Not finding a hard boiled egg? Not an option, for obvious (smelly) reasons.
After we searched for about 20 minutes, he admitted he was kidding. He only hid two. April Fools.
Monday, April 02, 2018
April Fools
Not finding a hard boiled egg? Not an option, for obvious (smelly) reasons.
After we searched for about 20 minutes, he admitted he was kidding. He only hid two. April Fools.
Love this joke
Moses was technically the first person to download files to his tablet from the cloud.
— Dire Wolf (@ADDiane) March 30, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
Sgt. Pepper
On this day in 1967, one of the most colorful photoshoots ever took place, for the Beatles' album, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' pic.twitter.com/Us8PlzYxVs
— Decades TV Network (@decadesnetwork) March 30, 2018
Paul is still rockin the tune today...
Mitch Michaels in Berwyn
It's the 40th anniversary of a band called Gambler. They were on the 1st WKQX Hometown Album under a different name (Buster) and went on to get a Capital Records contract for a couple of albums. They've asked Mitch to come by and emcee and bring some books to sell.
Mitch asked me to join him. Looking forward to it.
Protest Against Laura Ingraham
Classy, eh?
Now that advertisers are leaving her show in droves (eight of them yesterday alone), she has been forced to apologize. Her apology said she was apologizing in the spirit of Holy week.
Yeah, Laura, I'm sure God is on your side on this one. God has always been a huge gun guy, and believes that there isn't any depth you can reach in support of guns that isn't cool by him. Especially during Holy Week.
(Photo: Laura Ingraham)
Don Imus Leaves Radio
From this morning's Tom Taylor newsletter...
Imus leaves radio on his own terms - walks off his “last show” two hours early. Don was choked-up and emotional, and he left some fans feeling shocked. A NOW reader tuned in to WABC New York/770 yesterday morning at 6:45 to hear Imus say he’d be playing the first song he ever played on the radio. After the 7 o’clock news, that tune was “Young Girl” by Gary Puckett and Union Gap. Imus recalled being so nervous, 50 years ago, that he messed up and talked over the cold-start intro. Then he began a lengthy rap about his career, ending with something he’d apparently written for this last day. He said he’ll miss talking with his audience. Without naming names, he also apparently took shots at Howard Stern and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Here’s more from the listener – “Then suddenly there was a noise and feedback, as he evidently took off his headphones right into the mic, and he walked out of the studio and was gone.” Before that, he’d said “I know in my heart there’s been nobody ever better on the radio than me…Nobody ever did this” – working in major-market radio for 50 years at his level. Then this - “You have no idea how much I’m going to miss you.” After he split, the producer plugged in Kid Rock’s “You Never Met a [think a 12-letter variant of the f-word] Quite Like Me.” They filled out the rest of the I-Man’s last shift with best-of material. Imus was right – we won’t see his like again.
I had to play this one on WJMK many times. Talk about a creepy song...
I had to play this one on WJMK many times. Talk about a creepy song...
Accountant Goalie
This could be my favorite story of the year...
Scott Foster thought it was going to be just another night. Then the 36-year-old accountant signed a contract, put on his goaltender gear and waited in Chicago's locker room. Then he got into the game.
Then, it was his night.
Foster was pressed into action when Chicago lost Anton Forsberg and Collin Delia to injuries, and the former college goalie stopped all seven shots he faced over the final 14 minutes of the Blackhawks' 6-2 victory over the playoff-bound Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
"This is something that no one can ever take away from me," Foster said. "It's something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. ... Just a ton of fun."
Foster is part of a crew of recreational goaltenders who staff Chicago's home games in case of emergencies for either team. But it usually just means a nice dinner and a night in the press box watching the world's best players compete at hockey's highest level.
“Well the initial shock happened when I had to dress, and then I think you just kind of black out after that.”
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
Emergency goalie Scott Foster reflects on his @NHL debut. #FosterOfThePeople pic.twitter.com/6MZs61fnfS
Windy City Reviews on "Cubsessions"
Thanks so much to the good folks over at Windy City Reviews. They posted this incredible review of our newest book "Cubsessions" yesterday, just in time for Opening Day (Cubs won!)
Cubsessions. Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson. Eckhartz Press, March 31, 2018, Trade Paperback and E-book, 178 pages.
Reviewed by Dennis Hetzel
Famous people fascinate all of us. Don’t try to deny it. And there’s no shortage of famous people among the millions who follow the Chicago Cubs. That’s the premise of Cubsessions, a series of interviews with passionate fans who have achieved various levels of fame.
The anthology is an obvious labor of love for the co-authors, Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson. The result is a start-of-the-season gift for every diehard Cubs fan. Here are a few of the nuggets the authors unearthed:
Author Sara Peteskey described how Cubs first baseman Bill Buckner was her role model for playing through pain. To everyone but Chicago fans, Buckner is best known for a tragic error that cost the Boston Red Sox a potential World Series title, overshadowing a great career in which he played through injuries that might have debilitated others.
