Buzz and Johnny B. to get back together

It's official: Buzz and Johnny are getting back together.

Under a two-year agreement signed Friday, Buzz Kilman willreturn as Jonathon Brandmeier's sidekick, starting Jan. 11. The twoworked together for 15 years at WLUP-FM (97.9).

Brandmeier's midday show airs here on WCKG-FM (105.9) and in LosAngeles on KLSX-FM. Both outlets are owned by CBS.Kilman replaces Bruce Wolf, whose contract was not renewed.Wolf continues as morning sports anchor for WFLD-Channel 32.Before Brandmeier reached out to reunite with his formerpartner, Kilman had spent about a year as solo morning host at theLoop. Kilman blamed the premature demise of his show last October ona "lack of commitment" by the station."I was very disappointed with the Loop because of all of theeffort I put into it," he said. "But as I look back, I can see itwasn't going to happen because of the dynamics of everybody involved."When we came up with flat numbers in the spring (ratings) book,there was panic in the streets and a lot of finger pointing. Supportfor the morning show evaporated, and two months later they announceda new (more music) format. I was replaced by Pink Floyd."Kilman, 54, an accomplished blues musician, also will host aSunday night blues show on WCKG.In the latest Arbitron quarterly survey, Brandmeier's middayshow tied for 17th place with a 2.4 percent share and cumulativeweekly audience of 218,500.Tuning in: Union sees red over contract delayFollowing up on a similar demonstration Nov. 23, news anchors andreporters at WBBM-Channel 2 and WMAQ-Channel 5 dressed in black andred Monday. The gesture dramatized frustration over management'sdemands and the lack of progress in negotiations with the AmericanFederation of Television and Radio Artists. The previous contractexpired more than a year ago.Black symbolizes the members' solidarity and seriousness, whilered denotes anger, said Dick Kay, president of the AFTRA local andpolitical editor at Channel 5. Contract talks resume Thursday.Dan Rostenkowski, the former congressional powerhouse, may be headedfor a new career as a national pundit. After engaging in a spiritedexchange about impeachment with Oliver North on MSNBC last week,Rostenkowski was offered a contract to appear as a regular guest onthe cable network's nightly talk shows.Rostenkowski, who continues to share political insights withWalter Jacobson on Fox-owned Channel 32 from time to time, said he'smulling over the offer from MSNBC.Channel 2 has dropped Steve Baskerville's "Best of Chicago" featurefrom its 10 p.m. Friday newscasts. Figures. It was the best thingthe show had going for it.Dialing: Score didn't add up for Steve CochranNow that Steve Cochran is headed for WKQI-FM in Detroit, moredetails are emerging about his extended talks with WSCR-AM (1160)concerning a morning gig at the sports talker.Harvey Wells, vice president and general manager of the Score,confirmed that he and Cochran discussed a six-figure salary. Thatcame after Cochran met once with Wells and twice with operationsdirector Jeff Schwartz and program director Ron Gleason.Although Wells acknowledged that his salary proposal fell shortof Cochran's expectations, Gleason continued to pursue him until theday after Cochran signed with the Detroit station."I really wanted to stay in Chicago, but it's more clear nowthan ever that this was not the right situation for me," saidCochran, former morning host at WMVP-AM (1000) and the old WPNT.Roy Leonard, who's retiring after 31 years at WGN-AM (720), hosts afarewell remote broadcast from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the Museumof Broadcast Communications in the Chicago Cultural Center. For hisfinal in-studio show Dec. 26, Leonard will be joined by his wife,Sheila.E-mail: feder@suntimes.com