Today's Best Tweets--May 2

Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...





Jesse Rogers ‏@ESPNChiCubs 4m
Kerry Wood here today at Wrigley. Says he'll be helping out the front office this month watching draft eligible pitchers

Slate ‏@Slate 13m
Stephen Colbert mocked CNN's latest Malaysia Airlines coverage perfectly last night--WATCH: http://slate.me/1oa7hbq pic.twitter.com/RC2HPFPdRr

Jacob Pomrenke ‏@buckweaver 14h
Here's some background on that new @BritishPathe 1919 World Series footage just discovered: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2014/04/10/newsreel-of-19-world-series-was-found-buried-in-canada.html …. Amazing stuff.

Double X ‏@DoubleXMag 28m
The number of stay-at-home dads is falling. Were men only watching the kids because they were out of work? http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/05/02/stay_at_home_dads_in_decline_the_number_of_married_fathers_who_are_primary.html …

Slate ‏@Slate 25m
This new Michael Jackson song with Justin Timberlake is... actually pretty good! LISTEN: http://slate.me/1fE2PSm

Dave Wischnowsky ‏@wischlist 27m
Headed off to Wrigley in a bit for #Illini Day. Wish the weather was better - and the #Cubs too!

Third Metric ‏@thirdmetric 29m
7 online personality quizzes that aren't completely ridiculous http://huff.to/1jokJrx

SportsPickle ‏@sportspickle 31m
The 13 Worst (Real) Thoroughbred Names in Kentucky Derby History ---> http://www.sportspickle.com/2010/04/the-worst-real-thoroughbred-names-in-kentucky-derby-history …

The Onion ‏@TheOnion 32m
POLL: Do You Believe Aliens Exist? http://onion.com/1pWRt07 pic.twitter.com/QHliei95Bb

Vox ‏@voxdotcom 36m
Beyond net neutrality: The new battle for the future of the internet http://bit.ly/1pWyEu7 https://vine.co/v/MrXLMLFUZD3

Media Spotlight--May 2

My media focus this year will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, radio, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.




Chicago Media

~Chet Coppock Vents
My Illinois Entertainer column was posted yesterday. I spoke with Chet Coppock and asked him why there are three sports stations in town and he's not on any of them. Thirty minutes (and zero questions) later, I had a column.

~Pay It Forward Promotion
The RAMP Newsletter has the details on WILV's (100.3 FM) latest promotion. It involves cash to charity, which is an admirable thing to do:

Hubbard Radio's WILV (Chicago's 100.3)/Chicago is putting a really cool charitable spin on what could have been just another standard cash giveaway -- all winners in the station's new May Money Match will net $500 cash for themselves -- and another $500 for their favorite non-profit charity. Here's how it works: Listeners register their name and the name of their charity on the May Money Match contest page at chicagos1003.com. Then, every weekday in May, names will be called out between 10am and 2pm. You have 15 minutes to call in and claim your cash. Please note that the charity of your choice must be a recognized charitable organization that is formally organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization within the United States and not, say, your Uncle Dave from Schaumburg.

~New AM Station Coming To Chicago
The FCC approved this move yesterday. A radio station in Terre Haute is moving to south suburban Peotone. Details at Radio Insight.

~Paul Goldsmith leaves WIND
Another feel good radio story. The details come courtesy of Radio Online:

Paul Goldsmith will exit Salem/Chicago as Director of Promotions and Marketing for WIND-AM (AM 560 The Answer) and WYLL-AM on Friday, May 2. He's heading to CURE International as VP/Marketing beginning May 7...In his new post, Goldsmith will have the opportunity to introduce CURE to people and radio stations who want to help cure sick children.

~The Most Powerful Women in Chicago Journalism
Robert Feder has compiled this admittedly subjective list. It's a pretty good list. I've only dealt with seven of them, but I know them all by reputation.

Broadcast News

~CNN fires 50
Sounds like they are re-organizing to focus more on the digital/video integration. It seems to officially be the wave of the future now. Take note, kids.

