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4/30: Update on the Steve & Vikki lawsuit, Kelly’s status, Regular Guys back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The owners of Star 94 were livid when they found out B98.5 was airing TV ads with Steve & Vikki promoting the morning show’s arrival at the station July 1. So Star filed a lawsuit and requested a temporary restraining order to stop B98.5, saying the former Star morning team didn’t comply with a noncompete clause in their employment contract.
A judge at the Superior Court of Fulton County Tuesday rejected the temporary restraining order and Star 94’s owners, Lincoln Financial, will no longer pursue the lawsuit. The TV ads have continued to air since the lawsuit was filed earlier this month. For B98.5, the ads are a good way to reach former S&V fans and spread awareness of the impending change.
“We are disappointed that the judge ruled on a technicality, a loophole, and not the intent of the agreement with Steve & Vikki,” Kanov said. “Steve & Vikki did not honor what they previously agreed to.” Kanov had chosen not to renew Steve & Vikki’s contracts last year, deciding to go for a younger-skewing show in the Morning Mess.
The S&V employment contract, with its noncompete, includes wording from 1991, Kanov said. Future Star 94 employment contracts will certainly fix the language to ensure this never happens again, he said.
Meanwhile, Kelly Stevens, part of the “lame duck” Kelly & Alpha morning team on B98.5, has been off air for awhile. I checked in with the boss Paul Ciliano and he said Kelly has some personal issues to deal with but should be back early next week.
The pair, who have been on the air for the past decade on B98.5, have never been given much of a chance to be genuine “personalities.” It’s all about getting in and out quickly and play more music. But alas, despite good ratings, they were dumped in favor of Steve & Vikki, who will be given far more room to breathe in terms of gab since they became very successful personalities and brand names at Star 94.
(And in response to Sad Sack, posting below, true, I hadn’t noticed Stevens’ absence because I don’t listen to B98.5 in the morning and nobody had informed me about it until I saw your radio-info posting yesterday.)
-On Tuesday, the Regular Guys were in “best of” mode during the middle of the spring book: Larry Wachs was ill with the flu, according to Gary Lewis, the market manager. And in “all for one, one for all” fashion, they decided if Larry’s sick, Eric and Southside get the day off. Not a bad deal!
They were back today so all is well in Regular Guys land.
Gary was bemused that folks wondered if they did something Monday that led to a suspension or something worse. But that was not the case. Given their past record of firings, this isn’t just paranoia.
Permalink | Comments (43) | Post your comment | Categories: News
Comments
By Norma Lee
April 29, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
I will say a prayer tonight for Larry to be alright for all of their Atlanta fans can enjoy their top Morning Show Wednesday. What would you guys do without them again?
By Chief Wiggum
April 29, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, Norma, don’t be so f-in dramatic. I know you act like a psycho ex-girlfriend jilted lover, but you know…most folks would do like I did this morning: I listened more to WSB on the AM dial, and to my XM radio.
By atlsitcom
April 30, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
what are the regular guys? do they do shows at six flags? Underground?
By atlsitcom
April 30, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
what are the regular guys? do they do shows at six flags? Underground?
By sad sack
April 30, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
What a coincodince that Rodney Ho “checked” on the status of Kelly Stephens one day after I posted the question of his whereabouts on radio-info.com. Kelly has been missing for 3 weeks and Rodney’s just now noticing. Maybe I should write for the AJC.
By Norma
April 30, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Chief Wiggum why don’t you cool the drama & remarks yourself Chief? I act like a NORMAL Fan. NO! NO! NO! NO!!NO!NO! no shows at six flags Underground altisitcom!!!
By Norma
April 30, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Looks like prayers can be answered. Chief please stop with the drama remarks . I act like a NORMAL fan! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Sorry guys but No is struck in my brain for some reason. I don’t think they have anything to do with six flags underground alsitcom.
