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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

On the breakup of Conway & Whitman

Don't we know how to pick 'em? Only weeks after we praised Tim Conway Jr. and Brian Whitman's nightly radio show on the creaky KLSX in Los Angeles comes word that Whitman has quit, leaving Conway Jr. and fans in the lurch.

Some of those fans have set up a tribute board (here) to memorialize Whitman, who came on board to replace Conway Jr.'s first partner, cranky old man Doug Steckler, and over the course of two years managed to, as we wrote:

"...settle into a rare, classic talk radio groove... two guys cracking each other up, and in the process, entertaining a wide audience..."

Word is that Whitman's got depression or something, though the resignation comes in wake of the recent and disturbing on-air fantasizing and virtual stalking of Whitman by Frosty Stilwell (right), who plays the celibate eunuch on the station's midday talk show on which he, a raunchy younger male and a recently-announced "lesbian" (collectively "The Triplets") trade mundane insights punctuated by mirthless fake laughter.

We'd hoped that the break-up announcement was the precursor to an April Fool's Day joke, but apparently it's not, and it's all the more disheartening in light of the continued presence of Adam Carolla's failed morning radio show on the same station.

In a last-ditch attempt to boost ratings,management is apparently switching gears and feminizing the boorish, luggish Carolla and aiming his show away from the beer-belching frat boy crowd and toward the LGBT community, with a slant toward queer-friendly guests and topics, a movie collaboration with the star and director of the lesbian romantic comedy Kissing Jessica Stein, a stint on Dancing with the Stars, and a new gossipy gay bent to the show, like this morning's dishing of Kimora Lee Simmons (Carolla did manage to insert his more familiar racism into the "rant"). And where he once could, if he hadn't been so insecure, bounce off the testosterone-pumped brilliance of Danny Bonaduce, Carolla is now egged on by encouraging one-line squeaks from the wispy, estrogenic voice of someone called "Bald Brian" and and the self-pitying "smartypants" whining of pre-Feminine Mystique-styled "girl" Teresa Strasser. We realize we'd said we probably weren't going to be writing about the passe Carolla any more, but this doesn't count because we're really writing about Conway and Whitman.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

The best to Brian, hope he's back soon.

It's sad to try and leave a positive Danny comment because it brings out all the trolls.

Did hear DB last week and he's definitely at the top of his game... fast and funny, the only guy who keeps his show at Hi-speed despite all the commercial breaks. Radio is so predictable. At least gotta give Ace credit for trying to branch out with his own show.

IMO, Danny's got the energy for at least another hour. He's like the only guy who can talk XXX and still keep it safe for the FCC. I think he's extremely glib and good... and if you don't like his topic... just stick around. He moves those calls and comments so fast you just don't get bored.

Anonymous said...

Funny you should refer to a "last ditch effort" to save Carolla's show. I believe you referred to the addition of Bonaduce over a year ago as a "last-ditch effort" as well. You might want to start speaking with the facts, rather than irrelevant personal opinion. As a self-proclaimed media outlet, surely Tabloid Baby is aware of the fact that Carolla's ratings have leaped upward since the overdue jettisoning of Bonaduce.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous #1 - are you for real? You gotta be joking, right?

Anonymous said...

anon: What's so radical about an opinion that differs from yours?

I thought Danny was doing a great job, funny and articulate in a streetwise sort of way. Maybe it's from years of ups & downs and emotional abuse (self-inflicted or otherwise).

The only real flaw is it's on at a tough time. Early or later would be great. I stay, or at least stay close, during commercial breaks. With other shows I'm button-punching. Anyway, CBS must think he's pulling his weight. He's not there as a favor.

Anonymous said...

He's there because the station is stuck with a contract signed when they thought they could attach him to Carolla. If they could cut him loose now, they would.

Anonymous said...

I doubt that, because Danny has new media projects lined up with CBS. Cell phone delivery and other things.

Look, I'm not knocking AC. But you HAVE to admit most of his career momentum comes from Kimmel. (The TV tryouts and the generous amount of time to develop a struggling morning show.) It's Jimmy, and he seems like a truly nice guy. Adam happens to have a pal who can take whatever gifts he has and make sure the world sees everything. Seriously. We should all be so lucky.

iphone4iscool said...

Free FM is Dead.

I was able to tolerate Fat Lykis and worthless Bonadouche because at 8, Brian and Tim would come on and make the day.

Conway show is totally retarded right now. No substance, no random rants, no guy to guy jokes. God damn it time to find new radio station to listen to. Free FM isn't Free FM without Brian Whitman

Anonymous said...

^ Agreed. Their chemistry was something special. Something I looked forward to every day. The only show on the air guaranteed to give you a laugh.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous #1/#4/#6/ = Tabloid Baby.

Anonymous said...

Anon - I'm not going to address most of the inane statements you made, because I'm not sure where to start. But I will say this, and I am humoring you with your logic, do you think ANYONE in Hollywood would have gotten to where they are today without the aid of someone else's support of their career? The answer is no. Your point, if you could call it that, is without merit.

tabloidbaby said...

"Anonymous #1/#4/#6/ = Tabloid Baby."

Hey anonymous commenters, thanks for the lively discussion... but IT AIN'T US! Rest assured that if we're going to post a comment it WON'T be anonymously... we post only under the Tabloid Baby seal.

Thanks again

Anonymous said...

c'mon 10:44 am. You know breaks don't happen like what this guy's getting. Get real, think deep and be honest. If you've worked in the trenches you know connections are needed, maybe a boss of a friend hires you, etc-etc-etc. Adam's situation doesn't fit the who-you-know blueprint to success at all. Kimmel has deep network ties and Adam benefits. Just enjoy it, it should keep Carolla employed in a number of projects for some time to come.

As for why you can't answer my civil comments and 97.1 feedback, it could be because you need to stick to the fanboy sites, where crapping and farting are the highlights of developed humor. Good times. Y'know?

No way in hell would I vote for Barack Insane Obama, so don't confuse me with Tabloid Baby. I like his site and post from time to time. I like his writing and reach, despite his horrible choice in candidates. I don't judge him for that which his right, his duty and his personal opinion.

And as far as respecting opinions, you ever consider doing the same? Just askin'.

Anonymous said...

hey love the Walt Whitman photo.

Anonymous said...

"Adam's situation doesn't fit the who-you-know blueprint to success at all." That's your rebuttal? Back to the kiddie pool with you...

Anonymous said...

10:44/9:13. You were whipped and you know it.

I'm lovin' it.

Anonymous said...

"You were whipped"? Oh, I'm sorry - this was a fight? Your brain must be exhausted from all the work it went through... now settle down and get back to washing Burt's Dodge.

Anonymous said...

I really really miss brian.. The show has now gone to hell.. I really would love to see the ratings? I wonder if it dropped?

Anonymous said...

Whitman and Conway were the best comedic team out there, and either of them by themselves is just not the same.

viagra online said...

Tim Conway Jr was a famous radio program, web streaming and broadcasting throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County, California !! my father said me that the radio's shows of this man were wonderful!