They did the crimes. So why is WGN punishing us?
Friday was a good day for convicted felons at Tribune Co.: One turned up as a commentator on its television stations, and another landed a midday fill-in gig on its flagship radio station. Both acts showed the depths to which a once-great company has sunk under its current regime of cynicism and contempt for the audience.
Larry Mendte
On the TV side, the infamous Larry Mendte made his surprise debut on WGN-Channel 9’s 5 p.m. newscast with a commentary about Tiger Woods. Not since Jerry Springer stepped into a similar role 13 years ago has there been such horrendous miscasting on the local news. (The Springer fiasco, you’ll recall, cost WMAQ-Channel 5 the services of its two esteemed principal news anchors, Ron Magers and Carol Marin, and nearly wrecked the NBC-owned station.)
Mendte, 53, will always be remembered here as “Scary Larry,” the showboater who anchored and reported for WBBM-Channel 2 from 1991 to 1996. Suffice it to say that he represented the worst of the tabloid news era at the CBS-owned station, inspiring Chicago Tribune media critic James Warren to keep tabs on him in a weekly feature called “Mendte Watch.” “I apologize for not being boring,” Mendte told me years later. “I know you like that.”
Mendte showed his true colors as a journalist when he left Channel 2 to become the first co-host of “Access Hollywood” (alongside the equally qualified Giselle Fernandez). But all that was just a prelude to his performance of a lifetime as a criminal defendant in Philadelphia.
In 2008, Mendte pleaded guilty to illegally accessing the email of Alycia Lane while the two were anchors at Philadelphia’s KYW-TV. It was the culmination of a scandal that involved his breaking into her email more than 500 times and leaking embarrassing information about her to gossip columnists. Mendte acknowledged that he’d carried on “a flirtatious, unprofessional and improper relationship” with Lane while he was married to anchorwoman (and Channel 2 alum) Dawn Stensland. Lane reportedly told the FBI that Mendte bought her a platinum necklace from Tiffany’s, and that the two “had kissed approximately four to five times with a regularity of approximately once every three weeks; the relationship never got to the point of touching bodies.” After the relationship ended, Mendte apparently channeled his jealously and vindictiveness into illegal computer hacking. Although he could have been sentenced to five years in prison on the felony charge, he received six months of house arrest, three years probation and a fine.
Despite that baggage, Mendte was able to parlay his friendship with Bill Carey, a former co-worker at Channel 2 here, into a gig as a commentator at Tribune-owned WPIX-TV in New York (where Carey landed as news director after his own scandal at a station he headed in Tampa, Fla.). The deal calls for Mendte to do five pieces a week — “based on Larry’s unique take on topics that Larry chooses” — that are intended to air on Tribune stations nationwide.
What we witnessed on Friday was Mendte, dressed in a black leather coat, sauntering into a bar and expounding on the Tiger Woods scandal, which he observed was “like something out of a farcical comedy.” Not once did Mendte refer to his own brush with public disgrace or marital indiscretion. Instead, he smugly talked about how for men everywhere “the ‘what do you think of Tiger?’ question became the biggest trick question since ‘do I look fat in this dress?’ or ‘do you think my girlfriend is pretty?’ ” He then proposed that guys use code names to rate the attractiveness of Tiger’s mistresses when other women are around. (Here is the link to his commentary.)
How could “Chicago’s Very Own” justify airing such a horribly inappropriate spectacle from such a stunningly inappropriate source? Despite three inquiries Friday, Channel 9 officials refused to answer my questions or provide any comment whatsoever. Which leads me to surmise that they find it as indefensible as I do. It has all the earmarks of a corporate cram-down from Tribune Tower. (Channel 9 news director Greg Caputo did tell the Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal that he believed “viewers would appreciate the pieces.”)
But that’s not all.
James Laski
Friday also saw news/talk WGN-AM (720) pass over countless more qualified professionals so that another convicted felon, James Laski, could begin a fill-in stint for midday host John Williams. Laski, 56, who’s been free-lancing on weekends under program director Kevin “Pig Virus” Metheny, is the former city clerk of Chicago who served 11 months in a federal penitentiary for accepting bribes in exchange for steering business to personal and political friends. Unless you count his being picked up on wiretaps soliciting bribes, Laski’s prior radio experience was nil.
