Tuesday, April 01, 2014
10 Things You Didn't Know About Germans
Media Spotlight--April 1
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Tribune Hires New Boss for WGN-TV
His name is Greg Easterly and he comes here from WJW-TV in Cleveland. He'll report directly to Larry Wert. More details in Crains at the link.
The Moguls
~Zuckerberg's Salary is $1
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reduced his base salary last year to only $1. I'm going to start up a charity drive immediately.
The FCC
~FCC Closes Media Ownership Loophole
From this morning's The Hill...
In a contentious vote that attracted scrutiny from Republicans in the agency and on Capitol Hill, the FCC approved an order that will keep broadcast companies from sharing resources on advertising sales. Under current FCC rules, a single broadcast company cannot own more than one of the top four broadcast stations in a media market. But prior to the agency’s actions on Monday, a broadcast company could use a Joint Service Agreement (JSA) to control advertising sales across multiple broadcast stations. Critics of this practice said it allowed broadcasters to control multiple stations in practice without technically violating the agency’s ownership rules.
The Pundits
~Glenn Beck Being Sued for Defamation
Defamation is one of the most difficult things to prove in court, but it sure looks like this Boston citizen Beck kept calling a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing (long after he was cleared) has got a case.
~Stephen Colbert Responds To Twittersphere Calling For His Head
In this video below he explains the whole controversy and responds...
~Is Ronan Farrow's Show in Trouble?
Well, the headline in the Daily News gossip page is: "Ratings May Sink Ronan Farrow". And an anonymous MSNBC source says: “He sort of stinks on TV. He hasn’t turned out to be the superstar they were hoping for.” I normally completely dismiss anonymous sources like that, but I've seen the show. He does stink on TV. It's sort of a creepy show.
Showbiz
~Amazon Picks Up Six Original Series
Among the shows that got the green light yesterday was "Transparent", starring John Landecker's daughter Amy.
The Radio Biz
~Beware...it's April Fool's Day.
The Kars for Kids jingle was redone to be Kids for Kars. The new jingle is at the link. It's obviously just a bit. You'll probably hear many of those today.
Joel Daly on WGN Radio
Eckhartz Press author Joel Daly was on WGN Radio last night with Pete McMurray. I couldn't join him there because I was conducting soccer practice for Sean's team, but Dave went along and took the pictures below.
On the air...
A crowd forms outside the showcase studio to watch Joel yodel...
Pete McMurray, Joel Daly, and producer Scott Miller...
We've also got the audio of Joel Daly's memorable appearance last night on WGN Radio: Listen here.
On the air...
A crowd forms outside the showcase studio to watch Joel yodel...
Pete McMurray, Joel Daly, and producer Scott Miller...
We've also got the audio of Joel Daly's memorable appearance last night on WGN Radio: Listen here.
Just One Bad Century--April 1
It was a rough opening day loss for the Cubs yesterday. Wellington Castillo shows everyone exactly how it felt for Cub fans...(click on the photo)
Lots of positives there though. Great performance by the Shark. And Emilio Bonafacio looks like a keeper. There's no game today--back it tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.
At JOBC, we debuting a new feature today. This Week in Wrigley History looks at all the memorable moments over the past 100 years that occured this week at Wrigley Field. There have been very few on April 1 & 2, but two of my favorites are featured later this week. A big wet sloppy kiss and the best Opening Day of my lifetime (I'm 50).
Today's Cubs birthdays feature a guy who came just one pitch away from a no-hitter, plus a cup of coffee from 1919 and 1964.
The A/V Club has an entire episode of the Bob Newhart show about the Cubs.
Lots of positives there though. Great performance by the Shark. And Emilio Bonafacio looks like a keeper. There's no game today--back it tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.
At JOBC, we debuting a new feature today. This Week in Wrigley History looks at all the memorable moments over the past 100 years that occured this week at Wrigley Field. There have been very few on April 1 & 2, but two of my favorites are featured later this week. A big wet sloppy kiss and the best Opening Day of my lifetime (I'm 50).
Today's Cubs birthdays feature a guy who came just one pitch away from a no-hitter, plus a cup of coffee from 1919 and 1964.
The A/V Club has an entire episode of the Bob Newhart show about the Cubs.
Monday, March 31, 2014
I't's Opening Day!
The A/V Club gets us in the mood for baseball with "It's a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame"
To get us off on the right foot, let's go back to This Week in 1908 (the last year the Cubs won the World Series) and This Week in 1945 (the last year the Cubs appeared in the World Series.). In 1908 the Cubs are on their way back up to Chicago for the beginning of the season on the same day baseball officially recognizes Abner Doubleday as the inventor of the sport...even though he had nothing to do with it. In 1945 the Cubs are training in French Lick, Indiana while Allied Troops are liberating concentration camps in Europe.
Have you heard about who is throwing out the first pitch for the Cubs home opener later this week? A 100-year-old man.
Today's Cubs Birthdays feature a tongue twister about a player from 1905. Wrote it myself. That's the sort of unique material you won't find anywhere else. (Probably for good reason).
