Brian James, Salt Lake City's most controversial radio talk-show host, has left KNRS radio (AM-570). His last day was Friday, Jan. 28.
"He resigned. . . . We really wanted him to stay," said Larry Crandall, KNRS program director.
James left for personal reasons and, at least for now, will remain in Salt Lake City, doing the usual voice work for the many radio stations with which he has contracts.
His voice was perhaps the most pleasant on the dial, but his show would sometimes delve into R-rated subjects. However, in recent weeks, he seemed to have toned it down somewhat.
The vacated 4-7 p.m. time slot has been filled, at least for the time being, by adding an hour to the "Dr. Laura" show (which now airs from 1-5 p.m.) and by "Lionel," a nationally syndicated talk program (in the 5-7 p.m. weekday slot).
Crandall said the station may give several other programs a trial, too, before making a permanent decision on a replacement.
KNRS evening shows after 7 p.m. remain unchanged.
"Lionel" is a drastic change from Brian James. The show is more of an investigative approach to various national issues. That's one problem — this late-afternoon radio slot going from all-local to national. It's sad to see the loss of any local talk show, even one as controversial as James' program.
As outrageous as James was, at least most of his subjects were Utah-based. Lionel can't say the same. He has more of an ordinary voice and concentrates on one or several guests each show, taking few outside comments. The Feb. 1 "Lionel" show talked about mobs and organized crime.
Lionel had a "Cinderella" success story, going from a talk-show caller to host. His first claim to fame was doing morning drive on WABC in New York.
There are far worse hosts than Lionel — he has his own special brand of humor and off-the-wall topics. But in my mind, local talk radio shows are always needed — though they may cost more to operate.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — "Simon and Brady" on KBEE raised some eyebrows last Friday when they had Utah's best Cher look-a-like giveaway for front-row tickets to Cher's Salt Lake concert while standing along the TRAX line . . . Mick and Allen of the "Freak Show" on KURR on Monday conducted an extensive interview with an extreme mountain/rock climber; the DJs got the climber to reveal his fears and near accidents, along with his triumphs . . . Dickie and Angel on KODJ awarded Mary Ann Grant of Orem a $5,000 cash prize last week in their latest contest; the morning show has now begun a new contest to find the ugliest bathroom, and the winner receives remodeling money . . .
KQMB, alias "Star 102.7," still has its $1 bill contest going — with listeners looking for a $1 bill circulating in the Salt Lake area with a K8490841F serial number — to win a million dollars; station manager Stephen Johnson said similar radio contests in both Seattle and Tennessee have had million-dollar winners . . . Meanwhile, KURR's current contest means listeners have to pick the correct five-digit combination to open a safe and win a million dollars . . . As usual the day after the Super Bowl, many stations took surveys on the public's favorite commercials, but this time there seemed to be no consensus on a winner.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com or by phone at 237-2168.