This summer, we have not seen anything that has grabbed the attention of program directors to gamble on a summer ratings success. 2UE moved Tim Webster into his own Afternoon shift after doing the fill-in duties of John Laws for the last few years.
It was only mid last week that 2UE confirmed Sandy Alioisi as co-host on the breakfast show. Alioisi had been filling in on NewsRadio as she gets her breakfast gig off the mark.
So far, so good. Alioisi is very knowledgeable, intelligent, calm and easy listening across a number of news items.
Unfortunately for Carlton, the ‘fun’ element may disappear that he had with good mate Peter FitzSimons but Alioisi looks the goods. In fact she will probably host her own show somewhere down the track.
It will take some time for a synergy to develop and the show will evolve over the coming weeks. The Newspapers reported that ‘Mike and Sandy’ will have a greater emphasis on news which can be noted through the return of the ‘voice’ at 2UE, Ken Sparkes and the various stings he has recorded.
It’s a brave gamble by 2UE partnering Carlton and Aliosi which will hopefully bring ratings success.
Over on the FM band, 2DAYFM experimented with ‘The Summer Fling’ featuring Ryan, Jules and Tamsyn. I don’t expect a permanent gig for this unlikely trio but Ryan Shelton could have an on-air role across the medium in the future.
Cal Wilson has taken five days off for her wedding leaving Akmal Saleh with the similar ill-feeling he had twelve months ago when the Matthew Newton-Brooke Satchwell allegations were reveled. De ja vu Akmal?
This time former ‘Get This’ co-host Ed Kavalee is playing the role of ‘best man’ while Cal Wilson is getting married.
Which leaves Tony Martin scratching his head and wondering why he does not have a show in 2008? Without a doubt he is Australia’s best radio talent who is not on air at the moment, DMG could use him and Ed and Richard Marsland... let’s Get This back on the air.