Setting aside his obvious deficiencies as a talk show host, what’s even more jaw-dropping is to hear Laski rail against public corruption and dishonest politicians, as he did during a monologue Friday about Mayor Daley’s plans to fill aldermanic vacancies.
Showcasing scoundrels like Mendte and Laski is emblematic of today’s Tribune Co. under the stewardship of CEO Randy Michaels, a radio reprobate and old crony of Sam Zell, who seems to show no regard for the legacy he was handed — or respect for Chicago viewers and listeners who expect and deserve a lot better.
blogs.vocalo.org
Larry Mendte and James Laski, what a pair of sleazebags and what profession embraces them as scions of wisdom in our hour of need? Why, good old broadcasting, of course, specifically, the Zell gang over at Tribune Tower. Will we see the TRIBUNE editorial writers or their compassionate columnists excoriating this pair of grifters and, more importantly, the company that issues their paychecks? That will be something we`ll have to keep an eye on.
Maybe Sam Zell can put Larry Mendte’s and James Laski’s ethics on display at the base of the Trib Tower; even combined with Zell’s poor judgement they shouldn’t take up much room.
Larry “Mental” was not popular when he was here in Chicago. I hope WGN
wakes up and relizes we want someone local. Many displaced Chicagoans watch
WGN in other cities. They know and want respected familiar faces.
. . . . .
James Laski did the crime and served the time. He is blunt in describing what
actually goes on at city hall. We have a financial disaster. He says that
Alderman are glorified janitors. We are the ONLY major city with 50 Aldermen.
We don’t need that many. As they retire we should split up the wards.
Or maybe mandatory retirement after 2 terms. He is an insider with nothing to
lose. He has talked about double and triple-dipping politicians that have no
cap on vacations days, have not taken ANY unpaid leave, have huge staff and waste
on “expenses.” He may not deliver it in a pretty package but it is REAL.
He is warning us about letting this cycle of waste repeat itself – over and over again.
You hit the nail on the head, as usual, Rob.
I enjoyed a great laugh by envisioning J. Edgar Hoover writing porn novels after reading: “[We} kissed approximately four to five times with a regularity of approximately once every three weeks.”
More and more the once great WGN a Brodcast Leader goes deeper into its pile of —— I am so happy I have learned how to work and Ipod and am seriously looking at Satalite Radio. Keep up the great work Greg and John, the only 2 worth listening to on gn
I liked the commentary from Mendte. i thought it was smart and funny.
Rob, what happened to you as a child that you have been so sanctimonious and hateful your entire career. The man obviously has talent and now he is trying to make a living.
Since you left it out, lets remember that Mendte’s reports on school bus safety changed laws in Illinois and his reports in Philadelphia re-lit the city’s eternal flame and raised millions for charity.
In short, he has done more good in his career with his platform that most in the media including you.
I love stories of redemption, stories of second chances and forgiveness. I will be cheering for Mendte.
WGN radio is slowly (well maybe not slowly) sinking into the sunset. Why Mr. Virus is selecting these losers, is beyond me. What used to be the ultimate radio station full of personalities has just turned into a zero. No wonder the ratings are as bad as they are.
Regarding Satellite Radio? Had it for 3 years now, its great. But do I still listen to the locals? Yep. Just not much AM anymore; not worth it. Better to get on the NPR (WBEZ) bandwagon!
Regarding Larry Mental? No real comment…he was a bore when he was WBBM then, he’s probably one now.
Good Morning, Mr. Wolf.
How could it be any more evident that its owner/managers despise the broadcast icon that is WGN and and all of its fans than when they hire a jerk like Scary?
I worked with the guy. In more than twenty-five years in the business, I have never seen a purported journalist be less respectful to his craft and the people he covered. Even the most obnoxious reporters presently on Chicago air find some ethical boundaries. This guy appeared to have two concerns: face time and the advancement of his careers. Facts, the pain of others, concern for the audience viewing their hype, meant zip.
I’m all for giving ex-cons a second chance. Sometimes, as may prove true in Mr. Laski’s case, they turn out to be pretty good snitches, providing inside information not available elsewhere.
