Lamont Hollywood, who spent 24 years as a morning show host at 107.7 KSAN The Bone in San Mateo, California, has publicly criticized his former employers after being abruptly let go. In a social media post on Monday, Hollywood directed his criticism at station owners Cumulus, describing them as "giant corporate conglomerates" that treat radio stations as mere "spreadsheets."
Hollywood stated that these corporate entities fail to recognize that radio is built on "authentic human connection, community trust, and undeniable personality." He expressed concern that local newsrooms are being diminished, sometimes replaced by artificial intelligence and automated voice-tracking systems in an effort to cut costs. "They think they can algorithmically automate decades of trust, local flavor, and real intimacy with a community," he wrote, adding that such practices "destroy the soul of the medium and push loyal listeners away" while preserving "executive salaries and bonuses."
Hollywood, who has a 37-year career in radio, spent nearly all of that time working alongside his former co-host Paul Tonelli. The duo began their partnership in 1989 and hosted the morning show at KSAN from 2002 to 2024, incorporating comedy, listener calls, and rock music. They were a prominent regional presence, hosting pregame shows for the San Francisco 49ers and were inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame in 2021. Tonelli's departure from the station was abrupt earlier in 2024.
Unlike his previous departure with Tonelli, where colleagues expressed their admiration on air and were reportedly in tears, Hollywood was unable to bid farewell to his listeners during his final broadcast. Instead, he used social media to communicate his feelings.
Hollywood announced that he plans to continue his show on an independent platform, retaining direct ownership. "I am already hard at work preparing to bring it directly back to you," he stated. He concluded his message with gratitude to his listeners: "This isn't a final goodbye—it's a deep, heartfelt thank you, and a promise that the best is yet to come. Keep the music loud, stay tuned, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for every single year."
His post generated a significant outpouring of support from listeners in the comments section, with many expressing sadness and reminiscing about his long tenure and the impact his show had on their lives.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Cumulus for comment.