Michael Strautmanis, who has worked with Barack Obama for many years, reflected that it was a lot cooler for a black man in 1990s Chicago to root for the White Sox—the team his mentor supported. Reflecting on the trials and tribulations of rooting for the Cubs, he once wrote “there’s nothing blacker than being a Cubs fan.”
Scott Turow, master of the courtroom fiction thriller, recalled the agony of being a young fan as the Cubbies collapsed in 1969 and how he tried to hold his bat like Ernie Banks—right elbow parallel to the ground with fingers wriggling, waiting for the pitch.
Actor Joe Mantegna shared the back stories behind the famous play “Bleacher Bums,” about the memorable characters who occupied Wrigley Field’s bleachers during the team’s down years.
That’s a small sample of those interviewed, and Chicagoans will recognize many of the names, including Bob Newhart, Nick Offerman, Bob Sirott, Bill Kurtis, and Pat Brickhouse, widow of Jack, the late, iconic broadcaster.
For this reviewer—I’m such a diehard Cubs fan that I wrote two novels about them—my bond felt strongest with the performer Adrian Zmed, whose favorite Cub of the late 1960s was also mine—underappreciated second baseman Glenn Beckert. “I never lost that sense of magic,” Zmed remarked, no matter the tribulations the Cubs inflicted upon him (and the rest of us) until the magical rain delay of 2016 and the seeming miracle that followed. Scott Turow recalled how he screamed as loudly as he could at that moment: “It finally happened!”
The best part of the book might be the photos, many of them donated by those interviewed. My favorite was little Joe Mantegna sitting on his parents’ living-room floor, watching a Cubs game on a blurry 1950s black-and-white television. Second place goes to Pat Brickhouse, standing in front of a portrait of Jack with a proud, intoxicating smile.
Sarwate and Richardson wear their Cub credentials proudly. Both contribute to the Wrigleyville Nation website. Sarwate is a freelance writer for numerous publications and an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern Illinois University. Richardson is an attorney and award-winning writer of articles and two novels. He’s also a founding member of the Chicago Writers Association.
You’ll also be doing a good deed with your purchase. The authors are donating 100 percent of their proceeds from book sales to a collection of three charities: Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities (CBCC), Scoreboard Charities (SC), and the Chicago Baseball Museum (CBM).
The book’s main limitation is some inevitable repetition because, after all, no matter your station in life, Cub fans share similar memories. You don’t have to be NPR’s Scott Simon, actor Dennis Franz, broadcaster Len Kasper, or any of the other celebs to have purchased a ticket on the emotional roller-coaster that all Cub fans ride, to celebrate in the Cubs’ October 2016 success.
“We are a special society,” Mantegna told the authors. “That’s what being a Cubs fan is all about.”
And that’s the point of Cubsessions. Cub blue is Cub glue in a time when we all need positive passions that bring us together.
Cubsessions. Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson. Eckhartz Press, March 31, 2018, Trade Paperback and E-book, 178 pages.
Reviewed by Dennis Hetzel
The anthology is an obvious labor of love for the co-authors, Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson. The result is a start-of-the-season gift for every diehard Cubs fan. Here are a few of the nuggets the authors unearthed:
Author Sara Peteskey described how Cubs first baseman Bill Buckner was her role model for playing through pain. To everyone but Chicago fans, Buckner is best known for a tragic error that cost the Boston Red Sox a potential World Series title, overshadowing a great career in which he played through injuries that might have debilitated others.
Michael Strautmanis, who has worked with Barack Obama for many years, reflected that it was a lot cooler for a black man in 1990s Chicago to root for the White Sox—the team his mentor supported. Reflecting on the trials and tribulations of rooting for the Cubs, he once wrote “there’s nothing blacker than being a Cubs fan.”
Scott Turow, master of the courtroom fiction thriller, recalled the agony of being a young fan as the Cubbies collapsed in 1969 and how he tried to hold his bat like Ernie Banks—right elbow parallel to the ground with fingers wriggling, waiting for the pitch.
Actor Joe Mantegna shared the back stories behind the famous play “Bleacher Bums,” about the memorable characters who occupied Wrigley Field’s bleachers during the team’s down years.
That’s a small sample of those interviewed, and Chicagoans will recognize many of the names, including Bob Newhart, Nick Offerman, Bob Sirott, Bill Kurtis, and Pat Brickhouse, widow of Jack, the late, iconic broadcaster.
For this reviewer—I’m such a diehard Cubs fan that I wrote two novels about them—my bond felt strongest with the performer Adrian Zmed, whose favorite Cub of the late 1960s was also mine—underappreciated second baseman Glenn Beckert. “I never lost that sense of magic,” Zmed remarked, no matter the tribulations the Cubs inflicted upon him (and the rest of us) until the magical rain delay of 2016 and the seeming miracle that followed. Scott Turow recalled how he screamed as loudly as he could at that moment: “It finally happened!”
The best part of the book might be the photos, many of them donated by those interviewed. My favorite was little Joe Mantegna sitting on his parents’ living-room floor, watching a Cubs game on a blurry 1950s black-and-white television. Second place goes to Pat Brickhouse, standing in front of a portrait of Jack with a proud, intoxicating smile.
