Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
Footgolfing
Had a great time footgolfing yesterday. It was a fundraiser for Green White Soccer Club, and Eckhartz Press sponsored a hole. If you've never tried footgolfing before, you really should. It's a riot...
Around the Publishing World (September 28)
We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.
1. 11 things a writer should never say
Suzanne Brazil is a published writer and she has some excellent tips on her blog about what NOT to say. Good for those of you staring a blank page, or those of you actively promoting a book.
2. The downside of Linked-In for women
We always tell our authors that promoting yourself on LinkedIn is essential for getting the word out about your book. If you're a woman, however, there are a few things you must keep in mind. This article gives you some excellent advice.
3. The Plot Twist: E-Book Sales Slip, and Print Is Far From Dead
Well lookee here. The New York Times has a piece about an unexpected development in the publishing world. Just when it seemed like e-books were taking over, the new stats came out, and dead-tree books are making a comeback.
4. Publishers are screwed. Google is really screwed. Consumers win. Apple really wins
Can you guess why this headline caught our eye? It's really an article about ad-blockers on mobile devices, but it's fascinating nonetheless.
Daily Show Reboot
Julie DiCaro
Sometimes Twitter can be a very scary place. Just ask the Score's Julie DiCaro. Larz at Chicagoland Radio & Media has the details from Friday...
WSCR-AM/670 The Score daytime update anchor Julie DiCaro is not at work today. She made the decision to stay away due to threats made towards her on Twitter yesterday. As DiCaro has been sending out Twitter updates and reporting on-air updates about the constantly twisting and ever-changing Patrick Kane rape allegation situation, Internet trolls, who only want to hear good things about Kane, have attacked her. The attacks have become uglier in the last day. One Twitter idiot said DiCaro should be "hit in the head" and "killed." Another threatened her and places she frequents daily. As a former criminal and family law attorney, as well as a rape victim, DiCaro has been able to deliver incredibly intelligent and insightful commentary on the situation, not found elsewhere on the radio or online. Sadly, that doesn't stop the morons of the world from attacking her while behind a keyboard. Out of caution, steps are being taken to make sure some unstable person doesn't try to step away from the keyboard and do something even worse in person.
Friday, September 25, 2015
The Other Soccer Shoe Has Dropped
BREAKING: Swiss authorities open criminal proceedings against #FIFA President Sepp Blatter. http://t.co/LjVPW5Z9eH pic.twitter.com/0O05a5s4bJ
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 25, 2015Trump to Meet with Roger Ailes
The latest feud between Donald Trump and Fox News is set to be resolved soon with a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Fox News boss Roger Ailes. From the Hollywood Reporter...
My guess is the spokesperson for Fox News used air quotes while dictating the "highest journalistic standards" portion of the memo. If they actually had those, they would have marginalized this birther monster years ago when he was spouting on about Obama not being born in this country. Instead they let him spout, unchallenged, as if what he was saying wasn't completely crazy.
You can put him on stage in a tuxedo and sing "Puttin' on the Ritz" with him, but don't blame the monster if someone lights a match, and he freaks out. You're the one who created him and put him on a stage he doesn't belong.
"Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes and Donald Trump spoke this morning and plan to have a meeting next week to discuss their differences of opinion regarding Fox's coverage of Mr. Trump's presidential campaign," reads the statement. "Ailes will be joined by senior Fox editorial executives. Mr. Trump believes he has been treated unfairly in certain instances. Fox News has held every candidate in this race to the highest journalistic standards throughout our coverage. We believe a candid meeting about our differences is required and that any misunderstandings can be handled without compromising those standards."
My guess is the spokesperson for Fox News used air quotes while dictating the "highest journalistic standards" portion of the memo. If they actually had those, they would have marginalized this birther monster years ago when he was spouting on about Obama not being born in this country. Instead they let him spout, unchallenged, as if what he was saying wasn't completely crazy.
You can put him on stage in a tuxedo and sing "Puttin' on the Ritz" with him, but don't blame the monster if someone lights a match, and he freaks out. You're the one who created him and put him on a stage he doesn't belong.
Zander Joins the Drive
Larz at Chicagolandradio & Media has the details.
I just did a story about Zander a few months ago for the Illinois Entertainer. Wishing him the best of luck in his new role.
As the Kane Turns
Another very weird twist in the Patrick Kane case yesterday. The victim's lawyer who held the press conference with the supposed "evidence bag" has resigned from the case because of that evidence bag.
Details are here.
Wow. This is getting stranger and stranger.
Details are here.
The lawyer of a woman accusing Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane of sexual assault abruptly quit the case Thursday night, saying he's no longer comfortable representing the woman because of how her mother reported finding an evidence bag they believed once held the woman's rape kit. Thomas Eoannou told reporters on Thursday night that he doesn't believe the story he was told about how the bag was found. But he said he's still confident in the woman's allegations against Kane.
Wow. This is getting stranger and stranger.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Hackers Release Pharma CEO's Personal Info
On the one hand, I'm happy to see that "it's just business" or "I'm just a businessman" is no longer considered an acceptable excuse for such clearly immoral behavior. On the other hand, I'm not comfortable giving out his personal information, so there's no link provided here.
Consider my reaction Schadenfreude-lite.
It should be noted that after getting publicly lambasted for his incredible soul-sucking greed, he has lowered the price to ONLY $1050 for 30 pills. Still greedy, but better.
What happened to German America?
Good piece in the New York Times about my people, the German-Americans. Though there are more German-Americans than any other ethnic group, we have assimilated the most. Why? Well, it's pretty easy to understand, if you think about it. It all began with World War I...
