Health woes sideline a couple of morning stars
A midday bonus of Robservations on the media beat:
Eric Ferguson
- Eric Ferguson, top-rated morning personality at Bonneville International hot adult-contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9), surprised listeners Wednesday with news that he was taking off to undergo his second urgent heart surgery in three weeks. (He spent three days in the hospital last month for treatment of an irregular heart rhythm.) While Ferguson is out, filling in alongside “Eric & Kathy” partner Kathy Hart will be Kevin “Koz” Koske, afternoon host on the Mix. An upbeat Ferguson emailed me: “We’re going to get all of it this time!” [Update at 3 p.m. from Ferguson: "In recovery . . . feeling great.”] [Update at 6:30 p.m. from Ferguson: "Up and moving around . . . will be checking in to the show tomorrow, and back full strength Friday!"]
- Also on the medical beat, Jeanne Sparrow temporarily turned over hosting duties for “You & Me This Morning” on Weigel Broadcasting’s WCIU-Channel 26 to Melissa Forman while Sparrow recovers from upcoming surgery. “I’m taking a little time off to take care of some medical things, whatever,” Sparrow said on the air Wednesday. “I’ll be fine.” Forman, who previously hosted mornings on Clear Channel Radio adult contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9), told Sparrow: “I will try not to burn anything down and leave it in one piece. But I can’t guarantee the candy will still be here when you get back.”
- Talkers Magazine is out with its annual list of the “Heavy Hundred” — the top 100 talk show hosts in America. Topping the roster is the holy trinity of Premiere Radio Networks’ Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. The only Chicagoans to make the cut this year were Mancow Muller (at No. 14) and Roe Conn (at No. 72). Does the Talkers’ list really matter? Notes Tom Taylor, executive news editor of Radio-Info.com:
“The annual rankings do have real resonance in the talk radio community, where they may well help personalities get station clearances, or improve their existing clearances. Also, talk personalities may be — shall we say it? — a bit insecure and looking for a sense of their place in the firmament. It’s probably much the same way with actors, who watch the opening week grosses and salaries and “credit placement” in the movie ads. When you’re talking for three, four, five hours on the radio every day and knowing that your words just go off into the ether toward Mars, it’s nice to see some acknowledgement on paper, and see yourself in the rankings. And, being human, we all want to be higher on the ladder next time, right?”
- Bill Zwecker reports in his Sun-Times column that Oprah Winfrey will tape an interview Friday with movie critic and Chicago treasure Roger Ebert for airing “sometime next week.” Ebert is the subject of an absolutely must-read profile in the current issue of Esquire.
- Friday marks Harvey Wells’ last day as vice president and group station manager of Newsweb Radio, parent of progressive talk WCPT-AM (820), WCPY-FM (92.5), WCPT-FM (92.7) and WCPQ-FM (99.9), among others. Serving as interim general manager, effective Monday, will be general sales manager Jeff Chardell. “We are continuing our search for a permanent general manager,” Charlie Gross, Newsweb Radio president, told staffers in a memo. “We wish Harvey the best of luck as he enters the next phase of his career.”
blogs.vocalo.org
Get well to Eric and Jeanne.
Mancow at 14th? That’s generous and I don’t get it. But then again, it’s just another meaningless strokefest list.
Roger Ebert, you’re still the best film critic. Hang in there, we still need your help to navigating through all the cinematic dreck out there.
Wow, that Katie chick who comments here will be stoked about Melissa Forman getting a temporary gig on TV.
Is there anyway we can get Roger Ebert and Wally Phillips to host a show on WGN Radio? I miss Uncle Bobby and Spike.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! I CAN’T BELIEVE I’LL BE ABLE TO SEE THE SEMI-LOVELY MELISSA FORMAN EVERY MORNING ON TV! That is a dream come true. Its like I won the beauty and charm lottery! I have to go out and get two or three more TIVOs so I can capture every magical moment of the fab MF on TV. What will I get to see Melissa sell? Liposuction? Tooth enamels, Horse grooming? The possibilities are endless! This is the biggest thing to hit channel 26 since Angel Tompkins. Or maybe that day Jack Taylor did Stock Market Observer without a shirt on. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! I mean, I hope Jeanne gets well soon and all that, but not too soon. The joy of starting my day in bed watching the glory of Melissa Forman gets me tingly all over. And while they’re running those sitcoms, I can listen to that dreamy red hot Koz on The Mix. Kathy is NO Melissa Forman, but Koz is a cutie patootie. Thank you Mr. Feder, you have made my day!
It is so nice to see that Katie is in love…
WOW Katie, So that’s what an OOOOOOmgasm looks like.
who’s melissa forman?
I think melissa forman is the daughter of Wally Phillips.
Speedy Recovery to both Eric and Jeanne! I caught the tweet from Kathy (@ericandkathy) that Koz was filling in during the morning shift…Hope everything is ok with the guy! I <3 their show! :-)
I just watched a Youtube clip of Melissa Forman. I was instantly reminded that she’s quite annoying. She was kind of attractive at first and then she turned her head to the side and the overbite was ummm… let’s just say that if my beer wasn’t a twist-off, I’ve gotta blond bottle opener as a backup. Drink up, Katie!