Sarwate and Richardson wear their Cub credentials proudly. Both contribute to the Wrigleyville Nation website. Sarwate is a freelance writer for numerous publications and an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern Illinois University. Richardson is an attorney and award-winning writer of articles and two novels. He’s also a founding member of the Chicago Writers Association.
You’ll also be doing a good deed with your purchase. The authors are donating 100 percent of their proceeds from book sales to a collection of three charities: Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities (CBCC), Scoreboard Charities (SC), and the Chicago Baseball Museum (CBM).
The book’s main limitation is some inevitable repetition because, after all, no matter your station in life, Cub fans share similar memories. You don’t have to be NPR’s Scott Simon, actor Dennis Franz, broadcaster Len Kasper, or any of the other celebs to have purchased a ticket on the emotional roller-coaster that all Cub fans ride, to celebrate in the Cubs’ October 2016 success.
“We are a special society,” Mantegna told the authors. “That’s what being a Cubs fan is all about.”
And that’s the point of Cubsessions. Cub blue is Cub glue in a time when we all need positive passions that bring us together.
Be Careful What You Say
Promises are promises. #ThanksIan #LetsGoCubs #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/IqB66kzoJE
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 29, 2018
One Question With The Creators of Cubsessions: Becky Sarwate & Randy Richardson
From Hypertext Magazine...
HYPERTEXT ASKED BECKY SARWATE AND RANDY RICHARDSON, CREATORS OF CUBSESSIONS: FAMOUS FANS OF CHICAGO’S NORTH SIDE BASEBALL TEAM & THEIR STORIES OF PAIN, LOYALTY, HOPE AND (FINALLY) JOY, “OF THE CELEBRITY CUB FANS THAT YOU INTERVIEWED, WHICH ONE DO YOU FEEL BEST CAPTURED WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO BE A CUBS FAN?”
Randy Richardson: They all captured different aspects of just what it means to be a Cubs fan. But, for me, the one that best captured it has to be WXRT radio personality Lin Brehmer. The image of him sitting by himself in his comfy chair, in the early hours after the Cubs won the World Series, and just a few hours before he’d be on the air, with a big smile on his face spooning a celebratory root beer float, I can picture it so clearly. That, to me, captured the childlike joy that I think so many of us experienced when the Cubs finally won it all.
Becky Sarwate: It’s hard because I had the opportunity to tell so many great stories in the book. But I think Joe Mantegna’s perspective did much to tie the larger narratives together. For example, he’s great friends with Adrian Zmed and Tom Dreesen, who also have stories in the book. It’s the idea of Cubs community on the micro level. But in addition, he is the genius behind Bleacher Bums, the seminal 1970s stage production that has toured the world, been produced for television, and represents the spirit of bleeding Cubbie blue. Fans from all walks of life coming together for a singular passion. Many of the other interviewees in the book had come across Bleacher Bums at some stage of their creative careers as well. Joe Mantegna’s story weaves many elements together – and he did it totally by accident. Just by thoughtfully sharing these memories and ideas that have a universal touch.
_____________________
Order a copy of Cubsessions from Eckhartz Press.
HYPERTEXT ASKED BECKY SARWATE AND RANDY RICHARDSON, CREATORS OF CUBSESSIONS: FAMOUS FANS OF CHICAGO’S NORTH SIDE BASEBALL TEAM & THEIR STORIES OF PAIN, LOYALTY, HOPE AND (FINALLY) JOY, “OF THE CELEBRITY CUB FANS THAT YOU INTERVIEWED, WHICH ONE DO YOU FEEL BEST CAPTURED WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO BE A CUBS FAN?”
Randy Richardson: They all captured different aspects of just what it means to be a Cubs fan. But, for me, the one that best captured it has to be WXRT radio personality Lin Brehmer. The image of him sitting by himself in his comfy chair, in the early hours after the Cubs won the World Series, and just a few hours before he’d be on the air, with a big smile on his face spooning a celebratory root beer float, I can picture it so clearly. That, to me, captured the childlike joy that I think so many of us experienced when the Cubs finally won it all.
Becky Sarwate: It’s hard because I had the opportunity to tell so many great stories in the book. But I think Joe Mantegna’s perspective did much to tie the larger narratives together. For example, he’s great friends with Adrian Zmed and Tom Dreesen, who also have stories in the book. It’s the idea of Cubs community on the micro level. But in addition, he is the genius behind Bleacher Bums, the seminal 1970s stage production that has toured the world, been produced for television, and represents the spirit of bleeding Cubbie blue. Fans from all walks of life coming together for a singular passion. Many of the other interviewees in the book had come across Bleacher Bums at some stage of their creative careers as well. Joe Mantegna’s story weaves many elements together – and he did it totally by accident. Just by thoughtfully sharing these memories and ideas that have a universal touch.
_____________________
Order a copy of Cubsessions from Eckhartz Press.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
DreX is back
From this morning's Robert Feder column...
