Schedule changes at 790/The Zone affecting Mayhem, Barnhart, Durham, the Stews, Archer, Bell and Michaels
It seems at least once a year, 790/The Zone fiddles with its lineup. Management can’t seem to help itself.
Starting April 30, “Mayhem in the A.M.” returns to a 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. time slot, the longest morning show in town with that extra hour from 10 to 11 a.m.
Mike Bell and David Archer move up an hour to 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. And John Michaels‘ “Football Night in America” will run from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. instead of 7 p.m to 9 p.m. (Yes, there is an appetite in Atlanta for football talk 12 months out of the year.)
“I’m happy with it,” Bell texted me. “Tough for Archer. He’ll be stuck in traffic on the way home. Now I get to games on time… or hit happy hour earlier.”
So what does that mean for Tony Barnhart & Wes Durham, as well as the 2 Live Stews?
Good question. The boss, Andrew Saltzman, told me today that he is not ready to reveal the details for what will become an 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. show. He hopes to square things away in the next day or two, presumably over contractual issues. I’ll either update this entry or create a new one depending on how the new mid-day show looks. “We have a lot of great talent,” Saltzman said. “It’s a question of how to utilize that talent.”
Barnhart & Durham, who have been on from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., have been getting the strongest ratings for the station. But they are contractually allowed to take two months off in May and June since the pair of football experts work long hours during the other ten months with other non-Zone obligations. Durham does radio play by play for several Georgia Tech sports teams. Barnhart travels to New York during the college football season to do commentary for CBS Sports. I reached out to Barnhart, who deferred questions to his bosses.
So the Zone, based on what I’ve heard, may blend the Stews in with occasional appearances by Barnhart and Durham and perhaps other members of the Zone lineup. Whatever it is, it’s clearly another sign the Stews are no longer the kings of the station.
For a time, the 2 Live Stews were hot, hot, hot. Their ratings were through the roof. They signed a syndication deal. They were regulars on ESPN. Then the syndication deal went away last summer and the Zone cut the Stews from three hours to two. A few months ago, the new program director Bob Richards asked them to tone down the sound effects and some of their shtick.
I called Doug Stewart to get some insight, but he demurred, saying he was about to go into a meeting and asked me to try again at 4 p.m. His agent declined to comment, too.
No matter what, don’t get too wedded to the revised schedule. It will probably change again in a few months.
680/The Fan has been beating the Zone during most time slots, especially late afternoons, where Chuck Oliver and Matt Chernoff has been drawing more listeners than Archer and Bell on the Zone.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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180 comments Add your comment
SG28
April 24th, 2012
6:35 pm
This is a very easy to settle. If you look at the post on this blog the listeners of 680 have an average IQ of 60…. Why on earth would you listen to that station unless you love to listen to people call in and say “I’ll hang up and listen”… 790 has the best interviews and the best talent bar none….. The only negative is their signal strength in the winter which is being addressed. It’s amazing how all these people claim they hate Steak but the 790 morning shows kills 680 in the ratings…..
Caucasian sports talker
April 24th, 2012
8:55 pm
Where is Africa America? Wouldn’t those colored brothers on zone be happy broadcasting from there? Just imagine all the ” I heard Dat” ..you know what I’m saying, hey bruh, and where my dog and poodles they’d hear? Does they know a poodle is a dog? Honestly …. The true dumbing Down of amerika
Caucasian sports talker
April 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
I wish someone would tell the folks at 780 the fan that this is what they really are. They work at a little bitty AM daytime station, barely audible unless your I side 285. Somehow they act like they believe there big stars. that bald guy steak, my god I’ve never seen anyone so needy of attention. come see me eating dinner etc,,, it’s sad. The colored guys…..awful. Wow, I appreciate buck and John and mornings over there
Papa
April 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
I don’t understand the new consept? Nor does it sound like they do. Quite frankly, this while town needs an enima. Some fresh blood. Home Team is so knowlefegable and is at every game and practice in town. He deserves a shot. John Michaels and Hans killed it today filling in for Barnhart and Wes. This city is full of 2nd generation folks and these 40 year old blow hards can’t relate. Change is needed. I will always prefer local talk as opposed to natiional.
S.H. Mendrick
April 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
Different strokes for different folks I guess. I do like the Zone–I think pretty good chemistry in the a.m. I realize Steak is pompous etc. but he is the franchise– maybe because he put it all together or just use to him. I may be in the minority re: Dimino-but to me he is the know it all New Yorker who I’m sure would prefer his own show and might be a better fit than the shared microphone. Nick is a head case and can take him or leave him. (Speaking of head cases-it’s hard to look at those 3 bald heads-they def. have a face for radio but catch em in morning on TV anyway!)
