Media Notebook (July 17, 2008)

Collected and Edited by Rick Kaempfer





Highlights and links to the big stories in the news this week about the media. This column appears twice a week at MEDIA NOTEBOOK

Departing Tribune Editor: "It's a Complicated Time"
(Editor & Publisher) Joe Strupp writes: "Chicago Tribune Editor Ann Marie Lipinski says her decision to leave the job she has had for seven years -- and the paper where she has worked for 30 -- 'had been building' for at least several months. She told E&P last night that the latest round of planned layoffs (expected to cut 80 newsroom positions) and a decision to reduce news pages did not directly trigger her decision announced Monday. 'There is no one moment, no one day,' she said. 'It has been a growing desire to do something different.' Lipinski, 52, says she made the decision last Wednesday, then informing Tribune Publishing Executive Vice President Bob Gremillion that she would depart. Asked how much of her decision had been forced by Tribune officials, she declared: 'zero pushing, quite the contrary. They had hoped this would turn out differently. I have never had anything but support and admiration and a desire for me to stay.'"
The Beachwood Reporter had the very best coverage of her departure with lots of inside scoops.



Larry King signs deal to write autobiography
(Variety) Sam Thielman writes: "Larry King will tell all, again: Weinstein Books will publish the oft-chronicled 74-year-old interviewer's autobiography 'What Am I Doing Here?' on Father's Day 2009. The book, which will distributed by Hachette, will be written with assistance from Esquire writer Cal Fussman. King spoke highly of the pub and said that his "life story could not be in better hands."
Everyone in the business has a Larry King story, including me


SNL's Poehler lined up for "Office" spinoff
(TV Week) Joseph Adalian writes: "'Saturday Night Live' regular Amy Poehler is in advance negotiations with NBC to star in the network's upcoming spinoff of 'The Office,' according to network and talent agency sources. Creator Greg Daniels has been keeping details of his new series under wraps. So far, he and NBC have only confirmed the casting of Aziz Ansari in what's believed to a relatively minor role on the show. If Ms. Poehler finalizes a deal for the show, she will join SNL alum Tina Fey on NBC's Thursday night lineup. Ms. Fey, who stars in NBC's '30 Rock,' teamed with Ms. Poehler for the spring feature hit 'Baby Mama.' 'The Office' spinoff is scheduled to join NBC's Thursday roster in February, following a post-Super Bowl premiere. Ms. Poehler's departure from Saturday Night Live has been the subject of industry speculation for several months now. In addition to co-anchoring "Update," Ms. Poehler's best known character on SNL in recent months has been that of Hillary Rodham Clinton."


CLICK HERE




Media Moguls are meeting in Idaho again
(Reuters) One of the comments I get from readers of my novel "$everance" is: "It's a little unbelievable that these fiercely competitive media moguls that hate each other's guts would gather to discuss their business every year." But it's not a figment of my imagination. This actually happens every single year, and the topics discussed behind closed doors used to be stricly off the record. The last few years, however, as the new media companies gained power, and the old media companies declined, they have been talking to the reporters who gather outside the meetings. The link above is from Reuters. This year one of the topics of discussion appears to be--who will be the next President. The moguls' choice according to this article? Barack Obama.


High Wattage at Sun Valley, But No Deals
(NY Times) David Carr is there this week, and he writes: "There are a few givens at Allen & Company’s rarefied annual summit for media moguls in Sun Valley, Idaho. Titans arrive in a conga line of private jets, attend some gold-plated panels followed by cocktails, and occasionally head out to the paths of the Sun Valley Resort for a little speed-dating. The guest list is always incandescent — hey, there’s Bill Gates! Tony Blair! Rupert Murdoch! — and the air is thick with rumors of deals."



CLICK HERE



Mike Huckabee in talks for own Fox show
(Politico) Kenneth P. Vogel writes: "Less than one month after signing on as a Fox News commentator, Mike Huckabee is working aggressively to expand his media presence. This week, Huckabee is meeting with Fox officials about plans to host his own show on the network. Plus, he’s subbing for Paul Harvey on ABC Radio Network and appearing on a number of existing Fox shows. A former Arkansas governor who upended the Republican presidential race with his upset victory in the Iowa caucuses, Huckabee continued campaigning for the nomination after it became mathematically impossible for him to catch John McCain in the delegate race. That prompted speculation that Huckabee was more interested in boosting his profile than in a future in politics, though his name is still bandied about as a possible running mate for McCain. Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, worked in local radio as a teenager. And, on the campaign trail, he won raves for his quick wit and folksy delivery."


Fox News defends hiring Karl Rove as analyst
(Broadcasting & Cable) Marissa Guthrie writes: "The messy debate about media bias that has permeated coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign was given a thorough -- and, at times, combative -- airing at a Television Critics Association Q&A with Fox News Channel personalities Monday. Appearing with Karl Rove and Howard Wolfson -- former advisor to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and the network’s newest liberal voice -- Fox News host Chris Wallace took critics to task for repeatedly questioning Karl Rove’s credibility for refusing a subpoena by a House Committee investigating Rove’s role in the conviction of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud. 'I’m struck by what I think is a double standard in the questions that particularly Karl is being asked here,' Wallace said. 'I don’t understand why it is that if Congress and the White House are having a fight over executive power, that should any way constrain an independent news organization’s decision about whom to have on its payroll. I question whether if it were a conservative Congress that had subpoenaed James Carville, let's say, whether you’d be asking CNN why they’re [employing] James Carville.'"


Brit Hume to step down after election
(NY Times) Brian Stelter writes: "Brit Hume, the pre-eminent political anchor on the Fox News Channel, intends to step down from his nightly newscast after the presidential election, three people close to him said this week. Mr. Hume, 65, has expressed an interest in 'reducing his role' but will likely remain with Fox News as a panelist on 'Fox News Sunday,' two of the people said. The people requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of his contract negotiations, which are ongoing. Mr. Hume’s departure from 'Special Report' would represent one of the most dramatic changes to Fox’s powerhouse schedule since the channel’s inception nearly 12 years ago."





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Tony Snow dies at 53
(Washington Post) Howard Kurtz writes: "Snow, who died Saturday at 53, had the knack of making people like him, even those he would slap around as a commentator, television host or presidential press secretary. He once told CNN's Ed Henry to 'zip it' during a tense exchange over the war, but would later flash that smile and let you know he could separate the personal from the political. CBS's Jim Axelrod had a phrase for it, saying Snow knew how to play the "affability card."



Obama slams New Yorker portrayal
(Politico) Mike Allen writes: "The Obama campaign is condemning as 'tasteless and offensive' a New Yorker magazine cover that depicts Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in a turban, fist-bumping his gun-slinging wife. An American flag burns in their fireplace. The New Yorker says it's satire. It certainly will be candy for cable news.”




