CHANGES AT SPORTS RADIO 610, SEAN PENDERGAST - LM

CHANGES AT SPORTS RADIO 610, SEAN PENDERGAST

Written By: LM

12.20.2013

Unless you have been living under a rock, Sean Pendergast replaced Josh Innes at Sports Radio 610 in the Afternoons.

I've tried to get the vibe via social media about the change but I couldn't pin point the consensus.  However, I did gathered

• Fans are expressing congrats towards Sean Pendergast
• Split views towards Josh Innes leaving
• Weird tweets from 1560 Trailblazers (will be blogged)

Normally, I try not to write about a new show before I've had a chance to fully vet it, but this change was  huge and there are some dynamics at play.

• Gavin Spittle's first hire John Lopez, Ryan McCredden Sean Pendergast (Major Time Slots)
• Sports Radio 610 PD hired within the Houston Market talent pool
• 1560 Going at 610 in the past  (not sure if Sean participated)
• Sean Pendergast's rise in Houston
• John Granato's next partner (I'm looking at you Matt Jackson)
• Fans asking HMW "Who is Sean"
• Lamont do not know Sean's Pro Football team (Rich Lord is a Giants Fan)

For those who are asking about Sean, Sean's claim to fame came via 610 (CBS) Airwaves with his Jim Rome Smack Off Championships. Sean was a legendary caller who went on a run of Smack-Off Titles.  At the time Lance Zierlein and John Granato were Morning Host at Sports Radio 610.  John Granato left 610 to start a new radio station (1560), shortly, Lance went to 1560 as well.  I will not pretend to know the details in between but Sean ended up at 1560. 

At the time, I do remember still listening to Jim Rome from 11-2 CST and fans were asking about Sean "The Cablinasian" Pendergast.  Why is he not participating in Smacks Offs anymore? Jim tried to overlook it before he flat out explained, Sean was working for a CBS competitor and could no longer participate in Smack Offs.

I've been listening to Sean for a while and here are a few things about him

• He's Witty
• Notre Dame Alumni
• Very Intelligent
• Sports Junkie
• Soprano's Freak
• Wrestling Fanatic
• From Connecticut 
• Swell

I've listened to Sean for almost 4 years, he comes off as even keel.  It will be interesting with Rich Lord and by interesting, I mean boring to me.  After listening to three years of Josh and Rich, I do not see Sean providing that same energy fans were accustomed to with Josh.  I need energy and less Texans Friendly brown-nosing. 

Say what you will about Josh Innes, but he brought life back into Sports Radio 610 Drive Time after that miserable Robert Henslee and Rich Lord experiment.  That said, I am witnessing Sean Pendergast follow behind two  popular personalities:  Lance Zierlein (partnered with John Granato) and Josh Innes (partnered with Rich Lord).  Huge shoes to follow in terms of popularity.

When I take all of this in, it's looking like Fred Faour and AJ Hoffmann at 97.5 ESPN will be eating in the WINTER SEASON  #GOT

OUT

LM

HOUSTON'S TOP 20 SPORTS TALK PERSONALITIES OF 2011 - CRAIG SHELTON - 1/1/2012

HOUSTON'S TOP 20 SPORTS TALK PERSONALITIES OF 2011

Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 1/1/2012

When I first sat down to begin the process of determining my choices for Houston's Top 20 sports talk hosts for 2011, I went though a process of self-evaluation in regard to my own personal approach in scrutinizing those under consideration. Admittedly, when I initially began the process, my evaluations were laced with prejudices towards what I'll classify as "pet peeves" regarding what hosts did on air. But as I sat in the press box at the Texans/Raiders game at Reliant Stadium earlier this season, I was able to gain some clarity on how to evaluate our local sports talk hosts.


My criteria does include obvious attributes like overall knowledge; diction and delivery of content; overall entertainment value; presentation and preparation; caller and social network interactive content; as well as interview skills. Added to those areas of scrutiny, is what I determined to be the second most critical component to my process of evaluation.


