Monday, July 16, 2018

Richard Reeder Book Release Party

A few photos from Sunday's Richard Reeder book release party. A good time was had by one and all...

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Another indictment

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Thomas Friedman

Respected intellectual columnist from the New York Times, Thomas Friedman, is out with a column essentially accusing the president of treason.

Here it is.

A small snippet...

There is overwhelming evidence that our president, for the first time in our history, is deliberately or through gross negligence or because of his own twisted personality engaged in treasonous behavior — behavior that violates his oath of office to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Trump vacated that oath today, and Republicans can no longer run and hide from that fact. Every single Republican lawmaker will be — and should be — asked on the election trail: Are you with Trump and Putin or are you with the C.I.A., F.B.I. and N.S.A.?
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That Bird and other (very short) stories


Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen ("Truffle Hunt") has a new Kindle book out featuring some of the great short stories he wrote for his blog. I highlighted a few of them when they were still posted on his blog. Great stuff.

Now they are all available in this one collection.

Get it on Amazon.
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Bob Stroud


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FCC Might Shut Down Tribune/Sinclair Merger

This is an incredible development. From Robert Feder's column...

FCC chairman Ajit Pat said Monday he has “serious concerns” about the $3.9 billion merger, which would have created the country’s largest television station monopoly.

“Based on a thorough review of the record, I have serious concerns about the Sinclair/Tribune transaction,” Pai said in a statement posted on Twitter. “The evidence we’ve received suggests that certain station divestitures that have been proposed to the FCC would allow Sinclair to control those stations in practice, even if not in name, in violation of the law.

Of course this has been obvious since the very beginning, so it makes you wonder what has brought this on. The pressure from the public must be intense.

I hope that's what is happening.

I suspect this is just another CYA round, in which Sinclair will have to forgo their plans for those specific television stations...at least at first...until the furor dies down.
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MInutia Men, Episode 100

EP100 – Rick and Dave celebrate their 100th episode with a star studded Minutia parade, including their very first Celebrity Minutia Minute guest, legendary broadcaster Mitch Michaels.

Listen to it here.
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Time to start using the word treason

This is an unbelievable exchange, especially in the wake of the incredibly detailed indictment which names names and exposes methods of the Russians. This isn't a debate anymore. The Russians did it. Period.

And just a few days later, the president of this country (not Russia) says the following...


















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Who is America?

Yikes. This is slightly terrifying work by Sacha Baron Cohen...

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World Cup Final

I thought it was a pretty entertaining final game (6 goals!) and although I think France never really played up to their capabilities, they are a deserving champion. Makes you wonder how good they can be. They are still a very young team.

A few observations about the game...

#1: France is notoriously anti-immigration and anti-Muslim but the majority of the players that won that game for them yesterday were one or the other.

#2: I was just remarking to my wife that the World Cup had gone on without a hitch, when those people ran out onto the field. Turns it out it was the dissident Russian rock group Pussy Riot, reminding us that Russia is still a brutal dictatorship. Nicely done.

#3: Even though all of my favorite teams lost (I was even going for Croatia in the final), I think this was one of the best World Cups ever. Great teams. Great games. Great sport. I'm already sad it's over.
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RIP Ray

Hard to believe the Blackhawks Stanley Cup teams have already lost one of their members to an early death. Former backup goalkeeper (on the 2013 Stanley Cup team) Ray Emery drowned over the weekend. He was only 35.


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White House Cancels CNN Interview

John Bolton was scheduled to appear on Jake Tapper's show yesterday, but the White House canceled the appearance. Why? Because CNN's reporter was rude and asked a question of President Trump, after Trump called him Fake News and said he gets no questions.

That my friends, is a snowflake's snowflake.
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Friday, July 13, 2018

Go Green White!

National Champs!


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Restoring America's Reputation

Yup, people around the world really respect us now...


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John Roberts Defends NBC & CNN

President Trump insulted CNN and NBC during a news conference in England today, refusing to take questions from them. He called them dishonest and fake, before calling on John Roberts of Fox News, which he said was a real network. In an incredibly rare moment of fairness on Fox News, Roberts later defended his competitors...


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World Cup Ratings

How many people in England watched the World Cup game on Wednesday?

