A couple of news notes from everyone’s favorite all-sports-talk AM station (and your only source for Munch, on the 50’s, Munch in the morning, Munch in the community, and all things Munch):
The Lovely One, Jeff Thomas, who was on “The Really Big Show” with Rizzo every morning and who provided the sports updates, is no longer with the station.
You should tip one back and raise a “let’s all get drunk and play ping pong” toast to him next time you’re out.
Ohio Media Watch has the details:
As we are writing this update just now, “Really Big Show” host Tony Rizzo has confirmed on the air – in a testy response to a caller – that Thomas is indeed “no longer with the station”.
Rizzo told the caller that he doesn’t know why Thomas is no longer on WKNR, and says it’s difficult to work “without someone you’ve been working with for years”. Later, peppered with calls and E-mails from listeners, Rizzo called Thomas a “pro’s pro”, and says he will be missed, directing callers’ questions to WKNR program director Jason Gibbs…
Second, while Ohio Media Watch reported this on Twitter last night, @CursedCleveland chirped in confirming that Thomas was out but also said that Kenny Roda had been suspended. No idea why or when or for how long, but I guess we’ll know for sure if Roda is in fact absent from his usual 6-9 p.m. spot tonight.
Follow me on Twitter: @vincethepolack.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2010.
This was a terrible move. Jeff was funny and had decent takes. They should fire Aaron Farthammer.
jeff was fantastic, wknr stinks. they keep guys like goldhammer who don’t have a clue and get rid of real radio people. 4 or 5 of my guys have quit wknr because we love riz but can’t stand goldhammer.
it is funny that someone (jeff thomas, josh sabo,chloe)gets more popular than aaron they get fired.
akrons finest
Unbelievable….Jeff Thomas was a true professional and had great sports updates. and KENNY RODA? If he is suspended, then there really is a problem. He is far more informative, knowledgeable and interesting than Munch.. Even if when you can understand what Much is saying, it really isn’t of any importance.
are we sure thomas got fired? weak. and i agree that rizzo is the best personality on cleveland radio, but goldhammer’s cockiness and constantly stuffy, nasally voice detract from it. and when sabrina is on it’s just about the worst show in cleveland. the only other time i’m compelled to turn off my radio is when that guy from original mattress factory begins one of his droning commercials. rizzo needs to realize his loyalty to goldhammer will be the ruin of his show. a 19 year old female intern could provide the musical suggestions that aaron does. if that’s what tony values from aaron then it’s easily replaceable. he views himself as some kind of ambassador to the warehouse district, but he’s the reason to stay away form any bar he goes to. he’s like that increasingly aging guy who still frequents the college bars until it becomes sad and uncomfortable. maybe a bit of humility would go a long way for goldhammer, but at this point he views himself as some cross between jim rome and ryan seacrest. go back to denver, buddy. and long live jeff thomas. i never understood why thomas never got a shot at his own time slot. maybe he did and i missed it. oh well, best of luck bro.
I am quickly loosing interest in wknr. First Chloe, then Josh Sabo, and now Jeff Thomas, they contributed in a positive, professional, and fun way. The Really Big Shoe is DEFINITATLEY not the same. I have always enjoyed K (short for Kenny ) Roda’s show. He tells it how it really is. You continue to get rid of and suspend good people while keeping the waste of my time Jim Rome Show on. I am all but done with ESPN CLEVELAND AND WKNR
Tony rizzo has to know that that crying nonsense blather nerd geek wimp gold hammer and that horrible gossipy windbag on Wednesdays are 2 of the main reasons that I have stopped tuning in on Wednesday. And I’ve expanded not listening to everyday that I find that horrible dweeb gold hammer is on besides adding no value his constant tiresome foil to everything positions are quite boring and very uninteresting. Rizzo is probabaly wanting to bow out gracefully otherwise there. Can be no other reason why he let’s those 2 bores assasinate his show . Until they are gone my radio will be on the off position from knr in the am.
Anybody that really knows Cleveland sports knows Rizzo has become all bubblegum. When the female intern is on bordom sets in right away and the Goldwhat just plain sucks. It must be a ethnic and politically correct thing with management. Thomas and Roda are lightyears ahead of the upcoming. but like i said a real sports fan in cleveland already knows that. What flavor of bubblegum do you like.
Keeping it real.
I am getting sick and tired of KNR firing the good people. Chris Feedor adds absolutely nothing to the Really Big Show. Plus Golhammer is such a waste of a chair. I love Riz but he is really starting to lose me.
Hammer’s dweeby voiced, no nothing, contrarian sports dork act is unlistenable.
And have you heard his Tribe coverage? LOL! During one of Aaron’s “updates”, C-Fed sounded like HE was at the game, giving Aaron the update! C-Fed knew more about the game from wire reports, than Hammer had learned WHILE ATTENDING THE GAME! Amazing.
Rizzo has zero cred he changes his mind constantly and is a terrible broadcaster. I don’t know how many UH’s he does daily but it is poor broadcasting. Also he has a very small sports knowledge. His redeeming quality was that the show was entertaining now it has become a 3 hour infomercial for food establishments and talking about young girls. It is also funny that he has turned Jeff Thomas losing his job into a bit. I am sure Jeff enjoys that. The show is extremely negative towards all local sports teams and frankly it is very hard to listen to any longer. Rizzo does very little show prep and mails it in on most days. The show gets to host Rome because Cleveland has a huge Rome fanbase. So to repay Cleveland Rome gives 850 this olive branch.
the really big show is the worst “sports” talk show ive ever heard. with riz talking on air with his mouth full of crap from free food,to his al bundy i played h.s. football and t-ball as a kid, to telling joe montana im not just a radio host im also on a bad local tv show. the 4 hrs of talking about peeing on each other at the old browns stad. was just to much. as football season is starting i hope to every once in awhile here a sports take, but not on this show its worse than 3 teen girls on a stay over. not only that but riz with is sound effects every 10 sec. is the worst. plz wknr change the am show to 1 that ppl can listen to. pay bernie to do the show for 3hrs 59 sec. and let riz do the last 1 sec. of show.
The fact of the matter is “The Really Big Show” has no personality! It lacks credibility, information, entertainment, and good guests. Athletes in the city probably don’t even know who these guys are! I listen because I’m a lifelong Cleveland resident and I love my sports teams! I expect these guys to have some fresh opinions and some inside information but they never do! I don’t wanna hear there boring nights out together and meaningless road trip stories! This show needs some fresh air, a new voice, and hopefully soon! WKNR needs to step there game up!!
Wow, talk about a blast from the past here.
Fire Tony Rizzo,he adds nothing but silly talk about food and his stupid sound effects and worst his his GOD awful music he keeps playing. All the talk host only seem interested in playing their stupid music. If I wanted STUPID rap music i would listen to another station. I now listen to 92.3 the fan, but they are starting to act stupid with their bumper music. They need to bring on Bruce Drennan. He can talk sports by himself without having other hosts chimeing in or arguing amongst themselves. In other words he can talk sports without any help. And Jerry Rome is as useless as Rizzo.