"Overall entertainment value" is in my opinion the number one attribute in my process of determining Houston's Top 20 best sports talk hosts for 2011. The second most important component in my evaluation process is "determining how an individual sports talk host, performs in the 'role' he or she was cast in by their programmer".


Oddly enough, I was able to gain clarity as I sat in the Texans press box attempting to embed an acceptable resolution within my mind, in trying to understand what the hell I had just witnessed on the last play of the Texans loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 5? (I still say Schaub could have made it!)


After watching Matt Schaub decide "not" to take the game into his own hands (or feet) and send the Raider bereaved party packing from Reliant Stadium on that eerie Sunday, it "punched me smack in the face!"


As I sat there ripping Schaub to shreds in my bullet points for my show, I realized my error in my method of scrutinizing Houston's sports talk hosts for my rankings.


Just as Matt Schaub could not be judged on what Mike Vick or Aaron Rodgers may have done it that situation, but rather on "his" attributes in the system he is given to work in, so should sports talk hosts be judged.


CONSIDER THIS?


Dan Mathews of SportsRadio610, is a good example to hopefully shed more clarity on my grading template.


Dan Mathews isn't a household name at this point in his young career, but he's off to a solid start. But if you were to take a closer look at all the tasks that  Mathews navigates throughout a week of duties at SportsRadio610, his value increases immensely.


Dan Mathews excels in the role he's asked to play at SportsRadio610, a role the naked eye or ear of the average listener (and host) may just overlook.


David Nuno of 1560TheGame is another local host whose public appreciation probably isn't where it should be, due to him being used in a utility role with 1560 and Yahoo Radio.


Nuno has served in any number of on-air roles between 1560TheGame and Yahoo Radio, but It likely lessens his barometer of public appreciation in doing so. Well, in my format of evaluation, the Dan Mathews and David Nuno's of the world, get more of a fair shake in my evaluation process.


There's one other important component to my evaluation that should not be overlooked, so I saved it for last. I took into consideration the host's overall "impact" on the market as well. Meaning more than numbers generated in the Arbitron ratings format, I went looking for immeasurable attributes as well. I considered each host's contribution or impact on the local sports talk radio culture in the Year 2011. Rather that impact was "love 'em or hate 'em", if they were impactful, my format accounted for that intangible.


Do not underestimate the value of this component in my evaluation process!    I hope this explanation of my grading template offers some clarification in my ranking process.


THE 2011 TOP 20 RANKINGS OF HOUSTON'S BEST SPORTS HOSTS


#1. Matt Thomas (SportsTalk790)
#2. Josh Innes (SR610)
#3. John Granato (1560/Yahoo)
#4. Lance Zierlein (SportsTalk790)
#5. Charlie Pallilo (SportsTalk790)


RANKINGS 1-5 COMMENTARY


The 1-5 rankings were by far the easiest for me to develop. The only struggle at all was some slight consideration to rate Lance Zierlein over John Granato. In the end, I felt Granato made a smoother transition after the breakup of he and Zierlein.


Granato was left for dead by many after he and Zierlein divorced, but Granato has sustained an entertaining product. Granato is great with sponsors and in delivering sponsor ads live.


Lance Zierlein has struggled to find his groove working in "The Big Show" format with Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler, but his overall talent is just too much of a force to keep out of the Top 5. In addition to Zierlein's raw talent, he's second to none in the market in delivering sponsor ads.


Charlie Pallilo is Charlie Pallilo, solid as they come. But the solo host format is a Jurassic concept in today's combative society in general. The fact that Pallilo has performed so well in such a dated format for this market, speaks volumes for his resume.


Josh Innes is a beast! The guy keeps it hot, love him or hate him. In fact, if not for his attacks on Houston and its listeners, he likely would have been #1. The fact that he hasn't figured that angle out, was enough for me to put Matt Thomas ahead of Innes in the final tally. You can't kill the client cause the customer is still always right when it comes down to it.