In Scary’s case, a job cleaning toilets would have been generous enough.
I didn’t think anyone could ever kill WGN radio. Thanks, Randy for soiling another market. ..
Well, there is some good news for some of your readers, Rob.
Starting today, WGN-TV will offer iPhone users the ability to watch live streams of the station’s newscasts.
It’s the first Chicago station to offer such a service.
Viewers can click on the wgntv.com via their iPhone abd they will be able to click on a link that allows them to watch live streams of the following WGN newscasts:
WGN Morning News: 6-9 a.m.
WGN Midday News: 1 a.m.-1 p.m.
WGN Evening News: 5-6 p.m.
Thanks for letting me share some good news.
I worked with Mendte in Chicago and thought he was a trailblazer. All of the things he was doing – music, high production, clever live shots and standups – were criticized at the time, but copied now – even by the same people who criticized him. He told a great story and was always true to the facts – but he was also true to the medium.
As for his crime, he stood up in front of the world and admitted to what he did and took his punishment. Don’t you wish more would do just that?
So I am rooting for the guy. I think he is immensely talented. Now lets see what he has to say.
Zell and his Trib cronies are convinced that they’re giving the people what they want. They look down on their audience and hold its readers and viewers in contempt. Then they give them scum bags because they think that’s what will make them giggle. Stop expecting the Tribune to ever be or do any thing “great” again. It is tabloid all the way.
“Unless you count his being picked up on wiretaps soliciting bribes, Laski’s prior radio experience was nil”.
Beauty, Robert!
Will someone please buy WGN Radio? It needs to run by people who care.
Randy Micheals… Sam Zell… Kevin Metheny… These guys should consider starting up a wrecking company.
Once they finally flush WGN-Radio down the toilet, they can tear the building down. Just think of the possibilities for the location. You could put up a Karate School, Tanning Shop, Nail and Waxing Studio, and maybe a Dollar Store.
Any of these would generate more money than WGN-Radio and probably be as socially relevant.
@Karen Casey:
Yes, Chicago is the only city to have 50 members on the city council.
Except New York City has 51!
And if you knew a bit of Chicago history, you would know we once had 70 aldermen, two to a ward!
I heard Jarrett call Lake Shore Drive “Lake Shore road” this morning. I almost threw-up! Then he talked about how he couldn’t stay up to watch the end of the hockey game last night. The game ended at 8:30!! Next time he does some promo at the UC I hope he gets booed off the ice. Big John Howell sounds better all the time!!
Does WGN get some sort of grant or tax break for hiring convicts?
On the one hand, it may have initially seemed a good idea for WGN news to add some commentary. After all, there is much going on in this town. But then, ” The deal calls for Mendte to do five pieces a week — “based on Larry’s unique take on topics that Larry chooses” — that are intended to air on Tribune stations nationwide.” And what does he choose? “What do you think of Tiger Woods?”
One question for WGN — Are you f***ing serious? Please stop trying to make the news into Entertainment Tonight or Extra.
Mr. Feder:
Have you read Mr. Laski’s book? He certainly advances some interesting ideas.
Well, there is some good news for some of your readers, Rob.
————————-
Jeff, that would only count as good news if the product were worth putting out there on the web. It has been so-so lately. Election night was especially horrendous for you. Maybe a Randy Michaels influence?
I’m gonna give the Bozos at Tribune Tower some advice, Free of charge, cause they are also card carrying members of the local 7-11 clown union.
1st.. Put Larry Mendte on with Steve&Johnnie for web site Wednesday. His computer hacking skills would attract a younger demo and he could tell you the latest on spyware gadgets.
2ND.. Put Laski on the WGN Newscast’s as a commentator. Because Jim is a one trick pony on the Radio and is better suited bashing politicians on TV, Where his expertize of ripping off the taxpayers would create quit the buzz. Or maybe Jim could do a segment on prison etiquette tittled, “I’m Bubba’s Bit#h and he says I gotta purtty mouth”
WGN-AM has to do something to increase their share of the audience because their core demo of Adults 65+ is not favored by advertisers and those folks are dying too. So what to do? try something new or placate the old listeners that do not appeal to advertisers? It may take a while for WGN to reinvent itself and it may never happen but it would certainly sink if it was still Spike and all the other personalities that listeners hold so dear to their hearts. If you do not like WGN Radio move on and try something else. And who cares about Larry Mendte? He is some d-bag that gives a report, so what? It’s not like he did something so egregious like calling LSD, Lake Shore Road.
