Report: SpongeBob Squarepants OUT At the Krusty Krab

Oh, no! Even beloved “SpongeBob SquarePants” isn’t safe from corporate downsizing.

The harsh economic climate has infiltrated the underwater community of Bikini Bottom when, after 14 loyal years of flipping krabby patties at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob is unceremoniously bounced from his job in an upcoming episode of the iconic Nickelodeon ’toon.

According to the NY Post, the ebullient sea sponge very literally gets “canned,” “pink-slipped” and “axed” by the greedy Mr. Krabs when his boss discovers he can save a whole nickel by eliminating happy-go-lucky SpongeBob from the payroll.

A tearful SpongeBob offers to work for free, frying up Krabby Patties at the burger joint he loves — but Mr. Krabs concedes such labor would be illegal, and he would lose his license.

The blow is especially hard on SpongeBob, since his lazy co-worker Squidward gets to keep his job because of seniority — even though the grumpy octopus hates working at the Krusty Krab and constantly complains about it.

The episode “SpongeBob, You’re Fired!” airs Monday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. (Eastern) on Nickelodeon.

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Chaos of "War of the Worlds" Remembered 75 Years Later

At the age of 97, William Herz has a lifetime of memories to look back upon, but there's one dating back 75 years that stands out.

In 1938, Herz was a member of the Mercury Theater on the Air, a drama company founded by a little-known director named Orson Welles.

"He was a brilliant, wonderful, impossible human being," Herz says.

The Mercury Players broadcast on CBS Radio. On Oct. 30, Halloween Eve, they did an adaptation of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." Herz, the only surviving member of the cast, read Welles' part during dress rehearsal.

"I really thought it was pretty far out and people would not respond to it," Herz says.

Herz couldn't have been more wrong.

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Bob Sanders, who grew up in Grovers Mill, recalls that night. He’s 81 now and remembers his father assuring the family during the broadcast that it was just a radio drama.

“We all sat there and listened to it, and I guess about halfway through the road filled up with cars,” he tells KYW Newsradio 1060 AM in Philadelphia.  Some of the local people put their families in the car and took off before they found out it was a hoax, and others wanted to come see what the Martians looked like!

Survey: 18 Percent Report Seeing A Ghost

On Thursday evening, many American children will encounter costumed ghosts as they roam the streets in search of candy and other treats on Halloween. Before bedtime, to avoid nightmares, some parents may try to reassure their kids that ghosts are not real.

But, according to Pew Research,  not all of those parents may buy their own reassurances:  Nearly one-in-five U.S. adults (18%) say they’ve seen or been in the presence of a ghost, according to a 2009 Pew Research Center survey. An even greater share – 29% – say they have felt in touch with someone who has already died.

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Report: Gaye Family Countersues Over “Blurred Lines”

Two of Marvin Gaye's children have sued Robin Thicke and his collaborators on the hit song "Blurred Lines," accusing them of copyright infringement and alleging music company EMI failed to protect their father's legacy.

According to CBS News, Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye's suit is the latest action in a dispute over Thicke's hit and whether it copies elements of Gaye's song "Got to Give It Up."

Their lawsuit, filed Wednesday, seeks to block Thicke and collaborators Pharrell and T.I. from using elements of their father's music in "Blurred Lines" or other songs.

Thicke has denied copying Gaye's song for "Blurred Lines," which has the longest streak this year atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has sold more than 6 million tracks so far. The suit also accused Thicke of improperly using Gaye's song "After the Dance" in his song "Love After War."

Pharrell has also maintained that the songs are not similar at all.

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Corpus Christi Radio: Jim Lago Undeterred By Hearing Loss

Jim Lago, the outspoken radio talk show host of "Lago in the Morning" on KKTX 1360 AM is used to hearing himself talk for almost four hours straight every morning.

But on the morning of October 16, everything went quiet, according to KRIS-TV.

When Lago turned on the television, he knew something was wrong, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with him.

It wasn't until after Lago had his morning coffee and climbed into the shower that something truly troubling was happening to him.

"I put my head against the tile, and I suddenly realized, 'Hey, I can't hear the water hitting my head.'"

In fact, Lago couldn't hear much of anything.