I am trying to arrange with my friends at WCIU for Katie to pay a special surprise visit on the set to see Melissa in person. This visit will be the biggest thing to hit the airwaves since Marcia Brady almost got to see Davy Jones record an album.
Katie’s instructions from Miss Foreman include for her to bring the following:
1. Poster with Melissa’s picture (headshot only) and the words “President of the Melissa Foreman Fan Club”
2. A tray of Skittles, Melissa’s favorite candy
3. Pellegrino Water. It MUST be Pellegrino! Plus 3 lemons cut up into wedges.
4. A scented vanilla candle purchased from Bath and Body Works. Note that the candle must be made by Slatkin & Company.
Failure to comply with ALL four items will unfortunately result in a loss dream for Katie.
Mark-=
You are a nice guy for trying to do that! Let us know if it works out!
When this gig is over for Miss Foreman, can she take over for terry savage on monsters and money in the morning? Terry seems to be caught off guard every time the camera is on her and then she reads the copy as if she is constipated.
I tuned in to Limbaugh’s show for a few minutes last week. He was foaming at the mouth shouting that Global Climate Change is a con dreamed up by Al Gore to make millions of dollars. He sounded like an absolute lunatic.
Did the WLS new department take the time to correct this lie? Did they offer equal time for a rebuttal? Did they inform their audience that Rush’s show is entertainment only? Did they do ANYTHING to correct this gross disservice to the community?
There’s not a damn thing funny about a slow, painful and potentially violent mass die-off of most life on planet Earth.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/12/climate-change-copenhagen-monbiot
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0203-28.htm
This is a great day for you Katie, enjoy it!
OrpheusBALLOONedApolarbear says: “There’s not a damn thing funny about a slow, painful and potentially violent mass die-off of most life on planet Earth.”
Orphie, you are absolutely right. That wouldn’t be funny at all. But there’s not a cliff in Chicago high enough for you to take that first hilarious step… and quickly. But let us all know in advance. That would be must-see Youtube TV!
Ah, it’s been a wonderful balmy, snow-free winter in Chicago. OOOPS… my mistake. That’s only in Orphie’s world (padded cell). Science doesn’t lie. Well, maybe just this once.
Mr. Brockman, you are a wonderful writer! Keep up the good work.
Kent Brockman is the proud juvenile of the board operating under various names where he employs the high art admired by second graders everywhere of contorting other people’s names.
Additionally he displays his ignorance proudly by confusing weather with CLIMATE (oddly, a mistake not even made by second graders).
Lacking the facility to address a comment or question directly…you can bet Kent Brockman is a Rush listener for sure.
Katie – Sounds like you’d be interested in attending the Alexian Brothers Women’s Health Symposium – Melissa Foreman is the keynote speaker, at the Westin Chicago Northwest Hotel, Sat, Apr 10, 2010.
What about me? I started this name contortion thingy.
Oops. Did I just admit Oeagrus is not my real name?
At least Kent Brockman uses his real name. And I’ve always had the highest respect and admiration for this newsman.
He has proven himself to be accurate and trustworthy, handsome yet modest, and serious while animated.
Dooohn’t ever let the haters get to you Kent.
OrpheusMISSedBRONZE, I do listen and watch all media. A person can’t honestly critique something if they don’t at least sample it. (I know Mr. Feder does and he writes great columns.) You wouldn’t know anything about that because of your narrow views and sappy idealistic agenda. There are tons of radio stations in Chicago, but somehow there is nothing for poor little OrpheusAnnie to listen to. Boo hoo! The airwaves don’t owe you a damned thing. The FCC can’t force programming content on a station. “Oh, Air America is gone, what will we do??” Answer? Nothing.
I have liberal, conservative and moderate friends. Orphish, you give liberals a bad name. It’s been my personal experience that anyone with extreme views, left or right, are not happy unless they “have it all”. Ex., an atheist doesn’t have to believe in anything. But they aren’t happy unless they secularize all society. On the flipside, a hard right winger doesn’t seem to be happy unless everyone is evangelized and prayer is in every classroom. These are generalizations, of course. That said, you should be so freakin’ happy you live in a society with freedom to spout that nonsense from your gob. If you had to live in a world based on the views in your comments, you would cry and beg for better days and places.
Just so you know, no one takes you seriously. Personally, I enjoy reading your idiotic ramblings. They make for some damned good fodder and you should thank me. Ok, that’s enough attention for Orphink, you can weep in your pillow now.
“Now go get your shinebox!”
OeagrusGOOSedMe #19, you are hilarious! I owe you one. A beer at Moe’s? You’ll recognize me by my well coiffed mane and timber of the golden vocal chords.
Kent, you sound like a good fella.
Orpheus, not so much….sound like a erudite wannabe, listening only to “those with a right to an opinion.”
Katie (#4), stay in your lane.
