Q100’s Bert Weiss, blindsided, upset best friend Jimmy Alexander is now a radio rival on Star 94
Bert Weiss is upset that one of his best friends give him the heads up he would be competing against Bert. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Q100’s Bert Weiss told his radio listeners this morning he was deeply upset with one of his best friends, who didn’t tell Weiss he’d be competing against him on morning radio in Atlanta.
That man is Jimmy Alexander, a co-host on the Jack Diamond morning show in D.C. at Mix 107.3. Last Friday, Alexander signed a contract to co-host a morning show with Cindy Simmons on Star 94, a rival of Q100. (Alexander’s start date is not set yet but he should be on air before the end of the year. Cindy herself just had a baby 9n Monday.)
Weiss, who worked on that same Diamond show before he came to Q100 in 2001, didn’t find out about Alexander’s new job until he read about it… on this blog.
Weiss told listeners he was upset that Alexander would even compete against him at all. But he was more peeved that Alexander didn’t call him ahead of time. That was “ultra-offensive to me,” he said.
“We were more than work friends,” Weiss said. “I don’t have a lot of people in my circle that I call best friends. I’m a little guarded that way. Three people I would tell everything and trust them. He’s that close. He’s a guy that I went on vacation with.”
“You consider him family,” co-host Kristin Klingshirn observed.
Weiss said he has a mentor who is older (I presume he means Kidd Kraddock in Dallas). “I’ve been offered jobs in his city. When I’ve been offered, I’ve said, ‘Stop your sentence. I have a best friend in that city. I’m not competing against him.’ There’s no joy in beating your best friend or losing to your best friend… I felt really betrayed… it has everything to do with loyalty.”
He called Alexander Monday night and Alexander explained to him that Weiss had counseled him to leave the Diamond show numerous times and that Weiss should be happy he found a new job.
“He was shocked that I was hurt,” Weiss said. “He feels I’m being very selfish.” He said their competition on Star and Q100 will be like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Two rivals on the field can be friends off the field.
Plus, Alexander and Weiss are now in the same city and can see each other more. At the same time, Alexander’s agent Norm Schrutt had told him not to say anything to anybody about the job, especially since both Mix 107.3 in D.C. and Q100 are owned by the same company, Atlanta-based Cumulus Media.
What if Weiss told Cumulus executives? That would have jeopardized Alexander’s current job. But Weiss said he would never had said anything.
In the end, Weiss said, “we decided not to see eye to eye with it. That’s how we left it… He did apologize he hurt me.”
Will this affect their relationship? “I’m not at that point. I can’t answer that. I don’t think he did this with any malice at all. He doesn’t have it in him. It’s now what he’s about.”
I talked to Bert this afternoon. He knows the feedback has been mostly negative against him. “People tell me to separate the professional from the personal,” he said. “I’ve never been good at that.”
He felt blindsided. At the same time, Weiss does not want paint Alexander with a bad brush. “He wanted to host a show,” he said. “I’ve been pressing him to host a show for 10 years. When mentor finds out the student is coming to take him on, it’s shocking. It was super surprising to me.” He said he talked about it on the air not because he’s scared of the competition, but because it’s a relatable story about friends having to compete professionally with other friends.
“It’s a difficult decision he had to make,” Weiss said.”I understand why he took it. There are very few opportunities like that in the industry.”
Nonetheless, Weiss said if he were in Alexander’s shoes, he would have undoubtedly contacted his mentor and gotten his blessing before making such a move.
I left a message with Alexander on his voicemail at Mix 107.3 and Tweeted him @alexanderjimmy to get a response. I’m not sure when his final day is there.
There isn’t a lot about him online. This is what he wrote on his page on Mix 107.3:
I’m Jimmy Alexander from The Jack Diamond Morning Show.
In my nearly 14 years on the air with Jack at MIX 107.3, I have lowered the bar for broadcasting.
I think the reason Jack hired me was because at 5ft 6 inches tall I made him look taller.
