Kevin & Sluggo Out At KLOS/LA
• The high profile personnel cuts continue inside Meruelo Media’s Los Angeles’ radio group — the latest departures are afternoon drive duo Kevin Ryder and Doug “Sluggo” Roberts. Ryder confirmed their departure in a Friday Instagram post, and Variety was first to report the news.
This marks the second time that Ryder has been blown out from a major Los Angeles radio station through no apparent fault of his own — Ryder famously co-hosted the Kevin & Bean morning show for 30 years at crosstown KROQ alongside his Radio Hall Of Fame partner, Gene “Bean” Baxter. After Baxter left the show and moved the London in late 2019, Ryder continued to host the rebranded Kevin In The Morning With Allie & Jensen. Sadly, just four months later, Ryder and crew were shockingly terminated.
In Feb. 2021, Ryder was hired to co-host afternoon drive at KLOS, a move that reunited him with his longtime friend and colleague Sluggo, who share a history that dates back to KROQ and KZZP/Phoenix in the ’80s.
The exit of Ryder and Roberts mark the latest major talent cuts inside Meruelo Media — back in February, Meruelo eliminated the midday positions across its Los Angeles group, cutting Bryhana Monegain of Rhythmic KPWR (Power 106); PJ Butta at Classic Hip Hop 93.5 KDAY; Carolina “Caro” Marquez from Latin Pop KLLI (Cali 93.9); and Marci Wiser from KLOS. Shortly thereafter, DJ Felli Fel exited afternoon drive at Power 106 after more 25 years with the station.
Happy Ending Dept.: Last week Marci Wiser was named as the new morning host on Audacy Alternative KITS (Live 105)/San Francisco, and Felli Fel announced his new syndicated radio show had landed TelevisaUnivision Rhythmic KBBT (98.5 The Beat)/San Antonio as its inaugural affiliate.
Variety notes that it has been rumored for some time that Meruelo has been looking to sell the stations, just as it sold its ownership of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes to a group that moved the team to Salt Lake City, and its Los Angeles TV station KWHY-TV to the Church of Scientology.
Ryder, who confirmed his and Roberts’ exit to Variety, said of KLOS, “I hope they sell it to somebody who cares about it.”
