‘Monsters’ mesh on CBS 2’s new morning show
Terry Savage, Dan Jiggetts, Mike Hegedus and Mike North
There’s not much to add to Phil Rosenthal’s exhaustive deconstruction of “Monsters and Money in the Morning,” which debuted Monday, or to Ed Sherman’s Q&A with host Mike North. The four hosts of the new morning show on CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 — North, Dan Jiggetts, Terry Savage and Mike Hegedus — proved themselves to be sufficiently caffeinated and articulate to pull off the two-hour gabfest without committing any major gaffes.
Conceived as a low-budget alternative to traditional local morning news shows (airing from 5 to 7 a.m. weekdays), I’d call it a work in progress worth keeping an eye on.
The biggest surprise was the dominant role played by Jiggetts, who emerged first among equals as he occupied center screen, introduced each topic and steered every discussion. He may have been an offensive tackle for the Bears, but on this show, he’s definitely the quarterback.
Susan Carlson, the show’s perky news anchor, came off a tad too perky with lead-ins to her headlines such as: “Here’s what’s happening as you’re starting to turn on your coffee maker this morning,” and “As you’re munchin’ on your toast, here’s what’s going on . . .” (Whoa! Can she see me scratching myself, too?)
Viewers could also live without North’s bombastic on-set commercials (the equivalent of his “live reads” on radio) and shameless pleas for a “cereal sponsor.” But then again, “Money” is in the title of the show — and isn’t that what it’s really all about?
Robservations on the media beat:
- Maura Myles, the midday news anchor who’s on maternity leave from Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890), was thrilled to learn Monday that she’ll be shifting to oldies sister station WLS-FM (94.7) and teaming with new morning personality Dave Fogel when she returns March 1. She even had a few nice words for her bosses, operations director Michael LaCrosse and general manager Michael Damsky. Myles, who’ll be serving up news, weather and traffic on Fogel’s show, said:
“I sure loved him the first time around. Now Fogie’s back in Chicago — right where he belongs — on the legendary WLS. Talk about a perfect, yummy combination, with Greg Brown and Dick Biondi, and literally all the best music. I’m telling you, it’s the most mouth-watering deep-dish in town! And if I can provide a little sauce, I’m thrilled to stir that pot. Chefs LaCrosse and Damsky have cooked up something really delicious here, I think.”
- My favorite part of Tribune editor Gerould Kern’s letter to readers Monday about the paper’s upcoming shrinkage was at the end: “So, to recap,” Kern wrote, “The Chicago Tribune’s pages will become a little narrower starting Feb. 8. Text type will remain the same size as it is now. Some format changes will be necessary such as on the comics page. Most content largely will remain the same.” I thought it was funny that he needed to “recap” the seven paragraphs that appeared above it. Who edits the editor?
- Lissa Druss Christman has resigned as executive producer of Comcast SportsNet to join Culloton Strategies as chief creative officer. She previously was a sports producer at Channel 2. The new Chicago-based public relations firm was founded by Dennis Culloton, former press secretary for Gov. George Ryan and a onetime writer and reporter at the former all-news WMAQ. His clients include the Ricketts family, owners of the Cubs.
- A followup to Monday’s report here about news anchor reassignments at Tribune Co.-owned WGN-AM (720): When Steve Bertrand shifts from middays to afternoons/evenings, Andrea Darlas will expand her morning anchor duties with Greg Jarrett to add middays with John Williams. Both moves are effective next week.
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Rob, I’ve always loved your column, but can the term “Robservations”.
Way too cutesy!
If Mike North dropped off the face of the earth with his slack jawed bigoted comments I would give this show a try. If being a halfwit uneduated crap spreader was a disease Mike North would be the poster child. How channel 2 could have this filth as part of its lineup I don’t know. Can someone tell me why? Is the general manager on drugs? Let this failed experiment die quickly! Dan Jiggets is a class act.
The Miserable Monster Mash on Channel 2 is low rent and low talent.
CLTV is on a shoestring budget. At least they don’t sit around an old
wheel of fortune disc, in bad lighting, in workout jogging clothes.
I have never seen anyone on a “news” set wave a tattered cereal box
and beg shamelessly for any kind of sponsor. Who would want any connection
to this lapse in judgement ? It is not a work in progress. It is dull.