How Joe Scarborough transformed himself into liberals favorite talk show host
(New York Magazine) Despite his complaints about the hours, Scarborough lobbied hard for this job, which opened up in April 2007 when Don Imus made his ill-advised foray into color commentary of women’s college basketball. 'Not to dance on anyone’s grave,' says Scarborough, 'but the second I heard about Imus, I told my wife, ‘Honey, it’s gonna be a busy weekend.’  For the previous four years, he had been unmemorably hosting Scarborough Country, an evening show on MSNBC in which he came off as a B-team O’Reilly impersonator. But he’d always been convinced the format was the problem. 'All of my executive producers had always told me the same thing: ‘We’ve got to get you off the prompter more—you’re best when you’re just talking off the top of your head,’  he says. Imus’s morning slot seemed like the perfect opportunity."





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Is Paul Harvey’s show just quietly fading away?
(Radio-info.com) Tom Taylor writes: "It’s been nearly 2-1/2 months since the death of his beloved wife and professional colleague Angel. I believe Paul was just recovering from his own medical situation and preparing to come back to the mic when that sad event hit him on May 3. Since then – the Harvey clan’s been very quiet. While Ron Chapman seems happy as a clam, doing the fill-ins for old friend Farid Suleman at Citadel and ABC Radio Networks. Some affiliates suspect things are just going to go on and on…toward the horizon. That depends on Paul’s own health, state of mind – and, from listening to recent recorded commercials for Bose and others – the condition of his peerless vocal instrument. You can find theories of all kinds on the News/Talk board of Radio-Info.com, including the prediction from talk consultant Holland Cooke that Harvey will return for one last goodbye. From my own chats with folks at ABC over the years, they know there’s not a “next Paul Harvey”


WLS changing lanes
(Chicago Sun Times) Robert Feder writes: "In what's being billed as a momentous alliance among Chicago radio stations, Clear Channel Radio's traffic division has signed up two local outlets owned by Citadel Broadcasting. Starting Oct. 1, Total Traffic Network will provide traffic to Citadel's news/talk WLS-AM (890) and oldies WLS-FM (94.7). The two stations have been clients of Metro Networks/ Shadow Broadcast Services for three decades. 'It's a great deal and a great partnership for both of us,' said Mike Fowler, president and general manager of WLS, who made the agreement with Earl Jones, president and market manager of Clear Channel Radio Chicago. In addition to serving Clear Channel's stations here, Total Traffic Network also reports for Univision Radio Chicago and Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32."


Chicago Radio Spotlight interview with Cisco Cotto
(Chicago Radio Spotlight) Last weekend I spoke with Cisco Cotto, who along with Big John Howell, co-hosts the morning show at WIND-AM 560. We talked about his reporting days, conservative vs. liberal talk radio, and the origin of his nickname "The Reverend." Coming this weekend; an interview with WERV Production Director Jimmy "Mac" McInerney.

Suburban Man: More Evidence of Global Warming

By Rick Kaempfer




I should preface this by saying I'm not a scientist.

I don't even know a scientist.

On the other hand, I'm living with proof that global warming is real, and since I don't know any scientists personally, I thought maybe one of you could send this post along to a scientist you know. I'm sure they can always use another bullet in their "global warming is real" gun.

So here is the proof. Ready?

Today is only the 15th of July and this summer has already been 7000 weeks long. That's right, it was 7000 weeks ago when the school year ended for all three of my children. At this pace, they won't be going back to school again until I'm elderly enough to be placed in a home.

Take me now.

Please.

I mean it.

You can tell it's an Olympic year because my boys have been training for the brawling events ever since we got back from vacation. (See my earlier post about our perfect vacation--I knew it was too good to be true). In the 6998 weeks since we returned (my calendar actually only counts this as 14 days), we've had two black eyes and two bloody noses, although knock on wood, we still haven't had to make a trip to the emergency room yet.

If for some reason my boys discover they aren't in the same league as some of the other great brawling brother competitors from around the world (my wife says the Irish are the early favorites--she can say that, she's Irish), they've already decided that the Whining/Complaining Gold medal is within their grasp. I'm not just being one of those stage-parents when I say that all three of my boys are truly gifted in this event. They don't just get by on sheer talent. They work hard at it.

I hear some of their training exercises now.

Aaahh.

Summer.

Only 7000 more weeks to go.

Scientists are right. We need to find a solution to this Global Warming problem, and fast.

Monday Musings

Every Monday stop by for jokes, links to stories you might have missed, amusing photos and video, and more. Contributions and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Click on the "Email Me" link on the right to contribute.



Joke of the Week: Contributed by "T"



An archaeological team, digging in Washington DC, has uncovered 10,000 year old bones and fossil remains of what is believed to be the first Republican...













Stories you might have missed


1. Man tries to rob bar with a cheese grater
(Read the comments under the article. Hilarious. H/T to Steve Rhodes at the Beachwood Reporter)

2. Baseball's Best Mustaches
(Um...that's what you call outright thievery. Who else has been doing mustache jokes since January?)

3. Jesse Jackson says he wants to cut Obama's nuts off
(The video is available here...Hey Jesse! You were at Fox. That little thing attached to your lapel is a microphone. Even if you whisper they can hear you.)

4. Anchors/Reporters struggle with Jesse's words
(This is funny. Watch the video of these guys trying to say 'nuts' without saying 'nuts')

5. Woman overpowers thief with tea and sympathy
(Works every time. Ladies, carry some in your purses.)



Video of the week: Drunk Referee. Contributed by "P"






Photo of the week: Billboards for old people. Contributed by "T"













READER RESPONSE

Regarding Just One Bad Century

"As a Cubs fan and, obviously, a mustache purveyor, I was thrilled to find your site today. Very nicely done.
Aaron Perlut
Executive Directore
The American Mustache Institute
www.AmericanMustacheInstitute.org
(877) STACHE-1
"...a mustache is a terrible thing to shave"

"Dirt--great nickname and great mustache. It's two for Tuesday!"
--R

"Hi, Rick - Technically, I'm not a die-hard Cubs fan, but my mother is (born in 1932 - raised in Chicago, but came out to live in SF - but all of our Chicago-Naperville cousins somehow became White Sox fans - go figure). Anyway, it was one of our White-Sox fan cousins who mentioned this website back in early May when my mother went back to visit - and though I cannot make your website my homepage (sorry, there are other business interests that I just HAVE to look at first), JOBC is now prominent in my FAVORITE sites."
--C

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Cisco Cotto

Cisco Cotto is the co-host of the morning show at WIND-AM 560 every weekday, along with Big John Howell.





Rick: It's too bad there's nothing for a political talk show based in Illinois to talk about this season. How do you manage to find topics?

Cisco: Everyday on the way to work I bite my fingernails to bloody stumps as I worry about finding topics!

Rick: The conservative talk radio audience is fiercely loyal, even in one of America's bluest states. Why do you think that conservative talk radio has been so successful, while liberal talk radio has failed to catch on?

Cisco: For decades conservatives felt as though they didn’t have a voice. They were on the outside and liberals edited many of the newspapers, NPR, and network TV. Then Rush Limbaugh decides to plant his flag on conservative mountain and a new genre is born. Conservatives are still suspicious of “mainstream” media outlets and look to conservative talk radio for checks and balances.