Have I mentioned that The A/V Club has the song "It's a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame"? It's going through my head all day. Now it's going through yours too.
Enjoy Opening Day, and Go Cubs!
Ford Schools Cadillac
This is Cadillac's famous spot...
This is the answer spot from Ford...
Suck it, Cadillac. You just got schooled.
This is the answer spot from Ford...
Suck it, Cadillac. You just got schooled.
Joel Daly on WGN Tonight!
Eckhartz Press author Joel Daly will be appearing tonight on WGN Radio with Pete McMurray.
Tune in during the 8pm hour to hear the legendary broadcaster talk about his Eckhartz Press book "The Daly News"
Buy it here so you know what he's talking about.
Lost in the Ivy Ships Today!
And we're doing a giveaway at Good Reads...
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Lost in the Ivy
by Randy Richardson
Enter to win
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Lost in the Ivy
by Randy Richardson
Giveaway ends April 14, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
Media Spotlight: In Case You Missed It Edition (March 31)
There were a couple of big media stories in the news last week while I was on spring break...
Chicago Media
~The Top-Billing Radio Stations in Chicago
According to the Chicago Tribune article at the link, the top 5 billing radio stations in Chicago are: News Radio WBBM-AM, The Mix WTMX-FM, WGN-AM, The Score WSCR, and B-96 WBBM-FM.
~Paul Agase leaves CBS-Chicago to return to the place where he started – WLS (890).
From Tom Taylor's NOW column...
~Did Les Grobstein Really Do This?
The headline at Deadspin is this: Chicago Sports Radio Host Shits In The Studio, Flees The Building. The Sports Radio host in question is Les Grobstein. The article claims he really did it. I've known Les for many years, and yes, it's true he's a bit a slob. But this sounds a bit over the top. There must be an explanation.
~The Top-Ten Midday Radio Shows in Chicago
Robert Feder has them at the link. #1 is WBBM-AM's Sherman Kaplan & Kris Kridell. #3 was the Drive's Bob Stroud. Greg Brown is #6, and Bob & Marianne at WGN are #7. (Look for my upcoming media column about them in the Illinois Entertainer tomorrow.
The Moguls
~The Prodigal Son Returns
Once shunned by his father Rupert, Lachlan Murdoch returned to News Corp as the co-chairman. I guess that's a pretty obvious sign who will succeed Rupert. Unless, of course, he steps out of line again while the old man is still kicking.
Chicago Media
~The Top-Billing Radio Stations in Chicago
According to the Chicago Tribune article at the link, the top 5 billing radio stations in Chicago are: News Radio WBBM-AM, The Mix WTMX-FM, WGN-AM, The Score WSCR, and B-96 WBBM-FM.
~Paul Agase leaves CBS-Chicago to return to the place where he started – WLS (890).
From Tom Taylor's NOW column...
He’ll be VP of sales, reporting to Cumulus market manager Donna Baker. Feder adds some context - “Sources said Agase had been under pressure because of declining sales at the newsradio combo” of WBBM (780) and simulcast WCFS (105.9). WBBM’s still the market’s top biller at $41.9 million in 2013 topline revenue. But that was down 8% year-to-year, compared to the Miller Kaplan-computed radio market decline of about 2.5%. CBS market manager Rod Zimmerman says Chicago Director of Sales Mark Day will also serve as general sales manager at the important ’BBM combo. During Agase’s tenure with CBS, he’d had various sales management roles, including at sports “Score” WSCR (670) and adult alternative WXRT (93.1).
~Did Les Grobstein Really Do This?
The headline at Deadspin is this: Chicago Sports Radio Host Shits In The Studio, Flees The Building. The Sports Radio host in question is Les Grobstein. The article claims he really did it. I've known Les for many years, and yes, it's true he's a bit a slob. But this sounds a bit over the top. There must be an explanation.
~The Top-Ten Midday Radio Shows in Chicago
Robert Feder has them at the link. #1 is WBBM-AM's Sherman Kaplan & Kris Kridell. #3 was the Drive's Bob Stroud. Greg Brown is #6, and Bob & Marianne at WGN are #7. (Look for my upcoming media column about them in the Illinois Entertainer tomorrow.
The Moguls
~The Prodigal Son Returns
Once shunned by his father Rupert, Lachlan Murdoch returned to News Corp as the co-chairman. I guess that's a pretty obvious sign who will succeed Rupert. Unless, of course, he steps out of line again while the old man is still kicking.
Green White
One of my on-going writing projects is chronicling the history of Green White Soccer Club, a club co-founded by my father in 1956. Each month I write about one year in Green White history. This month, I write about the club's 30th anniversary...in 1986.
You can read it here.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Top 15 Names of Crazy People
Thanks to "MJR" for this one. I've got my eye on my son Tommy. He's the only one in my family to make the list...
Friday, March 28, 2014
Just One Bad Century--March 28
The A/V Club features a look at the 1935 Cubs.