Kevin Buchar, the radio personality known as DreX who hosted mornings for eight years on iHeartMedia Top 40 WKSC FM 103.5, is coming back to Chicago. Sources said he’s expected to sign on next week at Entercom Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3, where he will replace “The J Show” (Jamar “J Niice” McNeil and “Showbiz” Shelly Menaker). After DreX left Kiss FM in 2010, he briefly hosted evenings at KGO in San Francisco. Most recently he’s been off the air, living in San Antonio. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, B96 tied for 18th in mornings with a 2.4 percent audience share.
I interviewed DreX when he was working in Chicago last time. Found him to be a very engaging fella.
I interviewed DreX when he was working in Chicago last time. Found him to be a very engaging fella.
George Will Baseball Quiz
This was a fun primer before the first pitch of opening day.
I scored 23 out of 41--and I'm a total baseball nerd.
Trump's Doctor Becomes VA Director
What are his qualifications for leading a staff of more than 300,000 employees?
He told the world that Trump was taller than he really is, and that he isn't obese.
I'm surprised he wasn't named Secretary of State.
He told the world that Trump was taller than he really is, and that he isn't obese.
I'm surprised he wasn't named Secretary of State.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Cubs Party
This book and this (star-studded celeb) party is worth your while, Cub fans. I'm personally really looking forward to it...
Go Ramblers!
They're outta here! The @LoyolaRamblers just departed campus w/ a police escort to @fly2ohare. They'll take a charter flight to San Antonio. Should arrive about 12:30. They packed enough to last through Tuesday (anticipating a @NCAA Championship win)! @WGNNews @WGNMorningNews pic.twitter.com/Zdk9uHX6Gx
— Courtney Gousman (@cgousman) March 28, 2018
WGN Walk of Fame
Still not sure where it will be because WGN is moving to new studios in May, but we do know the five inductees. From this morning's RAMP newsletter...
WGN Radio/Chicago announced its 2018 Walk of Fame class Tuesday morning during The Steve Cochran Show -- legendary velvet-voiced announcer Pierre Andre, longtime sports-talk personalities David Kaplan and Chuck "The Swirsk" Swirsky, station meteorologist Roger Triemstra and current WGN traffic and transportation reporter Mary Van De Velde.
WGN Station Manager Todd Manley commented, "In this year's class, we give tribute to two prominent Chicago sports personalities, an affable weatherman, an announcer from the 'golden days of radio,' and a trusted voice in morning drive for over two decades."
This year's esteemed group of inductees will be celebrated in a ceremony and live broadcast on Friday, May 18 from 10-11:30am at the Tribune Tower at 435 North Michigan Avenue. This will be the last class to be honored at the Tribune Tower. [
Walmart Pulls Cosmo From Check Out Lines
Well, duh.
But it's bought and read exclusively by women, and if it's not right there by the checkout counter, what are women supposed to do while they wait for the over-21 cashier to scan the wine? They used to be able to discover 27 ways to make his toes curl in ecstasy. Now they'll have to settle for reading about Jennifer Aniston's latest pregnancy rumor.
It doesn't get any lower than this
Alex Jones is the same guy who said the Sandy Hook massacre was staged by actors. Trump has appeared on his program and praised him...
Alex Jones’ Infowars releases video depicting Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez as a member of the Hitler Youth. He also played a video of David Hogg's speech dubbed with audio from a Hitler rally. https://t.co/wkJzzNOJPi
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 27, 2018
Not sure what this is all about
Join @97Nine & @DurtyNellies as we try to bring #wlup @979TheLoop back!
— 97Nine (@97Nine) March 28, 2018
Save the Loop Petition Signing & Concert at Durty Nellies - Friday April 6 at 8:30 PM!#Chicago #theLoop #ClassicRock@ABC7Chicago @chicagotribune @ie_entertainer https://t.co/YzauiKTgIe pic.twitter.com/xGwzKyZCyv
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
He's so sorry, Uncle Albert
This is drunker than I have ever been...and that's saying something.
MORE: Albert Belle arrest details. Court documents show he had a verbal altercation with the owner of a car he was urinating next to. Docs say Belle was shaking his genitals at the car owners daughter, 15. Police say upon arrival he was in control of a car, smelled of alcohol. pic.twitter.com/6oK99BEBXu
— Matt Rodewald FOX 10 (@Matt_Fox10) March 26, 2018
Truffle News
Brent Petersen is the author of the Eckhartz Press book "Truffle Hunt" and the foremost expert (I know) in truffle news...
Hunting truffles in Tasmania https://t.co/dHaskzN5mS #tasmania #truffles #trufflehunt #foodie pic.twitter.com/fyz9jax9Ve
— Brent Petersen (@Truffle_Hunt) March 26, 2018
News that has to kill Trump
The one that beat it in 2008 was the interview with Barack Obama.
That has to be a gut punch to the man who values ratings above all else.
Woman Marries a Tree
It was a little sappy.
The couple intends on laying down roots in the area.
They just want everyone to leaf them alone.
Fired for Being French
He's the one who says that's the same thing as being French. That's the grounds of his lawsuit.
I've been to France. Can't disagree with his assessment.
