Jacobson To Join Roe Conn Show
The rumor has been floating around chat boards for a few weeks now, but the Sun-Times’ Lewis Lazare put it in print today. Amy Jacobson is set to join Roe Conn’s afternoon show on WLS-AM, which would mean that Christina Filiaggi would be edged out of the show, shuffled to the Mancow & Pat Cassidy show.
Jacobson has been filling in on WLS for the better part of the last year, most often on the Roe Conn Show. It’s not clear what Jacobson’s role on the show would be, given that Jim Johnson seems entrenched as the news anchor. Presumably WLS wouldn’t be paying Jacobson six figures to read traffic and laugh at Conn’s jokes.
The move would seem to edge out both Filiaggi and Bill Leff, whose role on the show has always been questionable. Since Garry Meier left the show in 2004, Conn has struggled to recapture the success that the duo had for much of their run. Initially, the show was rebuilt around Conn, with Johnson and Filiaggi as the supporting cast. In 2006, Bill Leff was added to the cast to provide a reliable punchline for the show. Unfortunately, Conn and Leff haven’t gelled in as well as had been hoped. Too often, Leff seems to disappear into the background when Conn gets on a roll.
Jacobson and Conn have developed solid chemistry during her fill-in stints. She brings both an intelligence and flirtatiousness that complement Conn’s style well. Filiaggi has never been able to provide much more than a reliable giggle and a wealth of drunken exploits to the show. She would perhaps fit in better on the Mancow & Pat Cassidy show. Right now, Maura Myles handles the news and traffic duties on that show, but she’s rarely utilized in any substantive way during the show.
In the end, a retooled Roe Conn Show with Amy Jacobson and Jim Johnson would seem to be an improvement. It’s unclear if adding Filiaggi to the Mancow & Pat Cassidy experiment would bring much-needed focus to the frenetic show.
In the end, it looks like both Bill Leff and Maura Myles could find themselves out of gigs, or at least in much reduced roles.
Sorry, Amy Jacobson is not funny her news reports are very monotone she doesnt belong in this business,
Ill take Christina or Bill anyday!
Oh yea find someone else to work with Roe
Another large programming mistake for WLS.. The person pulling the strings at this radio station is an idiot.. First they got of Jerry Agar for the 40 year old man child then after someone (I presume it was Roe) worked so hard to bring back Christina they are going to dump her for a dim blond with a checkered past… She needs to be on TV were the eye candy can be appreciated and those verbal flubs are overlooked because your looking at something else.. Not that Christina is a dog but she has a much better voice and delivery. I feel sorry for Bill Leff. He did comment that when they brought that idiot on to replace him at other stations he was fired shortly there after.
Someone needs to bring Agar back and put Maura back with him. They need to quit screwing with the Roe Conn show and fire the idiot who made all the changes in the first place. What a programming genius.. By the way Jerry was right… we did elect a socialist for President. Jerry should buy time on WLS and rub it in their faces.. Maybe he could go to WIND and stick it to them that way.. He needs to be on the air regularly some place in the Chicago market..
I just don’t understand….Christina has been with Roe a long time now. Yes,she had a limited role but she did it well. She was fun and whoever said their chemistry was off….well they are wrong they were great together. WLS management is making too many drastic changes. First Roe is off at 6…ya thanks…my ride home is not the same. Now the Christina thing…..generally people like what is familiar to to them and it is getting less and less familiar.
Christina was a 100 watt bulb as compared to a dim 25 watt for the blond. Eye candy is correct, I just wonder if other factors are in play…enough said on that track. Jacobson is not radio. I understand her need for a job but she just comes across as dull. I also agree with the earlier comments about Jerry and Maura. After the repeated Drew Petersen sensationalizing interviews I vowed to boycott the Mancow show. The evil of the world do not need air time.
I agree with any sentiment that rains on the re-assignment of Christin!
I LOVE her voice. I like Bill, I like Jim. Who is in charge? You don’t fix something that is not broken. I’m listening over the ‘net from Houston. I don’t know what Amy’s deal is, but she is NOT radio. Maybe when the ratings take a dive, the ‘brain-trust’ will put things back right!
