As Kevin Lowe likes to say, expect the unexpected. I’m guessing that having Bob Stauffer return to TEAM 1260 with a two-hour radio show dedicated to the Edmonton Oilers ranks right up there with Mike Comrie signing on for a second tour in the City of Champions.
While the latter is a work in progress, the former — a possibility I wrote about June 13 — is officially a go, as first reported by Jason Gregor this morning. The Oilers, 630 CHED and TEAM 1260 will announce the launch of Oilers Lunch with Bob Stauffer on TEAM 1260 Tuesday morning.
Stauffer, who left his popular drive-time show, Total Sports, after five years last summer to join 630 CHED as colour analyst alongside Rod Phillips, will continue his game night duties on Oilers broadcasts home and away while doing the two-hour Oilers Lunch on TEAM 1260 Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Are you thinking WTF? Are you wondering how Bombastic Bob can wear two hats and work for both stations? Are you expecting a diet of Bob Lite for Oilers Lunch?
Selling the brands
The way I see it, having Stauffer work the microphone for two stations is a slam-dunk win for both outfits, the Oilers and, most important, listeners of sports radio in town.
— Owner Daryl Katz wants more exposure for the Oilers brand, and this provides that. CHED, the rights holder with the bigger numbers, keeps those rights and provides fans the total package — pre-game show, game presentation and post-game show — on game nights.
— TEAM 1260 welcomes back a host who produced the best numbers the station has ever had in the drive-time slot. Say what you want about Stauffer, he draws a crowd. In the 1 p.m.-3 p.m. slot, he’ll not only give 1260 a boost in that segment of the afternoon, he’ll provide an excellent lead-in to Jason Gregor’s Just A Game, which has been staking out its own audience since taking over from Total Sports.
— Listeners who suggest Stauffer’s bite has been somewhat muzzled since moving over to 630 CHED — something that comes with being the rights holder — will again get his take on things, and I’m betting you’ll be surprised how edgy it’ll be.
— Like I wrote in June, having two strong stations on the airwaves that are loaded with Oiler content is better than having just one. CHED will remain the big dog, but having TEAM 1260 close the ratings gap in the time slots involving the Oilers will keep both sharp, no?
Tell it like it is
So, is Stauffer going to be throwing underhand on Oilers Lunch like he does on broadcast nights with 630 CHED?
I don’t think so, and if you’ve been paying attention to game night broadcasts, I think you’ll agree Phillips and Stauffer play it more down the middle and are more critical of the Oilers than any other broadcast tandem in the NHL. At least that’s the way I see it.
Granted, Stauffer doesn’t rant and rave on CHED broadcasts like he did on Total Sports, and he’s lost his most reliable material with the departure of Craig MacTavish, but game nights are a different gig.
My best guess is Stauffer will have plenty of latitude to call it like he sees it on Oilers Lunch, and that he’ll do exactly that. Anything less will defeat the purpose of this uncommon set-up.
Stay tuned.
— Listen to Robin Brownlee every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Just A Game with Jason Gregor on Team 1260.
Robin would you considered teaming up with Bobby like Spector did in the early days? One of the reasons I have the utmost respect for Stauffer as a broadcaster is humility.
During his Total Sports years, he always brought up the point the reason he got Spector as his original co-host was because they have very opposite viewpoints. Which he felt made for more entertaining radio than listening to the pontifications of Bob. And he was absolutely right.
As for Quicksilver Ballet's concern about a ineffective Stauffer because he's on the Oil's payroll – catch on Tenser's CHED evening show. Last season, he wasn't the bombastic Bob who consistently ragged on McT. But he wasn't kissing McT's butt either.
If anything, Bob probably influence Tenser to grow a pair and actually start criticizing the Oilers. Previous to last season, it was like pulling team to get Tenser to say a negative thing about the Oilers, no matter how badly they were playing.
Any update on the Comrie situatuin?
Wow my fingers are too fat for my blackberry….situation*
KenL wrote:
Yes, absolutely.
Bob gave me my first radio chance in this market because, despite my lack of polish in terms of on-air delivery, he wanted somebody who knew what was going on. I always hoped to do more the first time around, but Bob was looking for as many voices as possible, so I was mostly one day a week like Spector and Rishaug etc. Bob and I aren't dimatrically opposed in terms of how we see the game, but there's enough real difference there to keep things buzzing without phony debates.
I've got to say, I'm very happy with the fit I've found with Gregor and I hope to continue with him. At the same time, I'd welcome a chance to co-host with Bob on his new show.
In short, when I'm not writing here, I'd like to do as much radio as I can. Newspapers are shrinking, and they just aren't taking on higher-salaried 25-year guys like myself.
Robin Brownlee wrote:
I love it when I make up a new word. Edit button, please.
Back to KenL: I'm glad you'e noticed Bob doesn't just lob softballs on the CHED broadcast because that isn't true. Like I said before, it's not grind, grind, grind criticism day after day like in the days of TOTAL SPORTS, but it wasn't all fartcatching either.
Anybody with half-o-clue about the CHED gig knows it's not realistic to have somebody on there hammering the Oilers at every opportunity. That doesn't happen on any broadcast across the league.
