You get a new whipping boy.

It was from Jack Evans, a longtime radio programmer with experience in San Diego during the 1990s. Attached was a press release from Broadcast Company of the Americas, which owns and operates three local radio stations including XPRS-AM (1090), announcing Evans as vice president of programming and operations.

My first thought: No more Bozos?

Yes, Hal Brown is gone, retiring effective June 30. W.U.P.E. (Worst Update Person Ever), we hardly knew ye.

Evans, 54, won't be doing updates, and he won't be putting two buffoons on the air during afternoon drive time, either. He didn't want to be critical of Brown – “We never know unless we try” – but he did say that time period in a market of this size “is not a petri dish.”

What Evans will be doing is evaluating, at least for the next three weeks or so. “We're in a climate right now where we have to make sure we have the right people doing the right jobs,” he said yesterday.

Thus far Evans said he has learned this much: “The station needs to have more fun. We're not charged with ending a war or finding a cure for a disease. We're charged to entertain and inform. We need to do more of the entertainment to bring in the information.”

Hard to argue with that. The question is what he will do about it. Evans didn't want to be specific, for obvious reasons, but anyone (except Brown, I guess) can see John Kentera isn't the best choice for afternoon drive.

Anyone for the return of – insert impersonation here – Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton?

I'm serious.

Not only did BCA boss John Lynch hire Hamilton at XTRA-AM (690) some two decades ago, but Evans worked with Hamilton at the station and they have remained in touch through the years. They plan to meet soon, probably within the next week.

“Lee knows I respect his talents and am in awe of his work ethic,” Evans said. “That said, I need time to evaluate the current starting lineup, and I want time with Mr. Lynch to discuss financial models for each of his stations.”

Another option would be to develop his own star, something Evans has done. There are good arguments to be made both ways.

Here's one that I'll let you decide if it's pro or con for Hamilton: As part of its improving Web site, 1090 will start live video streaming of its shows June 1. Think about it.