75% of the country.
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Restoring America's Reputation

These people in England are not there to cheer the President...


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Netflix Ends HBO's Streak

The Emmy Nominees were released yesterday and for the first time in 17 years, HBO did not have the most Emmy nominations. Netflix is the new king.

Adweek has the details.

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Thursday, July 12, 2018

Book Signing on Sunday

Come on out and say hi! I will be there...

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Food for thought


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Go Green White!

Our U18 girls team is playing in the National finals of the President's Cup. Go Girls!


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Papa John Steps Down After Using the N-Word

What was the context you ask? Does it really matter? No, but it was used at work...during a conference call...and that is even worse.

NPR has the details.

Even Papa John realized once this news got out that he better step down. He did. Hopefully we'll never have to see his horrible acting again. (Left: Actual photo of Papa John)
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018

World Cup

After Germany was eliminated, I was rooting for England.

So bummed they lost the game today.

Such an empty feeling knowing that it's another four years before your next chance.

(Photo: That's me and my Free Kicks podcast co-host Adam Howarth--a native of England)
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NATO fun


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Weirdest Way to Lose a Game


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New Tom Petty

A new Tom Petty boxed-set is coming out, and features this new song, "Keep a Little Soul". Miss him. He was a great talent.

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Chicago Radio Ratings

From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

Chicago is again a case of a clear leader (iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ, 6.1-5.9-6.0) and then some distance to the next clutch of stations. New #2 is Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix” WTMX (5.0-4.7-4.9), just a millimeter ahead of tied-for-third sister classic rock “Drive” WDRV (4.6-4.8-4.8) and Entercom’s news WBBM/WCFS (4.9-4.9-4.8). Holding fifth but cooling off is Univision’s regional Mexican WOJO (5.0-4.6-4.3). Not cooling is Cumulus classic hits WLS-FM (3.8-4.3-4.2) – which benefits from last Fall’s disappearance of classic hits WJMK. That station is now Entercom’s classic hip-hop/throwbacks “104.3 Jams” WBMX (3.5-3.4-3.6). Chris Huff says “Largest month for Entercom’s adult alternative WXRT since November 2013” (3.3-3.5-3.7). Just below Jams, tied for ninth, are iHeart CHR “Kiss” WKSC (3.3-3.6-3.5), sister AC WLIT (3.3-3.4-3.5) and Entercom’s country “US99” WUSN (3.5-3.3-3.5). Also tied in ninth place is Entercom’s sports “Score” WSCR (3.2-3.6-3.5, and second at night with the Cubs). Checking dayparts, V103 leads everywhere except mornings, where it’s third. Mix repeats at #1 with “Eric in the Morning with Melissa & Whip.” The Drive is second middays and weekends, and WBBM/WCFS place #2 in mornings. “Jams” WBMX has opportunities, because it’s fourth at night, but tied for eighteenth in mornings. Here’s the latest topline for dangling-between-Tribune-and-Sinclair talk WGN - 2.0-2.2-2.4. Morning talent Steve Cochran’s up from twelfth to sixth. Chicago’s cume leader is CHR Kiss, at just over 1.9 million.

From Robert Feder's column, the top 30 stations in Chicago from 6am--Midnight, ages 6+

1. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 6.0 (5.9)
2. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.9 (4.7)
3. (tie) WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 4.8 (4.9); WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 4.8 (4.8)
5. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 4.3 (4.6)
6. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.2 (4.3)
7. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.7 (3.5)
8. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.6 (3.4)
9. (tie) WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.5 (3.6); WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 3.5 (3.4); WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.5 (3.6); WUSN 99.5-FM country, 3.5 (3.3)
13. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 3.3 (3.1); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 3.3 (3.5)
15. (tie) WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 3.0 (3.1); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 3.0 (2.7)
17. WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.9 (2.4)
18. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.7 (2.5)
19. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.6 (2.6)
20. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.5 (2.8)
21. WGN 720-AM news talk, 2.4 (2.2)
22. WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 2.1 (2.1)
23. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.9 (1.8)
24. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.6 (1.5)
25. WLS 890-AM news talk, 1.5 (1.7)
26. (tie) WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.3 (1.3); WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.3 (1.2)
28. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 1.1 (1.0)
29. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.0 (0.9)
30. (tie) WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 0.9 (0.9); WSRB 106.3-FM urban adult contemporary, 0.9 (0.7)
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Worst Case Scenario

This Jonathan Chait piece in the New Yorker is worth a read. He goes over all the public information we know about Russia's involvement in our election and with Trump in particular.

