Wendy Adams leaving Q100’s Bert Show
Wendy Adams has been with Q100 for several years as the traffic person but her final day was today. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Loading ...Just got this brief email passed along to me by a source:
From: Rob Roberts
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 5:00 PM
To: ATL Staff
Subject: Wendy AdamsWendy leaves Cumulus Atlanta today.
We wish her great things going forward.
Rob Roberts
Program Director
Q100/Rock 100.5/Journey 97.9
Cumulus Atlanta
Wendy Adams has been with Q100 for seven years. At some point, she started doing traffic for the Bert Show. Over time, her profile on the show had gradually been upgraded, especially since she was by far the youngest person on the crew and provided a different perspective from the others, who are now in their 30s and 40s.
“Early on, she was single, she was drinking and clubbing,” said Weiss, in an interview. “She’s now in a relationship and has grown out of that role.” But he still felt she had a place on the show.
UPDATE: Weiss posted his own note about her departure on his website. Read it here.
He said it wasn’t a performance issue, merely a budget cutting issue. Weiss had no control over her employment status since she was effectively a Q100 traffic reporter first, a Bert Show cast member second.
“I understand the business side of things but it doesn’t make it any easier,” he said. Unlike other shows, who are often told not to ever mention the person who was let go, he said he plans to address Wendy’s departure at least two or three times Tuesday on the show.
Over the years, what surprised me was the level of rancor toward her on this blog. Many fans of the Bert Show genuinely disliked Wendy. She also sounded a bit like the new cast member Kristin Klingshirn, who took over for Melissa Carter last year.
The Bert Show ratings remain very strong. It’s regularly the No. 2 show in the market, only behind V-103’s Frank & Wanda.
Based on Wendy’s most recent Tweets (@wendyradio), she didn’t know this was coming.
UPDATE on 6/19/12 at 7 a.m.
Weiss said he expects Cumulus will use the same person to do all traffic across multiple Cumulus radio stations.
“We’re missing her energy and her bubbly personality,” said Jenn Hobby this morning on air. “All the positivity she brings to the room. We’re going to miss her so much.”
“She’s destined for great things,” added Klingshirn.
UPDATE on June 25, 2012: Wendy posted an “open letter” to Facebook. Here it is in full:
To my Q100 and Bert Show family and our listeners:
To say it’s been a crazy past few days may be a bit of an understatement. My emotions have been overwhelming at times on both ends of the spectrum.I’m not going to lie, it’s scary to lose a job. My mind has been in a million directions; from shock, to wondering when and where I will find my next job, to thinking “wow, it’s nice to sleep in,” to “I know I’m going to be OK,” and then back to square one. With that array of emotions, it’s difficult to really put how I’m feeling into words. But here it goes.
It’s always in time of need, you see which people are truly there for you. I am overwhelmed by your outreach of support. I have seen and read every Facebook and Twitter post that you have left. Your supportive comments and well wishes have made me feel blessed. I want you to know how much I appreciate you letting me into your lives. Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you; to laugh, cry, involve you in my family drama, share with you my not-so-good relationships, and allow me to boast in my current one. (No, Billy Elliot still hasn’t proposed). Thank you for allowing me to really grow-up with you. It’s been a journey. And I feel like my journey is just beginning.
You may have heard stories before about “radio” people starting at a small station. They move from city to city, station to station looking for the next big opportunity. I have been fortunate enough to not go through that process. Thanks to Susquehanna and Cumulus for the opportunity to work and grow at one station for 7 years. I have been at Q100 since I was 19-years-old back in May of 2004 as a promotions intern. Who knew then that this promotions girl, would then turn in to a phone screener? Who knew that that phone screener would be allowed the occasional opportunity to be on air? Who knew this on-air phone screener would eventually turn in to a co-host at night with Adam-Bomb? And who knew that Bert Weiss, host of one of the best morning shows out there, would notice this night show co-host and her talent? Well, he did. I came in to take over the traffic position, with the hopes of more on-air opportunities with a show that I listened to and a show that I was a fan of. Who could have dreamt of more?