By Celine
April 30, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Gee Rodney…being the radio guy for the AJC shouldn’t you be sampling all of the stations at one time or another?
By tweenthelines
April 30, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
LOL at Kanov. Cry me a river dirtbag. Hey jerkweed next time make sure your lawyers know how to draw up an ironclad contract. Steve and Vicki did what any fired ex-employee would do. Plus the Morning Mess smells exactly like their name would imply, that show IS crap.
By Frogger
April 30, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I wonder if personal issues means “looking for a job”.
By Chief Wiggum
April 30, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Norma…
Please, just GO AWAY. You are a one-bit act, and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is completely tired of you. You were a joke, you are a joke. We were all laughing at you, now we’re happy that you’ve gone away, never to reappear on the show.
Now PLEASE stop obsessing, and just leave everyone alone.
Prayers can be answered? Seriously…WTF is wrong with you?
By Marietta Mom
April 30, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
I’m a p/t listener to B98 and I haven’t noticed a big difference in the mornings. I just assumed Kelly was on vacation or something.
By Barry Blakely
April 30, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
I still think the best morning team in Atlanta has been “Randy & Spiff”.
By Barry Blakely
April 30, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
I still think the best morning team in Atlanta has been “Randy & Spiff”.
By Harrison
April 30, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Damn Rodney, why are you always so quick to praise the regular guys while never hesitating to destroy everyone else. They are a good show, I do listen time to time, but holy crap you act like they reinvented the radio. Your column is always so damn biased, it sucks buddy. Try a little objective writing some time, homer.
By Harrison
April 30, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Damn Rodney, why are you always so quick to praise the regular guys while never hesitating to destroy everyone else. They are a good show, I do listen time to time, but holy crap you act like they reinvented the radio. Your column is always so damn biased, it sucks buddy. Try a little objective writing some time, homer.
By The Real Norma Lee
April 30, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Someone is posting with my name! Whoever doing this the joke has been carried way to far. Quit bullying me Please. Thank You
By Nixon
April 30, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
I once worked at the Jeff-Pilot station in Denver. I can tell you their lawyers are completely incompetent. I saw non compete after non compete fall apart at that company. Someone should get them Legal Zoom and save them the money they pay their high priced bozos in Greensboro.
I feel bad for Kanov. He is a good guy who has to be the face for Benson and the other morons he reports to, unfortunately. This could very well be the most inept company in the business today.
S&V are going to kill on that new station.
By More Nixon
April 30, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Here’s more incompetence from their fine legal team-
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2008/03/04/87884.htm
By fading star
April 30, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
i hope they bring the whole team back together- i liked tom sullivan and rob statler.
By LMFAO
April 30, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
You know what the absolute irony is with this situation- the parent company of Star is an insurance company.
Insurance companies make their money by creating contracts frought with loopholes so that they never have to make good on the policies they write, and these guys are whining because they got beat at their own game. LMAO.
Karma’s a b***, ain’t it Star94?
By John Luttrell
April 30, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Norma Lee? Is that crazy-no singing-non funny nut still around? Glad I don’t listen to the reg guys anymore!
By Hee hee hee!!!
April 30, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
The classic case of “buyer’s remorse!” … Kanov blows out the best radio audience in Atlanta history, with all of their loyalty and disposable income (Steve & Vikki’s fans!) … saves about a million in talent costs, and sends one of Atlanta’s finest radio stations into the toilet!
“We’ll Always Love You Steve & Vikki!” … the signs said … until we realize you’ll be kicking our butts when you get back on the air about five hours after your non-compete expires!
Bring back Rob Stadler … bring back Tom Sullivan … bring back Dan Blankowski … a GREAT show that’s worked in the past!!!
Watch for lots of mysterious “retirements” and “new employment opportunities” among upper management at Star! Something needs to be done before EVERYBODY leaves the station - employees AND listeners!