Now, about the liberals. The folks running liberal radio shows took a long time to learn an important lesson: the main ingredient in successful radio is entertainment! The liberal shows came to the microphone simply with hatred for George Bush. Hatred isn’t enough to make good radio. They also didn’t hire radio people to do the shows. Al Franken & Janeane Garofalo are funny people, but they don’t know the nuances of radio. The bosses are starting to come around by making some good hires. Ed Schultz gets it and Stephanie Miller is beginning to.

Rick: You're obviously conservative yourself (your Facebook picture is Ronald Reagan), and you've worked in the media for many years now. Do you think there is a liberal bias in radio too, or is radio essentially excluded when a conservative talks about the liberal media bias?

Cisco: The Reagan picture on my Facebook account was a joke, but no one believes me!

As a news reporter for many years I worked with some of the best in town: Larry Langford, Bill Cameron, Lynn Holley, Jim Johnson, Doug Cummings, Steve Scott, Jennifer Keiper, Susan Carlson, Bob Roberts, and Pat Cassidy (photo). That list just includes the people who worked in the same newsroom, not the people I saw out in the field. I can honestly say I never detected a bias in any of their coverage. They just always wanted to get the story fast and right. I do see more of a bias on the national level in the kind of stories they cover and the way they are covered. Read Bernie Goldberg’s book Bias. It should be required reading in any journalism school. Tim Russert made such a good name for himself because in spite of the fact that he was very liberal in his personal political leanings, he threw hard questions at both sides and was fair. The same can’t be said for some others on the network level.

Rick: I interviewed your morning show partner John Howell last year, and he called you the "compass of the format for the show" because of your years at WLS. I don't want to get too inside here, but if you were advising a newcomer to the format (as you did with John), how do you break it down? What are the key elements of a successful talk radio program?

Cisco: Don Wade (photo, with Roma) once told me that he didn’t become a good talk radio host until he realized he wasn’t going to change the world. He was getting at the entertainment aspect of radio. If you are hosting a show because of some agenda you are going to struggle (See Air America). Instead, every host has to be entertaining! There are so many options for people from 30 different radio stations, to satellite, to I-Pods so they certainly don’t have to listen to you. You have to give them a reason to want to. That means you have to be entertaining and informative.

They have to get something from you that they can get from no one else. Usually this means distinct humor or opinion that makes them think. Keep a focus to the segment so the listener can tell you’re going somewhere. Otherwise the show just sounds like 2 guys talking.

Rick: You've now been a co-host with John Howell for a few years. How do you like your current role compared to your previous reporter role at WLS or WMAQ?

Cisco: Working with John (photo) has been amazing. I’ve listened to him on the radio since I was a kid (he LOVES it when I say that) so working with him has been very cool. Though he does talk quite a bit about missing his early morning backrubs from Ramblin’ Ray.

I was a news guy at WLS and WMAQ and tried my best to keep my opinions to myself (on the air that is!). I loved being at those stations and getting mail, calls, or emails screaming about my “liberal bias.” It meant my conservative stripes were not showing through. Now being a talk show host allows me to say just about anything I want without having to worry about destroying my journalistic credibility. I miss not being at the big story of the day and I don’t see as many parts of the city as I did when I was chasing stories. But doing a talk show has forced me to be creative in ways I didn’t have to before. And I’m trying to prove that I’m not simply a shill for the GOP like many conservative hosts. There are times when the Republicans need to be chastised too.

Rick: You've covered some big stories in your reporter days, and you've conducted some big-time interviews in your current role. Talk about a few of your favorite moments at each of your radio jobs in Chicago.

Cisco: So many moments...so little space. My favorite WMAQ moment was my very first. I was an intern and there was a fire at the Allerton Hotel. All of the reporters were out on other stories so the news director, Mike Krauser, handed me a cell phone and said “Don’t screw up.” I was almost convulsing because of the nerves, but I did two liveshots from the scene and mostly held myself together. I must not have screwed up too badly because a month later they gave me a job. I also loved covering Jesse Jackson during his protests in Decatur. During Jesse’s arrest, a guy yelled the “F” word loudly right next to Tressa Pankovits (of WBBM-AM) during one of her live shots. The anchor, Keith Johnson, had to come on the air to apologize. Too funny!

At WLS, let’s see, I fell asleep on the air once and Steve Scott (photo) had to wake me up, Don & Roma coerced me into shaving my head, and another time a beauty consultant gave me a pedicure. What a cake job that was! I liked covering Mayor Daley because off camera and microphone you get to see a different side of him. He is very in control and intelligent. The bumbling fool we see on TV is just an elaborate ruse. But I’d have to say I enjoyed the feature stories most. I got to train as a firefighter, ice fisherman, UPS driver, Schaumburg Flyers baseball player, & NASCAR driver just to name a few. And I called doing those stories “work!”

Rick: Talk about the pros and cons of having your air studios located in the suburbs.

Cisco: It stinks. It really stinks! I understand why WIND has its studios there. Cheap rent and only one local show. But I really miss the energy of the city and feeling like I’m in touch with what’s going on. I live in Oak Park and my wife and I take the Green Line downtown quite a bit, but it’s not the same as being there every day. I really hope to be working downtown again at some point. We keep telling the WIND folks to get a small studio ANYWHERE downtown.

Rick: I visited the WIND studios not too long ago with some broadcasters from Germany, and my first impression was this: It's the quietest radio station I've ever seen. I'm not sure why I was so surprised by that, but I really was. Is it always like that, or did I just happen to arrive there at a particularly quiet time?

Cisco: Moment of honesty here that may get me fired! I hope you’re happy Rick! Most radio stations have the sound of the station blaring through speakers in every hallway of the office. It is their product after all! But WIND shares its facilities with AM 1160 WYLL and no one seems to be able to navigate the tough inter-office political waters to decide which station to pipe through the speakers. So instead of making one station’s staff feel marginalized they just play no station. It’s amazing!

Rick: I've heard you referred to as "The Reverend." Your regular listeners know the origin of that nickname, but some of the readers of this blog might not. Would you mind explaining it?

Cisco: I’m 6 years into a 3 year Master of Divinity degree at Moody Bible Institute. I’m hoping to be done in about 2 years, but part-time is difficult. My wife just graduated from Moody with a Master of Biblical Studies. We met there on the first day of our first class. Who knew theology could be such a turn-on? Jay Marvin thought it was cool that I was going to Moody so one day on the air at WLS he started calling me “The Reverend.” It stuck. Listeners new to the show often wonder if I run a church or perform weddings. Not yet, but if radio ever kicks me out….

Rick: How do you think that Masters of Divinity will change the arc of your career path?

Cisco: That’s the million dollar question. Will I stay in secular talk radio? Move to Christian radio? Switch to church ministry? Go back to work at McDonald’s??? At this point I don’t know, but I’m really excited to see what God will work out.

