Media Notebook--8-30-24

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago.

RADIO/PODCASTS

 

 

*Rewound Radio—WLS & WCFL

=This is the weekend for the big event at Rewound Radio.  My column about it (an interview with Ted Gorden Smucker) comes out this weekend in the Illinois Entertainer. Here’s another promo from one of the participants: Lyle Dean.

=The RAMP Newsletter covered the story this morning too.

=A little more info…It starts Saturday (August 31) morning at 5:00 AM CDT. Highlights include various Animal Stories, Chickenman episodes, Steve King and WLS Music People, memorializing Elvis Presley (1977), Dick Biondi and Pop Goes The Music (1965), WLS Countdown of the Top 16 hits of 1978 and more.

 

 

*Dan Proft Kicked Off Charity Board

=You’d think someone who is on the board of a charity that supports people with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities wouldn’t publicly mock someone like Gus Walz for his reaction to his dad’s speech. WIND’s Dan Proft is not one of those people. Envision Unlimited removed him from their board after he mocked Walz. The vote was unanimous.

=His co-host Amy Jacobson, who joined in on the mocking, is also in trouble. In addition to being on the air at WIND, she was a volleyball coach at Amundsen High School. Some parents at the school didn’t think someone who mocks kids with disabilities should be coaching kids. Amy resigned from Amundsen on Wednesday.

=It doesn’t appear the duo will face any consequences at WIND-AM 560.

*BetQL

=Some Chicago-related developments in the latest changes announced by Audacy’s BetQL. Sam Panayotovich will team up with Joe Ostrowski on BetQL Daily weekdays from 8am-11am CT. You may remember Panayotovich from WGN Radio. He also previously worked with Ostrowski.

 

*Podcast Corner

=The Kelce brothers signed a $100 million deal with Wondery. The deal includes the full back catalog of previous shows and international podcasting rights.

=Car Con Carne is on LinkedIn now. The show is approaching it's 1000th episode. Pretty impressive. 

 

*Music News

=15 years after the breakup, the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are putting their differences aside and reuniting for a Oasis tour. Why? I can give you tens of millions of reasons.

=The Cure is releasing their first new music in 16 years, and they are doing it on eco-vinyl as a fundraiser for climate change advocates Earth Percent.

 

*WBEZ’s night with Margaret Atwood

=The author of The Handmaid’s Tale is coming to town Monday October 7 at the University Club.

 

*Ex-Chicago Radio Update

=Former WLS & WCFL star Chuck Knapp has his own website now, featuring classic clips from his long career.

=Mike Dubs, former weekender at WUSN, left his morning show at Kool 108 in Minneapolis last week.

 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

 

*August 25—Ken Zurski birthday

=Ken is a long-time radio traffic reporter (currently working in Peoria), but he’s also an author. His book is called The Wreck of the Columbia

 

 

*August 26—Ernie Scatton birthday

=Ernie was one of the blade men (old term, look it up) at ESPN Radio in Chicago for many years, and is now working at WGN Radio.

*August 26—Vicki Truax birthday

=Vicki Truax was a traffic reporter and morning co-host at WJMK in the 1990s. She was also married to the late sportscaster Tim Weigel.

 

 

*August 26, 1939

=First televised Major League Baseball game. The Brooklyn Dodgers hosted the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field, and it was broadcast on an experimental television station for the World’s Fair.

 

 

*August 26, 1963

=Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream” speech in Washington.

On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his landmark speech

"I Have a Dream" pic.twitter.com/WQniIo7w1S

— AFRICAN & BLACK HISTORY (@AfricanArchives) August 28, 2024

 

*August 27—Ron Magers birthday

=Magers has been retired for a few years now, but he had a legendary run as a news anchor in Chicago at both NBC-5 and ABC-7.

 

 

*August 27—Joe Cicero birthday

=Joe is the morning man at Star 105.5. I interviewed him for Illinois Entertainer a few years ago.

 

 

*August 27—Dan McNeil birthday

=I’ve interviewed the former Score, ESPN, Drive, and Loop host many times over the past few decades, but I think this 2004 piece I wrote about him for Lake Magazine is the best.

 

*August 27--Tom Shaer birthday

=Sportscaster for Chicago radio (the Score) and television (Channel 5) for decades.