In what is a largely forgotten chapter of American history, during the roughly 18 months of American involvement in the war, people with German roots were falsely accused of being spies or saboteurs; hundreds were interned or convicted of sedition on trumped-up charges, or for offenses as trivial as making critical comments about the war. More than 30 were killed by vigilantes and anti-German mobs; hundreds of others were beaten or tarred and feathered.
Even the German music of Beethoven and Brahms, which had been assumed to be immune to the hysteria, came under attack. “It is the music of conquest, the music of the storm, of disorder and devastation,” wrote The Los Angeles Times in June 1918. “It is a combination of the howl of the cave man and the roaring of the north winds.” Sheet music, along with books by German authors, was burned in public spectacles.
Not surprisingly, those who could hid their Germanic roots; some switched their names; many others canceled their subscriptions to German newspapers, which virtually disappeared. Whatever vestige of German America remained after the 1910s was wiped out by similar pressures during World War II, not to mention the shame that came with German identity after it.
When World War I began, one in every four Chicagoans was German. The Mayor pandered to this group so much, he was known as "Kaiser Bill". But during World War I, names were changed all over the city. Even the frankfurter could no longer be called that. It's been a hot dog ever since.
My family didn't come here until the 1950s, but being a German was not exactly a cool thing to be after World War II, which is why I rebelled against it so strongly (much to the chagrin and disappointment of my father). Ironically, when we moved back to Germany, I had assimilated so much, the Germans didn't consider me German.
Knowing this history is one of the reasons why I always cringe when someone rips an entire nationality for something, or blames them for our problems--whether it's Arabs or Mexicans or insert nationality here.
Try to be a little more thin-skinned
Here is a guy who refuses to apologize for anything he's ever said or done (and he's said and/or done many things that warrant apologies), and his luxurious orange-leather skin looks pretty thick at first glance, but wow is Donald Trump a little baby when he gets criticized. He said he would boycott Fox because they were booking guests that were being "unfair to him".
Wow. What a tough guy. "Mommy, they're being meanies--tell them they have to be nice to me."
And now, he wants the FCC to fine a Fox News pundit who said "Carly cut Trump's balls off at the debate."
"Mommy, that's super duper mean. Tell him to stop being super-duper mean."
I think I have only agreed with Rich Lowry two or three times over the past thirty years, but he totally nailed it with his tweet last night...
Wow. What a tough guy. "Mommy, they're being meanies--tell them they have to be nice to me."
And now, he wants the FCC to fine a Fox News pundit who said "Carly cut Trump's balls off at the debate."
"Mommy, that's super duper mean. Tell him to stop being super-duper mean."
I think I have only agreed with Rich Lowry two or three times over the past thirty years, but he totally nailed it with his tweet last night...
.@realDonaldTrump man, you can dish it out but you REALLY, REALLY can't take it
— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) September 24, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Colbert's Trump Interview
I didn't see watch it last night (I was watching and rewatching Cubs highlights), but the Atlantic reviewed Colbert's interview with Trump.
They panned it. Pretty strongly.
They panned it. Pretty strongly.
Had the Trump interview occurred on The Colbert Report, it would have been—or, well, it could have been—quite a match-up. Two blowhards, blowing hard against each other! But, of course, it wasn’t the character “Stephen Colbert” who conducted last night’s interview. It was Stephen Colbert, the affable late-night host. And that Stephen Colbert—the funny one, the charming one, the complicated one, the one who needs to keep booking politicians for his show—seemed unable to stand up to a man whose response, when asked whether there’s anything at all he would like to apologize for, is a simple “no.”
The Last Years of Ernie Banks
This article is a great read. Highly recommended.
Ron Rappaport making Ernie a little more three-dimensional.
Sad, profound, and wonderfully written.
"Happy Birthday to You" won't cost you anymore
It will soon be in the public domain where it belongs. The tune, by the way, was written in 1893.
Not a Good Moment
The anchor was saying all the right things about Yom Kippur, but the graphic department was way off. That's the Nazi "jew" badge on a death camp uniform. Not good. I'm guessing someone is in deep deep doo doo over this one.
Sooo.. someone's getting fired at WGN... pic.twitter.com/SrSt8arVCa
— Mikaela (@mikaelajannae) September 23, 2015Brian Williams
As a media critic I'm supposed to be mad at him forever for his indiscretions, but I just can't do it.
I feel a little bit like the 35-year-old me who cheered Sammy's homers. I knew it wasn't right, but did you see how far he hit that ball?
Farm Aid Anniversary
Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the original Farm Aid concert in Champaign Urbana. I spent yesterday conducting a futile search, because somewhere deep in my pile of radio shows I have a tape of myself working as the backstage anchor for the exclusive local radio broadcast. It was an honor (and a great time) because I got to meet all of the acts, including people like Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Randy Newman, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Don Henley, and more. (It seems like everyone was there that day).
30 years have fuzzied my memories a bit, but here are a few things I recall from that day...
*One rock star (I won't say who...but it's one of the guys listed above) was totally bombed--and I met him there well before noon. Another one (also on this list) was accompanied by a very young lady...she was younger than me, and I was 22 at the time. She was not his daughter.
*During one live report, the anchors back in the studio asked me who was on stage at that moment, and I made a joke about the star power and charisma of country singer Vern Gosdin. Got a hate letter for that one. The only hate letter I ever received during my twenty-plus year radio career. Learned a valuable lesson that day. Know your audience. We were working in tandem with the Nashville Network--who had exclusive television rights to the concert--and those people loved Vern Gosdin.
*This was the first time that Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen ever played together on stage. Sammy had not yet joined the band. And when he introduced his song "I can't drive 55", he said..."This is for all you tractor-pullin MFers". I thought the farmers would be insulted, but they loved it.