Matt Thomas is plain and simple the most entertaining sports talk host in Houston for 2011. Matt excels in his bedside mannerisms with the listeners, callers, and twitter followers. Thomas does a serviceable job delivering sponsor ads and is a gentleman and a true professional that should be acknowledged by his peers. (If he could just learn his route tree? #RouteTreeThomas)


#6. Sean Pendergast (1560/Yahoo)
#7. John Harris (1560)/Yahoo)
#8. Adam Wexler (SportsTalk790)
#9. Barry Warner (SR610)
#10. Mike Meltser (SR610)


RANKINGS 6-10 COMMENTARY


Developing the rankings for #6-10, was by far the toughest for me in this process. #10 Mike Meltser is a limitless talent assuming he becomes a bit less mechanical. His overall sports knowledge is excellent, as well as his diction, preparation, and delivery.


Love or hate "papa" aka Barry Warner, he's knowledgeable and not afraid to take an unpopular view and stick with it.


Adam Wexler and John Harris may be two guys I trust most for solid information. Both have limitations, and aren't suited for every work environment, but each is performing up to standard in their individual roles.
  
Sean Pendergast is another guy with an unlimited talent cache to draw from. Sean is knowledgeable, witty, and relatively balanced in his overall sports acumen. Sean is a rising star and may long-term find his niche in the national arena.


#11. Rich Lord  (SR610)
#12. Dylan Gwinn (SportsTalk790)
#13. Marc Vandermeer  (SR610)
#14. Brad Davies (SR610)
#15. David Nuno (1560/Yahoo)


RANKINGS 11-15 COMMENTARY


Rich Lord still appears to be in cruise control, but you can trust him to get you from point "a" to point "b", even if Josh Innes keeps grabbing the steering wheel. Rich's speaking voice is clean with elite diction that serves well as a sponsor representative. Rich is still driving the bus on the true biggest show in town!


Dylan Gwinn is the best example of the "impact" in the market I alluded to in my opening statements. He's not the most knowledgeable or best-prepared, but the guy moves the meter in his time slot. The Mighty Gwinn has dug in, and has done so in a climate where listeners are more acceptable to tabloid-like content. Gwinn is in as long as the local listener base remains in its present tolerance for unsubstantiated or laymen-like content. Gwinn is in Houston, and you have yourself to thank for that.


Marc Vandermeer and Brad Davies are kinda the same guy. Both have elite, clean deliveries. Both guys are safe ship navigators. Neither appears willing to give strong opinions, but Davies will offer up some meaningful angles on topics. Both are exemplary professionals that take on major roles in the Sunday production of the Houston Texans broadcasts. Two guys that are steady and safe within their assigned roles.


#16. Matt Jackson (SportsTalk790)
#17. ND Kalu (SR610)
#18. Greg Koch (SR610)
#19. John McClain (SR610)
#20. Brien Straw (SR610)


RANKINGS 16-20 COMMENTARY


I'll start this passage out with #20 Brien Straw. Obnoxious and agitating to state it plainly, best describes Mr. Straw. You won't know why you keep tuning in, but somehow you will, because he is always on the air. And that's where he qualified to make my ranking at #20. Straw is versatile and has been of great value under Gavin Spittles programming.


Generally speaking, it appears fans have soured on John McClain, by comparison to previous years. McClain was once a must-listen for most when he was on the air talking Texans football. It's my theory that John's popularity will always be directly connected to the success of the Texans. John's message doesn't really change, so if the Texans win, he'll be well received. If the Texans lose, he's a part of the "blame pool" as the team's beat writer.


Matt Jackson is serviceable in his role on "The Big Show" on SportsTalk790. Jackson does a good job interacting on the social network scene with listeners.


ND Kalu and Greg Koch of SportsRadio610, have both grown immensely in their roles as NFL specialists.