George Carlin

While I was on vacation a few weeks ago, America lost a comedy icon, George Carlin. It seems that everyone in show biz had a George Carlin story, and I've been enjoying reading them. I have my own George Carlin story, which I've told here before.

I'm re-running it here today as a tribute to George.


By Rick Kaempfer


President Bush takes a lot of heat for accusing his opponents of “Pre-9/11” thinking. I never thought I would be writing these words, but I feel I must defend President Bush. Pre-9-11 thinking does exist, and it can have a detrimental effect...especially in the world of comedy.

My story involves comedian George Carlin.

I’ve always considered him on the finest comedians that ever lived. He is courageous, utterly unafraid of saying what he really thinks, and has been consistently funny for five decades now.

When we had him on the John Landecker show, I was not disappointed. He came into the studio with guns blazing, trying out brand new material that he hoped to include in his upcoming HBO Special.

The tentative name of the special at the time? “I kind of like it when a lot of people die.”

The date of his appearance on our show? September 4, 2001.

His routine was shocking even then (in a pre-9/11 world), but it was laugh out loud funny. We were holding our sides as he recounted the way he cheers when stupid people die doing stupid things and how he roots that they take down as many stupid people as possible with them.

Landecker and Carlin began riffing about stupid ways for people to die, and after the hilarious segment was over, George asked if he could have a tape of it so that he could use some of the material in his special.

Our station management thought it was such a funny interview, they submitted the tape for that year’s Achievement in Radio Awards. The tape went into the mail on September 9, 2001.

Needless to say, we weren’t nominated that year.

When Carlin’s special eventually did come out on HBO, it had a brand new name. It was called “Complaints and Grievances.”

Not quite as catchy, is it?

Timing is everything.

Media Notebook (July 10, 2008)

Collected and Edited by Rick Kaempfer





Highlights and links to the big stories in the news this week about the media. This column appears twice a week at MEDIA NOTEBOOK



Chicago Tribune to cut 80 newsroom jobs
(Chicago Tribune) Phil Rosenthal writes: "The Chicago Tribune began informing staff Tuesday it will eliminate around 80 of its current 578 newsroom positions by the end of August and reduce the number of pages it publishes by 13 percent to 14 percent each week. There also will be a reduction of jobs in other Chicago Tribune departments, but that number was not immediately available. A paper spokesman declined comment. Because some newsroom jobs have been left unfilled in recent months, the actual number of staffers to exit the paper is expected to be between 55 and 58."

Lara Logan: Back from Iraq, into the tabloids
(Washington Post) Howard Kurtz writes: "As CBS's chief foreign affairs correspondent, she regularly risked her life by accompanying American forces in combat. But there were more personal strains as well: Her mother had died after a lengthy coma, she and her husband had long ago agreed to a separation, and, last November, she broke off an intense relationship with another journalist in Baghdad. Soon afterward, Logan started dating Joseph Burkett, a federal contractor stationed in Iraq who was separated from his wife back in Texas. Now, having just moved to Washington with an expanded portfolio for the network, Logan finds her romantic life reduced to tabloid fodder. And there is a new complication: She recently discovered that she is pregnant."


CLICK HERE



Spike O'Dell's plan to retire prompts talk about his successor
(Chicago Sun Times) Robert Feder writes: "Let the guessing game begin about who'll take over the biggest radio job in town. With six months to go on his deal as morning personality at news/talk WGN-AM (720), Spike O'Dell is getting ready to call it quits from the top-rated Tribune Co.-owned station. Although he could choose to work past December, sources said O'Dell already has told his bosses that he plans to retire from his $1 million a year gig at the end of the year."

The $400 Million Man
(New York Times) This is probably the best and most thorough piece I've seen about the man who just signed a deal for $400 million. Zev Chavets writes: "Limbaugh’s show emanates from a nondescript office building on a boulevard lined with tall palms. There isn’t even a security guard in the lobby. The elevator opens directly onto a pristine anteroom furnished in corporate glass and leather. An American flag stands in the corner. Only a small, framed picture of Limbaugh, bearing the caption 'America’s Anchorman,' reveals that this is the headquarters of one of the country’s most admired and reviled figures. The anteroom was empty when I stepped off the elevator one afternoon in mid-February. Limbaugh receives very few visitors at work, and no journalists from the hated 'mainstream media.' When I was buzzed into the control room, I was met by Bo Snerdly — a very large man in a Huey Newton beret — who glared at me. 'Are you the guy who’s here to do the hit job on us?' he demanded in a deep voice. 'Absolutely,' I said."


The $200 million man?
(Reuters) Clear Channel's Premiere is in advanced talks with another conservative talk radio host Sean Hannity to try to sign him for an eight-year contract worth about $200 million, The Wall Street Journal said, citing a person familiar with the situation. Clear Channel was not immediately available to comment.


Clear Channel CEO signs gigantic 5-year deal
(Radio Ink) Clear Channel Communications CEO Mark Mays informed company employees that Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan has completed an agreement that will keep him in the radio group's top spot for another five years. In a memo, Mays said, "As we move toward the closing of our merger, I want to share with you an important additional piece of news. It's my pleasure to let you know that John Hogan has signed a five-year contract with the company."





CLICK HERE






When Fox News Is The Story
(New York Times) David Carr writes: "Like most working journalists, whenever I type seven letters — Fox News — a series of alarms begins to whoop in my head: Danger. Warning. Much mayhem ahead. Once the public relations apparatus at Fox News is engaged, there will be the calls to my editors, keening (and sometimes threatening) e-mail messages, and my requests for interviews will quickly turn into depositions about my intent or who else I am talking to. And if all that stuff doesn’t slow me down and I actually end up writing something, there might be a large hangover: Phone calls full of rebuke for a dependent clause in the third to the last paragraph, a ritual spanking in the blogs with anonymous quotes that sound very familiar, and — if I really hit the jackpot — the specter of my ungainly headshot appearing on one of Fox News’s shows along with some stern copy about what an idiot I am."


Irena Briganti: The Most Vindictive Flack in the Media World
(Gawker) Briganti is Fox's VP of media relations, and #2 in the PR command structure under Brian Lewis. But if Lewis sets the tone, Briganti is the one who carries out the executions. Here's a very abbreviated list of her all time hits:
***When Anderson Cooper chided Fox for running with a false report of Obama going to a Muslim school, Briganti responded with, "Yet another cry for attention by the Paris Hilton of television news, Anderson Cooper.”
***Briganti attributed Keith Olbermann's attacks on Bill O'Reilly to his "personal demons, and said "In the meantime, we hope he enjoys his paranoid view from the bottom of the ratings ladder and wish him well on his inevitable trip to oblivion.”
***When Christiane Amanpour said CNN and Fox were intimidated by the Bush administration and practiced self-censorship in the run-up to the Iraq war, Briganti responded, "Given the choice, it's better to be viewed as a foot soldier for Bush than a spokeswoman for al-Qaeda."