Monday, March 26, 2018
The wife's grumble that led to pop's greatest love song
It made her husband write 10cc's I'm Not In Love. And boy did it work – they've been married for 52 YEARS. I love reading these stories behind the songs...
My favorite protestor
I was watching the coverage of the March for Our Lives on Saturday, and who turned up as a protestor? None other than Paul McCartney.
The reporter asked him why he was protesting. He reminded the clueless reporter that "One of my best friends was the victim of gun violence."
Remember him? His first name was John.
The reporter asked him why he was protesting. He reminded the clueless reporter that "One of my best friends was the victim of gun violence."
Remember him? His first name was John.
40 Years of Rockin
Robert Feder has a great piece today about my old pal Bob Stroud, who just signed another long term deal to remain the midday man at the Drive.
Congrats to both Bob and Rob on this fine article.
I made note of that too
Great observation here...
As soon as she said it, I paused the tape, looked at Bridget and said: "And you thought this was going to be a waste of time tonight."
A porn star just said on 60 minutes that she took a magazine with Donald Trump's face on it and spanked the president, with him only wearing his underwear.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 25, 2018
As soon as she said it, I paused the tape, looked at Bridget and said: "And you thought this was going to be a waste of time tonight."
Cameo Book Launch
Thanks to everyone who came out to Teasers on Friday night for a successful book launch party! Beth Jacobellis signed and sold a ton of books. Look for another book event with Beth in the coming weeks. (Of course her book "Cameo" remains available via Eckhartz Press). In the meantime, here are a few photos...
Tick Tock
Get Crackin, fellas. The home opener is only a few weeks away...
Finishing up the left field seats and dugouts. pic.twitter.com/AMnRNmz9on
— Wrigley Aerials (@WrigleyAerials) March 25, 2018
29 years and counting
I spent my Saturday afternoon with my good buddies at the Loop Poor Man's Fantasy League draft. It's our 29th year in a row, and one of my favorite days of the year...
Friday, March 23, 2018
Book Launch Party
Looking for something to do tonight fellas? Try this conversation...
You: Hey honey, I heard about a book that you'll really like. It's called Cameo, and the author is having a book launch party tonight. Wanna go?
Her: Wait a second, here. You want to go to a book launch party for a book *I* would like?
You: Absolutely. You deserve it.
Her: Where is this party?
You; It's at a bar called Teasers on Higgins.
Her: A bar, huh? And I suppose they'll probably have NCAA basketball on the televsion there?
You: Does it matter? It's all about you and getting a book you'll love. And you can get it autographed by the author!
You: Hey honey, I heard about a book that you'll really like. It's called Cameo, and the author is having a book launch party tonight. Wanna go?
Her: Wait a second, here. You want to go to a book launch party for a book *I* would like?
You: Absolutely. You deserve it.
Her: Where is this party?
You; It's at a bar called Teasers on Higgins.
Her: A bar, huh? And I suppose they'll probably have NCAA basketball on the televsion there?
You: Does it matter? It's all about you and getting a book you'll love. And you can get it autographed by the author!
Snubbed
First Lady of Poland needs some kind of award for this....😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/DvNIzSviM1
— Maggie Resists Trump (@Stop_Trump20) March 21, 2018
The Birth Control Pill for Men
I have a question about this before it goes on the market: Are any women really going to believe a man when he says "It's OK. I'm on the pill"?
Byron Allen Buys Weather Channel
This news shouldn't upset me, but it does.
Not that he bought the Weather Channel. I don't care about that. I care that he CAN buy the Weather Channel.
The talent-to-money ratio in this country is completely skewed. Yakov Smirnov is a gazillionaire too, thanks to his ownership of theaters in Branson Missouri. But unlike Byron Allen, at least Yakov had one funny joke.
The Playmate Mistress
The part that creeps me out is when she said what attracted her to him: "He had great posture."
I also thought it was cute that she looked visibly upset when she found out Trump cheated on her with Stormy Daniels. Honey, let's face it here, despite his great posture, you were not dealing with a stand up guy.
If you missed the interview, the Washington Post has a few takeaways from it.
Finally
The omnibus bill that passed last night includes revoking the CDC ban on studying gun violence. I've always thought it was ridiculous that the NRA somehow managed to get Congress to pass a law banning the government from even studying the effects of gun violence. Give the kids from Parkland credit. This doesn't pass without them.
MInutia Men, Episode 89
EP89 – Rick and Dave discuss a mailbox weirdo, masturdating, a new record in highness, Hi Bithorn, and Rick’s brush AJ Pierzynski.
Listen to it here.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Those of you in the balcony rattle your jewelry
The lineup for the Queen's 92nd birthday has been announced. It doesn't really sound like a lineup that she would appreciate, but it is star studded. From Variety...
Someone will be in charge of making sure the queen does not throw her panties on stage during Tom Jones' performance. And another person will have to break it to her that Shaggy is not the co-star of Scooby Doo.
Held at Royal Albert Hall on the 21st, the birthday party will be produced by the BBC and will air live on television in the U.K.