~Meet the Press producer defects to ABC
This report comes from Page 6 of tne New York Post, so take it with a grain of salt. It is true that he left. The snarky reasons for his departure quoted in this article come from anonymous sources.

The Publishing Biz

~News Corp Buys Harlequin
Rupert's kingdom just increased. He now also owns the top publisher of romance novels. He's only making one small change. From now on, all of the novels will be set in Benghazi.

Medical Student Auctioning Off Virginity, Highest Bidder At $550,000

I'm not sure if this is a legitimate story. It's being reported by CBS in Las Vegas. Read it for yourself to decide if you think it's real or not. It does have a whiff of "scam" to it, especially the very last paragraph, which states...

According to her bidding rules, each bidder must come forward with a non-refundable sum of $100 through a PayPal account. If notified as the winner on May 7, that bidder is to wire-transfer the amount into a trust fund designated by “the Virgin” within 24 hours after the meeting, “provided that the Successful Bidder and the Virgin have had Sexual Intercourse,” reads the website. Bidders from Serbia, Japan, Australia, the UK and the U.S. have already placed successive bids of more than $100,000 each since Apr. 1.

She's collecting non-refundable cash from everyone that bids? Hmmmm. Why do I think this virgin's name is something like Kevin?

I'm Enlightened

I took the "What kind of person are you?" quiz because I wondered how they classified people. Apparently, I'm enlightened.

Which means... "You are in love with happiness and nature. You want every one to have a joyful and fulfilling life. You enjoy peace and serenity but are also exceptionally adventurous and overall jazzed about life!"

As anyone who knows me realizes, at least half of that is malarky.

Medical Joke

Would you believe this was posted on Facebook by Pat Travers? (Of the Pat Travers Band). Not sure why I find that an important part of the joke, but I do. Boom Boom. Out go the Lights.

Just One Bad Century--May 2

The Cubs start a series against St. Louis today. This would be a good one to start off with a victory. Game time is 1:20 at Wrigley Field.

Today in Wrigley history goes back to 1917; one of the most memorable moments in the old ballpark's existence. If you were in attendance, you saw not one, but two no-hitters. Guess which team's pitcher lost? There's an extended write-up about this game, but there's more from this day in Wrigley history. You can also read about what happened in 1956, 1988, and 2002.

Today's historical event is General Motors buying Chevrolet to form the biggest car company in the world. (Exactly one year later than the double no-hitter, by the way). Where the Cubs?

Today's Cubs birthdays feature a few fun nicknames (Zonk & Wild Bill), a great pitcher from a hundred years ago, and cups of coffee from the 1920s and the 2000s. The A/V club has Zonk getting his number retired by the University of Texas.

As for today's Cubs news, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com has a cup-is-half-full assessment of April. His take is mainly that the struggling players aren't their core future players. Let's go with that. Also, here's a little more info on Neil Ramirez, the newest arm in the Cubs bullpen. He's got the potential to be a keeper. The Cubs got him in the Garza trade (along with Olt, Grimm, and CJ Edwards). That trade is looking better every day.

Chet Coppock Interview--Illinois Entertainer

I talked to the Godfather of sports radio in Chicago for the Illinois Entertainer. He had a few things he wanted to get off his chest.

It's a doozy. You can read it here.

That's Why They Call it LIVE TV

Today's Best Tweets--May 1

Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...




Slate ‏@Slate 4m
Rob Ford suspended his re-election campaign to seek help after new tapes leaked: http://slate.me/1o582Cr pic.twitter.com/SHHyosERBD

Adam McKay ‏@GhostPanther 4m
One way to keep the name Redskins w/o offending everyone is to change their logo to John Boehner. Or is that the Orange Skins?

ChiTribSports ‏@ChiTribSports 5m
Charles Barkley chastises Magic Johnson for his Mike D'Antoni tweet http://trib.in/R7oYwV

MancowMuller ‏@MancowMuller 7m
A man named Donald Popadick was arrested in Ottawa, Canada for flashing. Hopefully, he'll share a jail cell with Seymour Keister.

