When Late Night Worlds Collide

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

The man who NEVER apologizes for anything ever, is demanding an apology from a person who came to a conclusion about him based on his lack of apology for the things he said regarding Charlottesville.

ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Magic Number is 14

Huge series begins today versus St. Louis...

There's only one number 14. pic.twitter.com/0bn7smxej8

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) September 15, 2017

50th birthday

Always liked this Kinks song, released exactly 50 years ago today...

Chicago's Polish Station

WPNA-Chicago (103.1 FM) is getting national attention as the first full-time Polish format. The radio industry is taking note, and there's a good chance this format will spread. This piece at Radio Insight is a closer look at the format. It's written by long-time radio writer Sean Ross. Here's a short excerpt...

Beyond its own uniqueness, there’s always been a fascination for me in any North American CHR that takes its cues from somewhere other than the U.S. charts. That’s how CKOI Montreal recently became my station of summer 2017. It is also why XHTO El Paso and the short-lived CHR on KXOS Los Angeles—both influenced by Mexico City CHR—fascinated me.

“Chicago’s new Polish-American mix” has its share of the chirpy, sludgy trap pop that I’ve complained about so much lately. So does the pop music in any language, at this point. But there’s also a lot of uptempo dance pop in both languages. There’s the full spectrum of Polish-language hits, some in genres like ska punk not currently represented on the radio here. As with stations of this sort, there are also a few songs that mainstream American CHR has given up on (e.g., DNCE, “Kissing Strangers,” which I’ve heard several times now). And there was one song that stumped even Shazam and SoundHound.

When I’ve encountered them, WPNA-FM has been mostly jockless, but it just launched a new bilingual morning show. The presentation is still taking shape—hot contemporary jingles, but some formal sounding sweepers that sound like they could as easily run on the heritage AM. There’s also an ad for the Alliiance’s insurance business that uses “You’ve Got to Pay the Price” by Al Kent, the 1967 R&B instrumental classic that has endured for years as a music bed. And I hope it plays as a music bed somewhere for the next 50 years.

Newest 60 Minutes Contributor? Oprah

She will do her first report on September 24th, the 50th anniversary of the iconic show.

TV Newser has the details.

The Cubs 21-game streak

Last night the Cleveland Indians won their 22nd game in row, beating the 1935 Cubs record of 21 games in a row. Naturally, I have written about that Cubs streak at Just One Bad Century. Here is the write up below...

On September 4, 1935, the Cubs began the longest winning streak in baseball history (until yesterday). The Cubs were in third place in the National League 2 1/2 games behind the first place Cardinals, and a half game behind the second place New York Giants. They had been flirting with first place for most of the season, but nobody on that Cubs roster could have predicted what began on that September day.

The Cubs beat the Phillies at Wrigley Field 8-2 behind the pitching of Larry French (photo) and two homers by Augie Galan, and they wouldn’t lose again until September 28th. It remained the most incredible winning streak in baseball history until Cleveland broke the record in 2017. The Cubs beat all comers in every way imaginable. They swept the Phillies, the Braves, the Dodgers, and the Pirates at home, and then won another three at St. Louis. They won slugfests and they won pitchers duels.

Seven different Cubs pitchers won games, but Larry French won five, and Charlie Root and Lon Warneke each won four. The lineup was impressive, featuring four Hall of Famers (Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Chuck Klein, and Freddie Lindstrom) and two of the all-time great Cubs (Phil Cavarretta and Stan Hack).

But the hottest hitter of all was their lead-off man Augie Galan (photo). He hit 5 of his 12 home runs that season during the streak, and batted an astounding .358 to finish the season at .314. There were only two games he didn’t reach base.

The city of Chicago got more and more excited as the streak wore on. In that first win, only 5000 were in attendance. By the time the Cubs won their 18th in a row at Wrigley, 40,000+ packed the joint; despite the fact that the country was in the darkest days of the Great Depression.

There really weren’t too many close calls, but two of the games did go into extra innings. The Cubs pushed across a run in the bottom of the 11th to win the first one (Charlie Root pitched all 11 innings), and in the bottom of the 10th in the next one (Lon Warneke pitched all 10 innings).