*The most surprising performance came from John Denver. When he sang "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the place was up for grabs. I don't know if you can tell from this video, but Memorial Stadium was literally rocking and shaking during this song because people were stomping their feet and clapping their hands. I remember thinking..."Am I really doing this to John Denver?"
*But the most moving performance came from Neil Young. It was dark by the time he got on stage, and the crowd hushed when he pulled out his accoustic guitar. Lighters lit the stadium as he sang "Old Man". Everyone swayed back and forth holding their lighters, singing along to the song. I swear I had goosebumps on my arms. What a moment. What a performer. Every time I hear that song to this day, I think about that night in Champaign.
The most important memory for me, though, has nothing to do with the concert, really. I scored tickets to the show for my Uncle Marty who came down from Chicago to see it with a buddy of his. He was excited to hear me on the radio. It was the only time he ever heard me, because Marty passed away from a heart condition the following year at the age of 36.
His son Derek was only 4 years old at the time. Derek is a dad himself now, and is struggling with another horrible medical issue--his two-year-old boy has an incredibly aggressive form of cancer. Just as I felt helpless to help Derek when he was a little boy (I was over there a lot during those first few years--but I know it wasn't enough), I feel helpless now because I don't know what I can do to help his son Caleb (or Derek for that matter--I can't even imagine what he's going through).
So, yesterday was sort of a weird journey for me. It began with fond memories, continued with lots of smiles as I watched the performances on YouTube (Johnny Cash was there? How did I miss that?), and it ended with a sense of melancholy. I'll be saying a prayer for Uncle Marty and little Caleb again today.
(Thanks to Farm Aid for retweeting my tweet)...
30 years have fuzzied my memories a bit, but here are a few things I recall from that day...
*One rock star (I won't say who...but it's one of the guys listed above) was totally bombed--and I met him there well before noon. Another one (also on this list) was accompanied by a very young lady...she was younger than me, and I was 22 at the time. She was not his daughter.
*During one live report, the anchors back in the studio asked me who was on stage at that moment, and I made a joke about the star power and charisma of country singer Vern Gosdin. Got a hate letter for that one. The only hate letter I ever received during my twenty-plus year radio career. Learned a valuable lesson that day. Know your audience. We were working in tandem with the Nashville Network--who had exclusive television rights to the concert--and those people loved Vern Gosdin.
*This was the first time that Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen ever played together on stage. Sammy had not yet joined the band. And when he introduced his song "I can't drive 55", he said..."This is for all you tractor-pullin MFers". I thought the farmers would be insulted, but they loved it.
*The most surprising performance came from John Denver. When he sang "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the place was up for grabs. I don't know if you can tell from this video, but Memorial Stadium was literally rocking and shaking during this song because people were stomping their feet and clapping their hands. I remember thinking..."Am I really doing this to John Denver?"
*But the most moving performance came from Neil Young. It was dark by the time he got on stage, and the crowd hushed when he pulled out his accoustic guitar. Lighters lit the stadium as he sang "Old Man". Everyone swayed back and forth holding their lighters, singing along to the song. I swear I had goosebumps on my arms. What a moment. What a performer. Every time I hear that song to this day, I think about that night in Champaign.
The most important memory for me, though, has nothing to do with the concert, really. I scored tickets to the show for my Uncle Marty who came down from Chicago to see it with a buddy of his. He was excited to hear me on the radio. It was the only time he ever heard me, because Marty passed away from a heart condition the following year at the age of 36.
His son Derek was only 4 years old at the time. Derek is a dad himself now, and is struggling with another horrible medical issue--his two-year-old boy has an incredibly aggressive form of cancer. Just as I felt helpless to help Derek when he was a little boy (I was over there a lot during those first few years--but I know it wasn't enough), I feel helpless now because I don't know what I can do to help his son Caleb (or Derek for that matter--I can't even imagine what he's going through).
So, yesterday was sort of a weird journey for me. It began with fond memories, continued with lots of smiles as I watched the performances on YouTube (Johnny Cash was there? How did I miss that?), and it ended with a sense of melancholy. I'll be saying a prayer for Uncle Marty and little Caleb again today.
(Thanks to Farm Aid for retweeting my tweet)...
@RickKaempfer Thank you for sharing! What a day...
— Farm Aid (@FarmAid) September 23, 2015RIP Yogi Berra
Yogi passed away yesterday at the age of 90. One of the all-time greats...
Here's a gem from the archives. Go to the 19 minute mark to see him...
Here's a gem from the archives. Go to the 19 minute mark to see him...
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Converting Condos to Rentals
The story is here in Crains.
Social Media Day
Last night the Cubs did something called "social media day". Every time the Cubs batted, they showed a scroll of tweets from Cubs fans. Around the 7th inning, mine made the scroll. I was surprised how many people I know were also watching--because I got a ton of texts and e-mails.
I think it's because this team is just plain fun to watch.
I think it's because this team is just plain fun to watch.
Who doesn't love this team? #americasteam #cubssocial
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) September 22, 2015Monday, September 21, 2015
Migrant Crisis in Croatia
Brent Petersen is the author of the Eckhartz Press book "Truffle Hunt", which takes place primarily in Croatia in the aftermath of the Balkan War. He wrote a blog post today about the current crisis facing Croatia, and how it compares to previous ones.
It's here, if you're interested in an expert's take.
The Latest on Patrick Kane Case
LATE UPDATE: The newest twist and turn involves the attorney for the alleged victim reporting that the rape kit was left at her mother's front door last night. What in the world?
Landeckers at the Emmy's
Look who was at the Emmy's last night... John Landecker and his daugher Amy.