In the latest Cubs news: the final three roster spots on this year's team go to Mike Olt, Emilio Bonafacio, and Ryan Kalish, which means that Ryan Roberts and Chris Coghlan didn't make the team. Roberts was released, and Coghlan was sent to the Cubs minor league camp.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Throwback Thursday
Just One Bad Century--March 27
The AV Club features baseball great Dick Allen talking about one of today's Cubs birthday boys. Allen says he had more power than anyone he had ever seen before.
In the latest Cubs news, Starlin Castro is 100% now (according to his manager), CJ Edwards made his debut and it was a good one, John Baker made the team as the backup catcher over George Kottaras (who was released) and Donnie Murphy was claimed on waivers by Texas (leaving a spot for Mike Olt), although no-one has said whether or not Olt has made the team yet.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Who Were You in a Past Life?
I took the quiz.
Turns out, according to this incredibly scientific quiz, I was a greek philosopher in a past life. The results said:
Turns out, according to this incredibly scientific quiz, I was a greek philosopher in a past life. The results said:
You are a quiet soul who enjoys reading and writing above all else. You spend a lot of your time thinking about religion, philosophy and how to make the world a better place. Just like your past-self, you are likely to influence others around you.Like many Greek philosophers, I'm also surrounded by young boys. Although, probably not for the same reasons. These boys are my sons.
The CTA Train Video
This was posted on WGN-TV's website. The video of the CTA train derailment. They say now that the driver might have fallen asleep...
Just One Bad Century--March 26
The A/V club has an interview with one of those cups of coffee.
George Will has a new book out about Wrigley Field. The American Spectator reviews it.
As for the latest Cubs news: Does Samardizja know something we don't know? His condo in Chicago is being listed.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Just One Bad Century--March 25
The A/V Club features our Cub named Polly.
This Week in 1908 was also posted yesterday, and checks in with the Cubs at spring training in Mississippi. (Photo: Frank Chance). It also features the likes of Harry Houdini and Oscar Mayer (the real guy), and provides a musical taste of the era.
The Chicago Reader has an intriguing piece in their latest issue about Cubs history, wondering if racial discrimination played a part in their long slide toward the bottom.
The latest Cubs news: Cubs top pitching prospect Kyle Hendricks is keeping a diary, the Cubs made a few more roster moves (waiving Wada, optioning Ramirez), and they also sent McDonald to the minor league camp and released Chang Yong Lim.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Father Knows Nothing: It's Great To Be Eleven
Last year he begged to come along to our fantasy draft, but I chickened out at the last minute. I just didn't think he could sit through the six hours of baseball talk, and worried he might become a distraction to the other teams when he got restless. Sean was very disappointed when I told him he couldn't come. He lobbied nearly every day for the past year to claim a seat at this year's fantasy draft table.
He finally wore me down. I greenlighted his attendance.
The draft was yesterday, and Sean was there. So was a similarly-aged son of one of the other guys in the league. Both boys sounded like us as they discussed their favorite players, and joined in the debates about which players were destined for greatness, which ones were being drafted too soon or too late, or which ones shouldn't have been drafted at all. It was like having two more adults in the room...except these two just had higher voices.
The two boys also bonded immediately.
When I told my wife about it, I was marveling at the ease of their new friendship.
"Isn't it great to be eleven?" I said. "Can you imagine going to a party now and being told, 'Hey don't worry you'll have fun. There's another 46-year-old woman there. Instant friendship is guaranteed.'"
As the words were coming out of my mouth, it hit me. Sean and his friend hadn't just bonded with each other. They'd also bonded with everyone else.
And it's not because the boys were acting like adults. It's that the adults were acting like boys. When we talk about baseball, we all have that same youthful enthusiasm Sean has. We aren't there to talk about the reality of our lives (our mortgages, responsibilities, jobs, and retirement plans). We're there to talk about a boys game; a game that we've loved since we were Sean's age. And we can make instant friends when we talk about that too...anytime, anyplace, and with anyone.
It makes perfect sense that Sean fits right in with this aging band of eleven year olds.
He'll fit in for the rest of his life.
Media Spotlight is on Spring Break
It will return next Monday.
Just One Bad Century--March 24
Today's Cubs birthdays include a current Cub, a cup of coffee from the 1880s, a first round bust, and more.
The A/V club breaks down our current Cub birthday boy's sweet swing.
In today's Cubs news, the roster battles for the final backup spots, they still haven't officially decided on a fifth starter (although it looks like Villanueva has the lead) Castro should be ready for the opener, Travis Wood will start the home opener, and of course, Javier Baez was sent down to the minor league camp.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Today's Best Tweets--March 21
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Rolling Stone @RollingStone 4m
How Paul Rodgers almost joined the Doors and more wild stories from the Bad Company frontman: http://rol.st/1nJM4IM
Phil Rogers @philgrogers 25m
Either God or Tom Skilling must love baseball. The 10-day forecast now runs until the eve of Opening Day, and it shows 55 w/sun in Chicago!
