Mark Van Wagoner of "Mark and Danny" on KDYL (AM-1280) has returned to television, but he's planning on keeping his radio job, too.
He's been hired to do the weekend weather on the Fox Evening News on Ch. 13.Van Wagoner made his debut last week on the 9 p.m. show, and he'll be back doing weather this Saturday and Sunday.
Danny Kramer, Van Wagoner's radio partner, said Van Wagoner's out of town this week and that's why there's only a solo Danny show airing this week on KDYL.
Kramer also said Van Wagoner still plans on keeping his radio spot and doesn't expect the TV job to interfere with their many radio promotions. He did say the TV job will keep Van Wagoner up a little later than an early morning DJ would prefer, though.
Van Wagoner apparently may also be doing some occasional weekday fill-in work for other Ch. 13 weathermen.
Kramer said it was apparently Fox that had contacted Van Wagoner for an audition, and they really liked how he looked on TV. Kramer and Van Wagoner did an early-afternoon TV show together last year on Ch. 14.
- KSL (AM-1160) - "Your Three-Hour Reality Check," the 9 a.m. to noon weekday talk radio show by Bob Lee, is gaining strong response from listeners, according to station officials.
Unlike previous KSL shows that relied only on special guests, such as book authors and health experts, the show is focusing on compelling, controversial issues - both local and national.
The new Lee show is much more specific and theme-oriented than some talk shows that jump around from topic to topic. Recent programs have centered on repeat DUI offenders, Quayle for president, the federal crime bill, the best and worst things about living in Utah, the future of the Utah State Fair and gang violence.
Lee also takes calls from listeners, and although he may sometimes have special guests, he still centers on public comment and adds his own opinions regularly.
On Fridays, Lee's show includes a "30 second sound off" where listeners are invited to talk about anything that bothers them.
When his show was shifted last year from evenings to mornings, Lee got back in the mainstream of issues more, and he now seems better in touch with Utah's listening audience.
- KALL (AM-910) has Tom Barberi, another talk radio veteran, also discussing burning and steamy issues each weekday morning from 6-10 a.m.
Topics discussed on Barberi's show this week included guest Larry Nichols talking about President Clinton's alleged shady dealings. The controversy over the Redskins license plate was also debated with attorney Brian Barnard and Robby Littlestone, a Native American. Katherine Kendall of the ACLU and separationist Chris Allen debated the Proving housing issue. Pat Shea was also on Barberi's show, talking about an encounter with Tipper Gore. Other topics include the baseball strike and women in the military.
Barberi never hesitates to tell listeners his own stand on issues and also accepts numerous call-in comments each day. Since Bar-beri's show is in morning drive time, he offers news, traffic and weather with the help of Dawn Kennally, Brad Stone and Gaylen Palmer. The radio veteran has a steady audience that seems to rely on him for a jump start in the morning. Barberi has been a Utah morning radio fixture for more than 23 years.
- KSOS (AM-800, FM-92, 96.7, 98.3 and 106.9) is now being leased by the newly formed Black Diamond Broadcasting Co., according to the Enterprise business news-paper.
Black Diamond is led by Dana Horner, the former general manager of KKAT, and has been operating KSOS since last month. It also eventually intends to purchase the station from the current owner, First National Broadcasting, headed by Brent Larson.
No format changes have been made or are apparently planned for the Ogden-based oldies station.
- KLZX (alias "Z-93," FM) - It was a one-morning-only format change on the "Jon and Dan" show Wednesday. The outrageous DJs decided it was time for an all-Slim Whitman format, and they tried to broadcast all of the country-western music performer's songs.
They played the change seriously, with Whitman's music replacing the station's usual classic-rock format. They even sang along with some of Whitman's songs as part of the prank.
- Jon Carter proved once again that he's likely the most spontaneous DJ in Utah Wednesday morning when he telephoned his wife on the air to ask her what she thought about a new study that claims sex can relieve pain. Carter had to get one of his children to wake her up.