I have never listened to WLS-AM enough to know but if that quote is how Maura Myles usually speaks and is indicative of her style, I have no hope for the new morning show on WLS-FM. “A perfect, yummy combination”….really??
I always thought it was strange that Andrea Darlas only worked four hours, while Bertrand and others seemed to work longer shifts (especially Orion who on the business beat, works a 10 hour day it seems).
Speaking of Jarrett, someone posted here yesterday that the people who work with Greg don’t like him. I’ve heard other people here and elsewhere suggest that Jarrett is pompous. I don’t listen to him too much, frankly because I don’t think he says much that is worth listening to. He’s boring. But I am curious… what is it about him that people find so pompous?
I’ll give you an even more succinct recap. The paper is a shell of its former self and not worth buying.
Rob,
I can see you scratching yourself. You should see a doctor about that. Also, have you been eating “Cheetos”?
I just want to say I like Steve Bertrand a lot and am not able to listen to him in the middle of the day so I am now happy that I will get to hear him in the afternoons now. I am also a big fan of Andrea Darlas and I am glad she is going to be heard more on WGN. Why does everyone always have to complain? Some changes are good and I for one like what WGN is doing. Greg Jarrett, Gary Meir and Steve Cochran are wonderful.
Maura Myles comes across as a bright, classy and pleasant person on the air. I’m happy for her, because it means she hopefully is in a more prominent position with a better personality other than Mancow.
You want to see a Monster in the morning? Put on the semi-lovely Melissa Forman and tell her not to do her hair or makeup. She’d make Svengoolie look like Robin Meade.
I know, I’ve been there.
What about me?
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“Durbin: Bring Mohammad to the Magnificent Mile” and “Bears get state of Martz offense”
As for this post, Mike North is a very talented performer. He does have a Scarecrow complex (“if I only had a brain”) that gets him into trouble from time to time. I envy his chutzpah, though, and his zeal to carve out a niche among the morning chickfests when it is barely today outside. He put the Score on the map. He might be able to do the same for creative early morning tv.
Katie- Get over Melissa Foreman already. Sheesh!
Monsters wasn’t terrible, but I wonder if it would do better outside of the am shift. Seems to me like it would be a better weekly show over the weekend. If I am turning on the TV in the am, I want three things: weather, traffic and the very top headlines of the day, especially if impactful of my life. Other than that, who has time in the am?
Bruce, I don’t think North will be carving a niche, more like cutting a hole into an already sinking ship. He can’t take all of the credit for this since someone is running the ship full steam into the iceberg. However, the arrangement of the deck chairs look really nice.
On a side note, I hear that scum floats.
Lookout, Chicago broadcasters! The pig virus has spread from WGN radio to CBS Deaux, where we now have their version of “edgy?” If edgy is Mike North seeing his shadow and Mike Flannery accusing candidate David Hoffman of seeming to have a “stick up his butt,” whoooo we are in for a wild ride for sure. Gosh I hope Mike doesn’t have to do any, you know, old-style straight reporting about Hoffman going forward.
RFeder…if Susan Carlson was too perky for your taste (and I have to agree, by the way. She is a class act but “turning on the coffee maker” and “munchin on your toast?” Susan! Drop it!), Maura Myles’ missive certainly brought the gag reflex up to 10. Must be all those postpartum hormones.
Come to think of it, though, Susan and Maura when they are not climbing over the top would be a good start to casting a real morning show. Both of them are bright, articulate, news-knowledgeable and extremely funny. How about some ideas for two guys to join them?
Could Maura’s response be any “cheesier?!” What a suck up!
i watched channel 2 today dan jiggets is good. why is that stooge mike north on.i listen to a gentleman by the name of scott alan. he is on a small suburban station. he is so talented and funny. he deserves a chance on prime time laura b thanks
Did Susan Carlson say anything stupid today? I am sure Mike North did, but that is expected. I took in the first day…now back to my regular shows.
No, Bruce’s suck up to North was worse. But I still love you…you got to do what you got to do…maybe pair up with Buzz Kilman?
YEt another reason to be thankful that I do not own a television…
I too miss Melissa Forman. Lay off on her fan.
I also miss Wacker and Willack.
