Hubbard Broadcasting St. Louis let go of the cast of The Opening Drive for 101 ESPN (WXOS) on Friday, including longtime host Randy Karraker. The slot will now be filled by The Morning After, which previously ran on sister signal KPNT-HD2.
Karraker had been with the station since its launch in 2009. Other names to hit the chopping block included former KMOV-TV reporter Brooke Grimsley, former Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin, and show producer Matthew Rocchio.
The Morning After moves into the cluster’s prime sports talk slot, bringing co-hosts Doug Vaughn, Martin Kilcoyne, and producer Jackson Burke alongside McKernan. McKernan previously hosted Balloon Party, an hour-long midday program on WXOS, that will be absorbed into the new show.
101 ESPN Operations Manager Tommy Mattern said, “We’re thrilled to bring The Morning After to our audience…we are confident the show will significantly enhance the morning radio experience in St. Louis.”
The remainder of the 101 ESPN lineup remains unchanged.
So miss Randy, Brooke, Danny Mac! Have only listened once! Cannot get on board. The tone is boring and monotone. I feel the knowledge is just not there as well. Would love to see them back so we can have a better day!! Randy & Dan you are missed. They have made an absolute mess of our mornings!
Tried to listen to the new show…SUCKS!!!. it’s a frat party on the radio. The morning drive was so fun to listen to. Hate the new show…..NO LONGER A LISTENER….I’M OUT.
What a mistake! No longer a listener
I will no longer listen to your station in the morning, what a mistake, this was your best show. Time to evaluate the decision makers at the top.
You couldn’t have picked a worse replacement show no joke. Won’t be listening in the morning anymore.
Just got back from being out of town turned into radio and no Randy and Brooke. Thought that they might have moved time slots, but now reading that they were canceled. Well, their replacements suck and now WXOX is cancelled.
What a moronic decision! Randy and crew were my morning routine and highly enjoyable. Mckernan is the worst. Privileged, annoying little frat boy who thinks he is funny and smart with his phony “alternative” takes. Lost another listener. Thank you Randy for making 101.1 my go to in the mornings all these years. Best of luck to you in the future.
Unfortunately you can’t fix stupid.
I would change the channel when the Ballon Party came on. Now I just need to do it 3 hours sooner. What a mistake.
I no longer enjoy my drive into work. I can not stand McKernan, Vaughn, and Kilcone and have to resort to listening to music on my drive in. I even turned to 590 am this morning.to see what they had on the air. Not sure what data they had to suggest switching to these 3 would product more ratings, but they were WRONG. Bring Randy and the crew back please.
I have not and will not listen to 101 Espn. Randy and his group of entertainers were my
go to at 7 am every morning. I couldn’t listen to this new group when they were on 590 because it was too chaotic and I don’t need to give them a chance at Espn 101. I ‘ll wait
till Randy and his group find a new home.
I’m surprised so many people liked the morning show. I thought BK and Ferrario and the Fastlane were significantly better. The morning show seemed to only talk about all the stuff “about sports” and not enough about the actual game. Their analysis was childish compared to the other shows and there was no insight from former pros. I get it, Randy has been around forever and he’s a likable guy. And Danny Mac was an AMAZING baseball broadcaster, but he was boring on radio imo. Brook brought nothing to the table and Rocchio was arrogant. My biggest complaint about the station as a whole is that they spend WAY too much time on the Cardinals beating the shit out of the same topics when they could be talking football or hockey instead on dwelling on a shitty team in a dying sport that is not nearly the same as it used to be.
Sad for the true St Louis sports fans. As a business and finance executive, I understand the dollars and cents behind difficult decisions. However, there are some things that are irreplaceable and important to the social strata and Randy and the entire Opening Drive crew were that piece. When you have a brand so loyal, and filled with social good, you find a way to make it work. It tells me the Hubbard leadership team is not strategic in their thinking, the replacement show belongs in a frat house, not on prime time radio. You lost another listener. Can’t wait til Randy and the crew lands a new role!
I had to get my car radio fixed. I was only out of it for 3 days. I come back to this BS!! Megamind will never be replaced. I love how knowledgeable Randy,Dan,Brooke and Rocchio are. They made my humdrum morning commute so much better. Good luck to the new show,but I’ll not be listening.
I was greatly surprised whe I tuned Monday morning and Randy and crew were not doing their show. I listened for a bit but heard no sports talk just boring banter between new hosts. Very disappointed and will no longer listen.
Ditto to all of the above.
The management idiots didn’t bother to respond to my text/email, so I’ll join the rest of you by ignoring the station entirely.
NOTE: Remember BudLight boycott!
I quite listening to Randy a long time ago. I just might start,now that he’s hone.Great move!!!
Sorry quit listening auto reply not good lol.
Like others I tried to listen to morning after but it is horrible loved the morning drive with Randy and Brooke and Dan and Rocco they and fast lane were 1a and 1b both great shows can’t stand your new morning show like I said tried it lasted about an hour it sucks so only show I’ll listen to now is fast lane and blues bye for rest of day
This is a terrible mistake. You had something going with the fast line I could do without Brooke before I can’t do without Randy and Dan. They were unbelievable. What the heck is wrong with you guys. I gave two shots at the new team and they are just awful 101 is off my track.
Are you kidding me??? Not a single positive comment about the morning switch to TMA. Looks as if Radiolink is another biased media outlet, only interested in whatever their agenda is. Shame on you.
