WHAT DOES CHRIS SOLIS ADD TO 1560 THE GAME'S MORNING SHOW THAT JEROME SOLOMON OR MAX EDISON COULDN'T? - CRAIG SHELTON - NOVEMBER 14, 2010

WHAT DOES CHRIS SOLIS ADD TO 1560 THE GAME'S MORNING SHOW THAT JEROME SOLOMON OR MAX EDISON COULDN'T?


Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 11/14/2010

I've been a regular listener to the John & Lance Morning Show for nearly ten years. I began listening back in 2003, long before the launch of 1560 The Game.

Lance Zierlein once told me of their show being force-fed an addition to the lineup (Russ Small - from March 2001 to February 2002) by their former program director, Bill Van Rysdam. That little project didn't quite work out according to Lance  and their show rating suffered for a short period as a result of Van Rysdam's decision. John & Lance won that battle and eventually the war, as they went on to enjoy their greatest success as a twosome under Van Rysdam's leadership.

It's arguable how much credit Van Rysdam deserves for the success they enjoyed with CBS Radio, but nevertheless the facts are what they are.

IF IT AIN'T BROKEN...


Flash to the present day and John & Lance 13 plus years-in are still the most consistently enjoyable sports talk radio show in Houston by far. No other morning show in Houston is as consistently appreciated as the John & Lance Morning Show on KGOW 1560 The Game.

Don't get me wrong, these guys aren't without areas of recommended improvement by any means. J&L say they want edgier callers as they had back in their CBS days, but what I've typically observed is when they do receive callers, they have some of the same bad habits I knew to be an issue with some of their listeners. I often hear J&L tease callers on hold as they go to breaks, but when they return from breaks, they still waste too much time with dialogue that doesn't appear to be going anywhere.

Meanwhile, callers that have been holding for God knows how long before the break and also held on through the break, are just hanging on as if they're being done some great favor by being left on hold. Trust me, I know what I'm speaking of from observing J&L for years. There are a couple of other points that were brought to my attention by a long standing member of the local print media in regards to bad habits during interviews and the delivery of sponsor adds.

Lance Zierlein does often interrupt guest and callers when they're speaking. I observed Zierlein ask a question of a guest over the phone and then cut the guest off in mid-sentence several times. Zierlein always asks educated questions, but could improve in that area. That's not a habit a seasoned host like Zierlein should be making. Its comes off a bit arrogant for a guy who I know personally not to be arrogant one bit.

John Granato when delivering sponsor ads, has a tendency to not finish sentences when speaking. Granato speaks in half sentences all the time and it works at times, but other times he sounds like a drunk. Overall John does a good job with sponsors ads, but it's an easy observation to see the flaw in his delivery at times. This isn't anything critical to the average listener, but to sponsors, that might be an issue?







TIME IS A GREAT TOOL, IF YOU USE IT!

The recommendations I'm making in this article towards J&L and their morning show are subjective admittedly. The key here folks is, I believe J&L's experience and longevity in success allows them to receive constructive criticism in the right spirit (if not they will have me murdered by show staple caller Gilbert Lu).

Any guys that have been doing radio as long as J&L have, I'm certain have heard all the complaints and recommendations from listeners. I'm a fan, so at times I struggle to be objective when covering their show, but I feel the need to express a few observations that I feel would improve their show.


I DON'T GET CHRIS SOLIS?

That brings us to Chris Solis and his weekly guest appearance on the J&L morning show, usually on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Why is he there? I'm certain he has some value or he wouldn't have been added as a weekly guest, but what does he do for you when you listen to their show? For me, nothing. I never get to hear enough of Solis when he's on with J&L to appreciate his knowledge and what was originally intended for him to bring to the show? I've met Solis and listened for quite sometime now, but rarely is he out front enough to carve out an identity.

REGARDING SOLIS:

"ON TALK RADIO, WE SHOULD EITHER LOVE YOU OR HATE YOU, IN BETWEEN USUALLY IS NOT A GOOD THING".

I just don't believe J&L should bother having a guest, especially a weekly guest that has a subservient personality. In fact, I believe that if J&L are to have a weekly guest, it needs to be a strong personality that's not a part of the 1560 The Game "homeboy" network. It has to be an outsider i.e., a Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle or a Max Edison, the famed sports columnist with the Houston Defender.

Both Edison and Solomon are strong personalities that know their sports and could give a damn about the 1560 "homeboy" network. These guys can't be intimidated intellectually and won't be overshadowed by Zierlein's vast X&O knowledge. I would find it personally gratifying to hear Zierlein & Edison square off on an X&O argument, while Granato & Solomon jokingly pour gas on the fire in an antagonistic fashion. That would be classic!


John Granato & Lance Zierlein are really good folks as individual and professionals, but their show is not without needed areas that warrant reassessment.




Craig Shelton


HMW


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