Posted on 07/03/2008 7:22:56 AM PDT by Binghamton_native
Did anyone hear the man claiming to have taken over 2 SF bay area radio stations last night? The stations involved were KFAX (1100 am) and KDOW (1220 am). These stations are owned by Salem Radio. KFAX format is Christian radio, KDOW format is newstalk and business. The takeover was in progress when I tuned in at about 2:15am (PDT), and was still going on when I turned it off at about 3:45am (PDT). The person on the air was threatening suicide, and FCC banned words were repeatedly put out over the air.
did 1 person take over a booth? was it the dj, or someone forced his/her way in?
Interesting. The stations could be trying to keep it as quiet as they can to avoid similar incidents. There seems to be nothing at all on the news wires. Have you thought of calling the stations? If you do, let me know what they say!
I called one of the stations this morning and spoke to a receptionist. I asked “what was going on last night in the middle of the night?” Instead of replying, “what do you mean?”, she said “everything is under control now”. I think they’re hoping everything will blow over without any complaints going to the FCC.
Having spent a lot of time in radio, I wonder if this was a disgruntled, and possibly drunk, employee gone over the edge — maybe having been told they weren’t getting a three-day weekend!
That sort of thing is pretty common in radio ... What a nutso business! :-)
At one point he did say he had 6 beers. I didn’t know this was common. I have always listened to a lot of late night radio, but because this was the first time I had heard anything like it, I woke my wife up to tell her about it.
I listened live from 3:30 - 4 am, when the network news kicked in at the top of the hour ... presumably the station tried make some sort of orderly transition.
It was very sad. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I understand he was ok as of this morning.
That's exactly what she told me. When I said I had worked in radio, she told me he was ok. I said that I had said a prayer for him, and to let him know that. She sounded pretty sad about it.
I have never, ever heard anything like it, and I worked in radio for a long time. He sounded like he was in tremendous pain. He also went to the bathroom while his partner and a called (a woman who had survived a suicide attempt) talked - his partner prayed very urgently for him.
When he came back, he said he had taken the rope from around his neck, and actually banged it against the mike several times.
He may be an engineer or producer, someone with access to the studio and knowledge of operating the board, phone lines, and who kept a reasonably well-spoken monologue going. I’ve heard other people who were very drunk and morose talk, and they just sounded drunk and morose. He had a lot on his mind, and I think felt absolutely cornered spiritually.
And yes, there were lots of word-bombs.
I continue to pray for him.
I think it was much more than days off. That’s part of the radio business. This was a very personally painful monologue.
Hi there -
You know, I thought for a moment that I was imagining it, too.
The partner (Marco) who was on the phone with April from San Leandro was, I think, his partner who was praying for him while Sean was in the bathroom.
I think they rerun Medved from 12-3, and then Bennett. Bennett has such a low-key delivery that I find it very easy to go back to sleep while listening to him. :-)
I may be mistaken about the partner, but that was the distinct impression I got - he may have said so... if I found out, I’ll let you know.
Thanks...
Check out this page about a KNTS (now KDOW) meet-up in the studio with Dennis Prager, arranged by Shawn, the program director for the station: http://dennisprager.meetup.com/3/members/6176269/
Is this the Shawn who was on the air last night?
thanks
Greetings,
I’m Marco, the guy that called in to talk with Sean. I was simply a person who listens to kfax in the early mornings and heard him. I was first upset with what he was doing but when I heard he was “prepared to hurt himself” I changed my motive to trying to be a friend. I truly was concerned and wanted to meet with him and spend more time talking about whatever he was dealing with. I asked him to take my number off air or to give me info on how to get together. He put me on hold several times, but he was shut down before he got back to me.
As for the scheduled programs, there are two shows that air in the morning hours of the whole episode. He did override those programs.
Marco
Hi Marco,
Welcome to FR - looks like your post made it okay after all. My apologies for drawing the wrong conclusion about your role here - I don’t do so well in the middle of the night.
You did a very compassionate thing - many people would have changed the station, rolled over and gone back to sleep.
Thanks for clarifying that ...I was listening to 1220 at the time.
take care
I actually called 911 after he mentioned the noose and the operator stated they were listening to the show also and were aware of the threat. How is it that nobody could not find or stop him even after he mentioned he was in the studio where he sprayed the extinguisher?
Didn't someone know where it is located to intervene?
Good job with the prayer under pressure. I thought it was great of you after being put on the spot by the gal from San Leandro. Reminded me of “Meet the Parents” And, your attempt to keep him on line and talking was reminiscent of a hostage negotiator. Maybe instead of coffee you should have offered some more beer since he was running low.
I support much of what he stated about the hypocrisies in the Christian faith. I feel for him and hope he will be OK.
K-dub-K
Hello K-dub-K,
Yes, the station is trying to sweep it under the rug, I’m sure they are concerned
with the possibility that the FCC will be notified because of the improper words
he used. I saw another blog that was telling everyone to call the FCC. How unfortunate,
since this was an isolated one time one person occurrence.
I’m sure he is ok, at least at the time of going off the air. It was kind of
obvious that he was shut down by someone because his dialog did not have a normal
ending. It sounded cut off by someone. Also right before he stopped talking he said he took the rope off and because of the power of love that everyone was showing he decided not to hurt himself any longer. Apparently nobody from salem radio was listening that early morning. I’m sure he was the only one in the studio.
Concerning the hypocrites in the christian faith, as I tried to explain to him there
are hypocrites in every profesion of life and when there are some who live contrary to what they espouse, it is not indicative of how the rest of the people in the organization live or believe.
He mentioned he was tired of working for an organization that was opposite and which opposes the way he believes. I can understand, because several of the ministries that broadcast from kfax often speak against homosexuality especialy with all the same sex marriage stuff going on lately.
It was shocking to me to hear someone on a Christian radio (kfax) station trying to explain why they think it is ok to be homosexual. I disagree so when he gave the phone number I called in. Shortly after talking to him I realized that he was contemplate suicide so I focused more on trying to be a friend instead of debating the gay lifestyle. I was trying to get him to meet with me that morning and talk. It sounded like he was thinking about it so he put me on hold and was going to get back to me and was cut off before he could.
Life can be tough, and I have a lot of compassion for people struggling with issues,
and like the bible teaches... hate the sin, but love the sinner (addmittedly we
are all sinners).
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