On air bits like “May I have a bite of that please” and “May I use your shower please” prove I have no shame.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter. Oh, and Google +, too!
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90 comments Add your comment
Wink
October 31st, 2012
2:38 pm
It was a smart idea for The Bert Show to take this angle. Now the new radio guy will be known as Bert’s Best Friend. Well played Mr. Weiss.
Kaley Fornia
October 31st, 2012
2:42 pm
Poor poor Bert. What a freakin baby! Does anyone ever listen to him anymore? Sirius XM Morning mashup is awesome!!
TT
October 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Grow UP Weiss!!! Instead of debating how it hurts your feeling, why don’t you support him? Maybe this is both good for his career and $$ benefits. You NOT the only one with family to feed and care for. The current economy ain’t a pretty picture, ya know!!!
Fun Size
October 31st, 2012
3:13 pm
I guess Bert will be really traumatized if his friend Jimmy beats him in the ratings once he is on the air in ATL.
PMC
October 31st, 2012
3:20 pm
Talk about much ado about nothing…. wow.
Mark A. Darling
October 31st, 2012
3:21 pm
The things some people do to get publicity.
Bobby R
October 31st, 2012
3:25 pm
Bert should blame this on Cindy and act accordingly…. hire Ray Mariner on his show.
Whocares
October 31st, 2012
3:28 pm
The moment Bert realized Rodney wasn’t about him, he decided to make it about him. Good job!!! Cindy gave birth, but wait his producer also is giving birth!!!!!
Lori
October 31st, 2012
3:29 pm
I’ll give Jimmy a try, partly because I think Bert’s acting like a spoiled baby. The world does not revolve around you, Bert!
Deke
October 31st, 2012
3:30 pm
Has Honey Boo-Boo been reached for comment?
The Truth
October 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Wow,…so whatever Bert says is now the truth about the matter? Is this stuff as made up as all the fake callers and manufactured drama they try to make us believe is actually real? Let’s hope Bert’s “friend” has more integrity than bert nad his cast of followers.
sana
October 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Who are these people? Do they do anything important?
Rebecca
October 31st, 2012
3:47 pm
Wait…didn’t Bert steal the signal of his own co-workers when Q100 switched to 99.7? Yeah, he’s a real stand up guy who screwed his 99X coworkers. This guy can’t speak of loyalty when he doesn’t even know what it is.
Terminsilly Hip
October 31st, 2012
3:49 pm
I wonder if this is anything like the “fueding” Neal Boortz and Sean Hannity used to engage in when they were competing locally for the same audience. Boortz has said they would rip at each other on the air and laugh about it over drinks the same day.
Mark Ross
October 31st, 2012
3:51 pm
It’s all bush’s fault!
Steaky Cha Cha
October 31st, 2012
3:56 pm
I hope you two lovers get everything straight. I AM THE KING OF THE MORNING SHOWS CHA CHA!
Chris
October 31st, 2012
4:04 pm
Awesome. I was wondering what the backstory was on this. Thanks for digging deeper, Rodney. Terrific work!
All I'm Saying Is....
October 31st, 2012
4:06 pm
And now the student may become the master, eh?
missnadine
October 31st, 2012
4:16 pm
Bert – grow up will you? Judging from your child-like attitude, you probably would have ran your mouth off, thereby hurting your friend’s career. He was told to keep it quiet and he did. Go suck on a lollipop like other 4-year olds.
missnadine
October 31st, 2012
4:20 pm
Rebecca, I forgot all bout that, and you are so right, he kept quiet while he knew the folks at the sister station would lose their jobs. I don’t think he ever kicked up a fuss about integrity then. How can anyone, especially a friend, be mad at another for getting a good job in this climate. Jobs in radio are so hard to get, and yet this guy was able to land a better job, with I’m guessing pays more and has better benefits that the one before. Shame on you Bert. Rodney – good research though!