Mike North? OMG Will Chicagoland ever lose this person.
i had to make a second comment. my neighbor watched we both agree dan jiggets what true pro. he has his degree in broadcasting. all what north did was make stupid remarks as always. rob i miss your articles. laura b
Cookie- I don’t have a problem with Ms. Foreman, but her stalker wants to interject her into every thread. She’s just as bad at hijacking this blog as Bruce (what about me) Wolf!
M&M in the M is bad radio with pictures. The weather woman reads news headlines and the smart money lady holds up underwear. It’s all so confusing. North may be begging for a cereal sponsor, but look for ‘auto wrecker’ spots and the ‘try my product’ computer guy. Smart advertisers saw thier shadow today: Six weeks and done.
i could not bielieve what i was watching on channel 2. i am a graduate of a well known broadcasting school in lombard. terry savage decent dan jiggets very good. why is that moron mike north on tv.evan now i am no longer in the business i am a fan of talk radio and do no talent. iread all the intelligent comments. there is a promblem in chicago radio.no more talent like years ago.i evan miss steve dahl.we need local fresh talent.some great local radio personalities ray hanania that guy sctt alan this guy is a throw back .i use to love the girl friends.oh well i give that morning show 6 weeks
Mario…did they teech spelin at thet skool in Lambard, too?
David Hernandez is going to jail for a long time. When does Mike North come clean?
I have a novel idea for a news program….how about some actual news.
Only 26% of Americans know how many votes it takes to break a filibuster in the Senate. Ony 32% know that ZERO Republicans voted for the Senate Health Bill. Only 59% of Americans know that China holds most of our debt!
The broadcast licenses need to be ripped from the claws of the corporations who present garbage and pass it off as news.
The corporate giants use the public’s airwaves, practically for free, and intentionally keep us misinformed, disinformed and underinformed while making billions of dollars in the process.
The average American cannot even explain the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act and the new FISA laws which effectively replaced the Constitution. The “News” media was too busy reporting on Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith.
Without an informed public democracy cannot exist.
Who’s Bruce Wolf??. Just asking.
What does Mike North, Mancow, Steve Cochran have in common?
Contrived, loudmouth, full of hot air and pompous. If, Chicago Radio/TV loses these people, it will be for the better,
James….don’t be mean. Anyone can have a bad dae/
People forget that Dan Jiggetts went to (and might have even graduated from) Harvard University, so he has to be a reasonably smart man. It makes sense that they’d give him the bigger role and let Mike North do the Arthur Godfrey on LSD live advertisements and otherwise linguistically channel the first Mayor Daley. What I don’t understand is who Terry Savage ticked off so that she’s stuck doing this thing, she should have enough money to not have to endure two hours of Mike North every day.
But it could be worse – if this was fifteen years ago, the hosts could have been Chet Coppock and former Detroit Pistons assistant coach Brendan Malone.
Not sure if you caught Nessita Kwan doing a live remote election night around 11:30pm,,,
She must not have had her hair/makeup person on-site. YIKES!!!
Mike Hegedus. Yummy yum yum
Morons in the Morning. And by the way B Levy, I didn’t even recognize Nesita Kwan last night. She was introduced and I thought they made a mistake. Of course, that was around Carol Marin panting and moaning like she was on the receiving end of a 1-800 call.
i give credit channel 2 is trying something new.i just do not think it is a everyday show.great for once a week. saturday mornings. the weather gal is a cutie.
Paul – I was hoping they were not going to ID her as Ms Kwan…It looked like she got called in to fill-in at the last minute
The funniest moment was Carole reading what she thought was breaking news re: Adlai’s request for a recount
After the sports show fails, I think they will bring back Captain Kangaroo.
I’m just shocked that so many people are up early enough to watch this show.
I’ll forgive Maura’s comments. Clearly she has been negatively affected from her prior work on Mancow’s show. I’ve tried to give Mancow a chance, but the show is just the worst. He has great people around him, but he just can’t help himself. 2 hours each morning and nothing to show for it. Mostly commercials and teases for what’s coming up next resulting in no payoff. When he actually has an interesting guest, he just keeps talking all over them. He also always finds it necessary to play dramatic music over every news clip. So exploitive, gratuitous, and obnoxious. Pat Cassidy gets walked on every day and has no self-respect. Grow a pair. So when Maura makes comments like “yummy”, that’s what you’d expect from somebody just paroled from the Mancow Mental Midget Show. Thank God for a certain entertaining podcast from a certain DJ no longer on the air.