Probably the best game of the streak was the 19th win in a row. Lon Warneke and Cardinals pitcher Paul Dean both entered the game as 19-game winners, and both men pitched their hearts out. Dean threw a seven hitter, but Warneke allowed only two hits. But the streak wasn’t the only thing at stake during this game. The Cubs were only three games ahead of the Cardinals with five games to play in the season, and all five games would be head-to-head in St. Louis.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the difference in the game was one single mistake pitch by Dean, which was smacked over the fence by Cubs first baseman Phil Cavarretta. That gave the Cubs a nearly insurmountable 4 game lead with 4 games left in the season.

The 20th win in a row the next day clinched the pennant, and the 21st win in a row came the same day in the second game of the double header. Whether or not the Cubs celebrated that night a little too ferociously is lost to time, but they did drop the meaningless final two games of the season.

Special Delivery

I was downtown yesterday so I stopped by and visited my old pal Cara Carriveau. She bought a copy of Mitch Michael's book "Doin' The Cruise", so I had Mitch autograph it, and I dropped it off in person.

Making Sausage

Spent last night making 300 pounds of sausage for this weekend's upcoming "Socctoberfest" at Green White Soccer Club. Good stuff...

Minutia Men, Episode 65

EP65 – Rick and Dave, a chance to win a prize, an explanation of nude high school swimming, a plastic surgery side effect you won’t believe, Sean Spicer’s sexy rating, and Rick’s brush with Jack Brickhouse.

Listen to it here.

A Refresher Course

For my Republican friends who talk about Trump-Derangement syndrome. A quick little refresher course. And FYI, not one of these people were fired for saying the things they say on this video.

In honor of @SarahHuckabee saying Jemele Hill should be fired, let's look at how the media disrespected Obama. pic.twitter.com/saXcm0ha8M

— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) September 13, 2017

Amber Tamblyn Pens Open Letter to James Woods

Here's the thing about telling others how to live their lives. You better be darn sure you live up those same ideals. For instance, James Woods tweeted about the demise of morals because of a movie in which a 24-year-old was dating a 17-year-old.

It led to the star of that movie (Armie Hammer) ripping James back for dating a 19-year-old when he was 60.

Oh, and it led to this open letter from Amber Tamblyn who was only 16 when Woods tried to pick her up. The bummer for James is that the story is in Teen Vogue, which could ruin his chances for future dates.

RIP Grant Hart

He was the singer and leader of the band Husker Du. He died yesterday at the age of 56. Cancer claims another one.

I played this one on WPGU when it first came out...

The Bullpen is a Concern

I knew it was bad. I didn't know it was THIS bad...

Cubs: bullpen has an 8.03 ERA since the start of September..5.85 ERA since August 1 is MLB-worst pic.twitter.com/S3LORAX41m

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) September 13, 2017

Won't be a problem. All we have to do is score 17 runs a game.

First Trump Tweet I Agree With

Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

John & Kipper

Two Eckhartz Press authors got the attention of Robert Feder this week. From last night's Robservations column...

Latest stop on John Records Landecker’s victory tour en route to the National Radio Hall of Fame is a visit with David Martin and Kipper McGee, hosts of “Brandwidth on Demand.” Closing out the first season of the radio insider podcast series, Landecker tells what makes a good program director: “It’s pretty simple. The program director or whoever it is appreciates the people that are on the air, and that person who is the program director feels that it is their job to facilitate whatever those people bring to the table, and present what they bring along with what the station brings into a final package, combining personality and the music. . . . On the other hand, there are programmers who want to take radio stations and stamp them with their identity,” Landecker says. “And then there are idiots, who are just totalitarian dictator types.” (Here is the link.)

Entercom/CBS deal in trouble?

If this isn't a sign of trouble, I don't know what is. From Inside Radio...

Entercom and CBS Radio—radio’s wedding of the year—now has an option to have the whole thing annulled before either shows up to the altar. Both companies say they think the deal can close by the end of this year, but they’re giving each other an option to scuttle their historic merger if it hasn’t been finalized by end-of-January.

An amendment agreed to by both parties says the deal can “be terminated by either CBS or Entercom if the merger has not been consummated as of January 31, 2018.”

