Kristin Klingshirn (Raleigh’s ‘Bob & the Showgram’) joins Q100 Bert Show
Kristin Klingshirn, the new Bert Show member from Raleigh. CREDIT: Bob & the Showgram
Loading ...Kristin Klingshirn, who goes by “Kentucky Kristin” on a top 40 station in Raleigh, N.C., will join the Q100 Bert Show August 8.
Bert Weiss, the host of the show, said not to characterize her as a “replacement” for Melissa Carter, the long-time member of the show who left on her own accord in April. (Carter, after 15 years at 99X and Q100, hasn’t decided what she wants to do next but is enjoying her time off.)
“This is a new co-host of the Bert Show,” Weiss said on the air. “I’m hoping you will keep your hearts and minds open. She’s nothing like Melissa. If you are expecting a lesbian newscaster, you’ll be disappointed.”
“She likes boys and her kidneys work,” added jokester Jeff Dauler, referencing Carter’s kidney transplant eight years ago.
Klingshirn, who will be reading the news as Carter had, has worked with G105 in Raleigh for Bob & the Showgram the past five years. She made her announcement of her departure to Atlanta on the air at about 7:15 a.m.. Weiss subsequently broke the news to Atlanta listeners at 7:45 a.m. today.
“There were very few women I talked to the last couple of months who had a thick enough skin to take the, ‘That’s not Melissa Carter,’ ” Bert said. “I think she does.”
Weiss said he has been sifting through resumes and audition tapes for the past few months, open to the possibility he would not hire anybody at all. But Klingshirn stood out.
“She’s just fearless,” Weiss said. “You need to be. [Her boss on the show Bob] exposes you in every way, shape or form. This will be a welcome relief for her.”
“She’s the only female on the show,” Jenn Hobby noted. “She really has to hold her own.”
“She’s absolutely beautiful, totally gorgeous,” Hobby added, “with a bit of a tomboy vibe.”
Weiss said he hung out with her for eight hours in Charleston, S.C., part of the time with his family and he said everyone loved her. So she came to Atlanta and hung out with the rest of the team, including a stop at Johnny’s Hideaway.
A caller who listens to Bob & the Showgram said she’s funny. “She’s good,” he said.
Weiss’s 10-year-old show is a powerhouse and has been consistently in the top 3 in key demographics in Atlanta for several years. Ratings did not appear to wane after Carter left in April. The show is now heard in Indianapolis and Nashville as well.
I’ll update this later after I talk with some of the Bert Show cast members. I’ll try to talk to Kristin as well, though that may merit a separate blog entry.
Listen to Kristin’s farewell on G105 here.
“Change isn’t easy and sometimes it’s necessary,” Klingshirn said to the G105 listeners. “I’m super excited about my new opportunity. It comes bittersweet. We built a family – a very dysfunctional one.”
The Bert Show prides itself on being “real.” Every cast member uses their real name. (No “Kentucky Kristin” nicknames here.).
Weiss, in an interview after the announcement, said he listened to more than 200 airchecks from candidates far and wide. He narrowed that down to 10, then four, then two. He flew two people into Atlanta to meet the team. The other person who almost made the cut, he said, was Jayde Donovan from Orlando, but he felt she was edging more towards TV. Indeed, Donovan recently relocated to Los Angeles to be a correspondent for “Access Hollywood.”
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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135 comments Add your comment
carmen
July 21st, 2011
8:19 am
I like that Kristin comes from a show where co-hosts are “exposed.” TBS are all so sappy-sweet to each other. Never a hint of why Ryan/Jenn or Jeff/Jessica divorced. They are too easy on each other and are 100% complimentary of each other. Maybe Wendy will go back to reading traffic only.
tracy
July 21st, 2011
8:27 am
wow. I really hate this. Kristen brought a breath of fresh air to the show and she will be greatly missed. She was the only “sane” person on the show (lol) but lemme tell ya, that girl could hold her own. Good luck Kirsten and you folks in Atlanta take care of her. She’s a diamond in the rough. You won’t be disappointed!
Southside Steve
July 21st, 2011
8:39 am
A hot new blonde, working just down the hall from me?!! Yeah, c’mon!!!
05girl
July 21st, 2011
8:42 am
I was hoping TBS would bring some more diversity to the cast. A person who goes by “kentucky kristin” is more likely to appeal to the country stations of Indy and Nashville I suppose.
eddie343
July 21st, 2011
8:43 am
I honestly don’t feel she will fit in with the Burp Show crew. She is good looking, and doesn’t have a “face for radio” like the rest of them do. : )
HERB?