Did the Monsters show reminded anyone else of the old Sportswriters on TV show minus the cigars?
I was looking for an update on the weather this morning and hit Channel 2 just in time to see Moron in the Morning North argue with Terry Savage and send several sprays of spittle in her direction. Caught very well on camera, just what I needed to see with my corn flakes.
i can not stand mike north. i want everybodys prediction how long that stupid show will last. i sure would not want my business sponsering mike north.
I used to watch channel 2 news in the morning.
I gave the show a try, really, I wanted it to be good but it was not and will never be with its current format.
The most entertaining part of Monsters the Morning are all the posts like these that call it for what it is! So entertaining to read. Mike North actually tried to con a prospective advertiser into spending $60,000 on the show as a sponsor… plus give his wife a CAR!. He promised how it would be a great program…cutting edge. And the reps at CBS predicted a 1.0 rating. It launched with a .3 and fell off from there. I would have hated to see my clients invest in this garbage much less put their name on anything having to do with this show. Mike doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about. He’s a slimy sales guy and CBS fell for it, AGAIN. I love when he tries to direct the cameraman…only ooops he’s on camera! And the spit flying! Yes lovely. Even better was when he stated that no one wants to pay money to watch teachers all day. They want to watch talented entertainment, like himself! I can assure you this program has cost WBBM overall PLENTY of revenue. I do feel sorry for the rest of the crew. They spend all their time trying to get Mike to shut up or covering his blunders and end up looking like goofs as well. Guilt by association I guess. IS that what they want in the twilight of the careers? What a horrible way to go-down the Mike North toilet. Last, I agree, Captain Kangaroo would certainly do better.
With all due respects to everyone on the desk at the new CBS2 Morning show, Dan Jiggetts was not only a former Chicago Bear, but is also a very well educated Harvard Grad, as is his daughter. So being able to quarterback the entire new program, I’m sure just comes naturally. Good Luck to CBS2! I hope your morning ratings climb just like your ten o’clock news. Thanks for being creative!
I’m ok with 3 of the 4. Mike North may pull the ratings south if they are like me and not watch it. He doesn’t fit in this venue, maybe on niche radio. We need a Bruce Wolf or any credible ex-Chicago sports figure for the 4th spot.
you ask 3 out 4 people if they like mike north.i did this at a business gathering this week. 12 people 11 made comments i can not repeat in this e-mail.1 thought he was ok.he ads nothing but stupidity.he would make a great car salesman.
OMG! Would you buy a car from him??
This new format SUCKS! If I wanted a round table discussion, I’d tune into Sunday mornings with George Stephanopoulos. ON ANOTHER NETWORK — which is where I’m tuning in now. This newscast has never been the same since we lost Randy Salerno. Barely gone 2 years, they attempted to change the players right after losing him. They got rid of Susan and Roseanne after Randy was lost and kept Ed and Kris. I was so happy that they had brought the team back after a year (and Roseanne having her baby) with Don S. I’m sorry you’ve lost me as a viewer — I’ve been watching a long time. Perhaps my opinion doesn’t matter, but I can only believe Chicago is not happy.
John Williams and Steve Bertrand are the best men on WGN radio. Now someone who obviously has no concept of talent has filled in the whole day with loud ranting people who have nothing to say. So now instead of having the radio on all day I listen to John and then turn it off until Steve comes on. I tired I really did but, I don’t like being yelled at by my radio. Ps love all you girls.
I agree with Jeffery L 1000%. Dump that biggeted, know-nothing, thinks he knows it all North and keep the rest. At least they have some integrity compared to North. Jiggets should work with his daughter. At least that would bring in someone with above an eighth graders mentallity to the show. Send North back to selling hotdogs on the street.
Maura Myles and Susan Carlson could be the next Kathy and Judy. Both are extremely cultured and intelligent in a goofy way. Maura seems to have a photographic memory and high social IQ. She has humorous insights; and as a well-traveled native Chicagoan, she self-deprecates the Chicagoland mindset in a classy way. As a person transplanted from New York, I find her very refreshing. Whenever I hear her, I say to myself, if only the David Broncocios and their Yaley NPR friends, who MAY be as intelligent, could be as genuine as Maura – and humorous in a light, but reflective way. I find them wonderful, twang and all! No dust or old architecture. Where is WGN on this? They are all-American perfect Chicago!