Chicago Radio Spotlight: Kevin Matthews

This week I spoke with my old pal, former Chicago radio funny man Kevin Matthews for my Chicago Radio Spotlight blog. Read the interview here.

That's our governor!

Today's piece in the Sun-Times about our beloved governor was something else. Just when you think this guy can't shock you...

A former senior advisor to Blagojevic wrote about his former boss to the impeachment panel. And I quote...

"Arya described Blagojevich as “a good father and a great guy to go to a ballgame with” but an ineffective, emotionally unstable chief executive.

“I would respectfully suggest this committee seek an independent psychological evaluation of the governor as part of this process,” Arya wrote to the impeachment panel. “I believe Rod, the committee and the people of this great state would benefit from such a move. It is clear to anyone who has been around him that there is ample cause for such an extraordinary request.”

So proud of our state. So very very proud.

A programming note

I've done some housecleaning over at the Chicago Radio Spotlight site.

It's now much easier to navigate. Everyone I've interviewed is listed in the right margin (in alphabetical order). If there's someone in Chicago radio you'd like to read about, you will probably find them here. There are over 100 interviews now.

Coming this weekend: Kevin Matthews.

A report from Steel Town

My good buddy Dave just e-mailed me from his business trip in Pittsburgh. Dave has a little quirk. Every time he meets someone who works in the service industry (especially waiters, hotel clerks, and cab drivers) he asks: "Who is the most famous person you've ever served."

His cab driver in Pittsburgh responded: "Barbara Mandrell."

During our middle-aged road trip in Memphis, the hotel clerk responded: "The tall guy from the series 'Martin.'"

You should try it sometime. You're bound to hear a good story.

Happy Birthday to the King

Elvis would have turned 74 today if he were still alive.

Two years ago I made a pilgrimage to Memphis along with my buddies Dave and Dane. We called it our Middle Aged Road Trip. If you have a moment, check it out. It was a pretty memorable trip.

Just One Bad Century

We're featuring our last mustache today at Just One Bad Century. Can you guess who it is? I didn't think so. Click here to find out.

Also, while you're there check out our newest addition, a countdown clock giving us the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds since we've been waiting for a World Series championship. (I started the clock at Midnight the day they won.) As of today, by the way, we're at 36,611 days.

Deep Thoughts

By Jack Handey

Hitler as a Cubs fan

"R" pointed this video out to me. It's from the website HireJimEssian.com, and it has some fun with a scene in a Hitler movie. (Warning for the youngsters or the easily offended--there are some bad words.)

VIDEO: Hitler as a Cubs fan

Suburban Man

If you're stopping by to read Suburban Man today, this is just a reminder that Suburban Man is now called "Father Knows Nothing" and it can be found at the NWI Parent blog. I post it every Sunday, but for the next few weeks or so I'll keep reminding you here on Tuesdays. (Old habits...)

This week's story is about my unreasonable and inexplicable fear of returning gifts. You can read it here.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais is taking some heat today because of a few fat jokes he made on his website. I do think the jokes were a bit much, but I will say this about Ricky Gervais--it's not like he doesn't make the same jokes about himself. (He's not exactly what anyone would describe as skinny).

Check out this hilarious scene from his HBO series "Extras." David Bowie co-stars...

The next Senator from Minnesota

It looks like it's actually going to happen. Ladies and Gentlemen, performing on Solid Gold, the junior Senator from Minnesota...Al Franken...

Blago, oh Blago

Now that Roland Burris is actually trying to be seated in the Senate, Blago is back in the news again today.

While I was on blogging hiatus, I contributed this piece about our *cough* Governor to the Beachwood Reporter (2nd item in the link): "Twas the Night before Fitzmas"

By the way, Bridget has some relatives in Louisiana, and they were giving us grief in their Christmas cards about our corrupt government here. When Louisiana is giving you grief about corruption, you have officially become the laughing stock of the nation.

Just One Bad Century

Today's feature at Just One Bad Century is "This week in 1908." Highlights include the first ball drop at Times Square, J. Edgar Hoover, J. Ogden Armour, and some actual music from 1908. (OK, that last one may not exactly be a highlight. It's Opera.)

This will be the last new "This Week in 1908," which means we're about to celebrate our first full year in operation. Starting next Saturday (Jan 10), we'll be moving "This week in 1908" to the weekend to make way for a new feature.

A joke for a monday morning

It's an oldie, but a goodie. Thanks to "T" for sending it.





Morris returns from the doctor and tells his wife that the doctor has told him that he has only 24 hours to live. Given the prognosis, Morris asks his wife for sex. Naturally, she agrees, so they make love.

About 6 hours later, the husband goes to his wife and says, "Honey, you know I now have only 18 hours to live. Could we please do it one more time?"

Of course, the wife agrees, and they do it again.

Later, as the man gets into bed, he looks at his watch and realizes that he now has only 8 hours left. He touches his wife's shoulder and asks, "Honey, please... Just one more time before I die."

She says, "Of course, Dear," and they make love for the third time. After this session, the wife rolls over and falls to sleep.

Morris, however, worried about his impending death, tosses and turns, until he's down to 4 more hours.

He taps his wife, who rouses. "Honey, I have only 4 more hours. Do you think we could..."

At this point the wife sits up and says, "Listen Morris, I have to get up in the morning... You don't."

My First Time

I just posted a new "Father Knows Nothing" column at the NWI Parent blog. It's called "My First Time" and it's about my ridiculous fear of returning gifts.