CLICK HERE



The Murdoch Lifer Who Runs Dow Jones
(Ad Age) Nat Ives writes: "It's already been eight months since Rupert Murdoch plucked Les Hinton from London to run Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, and Mr. Hinton does not like to dawdle. 'In media and media-executive jobs, the ponderous do not survive,' he told Advertising Age. But to appreciate his moves -- not to mention his relationship with Mr. Murdoch, whose $5.6 billion acquisition of Dow Jones last December shook the industry -- we have to go back to 1959."


Egos keep newspaper presses rolling in New York
(Crain's New York) Matthew Flamm writes: "Across the country, the newspaper industry is going through arguably the darkest period in its history, with publishers slashing newsroom staff and giants like Tribune Co. standing on shaky ground. Things are different in New York. The Daily News is investing in new color presses. The Wall Street Journal is launching a weekend magazine. The New York Times, despite cutting 100 newsroom jobs, has not cut back on coverage. The New York Post and the New York Sun continue to publish in the face of unending trails of red ink. Most remarkable of all, four dailies—eight counting the Journal, Long Island's Newsday and freebies amNew York and Metro—fight for attention at a time when most cities can barely support one. The troubled economy and competition from the Internet—the two forces hammering the industry—are taking a toll here, too. But thanks to the giant egos of wealthy media barons, including Rupert Murdoch, Mort Zuckerman and newspaper newcomers the Dolans of Cablevision, the ordinary rules don't apply."

The nation's indecency czar: FCC Chief Martin
(Philadlephia Inquirer) Bob Fernandez writes: "Martin has solid Republican credentials. He was a top 2000 campaign official for President Bush, and his wife, Catherine, is the former chief spokeswoman for Vice President Cheney. One of the youngest FCC chairmen in history, he has presided at the agency during a time of tumultuous changes in media and technology."





CLICK HERE






Mark Suppelsa goes to Channel 9
(Chicago Sun Times) Robert Feder writes: "Chicago television's news wars heated up Monday with official word of a key talent hire and major expansion plans at WGN-Channel 9. Confirming a report here last month, bosses of the Tribune Co.-owned station announced the hiring of Mark Suppelsa as principal news anchor. Starting later this month, he will succeed Steve Sanders as 9 p.m. weekday anchor alongside Allison Payne. Suppelsa and Payne also will anchor a new half-hour newscast at 5:30 p.m. weekdays, starting in September. Terms of Suppelsa's six-year, no-cut deal, negotiated by agents Todd and Brian Musburger, were not disclosed."

Amy Jacobsen sues Channel 2
(Chicago Tribune) Phil Rosenthal writes: "It took a year, but Amy Jacobson has gone from swimsuit to lawsuit. The former WMAQ-Ch. 5 reporter is seeking more than $1 million in damages from WBBM-Ch. 2 parent CBS, Channel 2 boss Joe Ahern and others, complaining that a tape it aired of her in bathing attire at the home of a potential news source in July 2007 subjected Jacobson to 'enormous public humiliation and disgrace.' Jacobson wound up losing her TV job and, eventually, her home, according to the suit filed Monday in Cook County by attorney Kathleen Zellner on behalf of Jacobson, husband Jaime Anglada and their two children, all of whom alleged to have 'suffered from observing the devastating effects on the person they love most.' Jacobson's suit, which states 'some would say' she was 'the best in the business' before the July 5, 2007, incident was recorded by Channel 2, alleges the station never should have shot the video, should never have aired it and should not have edited it the way it did."


Chicago Radio Spotlight interview with Tomano & Touhy
(Chicago Radio Spotlight) Last weekend I spoke with Tomano & Touhy, the morning drive team at WKAN in Kankakee. They talked about their roller coaster career ride, which has included several firings--including once while they were live on the air. Next weekend: WIND morning co-host Cisco Cotto.

Suburban Man: A dad's comedy guide for boys

By Rick Kaempfer




Comedy is really my only parenting tool. Over my twelve plus years as a father, I’ve used it to great effect to diffuse tense situations, to foster strong relationships, and to teach my boys one of the most necessary life skills. If you’re laughing, life is going to be just fine.

Unfortunately, a Daddy comedian needs to be adaptable. Different comedy works for different ages. Jokes that absolutely kill with five year olds are often despised by twelve year olds. I still haven’t figured out how to deliver a belly laugh to the youngster while avoiding the simultaneous heckles of the ten or twelve year old, but I will never, ever, give up trying.

Comedy for Ages 0-2

Honestly, this age group isn’t exactly my forte. My wife is the baby entertainer. Bridget can make any baby laugh, anytime, anyplace. She has a rubber face, an unlimited supply of funny noises, and a complete inability to be embarrassed by her actions. I’ve seen her make a screaming infant smile in mid cry.

My only trick for this age group is the “napkin blown into the air” bit. Simply unfold the napkin, placing it on your nose so that it covers your entire face, and then count down…three, two, one, BLOW! A forcefully applied blow sends the napkin sailing nearly all the way to the ceiling. Huge laughs are guaranteed and you can’t repeat it too often. It gets the same belly laugh on the four hundredth try as it does on the first.

Comedy for Ages 2-4

Now we’re in my wheelhouse. I had at least one son in this age bracket for ten years, and this is where my collection of cartoon and puppet voices comes into play. When Johnny was three, he and I went almost a whole year without speaking to each other Dad-to-son. Grover drove him to pre-school, Kermit put him down for a nap, Eeyore talked to him when he was sad, and Ernie sang to him in the bath. (Johnny even did a movie review on the radio as Grover when he was 3…a classic for the ages.)

This is the age where the pratfall (someone else’s pain) becomes the king of boy comedy.

Comedy for Ages 4-7

This is the age for subtlety and nuance. If you can’t or won’t employ the use of bodily functions, pick up your ball and go home. There’s no place for you here. If you have a problem with the words “butt”, “poop”, “fart”, “burp”, or “booger”, more power to you, but you will never, ever get a laugh out of a 4-7 year old boy.

Although, I must say, pratfalls still work.

Boys this age absolutely love the Three Stooges. I had to stop letting Tommy watch the Stooges because he laughed so hard during their routines that he began to hyperventilate. I wonder if the Stooges have ever killed a 4-7 year old boy. I wouldn’t be surprised.

Comedy for Ages 7-11

Ah, the age of word play. Knock Knock jokes. Orange you glad I didn’t say banana? Whoo boy. That’s a good one. These jokes have not changed in fifty years.

Tommy and Johnny were also obsessed with words that have double meanings. Tommy’s favorite planet became Uranus. Johnny told me to close the refrigerator because it wasn’t polite to watch the salad dressing. They don’t know what Prince Albert in a Can is, but rest assured they would have loved that joke if they did.

As for parody songs, they are still a huge hit with this age bracket. Kids still sing that version of Jingle Bells with “Batmobile lost his wheel and the Joker got away.” As for me, I constantly find myself changing the words of songs. They are amazed at my nearly Wayne Brady-esque ability to rhyme on demand to fit the situation—although I must say this might be the one skill that now annoys my oldest son Tommy the most.

Which brings me to the comedy of the next age group…

Comedy for Ages 11+

You’re not funny, Dad.

