Comments on: Will the real Bill Kurtis please stand up?

By: AJ McWhorter

AJ McWhorter — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:41:01 +0000

I grew up with Bill Kurtis, Walter Jacobson, Harry Volkman, Harry Porterfield, and Johnny Morris and that was a powerful newsteam. Remember Bob Wallace and Bob Sirot’s features?

Okay when Kurtis left for the first time to CBS in New York to host the morning show he was replaced by Don Craig, who was not bad at all, but not Bill Kurtis. Then Bill came back and I can’t remember what happened to Don Craig, does anyone know?

Oh whenever I am in San Diego I catch John Coleman doing the weather, same delivery, has not changed at all and I harken back to the days when I was a kid in Chicago and am AMAZED that he is still around doing it. It’s like time has not moved at all.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:37:15 +0000

No one has mentioned Bob McBride.

By: Ted Okuda

Ted Okuda — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:50:17 +0000

When Channel 2 first teamed Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson (they made a great team, no doubt about it), the opening theme music for their news program actually had lyrics! Am I the only nerd who remembers this ditty?:

This is my city
Chicago’s my town
Lookin’ for trouble
Trouble’s around
It takes 2 to track it down
It takes 2 to track it down

Then and now, it sounds like the opening for an imitation Starsky & Hutch detective show. Wisely, the station dropped the vocals, although that theme music continued to be used for years.

By: Jim Mueller

Jim Mueller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:21 +0000

Bill Kurtis has definitely taken a page from Bill Shatner’s playbook. In both instances…you looked over at your wife on the sofa, pointed to the TV and remarked, “Who ever knew THAT guy could be funny?!” Both of the Bills should give credit to Leslie Nielsen for showing them the way. Neilsen’s really their grandpappy figure. He established the template for what they’re doing.

It’s all good.

By: Paul Douglas

Paul Douglas — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:57:51 +0000

Say what you will about Bill Kurtis, he was one of the few anchors at ‘BBM to show a little humanity and welcome me onto the team during my fleeting 3 year stint on McClurg Court in the mid 90s. While nearly everyone else was playing every-man-for-himself, trying to defend “their turf”, Bill was always kind, easygoing and respectful; he never took himself too seriously on the set or off. He had a quiet confidence that inspired everyone around him. Tim Wiegel had that same playful, welcoming attitude, and for that I will always be grateful. They had major-market skills but not overbearing, major market egos. Rob – it’s great having you back, providing a level of perspective and analysis you just can’t find anywhere else. Count me as another devoted, loyal reader.

By: Dr. Lawrence Frateschi

Dr. Lawrence Frateschi — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:48:02 +0000

Please consider Alex Dreier, Frank Reynolds, John Palmer, Fahey Flynn, John Drury, Joel, Daly, Floyd Kalber, PJ Hoff, Harry Volkman, John Coughlin, John Coleman, Bill Frink, Bruce Roberts, Johnny Erp, Bruce Wolf, and Chicago’s own “Ted Baxter”: Larry Potash!

Welcome back, Mr. Feder.

By: Freddy

Freddy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:11:49 +0000

The Bill and Walter era was a long time ago…light years ago in the broadcast universe. I guess old Bill decided to spend the first half of his professional career building up his credibility (and bank account), and now is content to spend the second act not taking himself too seriously and doing whatever the hell he wants. Kind of Forrest Gumpy, actually.

By: Matt Lo Cascio

Matt Lo Cascio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:42:28 +0000

Great to have you back Robert!! Magers is definitely in my Mt. Rushmore. Probably Joel Daly too.

By: Tim Disa

Tim Disa — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:41:40 +0000

Holy crap! It’s Robert Feder!

Good to see and read you again…

Tim Disa

By: Julian

Julian — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:09:12 +0000

The AT&T commercials are great especially the one with Floyd “Money” Merriweather there are parralles between his new pitchman persona and Bill Shatner. It’s great to see him back. My chicago News Rushmore would consist of Kurtis, Flyn, Joel Daley, Linda Yu, Kalber, and Drury