Jack
October 31st, 2012
4:20 pm
anything to not hear about Trampies baby and her principal husband who everyone hates
Andy
October 31st, 2012
4:42 pm
Thank god for XM radio.
justduckie
October 31st, 2012
4:46 pm
the bigger issue is the bits in his bio sound like they suck. so once again ATL is screwed out of a decent morning show.
InMyOpinion
October 31st, 2012
4:47 pm
I don’t/won’t listen to either show, but Bert is right. He never said that his ‘understudy’ should not come and compete against him, he thinks that with the depth of their friendship, he at the very least, deserved a phone call. I agree.
tmerggotech
October 31st, 2012
4:55 pm
Everything on this show is manufactured, so I wouldn’t believe this was a shock to Bert. I recall that the whole “Honey boo-boo” thing started on their show as a “I can’t believe what I saw on TV last night” bit and it turned into a series of commercials for the show.
Stuart
October 31st, 2012
4:55 pm
I think I listened to the Bert Show a handful of times and it doesn’t exactly make me want to dance or get really pumped up. I don’t know if I will listen to the new Jimmy and Cindy show. Mr. Weiss needs to get over it. Being unemployed, if I got a call from Star 94 I would say yes in a heartbeat. By the way if Star would give me call I am available. Same for Q100, B98.5 97.1 The River or the sports stations.
Not really a grammar nazi, but....
October 31st, 2012
5:01 pm
…how about at least giving the spelling and grammar a spit shine before sending it out into the world?
Deanna
October 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
Seriously? There are people upset about this?
Rodney's Ho
October 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
He’s upset that his friend took a really good job? Sounds like Bert isn’t much of a friend.
No
October 31st, 2012
5:47 pm
Girly men doing girly men things.
Godawful
October 31st, 2012
5:53 pm
Does Bert ever stop whining? And yeah, this smells like a really cheesy radio bit designed to give everybody a publicity boost. The Bert Show is all about fake phone callers and trumped up issues anyway, so this just looks like more of the same.
Sam
October 31st, 2012
5:53 pm
TBS is tired and boring. I have to tune to NPR to get an adrenaline rush.
Bone
October 31st, 2012
6:12 pm
Wow!! Really news worthly!
MArum
October 31st, 2012
6:38 pm
Boo hoo!
REAL MAN
October 31st, 2012
6:44 pm
CUT YOUR WHINING! YOU ACT LIKE HE ROBBED YOUR HOUSE AND THREW YOU IN THE STREET. ITS BUSINESS….GET OVER IT. ACT LIKE A REAL MANNOT A FEMALE DOG. SOUNDS LIKE YOU WEAR PINK PANTIES. DOES HE HAVE TO CONSULT WITH U TO WIPE HIS BUT TOO. GO LAY DOWN SOME WHERE!!!. Arbitron SAYS YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE 37% OF YOUR MARKET SHARE OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.
BE HAPPY YOU ARE IN THE 11TH RATED MARKET!! WWWQ HAS MANY PROBLEMS! IF THE FCC HAS THEIR WAY YOU WILL BE TOAST..TOLD YOU NOT TO PISS THE GUYS AT THE PORTAL OFF!
Beaver Boy
October 31st, 2012
8:01 pm
Yawn…….WGAS
radiolistener
October 31st, 2012
8:11 pm
Bert is not having a good year… first The Elvis Duran Show is kicking his butt, then Justin Bieber is doing the Big Jingle Jam Concert and now his friend is coming after is audience.
Greshall
October 31st, 2012
8:15 pm
Wh o is the fat guy that cries about his divorce?
Shirl
October 31st, 2012
9:22 pm
Bert is such a p-word. I hate ATL radio.
Dave
October 31st, 2012
9:42 pm
What grade is this Bert guy in?
west cobb
October 31st, 2012
9:54 pm
Well Bert I think that maybe after hearing you talk about your friend
Jimmy that you may just have a Bro Mance….But, Really your show is sooooooo much better anyway…Star 94 is so 90’s
Love your show….And your cute too
matthew
October 31st, 2012
9:59 pm
Bert is such a whiny little (female dog). Grow some balls man.