The list of performers, announced today, is perhaps the most notable, surprising aspect of all this. The Daily Mail notes that the sovereign “personally prefers show tunes and a stirring rendition of ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ by Dame Vera Lynn.” Well, uh, that is not what she is getting! Nope, the roster of artists includes Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Anne-Marie, Shawn Mendes, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sting, and Shaggy.
Someone will be in charge of making sure the queen does not throw her panties on stage during Tom Jones' performance. And another person will have to break it to her that Shaggy is not the co-star of Scooby Doo.
The Pothole Store on TV
Sometimes I just stand by in awe, and tip my cap to my co-publisher David Stern, the marketing genius behind "The Pothole Store" (www.potholestore.com). WGN-TV News did a story on him this week.
Watch the video here.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Beth Jacobellis on WGN Radio
If you missed Beth Jacobellis on WGN Radio (with Bill and Wendy), you can listen to it here. She did a great job.
Mitch Michaels for the NRHOF
Got a message from radio pro Bob Zak, who is leading the charge to get Mitch Michaels nominated for the National Radio Hall of Fame. He makes a compelling case...
I always thought highly of Mitch before I read (and published) his book, but boy oh boy, Mitch has really seen it all. Please join in by clicking on the link above if you agree.
Nominate Mitch Michaels to the Radio Hall of Fame
Click this link and fill out the brief form. You may copy the brief bio below for your submission.
Chicago radio legend Mitch Michaels’ on-air and behind the scenes work in broadcasting has helped shape the sound of radio for broadcasters and listeners alike in Chicago, the Midwest and beyond. He truly is deserving of this prestigious honor.
BIO: Mitch Michaels has a long record as a personality, innovator & communicator, in the field of radio. From his beginnings at WHFS Bethesda, Md., his native Cleveland at WNCR and WMMS, to his more than 45 years in Chicago at WGLD, WXRT(a station he helped to start), WDAI, the first voice heard on WKQX (Bob Pittman’s radio prototype for MTV), WLUP, WBBM-FM, WCKG, WLS, WXCD, 9FM and WRXQ.
Mitch served as an air personality and program director at “The LOOP” during it's original heyday. He was there when the station became world famous with promotions like “Disco Demolition”, “Day in the Park” and the 1st “Stereo/Video Simulcast” of a live rock concert(The Who) beamed direct and “live” to nine separate theaters (all of which had full concert sound & were “sold out”). He helped kick off innovative 9FM “We Play Anything” w/ Sky Daniels.
Mitch currently hosts 3 pm to 7 pm Monday through Friday “Doin’ the Cruise” on 95.9 The River and 959theriver.com and recently published his memoir “Doin’ the Cruise: Memories From A Lifetime in Radio and Rock & Roll.”
I always thought highly of Mitch before I read (and published) his book, but boy oh boy, Mitch has really seen it all. Please join in by clicking on the link above if you agree.
Beth on the Radio
This morning between 10:30 and 11, listen to WGN Radio to hear Eckhartz Press author Beth Jacobellis talking about her new book "Cameo" with Bill & Wendy. I'll be accompanying her and taking a few pictures.
Illinois Wants Pot
Cook County voted YES!
It wasn't close.
This was just a test run (an advisory vote), but my home county certainly has an opinion on the subject, and it's the same answer you'd hear from Spicoli.
Chicks are coming home to roost
The walls are closing in on the president's personal life.
From the Wall Street Journal: Ex-Playmate Who Alleges Affair With Trump Sues to End Pact That Silenced Her
This is the story of the playmate who thought she was selling her story to the Enquirer--and had no idea the Enquirer was just buying it as a favor to Trump. Good chance she wins that lawsuit.
From the Huffington Post/Reuters: Trump Loses Bid To Dismiss Accuser’s Defamation Lawsuit
This is the Apprentice contestant who accused Trump of groping her, one of the 19 that came out before the election. Trump threatened to sue her. She sued him instead.
And then there's this "presidential" legal dispute on CNN...
And we wonder my Melania seems incapable of smiling?
This is the story of the playmate who thought she was selling her story to the Enquirer--and had no idea the Enquirer was just buying it as a favor to Trump. Good chance she wins that lawsuit.
From the Huffington Post/Reuters: Trump Loses Bid To Dismiss Accuser’s Defamation Lawsuit
This is the Apprentice contestant who accused Trump of groping her, one of the 19 that came out before the election. Trump threatened to sue her. She sued him instead.
And then there's this "presidential" legal dispute on CNN...
And we wonder my Melania seems incapable of smiling?
Fox News Contributor Quits in Disgust
This guy is not exactly from the squishy left. He's a hard core conservative and an Obama hater. From The Hill...
A Fox News contributor has quit the network, blasting the channel as a “propaganda machine for a destructive and ethically ruinous administration” in an email announcing his departure.
Retired Lt. Col. Ralph Peters announced that he was quitting Fox News as a strategic analyst on Tuesday in a fiery email to colleagues, BuzzFeed News reported.
"Over my decade with Fox, I long was proud of the association. Now I am ashamed," Peters wrote.