Baseball Tonight @BBTN 6m
Hot off the press! @keithlaw's ranking of the top 50 draft prospects for 2014: http://es.pn/1jgs7TE (Insider)
Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat 9m
How many Javy Baez's do the #Cubs need? Maybe 6 or 7 http://atmlb.com/1dv9szS via @cubs
Talking Points Memo @TPM 14m
Arizona anchor retracted her story about the White House getting questions in advance. Conservative outlets have not: http://bit.ly/1jbA8O7
Senator Dan Coats @SenDanCoats 48m
1. Our summer vacation in Siberia is a no go
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi 57m
A year after the controversial blockbuster, the Marlins are better off than the Blue Jays. My column: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/blockbuster-deal-set-to-pay-off-for-pitching-rich-marlins-032114 … @foxsports1
WGNMorningNews @WGNMorningNews 19m
And now Old Joke Theatre Presents: Dumb Blonde Jokes: http://bit.ly/OHyoht pic.twitter.com/WPUF9NuRdt
Slate @Slate 23m
95 percent of NCAA brackets are already knocked out: http://slate.me/1es71BZ pic.twitter.com/qpX4HRJ543
Mary Dixon @MaryLDixon 33m
It's Friday, we've remembered to wear pants, and we're featuring The Kinks and The Clash. Whew!
John Lennon Letter Up For Auction
The Telegraph has the story and the John Lennon doodles.
Also, in related Beatles news, check this out. Here are a bunch of photographs from a Beatles concert in 1961...when the Beatles played to a crowd of 18.
Media Spotlight--March 21
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~The Radio Producer's Handbook Goes West
Yesterday I talked to a professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He told me that he uses "The Radio Producer's Handbook" to show his screenwriting students how to come up with ideas (we have a whole chapter in the book about that). Who knew?
~The Tribune News App
This sounds like an interesting development for Chicago news junkies. From the article...
The Newsbeat app aggregates content from hundreds of newspapers and websites, voicing some 7,000 national and local stories each day through announcers and text-to-speech technology. Available free for iOS and Android devices, the format includes local weather and traffic updates in real time.I'd like to hear more about this text-to-speech technology. My former-voice-over-talent radar just went off. That sounds like a very bad future trend for people who make money with their voices.
The Moguls
~Netflix CEO Admits Net Neutrality Is Already Dead
In this piece he complains about having to pay Comcast more to get higher speed internet (at a price that most companies or individuals can't afford--thereby giving big companies an even bigger edge). That's what Net Neutrality was supposed to prevent. The open internet as we've known it all these years is over. And Comcast wants even more control over the internet, with it's potential merger with Time Warner Cable. There are only a handful of people who benefit from that merger. The CEO of Time Warner Cable is one of them. He stands to personally make $80 million by screwing over his customers and clients. Nice work if you can get it.
~Liberty Media is the Most Profitable Media Company
They own a large stake in Sirius/XM radio, if you're wondering who they are. Their CEO is John Malone, and he's the one who forced Mel Karmazin to scram.
The Radio Biz
~This American Life Loses It's Distributor
The NPR show has been distributed by Public Radio International for nearly twenty years, but Variety reports at the link that the two sides couldn't come to an agreement to continue the relationship. This American Life says they will have a new distribuor in place soon...but at the moment, they don't have one.
Just Another Day at the Job for Italian Supermodels
Not only would I never do this, but the women here are doing it in high heels...
How Well Do You Know Yiddish?
I got 13 out of 15 right.
It really helps to speak to German. Yiddish is basically German with a Hebrew accent.
Just One Bad Century--March 21
It's the first full day of spring. Opening day is only ten days away!
Today's Cubs Birthdays include a Civil War veteran. That's right, a Civil War veteran. Also, the greatest Shawon in Cubs history, plus an all-star, and cups of coffee from the 20s, 50s, and 60s.
The A/V club today features Cub's birthday boy Tommy Davis appearing on the Joey Bishop show in the 60s.
Plus in the latest Cubs news, the Cubs traded Gretzy's son to LA for Mike Scoscia's son. Will Mike Olt be the starting third baseman this year? If so, that means Darwin Barney really is the most likely to be traded Cub. And...don't look now, but here comes Clark.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
John & Yoko 45 years
John & Yoko would have been celebrating their 45th anniversary today. From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac...
March 20, 1969…After days of looking for a suitable, legal place, John Lennon married Yoko Ono in the British Consulate Office at the Rock of Gibraltar in Spain, a piece of land still owned by the English and described by Lennon as being necessarily "quiet, friendly, and British." Later, in the Beatles song "The Ballad Of John And Yoko," he described the site as "Gibraltar, near Spain," unintentionally adding fuel to the fire of an international controversy, as England and Spain were then at odds over the area's ownership.
March 20, 1969…After days of looking for a suitable, legal place, John Lennon married Yoko Ono in the British Consulate Office at the Rock of Gibraltar in Spain, a piece of land still owned by the English and described by Lennon as being necessarily "quiet, friendly, and British." Later, in the Beatles song "The Ballad Of John And Yoko," he described the site as "Gibraltar, near Spain," unintentionally adding fuel to the fire of an international controversy, as England and Spain were then at odds over the area's ownership.