Josh Marshall ‏@joshtpm 13m
'Patriot' Leader Backing Bundy Warns Reid May Get His 'Balls Ripped Off' @TPM http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/militia-reid-balls-ripped-off-bundy …

Phil Rogers ‏@nbcphilrogers 21m
Senator Bill Brady says if the Obama library is coming here, let taxpayers choose to build it voluntarily by checking a box on their taxes.

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman 22m
Emery says #Bears have gotten some calls to trade down.

Chicago Bears ‏@ChicagoBears 27m
LM: Emery says only #Bears LB who has starting job at this point is Lance Briggs.

Paul Kane ‏@pkcapitol 25m
Today being Thursday -- a day ending in Y -- that means McCain and Graham will be speaking on Senate floor on Benghazi. Slated for 1:15 pm.

Darren Marlar ‏@darrenmarlar 27m
Happy 403rd Birthday to the King James Bible today - you don't look a day over 350!

I'll Be Saying This in the Fall

Thanks to "MT" for this one...

Media Spotlight--May 1

My media focus this year will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, radio, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.




Chicago Media

~WGN Production Guru Chris Duffy "Dies" on NBC
Don't worry, he's alive and well. He was an extra in a scene in "Chicago Fire". Here's a screen grab of his appearance...



~Loop & WKQK PD Reassigned to SF by Cumulus
This is being reported by all the trade publications. I've linked to the first one that came into my e-mailbox yesterday afternoon (Radio Insight), but there are many interviews out there. Jim Richards was with the Loop and the former Q-101 for a few years. I never met him in person, but I interviewed him on the phone for a piece in Shore Magazine. He was well-liked by his coworkers. Granted, I've been to the studios there...it's a ghost town. I think there were only a half dozen people working there.

~Want to be PD at the Loop?
Here's the listing on the RAMP Newsletter. I couldn't help but notice that the term "music knowledge" does not appear at all. You just need to know the software. At least "talent" is mentioned in passing.

Looking for a bold, creative, strategic-thinking leader to replace Mr. Richards as OM/PD of iconic Classic Rock outlet WLUP (97.9 The Loop) & Alternative WKQX/Chicago. This position demands strong skill sets in talent management, PPM execution, digital acumen and creative writing, as well as large promotion and event creation. Candidates must possess a working background in research interpretation, Nielsen data, music scheduling software and automation operating systems. A minimum of five years of major market programming experience is preferred. Qualified applicants should rush their resume and programming package to cumulusradio.jobs@cumulus.com. And remember, kids... Cumulus Media is an EEO Employer.

The F.C.C.

~F.C.C Chairman Facing Firestorm Over Net Neutrality Ruling
He knew it would be controversial, but I just don't think the new FCC Chairman understood the depth of the opposition to the whole concept of allowing the big boys to create a faster "pay" lane on the internet. The only people in favor of that are the big boys. NOBODY ELSE WANTS THIS! Just sayin. Tom Taylor is sayin' it too, but just not in capital letters...

Does the famous “fast lane” pose a existential risk to companies that don't have the vast fortunes of Netflix or Amazon? FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is talking about “the manipulation of the most important network of our time, the Internet.” (In your own market, how many broadband choices do you really have?) Wheeler says there’s not enough competition in broadband and that there’s a real danger that mammoth companies will stifle “the next Google.” Critics accuse him of doing that very thing with a proposal they claim would create a privileged “fast lane,” for companies who pay a special fee to an Internet Service Provider.

Showbiz

~Will Oprah Buy the Clippers?
That's the speculation all over the news. I've linked to ESPN's report.

The Answer is Yes

Thanks to "GS" for this one...

The Secret Disney/Pixar Message of "A113"

This is very cool. Did you know that you could find "A113" in every Pixar movie, and many other animated films and shows?

Want to know why? It's a secret animator tribute. Read all about it here.

Just One Bad Century--May 1

The woeful Cubs April is in the rearview mirror finally. Let's hope it was just one bad month. It did end on a hopeful note last night as the Cubs won big in Cincy. On the other hand, there was bad news in the minor league system. Cubs top pitching prospect CJ Edwards was put on the DL because of shoulder problems. They say it's not serious, but it's shoulder problems. That can't be good. At least Jake Arietta is doing better. He will get his first start of the year this weekend.

