If you are a fan of his writing (like I am), you should check it out. He has been pretty good about updating it over the last four years. The blog chronicles his life since the death of his long-time partner. It's called "Me Now" and you can read it here.
From today's Robert Feder column...
Bob Sirott, morning personality at Nexstar Media news/talk WGN 720-AM and lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, will host a series of in-depth conversations with Cubs legends for Marquee Sports Network. Sirott was hired by the Cubs to tape interviews with Ernie Banks, Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley, Ron Santo and others in 2010 and 2011, but they’ve never been seen until now. Starting this weekend, they’ll air on Marquee’s “Icons of the Ivy” at 7 p.m. Sundays. First up is Sirott’s two-part interview with Banks. (The Hall of Famer known as “Mr. Cub” died in 2015.) “It’s a special thrill to anchor what will be a permanent record of these Wrigley favorites for generations of Cubs fans to enjoy,” Sirott said. “This even tops being the voice of the Museum of Science and Industry’s coal mine!” Additional interviews with Cubs icons are expected to follow. “We’re sure that Cubs fans will enjoy these previously unaired stories and we’re honored to have this opportunity in partnership with the Cubs organization,” said Mike McCarthy, general manager of Marquee.
Follow us on #insta. #podcast #podcasts #podernfamily pic.twitter.com/Ft0WbkZpkA
— Minutia Men (@MinutiaMen) February 20, 2022
Before the pandemic I emceed a banquet every year for Green White Soccer Club called "Schlachtfest". It was a celebration of soccer and sausage. We crowned a soccer queen, gave out soccer awards, and ate sausage that we made ourselves. This year the event will be virtual. (We're making the sausage on Thursday night, and handing it out on Saturday).
This is from 2016...
…a hell of an old-fashioned read. It brings to life ‘the city of broad shoulders’ and makes me homesick. I want a Billy Goat cheesborger and a shot of whiskey.
My book Signature Shoes: The Athletes Who Wore Them And Delightful Pop Culture Nuggets is officially available on audiobook via iTunes, Amazon, and Audible. Big thanks to @DawsAngeles and @Dameshek who both did some excellent work narrating it. https://t.co/nK63aFDM1f #sneakers pic.twitter.com/WoaYGEMHEd
— Ole Chap Collectibles (@trembath_ryan) February 21, 2022
Thanks to everyone who came out to Homewood yesterday to see Randy Merkin and get a copy of his book Behind the Glass.
Our latest episode is out now. You can listen to it here.
A musical about a murdering rabbi, a tribute to PJ O’Rourke, a great Beatles story by someone who knew them, Jenkins at the art museum, a four-day work-week, and memories of Chris Farley are discussed by Rick and Dave. [Ep260]
The latest Free Kicks episode is available now. Listen to it here.
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is in trouble for kicking his cat, and Manchester United is currently a dysfunctional mess. Adam and Rick discuss. [Ep145]
Born OTD in 1886, Pat Pieper. He was known for his trademark opener…”Tention! Attention Please! Get your pencils and scorecards ready...” He got the PA job in 1916 when the Cubs first started playing in Wrigley Field, and kept the job until his death in 1974. #EveryCubEver pic.twitter.com/hF4Lh5lppf
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) February 17, 2022
For my rock and roll friends, this week's interview is a fun one. We talked to Loverboy's Doug Johnson. They are currently on tour with Styx and REO Speedwagon. He tells us great stories about their first gig ever (opening for Kiss), what is was like on the road back in the day (apologies to Quiet Riot), and we also talked about the Beatles documentary "Get Back" which every musician in the world has been mesmerized by.
He passed away yesterday at the age of 74. I idolized him in my youth when he was the editor of National Lampoon. It was such a subversive magazine. It looked totally normal so that parents didn't have a problem with it (unless of course, they had covers like the ones below), and it was filled with unbelievably hilarious articles. Some were filthy (John Hughes' "My Vagina" comes to mind), and some were political (a lot of P.J.'s fit in that category), but all were different than the kinds of things you'd find in other magazines.
