20 years later

[Deleted]

We are approaching the time when Casey left Westwood One and Casey’s Top 40/the legendary “Top 40 Countdown” and all of its format incarnations ended as American Top 40 was resurrected at AM/FM.

I remember reading back then in an article or on a website, that Westwood One planned to continue producing a show with a new host. Obviously, that didn’t happen. Question is, suppose they tried? Who, if anyone in pop culture could have been pegged the new host to not only lead a countdown show brand but also be competition for Dees and a Casey Kasem led American Top 40?

Had this happened 6-7 years later, do you think Westwood One would have made a play for Ryan Seacrest as the guy to host a rebranded show?

I got to wondering that latter part recently and how timing in entertainment really defines history and sometimes winners and losers in that realm. Had AI began a few years earlier or there been maybe one additional contract this dispute happened over a few years later, history could be very very different.

[BrettVW]

I think in 1998 it was the tail end of the era where an actual known radio personality could have potentially taken over. The problem was, they didn't have anyone who would have been able to run against Casey.

The not quite six year period between March 1998 and January 2004 saw Casey going from still relevant in pop music to the voice of a past generation. Fortunately, the stars aligned to get the AT40 name back permanently and for Casey to have a chance to do it for a few years.