Connor McKnight has a bright future down the street from the Score, hosting some desk show on the Big Ten Network that I'll never watch in my entire life.

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I disagree on Connor. I think he stands out at the station. I dont think I would have been projecting stardom for drinky and goff back then either for the same reason. There was already a Bernstein at the station.

I think Goff's ceiling is probably as a wisecracking, interjecting third wheel in afternoon drive ohwaitthat'swhatheisnowtheyjustpretendhe'saproducersotheydon'thavetopayhimliketalentlolCBSmorelikecheapbastardsystem

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Sometimes I wonder if you're playing the role of FavreFan when it comes to Connor. Meaning you're just posting a different opinion just to be different, and you may not really believe this.

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Not at all PSmack, and I dont think most here dislike Connor do they?


The resistance to falling into line with Bernstein's thinking is a big selling point for me. Connor would be justified and it might even be a good career move for him to mimick Bernstein, who helped him get the job, but he has resisted. I respect that.


I guess we have to define Stardom. Im not saying he's going to be Howard Stern....but if he ends up on ESPN TV, I think thats pretty successful.

Weren't you claiming Goff as "your guy" a couple years back? Your enthusiasm for him seems to have fizzled along with his career prospects. Given that most here can't distinguish Joe O. from Connor, I don't think it's reasonable to argue that he "stands out" at the station.

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So you are predicting bigger things for Connor because he's not like Bernstein? I'd hate to see your resume.

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Part of the problem is that the station has become a communist beaurocracy. Get the on air job and keep it until you die when the next in seniority is promoted to your position. That is no way to recognize, develop and keep talent. B and B should have been scuttled long ago when they could not touch MJH ratings. It took them a while to even top CJH. Yet they were retained. Now they continue to be retained based on results against mediocre competiton. I think it is pretty clear that both would be better off to break up the monotony.

This will eventually lead to Sir hosting a prime shift.

It's time to find some talent and expedite that career.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Maybe he's the new Brian Paruch--with less sports knowledge. Perhaps he'll slide into a slot on the Johnny B. show before that gets cancelled six months from now.

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It's very much true. Everybody there tries to be Bernstein. They take all of his talking points. Take all of his opinions. Do his "meatball" voice. They want to be the "Thinking sports voice" like their idol Berntein. It's almost like Larry and the other backups copy Bernstein out of fear of him calling him out for having the stupid thought. One problem. These producers getting air shifts are...wait for it...dumb asses!!! So it fails.

Bernstein has credibility to pull off his thing. He is highly educated and is intelligent. Yeah, he's a baiter but he still bring an interesting perspective on the sports landscape for the most part. These producers, quite frankly, strike me as guys who barely graduated high school. Their full time job is answering phones and picking out racist sound bites from movies and shows (That's really the job of Score producers if you get right down to it). It's insulting to have these guys get on the air and call Chicago stupid.

I made a thread giving Goff credit but it was really a shot at the other established shows.

I was also pretty new to listening to The Score. Ive heard a lot of Goff since then. I still like his show overall but think Curious Hair has nailed his place.


His voice doesnt stand out, the words he says and opinions he expresses certainly do.

Is it hard for you to understand that I find it lazy and pathetic to do radio under Bernstein's rules like many at the station have done?

The problem, though, is that Bernstein's perspective has become so ubiquitous on the station that his "brand" has been watered down. His legion of imitators has made the original seem less...original.

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My resume is fantastic and you would love it.

Im predicting bigger things for him because he's intelligent, knows sports, and apparenly has some conviction.

I enjoy his shows more than most. That should be simple enough to understand.


You seem to not like most hosts in this city. Who do you like and why?

Concur with Beardown above.

Mitch might want to find someone who has some actual talent.. Make fun of guys like Chet, Murph, North, etc, but at least they knew how to drive a radio show.

These random youngsters bring nothing interesting to the table.

Side note: Drinky actually is much better than he used to be. More comfortable, less volatile.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Your hatred of college sports put aside for a minute, wouldnt that be pretty successful?

I mean compared to others at the score

[quote="Tall MidgetIm not one for hyperbole or exaggeration but this is the greatest post in the history of posts.[/quote]

It's very much true. Everybody there tries to be Bernstein. They take all of his talking points. Take all of his opinions. Do his "meatball" voice. They want to be the "Thinking sports voice" like their idol Berntein. It's almost like Larry and the other backups copy Bernstein out of fear of him calling him out for having the stupid thought. One problem. These producers getting air shifts are...wait for it...dumb asses!!! So it fails.

Bernstein has credibility to pull off his thing. He is highly educated and is intelligent. Yeah, he's a baiter but he still bring an interesting perspective on the sports landscape for the most part. These producers, quite frankly, strike me as guys who barely graduated high school. Their full time job is answering phones and picking out racist sound bites from movies and shows (That's really the job of Score producers if you get right down to it). It's insulting to have these guys get on the air and call Chicago stupid.[/quote]

The problem, though, is that Bernstein's perspective has become so ubiquitous on the station that his "brand" has been watered down. His legion of imitators has made the original seem less...original.[/quote]

Everyone was trying to be North when he was at the height of his popularity. Bernstein came along and there was conflict between the North and Bernstein style as detailed by several hosts. Bernstein's style eventually gained popularity, which is where we sit today. It will be interesting to see what the next character of the staion. They have the perfect opportunity to hire the next North with their Score search, but they don't even attempt to discover "the next" voice.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Agreed.