Amy's show "Transparent" won a few...
America's Team
Don't look now, but guess which team is leading the league in road attendance?
It's a certain blue and red team that rhymes with Clubs.
The story is here.
Cumulus is in Trouble
Cumulus is the second biggest radio company in the country, and they have had a very bad run on Wall Street recently. On Friday they may have reached new lows. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...
Cumulus stock falls below the $1 mark. We’ve been chronicling the successive new six-year lows, but Friday crossed an important line – the $1-per-share mark. The 14-cent one-day loss drops “CMLS” to a close of 96 cents a share. Last week’s downgrades by Moody’s Investors Service may have been one precipitating factor, and a Wall Street observer tells NOW that “Moody’s doesn’t usually just whack you with a big downgrade. Once Moody’s gives you one of those, more may be coming.” For now, Moody’s calls Cumulus “stable,” after the downgrade in its “corporate family rating” from B2 to B3, and the secured credit facilities being nicked from B1 to B2. There’s also the spreading story about non-executive Chairman Jeff Marcus making station visits (almost unprecedented for somebody in that position) and newly-named board member Mary Berner having sit-down meetings with internal executives. That kind of contact by a board member with senior executives below the level of CEO/President Lew Dickey and EVP John Dickey is highly unusual. Friday’s strong negative trading in “CMLS” came on more than triple the usual volume – and is almost as bad a day as July 1, 2009 was, during the Great Recession. That day, Cumulus was in free fall, opening at 90 cents, sinking to 45 cents and closing at 63 cents. What will today bring for Cumulus, now at 96 cents? At that level, its market cap is only about 225 million. Just seven months ago, “CMLS” was trading at $4.51 a share.
What does this mean for employees of Cumulus stations? If history is a guide, look for more cuts. It may seem like that's not even possible anymore at this point, but don't underestimate the desperation of a debt-laden company with a low performing stock.
Cumulus stock falls below the $1 mark. We’ve been chronicling the successive new six-year lows, but Friday crossed an important line – the $1-per-share mark. The 14-cent one-day loss drops “CMLS” to a close of 96 cents a share. Last week’s downgrades by Moody’s Investors Service may have been one precipitating factor, and a Wall Street observer tells NOW that “Moody’s doesn’t usually just whack you with a big downgrade. Once Moody’s gives you one of those, more may be coming.” For now, Moody’s calls Cumulus “stable,” after the downgrade in its “corporate family rating” from B2 to B3, and the secured credit facilities being nicked from B1 to B2. There’s also the spreading story about non-executive Chairman Jeff Marcus making station visits (almost unprecedented for somebody in that position) and newly-named board member Mary Berner having sit-down meetings with internal executives. That kind of contact by a board member with senior executives below the level of CEO/President Lew Dickey and EVP John Dickey is highly unusual. Friday’s strong negative trading in “CMLS” came on more than triple the usual volume – and is almost as bad a day as July 1, 2009 was, during the Great Recession. That day, Cumulus was in free fall, opening at 90 cents, sinking to 45 cents and closing at 63 cents. What will today bring for Cumulus, now at 96 cents? At that level, its market cap is only about 225 million. Just seven months ago, “CMLS” was trading at $4.51 a share.
What does this mean for employees of Cumulus stations? If history is a guide, look for more cuts. It may seem like that's not even possible anymore at this point, but don't underestimate the desperation of a debt-laden company with a low performing stock.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Bill Cosby
Jimmy Carter
When I grow up, I want to be just like Jimmy Carter. Riddled with inoperable cancer at 90, he still goes to the baseball game with his best girl, and when the kiss cam finds him--he smooches the woman he's loved for 70 years.
He may or may not have been a great president, but he has certainly proven in his post-presidency that he is a good man.
He may or may not have been a great president, but he has certainly proven in his post-presidency that he is a good man.
Former President Jimmy Carter caught on Kiss Cam at @Braves game: http://t.co/jAWC9LH3Db (photo from Braves) pic.twitter.com/VutpHTrDw6
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) September 18, 2015FCC Changes Contest Rules
You know this annoying 30 second disclaimers that explain radio contest rules in excruciating detail? Good news. The FCC is now (finally) going to allow those rules to be put on-line. From today's RAMP newsletter...
Those forward-thinking folks at the FCC have taken those old fashioned sepia-tone radio contest rules and colorized them for the digital age, a move that now allows broadcasters to post contest rules online as a terrific alternative to the way it's been done for nearly 40 years -- boring people to death by broadcasting them over the air. In making the big announcement, someone at the FCC said, "Adopted in 1976, the Contest Rule requires broadcasters to disclose important contest information fully and accurately, and to conduct contests substantially as announced. Today's rule change preserves these requirements, but modernizes how broadcast stations can meet their disclosure obligation by announcing their contest terms over the air or by posting that information on an Internet website. The Order also adopts related implementing rules, including the requirement that broadcasters periodically announce over the air the website address where their contest rules can be found."
Hang on... there's more -- the statement goes on to explain, "The FCC began this rulemaking in response to the dramatic changes that have occurred in the way Americans obtain information since the Contest Rule was adopted almost four decades ago. The rule changes give broadcast stations more flexibility in the way they comply with the Contest Rule, and give consumers a more convenient way to obtain contest information normally aired through television and radio advertisements."
RIP Milo Hamilton
He passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Here's his write up in Every Cub Ever at Just One Bad Century...
