KMPC ESCAPEES ENJOY SUCCESS: With the local sports format of KMPC-AM in Los Angeles in ashes, at least two early escapees from the failed experiment will soon be enjoying bigger and better oppportunities locally.

First, SbB has learned that next week KLAC-AM will officially announce the station’s new morning show, which will consist of KNBC-TV’s Fred Roggin (former KMPC middayer), L.A. TIMES sports columnist T.J. Simers and Simers’ daughter Tracy. The show will replace Mancow in the Morning.

Additionally, Roggin, who is in his 26th year anchoring KNBC’s sports programming, recently created and currently hosts KNBC’s groundbreaking NFL-based quiz show “The Challenge“, which is likely to be renewed for another season.

Meanwhile, Tom Hoffarth reportsPetros Papadakis will pop up next week on the highly-rated KTLA-TV Morning News.

Papadakis also will also return for a second season as host of Spike TV’s “Pros vs. Joes”, which begins shooting next week. And the former USCer is current lead analyst of FSN’s college football game of the week.

Despite that resume, expect Papadakis to ramrod his way back onto the Los Angeles radio airwaves early next year. There will be no shortage of suitors for his services, including KLAC and KROQ-FM.