this was from The Athletic's sports radio survey (
viewtopic.php?f=156&t=116650), where Bernstein won best 'driver' though the sample audience was apparently all B&B superfans (guilty...)
found this interesting though:
Quote:
A lot of people at the station feel like he’s mellowed with his move, which was seen as a demotion.
Given deCastro’s not-so veiled “stick to sports” marching orders that sent Goff, the only black daytime host in the city, packing, many wondered if Bernstein, who enjoys mixing it up on race and politics from a decidedly liberal point-of-view, was next. One theory I heard at the time was that Bernstein was still very popular with the sponsors, which saved him.
Today, The Score’s operations director Mitch Rosen thinks Bernstein has been “somewhat humbled” by the move to mid-days and is “more friendly” to listeners.
“With Bernstein it’s the same Bernstein, but he’s adjusted and adapted to this audience,” Rosen said. “I’m not surprised the people in the poll voted this way.”
But Bernstein has more than made the best of his situation. As a father of two teenagers, his new schedule is a boon to his real life. And while he said the art of driving a show hasn’t changed, he doesn’t disagree with the notion that he’s chilled out a little. It’s not by design, though, he said.
“I think a lot of it is I’m older,” he said. “I’m the same age now that Terry was when he and I started. I haven’t really been thinking about it. But maybe I’m feeding off the energy of a much younger partner. I haven’t thought about it in those terms, but it’s perfectly reasonable. I have a younger partner and I’m in a different role.”
I’ve described the show as a nerdy father and son pairing and Bernstein raves about McKnight’s preparation and personality, while not comparing him to any of his former hosts.
“I think our show is not quite as edgy and confrontational as Boers and Bernstein was,” he said. “These shows take on lives of their own. I don’t think anyone goes in planning to be nicer or to be this or to be that. You just let it roll. Connor is a very upbeat guy. The producers are both fun with upbeat personalities. My guess is in an effort to drive the show, to be the facilitator, (his easygoing demeanor) may just be a natural function, a gestalt of the show.”
Yes, Bernstein used “gestalt” in a sentence about sports radio. He hasn’t changed that much.
genuine
at the fact that Bernstein is as old as B&B-starting Boers was.
Is Bernstein's contract up any time soon? It sounds like he is mentally preparing himself for a reduction in salary to keep this work/life balance.