Mr. Feder:
Did you raise the same objections when Mr. Rostenkowski was a commentator a few years back that you are now raising to Mr. Laski?
“Maybe a Randy Michaels influence?”
I am under the influence of Mandom.
All the world loves a lover. See your yourself, Larry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLvMRhhnY6U
Television news is infested with undisclosed paid lobbyists masquerading as reporters and experts.
The Nation had an excellent piece documenting how virtually every network deceived its viewers by presenting compensated pr hacks as reliable sources.
A must read for anyone interested in how television news has become a propaganda factory:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100301/jones
Mr. Feder has an irrational vendetta against these two guys. I happen to know Larry and admire and respect his work. He publicly admitted what he did was wrong and has made many efforts to atone for what he did. Larry has done a lot of good for a lot of people before and after the email thing. Mr. Feder conveniently left that out–facts get in the way of his diatribe. Guess he doesn’t believe in second chances, or is it something personal?
Wait. This is just the beginning. I have heard rumours about Sleezy Larry’s upcoming work. It will make your toes curl. Fire up the Larry Watch, guys!
I just switched on WGN radio and Mr. Laski is on again. Need I say that I exercised my option–THE OFF BUTTON. He is so boring. Is he filling in the entire week for John Williams? Guess it’s off to a music station or NPR until this afternoon. The program directors at WGN have obviously lost their hearing and all common sense. I thought all of these changes were to attract younger listeners. I would venture a guess that WGN has managed to lose most listeners–young and old.
Is Bruce REALLY a finalist for the WIND sidekick job with Howell? What a unique position for such a talented guy if he gets it, although it is better than nothing. No wonder he has been so quiet lately. Good luck, Bruce. But very few will hear you!
I couldn’t agree with you more concerning Jim Laski. I heard him a bit in his overnight and wondered why WGN would hire him, but just turned him off. I am completely astounded that he is filling in all week for John Williams. Basically Laski has the same thing to say over and over and he is boring, boring, boring. I guess I’m an old-time WGN listener — approaching 60 — but it sure seems this management just wants to plus in interchangeable boring male radio hosts. They’re either yelling or droning on and on. Boy, do I miss the days of Uncle Bobby and Kathy and Judy and even Spike. They all had more personality in their little fingers than these guys.
I am very disappointed that Mr. Mendte wore a leather coat. I am more disappointed that WGN thought it was a good idea to air his commentary.
Except for Cubs games, I’m done with WGN radio. This station has gone down the toilet.
the funny thing is that the people commenting on the larry video on youtube seemed to like it and thought it was funny…i’m indifferent and dont really care what they air on tv news….i dont watch it.
Having convicted felons doing political commentary on the air is nothing new. G. Gordon Liddy has been a mainstay of right-wing hate-talk for years now.
I stopped watching TV years ago and don’t miss it. This fiasco with Mendte is one of the reasons that TV has become irrelevant in my life.
I turned to radio, especially WGN. I must congratulate the leaders of WGN radio for the fine job that they are doing in following in the footsteps of TV. I have no problem with hiring an ex-con but Laski has no talent and is boring. I can’t turn on the radio on the weekends because of the cast of untalented commentators (Lou and Dean excepted). If not for the Cubs and Hawks, I probably would be going more up and down the dial. WGN, the station Wally build and Randy ruined.
Yet another example of the “White Male” helping the “White Male!”
These are convicted FELONS!! They couldn’t even be Aldermen in the City of Chicago or get a job at McDonalds but yet WGN puts them on the air!
Where is AMY JACOBSON? Who is going to give that hard working reporter a break?
She did NOT commit a crime or even shake that guys hand. Yet she applied for nearly 50 TV reporting jobs and got nothing.
GENDER BIAS BULLSHIT!!!! I will not listen or watch WGN!
Well, WLS has Blago as an occasional fill-in. Hopefully he’ll soon join Mendte and Laski as fellow felons!