John
Christina was ok. If Bill Leff is gone, good riddance. Nothing against him, but he didn’t fit in with his toys,comics, candy, and non-drinking. How can you be on the Roe Conn show and not have a sip from something on the canarble wagon.Love Jim! Agree with others on Amy Jacobson point. Roe’s problem is Roe. Waaaay too many interviews! Less audience interaction. The canarble wagon used to be more about canarbling and less about interviewing. Half the audience doesn’t know the people he’s interviewing, nor cares to know. His audience wants more of him, his relating to his listeners,his more conservative yet balanced opinions, his schtick and less of listening to him claw his way to national syndication. Love Roe, but do not love who he’s trying to be right now – the Oprah of talk radio.
I agree with what has been said about Amy. Her voice is monotone and annoying. She is NOT BRIGHT (and that is being kind). Her mispronunciations drive me crazy. Christina was OK and has a lovely voice. I say good riddance to Bill. He added nothing. I know what happened between Roe & Gary was not Roe’s fault, but that was a once in a lifetime pairing. When Roe went off on one of his know-it-all rants, Gary could bring him down to earth with one pointed comment. It was magic! They need to look for someone with that ability.
Amy Jacobson has done more for the Roe Conn show in one week than Christina did her entire time on the show. No offense to Christina, but the interviews that Amy secured MADE the show this week. By the way, Amy is a Phi Beta Kappa and incredibly intelligent. You will all see that Amy’s investigative reporting background will take Roe’s show to another level. Reading traffic and weather will be such a SMALL part of her involvement with the show in the future.
It’s interesting that Garry has found a gig on WGN 720 from 1 to 4, overlapping with Roe’s time slot. And now Jerry Agar is getting some air time on WGN, too. Seems like Maura’s weekend gig is gone now, are they getting ready to let her go, too?
I did like Christina, but I won’t miss her. I AM glad to see Bill Leff go — he was like a cardboard cutout. WLS in general is going down the tubes — I find myself switching to FM during all but Rush Limbaugh’s and Sean Hannity’s shows. Don Wade and Roma have become an interview show and Roe Conn is a putz without Garry Meier.
Looks like Roe has thrown another body under the bus. Always enjoyed Christine–her limited contributions normally created a smile. Amy will bolt to TV as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Way too many interviews–beginning to sound more like GN than LS. Interestingly, I now spend more time at 720 when Garry is broadcasting.
Good luck to Christina.
Lost interest in Roe a while ago
when Garry left and lucky us –
Garry’s back on WGN from 1 – 4pm.
and he and his group are fun and
all about Chicago. I never thought
would dump WLS for WGN but first
Garry and now Jerry on Saturday…
well it keeps getting better!
No more WLS for me. Mancow is loud and borish. Don Wade/Roma — way too many interviews and his/her response to President Obama – always negative never a positive thing to say (same with Mancow) – no matter what — how about some respect for the President of the United States!! Roe – again, too many “guests” and interviews — what happened to talking to/with the listeners.
The final straw — no more Christina — enough said — no more WLS for me.
How could WLS hire Amy Jacobson and dump Christina? Her voice is annoying, her credibility gone, no sense of humor and she has nothing to say. Roe & Christina had great chemistry and I love Jim Johnson. Maybe Christina didn’t stroke Roe’s ego as much as Amy???
Didn’t think anyone could take Garry’s place but Bill Leff was a very quick wit and complimented Roe beautifully. As far as the women go, the only one in Chicago with REAL lasting personality and a GREAT voice is Lise Dominique. Too pretty for radio but always a positive addition to a show!
I’ve already jumped ship from the Titanic WLS — Garry Meier’s on WGN 1-4!
I went on vacation in early May and ca,e back and Christina was simply “gone” from the Roe Conn show. If an explanantion was aired, I missed it. For two weeks I waited hoping Christina was just on vacation. Finally I figured out she was dumped. Pity! I really enjoyed the banter and Christina’s radio persona. I thought it worked well with Jim and Roe. Unfortunately Bill Leff seems like an after thought in the show. Dump Amy and Bill and bring back Christina!
