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
~Always Clear the Porn from your Browser Before Going on TV
A B-roll closeup of a smart phone showed that the user had an app for Porn Hub. This happened on WGN television, but the Gizmodo article doesn't name any names. That's for the best, don't you think?
~Dave Robbins
The former WJMK, WBBM, and WUSN general manager is now in Orlando and just changed a station's format/branding down there. The RAMP Newsletter article about the change says Robbins has promised no staff changes. The media spotlight column (by me right now) predicts that the RAMP Newsletter is wrong about that. When Robbins arrived in Chicago as GM of WJMK he said the same thing. Guess what happened? First the morning show (including me) was fired, and then about a year later, everyone else was fired too. Here's my favorite Dave Robbins story...A few weeks after I was fired, I stopped by the station to pick up my mail, and ran into Robbins. He said to me: "I envy you. You have all that free time on your hands now to spend with your little ones."
Broadcast News
~Tom Brokaw Has Cancer
He released a statement yesterday: “With the exceptional support of my family, medical team and friends, I am very optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing my life, my work and adventures still to come. I remain the luckiest guy I know. I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter.”
~Did NBC's Hype Put Too Much Pressure on Shaun White?
The New Yorker explores the subject. I think it did. I was feeling pressure just watching him.
~Carl Bernstein Joins CNN
Looks like he'll be filling James Carville's "Outspoken Liberal" position.
Showbiz
~Meeting the French President
The guest list for the White House state dinner was a Hollywood who's who. Among the invitees; Bradley Cooper, J.J. Abrams, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Mindy Kaling, and more.
~Advertisers Hoping Jimmy Fallon Open To Live Ads
It's not like it's never been done. Both Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon did them.
The Radio Biz
~Radio Has a Talent Problem
Fred Jacobs writes a blog about the radio business, and today it's about the lack of talent in the pipeline to replace the good talent that is either retiring, being fired, or dying. He suggests a "Radio Idol" type show to get new talent (something I actually pitched to CBS about five years ago). He's absolutely right, of course, and points out an even bigger problem facing the business. Nobody in the radio industry seems to care.
~Sean Hannity's House is For Sale
The radio/television host had a hissy fit last week about comments made by NY Governor Cuomo, and said he would move out of the state. To which the entire state whispered "oh no...please don't go." The Washington Times has more on the story, including details about his house. It's listed at $3.6 million.