I generally have WGN on up to the end of John Williams’ show(s), but Laski on Friday was incredibly painful to listen to. I switched between a few other stations until the big press conference of an athlete I don’t care about in a sport that I don’t care about who got caught dipping his wick which I am unsurprised by and don’t care about was being covered by most of the non-music stations, at which point I settled on WXRT.
Friday was not a good day in Chicago radio.
i mentioned mark hoffman last week, mendte is one of mr. hoffmans gifts to chicago’s broadcasting legacy
They should replace the “Monsters and Money in the Morning” with 4 felons on and name the show Prison Break. I’ll bet the ratings will benefit Channel 2 and give the viewers some valuable insight into the minds of felons.
To Double Standard: You are clueless.
Jim Laski . . . what a joke! I’m all for second chances, but this man has no talent as a radio host. If he hadn’t been caught taking bribes, he’d probably still be taking them rather than ripping on all the current politicians. I’m tired of ALL of it! I listen to the radio for entertainment and I’m sure there are so many more capable people out there. They could start with some of the talented people they have fired or demoted in the past few months.
John is still one of my favorites, but I’m going to use this week to test out other stations. I’ m sure he won’t be around much longer. I miss Kathy and Judy … I miss the family feel of WGN … I miss Steve Bertrand, Wes and all the other talented news people who have been demoted or replaced.
If I didn’t know better (?), I’d think management was purposely TRYING to bring ‘GN down. But WHY?
I’ve been listening to Laski this morning. He has spent the last two hours talking about red light camera’s. The horse died an hour ago and he’s still beating it. Wow! WGN is really f—ed up. I am now listening to Nick Digilio’s podcasts. Hope I don’t run our before the weekend.
Kathy,
Your post makes me sad. Are you that lonely that you refer to the personalities on WGN as family? Yes, the goal of all managers is to destroy the business that pays their salary. Of course, WGN is trying to fail, so everyone connected with the station can be out of a job. Get a grip lady!! I miss Kathy and Judy? Seriously, you miss two babbling hags that treat their listeners as if they are mentally slow, you miss that? For the love of capitalism, WGN is trying to save the ship by dumping the talking heads that appeal to old people. Good grief this desire for the past is mind boggling.
Way to go Rob! Keep pounding WGN720. It is unbelievable what they have done to the radio station! With Greg the Buffoon, now Laski the Con, and let’s not forget Cochran the Shameless Shill, how much lower can they stoop? Oh wait…They put Mendte the Con on TV! The lows keep getting lower. The only saving grace is John Williams in the mid-morning slot.
So you think 8:30 is early to bed….actually it is very late for those who get up at 3:00 A.M.
“Radio Reprobate” Damn, you gotta love that term even if like ClearChannel.
Listen, I am 27 years old and I’m assuming I’m in WGN Radio’s target demographic. All I hear, most of the day, most of the week, is a bunch of old men whining about how things are changing! or kids these days! or blah blah blah. I am so sick of these old men! WGN please bring on someone younger!
Yet again, Nick Digilio, one of the “warhorses” of WGN who’s been doing yeoman work on weekends and fill-ins until recently, gets passed over for a good day job in favor of a no-talent. Maybe that’s why his persona has become ever more manic on his weekend night shows. He should have been given the Kathy & Judy slot as well as perhaps one weekend night gig. Or – can we hope? – he’ll eventually be given the Steve & Johnnie slot.
From an NBC release on Olympic ratings performance in the top 25 metered markets. It is interesting to note we are tied for last place.