I really love Barnhart & Durham however. I think we are very fortunate to have these guys & realize it took a lot to put that together-but what great chemistry. These guys are not only knowledgeable but down to earth nice guys who don’t take themselves too seriously and have a rolodex that won’t quit. They do talk other sports but I’ve found myself even more interested in college football as they really dissect it whether the rules, national playoffs, coaching changes, conference alignment etc. and being an old timer- kind-of, I like their Frank Broyles & Keith Jackson etc. imitations and do hope this show stays around. BTW I loved AJ Cannon especially his yiddish shtick, but Mike Bell is even more diversified (nuts) though can get a liitle tiring but would be a cool dude to hang with probably! Stews are tight-but don’t hear them too much.
Ken G
April 25th, 2012
9:01 am
Stews lost their edge when they went national – the old show was hilariously entertaining
Ace
April 25th, 2012
9:52 am
I wonder who many of the people that are writing on this blog are really just employees of 680 & 790 trying to convince the readers that they hate the other stations so eveyone can tune in to their station? Something to think about humans.
Kane337
April 25th, 2012
10:48 am
Archer and Bell is my favorite show. Mike Bell always makes me laugh and I love Archer’s take on NFL and Falcons related news.
Chuck and Cheroff are good too but I prefer Archer and Bell.
I listen to Mayhem in the morning. Great show.
I don’t listen to Barnhart and Durham much unless there is big college news going on. To me there is not much to listen to. College news is not that big and it’s boring.
Kane337
April 25th, 2012
10:50 am
I never got into the Stews. I don’t like their show very much.
I like Buck and Kincade when they are both together. When they go solo its an un-entertaining show.
Michael
April 25th, 2012
11:10 am
When will be be getting an update Rodney?
Whynotgolf
April 25th, 2012
11:45 am
16 yrs in town, listen to both stations frequently…morning drive – 790 (Chris & Nick are among the best in the biz IMO) morning to noon – 790 (not the biggest CFB guy, but Cowherd just doesn’t do it for me) midday – 680 (I like the Stews especially the during NFL season, but Buck & Kincade are better week in and week out. Afternoon drive – 680 (Mike Bell can be hilarious at times, but Matt & Chuck are more entertaining). Pretty much a tie for me, good to have them both.
northcyde
April 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
I feel sorry for you sports fans in ATL, when it comes to sports talk radio. I try listening to ATL sports talk over the internet, but it’s subpar when you compare them to other markets. As a Hawks fan, both stations coverage of the Hawks is atrocious.
As bad as a sports town that Miami is, their sports talk is far superior to ATL’s. Even Nashville’s 104.5 the Zone is a superior product than anything in ATL.
I think the major thing in ATL, is either the fans don’t call in enough to those shows, or the hosts of those shows love to listen to themselves talk so much, that they don’t take in enough fan calls. A good sports talk show has a great mix of analysis by show hosts, and great comments by fans. If a show isn’t engaging enough to keep your attention for 10 minutes, people will tune you off.
I thought it was horrible that I had to tune into 790 The Ticket . in MIAMI . . just to hear good analysis about a Heat – Hawks game. They devote an entire hour to just talking about the Heat in the mornings. In ATL, the Hawks would be lucky to get 10 minutes.
INTERNET RADIO LISTENER
April 25th, 2012
2:48 pm
GOODNIGHT TWO LIVE BUFFOONS
2 Live Stews
April 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
Wait so you’re saying that being racist against white people is still considered racism?!? Well I’ll be daaaamn daaaaaaaaaamnnnn ddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnnnn!
Buck Necked
April 26th, 2012
10:40 am
Only show on 680 I can stomach is Chuck n Chernoff (790 developed that team). Stew ain’t who they used to be, but still better than Buck n Kincaid (I’ve never liked that show). 790 keep finding new talent. Jamie Dukes moved on to greener pastures, as did David Pollack. Chuck & Chernoff. You could virtually create a days line up with the talent that’s left 790, along with the current group and keep it local and keep me interested for 24 hrs. Again, the only thing I find worth listening to on 680 was born on 790’s airwaves. Throw in John Michaels and 790 is just deeper
G
April 26th, 2012
10:49 am
UPDATE: Barnhart and Durham just gave an update that changes could take effect as early as Monday (4/30/12). They pretty much backed up what RoHo reported above. If you’re a Stews fan, things are still uncertain.