Today's Best Tweets--March 20
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Jim O'Donnell @jodonnell17 2m
Yes, Delaware's Threatt is a distant cuz of Sedale Threatt, one of Bulls revolving-Krause PGs back in Jordan startup daze.
World History 101 @WorldHistory101 14m
160 years ago today, anti-slavery Whigs & Free Soilers met in Ripon, Wis., to form a new party: the Republican Party. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republican-party-founded
TIME.com @TIME 6m
Cincinnati @Reds Aroldis Chapman suffers fractures after taking line drive to the face http://ti.me/1qZmnDj
Rolling Stone @RollingStone 9m
Tony Bennett says modern music is "terrible": http://rol.st/1geriwQ / @HuffPostEnt
steve rosenbloom @steverosenbloom 42s
My idea of March Madness? Players refusing to play this week until they get paid. The RosenBlog: http://bit.ly/1lSNKen
NBC News @NBCNews 9s
Luckiest guess of a lifetime? 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant shocks the world http://nbcnews.to/1fJPscM
Samir Husni @MrMagazine 14h
Buying Newsweek and Bringing it Back to Print – The Story Behind the Acquisition and the Rebirth of the Printed… http://wp.me/p3FXF-2jJ
Taegan Goddard @politicalwire 4m
Brown Awkwardly Finds Some Like Obamacare http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/03/20/brown_awkwardly_finds_some_like_obamacare.html#.Uyr8-kACQ8s.twitter …
CBS Chicago @cbschicago 8m
It's officially spring in about two hours, and in #Chibera that means #snow http://cbsloc.al/1eVxDb4 #firstdayofspring
People magazine @peoplemag 2m
It's International Day of Happiness, Free Macaroon Day, #TBT & Twitter's 8th birthday. I think we're going to break the Internet today y'all
Media Spotlight--March 20
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Len Weiner Gets PD Gig in Miami
Weiner was the program director of both ESPN and WGN radio in Chicago. His latest gig is Program Director of Sports/Talk WAXY-AM (790 The Ticket) and WAXY-FM (FM 104.3).
~Dick Orkin is writing a book
This morning I'm being interviewed by an author who is working with Dick Orkin on a book about the legendary voiceover talent. That's a book I'm eager to read. I interviewed Dick for Chicago Radio Spotlight a few years ago, but I've never met him in person.
~Jim Kerr Celebrates 40th Anniversary
40 years ago a young Jim Kerr left the Big 89, WLS, and moved on to New York. He's still there, still doing mornings, and Radio Ink has a nice feature about him at the link.
Broadcast News
~CNN's Don Lemon Posits the Most Ridiculous Theory About Jetliner
The Moguls
-As the Rupert Turns
Yesterday's revelation in the phone hacking trial was a damning one. The Royal editor was pressured by his bosses to take the fall for the phone hacking. If this jury doesn't find them guilty, I'm going to be very surprised.
The Pundits
~The President Appears on Ellen's Show
Advice for Men
Some good points here. I preach most of these to my boys (the ones about clothes are out of my realm). #32 and #34 are two of the pieces of advice my boys hear all the time...
Throwback Thursday
Throwback Thursday: The Loop Christmas Party 1988. The Loop Producers... Jim Wiser (Johnny B), Shemp DeYoung (Kevin Matthews), and yours truly (Steve & Garry) at Garry Meier's night club (Sabrina).
Just One Bad Century--March 20
On the A/V Club today, we feature a video about the satellite Telstar--a satellite with a Cubs connection.
In the latest Cubs news, the Detroit Tigers are scouting Nate Schierholtz and Darwin Barney. Schierholtz may be expendable because of the emergence of Ryan Kalish. It looks like Mike Olt is going to get the start at 3B today (for the first time--his shoulder is feeling better), and the weakest position in the Cubs farm system has got to be catcher.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Media Spotlight--March 19
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Don Geronimo Launches Podcast
The former WLS jock (and co-host of Don & Mike) is joining the podcast world currently inhabited by the likes of Steve Dahl and Tom Leykis, by launching his own podcast. The cost is $9.99 a month. Radio Insight has more details at the link.
The Moguls
~How do you know when a board of directors is a bit of a sham?
When they re-elect a 91-year-old chairman without any debate, and they conclude their yearly meeting in 23 minutes. That's what happened at the multi-billion dollar Viacom yesterday. Sumner Redstone still runs that place with an iron fist at the age of 91. He controls 79% of the shares.
~Robert Iger may not retire in 2016 after all
This is part of the Buzzfeed article about Iger....
“Iger could certainly extend his contract again,” said a source familiar with the company who talked about the Disney CEO on the condition of anonymity. “He will leave before it is too late, but that could well be sometime past 2016.” A second source close to the company who also asked not to be named talking about Iger publicly put it more bluntly: “He’s not going to retire when he says he is going to retire.”
~As the Rupert Turns
Not a good day in the hacking trial yesterday for Rupert's cronies. According to Clive Goodman's testimony yesterday (one of the people initially accused, who has since pleaded guilty), News Corp hacked phones "on an industrial scale". He specifically implicated Andy Coulson, and provided specific examples of times they hacked phones from the Royal family. (You'll remember that last week Rebekkah Brooks made the preposterous claim that Princess Diana turned over the Royal phonebook, and that's how they knew all this stuff).