- KISN (FM-97.1) - "Fisher and Todd" had Chantel the psychic from California on the air again Wednesday. It's simply amazing how much she seems to be able to tell people about themselves after getting nothing more than their first names. For example, she asked one man what he had to do with a service station and he replied he works at one. She provided many callers with insights to their future.
- KBZN (alias "The Breeze," FM-97.9) will feature Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors on the Sunday, Aug. 14, "Musical Starstreams," 8-10 a.m. Later in the day (7 p.m.-midnight), "Jazz Trax" will feature an interview with Tommy Emmanuel.
- Here's a schedule for the station's "10 O'Clock CD" program in the coming week: Monday, Aug. 15: "Reflections," by Peter White; Tuesday, Aug. 16: "Shell Game," by Don Harriss; Wednesday, Aug. 17: "On the Town," by Richard Elliot; Thursday, Aug. 18: "The Lee Ritenour Collection,' Friday, Aug. 19: "Hardcastle," by Paul Hardcastle.
- KBYU (FM-89.1) - Children are invited to beat the end-of-the-summer doldrums in the coming week when the station broadcasts "The Children's Hour," with stories from the 1993 Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.
The show will air daily at 4:05 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15, through Friday, Aug. 19. "King of the Jungle" and "Monsters in the Bathroom" are a few of the stories to be told on the program, designed for family listening.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - KSFI held a special family night at the Salt Lake Buzz game Monday . . . "Jon and Dan" on KLZX celebrated Psychic Month Monday by having Madam Z from Heber City give fortunes to listeners. Most inquired about their relationships. The DJs promised the fortune-teller would return on Aug. 22 . . .
"Fisher and Todd" on KISN-FM were promoting a mystery trip giveaway to send lucky listeners someplace with cooler weather. On Tuesday, the DJs listened to outrageous tales from listeners; the winner had taken photographs strapped to the bottom of an airplane that flew over an active volcano . . .
McCormick was back from vacation this week on KUTQ, meaning Cano and McCormick are back together for the first time in several months. On Tuesday, the DJs tried to call a woman for a photo prank, but all they got was her answering machine . . .
"Kerry and Bill" on KXRK have been promoting the station's Great Xpectations concert, set for Aug. 27. Free tickets are available through special call-ins every 96 minutes and wherever station personalities do remote broadcasts. The DJs listened to a report by "Louise, the happy homemaker" Tuesday about her California trip, and they hosted a party Wednesday at the Expo-Mart . . .
Brian Casey, a member of the "Wakeup Club" on KVRI, returned from vacation. He talked about his trip, which took him through remote portions of Nevada. The morning team also offers a free lunch Friday to a lucky listener and that listener's office. Wednesday was KVRI night for the Salt Lake Buzz . . .
KSOP provides traffic and weather reports every 10 minutes during morning-drive time. Country Joe's new slogan on the station announced that he's "more than just a good guy, he's a great guy," an obvious counterclaim to the "Good Guys" on the other big country station.
"Gary and Scotty" on KKAT broadcast live from the Valley Fair Mall parking lot Tuesday and sponsored an unusual contest. The participant who could sit on an ice chair the longest in a bathing suit "to beat the heat" won $102 . . . KANN radio has a syndicated family feature, "Focus on the Family." Tom Bock on KMBX offered Comedy Circuit tickets to lucky listeners Tuesday. On Saturday, Aug. 13, from 1-4 p.m. Bock will host the Country Carousel Crafts Festival at Provo High School. Fellow "Mix" DJ Michael G. will be at Seven Peaks Resort on Friday, Aug. 12, from 3-6 p.m., giving away free snacks . . .
"Mark and Danny" on KDYL recently took a busload of people to the Wyoming Downs. On Saturday, Aug. 20, the DJs will broadcast live from the Children's Museum of Utah.