And yet, P.J. believed that he was responsible for the magazine's demise. He wrote about it a few years ago for the Hollywood Reporter. You can read it here.
RIP, P.J. O'Rourke. I didn't agree with your politics, but I always admired your wit and wisdom.
On the southside...
I’m coming home! This Saturday I will be signing my book, Behind the Glass Stories From a Sports Radio Producer, at the great Lassen’s Tap in Homewood from 1-3. I hope to see you there! https://t.co/UQ5FiRNYAR
— randymerkin (@randymerkin) February 15, 2022
And on the northside...
On Saturday, February 19th, local author Bob Boone will be in residence at The Book Stall from 12 noon to 2 PM, signing and discussing his new book of short fiction City U.
Note this is an open house, not a sit-down reading or program. Feel free to stop by anytime during those hours to say hello and get a book signed.
Can't make it that day? Call The Book Stall at 847-446-8880 and they will get you a signed copy!
The stories in City U, Bob Boone’s third work of fiction, feature the inhabitants of a large city school – teachers, students, old folks, volunteers, administrators and a whole lot more.
From Robert Feder's column this morning...
Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies will continue in the Chicago Cubs broadcast booth as play-by-play announcer and color commentator, respectively, for years to come. Marquee Sports Network announced multiyear extensions for both on Tuesday. Mike McCarthy, general manager of Marquee, called the pairing “a tremendous partnership that was apparent from their first broadcast together last season and will only continue growing stronger in the years to come,” adding: “The duo share not only a genuine love for baseball, but also a distinct sense of humor and quick wit, making for an entertaining broadcast all summer long.” Sciambi also continues as radio voice of ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball.”
That is, of course, if baseball returns at all. Pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report this week, but they are being locked out by owners.
Every week I send my Minutia Men Co-Host Dave Stern a list from our audio archives for this week's Studio Walls feature. These are the possibilities for this week. Which one will he choose?
*February 13, 1967, the Buckinghams hit #1 with Kind of a Drag". We spoke to the guitarist of the band Carl Giammarese about that song, and the incredible success the band achieved in 1967. (You can listenn to the entire interview here)
*February 14, 1991, the movie "Silence of the Lambs" was released. We talked to one of the actors from that film, Dan Butler, about his memorable scene involving bugs. (The entire interview is here.)
*February 15 is Joseph Gannascoli's birthday. The man who played Vito on the Sopranos was a guest on our podcast. (You can listen to his entire interview here)
*February 16, 2014, Dave released the video to his promotional song "Cueball Wizard". (We have the video here)
*February 16 is John McEnroe's birthday. Randy Merkin told us a story about encountering the tennis great on our podcast earlier this year. (Listen to the podcast here.)
*Feburay 16, 1968, the Beatles arrive in India to study with the Maharishi. Paul Salzman was there when it happened, and told us all about it. (Listen to the entire interview here)
*February 17, 1984, the film Footloose came out. Mike Reno of Loverboy had a song on that soundtrack and told us the story behind the song. (Listen to the entire interview here)
*Feburary 17, 1989, the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure came out. Tubes lead singer Fee Waybill was in that movie and explained how it all came to be. (Listen to the entire interview here)
*February 18, 1998, Harry Caray died. We have audio of Harry talking about how he'd like to be remembered. We also have a song that I wrote about Harry's passing for the John Landecker show (Audio is on Landecker & The Legends, Volume 5)
*February 19, 2016, Rich King visited the White House along with the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Rich told us that story when we interviewed him last year (Listen to the entire interview here.)
A horrible snow storm for adults, a great time for kids. 11 years ago this week. This kid is now running the instagram page for Minutia Men. He's 19.
“What did you have for breakfast today?”
This is the first question I asked people who came to be interviewed at WNIJ, the NPR station where I had an author interview program. This always-unexpected query immediately prompted a Proustian reverie starring a bagel, cup of coffee, or bacon and eggs. No madeleines appeared, but even the most nervous guest looked and sounded relaxed after declaiming the morning menu. The result was a recording that was more conversation than Q & A, something that engaged listeners and boosted the confidence of my guest. I hope you have a similar experience when you go on the radio, TV or a podcast to promote your book.
