An Impromptu Interview With Grant "Not Peaches" Napear
On Friday, it seemed one good thing had come from Grant Napear's cease-and-desist letter regarding the Peaches t-shirt: I had Napear's email address. With that in my pocket, I struck up a conversation and asked for an email interview. He complied, and told me I could ask any questions I wanted. So I did.
The conversation did not last very long.
Here is the exchange.
Napear: My nickname is Napes.
Ziller: The other local shows on KHTK don't engage in nearly the number of confrontations and blow-ups with callers as your show does. Do you think your hard-boiled New Yorker attitude toward callers spurs on this endless cycle of loud confrontation? I mean, Kozimor and Whitey are just straight-laced and snarky -- they make fun of people without yelling at them; you rip people for being wrong (or in some cases just for having a different opinion). Do you think that attitude causes more people to call in looking for a fight? Do you think this is good radio?
Napear: As far as my show goes i rarely yell at my callers. It's just that's what most people remember. I disagree with you completely about what you call and endless cycle of loud confrontation. Do you really listen to my show? My show has been one of the highest rated shows since I began in 1995. It's either number one or two almost every rating period, so I must be doing something right. I've also been voted Sacramento's best radio sportscaster by Sacramento Magazine for I believe 8 years in a row...so if it aint broke don't fix it.
I don't agree with you at all that people call in looking for a fight. I think that is the biggest myth about my show. If you listened to my show for a week straight, I bet you wouldn't hear me tell off a caller more than once or twice if at all. It's just that's what people remember. It's my belief that you have to be opinionated on radio. It stimulates debate. My goal isn't to have people love me, it's to get them to listen. I truly wonder if you listen to my show based on your observations. As I said before I let the ratings do the talking and obviously my station has been very happy with the product. I don't think Rome would of asked me to host his show if he thought I was going to yell at people all day. If I tell off a caller, chances are they deserve it and believe it or not I get the most positive feedback from my audience when that happens. However, It has to be real...it can't be staged.
As far as the content of the show goes, I know more about the Kings than anyone else in the market. Just like F.P. knows more about the Giants than anyone else in the market. When you live with a team for 7 months a year you know what's going on. Some people have a problem with that, but they don't have a clue to what they're talking about. They always think they know what's going on with the team, but in reality they don't. How could they? Mike and I both have a big football background, so that works well for the show also. We have a great producer who gets top quality guests and the show is a lot of fun to do. I think Sacramento is a great sportstown and in general the fans are super and add a lot to the show. It's the oddball who calls in once in awhile who sticks out. Kings fans are great and other than announicing for the NY Giants I wouldn't want to work anywhere else and that's the truth.
Ziller: I don't listen to the show regularly, no. I used to (before Lamb came aboard and for about a year after), but unless you're talking to the coach or a Kings player (or letting F.P. come clean) I listen to KNBR when I'm in the car at drive time.
You can't deny your reputation is based on being opinionated -- you say it's the biggest myth, but how can it be a myth if nearly everyone in the town who has heard your show believes it? I mean, last year alone you feuded on the airwaves with Marty Mac, Kenny Thomas, the entire Bee sports desk. Amick wrote a few months ago that you and Jim Kozimor wouldn't even speak to each other during a Kings broadcast. I'm not trying to lay out a rap sheet or anything; I'm just trying to put some perspective behind my assertion that your reputation as a radio talk show host is as an aggressive person who disagrees with folks frequently and loudly. Don't you have to admit this reputation has some basis in reality?
I want to ask about one particular incident several years ago: when you questioned Bobby Jackson's abdominal strain in 2005. Do you regret questioning a player's -- that player's -- injury? I think that incident (which people still mention in conversations about you and your show) turned a lot of folks off (though, as you've said, your ratings aren't hurting).
Napear: Thank you for completely validating everything I said. You want to do an interview with me and you have opinions, but you don't listen to my show? If I told you gas was going to be $5 a gallon tomorrow would you tell all your friends, or would you find out for yourself? It's pointless for me to continue answering your questions. You're not very well informed which i gathered from your previous questions. Marty Mac is a very good friend of mine and Kenny Thomas and I are also friends. If you listened to my show you would of heard Bobby Jackson, a weekly guest on my show, say he could of played. Have you ever asked yourself why he played on Breast cancer awareness night in honor of his mom and played very well, but that was it? Of course not, because you don't think on your own. By the way, Bobby is a friend of mine. He still comes on my show and he plays in my golf tournament every year. Why do you think that is? It's very simple...he respects me and respects that I have a show to do. You're like a lot of people who think they know what they're talking about, but when you take a little time and ask questions you realize you really aren't very well informed. Also, I never said I'm not opinionated...I am opinionated and I welcome different opinions on my show. Unlike you however, my opinions are based on knowledge...maybe not always right...but it's not because I just listened to someone else without doing my homework. You might want to take that approach in the future.
Good luck! By the way...I never asked, but what is this for?
Ziller: It's for my blog, Sactown Royalty, which is where I assume you got my email address and where I have written about the Kings and the NBA on daily basis for the past three years.
