The Garry Meier of 1979 would probably find it amusing that the Garry Meier of 2009 has just been named the afternoon host on WGN-AM. For so many years, Meier and partner Steve Dahl mocked WGN, its personalities, and all that it represented in Chicago broadcasting. Now, after so many years, Meier will be holding court each afternoon from 1-4pm when the Cubs aren’t playing.

WGN released a press release announcing the move today:

“We would have announced this yesterday, but… April Fool’s Day? No one would have believed it. We’re delighted Garry has agreed to bring his game-changing talent to WGN Radio” said WGN Radio Program Director Kevin Metheny.

The move marks another chapter in the often tumultuous career of Meier. In 1993, Meier and Dahl split-up after nearly fourteen years together, after a messy breakdown. Meier then spent nearly nine years partnered with Roe Conn on WLS-AM until 2004, when a contract dispute resulted in another nasty break-up with Conn. Meier remained off the air until 2007, when he took a gig on the late WCKG-FM, which lasted all of seven months, until the station flipped formats.

Meier had auditioned for the WGN job last month, and his performance was widely praised by casual fans and industry observers. A stretch of several weeks went by without a formal announcement from WGN. Some speculated that Meier’s agent and wife Cindy Meier may have been once again sidetracking his career by needlessly prolonging the negotiating process.

Friday will be Meier’s first day on the air. While he assumes the role with high expectations, there are some legitimate doubts as to whether Meier will be able to carry a show by himself. Most of his career, and nearly all of his success, has come from his pairing with strong partners, like Dahl and Conn.

Additionally, Meier will be competing head-to-head for two of his three hours with Conn, whose show on WLS continues to rebound from a recent dismal stretch. Conn will reportedly add from Ch. 5 reporter Amy Jacobson to his show in the coming weeks, presumably in an attempt to bolster the show’s ratings and blunt any impact that Meier’s return may have.

In the end, though, Meier’s biggest challenge may be his new station’s reputation as a stodgy, graying relic that has never been hip, and whose best days are far behind it. Meier will certainly bring an edge to WGN that’s rarely been heard on the sleepy heritage station. The real question is whether all of Garry’s listeners who snickered and laughed along with Garry so many years ago when he poked fun at the stuffy WGN will now be joining him there.