Dan Gross | 'YSP cleans house, to rock again

IT HAPPENED earlier than expected, but 94 WYSP has flipped formats and will return to a mix of rock/talk. We reported exclusively Tuesday the station planned to do so. It will begin using the slogan "The Rock is Back" as early as today. It has been two years since the station aired music on weekdays.

'YSP fired most of its on-air staff yesterday. After "The Barsky Show," co-host Kim Douglas was fired, but Paul Barsky was retained for an off-air job. Co-host Vinnie the Crumb will continue hosting the 'YSP Eagles pre-game shows.

Matt & Huggy, who were music DJs on the station before they hosted a talk show, have been fired, as were Scotty & Alex. Kidd Chris remains in the afternoon drive slot, although his producer, Brad Maybe, and crew member Monkeyboy have been let go, while Thomas remains.

Opie & Anthony, heard here on 'YSP and XM Satellite Radio, will broadcast their morning show from the Old City studio tomorrow and from the Fillmore at the TLA Friday. O&A present their Traveling Virus Comedy Tour at the Tweeter Center on Saturday.

"It's the business," says Douglas, who has been on local airwaves for 12 years, and previously worked with Barsky at 96.5 The Point and Y100. "They're making changes that I won't be included in. 'The Barsky Show' aired for the last time today," she said. She's hoping to find a local station as she has no interest in leaving town. Douglas is still dating fellow babe Casey from Wired 96.5.

Potential employers can reach her at Kim2Doug@aol.com.

In other radio news . . .

Rob Calvert is the new producer for John DeBella's 102.9 WMGK morning show, replacing Brian Carothers, who left to host a morning show in Atlanta.

Coy Bolaris confirms return

Meteorologist John Bolaris told "Preston & Steve," yesterday morning on 93.3 WMMR that he "should be hanging out with you soon," publicly addressing our recent reports that he will be coming back to work in Philadelphia, most likely to Fox 29. He did not say on-air where

he'll be working. Makes sense as no contract's been signed.

We reported July 2 that he had not re-signed with New York's WCBS, where he went in 2002 after 12 years at NBC-10. On Aug. 2 we said Fox 29 was likely to announce Bolaris as its lead meteorologist.

"I'm excited about the prospect of coming back to Philadelphia," Bolaris told us yesterday. "It's destiny," says the Long Island native about returning to "my second home." After all, he has a Flyers logo tattooed on his right butt cheek, which was drawn on air when Preston & Steve were at the late Y100. Bolaris is under contract at WCBS through early December, but his Long Island home is on the market for $2.7 million, as New York Newsday reported. Rob Guarino is Fox 29's current chief meteorologist. His contract is up at year's end, we're told. It's unclear whether he'll be retained, although the rumor is that Bolaris will show up on Fox 29 in early 2008. Guarino did not return a request for comment yesterday. A Fox 29 spokeswoman declined comment yesterday on the Bolaris/Guarino situation.

* As for rumors the station will soon

launch an 11 p.m. newscast as a number of Fox stations nationwide are expected to do, the station says, "There are no firm plans to do so at this time."

Out and about

Vivica A. Fox, Richard Roundtree and nine other cast/crew members of "Whatever She Wants," at the Merriam through Sunday, stopped into the nearby Ruth's Chris Steak House (260 S. Broad) for a late dinner Tuesday. The party went for lots of steaks and lobster.

* Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, here

Tuesday for a Finlandia vodka event at the Philadelphia magazine Design Home in Villanova, stopped by the Public House (18th & Cherry) to pour Finlandia cocktails for patrons, who included Eagles David Akers and A.J. Feeley. The bar was hosting an after-party for its golf tournament benefitting Hold the Door for Others, a local nonprofit.

A 'Life Goes On' reunion?

Wonder if local "Life Goes On" star Chris Burke will make it to the Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut) next month when his former co-star Patti LuPone performs with actor/singer Mandy Patinkin from Oct. 23 to 29. Tix are available by calling 215-569-9700. *

Call Dan at 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@philly

news.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/

dangross.