"The Frank Show" on KLPX 96.1-FM made for some particularly entertaining radio Jan. 28, when host Frank Brinsley said he was battling management over his contract.
Brinsley told listeners he'd barricaded himself in the studio, refusing to leave until management gave in to his unspecified demands. He played Temple of the Dogs' "Hunger Strike" on a repeating loop from 10 a.m., when his show was scheduled to end, until noon, stopping only for commercial breaks.
Brinsley complained about being deceived and mistreated by his bosses and claimed he would go on a hunger strike until Jan. 31, when his contract was set to expire, after which he'd set himself on fire.
Some listeners called in to voice their support, while others asked if he was doing a bit as a ratings stunt. Brinsley vehemently denied such accusations on-air.
People are also reading…
His boss, Arizona Lotus General Manager Steve Groesbeck, said while the company and Brinsley were undergoing contract negotiations, Brinsley's protest was, in fact, a fake radio bit.
"That was theater of the mind," Groesbeck said.
Reached Monday on Facebook, Brinsley said that while the event was staged, his issues with his contract were genuine. He said he expected to have a new contract in place by the end of the week.
KOLD WANTS TO BE YOUR NEIGHBOR
In an effort to buff up its website with more neighborhood news, KOLD.com launched a sidebar called "In Your Neighborhood" that feeds hyper-local news to readers after they select one of 17 regions.
KOLD Vice President and General Manager Debbie Bush said the contributors are unpaid freelancers who want to spread breaking news to their communities.
"As you know, there are a lot of tips and good stories that don't get the coverage on our newscast or our main website," Bush said via e-mail. "This is where someone can share information with other people in their neighborhood. A new restaurant opening . . . for that neighborhood, it's huge."
JUSTICE UNDERGOES SURGERY, LEAVES AIR FOR A WEEK
After suffering an infected hematoma and checking into Oro Valley Hospital Jan. 29 to have it removed, KQTH 104.1-FM host Jon Justice was off the air this last week. Guest hosts filled in for him.
Justice graphically kept fans updated on his status via Twitter, and called into his own show Monday to let listeners know what was going on. He's expected back on-air Monday, said Julie Brinks, vice president of Journal Broadcast Group's Tucson operations.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
New Tucson lounge to embrace dark and cozy
