan Feedback" when at S/R 610, and the duo would go on and on talking between each other up to 40 minutes, and not take but two callers the entire hour. Mind you we're talking a "fan feedback" show. That's ridiculously arrogant and professionally selfish in my opinion and in the opinion of many others I've spoke to as well.
IS THE SPORTS TALK 790 "BIG SHOW" TOO BIG AND FAT?
I offer you the reader a few simple questions:
• Is Matt Jackson the first voice you want to hear on a Monday morning on your favorite sports talk show following a big weekend of football?
• Is the presence of Lance Zierlein enough to make you sit and listen to Matt Jackson 20-25 hours a week?
• In this blue collar town, when you hear Matt Jackson reading a sponsor's beer ad, how likely are you to suddenly want to have a cold Miller Light, because Matt Jackson said so?
A well known jewelry vendor in Houston, who was once a sponsor at S/R 610 when both Matt Jackson and I worked there once said to me, he felt he got more out of me speaking for him on a Sunday night once a week, than what he got from Jackson speaking for him five days a week. He went on to tell me that he liked Jackson personally, but "this is business." He then added that "I just didn't feel that Matt is the type of guy that people responded to."
These are small attributes in a potential bigger bucket of issues that may be on the horizon for Matt Jackson and "The Big Show". Jackson will never mover numbers in this tough blue collar market. He's just a guy, as local talking heads like to say of athletes. He's no Charlie Pallilo or Rich Lord when it comes to sponsor draw. Though Jackson is known to have an inflated opinion of himself, the likely reality is, he's not an element in the fraction that will make a dynamic shift in the bottom line.
POINT GUARDS & SCORING GUARDS
It is my opinion that Matt Jackson does not translate in an on-air environment where Lance Zierlein is a principal component. Lance requires having the ball in his hands if you follow me here?
Adam Wexler has zero comedic timing normally, but in a surprisingly acceptable, unorthodox comedic manner, Wexler is translating for me. (At least for the moment.) Wexler knows his limitations and seems to be comfortable within himself. Jackson on the other hand has few moments on "The Big Show" when he's willing to give Zierlein the floor exclusively. That's a critical issue over time I can assure you.
Zierlein has an assortment of crossover scoring moves he can lend in an extemporaneous setting that Jackson shows some subtle-cocky, arrogance towards. Granted one could make an argument for continuity being more of an issue than arrogance. My counter to that theory is, there's a strong resume of Jackson's ego that's well documented in the minds of former co-workers who I know personally.
I've spoken to some of them and other sources as well about Jackson on numerous occasions. Jackson was not well appreciated on the drive time show he co-hosted on S/R 610. Sources tell me Jackson's producer, Patrick Caine, was not a fan, and I have reason to believe others not excluding the executive producer and sports director may not have viewed Jackson in the highest professional regard.
GRANATO & ZIERLEIN, FOR BETTER OR WORSE?
It took me all of five minutes of listening to Lance Zierlein and John Granato as a duo back in 2003 on Sports Radio 610, to recognize the two had an impactful presence. It took me five seconds of listening to Lance Zierlein on "The Big Show", to acknowledge that Lance Zierlein is a better listen when he's paired with his tailor-made set up man, John Granato of Yahoo Radio/1560 The Game.
I've heard from sources I trust that Granato may be considering leaving radio all together. Below par ratings and below par revenues being in the state they are at 1560 The Game, appear to be the catalyst for Granato's rumored to be state-of-mind.
If there is any chance John Granato is considering a professional hiatus, Sports Talk 790 program director, Bryan Erickson, should be on the phone with Granato's representatives immediately. I'm talking like YESTERDAY!
I know there were some issues between Granato and Zierlein as to be expected with any long-term working relationship. But I do not believe Zierlein would have an issue pairing up with Granato again. Especially in a scenario where they're on equal footing with station administrators.
Zierlein and Granato are better together PERIOD! Add to that the re-consolidation of the Gamer faithful, all listening to one dial destination again on the AM side? I believe the fallout there would give Sports Talk 790 a needed surge in their base listener numbers and TSL numbers to better contend with Sports Radio 610.
Besides, I'm more likely to drive across town to have a beer with John Granato than Matt Jackson any day.
Craig "The Black Creep" Shelton
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| Craig Shelton |
IS MATT JACKSON THE FIRST VOICE YOU WANT TO HEAR THE MORNING AFTER A BIG TEXAN WIN OR A DISAPPOINTING LOSS?
Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 9/21/2011
As I drove in to work the Monday morning after the Houston Texans first road win of the 2011 season over the Miami Dolphins, I realized that there's a fundamental question that needs addressing with the Sports Talk 790 (790) new morning show.
Former 1560 The Game morning show host, Lance Zierlein, is the marquee name leading the new 790 morning show, "The Big Show". Zierlein is joined by the long-time duo of Adam Wexler and Matt Jackson as co-hosts of "The Big Show". Its to be noted that, "The Big Show" has a non-traditional format in the way of production.
Though Zierlein is the clear marquee brand name of the three hosts, he doesn't join Wexler and Jackson until the top of the second hour of the show at 7am. Wexler and Jackson lead the show beginning at 6am Monday thru Friday, and then as previously stated, are joined by Zierlein from 7am thru 10am. Then from 10am thru 11am, Zierlein hosts the fifth and final hour of "The Big Show" solo.
Wexler and Jackson will often hang over into the 10-11am hour with Zierlein, but look for that dynamic to change once Zierlein gets past a minor medical issue. You will then likely see more of Zierlein solo with his assortment of high-powered NFL insiders via coaching, scouting, and the blogger communities.
