KLAC's fun 'Loose Cannons' gets vaporized. Say it ain't so!
In the ever-changing, paper-thin world of talk radio, L.A.'s best sports show just vaporized into thin air.
The Loose Cannons -- Steve, Michael and Vic -- are gone, shot OUT of a cannon Wednesday by Fox radio and flagship station KLAC.
This is perfectly in keeping with the nonsensical nature of radio, where nervous execs in suits move most personalities around or discard them entirely as if mouths that move don't have families and obligations.
But this abrupt end to a show that was fun, funny, ridiculous AND sublime, and very often entertaining, canceled and canned without warning or notice, is a blow to Cannon fans, and they were many, who got their Lakers and local sports fix every weekday at noon.
Steve Hartman -- smart, sassy, the provocateur, played the bossy, obnoxious bad cop on the show. You knew he didn't believe half of what he was saying but he'd make you mad, anyway. It was a gift, actually.
Mychal Thompson, the ex-Laker -- he was the anomaly, a laid-back Bahamian, but conservative, devout, very GOP in his politics but quite knowledgeable about sports, especially (of course) basketball, plus boxing and tennis.
And Vic (the Brick) Jacobs, the brick rhyming with shtick, an East Coast meshugenah with Far Eastern haikus and a fur hat, a displaced hippie and unabashed home team honk whose relentless support of all things Kobe and Lakers were at once tiring but endearing too.
In the generally lowbrow world of sports radio, theirs was a curious chemistry that worked wonderfully well.
And now in place of the Cannons: Hartman left to soldier on, playing for pay with new partner Chris Myers, doing one of those national-type sports radio snorefests you've heard hundreds, if not thousands of times before.
I'm sure there's a reasonable business explanation for it. The Lakers are leaving KLAC after this season, taking a lot of wind out of the Cannons' Lakers-driven sails.
Still, the suits can't be lame enough to think anyone here in L.A. wants to listen to guests such as Ron Wolf, who appeared today. Nothing against Ron or his wife Virginia, but who wants to hear guys like that muck up the airwaves with somnolent national football talk when the Cannons would have done three whole hours today on Kobe's dislocated finger?
Sorry, Fox, NOT feeling you.
Take it from our new president, change is in the air and now it's on the air too. But for me, with the Cannons gone, starting tomorrow at high noon, it's back to my oldie CD's.
-- Ted Green
Ted Green is a former L.A. Times sportswriter and Senior Sports Producer for KTLA Prime News.
Photo: Vic "the Brick" Jacobs, during last season's playoffs. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
That new Chris Meyers show is like listening to elevator music. Don't take Ambien sleeping pills just listen to this show.
Posted by: Bob | January 21, 2009 at 09:18 PM
They weren't the greatest, but they were ours - the Laker fan. Oh, and the Lakers moving to the evil 4 letter network - Chick is rolling in his grave.
Posted by: Joe | January 21, 2009 at 09:30 PM
I was so upset when I turned to KLAC today. What the hell was that? No Vic the Brick, I mean you cannot be serious. He was one of the main reasons that I would listen to the Cannons. Now the show is BORING. Chris Myers has no passion at all. Give me a break. What is going to happen to Vic the Brick? Please explain this bone head move.
The Crenshaw Nation
Posted by: Crenshaw Nation | January 21, 2009 at 09:50 PM
what a sad day. why break up the most entertaining talk show in the country. these guys had unbelievable chemistry , and now it's gone.
Posted by: ben | January 21, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Amen! I had the wind knocked out of me when I discovered the news. No more cannons, no more KLAC.
Posted by: Mike | January 21, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Ted, couldn't agree more with your assessment. It's unfortunate that long-time listeners of both The Loose Cannons and PMS get to lose out on the programming. And yes, I do mean lose out even with Hartman and PMS staying around. You got it absolutely right that the national focus will take away from the local spotlight.
Posted by: Frank | January 21, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I heard the new show this afternoon, and I must say: I'M NOT FEELING YOU!! The new format is tragic. Give Los Angeles what it deserves local sports radio. Not some generic national overview of the sports world.
