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RSS icon Comments on Ken Vincent Quit KUOW

1

Interesting. It's not like their funding decisions caused any on-air personalities to commit suicide, after all ...

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 20, 2007 11:42 AM
2

Hasn't KUOW been having various problems over the past few years? I can not say this is shocking, the quality of the news reporting has really gone downhill in Public Radio the last few years. (ie lots of fluff stories and not much substance)

I just wish we had BBC on regular cable.... *sigh*

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | August 20, 2007 11:52 AM
3

Ask your news intern for the dirt! Hasn't she been spending her early morning summer vacation hours hanging around the KUOW studio?

Posted by curious | August 20, 2007 11:54 AM
4

Why is it that Ken Vincent quits, but Steve Scher stays on? The universe just isn't fair...

Posted by bma | August 20, 2007 12:10 PM
5

KUOW did not cause Cynthia Doyon to commit suicide, Will, and it's nasty of you to suggest otherwise.

Posted by Fnarf | August 20, 2007 12:11 PM
6

sounds like jeff hanson is a dick.

Posted by maxsolomon | August 20, 2007 1:02 PM
7

but why oh why do they keep "the conversation" on???

Posted by dhr | August 20, 2007 1:44 PM
8

@5 - hey, it's not like the UW is murder and suicide central.

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 20, 2007 2:43 PM
9

DAMN, I'm pissed! There goes the Ken Vincent Christmas Show which has been an institution at KUOW for years; I always looked forward to his Christmas show. I also loved when he filled in for "The Swing Years". Ken, if you're reading this, thank you for your professionalism and dedication -- you will be sorely missed!! I recall Jeff Hanson was recently on the air answering questions from listeners and I got the impression he sounds like a whiny, spineless, indifferent, corporate "yes-man" who couldn't care less about the listeners, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he is one big dick!

Posted by Mr. E | August 20, 2007 2:44 PM
10

DAMN, I'm pissed! There goes the Ken Vincent Christmas Show which has been an institution at KUOW for years; I always looked forward to his Christmas show. I also loved when he filled in for "The Swing Years". Ken, if you're reading this, thank you for your professionalism and dedication -- you will be sorely missed!! I recall Jeff Hanson was recently on the air answering questions from listeners and I got the impression he sounds like a whiny, spineless, indifferent, corporate "yes-man" who couldn't care less about the listeners, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he is one big dick!

Posted by Mr. E | August 20, 2007 2:48 PM
11

OK, so Ken doesn't like Jeff Hansen. But he's been sharing the same workplace for seven years.

So what's the dish on the camel's-back-breaker that would cause Ken to just up and quit after all this time?

Posted by N in Seattle | August 20, 2007 3:16 PM
12

OK, so Ken doesn't like Jeff Hansen. But he's been sharing the same workplace for seven years.

So what's the dish on the camel's-back-breaker that would cause Ken to just up and quit after all this time?

Posted by N in Seattle | August 20, 2007 3:21 PM
13

Damn comment interface. At least I only said it twice...

Posted by N in Seattle | August 20, 2007 3:42 PM
14

Never could stand the guy's voice.

Posted by homage to me | August 20, 2007 4:28 PM
15

I think Ken Vincents a P-I-M-P! His voice was like butter to me, accompanied me on many drives and always sounded legitimately sad when commenting on the Mariners losing streaks or Sonics woe....Long Live KV!!!!

Posted by JH | August 20, 2007 9:32 PM
16

Ken, I'm really going to miss you. I hope you see this.

Posted by Deacon Seattle | August 20, 2007 11:03 PM
17

I loved his voice, loved his personality, loved the oddball choices he'd make for The Swing Years. We'll miss you, Ken.

I've traded emails with Jeff Hansen and don't think much of him, one way or the other. He puts on this air of being powerless, but I think he just makes poor decisions and then refuses to take responsibility for them. But the people who work at KUOW would know better than me.

Posted by Sky Bluesky | August 21, 2007 2:08 PM
18

I loved his voice, loved his personality, loved the oddball choices he'd make for The Swing Years. We'll miss you, Ken.

I've traded emails with Jeff Hansen and don't think much of him, one way or the other. He puts on this air of being powerless, but I think he just makes poor decisions and then refuses to take responsibility for them. But the people who work at KUOW would know better than me.

Posted by Sky Bluesky | August 21, 2007 2:13 PM
19

Stupid comment interface.