LaRon
April 26th, 2012
11:43 am
Cannot stand Steak and that whole morning show. A bunch of middle aged men wishing they could be in their 20s again. I cannot stand Steak and his constant talking about the upscale restaurants and what events he goes to and that they are on tv on Saturday night. He acts like a mafia boss and Beau Bock is the Don. Just awful the guys who get away from that station are smart.
P1'er
April 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
680 is my preference but any station that uses Brandon Adams as as “fill-in” will quickly have me over to the “other” station. I’ve never heard anyone go on about absolutely nothing like Adams. He was terrible when he had his own “Brandon and Wovie” show. And he’s even worse as a sub.
Jim R.
April 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
Regarding 680 the Fan’s signal-I am up here near Chattanooga for a few days, and though their nighttime signal is supposed to be directed towards the southwest, I got their signal very well a couple of nights ago on top of WPTF out of Raleigh and even listened to the Braves-Dodgers game.
Their daytime signal is one of the best out of Atlanta up here, but 790 is nowhere to be found.
Caucasian sports talker
April 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
You people writing in this brog make me sick you all need to speak true, the 2 live stews I guess were better before they tripped over their lips, why do colored people want to talk about white peoples sports? The 2 live colored guys step over the line because usually only regular folks talk sports, by the wAy … It’s not just sports radio … Atlanta has the worst radio in any city .. My god 790 is awful
Caucasian sports talker
April 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
You people writing in this brog make me sick you all need to speak true, the 2 live stews I guess were better before they tripped over their lips, why do colored people want to talk about white peoples sports? The 2 live colored guys step over the line because usually only regular folks talk sports, by the wAy … It’s not just sports radio … Atlanta has the worst radio in any city .. My god 790 is awful
Caucasian sports talker
April 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
Message to white people: brethern, look what’s happened to our world, a colored guy sits in the white……. iM TALKIN WHITE house trying to give. Orders to regular people. 2 live stews talk crazy black talk on radio, Travon Martin shoots himself in da balls and blames an innocent white man nme zimmerman who was delivering food to deceased homeless peoples, Is it time that we straighten them out like ………well you remember the olden days? They learn respeck for certain types of folks
Caucasian sports talker
April 26th, 2012
9:47 pm
But: I want all ARFICRAN ARMREICRNS TO NO, YOU ARE WWLCOME TO LISTEN TO OUR white radio stations, jus don’t talk about necked white lady’s . My only rule right now
HOVA
April 27th, 2012
12:11 pm
@ Dick Lark…. That’s was a good one! Funny!!!
S.H. Mendrick
April 27th, 2012
1:12 pm
I happened to hear the Barnhart & Durham yesterday-April 26-discussing the changes and was sorry to hear that. Whatever the reason(s) whether its the Barnhart/Durham workload-no question its quite an endeavor for them to add this radio show with their already busy schedules, or management decision or a combination of that and other considerations, I am not that excited at the prospect of those 2 sharing their microphones with anyone else. Their chemistry is excellent, they seem to get along well and really seem to enjoy doing what they’re doing. To me having anyone else with them is just diluting their theme, expertise, time or however you want to describe it. Maybe it would be best to have their show during football season only (them only) if that will help make it work, but obviously that is their busiest time and they do need some break. I am not a broadcasting insider and have no idea what the other considerations are–just my opinion..
bluto
April 27th, 2012
1:29 pm
Caucasian sports talker, you are not fooling anybody. Give it up. Maybe you should try to impersonate Indian people , or maybe Greek. Because that is about the worst “white person” impersonation I have ever seen.
truth
April 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
A music guy doesn’t know about sports!!! He is killing the zone! Management made a bad decision in bringing in Richards.
Qualiphah Jackson
April 30th, 2012
10:39 am
The Stews no longer appear in the, “On Air” sectin of the 790 website.
Oh Lordy………first they dey kill Martin, and now da Stews.
P.S. I loves me some TRG in da mornin
Mike
April 30th, 2012
1:43 pm
I wish the Stews could go back to three hours…..its clearly racial tension on this message board and its clear “who” hates the stews. But hey everything will go the way “you guys” want. I’ll just enjoy the Stews for as long as I can for as long as they stay on air.
G
April 30th, 2012
2:29 pm
Yep, there’s clearly racial tension on this board. But there’s also some racial engineering behind the scenes too. Bob Richards is clearly making a strategic plan to work the Stews out of 790 TheZone. Say what you want about Steak, but he wasn’t this low down.
Dogs and poodles, the Stews no longer exist. Only a shell remains. Bob Richards deserves the EOD, 790 TheZone has declined with it’s recent changes, and with that……….I’M GONE!