Barnicle watch

Mike to air on WSJZ

For former Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle, it's been a comeback worthy of Richard Nixon. Last month, he practically leaped onto the coffin of John Kennedy to launch himself back into the public consciousness ("This Just In," News and Features, July 30). Now he's taking to the airwaves on a daily basis.

As the Phoenix was going to press, Greater Media was preparing to announce that syndicated talk-show host Don Imus would be moving to WSJZ (96.9 FM) on August 23 -- and that, sometime in September, he would be joined by his bosom buddy Barnicle. Imus will take the 5:30-to-10 a.m. shift; Barnicle will follow from 10 a.m. to noon. Currently a "smooth jazz" station, 'SJZ will shift to all-talk sometime in September, when it will be rechristened "FM Talk 96.9." A Greater Media source says it's not yet clear whether the call letters will be changed as well.

It was as close a call as it gets for Greater Media's adult alternative station, WBOS (92.9 FM), which as late as last week was slated to become a talk station, but was spared when the latest ratings report was stronger than expected. Another Greater Media source says the 'BOS staff was prepped to be told of the format change at a 10:30 a.m. meeting one day last week. But when the ratings came in, at 10:15, the meeting was canceled.

As for Barnicle, the move to radio-talk-show host should be an interesting transition. Even a friend of his wonders whether the notoriously casual Barnicle can manage to make it in on time five days a week. And as a wag at a competing station puts it, it's a lot harder to make up callers than it is to make up sources -- one of the transgressions that cost him his Globe job last August.

But, after all, if there could be a New Nixon, why not a New Barnicle?

Editor's note: Greater Media's official announcement of Barnicle's move to WSJZ was issued shortly after the Phoenix went to press -- and it did not specify precisely what Barnicle's role will be. A Greater Media source says staff members were told Wednesday afternoon that Barnicle will most likely be a commentator for the station, and will not have his own talk show. Stay tuned.