Perkins, 54, is eager to bring his ideas to 'USL, a station, he says, that has never run commentary or editorials before. He'll focus on local topics. ''I'll strive for understanding, provoke some thought, look at issues," he says.
Some fans have expressed dismay at the move, even stopping him on the street. But again, Perkins waxes philosophical. "One era stops, another begins. What I did over there, hopefully I can do over here," he says.
RADIO GAMES. Jeopardy!, the syndicated TV game show with the second-highest ratings of all time, could be playing weekdays on a radio station near you. The quiz program, hosted by Alex Trebek, is scheduled to debut March 20 on stations around the country. According to executive producer John G. Chanin, the marketing push has just begun, but 35 stations have signed up to air the half-hour show - none yet in the Philadelphia area. The current TV version, which has a strong cult following, aired its 1,000th program Friday. Of all the TV game shows, only Jeopardy! can work without the visuals, Chanin says. Stay tuned.
GRIDIRON NEWS. The stint may be bittersweet after the Eagles 20-12 loss to Chicago in the NFC division playoffs Saturday, but Eagles punter John Telschik will still be talking football every weekday morning until the Super Bowl, on WXTU-FM's (92.5) Morning Show With Jeff and Gina. For one minute, at 7:25 and 8:25 a.m., Telschik will discuss the - sigh - other teams' road to the ultimate playoff game on Jan. 22. DJs Jeff Collins and Mike Brophey will hike the questions at the punter.
TALKING BUSINESS. Public radio's new half-hour business program, Marketplace, debuts tonight at 6:30 on WHYY-FM (90.9). The objective of the show, say its creators Jim Russell and Rick Lewis (formerly with National Public Radio's All Things Considered) is to be "smart, literate, sophisticated, well-informed, witty and hip."
For the program's first outing, three economists will discuss their business predictions for 1989, author Joel Kotkin will tell how to sell in Japan, and there'll be a discussion of the new U.S.-Canadian free trade agreement with J. R. Godsoe, executive director of Canada's Royal Commission.
John Barth, former news director at 'HYY, is segment producer and editor for the show, which has signed up contributors such as Bruce Babbit, ex- governor of Arizona and ex-Democratic presidential candidate; Democrat William Proxmire of Wisconsin, who's retiring from the U.S. Senate, and Tom Peters, author of the best seller In Search of Excellence.
COMEBACK. Casey Kasem, of top 40 countdown fame, will be back on the air beginning Jan. 21. Kasem started counting down the hits on radio back in 1970, but went off the airwaves in 1987 after a contract dispute. Philadelphia will be sans Kasem, for now, but WAEB-FM (104.1) in Allentown has signed on, according to Westwood One Companies. Casey's soliciting listeners' dedications and requests. To submit yours, write: Casey's Top 40, "Requests and Dedications," Box 4300, Hollywood, Calif. 90078.
REUNION '89: Local broadcasters and record company executives are gearing up for "Sound of Philadelphia," a $75-a-head buffet dinner and musical tribute to Philadelphia radio and records from the '50s through the '80s, to be held Feb. 4 at the Twelve Caesars. Proceeds from the event, billed as "an evening of food, fun and memories," will benefit the Philadelphia Music Foundation. Tickets are available through the Sound of Philadelphia Reunion Committee, 307 S. Broad St., 893-9100.
STATIC. Steve Rogers, formerly senior account executive at WYSP-FM (94.1), has joined WMMR-FM (93.3), as national sales manager. Rogers replaces Rich Marsten, who recently left 'MMR to become general manager of WKSZ-FM (100.3). . . . Speaking of 'KSZ, KISS 100 has hired a new research director, Zaline McShan, who comes to the station from a similar job at 'MMR. . . . Ron Cade's Elvis & Friends show has moved to oldies station WOGL-FM (98.1), where it airs Sundays from 8 to 10 a.m. . . . Paul Altobell, assistant music director at 'MMR, will leave the station at the end of this week to become music director at Washington classic-rock station WCXR-FM. Altobell is a nephew of former WIP-AM (610) morning man Steve Martorano.