First of all, it's great to have this all in one narrative. Secondly, after you read it (it's lengthy), you cannot possibly believe the old "no collusion" chant. And finally, when you realize that Bob Mueller has much more that we don't publicly know yet, it's very possible that we could be facing a worst-case-scenario.

What will happen if Trump really did work with our adversary to steal an election?

There's a word for that, and it's not collusion. It starts with a T.
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Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Restoring Respect in America

When the president claims he has restored the world's respect of America, you must know that he has done exactly the opposite. Here's another glimpse into England's point of view from The Hill...

The 2004 Green Day hit song “American Idiot” is climbing the charts in the United Kingdom ahead of President Trump’s visit there later this week. HuffPost reported Monday that the song is the No. 1 single on Amazon’s list of best-selling songs in Britain. A Twitter account created to increase the song's popularity ahead of Trump’s visit indicated over the weekend that the track was a top-10 seller on iTunes, as well.

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Strange Lies

We all know now that the president lies a lot, and he lies about important things. But to me, the weirdness has always involved his needless lies about small matters. Imagine you are listening to him tell his rabid audiences a story about you...that he completely made up. Jimmy Kimmel recently had that experience, and I love his reaction...

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Democracy!

Great point here...


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YouTube to Fight Fake News

According to this piece in Variety, YouTube has agreed to spend $25 million to support traditional news organizations, and to differentiate them from the Fake News that dominated YouTube during the 2016 election, and the conspiracy theories that have flourished there ever since...

YouTube’s role in promoting conspiracy theories has flared up in recent months. In February, for example, a YouTube video suggesting that one of the high-school students who survived the mass killing in Parkland, Fla., David Hogg, was an actor hired by gun-control advocates briefly became YouTube’s No. 1 trending video. YouTube removed the clip within a few hours, citing violation of its policy on harassment and bullying.

In the wake of such incidents, Google and YouTube have since seen the need to take more proactive steps to support news on YouTube as well as educate users about spotting fake news. YouTube executives Neal Mohan, chief product officer and Robert Kyncl, chief business officer, outlined the new measures in a blog post Monday.

YouTube said it will provide funding in about 20 global markets to support news organizations in “building sustainable video operations.” The grants will let new orgs build out video capabilities, train staff on video best practices, and enhance production facilities. YouTube says it also will expand its team focused on supporting news publishers.

Amen. This is a good start.

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Q&A with "1001 Train Rides in Chicago" author Richard Reeder

The book "1001 Train Rides in Chicago" by Richard Reeder comes out this week on Eckhartz Press. What is it about?

Nearly a century has passed since Ben Hecht wrote the last of his 1001 Afternoon in Chicago columns for the Chicago Daily News in the early 1920s. Now in 2018, Richard Reeder pays literary homage to Hecht in 1001 Train Rides in Chicago, sixty-four short fiction vignettes of ordinary people who ride the eight rail lines of the CTA. Reeder creatively weaves a written social tapestry of contemporary Chicago depicting its heterogeneous population and diverse neighborhoods. Leonid Osseny’s illustrations add a striking impressionistic dimension to the book.

We recently caught up with Reeder to talk to him about the book...

EP: I gather from the title of the book that you are a big fan of Ben Hecht. Is that true, and did that inspire more than just the title of this book?

Richard: Yes I am a great admirer of Hecht in so many aspects of his life. His short, crisp and clean writing style, with just the right touch of irony, has had a significant impact on my own writing. Hecht remains a hero of mine for his efforts to rescue Jews from Europe during the Holocaust. This book is an homage to him.

EP: In the introduction you detail your own life long relationship with the Chicago elevated train system. Which color lines are you most familiar with, and which ones required the most research?

Richard: I have been a rider of mostly the Red, Brown, Green, Yellow and Purple lines. I had to do the most research on the Blue, Orange and Pink lines.