*August 28, 1981—Greetings from Graceland

=Steve & Garry’s TV show aired on Channel 7…(Thanks to S&G fan page for this Sun-Times clipping)

 

*August 29—Tom Couch birthday

=Couch is the former creative director for Hubbard Broadcasting in Chicago and WXRT. He is now with Noteworthy Media.

 

 

*August 30—Mark Zander birthday

=Zander has worked at several stations in Chicago, including the Loop, ESPN, WCKG, and Me-TV FM. I’ve interviewed him a few times, including this one from 2007.

 

 

*August 31—Robert Jordan birthday

=Jordan retired a few years ago after a long and productive career on WGN-TV. This photo is from Rich King’s book “Ike & Me” (L-R: King, Ramsey, Bange, and Jordan)

 *August 31, 1997--Princess Diana's death

=News that shocked the world. This is how the news was reported in England.

TV/STREAMING

 

*The Cubs are Swifties Now

=With all the talk of the White Sox terrible season, you may have missed that the Cubs have quietly started playing well. Is Taylor Swift somehow responsible?

Taylor Swift COULD be helping the @Cubs right now 🤣👀 pic.twitter.com/jVHgiTbhbn

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 27, 2024

*Danny Parkins Takes on TV

=The former Score radio host is now part of the FS1 lineup and discusses that transition and the “arranged marriage” aspect of the show in this piece.

 

*Someone Throws a Rock at Channel 7 State Street Studio

=Needless to say, this was caught on video. The rock damaged the glass but didn't harm anyone. They haven't caught the person yet. Watch the video here.

*Harry Caray Ltd Sues Texas Steakhouse

=The people who own the name and likeness of the late Harry Caray (Harry Caray Ltd) are suing a chain of restaurants in Texas known as The Holy Cow Restaurant for trademark infringement. In the lawsuit they say the name Holy Cow was chosen to “create a false association with the Harry Caray restaurants, and to willfully, intentionally and unlawfully misappropriate the tremendous goodwill of Harry Caray Ltd.’s well known, if not famous HOLY COW! mark, as well as the goodwill associated therewith.”

*Rafer Weigel interview

=The former Chicago TV newsman (and son of Tim Weigel) was interviewed this past week by Margaret Larkin…

 

 

*Kamala's First Interview

=It happened last night on CNN. The interview was conducted by Dana Bash and went fairly well for the Vice President. Here are some takeaways.

*Rules for the Presidential Debate September 10

=These are the rules released this week by ABC.

=Both sides clearly haven’t agreed to them yet. Brian Fallon is a Kamala Harris spokesperson.

 *The 50 Best SNL Skits of All-Time

=As ranked by Esquire Magazine. As always, these lists are designed to spark discussion and debate. Schweddy Balls is only #40? Not so sure. Frozen Caveman Lawyer is #1? Not so sure.

*Wolf Blitzer wins Cronkite Award

=The award is given out every year by Arizona State University (Cronkite's alma mater). Blitzer is the 41st recipient of the award. More details here.

 

*Nikki Glaser to Host Golden Globes

=Last year comedian Joe Koy wasn’t warmly received. This year it’s Nikki’s turn to give it a shot. It will be on CBS on January 5^th.

 

*Pat McAfee

=Pride in his ignorance.

Journalistic standards.#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/9H2Bu8I6wj

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 29, 2024

 

*Rest in Peace

=Jack Conaty

For 22 years (1987-2009) he was the chief political correspondent for WFLD-TV (Channel 32). Jack passed away in Arizona this week. He was 77.

=Phil Jones

Former CBS News correspondent. He was 87.

=Mitzi McCall

Comedian who appeared on same episode of the Ed Sullivan show as the Beatles. She was 93.

 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

 

*Google’s Anti-Trust Loss Opens Door to Yelp Lawsuit

=Now that Google has been labeled a monopoly, the floodgates are opening from companies that feel the big thumb of Google has been removed. First up in court, Yelp.

 

*Telegram Founder Arrested in France

=His name is Pavel Durov. His alleged crime is failing to prevent illicit (criminal) activity on his app.

As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.

Media Notebook--3-29-24

MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago.

RADIO/PODCASTS

 

*WLS 100

=Look who was lured into Steve Cochran’s WLS studios this week. It’s media writer (emeritus) Robert Feder. That’s a rare radio appearance. I unsuccessfully tried to book him for decades. Scott Childers was filling in for news.