"I thought, 'wait a minute...' So, I started talking to myself, and it sounded like I was way, way far away. I couldn't really tell if I was saying the words. The only thing I could feel was vibrating in my throat."

Lago's doctors are running tests, but they still aren't sure what's causing the problem or how long it will last.

What's worse than the difficulty hearing, Lago says, is the shrill ringing he now hears constantly. He explained the sound as a combination of a tea kettle whistling and thunder clapping without reprieve.

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R.I.P.: WYFF Greenville, NC’s Keisha Kirkland

Keisha Kirkland, former WYFF News 4 weathercaster, lost her battle with lung cancer Tuesday.

She was 41.

Keisha, a healthy non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008, not long after she joined the News 4 family.

Because of a family history of heart disease, Keisha went to the doctor to have some tests run.  Her heart was fine, but doctors found an abnormal area in her lung.  The cancer was diagnosed as stage 3, and treatment included surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

When she was diagnosed, Keisha said, "You know, instead of saying, 'Why me?' I should say, 'Why not me?' and find out what I can do with it that's positive for everybody else."

Even while undergoing treatment, Keisha continued to forecast weather for WYFF through 2013, and she spoke to a variety of churches and support groups on the importance of health, prevention and healing through faith.

To watch the video of Keisha's goodbye when she left News 4 in May 2013, click here,

Throughout her five-year battle with cancer, Keisha frequently said her hope was that someone would hear her story and be inspired or encouraged through personal challenges.

Keisha, a native of Danville, Ky., attended the University of Louisville. During her senior year of chiropractic school at Life University, Keisha learned she had pituitary macro adenoma. After several brain surgeries, temporary paralysis, and a painstaking recovery, Keisha beat the diagnosis. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University, graduating with honors in 2000.

Keisha's husband is former Clemson star and NFL All-Pro linebacker Levon Kirkland. When Keisha was diagnosed, their daughter, Kennedy, was 5.

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R.I.P.: Baltimore Radio Personality Sir Johnny O

Sir Johnny O

Sir Johnny O was one of the legendary voices at Baltimore's WWIN radio passed away from respirator illness Tuesday in Baltimore.

He was 70, according to DCRTV.

Sir Johnny O’s real name was Johnathan Compton and he scored a very unique distinction when he landed his first on-air position (at the age of 19!) on 1600 WWRL-AM in New York in 1962.

A year later, Compton moved to WDAS in Philadelphia. In 1964, Johnny landed at  WWIN 1400 AM to assume the 1 to 6 AM shift. He stayed for 20 years.

In later years, Johnny handled fill-in shifts at WEBB and WITH and also dabbled a bit with internet radio. He created the wildly popular 'Turnpike Jazz' show which aired on WWIN as a part of the all-night show.

Johnny mentored a number of up-and-coming jocks into Baltimore radio back in the day, including J.B. Brown, Sam Beasley, Guy Broady and Curtis Anderson.

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Tom Wheeler Confirmed As FCC Chair

The Senate unanimously confirmed Tom Wheeler, an investor and former industry lobbyist, to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Tuesday, according to The Hill.

The vote was delayed for two weeks by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who expressed concern about Wheeler's views on political disclosure rules. Cruz lifted his objection after Wheeler assured him in a private meeting Tuesday that tougher disclosure requirements for the donors behind political TV ads are "not a priority" for him.

Wheeler was the president of the cable industry lobby about 30 years ago and later led the lobbying group for the cellphone carriers. In recent years, he has worked at venture capital firm Core Capital, investing in technology start-ups.

As FCC chairman, Wheeler will oversee the implementation of the FCC's plan to encourage TV stations to give up their broadcast licenses for auction to cellphone carriers. The additional airwaves will help cellphone carriers meet their customers' skyrocketing demand for mobile data and could raise billions of dollars for the federal government. But the plan depends on a number of TV broadcasters voluntarily agreeing to go off the air.

Tom Wheeler

Wheeler may also have to decide whether to attempt to reinstate the agency's net neutrality rules if a federal court sides with Verizon and strikes them down.

A perennial issue for the FCC is how aggressively to police indecency on TV and radio. The agency has not issued any indecency fines during the Obama administration.