EP: You made a really interesting choice about how to profile the people who ride these train lines. Why did you make that choice, and what are the advantages of doing so?

Richard: I wanted to take a snapshot of these people as they were going to or coming from specific places in the course of the day. I hope that these short pieces will allow my readers to emotionally connect with these riders My selections of people profiled in these stories reflect the diversity of the city.

EP: To us, this book is nothing less than a socio-economic profile of Chicago itself. How do you know so much about so many different types of people from such a diverse socio-economic spectrum?

Richard: I have been fortunate that my very interesting and multifaceted career of fifty plus years has allowed me to interact with folks of all races and from many cultural and socio-economic groups. Not only as clients and colleagues, but as friends as well.

EP: Who do you consider to be the audience for this book?

Richard: Although my primary audience will be adults, I would like to see my book used as a learning resource in high schools.

EP: You have a book launch party coming this week. Tell us about that.

Richard: The book launch party is this coming Sunday, July 15, at the Ice House Gallery, a cool art space in Evanston at 609 South Boulevard, just steps from the South Boulevard Purple Line stop. Try to stop by and say hello, and maybe even buy a book.

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Monday, July 09, 2018

World Cup Fever


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Q&A with "The Scar Dance" author William Mansfield

The Scar Dance is now available for pre-order on Eckhartz Press. What is it about? The old saying, “no good deed goes unpunished” was never more true than on a summer day in 2013. While doing a favor for her neighbors, Kelly was savagely mauled by their two huge bull mastiffs and a labrador. "The Scar Dance" is about the incredible journey she and her husband went on during her recovery.

We recently had a chance to sit down with the book's author William Mansfield to find out more...

EP: Before writing this book you were primarily a visual artist. Non-artists think these are related fields, and in a small way they are, but there are also significant differences. Talk about how your visual work prepared you to write this, and how it didn't prepare you at all.

William: My visual art did not really prepare me to write "The Scar Dance", because it is much different from my writing. For years I focused on gritty urban/industrial landscapes as my main subject matter, which were not very personal, but rather were objective observations of my environment. My transition to becoming a writer began when my parents passed away. I did a memorial series of drawings for them titled "A Eulogy in Pictures." This was a series of five drawings of their house and yard, which was a beautiful property in Bloomington, Indiana. The drawings were accompanied by text which told stories about my parents and described the meaning of each scene I depicted. This was my first attempt at writing. This series was an important transition between being an artist and becoming a writer. The website link is eulogyinpictures.weebly.com. "The Scar Dance" is much more personal than any of my visual art, opening a window into my relationship with Kelly as we attempt to process a traumatic experience and move on with our lives.

EP: Authors are taught to learn the elevator pitch. That is, how would you describe this story line to someone if you met them in an elevator, and only had a few moments to explain it?

William: The old saying "no good deed goes unpunished" was never more true than on a summer day in 2013. While doing a favor for her neighbors, Kelly was savagely mauled by their two huge bull mastiffs and a labrador. Luckily their fangs missed her major arteries but left her severely injured and scarred. Kelly's subsequent long road to recovery is littered with court battles, emergency calls, harassment and profound self-doubt. "The Scar Dance" is a story where love proves to be stronger than hate, where courage is stronger than fear, where truth is stronger than lies, and ultimately where good is stronger than evil.

EP: This book was obviously inspired by a true story, but you made the conscious decision to turn it into a novel. Did that make it easier or more difficult and why?

William: I did not make a conscious decision to turn my memoir into a novel. Rather it simply evolved that way as I wrote it. This made it easier for me because it allowed me to view the story as an abstraction, separated from the hard realities of the real life situation, many of which were still in play as I was writing the book. I wrote in the novel that at times I did not feel like I was actually living the story, but rather that a book or movie character who looked like me was playing my role. In particular I found it fascinating to watch Kelly develop as a character. As the book evolved she became her own separate entity. Of course Kelly's book character is based on her real life character, but she became her own presence distinct from the flesh and blood Kelly who I am married to. The same is true of other characters in the story as well.

EP: You and your wife are long-time Chicago residents. "The Scar Dance" takes place in Chicago. What neighborhoods and locations might the readers recognize?