Reflecting back on my impression of the 6am launch of "The Big Show" the Monday after the Texans first road win of the 2011 season, I came away jaded to say the least. As I drove past the Harris County Homicide Division building sipping on my early morning staple, dark roast with French Vanilla creamer, I heard an annoying voice.
The voice coming from my "front and back, side to side" speakers in my Suburban was none other than Matt Jackson. Ahhhhh my man Matt Jackson, who loves to hear himself talk, and really doesn't value callers according to some I've spoken to. Matt was leading "The Big Show" on this morning as he often does.
Rich Lord of Sports Radio 610 (S/R 610) told me once in a conversation we had at a local Sun & Ski sports apparel store that, "Matt likes to listen to himself talk." Lord added "and we're having a little issue with that right now." Our conversation occurred during the time he and Jackson co-hosted evening drive on S/R 610,
As evidence of what Lord said to me, I can clearly recall Jackson and Wexler co-hosting Texans "Fan Feedback" when at S/R 610, and the duo would go on and on talking between each other up to 40 minutes, and not take but two callers the entire hour. Mind you we're talking a "fan feedback" show. That's ridiculously arrogant and professionally selfish in my opinion and in the opinion of many others I've spoke to as well.
IS THE SPORTS TALK 790 "BIG SHOW" TOO BIG AND FAT?
I offer you the reader a few simple questions:
• Is Matt Jackson the first voice you want to hear on a Monday morning on your favorite sports talk show following a big weekend of football?
• Is the presence of Lance Zierlein enough to make you sit and listen to Matt Jackson 20-25 hours a week?
• In this blue collar town, when you hear Matt Jackson reading a sponsor's beer ad, how likely are you to suddenly want to have a cold Miller Light, because Matt Jackson said so?
A well known jewelry vendor in Houston, who was once a sponsor at S/R 610 when both Matt Jackson and I worked there once said to me, he felt he got more out of me speaking for him on a Sunday night once a week, than what he got from Jackson speaking for him five days a week. He went on to tell me that he liked Jackson personally, but "this is business." He then added that "I just didn't feel that Matt is the type of guy that people responded to."
These are small attributes in a potential bigger bucket of issues that may be on the horizon for Matt Jackson and "The Big Show". Jackson will never mover numbers in this tough blue collar market. He's just a guy, as local talking heads like to say of athletes. He's no Charlie Pallilo or Rich Lord when it comes to sponsor draw. Though Jackson is known to have an inflated opinion of himself, the likely reality is, he's not an element in the fraction that will make a dynamic shift in the bottom line.
POINT GUARDS & SCORING GUARDS
It is my opinion that Matt Jackson does not translate in an on-air environment where Lance Zierlein is a principal component. Lance requires having the ball in his hands if you follow me here?
Adam Wexler has zero comedic timing normally, but in a surprisingly acceptable, unorthodox comedic manner, Wexler is translating for me. (At least for the moment.) Wexler knows his limitations and seems to be comfortable within himself. Jackson on the other hand has few moments on "The Big Show" when he's willing to give Zierlein the floor exclusively. That's a critical issue over time I can assure you.
Zierlein has an assortment of crossover scoring moves he can lend in an extemporaneous setting that Jackson shows some subtle-cocky, arrogance towards. Granted one could make an argument for continuity being more of an issue than arrogance. My counter to that theory is, there's a strong resume of Jackson's ego that's well documented in the minds of former co-workers who I know personally.
I've spoken to some of them and other sources as well about Jackson on numerous occasions. Jackson was not well appreciated on the drive time show he co-hosted on S/R 610. Sources tell me Jackson's producer, Patrick Caine, was not a fan, and I have reason to believe others not excluding the executive producer and sports director may not have viewed Jackson in the highest professional regard.
 |
| John Granato & Lance Zierlein |
It took me all of five minutes of listening to Lance Zierlein and John Granato as a duo back in 2003 on Sports Radio 610, to recognize the two had an impactful presence. It took me five seconds of listening to Lance Zierlein on "The Big Show", to acknowledge that Lance Zierlein is a better listen when he's paired with his tailor-made set up man, John Granato of Yahoo Radio/1560 The Game.
I've heard from sources I trust that Granato may be considering leaving radio all together. Below par ratings and below par revenues being in the state they are at 1560 The Game, appear to be the catalyst for Granato's rumored to be state-of-mind.
If there is any chance John Granato is considering a professional hiatus, Sports Talk 790 program director, Bryan Erickson, should be on the phone with Granato's representatives immediately. I'm talking like YESTERDAY!
I know there were some issues between Granato and Zierlein as to be expected with any long-term working relationship. But I do not believe Zierlein would have an issue pairing up with Granato again. Especially in a scenario where they're on equal footing with station administrators.
Zierlein and Granato are better together PERIOD! Add to that the re-consolidation of the Gamer faithful, all listening to one dial destination again on the AM side? I believe the fallout there would give Sports Talk 790 a needed surge in their base listener numbers and TSL numbers to better contend with Sports Radio 610.
Besides, I'm more likely to drive across town to have a beer with John Granato than Matt Jackson any day.
Craig "The Black Creep" Shelton
HMW
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2 comments:
First of all I think it is funny that the new voice along with Granato on 1560 sounds a lot like Zerlein did. It's like he never left.
I think Granato w/o Zerlein may be addition by subtraction.
MJ is still the top dog on the Big Show. Zerlein may earn more money. But that is the breaks.
But The Voice, even with The Jerk is still the best morning drive sports show.
callers are over-rated. Seems like Lance has the big head to me...likes to talk over other hosts...but he has never been my taste
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