 

*Eddie & Jobo To Reunite

=And not just anywhere…they are reuniting on B-96 on Monday morning. Be sure to tune in. Will it be a permanent thing? I’m guessing not. Check the date on the calendar.

 

*Lin Brehmer Tribute for Opening Day

=Pete Crozier was Lin's producer. This is what he posted this week on his Facebook page...

Last July, Sara and Lin's brothers asked me to produce a movie about Lin to share with family and a small group of friends and colleagues.

It was truly one of the greatest honors of my life and reminded me of the immeasurable impact he had on me (and, if you're lucky, you).

While the entire movie will never be posted as it was a personal gift to the family, on this, MLB's Opening Day, Sara is giving her permission for me to share the section about Lin's love of the city of Chicago and the Cubs.

Enjoy.

*Gracie Award Winners

=The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announced the winners of this year's Gracie Awards this week. The full list is here, and includes WGN Radio's Lisa Dent.

*Bernstein and Holmes Interview Ian Eagle

=The new lead play-by-play man for the NCAA tournament was a recent guest of WSCR’s midday show. A good interview with the man of the hour.

*Maria Pappas on the Radio

=The Cook County treasurer hosts a weekly show on WVON. Among her fans, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg. 

*Bob Heymann at the NAB

=Chicago’s very own Bob Heymann (Media Services Group Managing Director) has been chosen to moderate a session at this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas. M&A’s Outlook on TV/Radio – a Look at the M&A Landscape and How to Prepare for Buying and Selling’s Impact will be presented at 11:30 AM on Monday, April 15, 2024.

“I am truly honored to speak at this years NAB Show,” said Bob. “I hope to impart some of my knowledge of the station marketplace in an informative and engaging manner.” For more information, visit: https://nabshow.com/2024/

 

*Podcast Corner

=The Bill Maher Podcast Network is coming soon. First hire is Sage Steele.

=The Daily Wire Dismisses Candace Owens. Ben Shapiro (founder of the network) has been arguing on-air with Owens about the Israeli war in Gaza for months. That strong disagreement led to her dismissal. Forbes has more information about it. 

 

*Music News

=Beyonce's new country album "Cowboy Carter" officially drops today. 27 tracks include a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and the Beatles "Blackbird". The New York Times review is here.

*Rest in Peace

=Tommy Williams

The voice of Lakeshore Sports in Northwest Indiana, and a ten-year member of the air staff at the Score. He was only 66.

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*March 24—Julie Unruh birthday

=Julie was a reporter/anchor at WGN-TV for twenty years. She signed off in 2021 to spend more time with her family.

 

*March 25—Didi Foley birthday

=You may have heard her on the air at the Mix and WSHE over the years, but for the past 15 years she has also been the Campus Services Manager for Waubonsee Community College in Aurora.

 

*March 25, 1954—Color TV

=Color TV is 70 years old this week. RCA unveiled the very first one in 1954. It had a 12-inch screen and cost $1000.

 

*March 26—Ken Cocker birthday

=Ken was a fixture on the Chicago radio dial for years at stations like WMET, WJMK, WUSN, and K-Hits. He was also once a minor league baseball player. I interviewed him for Chicago Radio Spotlight in 2012.

 

*March 26—Shane Riordan birthday

=Shane is executive producer, and content and operations manager for the Score. He also sports a mighty impressive beard.

*March 26—Bob Woodward birthday

=The Washington Post reporter and editor who broke the Watergate story with Carl Bernstein grew up in Wheaton, Illinois.

 

*March 27—Quentin Tarantino birthday

=The legendary director may not have any connections to Chicago, but recently he inadvertently propelled a Chicago cab driver’s novel up the charts by recommending it. Block Club Chicago has that story.

 

*March 28—John Records Landecker birthday

=Why did John Landecker call his memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name? Because it truly is. Nobody believes this when he tells them, but it’s true. His mother’s maiden name was Records, and she gave it to him as a middle name. His Radio Hall of Fame career was destiny. (He’s also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). I was honored to speak at his ceremony in Indiana a few years ago when the Governor awarded him with the state’s highest honor. Of course, John is still on the air most weeknights on WGN-Radio.