July 21st, 2011
8:45 am
Watcha doin’?
leigh
July 21st, 2011
8:45 am
As a former listener of The Bert Show when I lived in metro Atlanta and a current listener of Bob and the Showgram in Raleigh, I think Kristen will be a hit in the ATL. I’m really going to miss listening to her in Raleigh, but am happy that she has this opportunity. As an SEC girl myself, I can understand her excitement about moving back to SEC country! Good luck, Kristen!
FRAN?
July 21st, 2011
8:46 am
Just reading FB, you?
HERB?
July 21st, 2011
8:48 am
Same here…same here..getting ready for a busy day.
FRAN?
July 21st, 2011
8:57 am
Can hardly wait.
The Squirt Show
July 21st, 2011
8:58 am
She’s absolutely beautiful, totally gorgeous,” Hobby added, “with a bit of a tomboy vibe.”
Translation…. I HATE HER!!! We all know Princess Jenn Won’t stand for not being the only straight blonde “hottie” on the show anymore.
Jeremy
July 21st, 2011
8:58 am
Thank goodness that judgemental and critical Melissa left…I might actually start listening to the show again.
Rusty
July 21st, 2011
9:00 am
She is smoking hot welcome to Atlanta Kristen.
Call it like it is
July 21st, 2011
9:02 am
Oh no! I was hoping Melissa would come back, I so miss have an hourly update on what Katie Joe was doing at any given moment of the day. Also miss the fact that she had to continue to remind Atl she was gay every frick’n show. Welcome Kristin, hope you have cute southern voice to match that pretty face.
shar
July 21st, 2011
9:09 am
I bet she won’t call band members “geeks” or complain about living in the “uncool suburbs.”
DC
July 21st, 2011
9:10 am
Sirius radio…everyone else please catch up!
RK
July 21st, 2011
9:12 am
Klingshirn? What happened to the days of pseudonyms?
Anna
July 21st, 2011
9:13 am
I bet Wendy cringes every time Rodney Ho publishes a story about The Bert Show; inevitably people will take it as an opportunity to trash her. But listen, guys: when an entire community of listeners hates you, it isn’t them, it’s YOU.
serena
July 21st, 2011
9:17 am
With an influx of talent, I’m hoping TBS won’t have to repeat so many segments. I’ve heard the same bit 3x in one morning before (in and out of car for sales). Yes, I guess I’m listening.
Wolfpack Wendy
July 21st, 2011
9:18 am
I hope she takes it top shelf! OWWWWW WOOOOOOOO!!!
RK
July 21st, 2011
9:20 am
Wendy won’t say the “f” word — fart — and she wouldn’t use the word “kill”, either.
charles
July 21st, 2011
9:25 am
I change the station if Wendy is talking too much. Why won’t someone tell her “boughton” is not a word; it’s “disapprove,” not “disprove,” and there is no such word as “anyways.” Her schtick is to be the “young, dumb, naive” one, but it gets old really fast. And, she isn’t that young anymore. Has she ever not agreed with/chimed with Hobby’s opinion? No.
HCCynic
July 21st, 2011
9:26 am
THIS IS GREAT NEWS! I have no idea how this new personality will work out on the show, but the truth is, it really does not matter as I am excited beyond words that they did not re-hire Melissa “did I tell you I am a lesbian” Carter.
I for one had grown sick of having her political agenda shoved up my backside on a daily basis. So much so, that i had turned off the station and sought out other radio entertainment for my morning drive.
Welcome to Atlanta, Kristen, and best wishes!
Teresa
July 21st, 2011
9:29 am
I actually was REALLY hoping that they would add some diversity to the show instead of just talking about being diverse. But, I guess Bert wasn’t ready to do that. he said he interviewed alot of people and was completely open minded, but yet, you bring a blonde, hair girl onto the show, in a city with a large minority demographic?!?!? Am I missing something? Whatever, when TBS gets on my nerves, I go to Frank and Wanda.
Wink
July 21st, 2011
9:42 am
Hey Teresa…how diverse is V103?
Brunette Fan
July 21st, 2011
9:49 am
She may be very pretty, at least for a blonde, but she will NEVER tear me away from Sirius-XM.
If Atlanta radio had not been so atrocious over the last 15 years, we all would be moving to satellite and web-based radio to ESCAPE it.
Brunette Fan
July 21st, 2011
9:52 am
Escape from Atlanta… …Radio
If Atlanta radio had not been so atrocious over the last 15 years, we all would NOT be moving to satellite and web-based radio to ESCAPE it.
bored listener
July 21st, 2011
9:54 am
@The Squirt Show– you caught that too huh?? Looking at her picture I dont see the Tom boy!!!
that was a total hateful dig by Jenn very low budget if you ask me.
Brunette Fan
July 21st, 2011
9:55 am
Diversity BLOWS.
