Lite FM pulling switch on afternoon personalities

Lite FM pulling switch on afternoon personalities

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Robservations on the media beat:

Chris Davis

  • Tuesday is Kevin Gossett’s last day as afternoon personality on Clear Channel Radio adult contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9) — although he’s really not going anywhere. He’ll be staying in Phoenix, where he’s been voice tracking the show since November 2008. Starting Wednesday, the new 2-to-7-p.m. weekday host on Lite FM is expected to be Chris Davis, who’ll phone it in from WNCI-FM in Columbus, Ohio. Gossett, who previously hosted mornings here for five years on the former WNND, has been promoted to digital program director for Clear Channel’s eight stations in Phoenix, where he hosts afternoons on KESZ-FM.
  • Brian Paruch, whose Chicago radio nicknames over the years have ranged from “The Whipping Boy” to “King Paruch,” could be ready for a new one. Starting Oct. 18, he’ll succeed Mark Suppelsa as news anchor for Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart’s top-rated morning show on Bonneville International hot adult-contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9). As first tipped here, Suppelsa is leaving the Mix to focus full-time on his main job as principal news anchor at Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9. On Tuesday, Paruch gave two weeks’ notice to his other bosses at CBS Radio sports/talk WSCR-AM (670), where he’s worked since 2006.
  • Mellifluous Jay Andres, who was the quintessential “voice in the night” on Chicago radio for decades, died at his home Monday in Sebastapol, Calif. He was 86. Andres’ “Music ‘Til Dawn” show, featuring an elegant mix of adult standards, show tunes and other genres, defined overnight radio for generations first at WBBM-AM (780) and later at WGN-AM (720). He finished out his career here as morning host at two classical stations — WFMT-FM (98.7) and the former WNIB.
  • Get well wishes to Chaz Ebert, wife of esteemed movie critic and blogger Roger Ebert, who’s recovering from an emergency appendectomy. On Tuesday morning, Roger tweeted: “My wife Chaz fed her symptoms into Google, which advised: “ËœGo to the emergency room.’ She’s had an appendectomy! Doing fine.” Dynamo Chaz is co-creator and executive producer of “Roger Ebert Presents At the Movie,” slated for a January debut via WTTW National Productions.
  • I’ve never asked you for a favor before, but now I need your help. My beloved cat Kramer is competing in WCIU-Channel 26’s “Cat vs. Dog” contest Tuesday against Jerry Springer’s pet pig. (Obviously, they bent the rules for Springer, whose show airs on Channel 26.) We know Kramer is much more adorable, but he desperately needs your vote to win. Voting is free, but it only runs until 9 p.m. Tuesday. So please vote now! (You can vote multiple times, but have to wait 10 minutes between each vote.) Here is the link: http://www.wciu.com/catvsdog.php Results will be posted tonight. Update: Kramer won 927 to 822. Thanks to all who voted.