‘Are they asking for a time machine?’: Jake and Spike justify Space Needle photographer cuts
May 14, 2025, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:41 am
Artist Omar G. Ramirez (R) captures an image of Actor Xolo Maridueña of the film "Blue Beetle" at the Space Needle. (Photo: Mat Hayward via Getty Images)
(Photo: Mat Hayward via Getty Images)
The Space Needle has decided to eliminate the photography department, telling KIRO Newsradio the decision was tough, but the bottom line is cell phone use is more prominent.
RELATED STORIES
Co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill, understood the decision but had ideas to keep the professional photographers.
“Are they asking for a time machine back in time when, when people didn’t take their own photos?” Spike asked. “Are they? Are they asking for a ban on cell phones? Pretend it’s a middle school. ‘You want to go up the Space Needle? Give me your phone. Give me your camera.'”
Space Needle photographers need leverage, Jake says
Jake said the photographers need something to sway Space Needle officials.
“I just don’t know what the leverage is here,” he said. “You’re a very small group, I’m not trying to take anything away from them, I understand they want better, but if you don’t have
the leverage—you’re literally working in one of the most unique buildings in the world that has now said, ‘Hey, you know what? Actually, people’s phones are pretty great.'”
Spike said the photography department isn’t needed anymore.
“It’s unnecessary, as you can go up and stand with the city skyline behind you,” he said. “And it’s a revenue stream for the needle, but it’s been a diminishing source of revenue for the needle.”
Listen to the full conversation below.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