The Radio Biz
~Another politico loses job thanks to wacky radio show
But based on what I'm reading here, she's gained lots of fans. From Tom Taylor's NOW Column:
Press secretary fired for calling Montreal’s CKOI to talk about – her adult toys. That’s not all she talked about – she confessed that she wears red underwear, once had sex in a hot tub, and (says Jean-Francois Racine in a QMI Agency report in the Toronto Sun), that she once kissed a girl in a bar...this was a call-in from Audrey Croteau, who – until this regrettable lapse – was a press secretary for the Quebec political party known as CAQ. The Masked Avengers opened the phone lines Monday morning, and Audrey happily participated. She didn’t mention her last name, though as journalist Racine reports, she “made it clear she was an attaché” for a local CAQ candidate in Quebec City. The world now knows that she owns a couple of sex toys, and visits sex shops once a month. The CAQ party now says she’s been “let go for her lack of judgment.” For the Masked Avengers, it’s just another chapter in their fabled career at Cogeco-owned French contemporary music CKOI/96.9.
Stones Postpone Australian Tour
Variety has the details.
“I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way,” Jagger said in a statement. “We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me. I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her.”
When will the Cubs win it all?
This writer says 2018.
And he backs it up with a pretty thorough analysis.
I can wait. I've been doing it for 50 years...what's another four years?
77 Facts That Sound Like Huge Lies But Are Actually Completely True
Here are a few of my favorite...
*Maine is the closest U.S. state to Africa.
*Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barbara Walters were born in the same year, 1929.
*Cleopatra lived closer to the invention of the iPhone than she did to the building of the Great Pyramid.
*Hippo milk is pink.
*Cookie Monster’s real name is Sid.
*Betty White is actually older than sliced bread.
*John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, has a grandson who’s alive today.
*There are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on every beach on Earth.
*And there’s enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America in one foot of water.
*Turtles can breathe out of their butts.
The full list, of course, comes from Buzzfeed. You can read it here if you're interested.
*Maine is the closest U.S. state to Africa.
*Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barbara Walters were born in the same year, 1929.
*Cleopatra lived closer to the invention of the iPhone than she did to the building of the Great Pyramid.
*Hippo milk is pink.
*Cookie Monster’s real name is Sid.
*Betty White is actually older than sliced bread.
*John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, has a grandson who’s alive today.
*There are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on every beach on Earth.
*And there’s enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America in one foot of water.
*Turtles can breathe out of their butts.
The full list, of course, comes from Buzzfeed. You can read it here if you're interested.
Just One Bad Century--3/19
Today's Cubs Birthdays include a Hall of Famer, a cup of coffee from the 50s and the 70s, and the creator of Tarzan. Yup, there's a Cubs connection.
That's why the A/V Club today features a great Tarzan trailer from 1932.
In today's Cubs News, the team has opened a new remote parking lot at 3900 N. Rockwell (and closed the one at Devry), more youngsters were sent down including Viscaino, Vitters, and Jackson, and they are grooming Baez for second base.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
"Life Behind The Camera" to be Featured by Author Learning Center
"Life Behind the Camera" author Chuck Quinzio was interviewed yesterday by the Author Learning Center, and will be featured soon on their website.
What is the Author Learning Center? It is a website that provides tools, content, & motivation to support writers. The ALC offers resources for Writing, Publishing, and Marketing books, including videos, pod casts, live webinars, recorded webinars, and articles, that focus on both the craft and the business aspects of being an author. The content provides learning and inspiration taken from the experiences and expertise of industry pros, such as public relations and marketing professionals, agents, editors, and authors.
When Chuck's interview is posted, we'll post the link on the Eckhartz Press blog.
Here's a photo of Chuck and his interviewers from yesterday's session. Chuck is the tall drink of water on the right. Glad to see he got dressed up for the occasion.
Today's Best Tweets--March 18
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
The Book Stall @thebookstall 52m
Vintage #Chicago postcard - #NavyPier circa 1950. pic.twitter.com/7P02U1Uyu4
Alex Koppelman @AlexKoppelman 21m
A "holy shit" kind of story: MT @jacobwe: In 1920s Baltimore, wealthy families turned asylum patients into slaves. http://bit.ly/1l076B3
Craig Newman @craignewman 7m
MT @megancgraham: Drunk guy gets car stuck in snow. Calls his mom. She's drunk too. DUIs all around. #family http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/crime/momandson-NAP-03192014:article …
Gawker @Gawker 9m
Watch a jubilant Stanford physicist find out after 30 years that he was right about the Big Bang. http://gaw.kr/hKTei81
The Dish @dishfeed 13m
Do Extroverts Find Life More Rewarding? http://dlvr.it/59hxDL
Jeff Dickerson @ESPNChiBears 15m
.@vxmcclure23 has the details on Devin Hester's visit to #Falcons: http://es.pn/1l08MdI ”
espn_watkins @espn_watkins 17m
Henry Melton off to visit St. Louis http://es.pn/NqJDKe
Talking Points Memo @TPM 19m
Politico quotes Wall Street executive thanking Putin for taking the heat off the 1% in the US: http://bit.ly/1p7zC0I pic.twitter.com/uz5LMIrUrm
Chicagoist.com @Chicagoist 4m
A Wisconsin man tries to "educate" the public about open carry by walking around with his guns. http://bit.ly/1j0H8sv
James Finn Garner @jamesfinngarner 10m
RT @Bardball: Rick Renteria,
If he ran a cafeteria,
Would sell "We'll have fun" on rye
And half-baked pie-in-the-sky.