~Milo Hamilton 1927 (Cubs announcer 1955-1957, 1980-1982)
Milo is a Hall of Fame baseball announcer. As a young broadcaster he worked for the Cubs alongside Vince Lloyd, but was moved out of the booth when Lou Boudreau became available. He went on to broadcast for many other teams including the White Sox, Braves and Pirates. (Milo, of course, is most famous for his call of Hank Aaron's 715th home run) He came back to the Cubs in 1980, and at first enjoyed it. He was promised Brickhouse's job when Jack retired, but when that time actually came, Harry Caray was brought in instead. Milo couldn't stand Harry Caray. In his autobiography, he explained why...
~Milo Hamilton 1927 (Cubs announcer 1955-1957, 1980-1982)
Milo is a Hall of Fame baseball announcer. As a young broadcaster he worked for the Cubs alongside Vince Lloyd, but was moved out of the booth when Lou Boudreau became available. He went on to broadcast for many other teams including the White Sox, Braves and Pirates. (Milo, of course, is most famous for his call of Hank Aaron's 715th home run) He came back to the Cubs in 1980, and at first enjoyed it. He was promised Brickhouse's job when Jack retired, but when that time actually came, Harry Caray was brought in instead. Milo couldn't stand Harry Caray. In his autobiography, he explained why...
*After Harry left the White Sox to take over the Cubs job, he talked to Milo. Harry told him "Well, kid, if I were you, I'd leave town."Milo took Harry's advice and left town. He landed in Houston and broadcast games there until his retirement in 2012. Milo passed away on September 17, 2015 at the age of 88.
*Milo didn't like the way he broadcasted. "He rode the managers, he rode the players, it didn't matter. He treated everyone the same way. In short, he was a miserable human being."
*When Milo was hospitalized for leukemia in 1982, Harry responded on the air that he "Couldn't understand how a guy can take time off during the season. Unlike some other broadcasters I know, I've never missed a game
Thursday, September 17, 2015
The Boys Are So Proud of Dad
Last night was back to school night at the high school. My son gave me his schedule scribbled on a post-it note and I went to all of his classrooms. The last class was labeled "Lit". I sat down expecting a discussion of literature, but found out it's actually a class about "media analysis".
"Why would I?"
"Do you have any idea what I've been writing about for the past 15 years?"
He shook his head and said "No, what?"
I really am just the guy who puts the food on the table every night. Wait until he finds out the teacher asked me to speak to the class. He's going to be horrified.
George Costanza's Favorite Writer Gets Pink Slip
Would you believe they fired Mike Lupica?
George Costanza has to be heartbroken. This is one of my all-time favorite Seinfeld scenes...
Mr. Lippman: Who do you read?
George: I like Mike Lupica.
Mr. Lippman: Mike Lupica?
George: He’s a sports writer for the Daily News. I find him very insightful…
Mr. Lippman: No, no, no. I mean authors.
George: Lot of good ones…lot of good ones. Uh, I-I don’t even want to mention anyone because I’m afraid I’m going to leave somebody out.
Mr. Lippman: Name a couple.
George: W-Who do I like? I like, uh…Art…Vandelay.
Mr. Lippman: Art Vandelay?
George: He’s an obscure writer. Beatnik, from the village.
Mr. Lippman: What’s he written?
George: …Venetian Blinds.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Radio With Pictures
I've been hearing Frank Settapani for years. Now I can see him too...
You can watch CBS Radio News on a smartphone, tablet or computer. You can even watch it on a TV through a media receiver such as a Roku or Apple TV device. Unlike NBC's CNBC and MSNBC properties, until now CBS never developed a full-time cable TV-like news channel. But CBSN puts the news division back in the game, delivering content to multiple platforms and to audiences who are mobile, sitting at desks or in front of TVs.
Paper Cuts
Matt Damon Backlash
The Washington Post has the whole story if you're interested.
AC/DC
Sean loved the AC/DC show. He was one of only a few kids in the place and kept getting high fives from the grown ups.
"Rock on little dude!"
At one point we were in line for refreshments and a new song started. He yanked me out of line with a frantic "Dad! It's Hells Bells!" The line cheered for him.
"Rock on little dude!"
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
What's Missing in This Picture?
We talked to all the titans of late-night television, and found out why it's better than ever http://t.co/pIG1c7wSs1 pic.twitter.com/p8EgyB5jva
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) September 14, 2015No women. Not one. Not good.
I know who this is
Cryptic story in today's Tom Taylor NOW column. I didn't submit it--I never heard this story about the receptionist--but I knew immediately who it was about...
A NOW reader says “Please don’t use either the market or my name, but Monday’s ‘You Can’t Make This Up’ story about the so-called ‘Combustible Boss’ reminds me of a now-dead major-market GM. He was known to be a real bad guy. No one really wanted to work for him, but it came with the job territory. He was so ill-tempered that when you walked in the hallway near his corner office, you lowered your tone of voice so he wouldn't know you were there. One day I was in with him for a review, and with his door open to where his receptionist sat, he referred to her as a – well, a really disrespectful four-letter word for a woman, preceded by a seven-letter gerund. (That’s a noun made out of a verb, by adding ‘ing’ to the end, if you don’t remember your English grammar.) This GM didn’t care if she heard him, and it was disgusting. Eventually, he retired and moved to Florida. As fate would have it, soon afterward he suffered a heart attack and died. A memorial service was held for him back in the market where we all worked for him, and I was surprised that as many as two dozen people showed up. The joke was, they just wanted to make sure the SOB was really dead.”