I tried to give it a chance, but they aren’t any better than in the afternoon.. I’ll be changing the station. Probably won’t bother changing back for drive home because they will be next.
Randy and his team were the best. I always had trouble choosing between the Rizzuto Show and the opening drive every morning. I guess 101.1 made that choice a lot easier. I’m not sure i will listen to the station anymore.
I echo all of the comments before mine. Randy Karraker was the ONLY reason I listened to sports talk radio. Anthony Stalter is a joke and is full of himself. Moving Cary Davis to the afternoon was great. He is not good in his role for radio.
I’ll be looking for Randy’s next assignment and then go there.
Terrible move. I was hoping the “Balloon Party” would pop off the station but now they will have 4 HOURS to torture us! Not me folks. Good luck with that financial downsize. First Bernie now Randy. Danny Mac could have had his own show and Brooke will be off to star on the mothership like Michelle. Will not be a morning drive listen any longer.
Terrible move.
This morning was the 1st time I did not listen to 101 in month or so. I have tried in the past to listen to the balloon party but couldn’t get through the entire hour.
I wasn’t even aware Doug Vaugh was still in local broadcasting.
I use to listen all day as a truck driver, from Parris And burwell to Randy and the others but when they got rid of Kevin wheeler and bernie and michell smallmon, thats when i started to not listen as much, now they wanna replace randy and brooke with doug vaughn i like vaughn but not to replace randy,
Just found out and I’m done with ESPN 101, this is what happens when you put a moron in charge of things
I use to listen all day as a truck driver, from Parris And burwell to Randy and the others but when they got rid of Kevin wheeler and bernie and michell smallmon, thats when i started to not listen as much, now they wanna replace randy and brooke with doug vaughn i like vaughn but not to replace randy,
Just found out and I’m done with ESPN 101, this is what happens when you put a moron in charge of things
JOHN M. 101.1 you are described by Randy’s famous rant. You are an absolute IDIOT!
All I can think of is the ad revenue couldn’t support the Morning Drive cast. If that’s the case then folks are in for crappy low budget programing that is not informing or entertaining the audience. Except for Blues games I’m gone.
looking for a new sports station. done with 101. this move really upset me!!!!
Imagine thinking you’re the sports talk leader and don’t have room in your rotation for Randy Karraker and Bernie Miklaz. I’ll turn them on for a Blues game, but that will be about it now.
I agree that this is the worst decision this station has ever made. Randy and Brooke and Danny were all the best. I haven’t cared for Mckernan since heard his so called Morning Zoo show on another station years ago. I won’t be tuning in in the morning any longer!
I deleted the station the moment I heard the news, I will not listen to this station again. Was a long time listener every morning and afternoon will never listen again, sad day! You just killed your station, I feel sorry for the guys in the afternoon, you better find new jobs because no is listening anymore.
Adventure awaits in Sprunked! Featuring a lovable character, clever obstacles, and endless surprises, Sprunked has everything you need for an unforgettable gaming experience. Click here to see why gamers everywhere are raving about Sprunked—join the fun today!
Agree 1000%. Sounds like they are making decisions like the Cardinals front office!
I tried listening this morning to be fair, but there is no group that compares to those who were let go.
Can’t wait to see where Randy, Brooke, Dan and Rocchio end up. I will be listening to them.
You ruined a good thing for St. Louis sports fans.
I was a devotee of The Opening Drive and learned a lot about our local teams. The deep knowledge of Karaker, McLaughlin, Grimsley, and Rocchio will be sorely missed. I listened to The Morning After on my drive this morning but not for long. Their inappropriate comments and lack of sports coverage had this long-time listener change the station very quickly. I can’t wait to see where Karaker and crew land. I hope another station picks up the group!
I’m very sad that Randy Karraker was let go. He’s a St. Louis icon. I guess gone by the way of the St. Louis sports scene. It’s not his fault there isn’t any good sports to follow 😕. Another listener gone.
Agree 100%. One of the best. Last of a dying breed of broadcasters that don’t shout, scream and act like idiots.
I’m out, will remove the station from my car’s saved stations.
Balloon Party more like Boring Party. I’m out too. Randy,Brooke,Dan you were great.
Adios 101 morning sports talk! This long time listener is headed elsewhere for sports news and discussion.
Randy and the crew were the best. Will be watching where they’ll end up next.
Happy landing to them.
Not sure what managment is smoking over there, but their judgement has the range of a windshield wiper.
Randy is the best sports talk radio host in St Louis. Have enjoyed Brooke and Dan also since they joined. This was a top notch show. Listened to the new show this AM on my drive. Not sure they did any sports talk at all. What a waste listening. The Morning Drive was my favorite. First got rid of Bernie and now Randy and crew. Obviously the station does not want the best when it comes to the show hosts.
My guess is they were highly paid, as they should have been, but the advertising climate shrunk and could support their salaries. Biz 101.
*
could not
Bad move. They’ll regret doing this when morning listeners stop tuning in.
I do like the lively banter and laughter of the afternoon Fast lane but to just let go of areas most respected and down to earth sports radio broadcaster in Karracker is just wrong. Props to Grimsley and DannyMac as well but WXOs…. you just screwed up
Sad day in St. Louis, don’t worry, Randy will be back on another station. As he would say, use juggle, and you will find out where he ends up.
Joe G
I’m out, don’t like McKernan or his show.
Just lost long time listener.
3 wannabe comedians consist of the Morning After. Lost a listener
Just lost a long-time listener.