At 92, Sumner Redstone is “alert and cognizant” but “has a bad speech impediment.” That makes the CBS patriarch “angry and frustrated when he can’t be understood,” says his personal attorney Leah Bishop. She says the speech problem “has gotten worse” in the last year or so, but she says “it’s very clear to me that he understands everything that we are talking about” – and specifically what happens after he’s no longer on the scene. Bishop says “careful planning has been done so that estate taxes will not require a forced sale of the assets.” Through National Amusements, Sumner wields voting control over both CBS and Viacom, and you’ve already read here that his control passes to a seven-member trust. His daughter Shari’s on the board of the trust and so is Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, a longtime trusted executive to Sumner. But CBS CEO Les Moonves isn’t on the board, and Sumner’s unusual absence from yesterday’s CBS annual shareholders meeting makes the speculation even more urgent. The Los Angeles Times indicates the melodrama waiting to unfold. Plus there's Redstone’s girlfriend situation – A Vanity Fair feature introduces us to former Sumner Redstone girlfriend Manuela Herzer and current companion Sydney Holland, who was once in the matchmaking business. The LA Times says “several people close to the situation allege that Holland has used her influence to isolate Redstone from people who once played significant roles in his life,” including his daughter Shari, his grandchildren (one of whom is on the board of the National Amusements trust), friends, doctor and a longtime assistant.
Don't worry #Blackhawks fans, we've got you covered for work and school tomorrow! Thanks for staying up with us! pic.twitter.com/wINVAva3nE
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 20, 2015
O'Reilly isn't a newsman, he's a blue-eyed cirrhotic cyst erupting acid onto the brass rail at the Now I'll Tell You What the REAL Problem Is Pub. He's the guy who sits next to you and brags about how he'd kick the hell out of any thugs daring to bring violence into his neighborhood, stumbles off his barstool, goes outside, reflexively crosses the street to avoid two black kids on the sidewalk two blocks up, then drives home drunk. He's the guy who picks a fight with you if you correct him, then refuses to throw down because he "was Gold Gloves in college and doesn't want to end you, man," then backs away toward his driveway while trying to make eye contact with anyone he thinks is a friend and saying, "I feel sorry for him! I have a pool in my backyard."
Yes - I loved it. What a **fun** read. I found it to be a 'page-turner' and stayed up into the wee hours to finish in two sittings. "Truffle Hunt" is way more that a 'foodie' book, which some may have assumed.
For the history buff, there is a compelling and complex story of the troubled Istria region with all of the wars, ethnic cleansing, purges and resulting current simmering resentments that would naturally remain.
For the culture buff, there are the story threads of family traditions and love of the land that create such a vibrant sense of place.
For the foodies, yes, there is abundant detail about what makes food truly 'great', and how the creation and sharing of magnificent food is as much the salvation of a people as having their land and an ability to make a living.
Then, of course, there is the unique story of the truffle itself and the astounding subculture of the harvesting and the marketing of such a treasure.
Buy this book and be ready to Enjoy!!
Longtime fans of The Simpsons were more than a little upset to hear that one of the show's most famous voices, Harry Shearer, is reportedly leaving the show after 26 seasons. Shearer beautifully breathes life into the personas of Montgomery Burns, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner. On Wednesday night he announced his departure from the show, tweeting, "This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work." As Variety reported, Simpsons Executive Producers Matt Groening, Al Jean and James L. Brooks released a statement that read, "Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard." Al Jean also said Shearer's iconic characters would be recast, saying, "Burns and Flanders will not die. They are great characters and will continue." After all this very public back-and-forth... why do we have a weird feeling that this issue is not really over? Fellow fans of Harry -- stay tuned! The Season 26 finale of The Simpsons airs Sunday night on Fox.
Brewers broadcaster and funnyman Bob Uecker was locked in the radio booth at Miller Park when the door handle broke during the sixth inning against the Dodgers Wednesday night.
The 80-year-old known for his wit was trapped and, of course, made a joke out of it.
"People who are listening to the ballgame, I know what you're thinking: 'He's ready for the (nursing) home. He's cooked. It's finally happened. He's seeing ladders and doors without handles.'"
When the door wouldn't open from the outside, a long, red ladder was brought to the walkway on the Loge level and an employee climbed through the large front windowless opening of the booth to remove the hinges in the seventh inning.
"Anyone, really, from the concourse could just walk up our ladder," joked Joe Block, Uecker's broadcast partner, who was also locked in.
Entercom announced today the promotion of Louise "Weezie" Kramer to Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Kramer is a media veteran who has been with Entercom since 2000, most recently serving as Station Group President. In this role, she spearheaded the company's reinvention efforts, focusing on enhancing the company's future growth and directly overseeing several of the company's markets. She is also a member of Entercom's Operating Committee and, since 2013, has served as chairperson.
Ryan Chiaverini, Jenniffer Weigel, and more! Laughing on #LossanoAndFriends! Listen http://t.co/q2N5cICI1W pic.twitter.com/NivOMZd0U8
— Lossano and Friends! (@LossanoFriends) May 6, 2015
I was working for a radio station in Cleveland at the time, as a board op, and doing some stringer reporting for them while I was at school, and the whole weekend before the shooting had been crazy. There were sit-ins and protests, and helicopters hovering, tear gas in the air, and spotlights, it was like a movie set. The protesters burned the ROTC building on Saturday night. The National Guard members were wearing gas masks and were pounding everyone. They couldn’t see anything out of those masks. I had a press pass, and they pounded me too. On Monday I was in the car with my wife on the way to the dentist when I saw all the commotion. Police cars, sirens, people running all over, complete mayhem. I pulled over to the side of the road, locked the door, and told my wife not to move, and I went over to see what was happening. I got there just as they were carrying the girl into the ambulance. It was around 12:30 or so. By 2pm, it was completely deserted. They had closed down the campus and sent everyone home. It was eerie.
@JorgeSoler68 photobomb in the back #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Qi80m1rPwF
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) May 3, 2015
Weber said his last radio interview will be May 19 with midday hosts Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano on Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. His last speaking appearance will be May 22 at Chestnut Square Retirement Community in Glenview. Then he’ll take one last bow at his June 16 Hall of Fame induction.
New Episode feat. Ryan Chiaverini, Jenniffer Weigel, Rick Kaempfer #LossanoAndFriends! Listen http://t.co/q2N5cICI1W pic.twitter.com/bFCdg0LYjL
— Lossano and Friends! (@LossanoFriends) May 2, 2015