=I posted a free excerpt from his book yesterday. It’s about Martin Short. 

 

*March 28—Jimmy “Mac” McInerny birthday

=Jimmy was one of the producers for Jonathon Brandmeier’s show for many years and also worked as a producer and production guru for Kevin Matthews back in the day. His podcast Rebel Force Radio is a huge hit and a must listen for Star Wars fans. Jimmy Mac is married to Wendy Snyder.

 

*March 28, 1971—Final Ed Sullivan Show

=Ed Sullivan took the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater for the very last time this week in 1971. The rerun of the show aired in June. The last musical guests to appear were Gladys Knight and the Pips. 

 

*March 30—Fred Winston birthday

=Fred is one of the all-time great DJs in Chicago radio history. He worked at WLS, WCFL, WFYR, WJMK, and more. I interviewed Fred several times over the years, most recently in 2018 for Illinois Entertainer.

 =This week in 1976...Fred was the cover boy of the WLS survey.

 TV/STREAMING

 

*Paris Schultz Leaving WTTW

=The co-host of Chicago Tonight and host of Week in Review announced this week that he is leaving Channel 11 in April. Schultz has been at the station for 20 years. His co-host on Chicago Tonight, Brandis Friedman will remain on the show as the solo-host, and the new host of Week in Review will be Amanda Vinicky.

=Mary Ann Ahern offered this clue as to Paris' next destination (h/t Eric Zorn). Could it be Channel 5 (where Mary works)?

 *Rafer Weigel Update

=The son of legendary Chicago sportscaster Tim Weigel is leaving the business. He had recently re-launched his television career in San Diego.

 

*The Ronna McDaniel Controversy

=The fury amongst the NBC news staff about her hiring reminded me a lot of the fury the local NBC news team exhibited when Jerry Springer was brought aboard to provide political commentary in the 1990s.

=Luckily for NBC, it didn’t end the same way. In Chicago, the top talent quit. At NBC Network, they just reversed their decision and fired McDaniel…before anyone quit. Republicans (who fired McDaniel themselves a few weeks ago) claim to be outraged by this firing.

*Kevin Hart Wins Mark Twain Prize

=The most prestigious award in comedy/humor this year goes to comedian Kevin Hart. NPR has the details.

*Steve Martin

=Richard Roeper’s Sun-Times review of the new Steve Martin documentary on Apple TV.  Count me in.

PRINT/DIGITAL

 

*One Year Anniversary of Evan Gershkovich's Imprisonment in Russia

=The Wall Street Journal reporter remains detained with little hope on the horizon for his release. The New York Times interviewed his parents about the ordeal.

*Paul Sullivan’s Dave Van Dyck tribute

=I was surprised when I heard last week about Van Dyck’s passing, because I hadn’t seen any tributes to him at his old papers. Paul Sullivan came through this week in the Tribune. Great piece. 

 

*AP Photographer Snags Classic Pope Francis photo

=Just wait for the Pope to walk outside with his beanie on during a windy day, and voila! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

*Trump Media Trading at Ridiculous Levels

=Super sketchy on the financial details here. From the New York Times…

The company took in $3.3 million in the first nine months of 2023 and recorded a loss of $49 million, yet its market value—based on Tuesday’s share price—is nearly 2,000 times its estimated annual revenue . . . Other social media companies trade at far lower price-to-sales ratios than Trump Media’s: Reddit is around 10, Meta is 7 and Snap is 6, according to FactSet. Superstar tech stocks like the chipmakers Nvidia and ARM trade at price-to-sales ratios of about 25.

=And yet, after two days of trading it was worth even more: $9 billion.

=Seth Meyers warning to Trump Media investors last night on his late night NBC show...

    “The only way this business could be any more of a failure is if every time you opened an account, you got a free Zune, a bottle of Crystal Pepsi, a Blockbuster card, a Motorola flip phone that came preloaded with a MySpace account and a round trip next to the door on Alaska Airlines.” 

*Twitter Usage Down 1/5 Since Musk Purchase

=About 20% of previous American Twitter users have fled the former king of social media. The Guardian has the story.

*Florida Bans Social Media for the Under-14 crowd

=I have a hunch this one won’t survive a court challenge, but it’s now the law in Florida. 

 

 

As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.