Effective October 22, St. Louis will lose one of its few -- if only -- politically liberal talk-radio hosts. As announced today, KTRS 550 AM plans to replace Charles Jaco in the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. slot with J.C. Corcoran, the longtime St. Louis classic-rock host whose morning show on KHITS 96 was canceled last year.
This afternoon Daily RFT caught up with Jaco to reflect on his past 18 months on KTRS, the feedback (some distasteful) he's received from listeners and what the broadcaster (who also reports for KTVI Fox 2) plans to do now.
Daily RFT: So what happened with KTRS? Were you too left-of-center for them?
Jaco: Not at all. Tim Dorsey [KTRS president] told me it was nothing to do with the content or opinions expressed on the show. Honestly, he seemed more upset about it than me. My support from KTRS was always outstanding, especially the help I received from my producer Austin Volker and production assistant Craig Hogard. It was as amicable as termination as possible.
What do you plan to do now?
Get some sleep. It's been hectic the last 18 months. I'd go to bed at midnight or 12:30 a.m. Get up at 6 a.m. Drop my kid off at school and head to the station for a three-hour show. Come home and eat lunch. Nap for 30 minutes and then head to KTVI. Add water. Repeat. Don't get me wrong. I loved it. But now, I'm looking forward to finishing a book project [his fifth] and doing some more political and in-depth reporting for Fox 2.
Anything about your show that was particularly memorable for you?
The audience. I once counted it up, and there is something like 33 hours worth of conservative talk shows broadcast on St. Louis radio stations every day. I don't know why that is, but I know I'm not the only person living here who walks on the other side of the street. When we started our show it was like all these thirsty people coming out of the desert for a drink. The listeners were amazingly receptive and didn't just parrot the right-wing talking points. I'll miss that.
That said, you also had some less-than satisfied listeners. Can you confirm the rumor we heard about you receiving soiled condoms in the mail at KTRS?
It happened on three occasions. But, hey, as long as they weren't thinking of me when they made the package, it doesn't bother me.
Used Condoms Can't Keep Charles Jaco Off Air, but KTRS Can; Jaco Replaced by JC Corcoran
© 2023 Riverfront Times
