Meruelo Media has fired Kevin Ryder and Doug “Sluggo” Roberts, the afternoon hosts of “Kevin & Sluggo” on Classic Rock KLOS/Los Angeles. The owner has made several cutbacks in the Los Angeles market recently.
Ryder announced his and Roberts’ departure from the show on social media Friday, noting that earlier that day, KLOS had launched a “Where’s Kevin?” marketing campaign … right before firing him.
Earlier this year, Meruelo eliminated midday hosts at all four Los Angeles stations and part-time and off-air staff. This included Marci Wiser, the midday host at KLOS, who had been with the station since 2015. In February, Meruelo let go DJ Felli Fel, (James Andrew Corrine), the afternoon host at Rhythmic Hot AC KPWR (Power 106), who had been with the station since 2000.
For some time, there have been rumors suggesting that Meruelo is considering selling the stations. This would follow its sale of the ownership of the professional hockey team, the Arizona Coyotes, and the recent sale of its L.A. TV station, KWHY-TV (Channel 22), to the Church of Scientology.
Ryder told “Variety” Magazine, “I hope they sell it to somebody who cares about it.”
In 2021, Ryder and Roberts debuted “Kevin & Sluggo” on KLOS, following the surprising decision by Audacy, the owner of KROQ, to cancel Ryder’s morning show, “Kevin in the Morning with Allie & Jensen.” That show had taken over from the long-running “Kevin & Bean,” which had been a staple for three decades.