People only advocate “Diversity” when it suits their (often monetary) purpose.
Get back to us when some of the so-called ‘Urban’ stations in Atlanta get some… [ahem] “Diversity.”
Bored Listener # 2
July 21st, 2011
9:57 am
“She’s absolutely beautiful, totally gorgeous,” Hobby added, “with a bit of a tomboy vibe.”
Really Jenn?
charles
July 21st, 2011
10:07 am
“She’s definitely not a frilly girl.” Jenn Hobby statement. MEOW!!!
joe
July 21st, 2011
10:15 am
Great point, Wink!!!
RK
July 21st, 2011
10:23 am
Oh, and Wendy won’t say she’s living with a guy, but that she’s staying with him. Duh.
carmella
July 21st, 2011
10:28 am
RK, he moved in one month after they started dating. I was so worried Bert would announce she was taking the fourth spot. Thank goodness, not. Hoping Wendy has a lot less air time.
Got no talent...who am I?...
July 21st, 2011
10:28 am
… I’m Jenn Hobby, that’s who I am!
I’m sure we all have experienced a co-worker that you just did get why he/she got promoted or was thought of with such high regard. Jenn Hobby is one of those co-workers! No talent, no merit, but getting paid…hope she realizes she is as lucky as a lottery winner.
Sam
July 21st, 2011
10:29 am
Jenn Hobby is going to be so jealous. Sorry Jenn, there’s no competition, this blonde is way hotter than you!
Got no talent...who am I?...
July 21st, 2011
10:30 am
Should read… Just DIDN’T get …
Teresa
July 21st, 2011
10:40 am
@Wink….V103 has gone DOWNHILL, which is why I changed over to TBS, all I am saying is that it would habe been nice to have a morning talk radio show that was diverse and there isn’t one. So, when TBS gets on my nerves (and they will in no time), I switch over to the foolery that is Frank and Wanda and when I can’t take them anymore, I switch to TBS…do you get it now?? As a minority, I really wwould have liked to see some radio show do something different, this is Atlanta after all, not every is black (V103) or white (TBS)…just my opinion. Thanks!
stuart
July 21st, 2011
10:41 am
For entertainment, watch Jenn on WXIA 1-minute Metromix. Elbows super-glued to waist, hands move in and out and her shoulders go up and down. Once you notice this, it’s pretty entertaining.
Jennifer
July 21st, 2011
10:41 am
Hotter and more talented, from one Jen to another, sorry girl, but you’re past your prime, there’s a new sherriff in town.
Rickie
July 21st, 2011
10:46 am
I really don’t know why I ever even listen to TBS. Jenn Hobby needs to just go away….and take Wendy with her.
CSF
July 21st, 2011
10:47 am
I hate that we’ll be losing Kentucky Kristin here in Raleigh, you guys won’t be disappointed. I don’t know that “Bob and the Showgram” can go on without her here, she made the show into what it is today.
Kelly
July 21st, 2011
10:50 am
Don’t think it’s fair at all to say Jen was making a dig at her. Absolutely beautiful with a tomboy vibe sounds like a compliment to me. Not all girls strive to be “frilly” girls.
Hair Stylist
July 21st, 2011
10:59 am
Wendy: Try a conditioner on the ends of your hair. I’m just trying to help. Or, maybe trim it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwvwEjGrMvU&feature=player_embedded
Colonel
July 21st, 2011
11:35 am
Kentucky Kristin… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y320mEoux7Q
Snobby
July 21st, 2011
11:41 am
Jenn Snobby is not going to like this. A hot chick living in the perimeter with an actual rack. She can probably eat whatever she wants too. I can hear Snobby pitching a fit already. Wonder when the 2nd divorce will come….
Rare
July 21st, 2011
11:43 am
Management needs to pull Wendy out of her seat like yesterday. Do they not know already that she contributes nothing? Let her pursue her dancing until Billy E. dumps her.
RK
July 21st, 2011
11:51 am
Hey, I hope they repeat the segment about the woman who got dumped again tomorrow! I really missed it the first 10 times!
The Real Fan
July 21st, 2011
11:57 am
So the host gives his tips for going to Atlanta:
1. Eat at the Varsity.
2. Don’t worry about gaing weight because all Atlanta girls are plump.
3. Don’t walk alone after dark. You’ll end up in a dumpster.
4. Traffic sucks
5. The Falcons aren’t as good as they think they are.
Now we know why he’s doing a show i Raleigh, NC. And he’s from Georgia.
Must be very South Georgia.
ST
July 21st, 2011
11:57 am
I hope that the new girl is a real woman.
Melissa – Lezbot
Jenn – Femmi-nazi
Wendy – Troll