William: When I first began writing "The Scar Dance" I thought that the setting did not matter. After all you could have vicous dogs and horrible dog owners anywhere. There is nothing specific to Chicago about that. Yet the more the story developed the more Chicago as a setting became part of the story, in particular the Humboldt Park neighborhood. We lived in Humboldt Park for 14 years, and we lived there when the dog attack happened. The heart of the action takes place in Humboldt Park, and the neighborhood became a character in its own right, which is something I never intended when I began writing the book. Some readers may also recognize the courthouse downtown near the River North art gallery district, which is where our legal case takes place. Another important setting is a condo owned by friends, where we lived for a month while we were closing the sale on our new house. It features a fourth floor rooftop deck with a beautiful view all the way to downtown. Our new neighborhood is not named because we do not want the dog owners to know where we live, although it may seem familiar to some readers based on my descriptions.

EP: Dog lovers might be scared off by the subject matter--but you are clearly, despite the trauma involved here--you are still clearly a dog lover yourself. What have you learned about dogs and what makes them dangerous in city settings like this?

William: Kelly and I are both dog lovers, and that did not change after the attack. We own three dogs, small terrier mixes, and Kelly likes nothing better than to cuddle up on the couch with them while watching TV or a movie. We also love to take them hiking and camping with us. While dogs can be dangerous in a rural or suburban setting, they are particularly dangerous in an urban setting because of the higher number of targets. Also there is more stimulation in an urban setting which could make a dog agitated or aggressive. We discovered a website called DogsBite.org which advocates for dog attack victims nationwide. Through this organization we learned that there is a major nationwide problem of dangerous dogs owned by irresponsible and/or dangerous people. Initially we thought that the attack on Kelly was an isolated, horrible, freakish incident, but through DogsBite.org we learned that this was not the case. Many people across the country have been killed or seriously injured by dangerous dogs, and quite often the blame lies with irresponsible dog owners. We have always understood that the dogs are not to blame for the attack. They were victims of human abuse, neglect, and mismanagement from the time they were puppies. They were vicious monsters, but they were monsters that human beings created.

EP: When you speak to authors as often as I do you hear a few common themes. Among them--the ways in which this final product turned out much different than they initially envisioned. How is that true of your work?

William: "The Scar Dance" turned out to be a vastly different product than I initially envisioned. At first it was not a book at all, but rather a series of journal entries with no organization whatsoever, just writing about what was on my mind on that particular day. Gradually I began to organize these into a coherent manuscript. When I first began writing we were in the midst of our legal case with the dog owners, and our attorney advised me not to write anything on electronic media because it could be admissible in court. The first drafts were written on good old fashioned pen and paper. I find it appropriate to the story that to being writing it I had to go off the grid. Writing this book proved to be a fascinating process because it is so subconscious. There are several themes which developed that I never consciously planned on, but which grew spontaneously through the process of writing. I took a great writing class called "Memoir in a Year," and the teacher and fellow students were the first people to read this book. One thing I found striking about their responses is that they all wanted to learn more about Kelly. They were not interested in some anonymous woman who got bit by dogs. They really wanted to know who Kelly was. I began to focus on developing Kelly as a character, both as an individual and in her relationship with me, and I came to the realization that in a strange and twisted way I was writing a love story. It is about a couple working together to overcome a terrible trauma and survive in a dangerous situation. I never thought of this as a love story when I began writing. As the story developed it took on a life of its own. I came to feel that I was not writing the book, but rather that the book was writing me.

EP: Who do you think is the perfect audience for this book?

William: I think the perfect audience for this book is trauma victims. Of course dog attack victims will be interested, but it does not necessarily have to do with dogs. Many people who have had a traumatic experience or suffered from PTSD will be able to identify with Kelly. They will be inspired by Kelly's courage and can understand her struggles in processing this terrible experience and rebuilding her life. People who have experienced legal injustice may also be able to identify with this story. "The Scar Dance" is a book about a traumatic experience written not by the victim, but rather the supportive partner of the victim. Many people will also be able to identify with me as the supportive partner, and will appreciate the unique challenges that come with that role.
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Look Who is Going to Live Longer


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All Star Cubs

All three richly deserve it. I still think Rizzo should be an automatic choice every year too...