You guys are sooooooooooooo nice. I am the happiest person on the face of the earth, and that’s not because I just finished two 40’s of Bud Light. My mornings are about to become magical, as the semi-lovely Melissa Forman and the cutie patootie Koz will fill my apartment with entertainment. I’m thinking of having a “Form-in” viewing party one day. We can watch Melissa and do our nails then get a spray tan just like she gets. Mayhe some highlights in our hair too. Oooooooooooh this is sooooooooo exciting!!
Bob Jones said:
“Is there anyway we can get Roger Ebert and Wally Phillips to host a show on WGN Radio? I miss Uncle Bobby and Spike”.
Your Ebert/Phillips dream team is short a physical being with Mr. Phillips’ passing. I wasn’t a fan of Wally Phillips (my dad and EVERYONE else was in Wally’s heyday) but I feel he was twice the radio entertainer that Uncle Bobby was and Spike is combined after hearing some of his old broadcasts. Bob Collins rode in on Wally’s huge coattails when Wally left his morning show.
Katie, I’m not a smart man, but I know what sarcasm is.
Will you marry me? You had me at 40’s.
By the way, hope the morning stars get better.
Who let all the RETARDS on the board? Does this mean Sarah Palin hates me too, now?
#26 can we dual for the right to ask for kaites hand in marriage? The 40’s was the best line in a long time!
Robert Thanks for posting the link to the article about Roger Ebert. It was great.
Brockman: If you were just a tad more perceptive (than a piece of silverware) you’d realize I’m working towards ensuring that the public airwaves are shared equally by all. There should even be shows that can capture your little mind. Only in your sheltered world can it possibly seem that people are satisfied with the state of free radio and t.v. Only in your sheltered world does it appear that everyone has a voice on the airwaves they own. When well presented, intelligent arguments appear to be incoherent ramblings and your incoherent ramblings appear to be well presented intelligent arguments you should probably regret not paying more attention in school.
Good Lord, “Katie” or whatever your name is. Put a period on it and move the hell on re: Forman. Your inane, repetitive blathering and not-very-clever attempts at sarcasm are annoying and reveal more about you than anyone.
This isn’t high school (or even junior high). What are you trying to prove, day after day after day…? Fine, you believe that Forman isn’t likeable or pretty or whatever…and therefore undeserving of her current gig.
Hot flash for ya – few of us give a flying fig so quit wasting everyone’s time.
Orph,
Radio is dying and becoming less relevant because more attention is paid to short-term ratings and ad revenue, and less is spent on actually building an audience. There’s very little diversity in musical genres or political opinion. Why did Air America fail? Was it because liberals don’t listen to the radio? Or was it because station owners simply didn’t give it a chance to succeed? Did they over-estimate the demand for their product, thinking they were going to approach the numbers of a Limbaugh or Hannity (and when it didn’t happen deem it a failure)? Conservative-leaning talk is big because it sells commercials. Since deregulation, stations have come under the ownership of just a few very large corporations, and their focus is on making their shareholders happy, not the listeners. At least with cable and the internet, one doesn’t need to rely, nor should one rely, on any one source to be well-informed.
And Katie, thanks for making me smile today!
@ Rev Pat.
I’m not the first person to point this out, of course, but it’s ironic to me that people like you, apparently, get your politically correct knickers in a twist when someone from the opposite side of the political fence call people on the carpet for using disparaging words and terms. But when the same thing happens from people you “like,” politically or otherwise, you give them a hypocritical pass.
You guys have to pick a lane – because in the event no one pulled you aside to tell you this: “retarded” is generally not an acceptable term anymore; no more than it would be acceptable to call a homosexual a “fag.” Either should, justifiably, call for a rebuke.
Consider that rebuke delivered.
Poor Dave, he is upset that Katie got some attention.
@ jealous
…a swing and a miss
Oh sweet OrpheusDUMPSalot, you had me at hello. How could I have been so misguided. You were right all along! My God, it was so stupid of me.
You know, when I woke up this morning, the grass was greener, the skies were bluer, and the birds sung your praises… “CUCKOO! CUCKOO!”
Dave, how clever!! let me try …a river runs deep. Wow, that was fun. How did you ever come up that baseball analogy? Damn, I cannot get over how clever your comeback was to me. You are an insanely brilliant man! Dave you are the man! I have tears in my eyes from laughing at your smart sayings (i.e. a flying fig..awesome!). How do you do it?
Tough as I am, the other commenters on this blog are beginning to frighten me.
Melissa will be a terrific fill-in host on WCIU. I hope it will lead to better things for her. She is a talented young woman.
It would be interesting to know if Eric’s and Jeanne’s employers have good healthcare coverage for their employees. Most people in this country don’t have any coverage at all. There are increasing numbers of people who are homeless/penniless/bankrupt/hopelessly in dept because of illness. In fact fear of this happening can make people sick and cause it to happen.
Farewell Harvey Wells – WCPT is the best voice on the air in town. Let’s hope that continues to be the case…. But a buffoon like Jeff Chardell (even as interim GM) is ridiculous! Surely the talent pool can’t be that thin.