Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Larry Lujack & Jerry G. Bishop
It was great to see the Grammy's honor both Larry Lujack and Jerry G. Bishop, two Chicago radio icons who passed away this year, in their "In Memorium" section. The Grammy's honors the music industry, but they realize that without radio's influence--particularly in the 1960s and 1970s (Lujack's & Bishop's heyday)--many of those artists never would have achieved the popularity they did. I mentioned this on Facebook last night, and Lujack's former producer Mick Kahler responded: "I was thrilled to see my former boss and longtime friend noted on the Grammy's. What would Lar's response be? "Where's the money in that?"
The Music Biz
~Paul & Ringo Perform Togther After All
Ringo was on the drums when Paul played a song off his "New" album. From today's RAMP Newsletter: "Despite the Grammy press department's recent insistence that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would not be performing together, imagine our surprise and sheer delight to find out that their planned duet was in fact, a "secret." We were so shocked and excited we hit "pause" and took a bunch of pictures of our TV. It was a busy night indeed for Sir Paul, as his Live Kisses won Grammys for Best Music Film and Best Surround Sound Album. Proving his talent spans multiple generations, McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear also won the Grammy for Best Rock Song for "Cut Me Some Slack." In a related story, the Deluxe Edition of Paul McCartney & Wings' 1976 live album Wings Over America won the Grammy for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package."
~Daft Punk & Stevie Wonder
To me, this was the best moment of the show last night. Rolling Stone has more details about that awesome performance.
Broadcast News
~Elizabeth Vargas
The New York Daily News has the story about Elizabeth Vargas' Good Morning America appearance, complete with video. Any time I read about someone having the courage to seek treatment for addiction, I applaud. When your family has been touched by it (and who comes from a family that hasn't been?), you know what a big deal it is to stop before it's too late.
~Greta Blasts Bieber Coverage
Fox News host Greta Van Sustern correctly points out that: "By doing segments about how appalling celebrity coverage is, an anchor gets the ratings of the celebrity coverage – and gets to flash the video of the celebrity - but thinks he or she doesn’t get his hands dirty. Here is a fact: if you as an anchor thinks the Justin Bieber story is not news – than don’t cover it. Do something else. Don’t be so phony as to pull the stunt about how appalled you are at the coverage – that’s just not true."
The Moguls
~Sony To Make Film Based on Facebook COO's Book
The latest billionaire, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, is on a roll. Her book "Lean In" is being made into a film. It's a self-help book, but the co-writer of the book (probably, let's face it, the only writer of the book) is working on converting it into a narrative form.
~Rupert Ups Stake in YES Network
Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox now owns 80% of the network that shows the New York Yankees. Bloomberg has the details.
Showbiz
~Jay Leno says no more Late Night
Jay Leno was on 60 Minutes last night, and they asked him if he would return to late night after his time at NBC is up (in a few weeks). He said he wouldn't. The AP summarizes the appearance at the link.
The Radio Biz
~Sean Hannity/Michael Savage Feud
This piece in Politico today highlights the personal feud between Hannity & Savage: “My competitor doesn’t have the capacity to go beyond the Democrat-Republican talking points,” Savage told POLITICO. “That’s all he’s ever done. That’s all he can do. He has no education. I’m just going to lay it on the line, I’m not going to mince words.” That's among the nicest things they say about each other in the piece. For what it's worth, I agree with Savage's opinion of Hannity. And I agree with Hannity's opinion of Savage.
~Howard Stern May Not Have Sway He Once Had
From today's Inside Radio: "Howard Stern may be Sirius XM Radio’s biggest subscriber draw, but if he leaves it won’t lead to the mass exodus some investors fear. Macquarie Equities Research quizzed Sirius XM customers and discovered just 5% say they would drop their subscription if Stern bolted. And 95% said they wouldn’t fork over extra cash each month to cover the costs of a new Stern contract."