I would like to thank Bert for that opportunity of becoming more than just a traffic reporter. He gave me the chance to grow; to find my own radio personality. I was even given a computer in studio for my traffic reports, so that I was able to interact on every segment during the show. No other traffic reporter was given that opportunity. I was a true member of the Bert Show. Thank you to Bert for that opportunity and for all your guidance through the years. I feel blessed to have sat next to Melissa Carter, one of the strongest women I know. She was my Mama Melissa, always giving me advice. She taught me to be fearless; to share my opinions regardless of what others thought. Jeff has taught me to laugh at myself. We all have faults and things we’d rather people not know. I learned to embrace those things and was able to laugh at myself. He is like a big brother I’ve never had; he would pick on me, but would be the first to have my back. Jenn has taught me confidence and to be true to myself. Jenn has been a great role model for me. She’s my big sister. From her I’ve learned that what I share on the air about myself is important. There is always someone out there that is in the exact same place as I am. She also taught me: to be a great interviewer is to listen. That’s one piece of advice I will never forget. To Tracey, you are a rock star. You are one of the hardest working people I know. Thanks for listening to me and having my back when I’ve needed it. To Dylan, a huge thank you for giving me my first chance in radio. Without your belief in me and your advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today. To Adam Bomb, thank you for letting me be your co-host for 2 years. I’ve learned from you that radio is fun and is a great place for creative minds. You’ve helped me get to that next step with the Bert Show. To Rob Roberts, thank you for helping me to improve and to be the best I could be. To the rest of my Bert Show family: Kristin, Tommy, Carl, Natalie, Josh, Cassie and Marisa, thanks for being my second family.
Like I said before, losing a job is scary, but I’ve got a great second family. We’re all trying to make it in this economy. Companies are trying to make it in this economy too. Budget cuts happen; down-sizing happens. I will be OK. Thank you again for all of your supportive thoughts and well wishes! I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the next chapter in my life.
Wendy
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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145 comments Add your comment
K-Lew
June 19th, 2012
11:51 am
As much as she got on my nerves, I feel bad for anyone who gets fired. While I don’t want Kristen to get fired, I swear every day that I am not going to listen anymore because I think she adds no value to the show, and is ANNOYING!
Honestly ...
June 19th, 2012
11:59 am
I stopped listening to the Bert Show when she started doing traffic all the time. Her cadence and inflection drove me nuts.
Former BS listener
June 19th, 2012
12:25 pm
So, they kept Kristin?!?!?! The one who couldn’t even do news? Wow, what has the world come to. You keep the newbie… and her idiotic show-hos: Jeff anf Bert. Sorry y’all, you’re done.. Over cooked.. Time to say BYE BYE BS, Hello ANYONE else!
Melissa
June 19th, 2012
12:35 pm
“Can’t say I’ll miss her. She was often (too often) whining about her dad…do I try to mend our relationship? Do I cut him off? Oh should I take him back, it’s Father’s Day after all… GET INTO THERAPY. Oh, no sorry, you don’t trust therapists. Give yourself the BIGGEST gift of your life and see a psychologist!”
This is pretty much how I feel exactly. I never hated her, but I just cannot understand how someone can be so distrustful of such a helpful service such as therapy. And if you’re already on air telling the entire listening audience all about your issues, what else is there to know? She needs serious help in the mental department.
Grasshopper
June 19th, 2012
12:38 pm
I am stunned that this many people care that a traffic girl was fired, much less know who she even is! Thank you college radio from relieving me of this pain.
Mike
June 19th, 2012
12:43 pm
@Grasshopper – yet, you felt compelled to reply. Fascinating!
Christopher Rude
June 19th, 2012
12:47 pm
I love the Bert Show, I just wish they would play more AC/DC, especially the Bon Scott years
Christopher Rude
June 19th, 2012
12:50 pm
I’ll take Wendy over Leo
Anna
June 19th, 2012
1:38 pm
Oh why oh why couldn’t it have been Jenn Hobby? How can such an incredible phony manage to be so utterly boring as well? I do feel slightly bad for her though. It must be awkward coming to work every day and bashing on people who have had affairs all the while knowing that you had one yourself.
WAR EAGLE
June 19th, 2012
1:43 pm
Two things are worse than chuck and turnoff- and that is 680 the fan and V103
RK
June 19th, 2012
1:53 pm
It sounds like the new mantra is….Fire Jenn!
J
June 19th, 2012
2:04 pm
@Anna: Jenn had an affair?! is that why she got a divorce??
I totally agree that she is such a fake person, and ONLY talks about herself. get her out of there, and bring in a younger guy who can give us some real perspective on things. Jenn can go take pics of her food and leave us alone.
Listen to Me
June 19th, 2012
2:44 pm
3 Words for you….. KiddChris Project 961……Any Questions?
All Ears
June 19th, 2012
2:49 pm
Why do all the ladies on the voice disguiser sound EXACTLY the same?
Hubbub
June 19th, 2012
2:51 pm
Berts open letter chastising the public for taking shots is good for a laugh or two (now posted on their website). Wendy sucked, but J Snooby is far move vile in almost every way. The best (worst) was hearing her sobbing over the whole Trayvon Martin debacle, immedatly assuming that it was a case of racial profiling. I threw up in my mouth a little after that one.