Get rid of Mancow. What an idiot. Do you really think he adds some intelligence to our day? It’s insulting the way he interacts with Cassidy. He needs to grow up. Bring back Agar.
i am in total shock and disappointment that christine and bill leff gone from roe conn show!they were great! i will no longer be listening to roe conn show…i cant stand amy jacobson!what i noticed was the first time amy jacobson was first on show , roe changed, right on the air, he acted like a school boy trying to impress this dingy blonde,,, it was like his personality changed and whatever amy said was perfect but he started to get annoyed with christine and jim johnson and what they said,it was sooo obvious he was emamored with amy and it changed whole show….if i was roes wife i would look out for that amy , i wouldnt be surprized if roe conn was behind this, i cant stand her voice,she keeps interuppting roes interviews,if this really was a cut back due to finances then why did they just completely faze out christinas position then, they replaced her with this dumb blonde , i dont care if you have a degree some of the most educated people i know are book smart but soooo dumb no common sense!!!! i loved christines voice, i hate amy jacobsons voice,,,,i love bill leff he was so funny and i love jim johnson, and he has been given the snub from roe too…roe is too full of himself and arrogant , this is chicago where people are down to earth,,,thats why we live here stop trying to be like newyork and california people who think they are smart but not …i am writing a letter to wls and i hope other people will join me….i want the old roe conn and the old roe back and more phone calls from the public…we dont need anymore interview shows…we have cable internet etc…people crave for local talk and to be able to call a show and talk about local things
About half of the comments are right on the money. The common thread is that Amy Jacobson is a dud. She definitely has no voice for radio. That monotone is comparable to scratching fingernails on a blackboard. I remember her when she was on TV news. She’s actually pretty good as an “on the scene” reporter but she’s certainly no Cheryl Burton or Kathy Brock (eye candy nonetheless). The interaction between Christina, Roe, Bill, and Jim was what kept me tuning in every afternoon. Roe and Jim are not the same without the entire “team” in place. Amy adds nothing to the show. I can’t believe WLS management chose Amy over Christina. Roe’s show is doomed without the “team”. Dump Jacobson and bring back Christina for the sake of the ratings. Doesn’t WLS know that ratings equals money?
Amy Jacobson is unlistenable. Christina and Bill made a pleasant backdrop for Conn and Jim Johnson is the mainstay. Unfortunately I can’t bring myself to listen anymore Jacobson’s voice just irritates and Conn seems to be trying too hard.
You guys are all nuts. Amy Jacobson is the best thing to happen to the Roe Conn show. Christina did traffic and weather, that’s it. She didn’t bring ANYTHING else to the show. Bill Leff didn’t really talk much at all. Amy has been doing more than both of them combined by leveraging her investigative reporting skills to get guests on the show, and make the show so much more timely and relavant. She is incredibly smart and witty. The Roe Conn show is WAY better off with Amy Jacobson on the air.
Even if you don’t agree with my opinion about her on air abilities, you all need to take it easy on the personal attacks on her. Amy has gone through more undue public stress than most public figures in Chicago and quite frankly it was UNFAIR.
I have been listening to Roe for years, before Gary and when he was in the morning time slot and have seen a lot of changes. If he says “The Show of Record” one more time I’m going to have to call him. They’ve lost a lot of the humor and it’s really a shame. Its hard when things change, but I sincerely can not stand Amy – she is talking over Roe all the time and I find her very annoying. I am going to miss Christina a lot- maybe her role was limited but with her Bill, and Jim the combination could get rolling and they could make me laugh so hard I wanted to pull my car over. I think it should be a show that mixes humor with serious topics, like it did in the past, and enough interviews already – I agree. It’s not what I want to hear. I also don’t need an hour of sports talk on Friday afternoons.
I am not happy with Amy Jacobson at all as a replacement for Christina and Bill Leff. I was waiting for Christina to come back, then realized Amy was here to stay. I liked Bill Leff, but he didn’t really say much with Roe. However, he did do a good job on his own when Roe was on vacation. The chemistry worked between Roe, Bill, Jim, and Christina. Yes, the Christina “wild woman” jokes were getting old…however, they were way more tolerable than listening to Amy Jacobson’s lackluster voice. Amy is a good reporter and I was sorry to see that she was forced to leave TV. If she leaves WLS (which I hope will be soon), I will not be sorry. I want to be entertained after I leave work. I liked the old Roe Conn show. I like Roe Conn…but something is MISSING. I may have to look elsewhere.