Posted by Sky Bluesky | August 21, 2007 2:16 PM
20

Geez people.... Get over it. Here is a guy that when I interned at KUOW and worked the pledge drive dropped F bombs and had hissy fits in front of staff and volunteers. Truth is this is the SECOND time he has quit the station. In the time I dealt with him he was OK but a bit on the dramatic side and yes I am a gay male.

The thing you learn in life that as much as we hate to admit it we are ALL replacable. Being around this guy showed me that if anyone with a brain thinks K Vincent did his schtick for the listeners needs to do a brain check. Please wake up people You have a great resource in KUOW in this great northwest and the sun will come up tomorrow and it's all going to be OK. DO NOT believe the hype.

Posted by Johnathon | August 21, 2007 3:03 PM
21

I can't believe people liked his voice. He was the biggest stammerer over there. Couldn't get the time and weather out without uhh-ing and err-ing. He may have been a good news guy, but I've been praying for the day I didn't have to listen to him. Give me Sarah Lerner any day.

Posted by archerylace | August 21, 2007 4:57 PM
22

He did stammer. A lot. Hated it.

But his music choices where always top notch. I will miss them.

Posted by lyulyok | August 21, 2007 8:54 PM
23

How does Ross Renyolds still have his awful show!!
He blows!

Posted by john | August 21, 2007 9:48 PM
24

I will miss Ken. He brought life to the shows he was on. I loved the way he would tie the regional weather together - like the harbors; Grey's Harbor, Oak Harbor, Gig Harbor ....

And I agree Mr. E. When Jeff was on the air he was completly un responsive to the listners. I got the impression that - this is what I am doing, if you don't like it, too bad. Jeff Hanson has got to go.

Posted by Mark | August 22, 2007 10:02 AM
25

*opens nearby window and screams "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore."*

Ah, that feels much better.

Posted by CheshireK | August 22, 2007 10:29 AM
26

To Fnarf: Do you have info about Cynthia Doyon you could share with the rest of us? I remember reading about her suicide in the Seattle Times (her brother was quoted as saying she had been despondent over her future and finances and was discouraged that her radio career had stalled). I wondered then what role Jeff Hansen might have played in this unfortunate turn of events.

Speaking of Jeff Hansen, it should be remembered that he was instrumental in getting Bob Edwards booted from "Morning Edition," which Edwards had hosted for almost 25 years. Edwards was replaced just when spring pledge drives were starting at stations around the country, making Hansen less than popular with some NPR station managers.

Posted by Nic Brodeur | August 22, 2007 12:41 PM
27

The comments above are why blogs at there best can be GREAT sources of information (not in this case) or big piles of out loud thoughts that need a filter th size of a Princess cruise ship(This case)... To even remotely suggest Jeff had anything to do with Cynthia's suicide is not only irresponsible but fucking stupid!! Please please think before you peck...

Secondly Bob Edwards was OLD and tired and talk about a bitter man. He and Ken V should have coffee tommorow. I KNOW for a fact he had zero to do with his exit. It was OVER. Where the heck do you get your info (oh I am sorry you already have the Jeff suicide theory bottled and ready for production)? Probably from the 8 ball in the UPTOWN ESPRESSO in lower Queen Anne.

Read the Stranger Article. Oh yes .... The land of the self absorbed. Remember you are a PUBLIC radio station. This is not Mountain (Thank goodness).

Posted by John | August 22, 2007 3:24 PM
28

John, I repeat the question I put originally to Fnarf: Do you have info about Cynthia Doyon and her employment at KUOW that you can share with the rest of us? Facts instead of bluster, that is. I invite you to read the Seattle Times story that originally raised questions in my mind. Go to http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=doyon07m&date=20030807&query=Cynthia+Doyon

As far as linking Jeff Hansen to Bob Edwards' ouster, I refer you to a story in the March 30, 2004, New York Times, headlined "NPR Stations Had Pushed For Change." If Hansen had nothing to do with the matter, he must have been more than a little surprised to receive a call from the New York Times for a statement on behalf of NPR stations pushing for Edwards' removal. Read the story at
http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F40715FD34540C738FDDAA0894DC404482

In the interest of full disclosure, assure us that yours is more than naked special pleading, as your fervid tone might indicate. Are you a friend of Hansen, whom you openly refer to as "Jeff?" Is that why you KNOW he had nothing to do with Edwards' removal? Have you ever been employed by KUOW?

In the interest of full disclosure, I assure you that I have no current or past connection with KUOW, Jeff Hansen, or any KUOW employee.

