Posted by chicagomedia.org on May 29, 2009 at 17:46:50:
In Reply to: Bill Leff leaving the Roe Conn show. . . posted by wcw on May 29, 2009 at 17:45:32:
Breaking: WLS AM ousts Bill Leff, Roe Conn's sidekick
After three and a half years of dropping sly, witty remarks into the banter on Roe Conn's 2-to-6 p.m. talk show at WLS AM 890, Bill Leff is out.
Leff, a veteran stand-up comic, actor and radio personality, was tapped in late 2005 to replace Conn's former sidekick Garry Meier, who left WLS in a contract dispute in 2004. He proved far funnier, quicker and more intriguing than Meier (recently named mid-day solo host at WGN AM 720) and the decision to dump him frankly mystifies me.
Leff's last show is today and follows by three weeks the final show for Conn's long-time traffic reporter, Christina Filiaggi. Filiaggi's replacement is former NBC 5 reporter Amy Jacobson.
The announcement came at 5:12 p.m., at the beginning of the show's final hour. Conn said Leff had known since February that his contract was not going to be renewed, but that he was "such a markedly great professional" that he continued to put on a good show.
"Being on (the show) was like a dream come true," Leff said on the air.
"We will absolutely, completely miss you," Conn told him. "This is really tough moment. You're a good friend and a great guy."
(Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune)