Sunday Morning Talk Show Ratings

Don't mess with the old guy. Bob Schieffer is #1 for the entire season.

1. Face the Nation, CBS
2. This Week, ABC
3. Meet the Press, NBC
4. Fox News Sunday, Fox News

I have to admit I no longer watch any of them.

5 Reasons Why Media CEOs Are the Highest Paid

This article comes from the AP, who felt it necessary to analyze the fact that 6 of the top 10 highest paid CEOs in America are media CEOs, and that is soooooooo out of whack.

1. The stock outperformed the S&P 500
This one sounds legit to me. The stock does well, the CEO should be rewarded. (But not this much)

2. Talent Quotient
It's a high profie biz with high-profile hits and lots of high paid talent at every level. They figure...why should a star make more than a CEO?

3. Voting Power
Why would the board of directors approve such obscene salaries? Because the board of directors is completely controlled by the one or two people.

4. Other Industries Declined
Like banking. Like financial industries. Normally they would be at the top of the list.

5. All Boats Rise
This one doesn't make any sense to me, AP. You just spent the first 4/5 of the article pointing out how specifically out of whack the media CEO pay is.

Look Who Has a Copy of the Eckhartz Press Book "Life Behind the Camera" by Chuck Quinzio

Is he saying "Don't Stand So Close To Me"? Possibly, but he clearly is holding a coveted copy of Chuck Quinzio's "Life Behind the Camera" (Chuck is the one on the right).

You can get your own copy here.

Or you can also get one at the Printer's Row Litfest. Chuck will be there on June 7th, between 10am and Noon. Look for him in the Chicago Writers Association tent.

Crazy Week

I'm afraid I won't be posting much this week. Our soccer club Green White is having tryouts over the next few days, and I'm on the youth board, and involved in all of the planning of those tryouts. It's going to be a bit hairy for the next three days. Then, as soon as that is over, it's time for my oldest son's high school graduation.

Next week things should return to normal.

Just One Bad Century--May 27

Did Jeff Samardzija really win a game yesterday? Yes he did. Would have been a funnier story if the bad luck continued, but I'm still happy for the guy.

This Week in 1908 and This Week in 1945 were both posted over the Memorial Day weekend. The 1908 entry has an incredible story about two Cubs teammates getting into a clubhouse fight that landed both of them in the hospital. Today it would probably land both of them in jail too. The 1945 entry shows how this country treated Memorial Day during a World War.

Today's Cubs birthdays include the least popular Cub of my lifetime, a Cub who drank himself to death at 30, and a mediocre Cub who became a coaching legend.

Today in Wrigley history goes back to the war year of 1942, and the Memorial Day celebration.

Today's Historical Event is the sinking of the Bismark. Where were the Cubs? As a special bonus, enjoy this Johnny Horton classic about that famous event...



Finally, check out the A/V Club today. There's a Punky Brewster episode about the Cubs. You read that correctly.

Guest Speaker

I'm officially ready to be a grandfather. This cornball joke made me laugh. Thanks "LH" for sending it...

Pastor Gas

Thanks to "JP" for sending this. Somebody out there is an inspired genius. Especially knowing that this guy was busted for fraud.

Gregg Jarrett Arrested

Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett was arrested over the weekend for an incident at an airport bar in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Star Tribune has the details. I wasn't even going to post this story, but I got an e-mail from former WGN-AM morning man (who currently works for Bloomberg) Greg Jarrett pointing out that if I did report it, would I mind pointing out to Chicago that it wasn't him: "So Gregg Jarrett of Fox was busted for drunk and disorderly not Greg Jarrett of Bloomberg. Two Gs in Greg. Not one."

Duly noted.

Just One Bad Century--May 23

The big news yesterday was this announcment by Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts...



Looks like they're going to court. Amid all the hubbub, did anyone notice that the Cubs actually won last night (5-1 over the Padres)? I'm a big fan of these late night West Coast games. There's something soothing about falling asleep to the sound of baseball.

Today's Cubs birthdays include Augie, Algie, and Duke. The Augie, by the way, is not Ojeda. This one was an all-star, and the A/V club shows a silent movie of him playing in the all-star game.

Today in Wrigley History goes back to 1926. Somebody hit the scoreboard with a homer. Find out who did it.

Today's Historical Event is the end of the line for gangsters Bonnie & Clyde. Where were the Cubs?

I won't be posting a new "Today on JOBC" update until Tuesday, but rest assured the website will keep on pumping out the info. There are new Cubs birthdays posted every day. This week in 1908 and 1945 will be posted over the weekend, and the A/V club will be updated too. Lots of reasons to stop by over the weekend.

Here's to hoping everyone has an enjoyable holiday weekend!

Jon Stewart Ripping Philadelphia

And it all begins with beloved Cubs icon Ryne Sandberg. Stick with it...it's the last 2 1/2 minutes of this bit.

Just Gonna Jump Over This Chain

Throwback Thursday

I understand they are going to let Garry do one last show on WGN-AM this afternoon. In honor of that, my Throwback Thursday picture is from Steve & Garry's 10th anniversary show at the Chicago Theatre in 1989. I was one of the Cliff Dancers. I believe we danced to Sly & the Family Stone's "Everyday People". The other Cliff Dancers were Mike "Igor" Davis (facing Cliff), Mike Bramel, David Stern (hidden behind Cliff), Cabin boy Jim, and Shemp DeYoung. Proud Moment.