Posted by Nic Brodeur | August 22, 2007 8:15 PM
29

Dearest Nick,

NO...NO.. and NO...Yes I read the article..... NPR ASKED stations what they thought and yes they gave input but no do I think he really had alot to do with getting rid of Bob Edwards..... IN the big blue marbel...NO.... As far as Cindy goes again I have also read that article and again do you blame a driver when they cut you off and you get out of a car and beat the crap out of them. Yes they cut you off but at the end of the day you committed the act. Again read what you wrote and connect the dots.

This whole thing is a classic example of suits vs. workers. KUOW's success is because of BOTH people. It's not because of ONLY the on air and let me tell you it's sure as heck NOT only because of management. My analogy would be that of a little station that has become a power house (see ratings book) and you are going to have obvious conflict especially between people that have been there a long time.

To take this a step further YES I have worked in public radio but not in Seattle. That being said I will tell you that KUOW has more public programming (I believe this would mean these reporters have jobs because of that) than alot of other NPR type stations I have ever listened to. Of course things have changed over the years at KUOW but c'mon.. They are not the little engine that could anymore.

Your other question...God no I do not know Jeff. Honest truth I have emailed hm before and did hear the on air and the honest truth is he is Seattle. A card carrying member of the "too cool for school" club! SO flipin what. Overall think he has done a decent job.

My overall point with this way too long blabbering is at the end of the day Ken Vincent wants to be a martyr. He is not. He did a good job and will be missed but life goes on and I will say it again. Your emails sound like conspiracy theorist crap. People make decisions everyday based on their surroundings. He made a decision and now he can go find a job in the real world and see if he can handle it. Be careful what you ask for because you might get it.

Posted by john | August 23, 2007 7:46 AM
30

I'll miss Ken's irreverent musical interludes. My favorite was playing Send in the Clowns, when Mayor Paul Shell was being interviewed.
Hope to hear you again soon

Dave Th.

Posted by Dave | August 23, 2007 11:48 AM
31

John, sifting through the prolixity of your latest entry, I can only conclude that you know nothing about Cynthia (not "Cindy," as you write) Doyon and her employment at KUOW. I don't either, other than what I read years ago in the Seattle Times story I referenced above. It was that story (particularly her brother's remarks) which raised a question in my mind that remains unanswered to this day. When entering this blog, I hoped to have that question answered one way or the other (silly me, I see in retrospect). In fact, it was Will's allegation at the start of this blog that even brought the question to mind again.

You aver, without evidence, that the New York Times version of the Edwards brouhaha is wrong. Has the Times ever been wrong? You bet, most spectacularly in the run-up to the Iraq invasion. But am I to believe you instead? I don't think so, not when you have repeatedly misconstrued my own words and widened their scope into something I don't recognize. Maybe you shouldn't be so eager to connect those dots you like to talk about.

Your credibility is also put into question by asserting on the one hand that you have no connection to KUOW and Jeff Hansen while, on the other hand, sporting a hip, insider knowledge of goings on at the station. As an outsider, how can you flatly assert that this is merely a "classic example of suits vs. workers?" For someone who has merely e-mailed Hansen, how do you know he is a "card carrying member of the 'too cool for school' club?" As someone who presumably has never met him, how do you know that "Ken Vincent wants to be a martyr?"

And your metaphors! It seems that you labor under the misapprehension that metaphors constitute proof. It was the Irish wit John Curran who confessed, "When I can't talk sense, I talk metaphor."

Posted by Nic Brodeur | August 23, 2007 5:45 PM
32

Nik,

No for the last time I am not some whacko insider at KUOW.. For gosh man..... Read Ken Vincent's blog and make your own opinion as far as the martyr thing. As far as Cynthia goes I again think it's incredibly stupid to take an article and even suggest something was there. That's all. As far as Jeff goes it was not from email but when I heard him on the air and again it was what I heard. I could be totally wrong which is fine.

Finally concerning the NY Times article. My point was (I apologize if it stated wrong) I am sure they asked him and he said yes if you want to go in a different direction then so be it. To say he was instrumental in firing Bob Edward's is a bit dramatic.

Finally this will be fish wrap next week. Life goes on I am sure Ken will find a much higher paying job with less work involved in corporate america but what do I know.. OK... Enough already.... Thanks for the soapbox...

Posted by john | August 23, 2007 8:43 PM
33

Metaphors be with you.

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34

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