Posted by: Rene M. | January 21, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I completely DISAGREE with Ted Green. Good ridance "loose cannons". That show was nothing but chaos....so much screaming and yelling....2 to 3 people constantly talking/shouting at once....very annoying to intelligent listeners. About a year ago I finally decided to stay away from 570 am weekday afternoons because of that show. The "loose cannons" drove me away!
Posted by: Robert Wilson | January 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
NOW WE HAVE GOOD SMART SPORT TALK SHOW WITH INTERESTING GUESTS. BEFORE IT WAS TWELVE MONTHS OF LAKER TALK AND VIC THE BRICK TRYING TO SHOW HOW INTECLECTUAL HE IS. HE IS THE MOST ANNOYING PERSON ON TALK RADIO. THERE ARE MORE SPORTS THEN JUST THE NBA.....
Posted by: THOMAS SAFADY | January 21, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Arte Moreno @ KLAA are you listening. Take the Loose Cannons and become the new top local radio station. KLAC needs to find a way to pose as a bank, because with moves like this, they will definetly need a bail out.
Posted by: Mike | January 21, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Amen, bring back Loose Canons
Posted by: LC fan | January 21, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I hope it comes back. it was a blessing to have dedicated and knowledge broadcasters that appreciated, lived, and loved the topic of their informative radio. It was, at times, over the top, but in a world that lacks conviction or passion for many topics in the world , these men followed their craft with nothing but affection.
Posted by: Andrew | January 21, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I agree.
Posted by: waters96 | January 21, 2009 at 10:46 PM
This is the worst day in LA sports CULTURE!!! RIP Cannons, Fuuuuuuusion (best hour on radio hands down), and a local flavor PMS. A brand new day for our nation on Tuesday, a terrible new future for LA sports talk radio.
Please someone email me or tell me how this can be fixed. Mr. Green? Can we get these guys on KLAA and keep it local. Part of me just died inside. I needed the real KLAC to get me through the day.
Not feelin' anyone right now...
Posted by: Steven | January 21, 2009 at 10:51 PM
this is the worst news i have heard since shaq was traded. i will definatley be pushed to listen to my creedance tapes. this was the best radio show out there, and they need to find a new home fast and save hartman from this mess with chris meyers when they land a new spot....boooo KLAC BOOOOO
Posted by: David | January 21, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I agree, I was surprised when I turned on the radio today. Meyers is prototypical cheesy sports radio guy. At least PMS still rocks.
Posted by: Ab | January 21, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Its a really shame that they pulled the plug on the Loose Cannons, I didn't really know what to make of it when I turned the radio on and no "Cannons"? Considering that the show was probably the best at noon with liked personalities, I don't understand the business side on shutting the show down. I guess local radio is unappealing to the execs in the L.A. market? I guess this is just part of the economic issues with clear channel as they laid off several employee's? There are 2 other radio stations who deal with sports 710 ESPN and AM830 KLAA who wouldn't mind bolstering their midday lineup? Mychal Thompson will move with the Lakers to 710 ESPN so his future is uncertain regarding doing some type of sports radio on another station, Vic"The Brick" Jacobs will land somewhere, and Hartman does his KCAL stuff and I assume he will stay on AM570? Guess we'll see what happens?
Posted by: Matsuda | January 21, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Man I can not believe the Loose Cannon's have been canned! I truly enjoy listening to Michael, Vic, and Steve Hartman they definately made my drive on the LA freeways a shorter drive and listening to these guys made the traffic tolerable. Heck there were days that was looking forward to traffic jams, just to listen to these guys a little longer. For the last two years I have only listened to AM 570.
I am very disapointed with the Fox mangement and "genius'" who made this decision. The decision to cut the Cannon's is another, what the ... ? First they removed the funny and entertaining Roggin and Simers morning show and now this. Dan Patrik is a smart, funny and entertaining show. However, the experience and background knwoledge that Roggin and Simers offer is priceless. Maybe TJ Simers was raising too much money for the Mattel Children's Hospital? It
What are these management bone heads thinkning? It's your show and your station, but LA is a big market and thank God for choices...