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Ebony & Ivory

Ebony and Ivory reunited on a golf course 26 years after our final show together. Great to spend the afternoon with Stan Lawrence yesterday...
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The English Beat at the Metro


Relived my youth on Friday night watching the English Beat at the Metro. I've always loved that band.

I must admit I got a kick out of seeing that Dave Wakeling has also gotten fat. Fat guys unite!
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5 Myths about the Beatles


I knew three of these, but the last one was a brand new story to me, and I thought I knew them all. I also didn't know #3, but it didn't surprise me.

Check out the article here.
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Sunday, July 08, 2018

Free Kicks, Episode 9

EP9: Rick and Adam recap the Round of 16 and preview the Quarterfinals of the World Cup. Adam (the Brit) is just a little giddy. Also, Rick suggests crowd songs for every team in the final 16.

Listen to it here.
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Thursday, July 05, 2018

RIP Ed Schultz

This is a bummer. Way too young. From All Access...

ED SCHULTZ, the former syndicated talk radio host more recently a host on cable television's MSNBC and RT, has passed away of natural causes at 64, according to ABC affiliate WDAY-TV/FARGO.

SCHULTZ, who played football at MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY-MOORHEAD, moved from working as Sports Director at KTHI-TV/FARGO and WDAY-TV to radio, first as play-by-play voice of NORTH DAKOTA STATE football on WDAY-A and then UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA football on crosstown KFGO-A. He began talking about politics in 1992 on WDAY-A, then moved to KFGO-A in 1996 with "NEWS AND VIEWS," which became regionally syndicated. SCHULTZ also moved from conservative to liberal and became syndicated by JONES RADIO NETWORK (later DIAL GLOBAL). He added a daily MSNBC television show, "THE ED SHOW," in 2009, moving to weekends in 2013. After the show ended in 2015, SCHULTZ began a podcast and added a show on RT AMERICA, the U.S.-targeted cable network operated by the Russian government, in 2016.

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Why Can't I Find A Radio Station?

A quick look at this chart shows this aging 50-something why he has a hard time finding a rock and roll song he loves on the radio...(chart by Inside Radio)

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Restoring America's Honor

I chuckle when I hear Trumpers say they think America is finally respected now. Okey dokey. You live in a different world, but whatever you say. This is a good example of that...


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Just Make Sure I'm Dead

This is a terrifying headline to me: Woman who 'Died' in a car acccident found alive in a morgue freezer

My instructions to my kids-Just double and triple check to make sure I'm dead before you cremate me or bury me. Either is fine...as long as you are REALLY sure I'm dead. I don't think that's asking too much.
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Ridiculous

He's the most exciting player in the National League. I can't figure out how he's not leading the all-star game voting. This is the most ridiculous steal of home ever...


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Wednesday, July 04, 2018

Roasting at Wrigley

But when the Cubs win 5-3, its worth it...

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What Can Your 8-Year Old Do?

Can he or she do this? Mine couldn't either...



Even Robert Plant was impressed...

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Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Record World Cup Ratings

This doesn't surprise me because the World Cup has been spectacular, but it's still good to see. Here's the headline from The Hollywood Reporter: World Cup Coverage Hits Fox Sports High

I've been loving it. (Other than the whole Germany loss...)
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Another Change at the Score

I can tell you that they didn't see this one coming. I interviewed Mike Mulligan just last month for the Illinois Entertainer and he didn't even hint at any issues. This month his partner since 2005 has been cut loose.

The Score is re-assigning Brian Hanley.

