RIP Harry Volkman

One of the true greats in Chicago media--longtime weatherman Harry Volkman has passed away. He was beloved by Chicago television viewers, but I can tell you that he was even more beloved in the German community. He was our Babe Ruth, and that's no joke. My parents revered him, and so did all of their friends. I got the chance to tell that to Harry himself when our media careers crossed, and he was very gracious about it. I also told his son Eddie, who knew the reality all too well. Just last year the Volkmans (father and son) were invited to tap the keg at Oktoberfest at the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont.

Deepest condolences to Eddie, and the rest of the Volkman family.

Robert Feder has written a beautiful tribute to Harry. I highly recommend reading it.

Setting a New Bar for Hitting Rock Bottom

I've been to a dog track in Arkansas on a Saturday night with two middle aged friends. I thought that was rock bottom. This is far worse: Being smashed in the face with a plate of sauerkraut at a Ramada Inn in Sarasota.

I pray that I'll never be able to top that.

Happy Birthday Joel!

The Good Luck Charm

I went to the Cubs game with my middle son Johnny last night. It was his 17th career Cubs game. His record is a nearly statistically impossible 16-1.

Bad Lip Reading

These guys just make the political season more fun. The Bad Lip Reading guys are back, and this time they tackle the first Republican debate...

Chicago's Most Historic Taverns

Rick Kogan, a man I consider Mr. Chicago, is putting together a list of Chicago's Most Historic Taverns for the Chicago Tribune. He nails it with these first five. I've been to all five of them, and they are all worth a visit.

The Beatles at Sox Park

It was 50 years ago today...

Incredibly Sad News

Former Bears quarterback Erik Kramer tried to kill himself yesterday. He shot himself, but survived the suicide attempt. When you read this piece about everything he has been going through, you have to feel for the man. I know that football is really the national sport in this country, but if they don't figure out some way to mitigate the brain trauma, it won't be for long.

Marconi Comes to Chicago

Don't know much about the new night jock at WKQX, but here's the report from RAMP...

Longtime Portland, OR radio personality Marconi is headed to Market No. 3, hired by Cumulus to man the previously unmanned 7-midnight show at Alternative WKQX/Chicago. Marconi most recently co-hosted mornings on Alpha Media Triple A KINK/Portland, OR until October of last year. Prior to that, he was a personality on Westwood One's 24/7 Rock 2.0, but he's best known for his many fine years of service at KNRK and KUFO/Portland.

Actual Radio Wars

Sports Talk Radio has a tendency to get a little emotional. I used to chuckle at the near fisticuffs that went on in Chet Coppock's office among his many producers as they prepped for the show every day. When I questioned them why they got so emotional, they had a one word answer: PASSION.

Of course, that's nothing compared what happened yesterday in Philadelphia. From this morning's Radio Ink...

There's been a lot of coverage of NFL teams fighting during the 2015 pre-season. Two Philadelphia sports talkers nearly became part of that highlight reel. During Eagles training camp, Wednesday, Mike Missanelli from Greater Media's 97.5 The Fanatic and Josh Innes from CBS's 94WIP nearly came to blows and had to be separated by Eagle's security.

According to Philly.com, Innes said he took off his sunglasses, "looked (Missanelli) straight in the face and said, ‘your show [expletive] sucks.'" Missanelli then moved toward Innes, and Innes backed away, before security stepped in. Missanelli then said, "Yeah, he stepped back and wet himself just like he did months ago. Anybody can be a tough guy behind a microphone."

Not on the NRA website

Two stories on the same day. One is dead, and the other is badly injured.

1. Man accidentally shoots himself while trying to teach his girlfriend gun safety.

2. Man accidentally shoots himself while "protecting" No-Muslims-Allowed Gun Shop in Oklahoma.

Maybe the answer isn't always "we need more guns"

Jared's Plea Deal

How guilty was Jared from the Subway commercials?

This is the plea deal he agreed to: Jared Fogle Will Pay $1.4 Million to 14 Underage Victims, Serve Prison Time and Register as Sex Offender.

How much prison time?

While Fogle's prison sentence is not yet determined, prosecutors say they will not request more than 12.5 years in prison and that Fogle has agreed not to request less than five years...It was unclear this morning how many of those victims were involved in child pornography and how many Fogle is accused of having sex with.

If he considers 5 to 12 1/2 years in prison a good deal, you can only imagine the goods they have on him.

Best Advce Ever

RIP Yvonne Craig

She passed away yesterday at the age of 78. She lives on forever as the original Batgirl...

New Daily Show promo

Big seat to fill...

Da Bears

Is there a town in America that embraces it's offensive lineman more than Chicago? Former offensive lineman Tom Thayer is the color man on all Bears radio broadcasts. Dan Jiggets has been a radio & television fixture in this town for years. (And the late Mike Pyle before him). Jimbo Covert and Jay Hilgenberg are regular contributors to WBBM's pre and post game shows. Long-snapper Patrick Mannely co-hosted a show with Matt Spiegel. And now, Olin Kreuz and Big Cat Williams will be hosting a post game show on the Score.

This is what happens when your team produces zero memorable quarterbacks.

Stephen Colbert

This is a great profile of Stephen Colbert in the latest GQ magazine. In fact, it's one of the best celebrity profiles I've ever read. In-depth, soul-searching, and philosophical. I'm impressed by both Colbert's candor and writer Joel Lovell's insight.

I was at a party this past weekend and the subject of Colbert's upcoming show was a big topic of discussion. Can he reinvent himself? How will he do it? We're all rooting for him, but we're worried how he'll translate to the general public. As for that part of the equation, the following is his analysis of what his late night show will be...

“This show,” he said, meaning The Late Show, “is Chopped. Late-night shows are Chopped. Who are your guests tonight? Your guests tonight are veal tongue, coffee grounds, and gummy bears. There, make a show.… Make an appetizer that appeals to millions of people. That's what I like. How could you possibly do it? Oh, you bring in your own flavors. Your own house band is another flavor. You have your own flavor. The audience itself is a base dish, like a rice pilaf or something. And then together it's ‘Oh shit, that's an actual meal.’ And that's what every day is like at one of these shows. Something is one thing in the morning, and then by the end of the day it's a totally different thing. It's all process.”

Trump Might Want to Read the Constitution

Trump's interview with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News last night was one of the most revealing interviews I've seen of him. O'Reilly questions Trump about his great new immigration plan, and Trump proves that he has no idea what the constitution says or means. Watch Trump's bluster start to fade when O'Reilly calls him on it. You can almost see him realizing in the middle of his answer that he actually might be wrong. He still blusters his way out of it, but it's half-hearted, and O'Reilly doesn't really let him get away with it. When you're a Republican and you're losing O'Reilly, it's only natural to start worrying...



Just for the record, by the way, the 14th amendment says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Police Academy Zeppelin

Pretty impressive...

Joey and Chandler Weren't Invited to Rachel's Wedding?

Not on the guest list for the recent marriage of Jennifer Aniston: Matt Leblanc and Matthew Perry.

I guess that whole theme song was a lie.