Thanks for your time. Enjoy Denver and Los Angeles.
Napear: I'm not familiar with Sactown Royalty. What is it? I got your email address from a friend. I'm not into blogs so I really don't much about them.
I didn't realize you wrote about the Kings and NBA. Why all the questions about my radio show then? Why not questions about the Kings etc???
Ziller: Sactown Royalty is a blog/community. Myself and a few hundred other fans write and comment on the Kings. We get about 1,500 visitors a day, which is obviously small potatoes ... but we have a strong community. When I started, I got 20 readers a day looking for a constantly updated alternative source to the newspaper, the TV, and the radio. I'm pretty proud of what we've created.
I didn't ask questions about the Kings, etc because I know about the Kings. If my readers wanted your opinion on the Kings, they could listen to your show (which many do) or watch the pre-game. With regards to your show and your persona? Your perspective on that isn't as readily available, hence my questions. When I interviewed Amick last summer, I asked questions about beat writing.
If I wanted information about the Kings, I would interview the Kings. If I wanted opinions on the Kings... well, there are plenty of those out there. I know you are particularly close to the team, but some would argue -- as an employee of Maloof Sports & Entertainment -- you might not be the most objective source for opinions on the team.
Also, as I said, we know most of your opinions on the team. You think Kevin Martin is good. You think Quincy Douby is not. Most of us who do not live with the team 7 months a year feel the same way.
Napear: Thanks for the info...Best of luck with your endeavor. I don't think I'll be 1501, because it's not my thing, but like you and your readers I love the Kings too.
I hope my time helped the fans understand a little bit more about the radio business and what I do.
So, for the record, Grant Napear is not an angry person. Not at all. He would never respond to valid questions about his off-putting radio persona with, um, anger. That's just a popular misconception. You obviously don't know anything about Grant Napear if you think he would respond in that way.
I have so many things to say about this that my brain is on overload and I'm about to throw up. So much snark rushing to my head ... must breathe ...
Seriously, though: Thanks to Grant Napear for spending time on the road trip in Denver on his Blackberry answering questions from a random fan. It says ... something. He's nothing if not ... accessible.
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26 comments
Comments
What can you say?
by Kusian on Apr 5, 2008 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He didn't come off as angry to me
He just came off as being completely happy about being a complete and total douche.
by vfettke on Apr 5, 2008 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
By the way...
by vfettke on Apr 5, 2008 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Self-awareness
The biggest joke is his alleged Kings knowledge. I've never sensed that his access to the team has translated to any great depth of knowledge of the sport. He has never struck me as understanding the nuances of the game - there are 20 people on this site alone I'd rely on for in-depth NBA analysis than Napear.
And please, his show is the highest rated sports show because there is no real local competition. That show would be better if Lamb was doing it alone, or let one of Kruger or Townsend do the show with Lamb - the ratings would be fine and the product would be improved.
Yep, there is nothing here that would change my opinion that the guy is an egotistical jackhole.
by otis29 on Apr 5, 2008 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious!
The guy must have insulted you half a dozen times in a single interview. The thing I gather from this is that Grant is a total dick, but has absolutely no idea that he's such a dick. It doesn't excuse it, it's just sort of...interesting.
by Carl on Apr 5, 2008 11:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, I don't even know where to start
Oh, and he might have the highest rated show in Sac because it's the ONLY DRIVE TIME LOCAL (to Sac) SPORTS SHOW. I'm not even going to get into the ridiculousness of the arbitron system.
I'm still calling him Peaches because that's a way better nickname. Did you bring up the SPCA thing? And what friend of his happens to have TZ's e-mail address handy?
Again TZ, great stuff. You're my hero.
by Muff209 on Apr 5, 2008 11:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sactown Royalty
by Mikey G on Apr 5, 2008 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
"Why all the questions about my radio show then? Why not questions about the Kings etc???" Perhaps because the Kings have not threatened litigation over a t-shirt?
"Unlike you, however, my opinions are based on knowledge..." Later Peaches adds "I'm not familiar with Sactown Royalty." Hmmm, does not know the website but can cast an accusation that there is a lack of knowledge here. Interesting. On a personal note, I can categorically state that I have picked up more pertinent and accurate information regarding the Kings here (from at least a dozen different members) than I ever have from Grant. Unless he has a guest on his show it's not worth listening to.
Upon learning about StR, Peaches says "I don't think that I'll be (member) 1,501." That's probably for the best. With his flame throwing attitude the ban hammer would probably come down on him sooner than later.
Oh, and Grant, one more thing. You may say that your nickname is Napes, but around here it is what we say it is.
Peaches forever.
What...a...tool.
by section214 on Apr 5, 2008 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Long live peaches
by KingsShow1988 on Apr 5, 2008 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And one more thing...
So, Mr. Napear, let me just say in closing -
Heeeey, Peaches! Click here.
by section214 on Apr 5, 2008 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That has to make the StR Hall of Fame someday.
OK, I didn't cry from laughing this time, but it was pretty close. Evers Burns. Evers Burns. Classic.
by KK on Apr 5, 2008 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did that really just happen?