An afternoon with Joel Daly

Spent a fun afternoon yesterday with Joel Daly. He was a big hit at the Frisbie Center in Des Plaines. It's so easy to moderate a discussion with someone who has so many great stories.

Joel Daly was fantastic today! Thank you @RickKaempfer #frisbiecenter pic.twitter.com/TPJDkhlALn

— BBoomersAtFrisbie (@Boomers_Frisbie) September 13, 2017

Sneaky Dog

Watch the lower right part of your screen...

Empanada-stealing dog becomes social media hero https://t.co/InYu50unz4

— WGNMorningNews (@WGNMorningNews) September 13, 2017

Meet Joel Daly

If you're in the NW burbs of Chicago this morning at 11am, swing by the Frisbie Center in Des Plaines (corner of Mt. Prospect Road and NW Highway). I'm moderating a little chat with one of our authors, former Channel 7 anchorman and all around great guy, Joel Daly. The event is free and open to the public, and Joel will be selling and autographing copies of his book after the chat.

If you want insurance

I retweeted this. Pretty upset that the current administration has cut all advertising for Obamacare so that they can say its losing popularity. These are real human beings affected, including a few in my house...

**PLEASE RETWEET** since Trump is actively working to stop ppl from knowing how to obtain insurance they are legally entitled to have. pic.twitter.com/dBvi7N5Lzw

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 11, 2017

Rupert's Sky-TV Deal in Europe in Jeopardy

Rupert Murdoch is on the verge of a $15 billion deal to take over Sky-TV, but the deal is in jeopardy because of a very good reason. Fox News. The British believe the cavalier approach to the truth Fox News displays doesn't meet "broadcasting standards". They also believe that giving Rupert Murdoch too much control of the media would create an unhealthy environment.

The British are right. The details are here.

(Photo: Rupert Murdoch)

Eric in the Morning with Melissa & Whip

That's the new name of the Eric and Kathy show. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

“Mix 101.9” Chicago’s “Eric & Kathy Show” evolves to “Eric in the Morning with Melissa and Whip,” ending months of melodrama. WTMX morning stalwart Eric Ferguson is “expected to unveil the new name” on today’s show, says Robert Feder. Kathy Hart’s officially been cut from the rolls of Hubbard Radio employees, and Feder says the new branding for the market’s #1-ranked age 6+ AQH show will “recognize the roles of longtime contributors Melissa McGurren and Brian ‘Whip’ Paruch.” In the end, Hubbard loses a high six-figure host salary, and so far the ratings haven’t varied (without Kathy). Feder says there’s been some gamesmanship – a billboard campaign from iHeart’s top 40 “Kiss 103.5” WKSC that says “Kathy Hart, Thank You for 21 Incredible Years.”

I'm thinking that this Eric & Kathy picture I chose can be cropped. Might save a few more bucks.

Schwarb-O-Meter

I went to the Cubs game last night and sat by the Schwarb-O-Meter guy. Had a great time. It's always more fun when the Cubs win.

Socctoberfest

This is where I'll be all day on Saturday. Looking forward to it. There's no admission fee if you'd like to stop by and have some authentic German food, beer, and/or soccer.

Ted Cruz and Porn

Wasn't expecting those two things to be linked in my news feed this morning, but they were. Here's the story via Chron...

Ted Cruz may be in the market for a new social media manager, an intern to blame or a new Twitter password.

The Texas Senator, who has more than three million followers on Twitter, "liked" a pornographic two-minute video clip from account @SexuallPosts. The account replied to Cruz's like with: "Thanks for watching ted!" It also updated its Twitter profile to read: "Follow for the Same Porn @TedCruz Watches."

Early Tuesday, the Twitter universe took notice and immediately slammed the conservative politician with a slew of hilarious responses for the embarrassing gaffe, which apparently happened on Monday, Sept 11 (yes, on 9/11).

Sputnik in Crosshairs

This is good to see, actually. The Robert Mueller investigation, remember, isn't just into collusion or obstruction of justice. It's also still trying to find out how the Russians hacked our election so that we can avoid it from happening again. With that in mind, the news that Sputnik News is being questioned, is a good sign...