Today we posted a whole new week's worth of historical events. On this day in 1893, the Columbian Exposition began in Chicago. Where were the Cubs? If you want to learn more about it, The A/V club today has a video that shows scenes from the Columbian Exposition. (By the way, I threw in an extra historical event for May 1--it's also the anniversary of Gary Powers spy plane being shot down over Russia. Where were the Cubs?)

Today in Wrigley history goes back to 1940. Find out why they didn't play. Hint: it's weather related, and it ain't rain.

Today's Cubs birthdays include three Cubs related figures. A shortstop that's a Joe Pepitone look alike, a minority owner who helped elect a (bad) president, and famous teen heart-throb Nick Carter. (Um, it might be a different Nick Carter, actually. This one played for the Cubs in the first few seasons of Wrigley.)

Green White

One of my on-going writing projects is writing about the history of Green White Soccer Club, a club co-founded by my father in 1956. Every month I write about one month in Green White history. This month it's 1987.

You can read it here.

Today's Best Tweets--April 30

Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...




SportsCenter ‏@SportsCenter 30m
Oprah Winfrey considering teaming with David Geffen & Larry Ellison to make bid to buy Clippers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/7biRYYb0Nt

CollegeHumor ‏@CollegeHumor 17m
Go ahead and jump on that trampoline, looks fun doesn't it? What's the worst that could happen? http://ow.ly/wkFqE

Colonel Tribune ‏@ColonelTribune 6m
This is true, but we love it. Wrigley's quirks are charming and annoying. http://bit.ly/1mcFqWz #Wrigley100

Romenesko ‏@romenesko 4m
No climate change talk on Fox News * Ailes won't let Shep come out * Sun-Times seeks fewer square feet * Nieman news. http://jimromenesko.com/2014/04/30/morning-report-for-april-30-2014

Steve Scott ‏@SteveScottWCBS 22m
#RIP actor Bob #Hoskins. Dead at 71.

KevinSmith ‏@ThatKevinSmith 5m
Harold in LONG GOOD FRIDAY. Eddie in ROGER RABBIT. Just 2 of the memorable characters BOB HOSKINS gave to cinema:http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27224995 … #RIP

steve rosenbloom ‏@steverosenbloom 4m
Now that the Bulls have been ousted from the playoffs, tradition dictates that it’s time for Derrick Rose to declare himself ready to play.

Big Cat ‏@BarstoolBigCat 17m
Carlos Boozer's girlfriend got in a fight during the 4th quarter of last night's game http://www.barstoolsports.com/chicago/super-page/video-of-the-cat-fight-at-the-bulls-game-last-night-over-carlos-boozers-dignity/ … pic.twitter.com/iAW3kQ9pea

Talking Points Memo ‏@TPM 7m
GOP congressman falsely claims Donald Sterling is a Democrat (VIDEO): http://bit.ly/1iIuKA5

Taniel ‏@Taniel 21m
The worst news Rick Perry has gotten since the "oops"? Dick Morris predicts he can win: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/04/30/dick_morris_predicts_rick_perry_can_win.html

Let it Be

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, this little tidbit from 45 years ago today...

April 30, 1969…At EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, George Harrison overdubbed a new guitar solo on the master take from the January 31 Beatles recording session for the song "Let It Be." He overdubbed another solo on January 4, 1970. The first overdub was used for the original single release, the second overdub solo was used for the original album release.

Record Companies Are Satan

This is a great example of why I believe that record companies are Satan. It involves the royalties (or lack thereof) for the gigantic mega-hit album "Bat out of Hell" by Meatloaf.

I had never heard this story before, but I've heard many other similar tales.

It's the main reason I feel zero sympathy for the state they find themselves in today.

Turning Black & White Into Color

This is an interesting look at the past. It takes classic black and white photos and colorizes them. There's something about seeing these photos in color that makes the subjects of them seem more real. This is just one example below...(Image credits: imgur.com, Colorozed by: zuzahin)

One for the Kids

In my house the date is circled (and that's definitely not my doing). Thanks to "RH" for this one...