TOP 25 METERED MARKETS (Nine-Day Average):
1. Milwaukee, 23.1/36
2. Denver, 23.0/38
3. Salt Lake City, 22.5/38
4. Seattle, 21.3/39
5. Minneapolis, 21.0/36
6. St. Louis, 19.9/31
7. Columbus, 19.7/31
8. San Diego, 19.2/32
9. Portland, 19.0/35
10. West Palm Beach, 18.9/28
11. Cleveland, 18.4/29
12. Nashville, 18.2/26
13. Kansas City, 18.0/27
14. Boston, 17.8/31
T15. Phoenix, 17.5/29
T15. Providence, 17.5/29
T17. Austin, 17.3/28
T17. Tulsa, 17.3/26
19. Washington, D.C., 17.2/28
T20. Sacramento, 17.1/31
T20. Cincinnati, 17.1/26
T20. Oklahoma City, 17.1/26
T20. Ft. Myers, 17.1/27
24. Richmond, 16.9/26
T25. Chicago, 16.7/27
T25. Indianapolis, 16.7/27
RE: ChiTownGal’s comments- right on! That would be a natural fit, and why it hasn’t happened yet is anybody’s guess. Nick has really been loyal to this station and paid his dues, and brings a younger demographic to his time slot for sure- exactly what WGN needs. He’s not to everyone’s liking, quirky, edgy, manic, but at least he’s original and NOT LAME! Steve and Johnnie have become unlistenable lame dinousaurs from the era WGN of the 70’s- some of their regular “features” now play like satire! Sometimes it’s hard to believe their talk is on major market radio, even if it is overnight. They should be doing their brownie recipies and Les Paul worship in Kansas City or the quad cities. How long can management continue this phony, folksy, boring programming? BTW, exactly how old IS Steve King and what is his real name?…
This is to Larry #51. Chicago is #25 out of 210 measured (rated) markets. Thus, this list means nothing. Although LA and NYC are not listed, they have more raw numbers of viewers than anyone on the list. A 23.1 HH Rtg in Milwaukee is good for Milwaukee but you cannot draw any conclusions from it.
The scum of the Earth have been running the TV news business for years now. So why shouldn’t Larry be employed? Bill Carey? Please. The guy assaulted a little Asian lady while in a drunk-driving stouper, ran from the scene and avoided jail and a lawsuit because his company paid off the victim. Two years later, he’s running a newsroom in New York and hiring Larry Mendte? Who with any integrity at all would want to work in a business that ok’s this type of scum and their behavior? Not me.
Let’s see…Scary admitted what he did? Yes, after he got caught and the story was already out there. And he confessed, I’m sure, on the advice of his attorney who probably told him he would wind up with a lighter sentence if he gave it up.
That’s not good ethics or morals. That just means he was streetwise enough to pay attention to his lawyer.
But let’s be clear, here. The broad he hacked is no winner herself. If I’m not mistaken, she was accused of punching out a female NYC cop, wasn’t she?
And something else to make no mistake about: unless there is some kind of goat or little boy scandal, or the transmitter burns to the ground, WGN radio could broadcast the sound of water dripping from a faucet 24/7 and still keep a significant market share. Too many people leave it on in the background. They don’t care who the personalities are or what they say…it’s all white noise to them.
And it’s all white trash to me.
How about WGN radio’s recent election coverage that included Jim Laski and Scott Fawell sitting alongside Paul Green? What a travesty and an insult to Professor Green. WGN used to have such high quality hosts; now, they are scraping the bottom of the barrel with their new so called talent.
Mr. Feder, excellent article. You call ‘em as you sees ‘em. Love it!
That Mendte video piece about Tiger was super lame. I’m not a puritan and love funny segments. But his persona was just slimy and cornball in this piece. I agree with other comments about the leather coat, the bar and “cool guy” thing, and the whole iMovie production value, just blah. He’s trying too hard. Drinking and tellin’ us a story… “of all the gin joints… ” I think Bruce Wolf would have had more fun with that Tiger bit.
Laski… I gave him a short listen. I’m sure others will too. And then he’ll be gone. I don’t get the whole Nick D worship that some people have for him. He’s not the answer either.
WGN’s new lineup: Laski, Mendte, Blago and Rosty… “Traffic, Weather and Incarcerations on the 9’s”.
Rosty, oh Rosty! Where for art thou, Rosty??
Didn’t Channel 9 use Scott Falwell, another convicted fellon, during it’s election night coverage? Thank goodness for Tom Skilling, oh wait isn’t he related to a convicted…oh never mind.
To James D. Your comment almost makes me use words that I will never put in print.