No Longer a Fan
October 31st, 2012
10:05 pm
I used to listen to Q100 but as an intelligent adult, could no longer stand Bert’s whining and all the senseless jabbering. So glad to have Sirius so I can listen to good music on my commute and not this nonsense. This article just reminds me that I made a good decision to switch to Sirius.
aaqioo
October 31st, 2012
10:13 pm
I think this is good for Bert and Alexander. There is more competition now. I love Star and Q100. Star plays a mix of today’s music, which, I think, would be suitable for Alexander. As for Bert, I love Q100. You’ll play all the hits, which resembles Bert’s personality. Just becuase Alexander will be joining Star, it doesn’t mean that Q100 will be liked less. I am happy for both Alexander and Bert. They will also have a cahce to see each other more often.
Kev
October 31st, 2012
10:25 pm
Got to pile on here… Thank you Sirius for alternatives to this lame nonsense.
Wayne stuck in AL
October 31st, 2012
11:38 pm
Who cares about DJ’s who work for radio stations that cater to airheaded chicks?
Heather
October 31st, 2012
11:48 pm
Q100 is over rated anyway. It’s nothing but self centered people. sorry Bert no one cares anymore, Glad i have an Ipod and sirius to listen to.
SAHM
October 31st, 2012
11:57 pm
People actually still listen to the radio? More than that, people are supposed to care about the childish rants of Bert Weiss?? I hate Cindy, I can’t stand her voice, but I’ll turn on my radio and mute it just to give them the ratings just to spite that jerk.
Alex
November 1st, 2012
12:03 am
Grow up, Weiss. Like your show is that amazing…
Mia
November 1st, 2012
12:14 am
Whining, self-absorb behavior like this is why I dumped the Bert Show 4 years ago. Instead of being happy for his so-called friend, Bert has to make it all about him. Jerk.
I don’t listen to Star anymore either, but I think I will tune in occasionally to support Cindy & Jimmy.
Honey Boo Boo
November 1st, 2012
1:13 am
Bert, I understand the knee jerk reaction, but you’ve had ample time to assimilate this. Jimmy should not be apologizing to you, but you to him. As it is, keeping this informnation from you as a condition of his future employment must have been intensely stressful for him. Given the same circumstances, you would expect a true friend to not ask you to uncessarily put your career on the line. The advance knowledge really would have been of dubious value anyway. You work hard at what you do and touch the lives of a lot of people, and I respect that, but no one ever guaranteed you limitless, unchallenged success. So, you may have to work a bit harder now, or perhaps Jimmy will inherit your throne. Either way, you’ve had a really good and unchallenged run for longer than most Count your blessings and bank your money, and give Jimmy your unconditional blessing.
brian j
November 1st, 2012
6:57 am
Bring back DaveFM!
Etiquette Police
November 1st, 2012
6:58 am
Bert you had your teeth bleached…now fix your nose.
Ruthie
November 1st, 2012
7:10 am
Wow, someone feels a tad threatened. Shouldn’t Weiss be thrilled that someone who he considers “family” has an amazing opportunity to further his career? Sounds pretty selfish to me.
finally
November 1st, 2012
7:13 am
Wait, didn’t The Bert Show “recruit” Jenn Hobby from 95.5 the Beat? While they do a lot of good things, they have their own things that aren’t stellar. I have always enjoyed the Star 94 Morning show, it is tight, they involve the listeners but don’t go off on a rant. I will certainly give the new guy a chance and maybe they will have good chemistry.
TG
November 1st, 2012
7:15 am
I like Bert in general, but how tacky is it for him to throw shade on his friend in public, before Atlanta even gets to meet him? He says that was not his intention, but clearly if he is as hurt as he claims, he intentionally threw his buddy under the bus in public to pre-empt the competition. Shrewd but really tacky, Bert!