Wheeler will takeover from Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, who will continue to serve as a commissioner on the five-member board. Julius Genachowski stepped down as chairman in May after four years at the agency.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Michael O'Rielly to one of the two FCC seats reserved for Republicans. O'Rielly is a longtime Capitol Hill aide, who has worked for then-Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and John Sununu (R-N.H.) and on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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In a statement released late Tuesday evening, Wheeler said he looks forward to taking the oath of office in the coming days.

Wheeler was gracious about the tenure of commissioner Mignon Clyburn as acting chairwoman of the commission, noting that for six months, she’s led the agency “with dedication and vision.”

“We all owe Chairwoman Clyburn a huge thank you,” stated Wheeler. “The chairwoman, along with Commissioners Rosenworcel and Pai and the FCC staff dealt with important issues that kept policy and the country moving forward.” 

Wheeler congratulated Michael O’Rielly for his Senate confirmation and said they would both be joining a dynamic and dedicated team at the FCC. “What excites me about this new responsibility is how we are at a hinge moment of history; the Internet is the greatest communications revolution in the last 150 years. We must all dedicate ourselves to encouraging its growth, expanding what it enables, and assuring its users’ rights are respected.”

DC Radio: News Rules In Our Nation’s Capitol

N/T WAMU 88.5 FM, owned by American University, is #1 6+ in NielsenAudio’s October PPMs again with a big move upward 7.3 – 8.6.  Meanwhile, Hubbard’s Newser WTOP 103.5 FM also jumped 6.6 – 7.8 and claimed the 25-54 crown leaping from the #4 spot to #1.  The strong showing for both stations can be attributed to the Navy Yard shooting and the impending government shutdown.  

CCM+E Top 40/M WIHT HOT 99.5 FM remains at #3 losing 6.3 – 5.8.   Howard U’s Urban AC WHUR 96.3 FM also dropped 5.9 – 5.5 and remain at #4. Tied at #5 are CCM+E’s AC WASH 97.1 FM 5.6 – 4.9 and Radio’s One Urban AC WMMJ 102.3 FM Magic 5.5 – 4.9.

25-54:  WTOP…WIHT…WHUR…WAMU…WASH

18-34:  WIHT…WKYS…WPGC…WWDC…WMZQ

18-49:  WIHT…WKYS…WASH…WWDC…WHUR

Cume:  WIHT

Tom Taylor NOW notes:  The morning show switch at Cumulus hot AC WRQX 1-7.3 FM (Jack Diamond out, syndicated Bert Show in) may be tripping up the full-day ratings. Since the May book, it has slumped 3.0-2.6-2.2-2.2-2.2-1.8. You can’t really mix PPM and diary ratings, but that 1.8 is the lowest for WRQX since – are you ready? – Spring 1977.  Also, the station morphed from a Hot AC to CHR in August.

NeilsenAudio released October PPM results Tuesday for the following markets:

• Washington, DC
• Bostom, MA
• Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL
• Detroit, MI
• Seattle-Tacoma, WA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
• San Diego, CA
• Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
• Denver-Boulder, CO
• Baltimore, MD
• St. Louis, MO

To see the TopLine numbers for these markets, ClickHere

Denver Radio: KOA’s Steffan Tubbs Drops F-Bomb

Steffan Tubbs

Listeners to KOA 850 AMradio during the Tuesday morning drive heard a little more than the news.

Morning host Steffan Tubbs made a comment during a commercial break about television celebrity Snooki which he thought was off air.

Tubbs' microphone was still on when he made the comment calling "Snooki ____-ing ugly".

Post by Newsradio 850KOA.

Argentina's Supreme Court Upholds Controversial Media Law

Argentina's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a controversial media law that government proponents applauded as an effort to reduce market concentration but opponents viewed as state meddling aimed at quieting dissent, according Reuters.

The ruling, watched by many in the US, will require media conglomerate Grupo Clarin to divest some of its units. The government has championed the reform as the start of a new era of media diversity.

A statement from the court said it had deemed four clauses that it was reviewing in the anti-monopoly broadcast law to be within the terms of the constitution.