I love the PMS show, don't even think about cutting them. I guess there's always NPR.
Posted by: Ben Bravo | January 21, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Ted I see your a former sports writer and former sports producer and I see why. I have lived in many markets atrocious. I would call it a car wreck, but wrecks actually grab the attention of people. Vic the Brick is a hack, wannabe... thank God I purchased satelite radio because of all the markets I've lived LA sports talk is a joke outside of Money and Papadakis.
Posted by: scott | January 22, 2009 at 12:22 AM
I have to make my feelings known on this terrible move by the suits. I am a musician (jazz/soul piano). I have just returned from India today, and wanted nothing more while I was driving around doing an errand or two, to listen to the Cannons. They brought so much joy into my life during times when I did not feel the happiest about things. They have never spoke to me, do not know me from any other guy on the street. But, they helped me laugh/smile/think when I would've have never wanted to. For a station to not even give their listeners like me a chance to show our appreciation is morally reprehensible, especially now, the 1st day of our new President's administration. Have these suits no pulse? Are their veins replaced by wires?
The Loose Cannons provided not only information, entertainment, and humor to us. They provided voices who comprised the entire face of this vast place we call home here in Los Angeles. Every kind of personality was represented by them. The most beloved basketball team in our sports world, our Lakers, was a topic they made all feel personally included in. It did not end with the Lakers though. All other local topics/teams were covered in some capacity, and done thoroughly. I loved my opinions to be antagonized, befuddled, confirmed, confused, educated, or shared by Steve, Michael and Vic. I felt they represented good people as an unlikely, yet harmonious trio. Nothing against Chris Myers, but he has been a hired gun for ages on the national market. I am sure Hartman is a professional, but he sure is in a tough spot... See, we're a town that has called Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Bob Miller ours, here in Southern California. The Cannons would be the first to reject comparisons to those legends, because they are humble, good guys. And that's exactly why we enjoyed their time on the air so much. They understood the folks who listened to them. The suits obviously do not. I hope the Cannons relaunch very soon.
Ted Green. Debbie Goffa. FEELIN YOU!!!!
All other folks, your response is most welcome. Peace, and a belated Happy new Year to everyone.
from Surya
Posted by: Surya Botofasina | January 22, 2009 at 12:27 AM
I had just signed up for the All Access Pass the day before because of the Loose Cannons and then without warning: "Poof" no Cannons. Just what we don't need...another national radio show. NO mention of the change by Hartman other than cracking on Vic about needing to "get adjusted" to his new surroundings and teasing a Mychal Thompson sound bite for OVER TWO HOURS! Just terrible. I called KLAC and they connected me with Don Martins voice mail and I let him know that I will no longer be listening. Say what you want about Vic and Mychal but the show had something that made you keep listening. Now no more in depth Laker talk. Very disturbing day in L.A. radio. Shame on you KLAC!!
Posted by: John | January 22, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I can't believe it - I tuned in at noon today expecting to hear the familiar voices of the Loose Cannons but instead heard Chris Myers with Steve?? How could they cancel the show without any warning - what a rotten way to treat all their loyal fans. I agree with Ted Green's article - the LA fans do not want to listen to boring national sportstalk. I won't be tuning in anymore that's for sure.
Posted by: Cammy | January 22, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Well said. I'll miss their obsession with Laker basketball.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | January 22, 2009 at 04:27 AM
i totally agree ted...what is wrong with the suits at klac? what a stupid move...bring back the cannons!!!!
Posted by: ron | January 22, 2009 at 04:42 AM
I couldn't agree with you more. I am a visiting nurse & I'm out in the road most of the time. In between patients, I only tune in to 570 AM because I love the Loose Cannons. I don't always agree with what they have to say but they are very informative, entertaining and again,..........entertaining. Any chance the Loose Cannons will be moved to ESPN radio?
Posted by: Loose Cannons Fan | January 22, 2009 at 05:44 AM