But there is room for criticism and debate by somebody connected to the team and that's what I think Stauffer will deliver. Fans here aren't stupid — pretending all is rosy when it's clearly not won't sell. Telling it like it is always does.
Robin Brownlee wrote:
I'd second that. The chemistry is obvious. Makes Thursdays JAG a must catch segment. The way you guys go at it sometimes just cracks me up. Excellent perspectives too.
Have to say i'm really looking forward to having hockey rule the airwaves weekdays from 1-6pm. No such thing as too much hockey talk during the season, maybe Bob will incorperate the odd on-air shouting match.
Contrary to what Robin thinks i still feel he has enough of a network/sources to do well at 1260 and carry his own segment. Whether he does or not, i guess either way he's right.
It would be awesome if The Stauff could have a segment once in while with Ken Reid or Terry Ryan again, reminiscent of the old trainwreck tuesdays. those were always entertaining
Why don't they call it " The Flintstone " with Fred and Brownlee?
Clarence wrote:
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah . . .hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ….hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaahahahahaahha . . .
Yeh, why don't they?
Fabulous news!
Jim Rome is a 3 hour show, it wouldn't work if you had just 2 hours of it. Ever since the radio station started the 1-3 hour was terrible. Until Stauffer went 3-6 the 3-4 hour stunk too. Joining American programming & listening to NCAA sports, MLB or NFL is tough on my ears.
I think this will boost the radio stations numbers next time around. Plus give all of us quality programming.
HERE'S THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT . . .
'OILERS LUNCH' WITH BOB STAUFFER HITS THE AIRWAVES THURSDAY
Edmonton, Alberta – The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club today announced a new daily radio show which will be hosted by the Oilers Radio Network Color Commentator Bob Stauffer. Oilers Lunch with Bob Stauffer will air weekdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (MT) on The Team 1260 in Edmonton beginning this Thursday.
Oilers Lunch with Bob Stauffer will provide timely and topical Oilers and NHL discussion daily, and will feature guests from around the world of hockey. The show will also include content on Edmonton’s other major sports teams, including the Oil Kings and Capitals.
“This is pretty unique. There is no question Bob has a gift for engaging Oilers fans and hockey fans through radio,” said Oilers Vice President of Broadcast and Communications, Allan Watt. “He is in contact with the most dedicated Oilers fans during every broadcast of our games on the Oilers Radio Network. Now we have expanded the ability to communicate with Oiler faithful and provide more Oilers content year round.”
‘Oilers Lunch’ with Bob Stauffer will sign on Thursday, September 10th at 1:00 pm.
@ Robin Brownlee:
Stauffer was SHREDDING IT this morning with Neilson and Chase… Japanese metaphors and everything. He even complimented bloggers that use statistical analysis.
Bob said that someone familiar to the station would guest-host once in a while during road trips, but they're still 'working out the details'. It must be you, right?
@ patty:
I'm hoping Brownlee gets in on this action as well.
I hope that this means that there will be another Thunder Blunder 40-yard race again!!!
patty wrote:
A buddy and I were wondering how this show would work when Bobby hits the road with the Oil. So Robin, have you signed on the dotted line?
If not Brownlee, I would love to see the return of Spector to the airwaves.
KenL wrote:
Darn right he has.
Quicksilver ballet wrote:
If that's the case, let's hope the Oil spend most of the year on the road. Less Stauff, more Brownlee.
Flintstones, which one is Barney and which one is Fred
Robin Brownlee wrote:
Will you be standing in for the Stauff when he can't do the show due to road trips etc?
patty wrote:
-Brownlee
-Spector
-Bryn
??
RossCreek wrote:
It's not me.
Has to be Brownlee, can't seperate the Rubbles from the Flintstones, unless a Dino(Tencer) is involved, he might like a 3some anyways.
Peddle power for both Fred and Barney, can't you tell by the way they been working out? If Tencer is Dino, who is Pebbles?
Seems to me the new rink is now getting attention that Northlands is being shut out and tax payers don't want to pay for it. Just everyone wait and see, Katz doesn't have this one in the bag yet. Of course we know Mandel is in his back pocket but I don't think that will even work for him this time.
Stick your nose in there Robin.
@ quicksilver ballet:
My nose is in there, but I won't (and shouldn't be) the host when Bob is out of town.
My understanding is Bob wants to use revolving co-hosts as he did before with Total Sports and I expect to be in that mix. That might mean one day, maybe two, during the week. That's up to him.
I might be in line for an added day with Gregor as well, but it's not for me to jump the gun on that decision. He'll make that announcement, if it works out that way. Stay tuned.
That's good news all around then.
RossCreek wrote:
@ Robin Brownlee:
Hmmm… I wonder who Bob's guest-host will be. Robin has flat out denied himself. Would Bob return the favor to Bryn and would he take it? Would he turn to his former full-time co-host Spector? Or former producer Corey Graham? How about good buddy John Sexsmith? Would he be someone "familiar with the station"?
On another note…
co-hosts:
TSN's Ryan Rishaugh
Sportsnet's Mark Spector
The Journal's Dan Barnes
The Sun's Rob Tychkowski
OilersNation's Robin Brownlee
Your forgetting Mr. Slate and Joe Rockhead.