Just One Bad Century--May 22

Samardzija leaves the game with a 2 run lead. The Cubs put in their gold glover for defense to protect it, and their closer has been 5 for 5 in save opportunities. The closer gives up two doink hits and the gold glover makes an error, and just like that Samardzija still has ZERO wins in late May despite leading the league in ERA. That is so Cubs.

I hope Jeff can see the humor in the situation. I know I do. If this continues he could actually be having a historic season. At the very least it gives us something to root for.

A whole new batch of historical events were posted this morning. Today's historical event is Jerry Lee Lewis announcing he married his 13-year-old cousin. Where were the Cubs?

Today's Cubs birthdays include baseball's first sports psychologist. (The A/V Club has the scene he inspired in a baseball novel/movie). There are actually quite a few Cubs celebrating birthdays today including two guys nicknamed "Hooks", the guy who got us Jose Cardenal, and a little used third baseman from just a few years ago that gave my son a day at the ballpark he'll never forget.

Today in Wrigley History goes back to 1990 and 2002.

I have a feeling that yesterday's game will appear in a future edition.

Radio Shocker: WGN Boots Garry Meier

I didn't see this one coming at all. I just spoke to Garry recently, and I can guarantee you he didn't see it coming either. Yesterday was his last show on WGN Radio. Robert Feder has the details.





The new WGN lineup is...

Steve Cochran--5-10am
John Williams (yes, the same John Williams who used to be on WGN)--10-Noon
Bob & Marianne--Noon to 3pm
Bill Leff & Wendy--3pm to 7pm
Pete McMurray--7pm to 11p
Patty Vasquez--11p to 2am
Nick Digilio--2am to 5am

I have to give credit to Jimmy de Castro for having the cojones to do this. I feel bad for Garry, but he will still be getting paid for the next year and a half, and will be doing his show on wgn.fm

Just purely from a listening point of view, I think that Bill & Wendy have the best show on the station right now. I'm happy for both of them that they are finally getting their big time chance.

Do You Wash Your Jeans?

The CEO of Levi's says you shouldn't...ever.

Consider it done.

Pat Sajack Versus the Twittersphere

I've met Pat Sajack a few times. He seems like a nice guy. It doesn't bother me at all that's he's a Climate Change Denier. (I know many of them who are fine and upstanding citizens)

But he's been tweeting some very weird stuff lately, and the twittersphere is going after him.

The Twittersphere, by the way, is often quite funny.

22 Words That Have A Completely Different Meaning In Chicago

The list is here.

Pretty clever, although I'd eliminate about ten of them, and have a great top 12 list.

Just One Bad Century--May 21

I think we can all agree that Tanaka was a little intimidated by the Cubbie machine yesterday. His 42-starts-without-a-loss streak is now over.

Don't mess with this juggernaut, pal.

We posted a whole new week's worth of events at This Week in Wrigley History. Today's entry goes back to 1935 (the Babe's final Chicago at-bat) and 1939.

Today's Historical Event is the establishment of the Red Cross. Where were the Cubs? (As a sidebar, let me just say that this is clearly the only website in the world that links Clara Barton and the Cubs. Just sayin')

Today's Cubs birthdays include one of the six mustaches that roamed the outfield for the 1982 Cubs, a name that rhymes with Happy, a backup catcher with a name that sounds like a gangster's, and a Dick

Resurrecting Murray Saul

I read all the radio trade publications every day to keep up with the business, and they are filled with self-congratulatory stories about how radio is as popular as ever. Stories about how there's nothing to worry about. Of course, we all know it's nonsense. (Here's an example from this morning) Radio may have as many listeners as it used to have (I doubt it, but let's pretend it does), but the listeners simply aren't as passionate as they used to be--and no paid study will convince me otherwise.

I'll tell you why I don't believe it: Radio doesn't have any larger than life figures (other than politically toxic ones) anymore. You may still like to hear CCR, or want to hear people talking about your favorite sports teams, but there's really nobody on the air who just pops out of the radio. No one who explodes through the microphone. In short, there's no appointment radio.

Radio doesn't have any Murray Sauls.

Read this story about the recently deceased Cleveland radio great Murray Saul. I never heard him on the air, but reading this piece reminded me that every town in America used to have someone like him. I know there are characters out there somewhere now, but they are reading liner cards, or being told that the PPM ratings tell you nobody wants to hear you speak. Or more likely, they aren't on the air at all, and don't even have radio on their radar.

If I was running a radio station these days, I would constantly be on the lookout for someone I could throw on the air as a sidekick (at first)--someone who could just be unleashed. Maybe he's a waiter who has perfected his shtick, or she's a Southwest Airlines flight attendant who has them rolling in the aisles, or he's a tour guide on a double decker bus. He or she may eventually crash and burn like Murray Saul did, but I bet you would remember them for the rest of your lives.

Is there anything on the air today that remotely fits that description?

I know what radio programmers and executives would say to my theory. They would say that listeners are different now. They don't want that. To which I would reply: "Listeners don't even realize it's an option." Because right now, it isn't. Radio has been bland (by choice) for an entire generation. The most desirable advertising demo in America doesn't even know that radio can be exciting. It will take a young guy or gal to show them. And an old guy or gal who has enough guts to give them a chance.

10 Fabulous German Words That Have No English Equivalent

I didn't know all of these, but my German is admittedly a little rusty these days.

I have heard #1 and #8 used in conversation before--but not the others. Although, this is what I love about German, as soon as I read the words I instantly knew what they meant.