I have my own story about him. He took me out to lunch at a fancy restaurant once to thank me for all I'd done for him (I produced a show on his radio station). He was in the midst of telling me what a pussycat he really was--"don't believe the stories you've heard, I can be a very nice and charming man, my door is always open"--when the food arrived. He took one bite, slammed down the fork and screamed at the waiter at the top of his lungs. "You brought me cold food! Take it back!" I thought the timing of the outburst was so funny, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. He did not laugh with me. I used that real life scene in my novel $everance. Reality can be funnier than fiction. I used one more quote from him in the book too. He used to say "I'll never stab you in the back...Because I like to stab people in the front." I wrote a parody song for him at his farewell party and I used that line and he LOVED it.
Maybe it's just time smoothing over the rough edges (like the time he grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me out of the studio during the show), but I actually have some fond memories of the guy. I think he even liked me.
I have my own story about him. He took me out to lunch at a fancy restaurant once to thank me for all I'd done for him (I produced a show on his radio station). He was in the midst of telling me what a pussycat he really was--"don't believe the stories you've heard, I can be a very nice and charming man, my door is always open"--when the food arrived. He took one bite, slammed down the fork and screamed at the waiter at the top of his lungs. "You brought me cold food! Take it back!" I thought the timing of the outburst was so funny, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. He did not laugh with me. I used that real life scene in my novel $everance. Reality can be funnier than fiction. I used one more quote from him in the book too. He used to say "I'll never stab you in the back...Because I like to stab people in the front." I wrote a parody song for him at his farewell party and I used that line and he LOVED it.
Maybe it's just time smoothing over the rough edges (like the time he grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me out of the studio during the show), but I actually have some fond memories of the guy. I think he even liked me.
More on the Taylor Swift Lawsuit
Mueller appears to blame the entire incident on current KYGO program director Eddie Haskell. Mueller claims that Haskell told him, after getting his picture taken, that Taylor Swift gave him a big hug. "He described and demonstrated how he had put his arms around her, hands on bottom, and then explained that he and one of his friends in the industry think Ms. Swift must wear bicycle shorts under her outfits."
Monday, September 14, 2015
Eric & Kathy
As someone who was involved in several radio-thons and fundraisers, I can tell you that is an incredible achievement. Eric and Kathy have some pretty special listeners.
Lawsuit about Taylor Swift's bottom
I've been in situations like this many times, and I do find it hard to believe the guy really tried to grab her, but I guess that is now something for the courts to decide. From today's Radio Online...
Former KYGO-FM/Denver air talent David Mueller (aka Jackson) has filed suit in U.S. District Court against Taylor Swift seeking lost wages for getting him fired after Swift allegedly claimed that he lifted her skirt and grabbed her bottom during a VIP meet and greet before her concert in June, 2013. Shortly after the alleged incident, Mueller and co-worker Shannon Melcher were removed from the concert grounds. Then, the lawsuit said, Swift's management team contacted station management and had him fired.
"The contention that Mr. Mueller lifted up Ms. Swift's skirt and grabbed her bottom, while standing with his girlfriend, in front of Ms. Swift's photographer and Ms. Swift's highly trained security personnel, during a company sponsored, VIP, backstage meet-and-greet, is nonsense, particularly given that Ms. Swift's skirt is in place and is not being lifted by Mr. Mueller's hand in the photograph," the lawsuit said.
Mueller maintains he never inappropriately touched Swift and that the photo that was described as "damning" by Swift's managers, is anything but.
In "the photograph, Ms. Swift is smiling and hugging Ms. Melcher. Although Mr. Mueller's hand is behind Ms. Swift and therefore not visible, it is clear that her skirt is in place and is not being lifted by Mr. Mueller's hand," said the lawsuit. "Similarly, Ms. Swift's hand is behind Mr. Mueller and therefore not visible."
Oktoberfest ist Hier!
I pulled out the lederhosen on Saturday night for Oktoberfest in Lincoln Square. Here I am with my sister Cindy. It's a little blurry because I think the photographer was a little blurry at the time. :)
RIP Gary Richrath
The lead guitarist from REO Speedwagon Gary Richrath has passed away at the age of 65. He was kicked out of the band many years ago while he was struggling with alcoholism, but they did reunite for one night in 2013. (The video of that appearance is at the link...and it's really hard to watch. He looked terrible--although he could still play).
I prefer to remember him this way, jamming on my favorite REO song...
I prefer to remember him this way, jamming on my favorite REO song...
Car Guys
Last week I posted a link to a Washington Post article about the demise of the 'Car Culture'. (The original post is here). The gist of the piece is that it's an "old guy" thing now. Marc Vernon is a regular reader who disagrees, and he sent me this response to that piece...
My thoughts on the Car Culture article from the Washington Post (which the Tribune picked up last week as well).
Coming from the perspective of a true car guy, one that has six collector cars and being over 50 with grey hair and all, I'm not exactly one of the 'old farts' they talk about and that I do see at shows and cruise nights, but I'm far from expiring any time soon, either.
The article touched on a lot of stuff not exactly related to 'car culture'. To me, the culture part is the love of the auto in all its forms, from styling and performance to heritage and lifestyle.
The demographics I see at car shows still run the gamut, from teenagers to octogenarians. Yes, there is some 'aging out' that is occurring in this hobby, but there are still a raft of younger enthusiasts coming up in the ranks. Case in point, I went to SuperCar Saturday last week in Bolingbrook and the average age of the hundreds if not thousands of people there was about 30-35 years old, with groups of high-schoolers running around like paparazzi taking photos of cars (with real cameras!) as they entered the show.
The younger set these days are into contemporary muscle cars like Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes or exotics like Nissan GTRs, Lamborghinis and Porsches. Not exactly the chrome-laden, over-finned metal from the fifties, but the love of the automobile is still there. Afterall, all these cars still have four wheels, an engine, a steering wheel and seats.