Mike Cavendar
November 1st, 2012
7:43 am
Man up you wussies! “My friend got a job at a different station! Waaaah.” Are you aware this is radio you’re talking about? It’s people talking about inane subjects in between terrible music. A breach in loyalty is him sleeping with your wife while listening to your terrible morning show, not this. The guy is a DJ and got a job in your city without clearing it with you? Wah. Shut up and play the the new Nicki Manaj song for the 50th time this hour.
JC
November 1st, 2012
7:51 am
Bert. Shut up. Didn’t you sell out your another radio friend’s marriage troubles for a radio bit. Karma is a bitch.
Willydoit?
November 1st, 2012
7:54 am
These guys planned this out. Both of these stations feed off drama like high school cheerleaders. I’m sure every teenager and college chick in the Atlanta area will have their ears tuned into 94.1 and 100.5 to hear Bert cry!
Good job advertising for them Ho!!
Jangs78
November 1st, 2012
8:55 am
People still listen to FM Radio?!?! SiriusXM baby…..Hey Now!
Michelle
November 1st, 2012
9:15 am
What an ego. Who names a radio show after themselves anyway? I can’t even listen to this whiner and his Little Man Complex.
j
November 1st, 2012
9:48 am
New 96.1 Elvis Duran in the morning is killing all of them,
Sideline Dude
November 1st, 2012
9:56 am
Who cares? Satellite radio is the way to go. NO ADVERTISING. Wake up conventional radio, you are way too commercial.
Paige
November 1st, 2012
10:11 am
Do people really listen to the radio anymore? I stopped years ago, in fact not even sure who Cindy is. XM folks, thats the way to go!
Jimmy
November 1st, 2012
10:14 am
It’s really sad that so many people are talking about the devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy and the lives she took while right here, in our back yard, a DJ’s feelings are hurt. Where are your priorities, PEOPLE??
Susan
November 1st, 2012
10:24 am
I don’t care about Bert or Cindy or Southside Steve etc…I just want my DAVEFM back the way it was!
And another thing....
November 1st, 2012
10:59 am
Rodney, you’re a great photographer as well as journalist. Good picture of Bert!
TRG>Bertshow
November 1st, 2012
11:01 am
Who really cares when you have The Regular Guys to listen to every morning? Yea C’mon!!!!!
Moose
November 1st, 2012
11:23 am
Bert who? Star 94 what? what are these things you speak of? I didnt think Atlanta had radio station…
C. Tampa Ironworse
November 1st, 2012
12:49 pm
This is totally fabricated by both for ratings. It’s a way to have people listen to BOTH shows back and forth so ratings stay high and they don’t BOTH get replaced by 24/7 comedy or sports. Well done, guys. But it’s easy to see through the story…
Anthony
November 1st, 2012
1:26 pm
Grow up Bert! Jimmy owes you nothing. Your show had become so boring. Elvis Duran on 96.1 rules. The crew is always funny and refreshing and they do not repeat bits over and over and over. Also there is not a cry babuy on the show like Jen
The Coach
November 1st, 2012
3:41 pm
Can’t believe he’s trying to bury the guy. I thought you were better than that Bert.
MAYOR
November 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Lets get back on topic, you guys. KONY2012
MAYOR
November 1st, 2012
4:23 pm
I think Bart and this guy need to pop open a fresh bottle of Sutter and talk it out like adults. My buddies Tom and im have rocky patches all the time. Pop some Zin, and they’re cuttin up like old times.
disco
November 1st, 2012
4:33 pm
FIRE WENDY
mikayla
November 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
i have come to believe that he does nothing without reason or purpose. i think this was a stunt to let people know his friend had got this job. he talked about it one day on the radio and low and behold we see an article the next about his show and his friend getting this job. just like when he posed the question to his viewers about his son doing the muhammad ali presentation. it was so convenient that he had a friend who was going to a benefit for to see and then we see a picture of ali and commenting on his son’s presentation. it’s all too convenient with him. his show use to be good and i still listen from time to time. but i’m getting tired of hearing about all their personal stuff and i hate when jeff cries (because most he’s an a-hole). i really think he does what he does because he wants fame and not just radio fame but he wants to be a top celebrity. if it isn’t a stunt then he needs to be happy for the guy and let him make his money. the friendship will survive if it was really all that strong to begin with in the first place.