“Four decades ago, I took an oath as a newly commissioned officer. I swore to 'support and defend the Constitution,' and that oath did not expire when I took off my uniform. Today, I feel that Fox News is assaulting our constitutional order and the rule of law, while fostering corrosive and unjustified paranoia among viewers,” he said.
“In my view, Fox has degenerated from providing a legitimate and much-needed outlet for conservative voices to a mere propaganda machine for a destructive and ethically ruinous administration,” Peters continued.
The former contributor wrote that he was “appalled” by network hosts who had previously criticized former President Obama for his handling of Russian President Vladimir Putin for now advancing “Putin's agenda by making light of Russian penetration of our elections and the Trump campaign.”
Fox News really has become a disgrace. It's now a non-stop conspiracy theory machine.
Retired Lt. Col. Ralph Peters announced that he was quitting Fox News as a strategic analyst on Tuesday in a fiery email to colleagues, BuzzFeed News reported.
"Over my decade with Fox, I long was proud of the association. Now I am ashamed," Peters wrote.
“Four decades ago, I took an oath as a newly commissioned officer. I swore to 'support and defend the Constitution,' and that oath did not expire when I took off my uniform. Today, I feel that Fox News is assaulting our constitutional order and the rule of law, while fostering corrosive and unjustified paranoia among viewers,” he said.
“In my view, Fox has degenerated from providing a legitimate and much-needed outlet for conservative voices to a mere propaganda machine for a destructive and ethically ruinous administration,” Peters continued.
The former contributor wrote that he was “appalled” by network hosts who had previously criticized former President Obama for his handling of Russian President Vladimir Putin for now advancing “Putin's agenda by making light of Russian penetration of our elections and the Trump campaign.”
Fox News really has become a disgrace. It's now a non-stop conspiracy theory machine.
Sir Ringo
BBC News - Ringo Starr receives knighthood: 'I'll wear it at breakfast' https://t.co/btCzvqCxUx
— Linda Matlow (@LindaMatlow) March 20, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
“Patty & The Stump” Donates Proceeds to Charity in Solidarity with John Oliver
Sunday night John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” debuted a children’s book named “Like a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” about Vice President Pence’s bunny. Oliver is donating all proceeds of his book to the charity, the Trevor Project, which is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
In solidarity with John Oliver and Last Week Tonight, the writers of the Eckhartz Press children’s book, “Patty and the Stump”, have announced they will also donate 100% of the profits from their book to the Trevor Project.
Author Tim Clue said, “Like A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo”, “Patty and the Stump” is an actual book for children that addresses a real issue. It’s just a coincidence that our book was also motivated by a very bad person who was a shining example of the bad behavior addressed in the book.”
Added co-author Spike Manton, “If you think we’re just doing this now to ride the publicity coattails of John Oliver and his book, you’re absolutely right. But it’s not about money, we are thousands of dollars in the hole. It’s about leeching off the genius of John Oliver to do a good deed while spreading a great message about an important topic.”
Order your copy here at Eckhartz Press, or at amazon.com.
Author Tim Clue said, “Like A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo”, “Patty and the Stump” is an actual book for children that addresses a real issue. It’s just a coincidence that our book was also motivated by a very bad person who was a shining example of the bad behavior addressed in the book.”
Added co-author Spike Manton, “If you think we’re just doing this now to ride the publicity coattails of John Oliver and his book, you’re absolutely right. But it’s not about money, we are thousands of dollars in the hole. It’s about leeching off the genius of John Oliver to do a good deed while spreading a great message about an important topic.”
Order your copy here at Eckhartz Press, or at amazon.com.
Another Creep Revealed
Here it is: Tronc's Michael Ferro accused of inappropriate advances by two women
This is bad, no question. But I'm also not letting him off the hook for the incredible damage he did to two newspapers in Chicago while he was behaving badly.
Stealing an Election
Listen to them laughing about the way the Republicans in Congress didn't even want to find the truth...
How to Win a Contest
Love this woman...
Girl crushes a cotton candy eating contest ❤️. pic.twitter.com/AiEATAWBQH
— DestinyDelight (@DelightDestiny) March 15, 2018
Chicago Radio Ratings
From Tom Taylor's NOW column, here are the latest ratings for Chicago. Look at the numbers for Me-TV radio! Amazing!