Also, economically, it's not as easy to become a car guy at a young age, as the days of 'I bought my first hot rod for $50' are long gone but today's whippersnappers do what they can to enter the hobby as best they can.
So car culture is far from dead in the U.S.; it's just changing somewhat as everything does as time marches on and technology advances and tastes evolve. That's my one-minute take on the subject.
The Emmy's
You can see the whole list here. This portion of the program will air on FXX next weekend, if you're interested.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Colbert's One Day Perch at Top of Ratings Ends
On day two, Jimmy Fallon beat him.
Last night's Colbert show featured an excellent and emotional interview with VP Joe Biden, but I must admit it's been a little light on the comedy. Tonight he'll be crushed by Fallon who has Donald Trump on the show.
Wisconsin Jersey Sales
You'll never believe who has the top selling NFL jersey in Wisconsin. I love this, and will cherish this one last moment before Sunday's Bears-Packers game returns me to reality...
I met Matt Forte when I brought Joel Daly in to Windy City Live last year and snapped a photo. I was surprised by how small he looks in person. Although maybe it's because Joel is a big man too. If I had taken a picture with him it would have looked a little different.
At the end of last year, as expected, the #12 of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the top seller in not only Wisconsin, but Iowa as well. At the start of the 2015 NFL season, it's a bit quieter in Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood, as he lost his top jersey sales spot in both states.
Iowa now belongs to the #12 of Indianapolis Colts' QB Andrew Luck, but Wisconsin now belongs to the #22 of the Chicago Bears' Matt Forte.
That has to sting a little for Packer fans.
I met Matt Forte when I brought Joel Daly in to Windy City Live last year and snapped a photo. I was surprised by how small he looks in person. Although maybe it's because Joel is a big man too. If I had taken a picture with him it would have looked a little different.
My 9/11 Story
The most unique broadcast that I have ever been a part of, has nothing to do with planning, promotion, prizes, and listeners. It was the morning of September 11th, 2001.
I’m sure that every morning show in the country has their own story of what they did when the planes hit the twin towers in New York. This is mine.
We were doing our regular show. Our producer Rick was on the phone with Butch Patrick, who had played Eddie Munster on The Munsters. He was going to be a mystery guest — listeners were to call in and try to figure out who he was. When Rick got in touch with Butch, the news had just broken that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center.
“Are you watching this?” Butch asked Rick.
“Yeah,” Rick replied. “I don’t think we’re going to do this mystery guest bit.”
“No, you better not,” Butch replied.
Brant Miller was our weatherman and had a broadcast line hookup to his home. He was also the meteorologist for NBC-Channel 5 in Chicago, and had access to all of the NBC News information. Richard Cantu was our news man, and he’s a real journalist, and was connected to the CBS Radio network.
Needless to say, after the news had come across that the first plane had hit, we turned on the television in the studio, and we were all watching it, and the microphones were open, when the second plane hit the tower.
I’ll never forget what Brant Miller said: “We’re under attack.”
Well what do you do in a situation like that? Our decision was to go all news right on the spot. There weren’t many details early on, so there was a lot of repetition, as to the content, but we didn’t play any music. I thought it would really be ridiculous to play “Hang on Sloopy” and then do more content about being under attack.
We did play commercials, but not because the clients had paid for them to air — because we needed that time to regroup and find out as much information as we could so we could better inform our audience what was going on. News stations didn’t play commercials, but they were set up to handle this much better than we were. They had a full staff on hand. We just had the four or five of us in the studio.
But I’m really proud of what we were able to deliver. Brant was able to tap into what NBC was getting. Richard was able to tap into what CBS was getting. And I sort of quarterbacked and anchored the whole thing; repeating the facts as we knew them, and encouraging people not to jump to conclusions about who did this, because we didn’t know anything for sure.
I found out later that listeners stuck with us during that morning show, and didn’t tune into the news station, and that the radio station itself toyed with the idea of keeping us on the air until noon. The adrenaline, the being in the moment, and the feeling you have in that situation takes on a whole different sensation — one that I hope I never have again frankly.
It was certainly one of the most memorable mornings I’ve ever spent on the air.
LESLIE KEILING remembers
Leslie Keiling was one of the co-hosts of the show during the WJMK run, including the day of 9/11. This is how she recalled that time… “I wouldn’t trade the time we spent together on the morning show at WJMK for anything in the world. Being with everyone on that show on the morning of 9/11/2001 is etched in my head and heart. I now have a glimmer of understanding about sharing a foxhole.”
Sherman Kaplan Retires
Sherman's a great guy. I interviewed him a few years ago for Chicago Radio Spotlight, and he had some really great stories to share, including his story about 9/11--appropriate for today. You can read that interview here.
As the Sumner Turns
Viacom and CBS Chairman Sumner Redstone's life is like a soap opera, and not in a good way. He may be a billionaire, but let's just say that he has never exactly attained happiness. Read his autobiography sometime. You will hate him when you finish reading it. (It's not always a good thing to own your own publishing company--in his case Simon & Schuster--and have all your employees hate you. A good editor would have saved him from publicly saying some of the horrible things he said.)
Here's the latest twist and turn, courtesy of the New York Post...
The media mogul’s split last week from longtime girlfriend Sydney Holland is being met with a sigh of relief by a host of advisers to the ailing executive, who have long complained about feeling she kept them away from Redstone and left in the dark about his state of health, sources told The Post on Wednesday.
Redstone threw Holland out of his gated Beverly Hills mansion after accusing her of cheating on him, according to the Hollywood Reporter, which broke news of the split. Holland’s exit may not be the end of the drama surrounding Redstone, however. Manuela Herzer, Redstone’s former girlfriend who still lives in the mansion, may be the next to go, sources said. Herzer and Holland, once close, have had a falling out too, sources said. Herzer couldn’t be reached for comment.
