A couple of things from Julie Washington’s keyboard at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, as seen in the newspaper’s “Entertainment Weblog”:
ROBIN’S BACK?: Popular Cleveland radio/TV host – and OMW reader – Robin Swoboda may be back on your TV screen before too long.
Both Swoboda and WJW/8 president/GM Mike Renda admit to Washington that the station is talking with the former “NewsCenter 8” anchor about returning to Channel 8, this time as part of a local mid-morning show of further unknown nature.
Swoboda is one of Northeast Ohio’s most popular media personalities, best known for her time next to Tim Taylor on the WJW news set in the 80’s and 90’s.
Her most recent media gig locally was as morning co-host at Salem CCM WFHM/95.5 “The Fish”. She left the job citing the need to spend more time with her family – Swoboda is married to former Browns punter Bryan Wagner, and the couple has children.
That’s where OMW comes in…as Swoboda found our item about her departure from “The Fish” and confirmed it right here on your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm). Robin, if you’re out there reading, still…feel free to confirm it when you finally do reach an agreement with FOX 8, OK?
The mid-morning TV show would presumably be much more “family friendly” schedule-wise than a morning drive radio show…
JAVA START: Washington also answers a question we had…about when incoming WAKS/96.5 “Kiss FM” personality “Java Joel” Murphy starts in nights at the Clear Channel Cleveland top 40 outlet.
“Early September” is the given start date for Murphy’s new locally-originated show, which will air in the same time slot his voicetracked show from Chicago once aired in.
Washington correctly quotes WAKS PD Bo Matthews on Mr. Murphy’s physical presence at the CC World Domination HQ on Oak Tree starting next month.
“Java Joel” has been heard in Montreal, where his voice has been heard on top 40 outlet WYUL/94.7 Chateaugay NY, the English-language top 40 rimshot known as “Hits FM”.
Thanks to a note from an OMW reader (see comments here), we’re not sure WHERE Murphy has been doing that show. We’re told he may actually have moved back to upstate New York, not that awful far from Montreal.
It makes sense to us, since it’s actually his hometown area. He grew up in the small upstate New York town of Massena, which is one of the locations “Hits FM” owner Martz Communications broadcasts from.
Matthews – at least in Ms. Washington’s item – indicates that Joel will continue to do that Montreal show…voicetracked out of Cleveland.
More importantly, it would seem to us that a number of CC top 40 outlets will call for his VT services at some point after he lands in Cleveland…
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