Comments on: New Music Director Wanted: KCRW’s Nic Harcourt Steps Down Following 10-Year Run

By: Jason Bentley Completes First Year as KCRW Music Director/MBE Host: How’s He Doing?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:53:52 +0000

[...] have completed in those 365 days, by comparison. He’s still got nine years left to champion Nic Harcout’s run. Think he’ll be around that long? He’ll have a new boss for year two; Ruth Seymour [...]

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:29:11 +0000

It seems Nic has/had his fans; I don’t begrudge him his popularity, though I can’t say I liked his version of MBE. He rarely played jazz, classical, avant garde (to name but a few of the possible unexplored musical genres)–new or old. It seems his predessor’s had much broader tastes, at least from my perspective. I did listen to him for a while with the hope that someone would say something about his lack of ecclecticism, at least where the 3 hour morning show was concerned. After a few years I had become so disappointed with his version of the show, that I quit listening, checking in only periodically to see if there had been any changes in his repertoire–nope, more of the same. What I found so bothersome about The Nic Show was that I percieved it, pre-Nic, to an ongoing education in music. What I felt it had become was a one-man-show with one overly used musical tone. If you happened to like the tone, great, but if you did’nt there were no surprises forthcoming. And is’nt that why they use the word “ecclectic” in the title of the show–for the suprises? Jeez. I am happy that the station has decided to replace him or that he decided to leave; either way works for me. It seems Jason got the slot, but Chris or Anne would have been my first picks–happy with Jason though. Thanks for putting the ecclectic back in MBE!

By: Jolene

Jolene — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:53:34 +0000

As a New Yorker that discovered Nic Harcourt and KCRW on visits to Southern California, I never wanted to be outside the range of Morning Becomes Eclectic from 9 to 12. There was nothing like his show on the east coast. I now enjoy the station online from Seattle but sorely miss Nic’s voice and music selections. His show always created a special atmosphere for me-sunshine and inspiring music.
Good luck and best wishes to Nic and all at KCRW!

By: Tom (Carey) Southall

Tom (Carey) Southall — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:57:07 +0000

Wow—I guess this sort of news brings out the grouches.

I started listening to KCRW in the late 70s (Tom Schnable was a sort of “friend” when I moved to L.A. to go to UCLA) and heard many changes, some good, occasionally not.

But Nic’s show was basically VERY FINE, even if I did not love every minute of it. Tastes differ of course, but all this NEGATIVITY is WAY OUT OF LINE! Perhaps after ten years, change is good, but no need to trash Nic. Good job, Mr Harcourt and good luck! Let us move on with good memories, not acrimony for pete’s sake.

By: jo

jo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:54:25 +0000

i was out of the country for two months.
missed an election (well caught it in australia) and a few more financial scandals, but this was the most shocking thing
does anyone know WHY nic stepped down?
i could understand chris d. leaving for the juicy spot at dreamworks that got the whole country sending tapes in 10 years ago, but aside from everyone here expressing who they like, and who they don’t i just wonder what shifted???
i read that nic with family wants ‘to pursue his other talents’ but in the current market place, that is a wild hair without a good paycheck.
dont’ know the music director’s salary, but the position, with all the concerts etc. seems like it must have afforded a decent living in l.a.
anyway,
the really interesting people? jason eldredge is terrific, as a force of new music, love raul c, and chris d. ann l.
any ideas or responses welcomed!

By: Anna Lisa

Anna Lisa — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:57:34 +0000

Hello Justice Force! we could go on about what “class” is and obviously, agree to disagree,we all know Nic is not coming back in the mornings, I wish you could have your precious JB “at 7ish”, meantime you could work in your grammar/spelling.
PS. I take Raul anytime…just don’t think he is an AM kind of guy…

By: Justice Force

Justice Force — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:03:31 +0000

Jason is a class act.. Nic bored me to death..
a few gems in his lineup but mostly music for people who are not listening..
Garth takes a backseat to Raul in my opinion.
That slot needs to filled with hot tunes..
preogressive radio?
well see.
I miss Jason at 7ish.

By: Anna Lisa

Anna Lisa — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:52:49 +0000

On above comment I meant to say Tom instead of Julian, is the last name that gets me all the time.

By: Anna Lisa

Anna Lisa — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:34:37 +0000

Nic had / has Class, something lacking or should I say forgotten feature in humans these days? The air waves tantalized with the hesitations of how he talked as if…Who is ever going to play something sublime as the harmonica solo of
“once upon a time in the West” movie soundtrack after an oldie of “the smiths” or a new release of Nick Cave… Now, that, ladies and gents is eclectic to me…There is one thing or two I like about JB…(surely with a name like that he hates to be called by JUST the initials)The way he inhales into the microphone before he speaks, I sort of anticipate to that more than the music he plays, however…I do believe I am warming up to the idea of mornings without Nic and a new radio, I can’t be smashing radios against the wall every time JB plays rap / hip hop, which ordinarily I don’t mind, except in the AM, it hurts my ears and gives me morning sickness(if you know how I mean)all the same…KXLU?please! Anne Litt & Chris Douridas are the best, then of course Julian! and Garth…oh baby…and NIC you are “my first love”… still KCRW FOR EVER!!!

PS Ruth what have you done with JOE FRANK?!
shame on you! best story teller in this country,
bring him back…at what ever cost!

By: Ashraf

Ashraf — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:26:11 +0000

I had stopped enjoying Nick’s selection of morose music.

Good R.