Lacey
June 19th, 2012
2:54 pm
Maybe Wendy and Billy Elliot will get a spot on Dancing with the Stars. Or So You Think You Can Dance. BWWWAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
Billy’s meal ticket is now gone so it’s only a matter of time until Wendy is kicked to the curb.
Jimmy John
June 19th, 2012
3:00 pm
I wonder how long Jenns new husband is going to put up with that royal beiotch? Just the number of social engagements that this woman participates in would have to drive a normal guy insane. By Hobby’s count she has about 145,754 CLOSE friends. It sounds like she spends 90% of her non working time catching up with these friends. Sorry hubby, your about number 7 down on the priority list, after her friends, her dog, her fame seeking, her dying grandma, her wine, her foods
Ella
June 19th, 2012
3:03 pm
I agree that Wendy’s supposed boyfriend (of questionable sexuality) will be hightailing it out of there now. Wendy totally supported him financially. I’m sure that there are far cuter guys out there with much nicer noses.
Antonio
June 19th, 2012
3:05 pm
She seems like a nice young lady. I hope she does very well where ever she works at next, and I will miss her.
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
4:01 pm
What is all this talk about her great work ethic? If she is that wonderful and talented, trust me — Cumulus would’ve FOUND a spot for her somewhere in that mega-company. There is a reason Cumulus surprised her with the firing & told her to leave immediately. Cumulus sent her on vacation to test Christian, and the audience responded well. In radio & TV — AUDIENCE APPEAL is what matters. Nobody forced her to work the “split shift” TBS cast just can’t stop talking about.
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
4:10 pm
There’s also a reason for the brevity of Rob’s email. No comment on her performance — just wished her luck.
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
4:14 pm
Jenn is simply masterful at self-promotion. And, I suspect Grant is intoxicated by his newfound roles in appearing on HLN (thanks to Jenn) and being recognized when with her around ATL. Jenn is also on MetroMix and got Jeff a stint with HLN, and Bert appears on it now, too. She probably got Wendy the HS Bleachers comcast deal. Hats off to Jenn; no one markets herself/her friends better…except maybe Kris Kardashian Jenner! Gotta admire it…
Jack Diamond
June 19th, 2012
5:08 pm
Bert is whining? I’ll just bring up some things about ratboy from back in DC…
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
5:18 pm
@Jack Diamond Bert doesn’t like it when TBS cast gets reamed on the AJC blog. However, there is no other place to provide comments and feedback and be heard. TBS website should have a radio button-type survey so listeners can click to vote how much they like/dislike segments — especially repeating, ones such as celebrity incarceration (”We are all just SO competitive!!!) or “Throwback Throwdown,” where TBS cast screams and squeals (ouch) as they try to guess a song. I like it when they have deeper discussions about current events, which is why I listen.
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
5:27 pm
Jenn is wise to praise HLN’s Nancy Grace, ESPN’s Erin Andrews, WXIA’s Jaye Watson, etc. so highly. Take a lesson: this is how you get more work. I am not dissing — just stating she can schmooze with the best. She also handpicked Wendy, who adored her, to mentor and advance to a spot on TBS cast. I challenge anyone to give me an example of when Wendy did not chime in & agree with Jenn…
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
5:34 pm
Jenn takes pride in the ability to manipulate men into asking out a woman via text messages. Grant didn’t have a chance once she set her sights on him, and good for Jenn. When she met Bert at the bar 10 years ago, she obviously did a great job of selling herself to him, then he hired her. I truly wish I had the “political business acumen” that she has clearly displayed throughout the years. On the other hand…how do you ever know if you’re being played? Simply a means to an end or does she sincerely mean it when she compliments you?
Truthism
June 19th, 2012
5:42 pm
Jenn was even invited to be a member of Real Housewives of Atlanta! She passed and gave the producer’s Stacey Weiss’s name.
Vicki
June 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
@J Jenn Hobby had an eight month long affair with Ben Rose who was the station photographer for all the Bert Show events. Ryan (her husband at the time) said he would forgive her and suggest going into counseling but Jenn said no. She also dated Ben for some period of time after the divorce.
I hate UGA
June 19th, 2012
9:51 pm
here’s my chance to bring up Rhubarb……..no breaking news tonight from Athens. I know you’re probably tired of Uga having a tummy ache and all
Beaver Boy
June 19th, 2012
11:17 pm
WGAS
Phylis Massey
June 20th, 2012
12:12 pm
Damn! I hate Wendy is gone. I agree with Is It Just Me? BUT, need to keep Kristen from talking so much. It isn’t the Kristen Show!