Manblow and Cassidy: Do they run a show, or a non-stop commercial break with commentary in between?
Roe Conn Show: He’s actually alright, I thought Bill Leff was at his best when RC was on the show, horrible running the gig on his own. Filiagi’s on traffic was fine, Filiagi’s drunk sorority girl bit grated on my nerves. Move on CF, you’re like 80 or something.
Jacobsen, heard her on the show trying to get into the comedy act with Roe, sounded very unnatural, she often stole his lines, lol.
Siraaj
Here we go again…
I miss Christina. I thought it was a raw deal when they let her go the first time. I thought breaking up Roe and Garry was a huge mistake. Roe was alright, but he never seemed to capture the same magic that the Roe & Garry Show had, with Jim Johnson doing the Wisconsin Report and the news, and Christina doing the traffic and weather.
The Roe Show with Roe, Jim, Bill, and Christina was solidly good – not great, but good enough.
I miss Jerry Agar’s show, and the Jay & Eileen show with Cisco Cotto.
I guess this just means more channel surfing down the dial. 560 WIND and 720 WGN have gotten better, at the expense of 890 WLS. No doubt about it.
I don’t mind Amy Jacobson, and what she brings to the table. Bill Leff never seemed too comfortable, and it took a while for him to come out of his shell, but he was alright. He could even host the show, while Roe was out, but the show was never exciting or hilarious. Roe & Garry always had the best chemistry.
I got fed up with all the commericals and interviews on Don & Roma’s show. I listen to Big John Howell and Cisco Cotto.
Erich “Mancow” Muller and Pat Cassidy?! At first it was the whole train wreck syndrome that kept my attention. Then, I realized that I could tolerate them… only because there are many times when Dennis Miller and Sal (David Weiss) seem to excel at extreme arcane boredom.
When the Roe show is “meh” Michael Medved is a good standby… but I’m willing to give Garry another go.
Oh, I am so glad that there are others who feel the same way. I used to listen to the show for pure laughter and the sophomorish chemistry between everyone. I used to get an interesting view on the city of Chicago that I enjoyed. “The Show of Record?” WLS is trying to be a news-maker instead of reporting the news, as evidenced by their stunts with Blagojevich and waterboarding. But the only “Record” that appears to matter is that which chronicles Drew Peterson, Roland Burris or Rod Blagojevich.
And Jacobson…her on-air personality is boorish, boring, self-pitying, and too flirty with any of her interviews. Add the fact that she cannot read to this picture.
The only good time for me to listen is when Majers and Roe are talking back and forth. Jacobson is nowhere to be heard. I used to look forward to the entire show, and now I find myself turning off the radio. There are no more belly-laughs and I am sad that a staple during my drive time go downhill.
who is dorothy flexit(spelling). her voice is most irritating.wls don wade and roma show would be better off without her for the news,weather and traffic report.
Went on vacation for a few weeks then came back home & turned on the radio the next day. I had the Roe Conn show on and thought wow it’s kinda boring today. What’s up? Then I discovered the changes. Tried listening a few times after that but it’s just not that entertaining any more. Rather listen to my iTunes.
They really had something there. I suppose they’ll be able to coast on their past ratings for awhile until folks just get tired of it. The show used to be funny. It’s not funny now.
This show nows sounds like every other one out there.
I’ve listened to Roe for YEARS – since the beginning. Will schedule my day to listen at 3:00 for Roe and Ron Magers – they’re great together. Garry is on WGN and bores me to death – he was a snake when it comes to Roe’s show and Steve’s show – was not an honest person. I loved Christina and Bill – seemed like really good people and fun!! I’m afraid Roe’s going to do himself in – I love his commentaries (he’s very bright)- do not care for the charactures, etc.
Over the last month or so in particular, the new line up is coming together. At first I was a little sceptical because of the major changes, and quite frankly Roe, Jim, and Amy needed a little getting used to one another. But in the last month, I have noticed a much better repour with the three.
