San Diego Radio: KOGO Talker Slammed Over Comments

Peggy Shannon

KOGO 610 AM radio personality is in the hot seat for making comments about the appearance of the latest Bob Filner accuser to come forward.

According ABC10 News, during his Thursday "Voice of Merrill" Show, KOGO radio host Chris Merrill said he would not be making fun of 67-year-old Peggy Shannon's appearance, which was then followed by a list of names he read on-air.

Shannon claimed she was the latest victim of unwanted sexual advances from San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, making her the 16th victim to come forward.

"Can you imagine Bob Filner trying to get it on with her, he spent all kinds of time trying to figure out which way she's facing, it's not funny!" exclaimed Merrill on his show. "It does appear he targeted pretty much everyone, I believed the disabled are the ones that are pretty much left ... am I wrong?"

Chris Merrill

The references to Shannon's appearance were discussed for several minutes during Merrill's four-hour long program.

"This is not acceptable," said Shannon's attorney, Gloria Allred. "If he is willing to follow a Filner example of hurting women because he can I think he needs to get educated."

But Merrill said the comments he made were out of humor, not hate. He says he won't apologize, though he says he may have gone over the line.

"If I have any regret, it's that the people are not focusing on Bob Filner, and that's what we should be focusing on," said Merrill.

According to utsandiego.com, there is talk of a boycott and at least one woman saying he should be fired after he explained on air that he would not be using a host of terms to describe the accuser, some of which he read, and then posted the list on KOGO's website.

As his show began Friday, Merrill quipped, "We're under fire today. This could be it," then said he gets people calling for him to be fired frequently.

Here is what Merrill put on KOGO's website. 

Here they come.  Get ready for the faux outrage and threats of boycott from people who don’t listen to the show.  They are mad about a bit I did yesterday that discussed what we will NOT be saying about Filner's V16.  People who sit high on their horse of self-righteousness are condemning me with the most colorful of descriptions: "fat, balding guy . . . who apparently doesn't own a mirror." However, like the high and mighty condemning Hooters, the critics are not customers.  Threats are empty and comical.  But, I appreciate threats.  They get news.  I have ZERO ad budget so any word of mouth I can get for the program is appreciated.  Continue to read more