Chicago sticks with iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ for much of the day – the only daypart it doesn’t win is mornings (third), and it’s #1 total-week (4.7-6.8-6.6). Entercom is second with news WBBM/WCFS (4.5-4.7-5.3). That’s also ’BBM’s rank in both drive-times and at night. Third is Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix” WTMX (4.3-5.4-4.9). It wobbles through the day from #1 (“Eric in the Morning with Melissa & Whip”) to a tenth-place tie middays and third in afternoons. Cooling as expected is Entercom’s still-newish classic hip-hop/throwbacks “104.3 Jams” WBMX, the former classic hits WJMK (5.4-4.8-4.0, on strong time-spent listening). It’s second on weekends and third at night. (Julian Jumpin Perez just took over nights last week.) Fifth is Univision’s regional Mexican WOJO (3.3-3.5-3.7). It’s another wobbler – fourth mornings, but twenty-first at night and fifteenth on weekends. The age 6+ star of the book is Weigel-run easy oldies WRME (1.8-2.4-3.6). It’s on a low power TV channel 6 leased from Venture Technologies, and Chris Huff says the 3.6 is “its largest share ever.” WRME’s got some special P1 fans in middays, where it’s second, and nights. But it’s not just a time-spent story, since the cume’s up. WLS-FM programmer Brian Thomas hears good news while he packs for Atlanta. His Cumulus classic hits station is up to seventh (3.0-3.1-3.4), and third middays. Brian’s next challenge is leading country “Kicks 101.5” WKHX for Cumulus, replacing Scott Lindy. (Succeeding Brian at WLS-FM is former “Loop” PD Wade Linder.) Cumulus-run/Merlin-owned classic rock WLUP finishes gamely (2.7-2.9-3.2, its best topline since Jul 2013). It’s being sold to EMF, which began programming not-for-profit K-Love there on March 11. In AC, iHeart’s WLIT does the usual post-Christmas-music swan-dive (12.4-3.4-3.3), tied with Hubbard’s improving AC WSHE (2.4-2.6-3.3). In talk, there’s Tribune’s WGN (2.8-3.3-3.1) and Cumulus’ WLS (1.5-1.7-2.0). The midday Rush Limbaugh daypart on WLS is tied for eighth. Fifteenth for the week – and hinting at its potential – is iHeart CHR “Kiss” WKSC (3.2-3.4-3.0). It’s Chicago’s cume leader at just over 1.7 million. Final Chicago note – Radio Insight tweets that the WLUP calls just bounced to Randy Michaels-owned “97.9 the Moose” WZXP Au Sable, New York. They’d briefly belonged on 88.3/Starke, Florida, which is the new WLSF.
WLS PD
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Or at least same guy that worked down the hall until last week. Radio Ink has the story...
Wade Linder is the new PD at Classic Hits WLS-FM in Chicago. Linder moves to WLS-FM from WLUP-FM, where he has served as PD since June 2014. Prior to that, he was PD for KXXR-FM in Minneapolis, a station he programmed for nearly 20 years.
Linder began his radio career in 1990 at KQRS-FM in Minneapolis, where he was Music Director/Assistant Program Director. He went on to launch Minneapolis station KEGE-FM in 1994, prior to signing on at KXXR-FM. Linder said, “I am thankful for the opportunity to keep doing what I love — radio, at another great Chicago brand, WLS-FM. There are a lot of talented and passionate people who want to win here! The future looks bright.”
Linder began his radio career in 1990 at KQRS-FM in Minneapolis, where he was Music Director/Assistant Program Director. He went on to launch Minneapolis station KEGE-FM in 1994, prior to signing on at KXXR-FM. Linder said, “I am thankful for the opportunity to keep doing what I love — radio, at another great Chicago brand, WLS-FM. There are a lot of talented and passionate people who want to win here! The future looks bright.”
Monday, March 19, 2018
Happy 45th birthday
"Breathe, breathe in the air..."
— Pink Floyd (@pinkfloyd) March 19, 2018
With Pink Floyd's epic The Dark Side of the Moon celebrating its 45th anniversary this month, make Monday a great day by listening to it now:https://t.co/jEK3Pd4QA6
Witch Hunt!
Couldn't have said it better myself...
Nothing says a partisan witch hunt like a Republican appointed by a Republican to replace a Republican who released a letter that helped a Republican win the election.#Mueller
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 18, 2018
Cambridge Analytica
Trump's data company from the 2016 campaign illegally harvested personal info from 50 million people via Facebook. Facebook has known about this since it happened, but didn't publicly report it. Instead they asked the company to destroy the info.
Guess what? They didn't destroy it. The Guardian has all the details.
The Cambridge Analytica story keeps getting more troubling. The academic who harvested millions Facebook profiles had ties to the Russian gov and CA at least considered business with sanctioned Russian company Lukoil. Did that Facebook data go to Moscow??https://t.co/ciLvRq3qZu
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) March 19, 2018
Galling
This is the sort of news that makes people upset, and for good reason. From Robert Feder's column...
One day after the Chicago Tribune axed a dozen journalists, parent company tronc disclosed raises and bonuses for chief executive officer Justin Dearborn and chief financial officer Terry Jimenez. The notice in the company’s annual report Friday followed the award of a $15 million consulting contract to Merrick Ventures, another company owned by tronc chairman Michael Ferro.
Masturdating
Masturdating: Going out alone. I.e. seeing a movie by yourself, going to a restaurant alone.
Went to a movie by myself. Bridget doesn't like going to movies, but I needed something (non-alcoholic, damn you Lent!) to do, so I went to see the movie "Game Night". It wasn't great. A few good laughs, but overall, very mediocre.
To let you know how long it's been since I went to the movies, I had no idea you get to pick your seat when you pay. That's a nice touch. I also have a complaint. Who the hell decided that Raisinettes no longer belonged on the candy shelf? That person should be fired. Or at least given a job in Trump's cabinet, where it's just a matter of time before he or she is fired.
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