By Wes
April 30, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
I loved Norma Lee when she was On TRG. That lady made me wet my pants many a times. I often wondered if she was really that funny or if Hillbillies talk that way. I found out when I went to YouTube and watched her videos. Holy Mosey is she back?? You Morons quit your hehehe at our girl
By Pete
May 1, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
Norma Lee is still obsessed with getting back on TRG’s show, despite being banned over two years ago, by Larry. When you look up the word “pest” in the dictionary, there is an ugly picture of Norma Lee.
By DWG
May 1, 2008 2:30 AM | Link to this
THANK GOD FOR TRG. THEY ARE BETTER THAN EVER WITH SSS AS A REG GUY. I ENJOY MY RIDE TO WORK IN CRPPY TRAFFIC. PETEEEETOOOONG! FU… SSS
By Abbey
May 1, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this
Always Love You Steve & Vikki! Good Luck
By Hee Hee is Right
May 1, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
Hee Hee is right. Rumor in the market is Star’s sales force is all looking for the door. There may have been some defections already to B98 ahead of the S&V move.
By Rock 100.5 Fan
May 1, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Norma go away. Everyone is sick of TRG rants. You are a waste of sperm.
By Spirit
May 1, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait for Steve and Vikki to be back on the air! They are my morning ‘coffee’, HOT and uplifting!
By Sac's Sis
May 1, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Sad Sac, I thought you changed your id to “Happy Sac” now that Steve and Vicki will be back on the air…Get a life!
By Sue
May 1, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait for Jult 1st, but hope they talk more than Kelly and Alpha, we want the same as star94 and they talked and was funny.
By Sue
May 1, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait for Jult 1st, but hope they talk more than Kelly and Alpha, we want the same as star94 and they talked and was funny.
By Paula
May 1, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
B98.5 goes off my radio dial when Steve and Vicki return, just as Star 94 disappeared many years ago when Steve and Vicki became irrelevant and boring. I’m not sure what B98.5 is thinking, but Steve and Vicki are yesterday’s gig.
By Felicia
May 1, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Hoo Rah for Steve and Vikki. I can’t wait until they return to the airwaves. Star94, you blew it big time.
By Bud
May 1, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
I never cared for the Steve & Vicki show, but its good that Lincoln Financial got zapped in this situation. Since Lincoln canned S&V despite having their pre-existing contract, they should have at least been classy enough to let the non-compete clause go and let S&V get to work in a new station. Who would want to work for a company that would fire and then sue a previous employee under these conditions?
By Weiland
May 1, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
How in gods name does Chuck Deskins and Randall Bloomquist still have a job? They must have nude pictures of someone’s daughter. Clear Channel sucks, Project 961 sucks. Kimmer & TRG rule. fu clear channel
By greg
May 1, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Look for management heads to finally roll at Star 94.Long over-due,after one of the biggest mistakes in radio.People who work there know they are working for bad people. Its not just Kanov,he’s the only one who likes to see his name and idiotic quotes in paper.There’s Don Benson the V.P who can’t relate to anyone of the star listeners lifestyles. Also smiling John Demmick,who has one of those jobs that requires no talent.Together none of them are big enough to take the blame and all evil people.
By Karen
May 1, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Maybe Kelly Stephens could work with Steve and Vicki. I doubt Rob S. Could come over from Star 94 I am sure he is locked in with that stupid morning show they have now. It would be great if Tom could come with them….Congrats Steve and Vicki…I do listen to the afternoon show on Star hopefully they won’t “mess” with the Cindy and Ray show.
By Jean
May 2, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Tom is doing his own thing on Channel 11. He’s not making the jump to B.
By TG
May 2, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
I cannot wait until July 1st. That’s my birthday! What else is happening that day?
By J Davis
May 12, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I CAN’T WAIT FOR STEVE AND VICKIE. YES :) :)
By J Davis
May 12, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
I CAN’T WAIT FOR STEVE AND VIKKI. OOPS ON THE EARLIER SPELLING.