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But your praise for Connor here is also a shot at other hosts, the Bernstein "clones." Your appreciation for Connor is thus inextricably linked to your perception of what he isn't, not to what he is. You seem to think it's revolutionary that Connor isn't trying to be Bernstein but is instead something else. The problem, though, is that he hasn't yet clearly defined what that "something else" is. In this regard, he isn't much different from other Score hosts who "resist" the Bernstein paradigm--I don't share your assumption that Connor's position at the station is unique--like Grote, Finfer, and Esposito.

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There's yet another "JoeO & Connor Show" starring the team of Joe Ostrowski & Connor McKnight. They'll be on Friday night from 10p-2a on 670 The SCORE & 670thescore.com if you are interested.

Developing talent? No. Not important to the Score. It's a cost effective business model for the station the way they do it.

1. These producers are hired in their 20s. It's a fun, easy, cool job. Doesn't pay much but what the hell? These kids are just thinking about drinking, watching sports and trying to get laid at this point. They're all naive in thinking that they will be the next radio star in a line of work that is very limited. Never mind that they can't speak and aren't very smart. Never mind that they really aren't qualified based on lack of education or broadcasting skills. These small details never enter their mind as they're crying about air time. They're not very self aware.

2. The Score knows these producers are dumb and will stay for low pay with the unrealistic hope of being a radio star. They use that against them.

3. Years go by and these producers are stuck. Tough to switch careers at this point. Raido producer at the Score is such a unique job that it doesn't help you in any other line of work. Filling out a resume that says you answer phones and play racist sound bites doesn't help you get hired else where. For all of them, it's advance at the Score or nothing.

4. So now these guys are looking to get married and have kids. They realize "Shit, I need money and this radio shit is all I know" (1.) The wife is pissed at them or (2.) they can't even get a wife without money. They beg Mitch for something extra for any amount of money. Mitch throws them part time shifts, "expert titles" and bar appearances in addition to their producing job. They take it. If they bitch about the pay, Mitch fires them and gives it to the next dumb ass desperate producer.

5. The Score doesn't care who's hosting these weekend or night shifts. Ad rates are the same no matter who it is. So they don't need to develop talent. It doesn't matter. That's why they split it up amongst producers. They want to give a little taste to 4 or 5 producers to keep them around and thinking they will be the next star. That way they always have somone to fill a shift and they keep experienced producers. If and when a prime time slot opens they won't hire these producers. Hell no. They'll hire a writer (Mully and Hanley), a retread from the market (Mac), a radio vet from another market (Spiegs) or an ex pro athlete (Hamp, Norm, Buffone). Too big of a job to give it to these producers. Most GMs and PDs are not gonna trust giving this job to a producer unless they really stand out. Most don't stand out. Rarely happens in this business.

That's how your Score 670 works ladies and gentlemen. It's the dirty side of the business that the Score won't talk about as they celebrate 20 years.

How long you guys think the B&B show will continue? Will Bernsie always have the slot?

There are a couple dumb comments in here but most of this seems about right

Bernstein will be there as long as he wants. If he leaves it's cuz he found something better. After hearing Boers lately, it sounds like he wants to do this for a few more years. Why the hell not? He makes at least 400k, works at home and isn't required to put in any effort - he has it good. It's just a matter of if Zimmerman wants to fire him or not. He might and just let Berntein go solo. That would save the station money.

I havent heard much from Grote or Esposito. You might be right on Finfer but he's part of the Mac tree, so I guess I dont expect it from him.


My praise of Connor might be relative to the current state of sports radio/The SCORE but I dont think that makes it any less significant.

Connor hasnt had the time to build a whole persona on air but what Ive heard so far is an educated well spoken guy who has a pretty good handle on sports and pretty good comedic timing.

A lot of Connor's references is newer stuff. He might not appeal to the Olds. He's the voice of a new generation.....of Score listeners

you speak truth in your lucid moments

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Mark Grote's the designated update guy on "Mully & Hanley" and who co-hosts the Saturday morning wakeup call with the Trib's Steve Rosenbloom these days. Other than looking like former Blackhawk & RedWing Chris Chelios, Mike Esposito works the update desk and occasionally hosts on the weekends. Ben Finfer has been part of the Mac tree since the two previously worked up the dial.

Even though 670 The SCORE has been owned by CBS Radio for about 15 years now, I can't remember the last time WSCR hired an out-of-town guy to host local sports talk. Many years ago, I remember when The SCORE brought in Jim Memolo to co-host Tom Shaer's old morning show when they were at 820 AM. Memolo at the time was with the grandfather of all-sports radio, New York's WFAN, and he's since moved over to 720 WGN. Other than Memolo in the '90s, I think even with the deeper pockets of CBS owning them, 'SCR seems to hire their on-air talent from within.

Uh huh

yeah

Right

Sure

OK

Let's do it

Every statement by your co-host does not need a response, especially when they are the same 6.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

For sure. The fact that I wouldn't come across is it is merely incidental.

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Berns cant find anything better. No one wants to hire him. If Mitch leaves, Bernsie is at risk. What ever Bernsies next job is will not allow him to be the insensitive jagoff that he is on the Score.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

I think he'd be great on a station like 890 although he would have to betray his political ideologies. On the other hand, he might be even more popular if he was on that station as the raging liberal.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.