One of the things I like the most is when Roe and Amy go at it on the air. Amy seems like she will take an opposing view to Roe, just to get him going. I laugh out loud when she gets under Roe’s skin. I loved how she took Patti Blago’s side which made Roe crazy, as well as recently being forgiving and sympathetic of Michael Vicks situation and Roe keeps buzzing Amy as being wrong. THAT is fun and good radio.
I have been following some of the blogs on this site, facebook and on other sights that are saying how everyone misses the old line up and giving Amy a hard time, but the bottom line in my opinion, is the show upgraded in a big way. Amy is intelligent, strong, opinionated, and funny. Before, no one really stood up to Roe (Bill and Christina were “YES MEN” in my opinion). Amy tells it like she sees it and it makes for interesting radio.
Also, the new format has allowed Jim to have more space to interact. I didn’t realize how funny he is until that last month or so.
Give this format a chance. Jim and Amy are GREAT. Roe is a unique talent and the three of them combined will be a strong team for a long long time assuming Roe stays at WLS.
Frank
Frank, I keep waiting for all the extra stuff Amy Jacobson is going to bring to the show, but I just don’t hear it.
In part that’s due to the show’s format, which doesn’t really allow time for her to do extended interviews or investigative work. If that was her priority for radio, she would have been better served at NPR or even WBBM.
But at the same time, she’s not helping her case when she constantly flubs on news or traffic reads as if she’s never seen the material before she reads it live on air. It makes the entire show– and her in particular– sound unprofessional, distracted, and unprepared.
Yes, maybe she could do more for the show if given the opportunity. But why would you give her that opportunity when she can’t or won’t handle her current responsibilities professionally?
(Amy, if you happen to read this, FYI: I-94 and I-294 are two different highways. Only one of them is the Edens.)
Yes! I have to concur… WLS is F’n up big-time! Amy Jacobson??? really??? Sorry Amy, but you suck on the radio. Somone should be fired for these rash of screw-ups at WLS or just keep losing listeners! Christina – much, much more entertaining…end of story, no comparison!
I used to drive around and happily listen to Roe & Garry and then just Roe. The Jim-isms are always a hoot and then there was always Christina with a perfect radio voice. What happened? Amy puts me to sleep with her awful voice and flubs. My insurance company banns sleeping behind the wheel. Clearly, Amy is in the news business because of her looks. WLS – get a clue. You need someone with a good voice and who can clearly read their content; it is radio after all.
I loved listening to Garry and Roe….they were great together and made me laugh hysterically. Roe on his own is great too but I would much rather have Christina on the show with him rather than Amy. I enjoyed the banter Roe and Christina had. I agree with too many interviews…the show doesn’t entertain me like it used to.
christina was unprofessional amy is worst best combo garry & roe
I absolutely loved it when Roe and Gary were together with Jim and Christina. Once Gary left the show it did create a void but then I feel it seemed to increase the role that Jim and Christina had on the show and it worked beautifully! Talk about chemistry! Bill was a nice guy but I didn’t feel he added anything to the show so I haven’t missed him in the least. But trading Christina for Amy – really!!! What are they thinking!! The trio of Roe, Jim and Christina should not have been messed with!
I agree with most of the comments here. I thought Gary and Roe was excellent and felt there was something missing when Gary left.
Jim stepped up a bit and funny along with Roe; however, I think the management didn’t want to give Jim too much airtime.
Bill actually sounded alot like Roe when Roe is a bit calmer on his mellow days; and I thought Bill did an OK job when Roe was on vacation. Bill sounds like an intelligent guy that could contribute a bit more to the show; but again, the management wanted to tone him down a bit.
As for Christina, even though she doesn’t speak much, her presence brings a softness to the testerones-filled air. It was great.
Amy (although she sounded intelligent) just does not have the chemistry with Roe and Jim. She sounded like an acquaintance with the group and most of the time, sounded like she has to make some comments every now and then.
Her traffic report was horrible. It sounded like a high school girl on her first day on the radio.
Christina is Baccckkkk!!!!!!!!
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