Kristin
June 20th, 2012
10:37 pm
I would much rather hear Wendy every morning then
Kristen… Wendy was funny and was valuable to the Bert show…
Kristen just doesn’t fit the missing link.. Bring Wendy back.
She was just coming into her role there with the Bert team.
Sad for her.. Angry at ppl who don’t see Wendy shared on the radio just like all the other team.
Wow. Shocked !
mark
June 21st, 2012
10:29 am
i love kristin on the show .
Justin
June 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
What goes around, comes around
Irony
June 21st, 2012
2:19 pm
Anyone else find it funny that Bert faults budget cuts for Wendy’s firing while the cast Tweets oceanfront pics from Miami? Not doubting reason for firing, but think pics are pretty stupid/insensitive move – kind of like Jenn complaining how bored she is in a meeting for work, um at least you still have a job…..
SMH
June 21st, 2012
2:54 pm
Well, as a listener of TBS since the beginning, I have definitely seen the show evolve….but not entirely sure I like the direction it’s gone in. The early years with a younger Jenn, Melissa, Bert, Jeff, Crash and Phil Terrana made me leave urban radio and tune in, religiously, every morning. I couldn’t stand the addition of Wendy…I mean, my flesh used to crawl. I was soooo annoyed by her. I even once wrote and asked if she could be removed from the show. However, she has matured a lot since she first came to the show. I also HATE the addition of Kristin, which might have made me like Wendy a little bit more. In the past year, I found myself not really bothered by Wendy and began to feel bad that she would get bashed a lot. I think that Cumulus really should have let Kristin go. While I think she is probably a very nice person, she’s so….I don’t even know the words. I am annoyed how she alllwwwaayyys has a story and airs her family’s personal business…and poor Bart…I feel bad for the guy bc the public has developed such a perception of him….I wish Wendy the best of luck and hope that she finds something really soon! BTW, I had no idea how many people hated Jenn Hobby…I love her…but I don’t think she will be with TBS much longer….I think she wants tv, etc.
Mark
June 21st, 2012
4:17 pm
I thought everyone knew about Jenn’s affair…she definitely didn’t do a good job of hiding it.
JML
June 21st, 2012
4:50 pm
Wendy is sweet and funny–she added a lot to the show. But there is no reason to put down the other people on the show in order to support Wendy; and I don’t think she would want that. I like them all and greatly enjoy the show, but Wendy will certainly be missed. I wish Cumulus would reconsider. Sign her to be a Bert Show person, and put her under that budget (AND give her a raise)!
ObviousTroll
June 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
Everyone is way overthinking this.
1. The only thing that matters to broadcast media is ratings + demographics. If Wendy’s role did not support either of these in the right combination, then it makes business sense for them to cut her and would make no sense for Bert to re-hire her to TBS staff.
2. TBS has been in flux with supporting cast members far too long. I don’t care about Jenn’s new-found Christianity or Jeff’s ‘I’m divorced now, so I’m going to get healthy to cope with it’ issues. Kristin will always be a 3rd wheel. And please quit with the white 80’s rap guy.
Long story short, the days of Melissa’s insightfulness and great re-occuring segments like ‘Around the World Susie’ or ‘Paraonmal Invesigations’ are gone. Now it’s ‘call in give-away promos’ and an audio version of Jerry Springer.
Goofball McDoogle
June 22nd, 2012
2:04 pm
I wish…I could play basketball in the rain, and not get wet.
Radio's fake
June 25th, 2012
9:17 am
Radio IS FAKE!! When a caller phones in about a “serious but weird issue”, thats actually not real. I know, I worked in it. ALL radio station’s HAVE to have fake callers who are given scripts to read over the phone. Most of the BS stuff is scripted, I’m sure they will disagree. Stop hating on Wendy, she was a good employee, worked a double shift. Everyone hates on her about her “daddy issues”, for all we know, she was probably told to create that for good ratings. Its just part of the radio world which is disappearing any way. She could have been saved for sure, but it is what it is. I hope she does well with whatever her future holds.
Me
June 25th, 2012
3:01 pm
Wendy is milking those last couple of seconds of “fame”. The truth is we’ve already forgotten her.
Ron
June 25th, 2012
8:48 pm
If what they are saying is the truth, why is Q100 hiring a traffic reporter and on air personality???
Vdizzle
June 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
That’s kinda messed up. After 7 years yor gonna fire someone. Gtf outta here?
I liked Wendy. Sad to see her go. I didn know she was there 7 years though- dang.
Vdizzle
June 25th, 2012
9:48 pm
Yes I also saw they were hiring for a traffic controller. The truth will come out