#cubs
21 Disney/Pixar Voices Singing "Let it Go"
Pretty impressive effort by the 22-year-old student from Dallas Baptist University in Texas...
Media Spotlight--March 18
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Jimmy deCastro Talks About Changes at WGN Radio & The Game
Jimmy de Castro was on with Steve Cochran to talk about all the changes he has made, and the new sports station. (Audio at the link) They also talk about the future of the Cubs on WGN. It sure sounds like the Cubs are a goner.
~Staffer at Suburban Station (The Fox) Becomes Media Darling
You may have missed this story over the weekend. (Photos are here. Nice spelling on the sign, kid.) The RAMP Newsletter has the gist of the story:
When it was announced that the 50-year-old Des Plaines Oasis truck stop/food court that straddles the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway was going to be torn down to widen the I-90 freeway, Kevin Walters, a part-time promotions drone who had been toiling away in relative obscurity at suburban Chicago Classic Rock station WFXF (103.9 The Fox)/Crystal Lakes, IL, instantly transformed himself from an unknown part-timer to a bonafide "media celebrity" overnight, thanks to what Otter from Animal House would call "a really futile and stupid gesture" that was done on his part -- Walters handcuffed himself to one of the doors at the Oasis, loudly claiming that the dingy rest area was the site of his conception 21 years ago... "It's a weird story, I must admit," Walters told CBS Chicago. "About 21 years ago, my parents were at a Phil Collins concert here in Chicago, and one thing led to another. They ended up at the Oasis... and I was conceived there."I'm guessing that Phil didn't perform "Take Me Home Tonight" or "You Can't Hurry Love" that night.
~Chicago Radio Ratings
Robert Feder has the top ten morning ratings, and Tom Taylor's NOW Column has the overall top five:
Old Man Winter’s very good to CBS Radio’s all-news WBBM (780 plus its FM companion at 105.9). It repeats at #1, 5.6-6.2-6.6, and that’s its best number since October 2011...Urban AC “V103,” Clear Channel’s WVAZ, is second, 6.4-6.0-6.5. Then comes Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix” WTMX, 4.0-4.9-5.0, and a strengthening Clear Channel CHR “Kiss” WKSC, 3.8-4.2-4.5 (its best since August 2012). Tribune’s talk WGN is holding on, 3.6-4.0-3.7. Four stations are tied at 3.1 – Cumulus classic hits WLS-FM (2.4.-3.2-3.1), Cumulus-LMA’d/Merlin-owned classic rock “Loop” WLUP, 2.4-2.7-3.1, Univision’s regional Mexican WOJO (2.7-2.3-3.1), and CBS Radio’s adult alternative WXRT (2.8-3.2-3.1).
The Moguls
~Viacom and Google Finally Settle YouTube Lawsuit
No money traded hands, and it's a good guess that Google was the big winner here. Maybe we can start seeing Daily Show clips on YouTube again. This is the statement:
“Google and Viacom today jointly announced the resolution of the Viacom vs. YouTube copyright litigation. This settlement reflects the growing collaborative dialogue between our two companies on important opportunities, and we look forward to working more closely together.”
~As The Rupert Turns
On today's episode, Rupert tweets about "gay bullies" ruining the St. Patrick's Parade by coercing Guinness to stop sponsoring it. Rupert urged a Guinness boycott. Let me repeat that. He wanted the Irish to boycott Guinness.
The Pundits
~Jay Carney to Resign...and Become a Pundit Again
According to this piece in mediaite, it could happen soon. Let's face it, the pundit gig is a much easier gig. Criticizing is so much easier than explaining and defending government. And it pays more too.
~Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains How To Stop War on Science on CNN
The Blogs
~Nate Silver is Back!
Bloomberg Businessweek reviews the site at the link above. The actual site is right here. I bookmarked it immediately.
Billy Joel Messes Up "We Didn't Start the Fire"
I thought this was funny...and I like the way Billy Joel recovered.
I wrote a parody of this song for Landecker once and he tried it about a dozen times and said "Screw it."
I wrote a parody of this song for Landecker once and he tried it about a dozen times and said "Screw it."
Just One Bad Century--March 18
The A/V Club today features a Spanish language tribute to our Puerto Rican Cubs hero.
This Week in 1908 explores Chicago's immigrant "problem", the Germans face the Irish at Cubs camp, & Grover Cleveland and Shemp both celebrate birthdays.
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Kinks
Ten years ago today, this little tidbit from Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac...
