Dan Gross: Larry Mendte gets his talking papers from IQ 106.9
LARRY MENDTE has been fired from conservative talk-radio station IQ 106.9, where the former CBS 3 anchor had been serving as a morning-drive host.
Mendte told the People Paper's Molly Eichel that he was given no reason when he got his walking papers Monday. Mendte believed that his show had solid ratings and a loyal fan base.
"It just never really had a spot. They were trying to find a place for it," Mendte said. "I was a big experiment." Mendte, unlike the other hosts, did not have a contract.
But he has another gig to fall back on: He does commentary pieces for New York's PIX11 TV. "Actually. I'm going to get a lot more sleep," Mendte said, laughing. "I was waking up at 4:30 [a.m.] and not getting home until 8 p.m. Something had to give."
Buzz off ... radio, that is
Buzz Bissinger is a great writer. But more recently he's been recognized for his profanity-laden Twitter rants on a variety of topics from sports to politics.
That, um, passion parlayed itself into an afternoon-drive slot at Talk Radio 1210 along with veteran talk host Steve Martorano. And now, less than a half year after Bissinger started, the show's over.
Philadelphia magazine's Victor Fiorillo quoted Bissinger saying that he resigned last month.
But the story on Phillymag.com also says that his tenure has been full of F-bomb-laden confrontations with co-workers, which supports a story we heard before Christmas, and that we asked Bissinger and CBS Radio about.
At the time, CBS Radio market manager Marc Rayfield declined to comment on whether Bissinger had been suspended over two inappropriate arguments with colleagues, and Bissinger warned that reporting that he had been suspended would be inaccurate.
"Buzz is no longer on the WPHT afternoon show," Rayfield said Wednesday. "The parting was amicable. We do intend to replace him and continue to provide live and local programming."
Andy Bloom, program director for Talk Radio 1210-AM, said he thought that Bissinger was talented and had great potential. When we asked Bloom how a radio host under contract could simply quit, he did not reply.
"While I enjoyed doing talk radio, I had increasingly come to the conclusion that it is fundamentally trivial," Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights, A Prayer for the City and Father's Day, told Philly mag's Fiorillo by email. Bissinger did not reply to our request for comment Wednesday.
Bunny hops with Ashton
"Bandstand" dancer Bunny Gibson is still at it. Living in Los Angeles and working as an actress for years now, Gibson will be seen on Jan. 10 dancing with Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer on "Two and a Half Men." The show airs at 8:30 p.m. on CBS 3. Gibson just held her 10th annual Children Uniting Nations "Day of the Child" dance contest for foster children, along with several other Los Angeles "Bandstand" pals.
Eagles QBs toast 2013
Eagles quarterbacks Nick Foles and Trent Edwards and their special ladies rang in 2013 by celebrating over dinner and drinks at the Water Works.
'Office' actress in town
"Office" actress Kate Flannery, an Ardmore native, was in town for Christmas and had lunch with her father, Tom, at Gillane's Bar & Grill (43 Cricket) in Ardmore, the other day. Flannery shared a few laughs with patrons at the neighborhood spot.
Sneak peek at new 'Idol'
Every year, the number of people we know who watch "American Idol" drops, but there's good news for superfans of the groundbreaking Fox singing contest.
The premiere of season 12 will screen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, a full week before it debuts on television, at the AMC Plymouth 12 (494 Germantown Pike) in Plymouth Meeting. Fans can sign up at IdolRSVP.com.
After the episode, "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and
Keith Urban will answer questions via satellite from theatergoers in 11 U.S. cities.
She'll sell Weir's goods
Horsham-based luxury-consignment company Linda's Stuff is about to launch a sale of Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir's high-end fashion wardrobe. A vintage Chanel jacket, other luxury designers and even a pair of black figure skates will be auctioned at ShopLindasStuff.com, founded by Linda Lightman. A portion of proceeds goes to Weir's charity of choice - the Trevor Project, which provides counseling services to gay teens.