That’s a tough nut to crack, but I’m working on it. When Tommy told me the other day that my jokes were twice as old as I am, I spent the next two days telling him Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge jokes to prove a point.

”I don’t get it, Dad,” he would say.

”Exactly!” I said. "Those jokes are twice as old as me. See? My jokes are no more than one and a half times older than me.”

“You’re not funny, Dad.”

That’s when I walked into the wall.

Huge laugh.

I’ve still got it.

Monday Musings

Every Monday stop by for jokes, links to stories you might have missed, amusing photos and video, and more. Contributions and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Click on the "Email Me" link on the right to contribute.



Joke of the Week: Contributed by "M" Another Hillary Joke.

Rick's note: Hey you Obama and/or McCain fans, let's get going with some jokes about the current candidates. I get a dozen or more Hillary jokes a day. (I thought this one wasn't too bad.)

A man was washed up on a beach after a terrible shipwreck. Only a sheep and a sheepdog were washed up with him. After looking around, he realized that they were stranded on a deserted island.

After being there awhile, he got into the habit of taking his two animal companions to the beach every evening to watch the sunset.

One particular evening, the sky was a fiery red with beautiful cirrus clouds, the breeze was warm and gentle - a perfect night for romance. As they sat there, the sheep started looking better and better to the lonely man. Soon, he leaned over to the sheep and put his arm around it. But the sheepdog, ever protective of the sheep, growled fiercely until the man took his arm from around the sheep.

After that, the three of them continued to enjoy the sunsets together, but there was no more cuddling.

A few weeks passed by and, lo and behold, there was another shipwreck.

The only survivor was Hillary Clinton.

That evening, the man brought Hillary to the evening beach ritual. It was another beautiful evening - red sky, cirrus clouds, a warm and gentle breeze - perfect for a night of romance. Pretty soon, the man started to get 'those feelings' again..

He fought the urges as long as he could but he finally gave in and leaned over to Hillary and told her he hadn't had sex for months. Hillary batted her eyelashes and asked if there was anything she could do for him.

He said, 'Would you mind taking the dog for a walk?”



Stories you might have missed


1. Black Magic Men and the Cubbie Triangle
(This is a great article about the various possible curses afflicting the Cubs. Not sure if I can pronounce the name of the writer...is it Ka-empfer? Hmmm. I think the 'a' is silent.)


2. The Jack Brickhouse Eating Tour
(This is done by the same writer as #1. There's something about him that I like.)

3. Married to Christie Brinkley, but spending $3000 a month on porn
($3000 a month on porn? That's Pee-Wee Herman-esque.)

4. Worst Restaurant Idea ever
(It's called "Buns & Guns" and it tries to make you feel like you're in a war. Oh, and it's located in Beirut. And I'm not kidding.)

5. Roger Clemens can't spell
(The Smoking Gun posted some e-mail exchanges between Clemens and his accuser, and I'm recommending an immediate push to convince Rocket to go back to school for his GED.)



Video of the week: Contributed by "B". Joe Cocker at Woodstock with subtitles. This is hilarious.






Photo of the week: Contributed by "R"
























READER RESPONSE

Sorry...there were a lot of e-mails this week...

Regarding my vacation

"I didn't even realize that I had started reading your stuff every day until you weren't there last week. Good to have you back."
--G

Regarding Just One Bad Century

"You have three sons. I can't believe you don't understand the psychology of the Sox fan. It's like the psychology of the little brother, feeling they never measure up to the Golden Boy, son number one. They feel kicked and spat upon, disrespected. The Sox are the number two team in a two team town. They know this. They have deep-seated inferiority issues. Winning--and the Cubs losing--are the only ways they can attempt to prove their superiority. However, this is not enough. They are painfully aware that even if you do not win, you still have superior inherent value. They do not understand why. They cannot stand the Cubs "having it all" by getting this unearned adoration AND winning, too. Can't help but notice that there were brooms being swept with much more glee on Sunday after the Cubs sweep than the usual sweep brings. It seems the older brother also takes the opportunity to rub it in his brother's face. Sibling rivalry. It works both ways."
--R

"Hi there. I heard a song on the radio saturday morning early based off of the tune "I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more" written by you guys I think about the cubs. "I would wait 100 years, but I won't wait even one more", or something like that. Great song..Is it on your website and I missed it? If not please post on website, or tell me how I can get a copy..Thanks!"
--J

Rick responds: We're working on a video, but here is the song in audio form for now: We Can Wait 100 Years

"I have 4yr old twins who are very into Cubs baseball, and we have a question. They heard that the rally cap was "invented" by the Detroit Tigers players during the 1945 WS in which the Cubs were outscored. So now they yell at the tv when they see Cubs' fans wearing a rally cap. What's your take on this?"
--D

Rick responds: I answered this on my JOBC Blog. Thanks for the heads up. I hadn't that before.


Regarding my tribute to Sandy Stahl

"What a beautiful, touching tribute, Rick. Thanks so much for writing it."
--R

"I read your beautiful write-up about Sandy Stahl. She sure sounds like a great person. I wish I would have met her. I'm truly sorry for the loss of such a great person in your life."
--C

"Hey, nice piece on Sandy. I was shocked. I thought of her often, I didn't know where she was. What a wonderful person. She was rare in "the biz". Hope you are well. Again, nice job."
--R

"What a story. Well, I guess everyone was mentored by Sandy at some point..even me, and I never worked at the same station that she did. Thanks for your column."
--M

"Thanks for writing your Sandy tribute! I've been in shock since I heard the news. Selfishly I was wishing we could all get together to talk since it's such a hard thing to process. Usually when this kind of thing happens, being together makes it easier, but of course all the LOOP people are spread out and many I haven't spoken to in years (unlike you have). This weekend has just served to remind me how much I miss everyone. Thanks again for sharing your Sandy story. Happy Fourth!!"
--D

"I just read your post about Sandy Stahl. Whew. I am in tears...at work. Thanks for sharing your story. I didn't know her at all, but it made me think of the few people in my life that inspired me and helped me make the necessary steps. Great job."
--J

Regarding The Radio Producer's Handbook

"I am emailing to say THANK YOU for writing The Radio Producer's Handbook. I have jut finished reading it and it has been such a valuable and interesting book. The advice and wisdom coupled with the wit and realism made for such a brilliant read. I am only 22, but was given a break doing production on one of the UK's largest network shows (Graham Torrington's Late Night Love) last year and have had nine months of working alongside a full time job learning production. Unfortunately, a fortnight ago the show was axed under new owners and so I have lost the job. However, my partner found and bought your book for me and I have read and it has totally filled me with a new desire to make sure I continue producing great radio. It must be one of the most exciting jobs there is - I get such a thrill from it, so just hope it's only a matter of time before I get some more work! I am tempted to put '...have read The Radio Producer's Handbook' on my CV - it must count for something! So, thank you so much for writing the book. I am sure thousands of people like me have benefited tremendously from it, and from your experience. I would be very grateful if you could pass this email onto John Swanson, as he seems to be much more illusive than yourself! Cheers - and have a good summer!"
--T

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Tomano & Touhy

Mike Tomano & Steve Touhy are the morning co-hosts of the Tomano & Touhy show on WKAN. This week they begin simulcasting their show on WYKT.




