Chicago Radio: Mancow To EXIT Talk WLS-AM

Marv Nyran, VP and Market Manager for Cumulus Media has confirmed that morning shot Mancow Muller will be departing the air at Talk WLS 890 AM.  His last day is November 25. 

The station plans on using fill-in hosts until of permanent host is named.

Chicago media watcher Robert Feder was first to report of Mancow's departure. Feder reports Mancow was tired of doing “radio without joy” during a pandemic.

“Much of the enjoyment I had left doing radio has been sucked out of it,” Muller, 54, said Monday. 

“Alone in an office building with no guests and endless rules is not my idea of a creative process. . . . For me, no interaction has been the radio kiss of death. Talking during this political season and hearing endless tales of woe from my listeners has been radio without joy.”

“Mancow has done everything we asked him to do,” said Nyren, noting their warm and cordial relationship this time around. “It’s been a gem for two years.”

According to Feder, Muller has been a controversial figure on the local media scene since he arrived 26 years ago from San Francisco to host mornings on the former WRCX. His radio odyssey has taken him to Q101, WLS, The Loop and Talk Radio Network. In an earlier run at WLS, Muller co-hosted middays with Pat Cassidy from 2008 to 2010.

As for his future, Muller said he and his agent, Steve Mandell, are considering radio and podcast opportunities, but he may take a break before deciding his next move.