I have never listened to his radio show and therefor cannot have a personal opinion. I have read many comments regarding various debates on StR. Many debates have two sides. In regards to Peaches, I have not read any sincere debates. It is completely one sided and I have come to believe that it is common knowledge that Peaches is a POS.
TZ, you have to be seriously reconsidering halting the production of those shirts, right? Do remember that Original Ballboy produces the jerseys for the Kings and might be able to help.
Would you be willing to allow others to produce the design to keep this going while avoiding prosecution yourself?
I have a feeling that Peaches just opened up a can of worms that he is going to regret. His head is so far up his ass that you would think he would know what "in deep shit" means, however in this case I highly doubt it. The collective power of the StR readers is about to be felt. This could be huge for this site.
by CAB on Apr 5, 2008 12:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is Your Moment
I totally agree. This is a PR moment waiting to happen. You have to seize the opportunity.
Suggestions:
- Find a sponsor to cover the cost of printing 500 shirts and running 2-3 ads in the Bee. Plug "the all proceeds going to SPCA line heavily."
- Run the ads on consecutive days ahead of a good home game that is being broadcast on Comcast (Hornets? Spurs?).
- Hold a tailgater and give away all the shirts on one condition: the recipients have to promise to wear them into the game. You might even have a couple RVs for changing rooms. Or, just get some volunteers to give the shirts away in the parking lot.
- You might want to print something like "Get your Kings news at Sactown Royalty.com" on the back of the shirt.
Napear isn't going to sue you, and if he does, it will just draw more attention the site and to what a moron he is. Eventually you countersue, and in the settlement which follows "Napes" agrees to wear the Peaches shirt on-air.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Apr 5, 2008 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couple of problems
Next, Arco Arena doesn't allow tailgating. Chris the Greek and I tried last year. Since it was just the two of us, a 30-pack, and we had a radio with the NCCA tourney on, the parking lot people let us stay. Mostly to hear the games. I don't think they'd be down for a tailgate party organized to harass a Maloof Sports employee. Even if it is in good fun.
Third, I don't know if you've noticed, but it took a month for the first appearance of the shirt on TV. We're not exactly the get out there, show our faces while acting like jackasses bunch.
by Muff209 on Apr 5, 2008 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey PEACHES!
by 27freethrows on Apr 5, 2008 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
awww dude !!!
by maiku on Apr 5, 2008 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only way you could have improved that
by pookeyguru on Apr 6, 2008 1:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you don't like that, you don't like
Well done TZ.
by Kfan in Korea on Apr 5, 2008 3:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
way to get a rise out of 'em, TZ!
just make sure you have your facts in order next time you interview someone as distinguished as napes.
by CrownUs93 on Apr 5, 2008 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mt. Vesuvius
I've never actually minded Napear's on air personality admittedly. Radio people uniformly have divisive tics and gimmicks, I don't find his any less tolerable than Mike Greenberg's fatuousness or Tom Abatemarco's incessant name dropping. What never ceases to amaze me though is his delusion, self absorption and delusional self absorption. Clearly he's the best in the business, Sacramento Magazine has said so, they've also said Chevy's is the best Mexican food restaurant in town 8 out of the last 10 years...Napear likes Ron Burgundy, though he wishes he had a little more self esteem...
Incidentally as treasured a nickname as Peaches is for Grant on this blog isn't "Napes" really the ideal name for him? Doesn't that just sound like a guy who spends his weekends in Tommy Bahama shirts, drinking wine coolers and making jokes about his golf game?
by rbiegler on Apr 5, 2008 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you RB
He doesn't always yell at callers, but he does it enough that it's his "thing" or whatever you want to call it. And he's a douchebag regardless of what his name is.
by pookeyguru on Apr 6, 2008 1:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be interested
by section214 on Apr 5, 2008 4:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
grant's shouting stats
Anybody else notice he didn't refute the Kozimor claim? Everybody else TZ brought up in that question he had an answer for. But not Koz.
by Muff209 on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
TZ, thanks for the interview
If local fans actually had other options, he might find out his pedestal has a very shaky foundation.
by KK on Apr 5, 2008 7:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
TZ I rarely compliment
I do remember a moment from last season where a fan brought up what Bibby said in the Bee. Grant ripped him for not knowing anything, and when Mike Lamb said that it was a front page feature written by Amick, then Grant changed his tune some. He said he no longer read the Bee, which I felt then, and do now, that's an irresponsible thing to say and act out because the paper didn't engage in your same beliefs.
That's one of many reasons I no longer watch the show. The caller's are too stupid, and he screams too much, plus Lamb's fake laugh is often too much, and the interviews are pretty boring most of the time. All in all there's nothing to listen to. It's why I listen to music on my iPod. :)
by pookeyguru on Apr 6, 2008 1:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What a tool
When J Will was here he would never rip him for his poor D, but once he left he started to rip him. That to quote Peaches is truly gutless. He was the same with Webber as well
Sacramento has been accused of being smalltown and while he is the top rated sportshow thats a valid critiscism sadly.
by Murf on Apr 7, 2008 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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