Rick: I understand tomorrow (July 7) is a big day for the Tomano & Touhy show. Why don't you tell everyone what is happening.

Tomano: The Tomano & Touhy Show will be simulcast on WKAN in Kankakee and MY 105.5 in Will County. MY 105.5 is the station and frequency where Steve and I started our show together back in 1996 when it was The KAT, the legendary and last of the free-format FM rockers.

Rick: Before we get into the very odd history of your partnership, could you describe your show to people who might not have heard it before?

Tomano: We consider ourselves entertainers first, and we’ve honed our skills toward that end. The show is funny and unpredictable. Steve and I have worked very hard to develop a show that transcends boundaries of formats and demographics. It’s an energetic mix of lifestyle, news, pop culture and entertainment topics that get our special treatment.

Touhy: We have fun all day long. For 3 hours a day we’re allowed to have microphones in front of us and we hope that the people listening have as much fun as we do.

Rick: OK, now let's get into this history of your partnership. I've been following your careers for the past few years and the twists and turns have been enough to require Dramamine. Hirings, firings, together, apart, together again. I'm not sure where to start, so I guess I'll just start the beginning. How did you meet each other in the first place?

Tomano: I called Steve after we met at a radio station in Elmhurst. I’m not really sure. I knew he was ambitious and we seemed to have the same goals in mind.

Touhy: We were working at separate stations and our interns were dating. Mike called me to do a bit with the intern and asked if I wanted to be his sports guy. I took the job and the chemistry was instant and within a week the show was The Tomano & Touhy Show. We even moved into an apartment together to save cash.

Rick: How many times have you worked together now and at how many different stations?

Tomano: I left Major Networks, voicing satellite Lite Hits to take a job at WYKT. I was Promotions Director and on-air fill-in from September of 1995 until Spring of 1996 when I took over mornings. Steve got fired on the air from that first round. Classic stuff.




Touhy: I had been suspended a few times. I was young, goofy and a bit rebellious. Once I even got fired on the air. It’s one of our favorite sound bytes to play on the air. The owner of the station called the show and simply said, “Steve’s fired! Get him off the air right now.” In our typical fashion back then I think we just laughed.

Tomano: After that, I continued on at WYKT with two new partners until 2002 when I got Steve back. We had a tremendous run for a year.

Touhy: This was when we really hit our stride. I had done some stand – up and we were able to work separately to figure some things out on our own.

Tomano: We were really getting strong as a team when a new General Manager came in with a plan to change format. Steve was out

Touhy: Fired Again.

Tomano: and I gave notice. I bounced around a bit, working at a dead-end situation with a small station way out west when Steve called me and told me that WKAN was switching to Talk. I contacted them and they hired me to do mornings. I did three years with great success.

Touhy: I went out to Ottawa, IL and did mornings on a Hot AC station. It went very well, but when a format change to Lite Hits was in the works I began to look for something else.

Tomano: Eventually, when they (WKAN) were looking to do a local afternoon talk show, I recommended Steve. Eventually, upper management realized that putting us back together was a smart move to make.

Rick: You guys are obviously good friends. I don't know many teams that have actually lived together. Do you think that's the basis of your on-air chemistry, or is it something else?

Tomano: Our professional relationship is based on mutual respect. Steve is a tireless worker and a consistent performer. Steve has made me practically pass out from laughing many times. I’m his barometer and he’s mine. We are very hard on ourselves, so we know when we knock the other guy out with something that we are operating at our top level. As for our personal relationship, I think of him as nothing less than a member of my family. He’s my little smart-ass brother.

Touhy: Absolutely. I think it comes across on the air. I don’t know that there are many comedy teams that actually like each other. Mike mentioned the mutual respect. We don’t have any fear of the other guy getting the laugh, as long as we get the laugh. We also don’t worry about petty things like who does what job, who came up with what idea, or gets credit for what. We’ve been through hirings, firings, marriages, divorces, almost marriages, break ups, births, deaths and multiple General Managers. We view our show as something great we do everyday, but we also enjoy our lives as friends too.

Rick: Now you're officially back in the saddle doing mornings together and things are looking up. It must be a challenge to do a morning show outside the Chicago market going up against some of the big guns in town. What are some of the pros and cons of doing a show based in Kankakee?

Tomano: Pros are that we are able to be really big fish in a little pond, which has its rewards. The cons would obviously be money and exposure. Every opportunity is earned.

Rick: I know both of you have been heavily influenced by Chicago radio personalities during your careers. Who are some of the Chicago radio personalities you admire and why?

Tomano: When I was in the sixth grade, I first heard Steve Dahl & Garry Meier doing the Breakfast Club on The Loop, and it was an epiphany. From that point on, there was never any doubt as to what I wanted to do with my life. Dahl definitely shaped my creative sensibilities a great deal. I also enjoyed Fred Winston and Robert Murphy a lot. I was hooked on Roy Leonard, too. His interviews were great. My favorite music jocks were the hosts at WXRT in the 80s. I would listen to Bobby Skafish and Johnny Mars and knew what they were doing was a special kind of radio. When Bob Lassiter came to WLS, I listened every afternoon. His wore his heart, and his demons, on his sleeve. Great stuff.

Touhy: No doubt, Steve and Garry have influenced us both big time. I always liked listening to Brandmeier. I would listen all day long when the Loop was talk and I just loved it. I’m not just saying this because it’s your interview, but when I was an intern for John Landecker (photo), you were both huge influences. I would just watch him work and see that just because you can’t see a person on the radio doesn’t mean you can’t be animated. From you I learned a tremendous amount about how to put a show together and produce a good show. Working in smaller markets we’ve always been our own producers.

Rick: You've also had some experience doing stand up comedy and various other stage acts (including having a band). How has that experience affected your radio show?

Tomano: Ultimately, live comedy and music shows are an additional forum for us, but there’s also the uncensored and uninhibited aspect to live performance that enhances the experience. I love it all, but it’s nice to have that daily radio anchor for the act.

Touhy: For me it gave me much more confidence in my humor. On stage I got that immediate feedback and could tell what worked and what didn’t.

Rick: If you had to pinpoint one or two moments from your radio career that you're most proud of, what would it be?

Tomano: It’s difficult to pinpoint. I hear from people everyday that listen to us and are touched by what we do on the show. Knowing that the work you do makes a difference in someone’s life is extremely rewarding.

Touhy: One moment would have to be the day I bought my house. It was the first time I realized I was actually making a living doing what I love. The other would be recently when we were told that we going to start simulcasting. Mike and I have been working a long time toward this and it felt great. I can’t wait until tomorrow, I think it will be another.

Rick: Where you see the Tomano & Touhy show going from here?

