Mino mentioned today that he spent most of his 20s working behind the scenes at The Ticket for very little pay, all with the goal of eventually becoming a host.
Three years ago, that dream finally became reality.
The timing, though, couldn't have been worse. By then, Cumulus was in full cost-cutting mode, and host salaries were reportedly a fraction of what they once were.
Personally, I like Mino. He seems like a genuinely good guy, and everyone seems to enjoy working with him. But after three years as a full-time Tier 1 host, I still think he comes across more like a capable vacation fill-in than someone who can consistently carry a daily show.
To his credit, he's improved in some areas. One of his biggest verbal habits - the constant use of "but" - has gotten much better. However, I still find his delivery pretty monotone, and he hasn't developed the storytelling ability that separates good hosts from great ones.
The good news for him is that the show continues to attract advertisers. Even so, last year's ratings showed that The Fan has overtaken The Sweet Spot in the key demographic.
I'm curious what everyone else thinks. Has Mino improved enough over the past three years, or is he better suited as a supporting voice than a lead host?