Brian McKenna becomes the co-host of the "Bernie Miklasz Show'' today. In lieu of a traditional paycheck, he is being given commercial time in the KSLG show to sell — a similar arrangement to a deal he had when he once conducted a late-night show on competitor KFNS and an approach that is becoming more commonplace.

"We made a deal we're both comfortable with,'' McKenna said. "My wife wouldn't let me sign this if I didn't think I can make a living at it.''

McKenna has been out of work since being fired about three months ago by KFNS (590 AM, 100.7 FM). He had been working on its morning drive-time show, which was a free-wheeling program that often featured "guy-talk'' (sex, booze, frat-house humor). Miklasz, in contrast, is the best-connected person on sports talk radio in town and has the most newsy show on local sports radio. He can kid around, but info and informed opinion are what separate his program, which is on from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, from the routine fare.

CHANGING GEARS

McKenna said he will have no trouble changing his approach at KSLG (1390 AM).

"I'm always well-prepared, I adapt to whatever environment I'm put in,'' he said. "I cuss at home, but I don't cuss in church.''

Miklasz, who has worked a few times with McKenna, expects a smooth transition.

"I like to do this show a certain way and Brian can really adjust, he knows what this show is supposed to be,'' Miklasz said. "He can adapt to this style of show. ... He can bring a little levity to this show and when it bogs down a little — I'm so serious all the time. Maybe he's got something a little offbeat to talk about that he can loosen the show up when we need it. That's appealing to me.

"I went to the bosses and said, 'This is the guy I want to work with in the market who's available. I was always impressed in his preparation, his detail.''

McKenna will be Miklasz's fourth co-host in about six months. "I want a strong opinion in that second chair,'' Miklasz said. "People think my ego is that I want someone to sit there and tell me how great I am, but it's the exact opposite. The most fun I have in radio is when somebody gives me a hard time and we have a great debate.''

McKenna said he'll try to go point-counterpoint with Miklasz in serious sports conversation, something that hasn't been the norm since Randy Karraker was dumped for economic reasons last summer.

"He wants somebody to challenge him and that’s something I look forward to, because I know if I don’t show up prepared Bernie’s going to make a fool out of me,’’ McKenna said. "There are a lot of things we disagree on. Bernie could bring up the fact that (Cardinals manager Tony) La Russa is third all time in wins and I’d bring up that he’s third in losses. Bernie voted Mark McGwire for the Hall of Fame, but I think he’s one of the most despicable human beings on the face of the earth. ... We disagree on a lot of stuff, but we respect each other and that’s important.’’

McKenna also knows his place.

"Make no mistake about it, this is the 'Bernie Miklasz Show,' it’s his program. Bernie is the leader of the show and will dictate the format. It’s kind of like when I worked with J.C. Corcoran, there was no doubt who was in charge of the program."

And he took a shot at his former station.

"One of the problems when I was at 590 was that there wasn’t any leadership on the morning program,’’ McKenna said. "Now I’ll be working with Bernie, who is the leader and I’ll be working with a producer, Ben Boyd, who is capable and mature. It’s going to be nice to be part of a team with a true leader. ... I’m happy. Going from being absolutely miserable three months ago to working with Bernie, the most influential St. Louis sports media member, I am totally stoked.’’