Industry News

Talk TV Legend Phil Donahue Dies at 88

Phil Donahue, creator and host of the daytime talk television program that featured his name, died at his home at age 88 after a long illness. The Cleveland native began his television career in Ohio and launched “The Phil Donahue Show” at WLWD-TV in Dayton, Ohio in 1967. The daytime talk show took on serious subjects instead of the lighter fare usually associated with daytime TV. Donahue also did subjects that were considered “low brow,” but his approach gave the audience the opportunity to ask questions as Donahue walked among the studio crowd while anchoring the show. It became a hit, was launched into syndication and moved production to Chicago in 1974, then eventually to New York. It ended in 1996. Donahue married actress Marlo Thomas in the late 1970s.

Industry News

WTAG, Worcester Host Jordan Levy Dies

As reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, former Worcester, Massachusetts mayor and WTAG-imAM, Worcester talk radio host Jordan Levy died yesterday (10/5) after a years-long illness at age 79. Current WTAG morning personality Jim Polito is quoted in the story saying, “There are so many people he did things for. He loved the city of Worcester.” Levy was first elected mayor in 1987. After leaving office in 1993, he hosted the afternoon drive show on WTAG. Read the full story here.

Industry News

Dallas Sports Radio Host and Producer Mark Friedman Dies

Longtime Dallas sports radio host and producer Mark “Friedo” Friedman has died after a years-long health battle. The Morning News piece notes that Friedman “spent over two decades working in Dallasim sports radio, starting at 570 KLIF in 1994 and eventually joining host Norm Hitzges in moving to 1310 The Ticket [KTCK-AM] in 2000.” Friedman’s brother Joel posted the news of his passing on Facebook, says, “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my brother’s passing. Many of you knew about his health battle over the past several years, and he had been doing remarkably well considering everything he had gone through.” Read the Dallas Morning News story here.

Industry News

News Pro Steve Clawson Dies at 64

Career news pro Steve Clawson has died at the age of 64. Clawson was most recently serving as managing editor and anchor for Skyview Networks. The company says of Clawson, “After beginning his career at WTRX in Flint, Michigan, he came to Arizona where he was a radio journalist at KTAR and KFYI, an assignment editorim at FOX’s KSAZ, a producer at PBS’s KAET, and whose voice was prominently featured in the 1989 award-winning documentary, Roger and Me. In 2018, Steve joined Skyview Networks’ Arizona and California News Radio teams, where he covered many news stories, including political elections and a recent interview with newly elected Arizona Governor, Katie Hobbs. Skyview Networks VP, news Jeff Scott says, “In addition to being an outstanding broadcaster and journalist, Steve was a wonderful person, with a kind word and a smile for everyone he encountered. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him for more than three decades, and for having worked alongside him at KTAR, KSAZ, and for the past several years at Skyview Networks. Please keep Steve in your thoughts and know that we will do our very best to carry on his tradition of excellence and service.”

Industry News

St. Louis Cardinals Player and Broadcaster Mike Shannon Dies at 83

Former St. Louis Cardinals player and longtime Cardinals broadcaster Thomas Michael “Mike” Shannon has died at the age of 83. Shannon was a member of three Cardinals World Series teams in 1964, 1967 and 1968. He also spent some 50 years as a member of the team’s radio broadcasts. He was recognized in recent years by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a finalist for the prestigious Ford C. Frick broadcasting award and he was enshrined in the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Industry News

WFAN, New York Host Rick Wolff Dies

WFAN, New York listeners and the industry are mourning the passing of the station’s Sunday morning “The Sports Edge” host Rick Wolff, who died after a brief battle with brain cancer at age 71. Coverage of his death at NJ.com notes that Wolff was a Harvard graduate “with a master’s degree who dispensed common-sense advice to parents and coaches during his WFAN weekend show.” The family’s obit states, “To know Rick or Dad or Pops was to love him. He was wise, thoughtful, sharp, funny, incredibly smart, and truly just a wonderful person. In his honor, please remember to never give up on your dreams. He never did, even after so many of them had come true.” Read the NJ.com story here.