The nonagenarian’s messy personal life has been a concern for investors who question whether he is still fit to hold the title of executive chairman of CBS and Viacom.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
David Gregory Dishes
I really enjoyed reading it. It sounds like he's had a necessary moment of introspection.
Colbert's Ratings
Well, at least for one night, at the very least America was curious. Colbert killed it on his first night.
We'll have to see if he can keep it up. I watched night #2 yesterday, and it's obvious they're still working the bugs out a little bit. I'm rooting for him.
His ratings were more than double Jimmy Fallon's 2.92 million viewers for Tuesday's Tonight Show—and triple Jimmy Kimmel's 1.75 million. In the key demographic of adults 18-49, Colbert's 1.4 was also a victor compared to Fallon's 0.9 adults and Kimmel's 0.4 adults
We'll have to see if he can keep it up. I watched night #2 yesterday, and it's obvious they're still working the bugs out a little bit. I'm rooting for him.
It's A Great Business
I know quite a few radio guys who found out they lost their jobs by reading it in the newspaper. This newspaper guy heard about losing his job by hearing on the radio. From Radio Ink...
Politico reports that L.A. Times Publisher Austin Beutner found out he lost his job while listening to Frank Mottek’s Money Report on KNX in Los Angeles Tuesday morning. Beutner, who for 13 months had been making a daily commute to downtown Los Angeles from his home in Pacific Palisades, was listening to CBS's KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO during the commute.
Politico reports that L.A. Times Publisher Austin Beutner found out he lost his job while listening to Frank Mottek’s Money Report on KNX in Los Angeles Tuesday morning. Beutner, who for 13 months had been making a daily commute to downtown Los Angeles from his home in Pacific Palisades, was listening to CBS's KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO during the commute.
Around the Publishing World (September 10)
We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.
1. Barnes & Noble is in trouble
We hate to say it, but it's really beginning to look like the country's biggest book seller isn't going to make it. The Wall Street Journal has the ugly details.
2. How to write a short story with deep structure (and a win a prize for it)
Dr John Yeoman, PhD Creative Writing, judges the Writers’ Village story competition and is a tutor in creative writing. He gives some good advice for those of you submitting entries to writing contests.
3. Best Chicago Novels by Neighborhood
I was a little sad to see my novel "The Living Wills" wasn't included as a Jefferson Park (or Beverly) book, but I have no issues with some of the books that were chosen.
4. Younger Readers prefer printed books.
Writers of kids books should keep this in mind. Part of the experience that creates a love of books is the whole experience of turning the pages, looking at the pages, and touching the book. It's a tactile wonderland.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Chicago Radio Ratings
Robert Feder has the details.
Unauthorized Use of a Survivor Song
When Kim Davis came out of jail yesterday, it was one of the most comical and ridiculous productions I've ever seen, done to the soundtrack of Rocky III--the Survivor hit "Eye of the Tiger".
Would you be surprised if I told you that Jim Peterik (who wrote the song) was not happy with that development? Here's what he wrote on his facebook page...
Would you be surprised if I told you that Jim Peterik (who wrote the song) was not happy with that development? Here's what he wrote on his facebook page...
I have not authorized the use of Eye of the Tiger for use in the release of Kim Davis and my publisher will issue a stop and desist. I have just spoken to Billboard magazine with a statement that reflects this. This usage In no way reflects my views.
Keep Rocking!
Jimbo
The Top 25 Universities
The top 25 national universities ranked by U.S. News, and their annual change in position.
1. Princeton University — unchanged
2. Harvard University — unchanged
3. Yale University — unchanged
4. Columbia University — unchanged
4. Stanford University — unchanged
4. University of Chicago — unchanged
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology — unchanged
8. Duke University — unchanged
9. University of Pennsylvania – down 1
10. California Institute of Technology — unchanged
10. Johns Hopkins University – up 2
12. Dartmouth College – down 1
12. Northwestern University – up 1
14. Brown University – up 2
15. Washington University in St. Louis – down 1
15. Cornell University — unchanged
15. Vanderbilt University – up 1
18. University of Notre Dame – down 2
18. Rice University – up 1
20. University of California-Berkeley — unchanged
21. Emory University — unchanged
21. Georgetown University — unchanged
23. University of California-Los Angeles — unchanged
23. Carnegie Mellon University – up 2
23. University of Southern California – up 2
Colbert's First Show
The New York Times reviews Stephen Colbert's first show. It's a very positive review.
Here's his first opening monologue...
Here's his first opening monologue...
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
RIP Judy Carne
She was a huge television star in the 60s as the "Sock it to me" girl on Laugh In, but the rest of her life was tragic. This Washington Post obit will tell you the details. It's not pretty.
Judy was 76 years old.
Judy was 76 years old.
Curt Schilling
I have a feeling that the real reason he's suspended again has nothing to do with his unrepentant feelings, which is what ESPN is saying publicly. It has more to do with his ripping of an ESPN colleague (Chris Mortensen), and his terrible decision to get into a war of words with that website.
My personal opinion is that Schilling was a moron to respond, particularly when his position was so precarious. Rule #1 of getting out of a hole--stop digging. On the other hand, if he's really being suspended for believing what he believes, that's not right either...even if I happen to disagree with what he believes.
Making Money With Donald
For this week's debate, CNN is charging between $150,000 to $200,000 for 30 seconds.
You'd like to think that sort of thing wouldn't affect their coverage, but...30 times more money (minimum) for every thirty seconds is hard to ignore.
Tom Brady's Dad Goes Off
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