Tricia
November 1st, 2012
5:41 pm
What has happened to Atlanta radio??? So, so sad….Unless you like pop music, forget it…..I remember the good ole days…..99x, 96 rock, sniff sniff…..
Juan
November 1st, 2012
10:57 pm
Bert translation: “waaaaaah I want attention”
Ugh
November 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
I do listen and I was appalled a few weeks ago when Stacy, Bert’s wife said on air that he couldn’t do a charity event because if Bert died everything was gone. Then she said to all of his co-host’s “you are all nothing without Bert”. I was shocked. Even if she thought it, she shouldn’t have said it. The ensemble makes the Bert Show, not Bert. I do think Jeff & Kristen could be an incredible duo. I know a lot of people disagree, but those two are funny.
There had to have been a period of time that the friend knew this would become public knowledge and at that time should have made a call to Bert….but all good things come to an end. Look what happened to Barnes, Leslie and Jimmy.
Heather
November 2nd, 2012
7:00 pm
@disco Wendy has been gone for awhile now. she is on the sports station 92.9
Yes
November 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Bert is the biggest drama queen on radio today. he is the reason I have satellite radio.
A
November 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
Dave FM! Dave FM!
Loyalty is Crucial
November 3rd, 2012
1:52 pm
Loyalty is crucial. People can complain about Bert being dramatic, but the guy means a lot to him. That hurts when it happens. Bert’s an incredible guy and will forgive him, but Alexander definitely revealed his true colors and it will not be forgotten. You’re in charge of running your own PR and dude hurt himself.
@Rodney Ho, I love you man, beautiful job with the blog, but slow down and catch your errors before uploading. Again, love you, just looking out for your good work.
jackass
November 3rd, 2012
6:58 pm
bert show will remain number one
RickyRicardo
November 3rd, 2012
7:36 pm
Yes, Q100 is filled with fake, phony people with those fake silly stories. Bert, Kristin and especially Jenn Hobby are so phony. Jeff Dauler is the only realistic, intelligent one. I now listen to The Elvis Duran Show because I could no longer take that phoniness on the Bert Show. Hey guys, try Elvis some mornings. You might like it, too. It is SO MUCH better than The Bert Show.
RickyRicardo
November 3rd, 2012
7:42 pm
And another thing, I thought Duval (the fitness trainer) was his best friend. Oh I forget, he uses Duval when he needs that token black friend. So he does not mention Duval unless their is a subject being discussed about black people and then he will say, “No, that is not true because blah, blah, blah and Duval is my best friend.”
TBS comments
November 4th, 2012
2:37 pm
I agree with @Ugh! Let’s see what Kristen and Jeff could do! Both are funny. I am not listening again until Jenn has that kid. She started to annoy me during the past 2 years, and this has made it worse. “)Sniff, sniff) We waited SO long for this baby.” She actually didn’t know the guy 3 years ago. His only wish, “that I had met her sooner,” when he met her a year before he decided to ask her out. I agree with the previous blogger; TBS is SO contrived, and Bert’s latest stunt made me respect him even less. Star 94, here I come!
Jacob
November 5th, 2012
4:35 pm
Kidd Chris show was the best morning show in ATL
meme
November 5th, 2012
6:57 pm
Geez…call 1-800-CRY-BABY.
Tina
November 5th, 2012
10:37 pm
Burt. Dude. This is RADIO!!!! Watch out or you will go down like the Project. You, my dear, are a db!!!!
..