March 17, 2004…The Kinks' Ray Davies received a CBE medal (Commander of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry.
Love the Kinks. The BBC told their story in a documentary; the really interesting story of two brothers who didn't get along...
March 17, 2004…The Kinks' Ray Davies received a CBE medal (Commander of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry.
Love the Kinks. The BBC told their story in a documentary; the really interesting story of two brothers who didn't get along...
Today's Best Tweets (March 17)
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Cliff Lippert @CliffyIndiana 33m
Cubs games on TV
3/17 CSN @ 3:00
3/18 MLB @ 9:00
3/19 MLB @ 8:30
3/20 CSN @ 3:00
3/21 CSN @ 3:00
3/22 WGN @ 3:00
3/23 WGN @ 3:00
Katie Couric @katiecouric 8m
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all celebrating - be safe out there!
Sherrod Brown @SenSherrodBrown 27m
“May your right hand always be stretched out in friendship but never in want.” Happy #StPatricksDay
Choose Chicago @ChooseChicago 17m
Great photo! RT @chuck_37 "@ChooseChicago Happy St.Patrick's Day Chicago. " http://ow.ly/uFjY5
Talking Points Memo @TPM 19m
Rupert Murdoch has had enough of "gay orgs" bullying and taking over St. Paddy's Day parades: http://bit.ly/1eKLFfy
Will Byington @willbyington 22m
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! http://instagram.com/p/lpZWjawXsC/
People magazine @peoplemag 12m
Your morning vertigo: Watch this daredevil perform an handstand on top of a 40-story building. http://peoplem.ag/uFkPX
NewsBreaker @NewsBreaker 21m
KTLA anchors feel the 4.4 L.A. earthquake live on the air, ducking under their desks http://bit.ly/1iUWcfQ @youtube pic.twitter.com/OXeZUg2csF
Hub Arkush @Hub_Arkush 17m
The Bears are different, but are they better? My column taking a look at the first week of free agency: http://shawurl.com/123z
Slate @Slate 20m
Twitter's takedown of Jenny McCarthy is a thing of beauty: http://slate.me/1hrtlub pic.twitter.com/m8su0QcbL3
Media Spotlight--March 17
Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Chet Coppock to be featured
I'll be meeting with Chet tomorrow to interview him for my May Illinois Entertainer column. He said "no questions are off the table". Now we'll see if he'll give me my dime and my dance floor. In a weird coincidence, I ran into him yesterday (after not running into him in twenty years or so) at Murphy's Pub in Chicago.
~Harpo Studios Selling West Side Campus
According to the Chicago Tribune, the studio will remain open for the next two years (at least).
The Moguls
~The City of Los Angeles Sues Time Warner Cable
The city says it has been stiffed on ten million dollars in fees. Nice.
~As the Rupert Turns
On today's episode, Rupert posts wacky conspiracy tweets about the missing Malaysian airliner.
The Pundits
~Sarah Palin Plans To Launch "Rogue TV"
I'm guessing this will be based on the Glenn Beck model. This is not a television show, it's a digital video channel. Expect lots of simplistic slogans and insults about the manhood of Democrats. That's the classy way she rolls.
~Scott Brown Out at Fox News
The former Massachusetts Senator was let go by Fox News because he is running for Senator in New Hampshire. Once the cat is out of the bag, the free campaign commercials have to end.
Showbiz
~William Shatner Gets Reality Show on DIY
Variety reports that the show will focus on the Shat's attempt at renovating his house.
~NBC Closes Burbank Studio
The last show aired there was Lawrence O'Donnell's show on MSNBC, but the Burbank location was also the legendary home of Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.
I'm a Swan
You are a Swan. Romantic and faithful - you make a perfect life partner. You also highly value family life and would do anything to protect your closest ones.
I'm also not easy to approach, and I will bite you if you get too close.
Westboro Baptist Founder on his Deathbed
If you're not familiar with the work of his "church", they are the people who hold up horrible anti-gay signs at military funerals. I don't wish ill on anyone, but if there is such a thing as karma, this guy's funeral is destined to be a circus.
Newman's Death Hoax
Not true. Knight went to Twitter to announce he was still alive.
Not quite the "Paul is Dead" story, but odd nonetheless.
Lost in the Ivy Goes to Press
Here's the front and back cover, courtesy of our designer Kelly Hyde. Click on the image to enlarge it.
JOBC's NCAA Pool
The winner can get a JOBC shirt.
Just click here if you want to play. (Hint: Don't pick Illinois...they didn't make the tournament this year)
Just One Bad Century--March 17
Today's A/V Club has the video of the fictionalized version of Charlie Root's most dreaded moment--the alleged Babe Ruth called shot.
This week in 1945 was also posted over the weekend. As Hitler orders all of Germany destroyed and the Academy Awards air on radio for the first time, the Cubs are trying to get their team together in spring training.
In today's Cubs news, the team has fired their psychologist for "odd behavior", Samardzija is starting opening day but he has been getting rocked in spring training, Arrieta faces hitters for the first time, and Starlin Castro is a big supporter of Javier Baez.
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