Kalu is surprisingly balanced outside of football, and has relevant content to add to NBA and NCAA basketball topics. Kalu has developed a welcomed knack of not sitting back and allowing uninformed hosts make ridiculous comments unchallenged. Kalu has also broadened his development into the realm of delivering solid sponsor ads. "So keep it gangsta folks, and get out there and eat some damned James Coney Island Hot Dogs".


Greg "Cookie" Koch is the ultimate common-sense analyst. Cookie won't go for the company line and is quick to integrate his layering skill set into a friendly, or not so friendly (Brein Straw) sports debate. Cookie is truly a "monster"! (Cheesy I know folks, but I couldn't resist.)


* HONORABLE MENTIONS


• Ralph Cooper:


Obviously there's a clear conflict of interest with Ralph Cooper and I working at the same station, so I omitted his name from these ratings. Obviously, with Ralph's resume of over three decades of service, his place is cemented in Houston's sports talk landscape. I'm stating the obvious, but the inclusion of Ralph Cooper in this ranking format would reshape the order of names listed.


• Marcus Coleman:


Again, an obvious conflict of interest with Marcus Coleman and I being co-hosts on KCOH (THE CUT), so I omitted him from my rankings.


Marcus Coleman is a former NFL defensive back with the NY Jets, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys.


Marcus is growing as a talent in the Houston sports talk community who has a knack for honesty. Marcus will speak freely and honestly and isn't afraid to offer more than the "company line" that most athletes turned talk host normally fall back on. Marcus Coleman and former Green Bay Packer, Greg Koch of SportsRadio610, have similar qualities in their willingness to speak honestly.


• Max Edison & Jerome Solomon


Max Edison and Jerome Solomon are both sports writers for Houston print media sources. Both Edison and Solomon are seasoned on-air talents that make guest appearances around town, but have yet to land as regulars with a local station.


Max Edison writes for the Houston Defender, and is one of the most knowledgeable sports minds in the business. Edison is best known for his forwardness and brash combative delivery on radio. Edison has a deadly counter jab for any comment thrown at him, so get your facts straight when debating any sports topic with Max Edison.


Jerome Solomon writes for the Houston Chronicle, and has a solid reputation locally as an on-air talent. Solomon's critics will allude to his condescending delivery on air at times, but that's part of the draw for me personally. Solomon doesn't back down, regardless of the backlash targeting him or his opinions.


Both Max Edison and Jerome Solomon were omitted from my rankings mainly due to neither getting enough on-air time in my opinion to be gauged fairly. It's my opinion both are worthy of full time on-air opportunities in this market.


• A special acknowledgment to Adam Rapp, the host of SportsRappLive (@SPORTSRAPPLIVE) scheduled to air on SportsTalk790 in January 2012.


If I were to give an award for "Grinder Of The Year" or the "GTY" trophy for 2011, it would go to Adam Rapp. Adam has worked tirelessly over the past year on his underground/online sports talk show and it appears to be paying off. Congratulations to Adam Rapp and the SportsRappLive family! This is a full time talent just waiting to happen!


OTHER HOUSTON SPORTS TALK PERSONALITIES CONSIDERED:


LOCAL2SPORTS:
Adam Clanton


SPORTS RADIO 610:
Capt. Mickey Eastman
Joe Pogge
Shaun Bijani
Norm Miller
Joe O'Donnell
John Lopez
Nate Griffin
Paul Gallant


97 5 ESPN:
Carl Dukes
Fred Faour
Dave Tepper
Julie Takahoshi 
AJ Hoffman
Anson Ainsworth
John Wessling


1560 THE GAME/YAHOO RADIO
Ken Hoffman
Brooke Bentley
Richard Justice
Travis Rodgers
Robert Neagli
Craig Shemon
Vince Rachal


On behalf of HoustonMediaWatch.Com, I'd like to wish all of Houston's sports media a safe and prosperous 2012.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Craig Shelton
HMW

Follow On Twitter @: http://www.Twitter.Com/LesbianCraig

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IS JIM ROME STILL A HOUSTON FAVORITE (ONE YEAR LATER)? - LM

Written By: LM

12-28-2011

When Mike wrote about 1560 AM welcoming Travis Rodgers to the lineup, it got me to thinking.  I can remember a few years ago when Jim Rome announced that Travis would no longer be a part of the team, I didn't think much of it because there was nothing to think about.  Jim Rome was considered the "cream of the crop" in Houston.  Fast forward, the dynamics have changed in Houston.