Why are they doing this? I have no idea. The Score morning show is ranked #4 in the demo. That's a pretty solid sellable number. It doesn't appear to be for money reasons--Robert Feder's article speculates that someone is being brought in to take Hanley's place. It isn't because of friction between the hosts. As I mentioned, I interviewed Mulligan just a few weeks ago and he had nothing but praise and admiration for his partner. This is a bit of a head scratcher for me.
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Yes, that's crossing the line

It's no secret that I'm an opponent of FCC Chairman Pai. I still can't believe he got rid of Net Neutrality, and it still makes me mad. But not this mad. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

A California man is arrested for threatening the family of FCC Chair Ajit Pai. Markara Man was “angry” about Pai leading the charge to roll back the agency’s 2015 Net Neutrality policy, and (says Politico), has since written an apology to Pai. He said “I’m sorry I made a threat against your kids. That was crossing the line.” Then he added “I hope you’ll change your mind [about the rollback]…but I doubt it.” Markara Man sent three emails to Pai on December 20, to both his FCC and personal accounts. He listed the names and addresses of three pre-school facilities around Arlington, VA and (chillingly) wrote “I will find your children and I will kill them.” He’s been charged with threatening to murder the immediate family of a federal official. Passions have risen high about Net Neutrality, including a demonstration at December FCC Open Meeting that interrupted the proceedings. There were also demonstrations outside the Commission offices in Southwest D.C.
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Monday, July 02, 2018

Diana Steele

Radio is a ‘funny’ business, but sometimes you get the dream gig back in your hometown. Elk Grove and U of I grad Diana Steele spoke to me about her return to Chicago on @1043JAMS

Read the interview here.
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Fox News Regular Resigns Over Obscene Immigration Coverage

If you were a regular contributor to Fox News and you heard the following, what would you do...

Ann Coulter claimed children seen crying in videos at detention centers were merely “child actors” who were given scripts. Hannity said they were part of a “rolling invasion.” Another Fox contributor said the children were better off alone in the centers’ cages than with their parents. Laura Ingraham downplayed the detention center cages as “summer camps” or “boarding schools.”

Bruce Turkel, a regular contributor, resigned. In a letter to the network he wrote...

“Accepting that this misguided policy is wrong doesn’t depend on which side of the political aisle you’re on. It doesn’t matter if you support immigration and immigrants or if you don’t,” Turkel wrote. “Separating innocent children from their parents and jailing them is just plain wrong.”

Yup. This will cost him bucks. He made lots of dough on personal appearances because of his contributions to Fox News. But at least he still has his soul.
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On Eagles Wings

I could watch this all day...


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Stuttering John

I don't know if you were following this odd story over the weekend, but it appears that Stuttering John Melendez (formerly of the Howard Stern show) punked the president. From Tom Taylor's NOW column...

Sun & Fun Media Former Howard Stern cast member punks the President – and is visited by the Secret Service. John Melendez may’ve been taking notes from “Captain Janks,” the legendary Stern fan in Pennsylvania who may’ve gotten on live with more than a thousand TV shows. “Stuttering John” Melendez spent years with Stern before joining Jay Leno’s version of NBC-TV’s “Tonight Show” as its announcer, and now he’s a comedian and (of course) podcaster. The NY Times says Melendez “dialed the White House switchboard impersonating a Senator’s aide, [and] he found himself – in between barely-suppressed giggles and off-color jokes with his producer – patched through to President Trump on Air Force One.” This was Melendez (watch the spelling) pretending to be Menendez – New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez. The impersonation and bravado were good enough for a six-minute conversation about immigration and the Supreme Court vacancy. There may be consequences – the New York Post says “the comedian who pranked Trump claims the Secret Service visited him” Friday night.
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From Dropout to Graduate

This is such a feel good story...


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Everyone Loves Minutia Men

We're taking one more week off--preparing for our barn-burner 100th episode. In the meantime, a few more five star reviews from iTunes...

Great podcast!
in iTunes by PipinHotPodcast from USA on June 21, 2018
I can’t help but crack a smile when listening to these guys! AWESOME podcast!! Highly recommend.

Give em a minute
in iTunes by @msmollybk from USA on June 15, 2018
They're just like the morning disc jockeys that you used to listen to on the radio, but not annoying! They bounce blithely from topic to topic and get you through the commute.

I’m hooked!
in iTunes by UtahFilmNerd from USA on June 14, 2018
Just listened for the first time. And these guys are hilarious! Great sound quality and voices!

Such a hilarious show!
in iTunes by DerrickLewis from USA on June 14, 2018
This is a very fun podcast. Rick and Dave spend their time telling stories, cracking wise, and giving each other the business. They have fantastic banter and make every topic an absolute riot. Can't wait to hear more!