Tomano: I see us continuing to add stations. Our show is a turnkey operation for stations. We have an incredibly insightful manager, Mike Moyers, who is behind our efforts one hundred percent. As performers, Steve and I never stop growing, so I’m looking forward to the future.

Touhy: I agree. I go to work everyday and laugh with my best friend. Wherever we go is cool with me.

Media Notebook (July 3, 2008)

Collected and Edited by Rick Kaempfer





Highlights and links to the big stories in the news this week about the media. This column appears twice a week at MEDIA NOTEBOOK


RIP: Sandy Stahl
Robert Feder wrote about her in his column on Tuesday: "Radio colleagues are mourning the passing of Sandy Stahl, who headed marketing and promotion at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9) for more than a decade under Evergreen Media Corp. ownership. Ms. Stahl, who was 58, died Friday in Seattle, where she lived with her husband, former WCKG and WMET morning host John Fisher. She had been in a coma after a number of strokes related to endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves cause by a bacterial infection."


Rob is correct when he says radio colleagues are mourning her loss. I started getting e-mails from my former Loop buddies as early as 4:00 AM on Tuesday. We are devastated by this news.

In a cutthroat business of huge egos and oversized personalities, Sandy Stahl was a kind and generous woman who genuinely cared about people. Without her, I never would have had a career in Chicago radio. I know that nearly everyone who met her has a story about something she did to help them. Here's my story.

In 1986 I was a recent graduate of the University of Illinois, and a four year radio veteran (in Champaign) trying to break into the big bad Chicago market. I tried every station on the dial, except one--The Loop. I figured it was just too big and popular at the time.

For those of you who are too young or just don't remember those days, the Loop was the pinacle of 1980s radio in Chicago. The morning show was hosted by Johnny B and he was at the height of his popularity. The afternoon show was hosted by Steve & Garry and they were at the height of their popularity. The rest of the dayparts were filled with radio icons like Bob Stroud, Bobby Skafish, and Patty Haze, and they had just hired an unknown guy from St. Louis named Kevin Matthews to do overnights.

I don't know what made me do it, but I finally called up the Loop switchboard and asked for the name of the promotion director. I figured maybe they were so big they could use a little help in that department. The name they gave me was Sandy Stahl. I wrote her a letter saying that it was my dream to work in Chicago radio, and I would be willing to do anything at all to help out. I didn't expect to hear back from anyone. After all, I had tried a similar approach at nearly every other station in town.

My heart almost stopped when I saw the Loop logo on an envelope in my mailbox. It was a personal letter from Sandy Stahl saying that my letter had touched her. In her letter she asked if I would be willing to come into the station for an interview. Are you kidding me?

When I met her I was immediately taken in by her warmth. There was something about her that made people feel comfortable. She told me she didn't have any jobs available, but I was welcome to come to station events and meet the other people on staff. Sandy said she would make sure that my name was known by all of them so that when something came up, they would think of me.

"Why are you doing this for me?" I asked.

"I can just tell that you would fit in here," she said.

For the next few months I came to every event. I even went to Poplar Creek for the big Johnny B/Steve & Garry show. That's where I met the people who worked for Steve & Garry--and they asked if I would help out with their fan club.

"Sure, I'd love to," I said. "But why me?"

"Sandy Stahl speaks very highly of you," they said.

Within a year I was producing Steve and Garry's show. Within a year after that, I had my own air shift on the biggest station in Chicago. She was right--I did fit right in.

I never forgot what she did for me and I was willing to do anything at all to help her. I even helped book hotel rooms for the guests coming to Chicago for her wedding to John Fisher. When I got an invitation to that wedding I told her it wasn't necessary to invite me.

"I want you to be there," she said.

A few years later when I bought an engagement ring for my wife Bridget, I showed the ring to Sandy before I even showed it to Bridget.

"You better invite me to the wedding," she said.

"Of course. I want you to be there."

She was there, dancing to the German polka band.

When the Steve and Garry show experience got to be a little too much for me a few years later, I talked to Sandy in the Loop hallways, trying to figure out what was next for me.

"You're a wonderful writer," she said. "You should pursue that."

"I don't have the slightest idea where to start."

"I'll make a phone call," she said.

The next week I had my own radio column in a publication called "Chicago Advertising & Media," and I've been writing ever since.

Sandy and John moved to Seattle shortly after that. I was heartbroken that she was leaving (as was everyone else on the staff), but we knew that the opportunity in Seattle was too good to pass up. I gave her a coffee table book with photos of Chicago so that she would always be able to see the city she loved so much.

The last time I saw her in person was about five years ago. She looked exactly the same as she did the day I met her in 1986. I gave her a big hug and told her I missed her.

"I think about you often," she said. "We still have that book you gave us and it reminds us of the good times we had here."

There are only a handful of people in my life that were as influential to me as Sandy Stahl. I will always appreciate everything she did for me, and I will never forget her warm smile and her huge loving heart.

Rest in peace, Sandy. We all loved you very much.

Suburban Man: Vacation Surprise

By Rick Kaempfer









We just got back from vacation, and I’m still in shock.

We rented a condo on the beach in Hilton Head, and invited my mother, my sister, and my brother’s family (including his two boys, ages 8 & 5) to join us.

Let me pinpoint the possible areas of conflict…

*We had five boys under the age of 13 sleeping in the same room.

*We had two daughter-in-laws, a daughter, and a German mother all “equally in charge” of making the food for the week.

*We only had two bathrooms.

*At least four family members have no business sitting in the sun because their skin is virtually translucent…and this was a beach vacation.

You’ll never guess what happened. Would you believe it went off without a hitch?

I’m still in shock. The boys played together so nicely I checked their temperatures to make sure they weren’t sick. They played in the ocean for hours at a time (with minimal fighting), ate what they were supposed to eat (with minimal complaining), and more or less went to bed when they were supposed to go to bed (with minimal hassles).

The women didn’t get into a single fight about what groceries to buy and what to make for dinner. They worked together so nicely I checked their temperatures to make sure they weren’t sick. The German mother was so relaxed and happy that no more than a half-dozen “I told you so’s” flopped out, and no one snapped when they did.

We only had one “incident” with the two bathrooms…and this was only because I allowed all five boys to play on their Nintendo DS games at the same time for a few hours. I know, I know. It was a moment of weakness on my part. They had been so good I thought they deserved a reward. I wasn’t considering that all of them would “hold it” the entire time they were playing, and then need to release the hold at the same time. (Although the hopping in the hallway while they waited their turns was pretty amusing)

We somehow even managed to avoid sunburn the entire week, despite spending untold hours at the beach. Even my oldest and youngest boys Tommy and Sean (who take after their Irish mother) didn’t burn. The 50 SPF suntan lotion worked. They even got a little color. I’ve upgraded them from “ivory” to “Navajo White”.

How well did this vacation go? Tommy (who is a pre-teen in every sense of the word now) actually said these three words in a row…. “This is fun.”

That’s the upside. It was our best vacation ever. The downside is that I don’t have any amusing stories of family conflict to share.

I hope you’ll forgive me this one time.