Everyone knows that Houston is Jim Rome's adopted city.  On numerous occasions you will hear Rome say Houston was one of the first major markets that gave his show a chance and for that he is thankful.  Back in the Travis Rodgers' era with Rome, Houston had less Sports Stations now we have four.  In addition to, back in those days Jim Rome had Houston on lock from 11AM - 2PM.  There is a change of atmosphere in Houston with regards to Jim Rome's Show.

                                      

The Jim Rome Show is SR610 AM National Show and as mentioned before everyone use to listen to it, but lately I have been hearing  people say they don't listen to Rome anymore.  I have also noticed when I am listening to Matt Thomas (790 AM) or Sean Pendergast (1560)  fans are tuning in to their shows.  I have heard everything from Rome is arrogant to it's dull to he only take calls that kiss his ass.  I myself use to be a fan, but in the last two years I only listen during the Smack Off.                                    

I stop listening faithfully after the Cablinasian's last Smack Off win.  I did not like the fact that Sean "The Cablinasian" could not participate in later Smack Offs because of "radio loyalties".  The Cablinasian is a current employee of  Yahoo Sports Radio which is a competitor of the local affiliate which houses Jim Rome's Show.  I don't listen because I prefer local programming over National.  The minute other options became available, I stop listening to Rome.  It's very hard for me to listen to National Shows because I don't feel I have a connection with them as I do with "local talk".  Now my choices are Matt Thomas and Sean Pendergast.  

ONE YEAR LATER


The above passage was written over a year ago with minor changes.  At the time the article was written, I felt local competitors of Jim Rome would eventually benefit because people are not feeling Rome anymore in Houston.  The only time I listen to Jim Rome currently, is when Houston in some form is being represented on his show: guest host, story, local players.  I would not be surprised if Houston listeners habits are identical to mines.


Is Jim Rome's Show really bad or is it listeners naturally gravitate to local shows?  The one personality who benefited from Jim Rome Houston decline is Matt Thomas (790).  As mentioned with Jim Rome, does this mean  Matt's shows is good or people prefer local?  For what it's worth, I like  Matt's Show.  


As long as Sports Radio continue to air Rome in that time slot, we will continually hear people tune in to Matt Thomas.

WRAP IT UP


There are a couple interesting things I see at play here.  It appears Gavin Spittle should probably consider moving Rome to overnights and close the deal with another local show in that slot.  There is no surprise Sports Radio 610 is enjoying record ratings when over 75% of their programming is local in addition to the Texans being good.  We all like to say 610's ratings are high because of the Texans but I am beginning to think that's an incomplete statement.  Instead of only notating the Texans how about including the fact, if you are a Texan during football coupled with a good product, at any given point the majority of the time, you can turn on 610 and hear something about the Texans?


For the life of me, I do not understand what's so hard to understand about this.  There is more than enough local talent to support all four stations in this town but three of the four stations want to continue this antiquated form of programming. They really believe local programming is a farce at nights and weekends, the people don't listen and meanwhile Sports Radio 610 is signing 10 year deals with the Texans.


Wow is all I can say, JIM ROME gone?  Although I am not overly excited about MAD (Mike Meltser and Brad Davies), it is local therefore I will listen.  All I have to say to Bryan Erickson, my letter to you just became a tad more tangible. QQ


David Barron: Houston Chronicle
Jim Rome Out/ Sports Radio 610 New Lineup


OUT

HMW

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