They called him The Penguin.
Naturally, he is featured in the pages of EveryCubEver. Today, on his 73rd birthday, he's featured on this blog.
Today, on Valentine's Day, I thought I'd pull out this one for the married-for-many-years celebrants. It's called "Ten Ways to Make Your Wife Laugh"
The following is the natural comedic arc of a relationship between a man and a woman.
1. She falls in love with you because you make her laugh.
2. She marries you.
3. She begins to roll her eyes.
4. She begs you not to tell a joke again.
5. She intentionally ruins your punch lines at cocktail parties.
6. She says "When will you grow up?"
Ah, love. Don’t feel bad if the above seven step process describes you perfectly. It happens to every man after a few years of marriage. When a wife gets to know her husband a little better, he becomes less and less funny. If you talked to Jerry Seinfeld’s wife she would say the same thing.
It's really not her fault. You tell the same jokes. By the third year of your marriage she's heard every single one of them. Plus, now she's hearing those jokes from the guy who leaves his dirty socks on the floor even though he's constantly being asked to "pick up those disgusting socks." It's inevitable. No one is to blame. It's the way God planned it.
So what can a man (who was chosen as a husband primarily because of his ability to amuse) do to keep his wife laughing? Between the two of us we have sixty years of marital experience.
Unfortunately, here is the comprehensive list of things a husband (of more than a few years) can say to his wife to make her laugh.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
So is that it? Your wife is never going to laugh again? Sure she will. She just won't laugh at anything you say. But you know what will make her laugh? The one guaranteed thing that makes all women laugh every single time they see it?
Show her a picture of a guy getting in the knutchkies.
Show her a video.
It's one of those things--all women think a man's groin pain is funny.
That's free of charge.
You're welcome.
Our latest episode is out now...
Hot-Sauce Daddy, Dads Helping Surgeons, Tonya Harding Songs, Adult Build A Bear, the Gambling Nun, and Mark Giangreco’s suspension stories.are discussed by Rick and Dave. [Ep259]
Born OTD in 1887, Heinie Zimmerman. He nearly won the Triple Crown in 1912–but he was a butcher at SS/3B and a troublemaker. In 1908 he threw a bottle of ammonia at a teammate, nearly blinding him. He later worked in a speakeasy with gangster Dutch Schultz #EveryCubEver pic.twitter.com/6u8yd6lhzs
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) February 9, 2022
This week's episode is now available. Listen to it here.
The fall of the promising 20-year-old Manchester United star, and the excitement of the FA Cup are discussed by Adam and Rick. [Ep144]
“The best books expand our humanity by the vicarious experiences and opportunities for compassion they provide. Lee Kingsmill’s Safe Inside is just such a book. It’s rich and textured, filled with family dynamics, religion, sexuality, the refuge of the imagination, the sanctuary of movies, and most of all, the depth, truthfulness, and complexity of humanity.”
*On this day in 2015, Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen released this video to promote his book Truffle Hunt. It includes a great truffle recipe. Worth your while, foodies.
*Also on this day in 2015, Eckhartz Press author Kipper McGee got a great write up about his book Brandwidth. To read that, click here.
*Today would have been Jimmy Durante's birthday. Only one Eckhartz Press book could have a story about Jimmy Durante. It's the finalist for 2021 Book of the Year, Mob Adjacent by Jeffrey and Mike Gentile. Still available here at Eckhartz Press.
Postgame video. Last guy in the stadium. Long season. You get the fuckin point pic.twitter.com/IahsrpZ7CO
— BARSTOOL “CALL ME CHAMP” CARL (@barstoolcarl) February 9, 2022
Every week I send my Minutia Men Co-Host Dave Stern a list from our audio archives for this week's Studio Walls feature. These are the possibilities for this week. Which one will he choose?