"A law that set limits a priori is legitimate because it favors freedom of speech by limiting market concentration," the court's ruling said.

Clarin, the country's biggest media group, has argued that the law's most controversial clause, Article 161, violates the constitution by forcing companies to sell off previously acquired radio, television or cable TV operating licenses. The law has been tied up in Argentina's courts for years.

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Louisville Radio: Suit Against WHAS' Terry Meiners Tossed

Terry Meiners

A judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against longtime radio personality Terry Meiners and WHAS Radio, finding that comments Meiners made about a police officer involved "a matter of public interest" and expressed his opinion about a traffic stop.

According to WDRB-TV41, Louisville Metro Police Officer Sam Cromity claimed in a March 2012 lawsuit that Meiners disparaged and lied about him on the air after being given a speeding ticket in March 2011.

Cromity claimed Meiners referred to him as "Black Barney" -- an apparent reference to Barney Fife, a caricature of a bumbling, imbecilic police officer" and Cromity's black vehicle, that he played belittling songs about the highway patrol, and called the officer a delusional "liar" who was irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Mary Shaw ruled Tuesday that Meiners' comments were "non-actionable expressions of opinion" based on the March 18, 2011 traffic stop.

Andrew Horne, Cromity's attorney, said they will appeal the ruling, adding that Meiners called Cromity a liar but that Meiners' attorney admitted his client had been speeding in a recent court hearing.

"First Amendment rights don't protect false statements," Horne said.

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NYC Radio: Elvis Duran Tops Morning Shows

Elvis Duran’s show on WHTZ 100.3 FM has reclaimed the top spot in city morning radio, according to David Hinckley at the NY Daily News.

Elvis Duran

The October ratings just released by Nielsen show Duran averaging 6.6 share of the total city audience, bumping September leader Steve Harvey of WBLS 107.5 FM back to second place.

WLTW 106.7 FM, with Bob Bronson and Christine Nagy, was third with 5.6  of the audience. Dan Taylor at WCBS-FM 101.1 was fourth with 5.5.

Morning ratings shifted noticeably from September, when WCBS-AM 880 was in second place.

Without Yankees broadcasts in October, WCBS-AM dropped to a tie for fifth with sister all-news station WINS 1010 AM.

WCBS-AM won’t have the Yankees next season, as they are moving to sister station WFAN 101.9 FM/ 660 AM.

The differing value of sports to different stations was reflected at WCBS-FM, which has dropped in the ratings since it started carrying the football Giants in September. WCBS-FM was No. 1 overall in August and has slipped to third.

Conversely, the “Mike & Mike” morning show on WEPN ESPN Radio, 98.7 FM jumped from 1.9 of the audience to 2.5 as the baseball playoffs and football season heated up.

All-sports leader WFAN remains well ahead, averaging 3.8% of the morning audience.

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NJ Radio: The Story Behind NJ 101.5′s Sandy Coverage

The news staff of WKXW New Jersey 101.5 looks back at the challenges of covering Superstorm Sandy on location and in the newsroom.

News Director Eric Scott along with Joe Cutter, Kelly Waldron, Kevin McArdle, David Matthau and Matt White share their memories and thoughts.

Wausau Radio: Scam Artist Sells Bogus WSAU Commercials

Scrooge has arrived early this year, and he’s out to pull a fast one on central Wisconsin businesses.

According to the station’s website, a male subject claiming to represent WSAU 550 AM / 99.9 FM Radio has been approaching businesses, trying to sell radio advertising promising radio commercials for a specific price if they sign up as a Toys For Tots drop off place.

WSAU’s General Manager Brett Lucht learned about the scam when a client called to ask about the promotion.

“We got a call from the manager at Wal Mart in Wisconsin Rapids, Liz Brock, saying that their is a person claiming to be Ron and his manager Greg selling (advertising) packages and claiming to be from 99.9 WSAU where Wisconsin Rapids businesses could be Toys for Tots drop off points, and get 29 ads on the station for a price of $2,100 dollars. Of course, we have nothing like that going on at this point, so this is an obvious scam.”

Several law enforcement agencies and business organizations have been notified about the scam. We do not know if any businesses have fallen victim to the hoax.

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