The FBI recently questioned a former White House correspondent for Sputnik, the Russian-government-funded news agency, as part of an investigation into whether it is acting as an undeclared propaganda arm of the Kremlin in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

As part of the probe, Yahoo News has learned, the bureau has obtained a thumb drive containing thousands of internal Sputnik emails and documents — material that could potentially help prosecutors build a case that the news agency played a role in the Russian government “influence campaign” that was waged during last year’s presidential election and, in the view of U.S. intelligence officials, is still ongoing.

Oh, and did you hear this yesterday?

Wow --> Russian politician says on live TV that Russian intelligence "stole the U.S. presidency" https://t.co/MjyusZ5BBO

— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) September 11, 2017

Meet Joel Daly

If you're in the NW burbs of Chicago tomorrow morning at 11am, swing by the Frisbie Center in Des Plaines (corner of Mt. Prospect Road and NW Highway). I'm moderating a little chat with one of our authors, former Channel 7 anchorman and all around great guy, Joel Daly. The event is free and open to the public, and Joel will be selling and autographing copies of his book after the chat.

Dr. Demento

One of the biggest thrills of my radio career was when two of my songs (written during the Ebony & Ivory days) were played on the nationally syndicated Dr. Demento show. I still have the personal note he sent me saying he would playing them, and I still have the shows themselves (on vinyl). Sorry to see that Dr. Demento is currently going through some rough times. From the RAMP Newsletter...

We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to radio legend Barret "Barry" Hansen, better known and loved as Dr. Demento, on the passing of his wife, Sue Hansen. The good doctor posted this heartbreaking update on his Facebook page, which read, in part, "Sad times in the Land of Dementia -- Sue Hansen, my wife, love and helpmate for 34 years, died at 12:30am on Sunday, September 10, after a month-long illness. She was just 65. Sue saved my life and my sanity at a time when I was sorely tempted by the fast times of the L.A. radio and record business in the 1980s. We never had children (our mutual decision, for several reasons) but richly enjoyed each other's company, and I learned a whole lot about life and love from her."

Hansen continued, "On August 15 Sue was admitted to the hospital. Despite their efforts including emergency surgery and dialysis, her condition continued to get worse. I was totally unprepared for how fast she was taken from me. The Dr. Demento Show will go on (and you will continue to hear Sue's voice saying, 'The Doctor is In!' at the start of each show) but this will be a very hard one to get over." -- Dr. Demento

Cubs

Do you think it's possible that the Cubs woke up from a three year slumber this past weekend and suddenly remembered "Oh yeah, I forgot. We're the Cubs."

Looks like it.

September 11

A day that none of us will ever forget...

U.S. commemorates #September11th with a ceremony beginning at ground zero https://t.co/b4Bq9sd4Na pic.twitter.com/E3fsr0HWdr

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) September 11, 2017

RIP Don Williams

He was 78 when he passed away over the weekend. From the RAMP Newsletter...

A native of Floydada, TX, Williams (left), known as "The Gentle Giant" for his smooth, laid-back sound, was born May 27, 1939. He made his chart debut in 1973 with "The Shelter of Your Eyes," followed in 1974 with his first chart-topper, "I Wouldn't Want To Live If You Didn't Love Me."
From that point through 1991, each Williams single would hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Country charts. His 1970s hits included the hits "Tulsa Time," "She Never Knew Me" and "It Must Be Love." He was named the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978. In 1981 Williams recorded "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good," and what would be his biggest hit, "I Believe In You," which not only topped the Country charts, but also crossed over to No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Eric Bolling

It was an unimaginably terrible weekend for Eric Bolling. First, Fox News fired him for the lewd picture allegations. Less than 24 hours later, his son was found dead at the age of 19.

As the father of a 19-year-old, my heart goes out to him.

The River Prom

Dave and I went out to Bolingbrook on Saturday night for the annual River (WERV) Prom. Mitch Michaels is their afternoon man and he was there selling his book "Doin' The Cruise", so we went along to help him sell the book.

Its a nice event. It was like going to a wedding without a bride and groom. A few photos are below...

John Landecker Day

Here's the video of the ceremony for John...