*February 7th is the birthday of Coleman Griffith. He was a trailblazer in baseball, one of the first sports psychologists. He was also roundly dismissed by baseball players of the day, and inspired the character in the movie The Natural (We have the audio of his famous scene)
*February 7, 1971, Earth Wind & Fire released their first album. We talked to Alan Hewitt who was one of the producers with the band, and who later joined the Moody Blues (Listen to the entire interview here)
*February 10, 1994, the Olympic Games were taking place in Lillehammer Norway. The big story about that Olympics was the drama between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. John Landecker and I wrote two songs about that, including this one.
*February 11, 2001, Disney released "The Tigger Movie". Little Tommy Kaempfer reviewed the film for the radio show. (We have the audio)
*February 12 is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Dave's famous award winning poem about Lincoln has been committed to audio, and needs to be played at least once a year.
*Life Behind the Camera's author Chuck Quinzio was in Catholic School, and it caused more than just a ripple in the hallways there. We've excerpted that portion of his book here.
*John Landecker also writes about his take on that momentous day in Records Truly Is My Middle Name, and the effect that it had on the clothing kids wore to his school in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We've excerpted that portion of his book here.
They were announced this morning, and here are the main categories (via the Hollywood Reporter)...
BEST PICTURE
Belfast (Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers)
CODA (Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers)
Don’t Look Up (Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers)
Drive My Car (Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer)
Dune (Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers)
King Richard (Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers)
Licorice Pizza (Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers)
Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers)
The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile
Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers)
West Side Story (Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers)
BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)
BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!)
Will Smith (King Richard)
Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
Judi Dench (Belfast)
Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)
Troy Kotsur (CODA)
Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)
Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
CODA (Screenplay by Siân Heder)
Drive My Car (Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa
Oe)
Dune (Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve
and Eric Roth)
The Lost Daughter (Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal)
The Power of the Dog (Written by Jane Campion)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Belfast (Written by Kenneth Branagh)
Don’t Look Up (Screenplay by Adam McKay; Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota)
King Richard (Written by Zach Baylin)
Licorice Pizza (Written by Paul Thomas Anderson)
The Worst Person in the World (Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier)
*Today is Burt Hooton's birthday. You may remember Burt from his time with the Chicago Cubs in the 1970s. He threw a no-hitter. His entire story is told in the book EveryCubEver.
*Today is also the birthday of Joe Lonnett. Who is that, you ask? Well, he was one of the coaches for the 1972 White Sox, which means he is part of the upcoming Eckhartz Press book "Chili Dog MVP". Pre-order your copy now.
The latest episode is called "Brotherly Love?" and it's out now. Listen to it here.
China changes movie endings, Hall of Fame minutia, having a catch with Ray Kinsella’s dad, bad brothers, the dumbest crook ever, and a brush with Pete Rose are discussed by Rick and Dave. [Ep258]
The reason we do this--that moment an author gets to hold his book for the very first time. Congrats to Eric Litt on his new book Oscars Biggest Mistakes.
Thanks so much to Jim O'Donnell at the Daily Herald. This was part of his column in the Sunday version of the paper...
Also from the Eckhartz file, Der Bookman said that Jim Baumann's "Grammar Moses" ($20) was the holiday season's bestseller. (Topping even "Catskill Fever: Sam Smith's 100 Funniest Bulls Post-Game Questions.") Baumann is the executive editor of The Daily Herald. ...
Born OTD in 1876, (Cub 1901-2), Germany Schaefer. He was known for his wackiness. He once stole second base in an attempt to force a throw. When the catcher didn’t fall for it, Germany stole first base on the next pitch, so he could try it again. #EveryCubEver pic.twitter.com/kGnQxuvebb
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) February 4, 2022
“Seriously I can just come out and say it? Call him a liar?” asks @JonathanPieNews, a fictional broadcast reporter created and performed by comedian Tom Walker, in a satirical video about Britain’s Prime Minister.
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) February 4, 2022
“God bless America.” https://t.co/Hu6Q6q8TBp pic.twitter.com/ojr8Pb1d0S
*Today is Alice Cooper's birthday. Alice is featured in Bobby Skafish's book We Have Company. He's also featured in my book The Radio Producer's Handbook, and in the pages of Father Knows Nothing, I rewrote the words to "Schools Out" to more appropriately convey the subject from the parent's point of view.