Fun podcast
in iTunes by 1Delvin123 from USA on June 4, 2018
This is a very fun podcast that’s guaranteed to make you smile and or laugh. It was a great listen.

Great conversational podcast
in iTunes by Isaac from The Drake from USA on May 28, 2018
The chemistry between the hosts is obvious right from the start, and the production quality is top notch. Great show to have on if you like light, funny, conversational shows! Recommended for Chicago and Cubs fans!
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Friday, June 29, 2018

Free Kicks, Episode 8

EP8: Adam and Rick ride an emotional World Cup roller coaster, including a live session during the Germany game…in which Rick can be heard vomiting and weeping (metaphorically).

You can listen to it here.
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Whoopsie

Telemundo has suspended two of their morning hosts for making an insensitve gesture on their show when they were discussing the South Korean soccer team. They made their eyes slanty.

Really?

I grew up in a time when Mickey Rooney played Charlie Chan and did it with slanty eyes and a ridiculous Asian accent, and even I know not do the the slanty eye thing.

It's really not that hard not to be racist.
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Thursday, June 28, 2018

The Foxification of America

President Trump has named Bill Shine, former Hannity producer and former Fox News president, as deputy director of communications.

You may remember Shine--he was forced out during the sexual harassment scandals of Roger Ailes and Bill O'Reilly--because he didn't exactly police them.

Perfect guy for this new job.
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Wednesday, June 27, 2018

The World Cup...


...is dead to me.

Way to suck up the joint, Germany.

Now with my two favorite teams gone (USA, Krautland), who do I root for?
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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Tony Sarabia Leaving WBEZ

The host of the Morning Shift, Tony Sarabia, is leaving WBEZ radio at the end of the year.

Robert Feder has the details.

I've appeared on Tony's show three or four times--great interviewer. Sad to see him go, but happy for him. It sounds like this is 100% his decision.
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Ich War Noch Nicht Da

Today is the anniversary of JFK's "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" speech. A few notes--he was not saying he was a jelly donut. Germans don't call them Berliners. He was saying he was one of them...a resident of Berlin (A Berliner). Secondly, the headline above is translated as: "I was not around yet". That's because I was born one month and two days after this famous JFK speech. Hittin' double-nickles this next birthday.


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Jimmy Fallon Responds to President's Tweet

Yesterday the President of the United States took time out of his day to rip late night comedian Jimmy Fallon. First he hate-tweeted about him. Then he ripped him again at a rally in South Carolina, because you know, he's classy.

Last night Jimmy responded...

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RIP Dan Ingram

Dan Ingram was one of the all-time great top 40 jocks. The Hall of Famer became famous in New York, so many people in Chicago never really heard his show, but he was institution in the top market in the country.

I never heard his show, but I heard about him. Al Rosen is a Chicago radio engineer who worked with John Landecker at WLS, and he and I have become friends over the years. Al worked with Dan in New York before coming to Chicago, and he told me some great stories about him.

Ken Levine writes one of my favorite blogs. Ken was a writer for Cheers, Frasier, and just about every funny sitcom from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. He's also a radio fanatic, and this is part of the tribue he wrote about Dan on his blog this morning...

I first heard Dan in the mid ‘60s. Growing up in Los Angeles I knew of WABC but had never heard them. So I wrote a letter to the station asking for a sample of their programming. They sent a one-hour tape of a recent Dan Ingram show. Within ten minutes my head almost exploded. This guy was so funny, so quick, so fearless (he often goofed on commercials and the music), had such a great voice, precision timing weaving his content into the intro of records, and somehow managed to communicate as if he were talking only to me. I had heard some great disc jockeys. The Real Don Steele, Robert W. Morgan, Larry Lujack, Gary Owens, Don McKinnon, but I’m sorry, Dan Ingram was the best. He said more funny things in one hour (and all off the cuff) than anyone else did in a week. And he continued doing that for almost fifty years. It’s utterly mind-boggling. And if you thought he was funny on the air -- when he turned that mic off that's when the real hilarity took place.

Art Vuolo, radio's best friend, has posted this tribute video of Dan in action from 1992...



RIP, Mr. Ingram. He passed away over the weekend.
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