Chicago Radio: Dahl Calls WGN 'Worst Station Ever'

WGN Morning Host Responds

Steve Dahl

In a 10-minute rant on his daily podcast Friday, the Chicago radio legend ripped the Tribune Media news/talk station and directed particular vitriol at his former boss, Jimmy deCastro, now president and general manager of WGN 720 AM, according to Chicago Media Blogger Robert Feder.

“It’s like the worst radio station ever now,” Dahl told listeners. “It’s as bad as it was when I got to town in 1978, only it’s people my age and younger doing it — committing these heinous broadcasting crimes.”

Saying “it’s time to dial up the hatred,” Dahl called Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder “the world’s worst afternoon show,” and Steve Cochran a “f%*king dipshit,” among other things.

What set him off was a photograph posted on Marianne Murciano’s Facebook page of WGN employees assembled in front of the station for the dedication of Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes’ plaque on the WGN Walk of Fame. Kneeling front and center in the photo are deCastro and Todd Manley, vice president of content and programming.

“You know they’ve got that fake WGN Walk of Fame or whatever, which is classic Jim deCastro,” Dahl said. “I refuse to call him ‘Jimmy’ because he’s a grown man. It’s like the whole WGN staff out there. The great Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder, the world’s worst afternoon show. It’s to honor Pat Hughes, right? But he’s in the back row, and out in front is Jim deCastro, like posing. I wanted to write on Marianne’s post: ‘When did Jim deCastro announce for the Cubs?’ . . . That guy’s such a fu%*king glory hog."

Steve Cochran

On Sunday WGN Morning personality Steve Cochran reponded, asking "Why so bitter Steve? You had a nice run.  Enjoy your golden years."

The response came in an open letter, posted by Feder on Sunday.

Cochran urged to Dahl to "break out some old tapes and listen when Bill and Wendy were on your show.  You were occasionally funny then.
Or listen to how you sounded when you worked for deCastro (at WLUP)  because you certainly must know he didn’t need you . . . you needed him."

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