People care who in on GN. my generation looks for a few stable things, and GN has always been one of them. Now GN is from Midnight till 1:00 PM any more crap will cause me to listen to less
Gee, remember the uproar when the late Bob Wall tried to return to his WGCI radio show after the incident with his wife and the baby sitter? Gee, times sure change with Jim Laski and Larry Mendte getting gigs. And I for one am proud to be a fan of Steve and Johnny. For late, late night chat, discussion of news and current events, and live musical performances, they are second to none. I like a live show with the hosts being themselves. In many ways, they remind me of the old Steve and Garry shows except with good humor and concern and respect for their listeners and without the goofy Hawaiian music or Steve yelling at Jim Johnson or Leslie Keiling or sarcasm about Wally or Kup. And Nick DiGiglio is best when he mocks a slick talkin’ rock jock, the only character he seems to be able to do since he repeats it over and over endlessly. Otherwise, NickD seems to be unable to discuss current issues or events or relate to regular folks except his buddies who call in and chat about horror movies or movies he hates or movies he watched on cable for the bad acting or movies he mocks. What do folks prefer, listening to tape delays of sports talk with Dan Patrick followed by Les Grobstein on the Score? Or the endless repetitive news headlines botched up by David Roe on BBM? Or discussions of life on Mars with George Noory on LS? Rock on Steve and Johnny!
Dr. Frateschi:
You could choose to listen to BBC World Service on WBEZ, or “Through the Night” with Peter Van De Graaff on WFMT, or whatever WXRT offers overnight, or, if you have Internet access handy, all manner of things. My favorite when I am up at that hour is “Today” on BBC Radio 4.
hi mike north was more brutal as always.that laske was boring
I think that Eddie Schwartz is looking down on what’s happening at WGN, and thinking, ” What the heck is going on?!!!”
What a shame!
Doesn’t WGN have one halfway coherent producer who they can put on to sub for John Williams? Not one?? Part of their problem is that their evening schedule does not move well to daytime – David Kaplan is presumably busy, Milt is Milt, Steve/Johnnie are married to overnights (pun intended). But they have zero bench. Still, they have a guy in house in Jim Wiser who is reasonably intelligent and knows what to do with air time. Stick him on the air if they have to do so. Or stick Bill Leff out there. But better yet, develop some freaking talent.
Look at the all-sports stations. There is always a young executive producer or field reporter who gets vetted out on the weekends for a while and then is used as a guest host during the day. Carmen DiFalco and Dan Bernstein both came up this path, and are both drive time hosts today. (Bernstein’s original Sunday early morning show was amazingly good and very different from his current show.) My god, Jason Goff started out as a CALLER, much like Stan Lawrence did calling Steve & Garry back in the day.
Is WGN really this inept, this bereft of interns and producers and young reporters or even interesting callers, that they can’t find two 20-somethings to stick in there for a week when John Williams is on vacation and see if they have any chemistry?
@Larry: Those numbers you posted are household overnight ratings ranked out of 56 metered markets, which NBC took only the top 25. Thus, Chicago and Indy were basically in the middle of the pack and not in last place.
laski is as much chicago as jarrett is non chicago. i like a home town feel but i can do without laski screaming like hes standing in a bridgeport alley and the dis, dems and thoes. bertrand can hold his own with the rest of them but he got relagated to nights. he must have pissed someone off. what a shame for such a talent and nice guy. did someone say that laski is a nice guy and give him a chance? he had a chance to be a good alderman and could of ridden off into the blue sunset but he couldnt keep his hand out of our pockets. i think we can scout talent some place other than the half way houses.
Dr.Frateschi: just to re-evaulate my opinion, I tuned into Steve and Johnny to give ‘em a second chance, and to see if your opinion might change my mind or there show would verify my own thoughts. Tonight’s program was devoted to…surprise…OLD COMIC BOOKS. Yet again. Fascinating topic…snore. Nothing’s changed there-incredible. Who cares about old comic books except Steve King? And I’ve learned that Steve “King” took his radio last name after Elvis Presley, The King of Rock and Roll. Seriously. That’s the kind of programming and honest host that’s “second to none”? You must be right in their target market/demographic!
Updated: I left the radio on WGN tonight, and after the few hours of comic book talk, guess what they followed up with? I swear this is true, others can confirm: they called that clueless old bat up in Alaska yet again, and let her yak on and on and on! About nothing of any interest! Incredible. Typical Steve and Johnny at their lamest. Comic book talk followed by an old lady in Alaska with nothing really to say. That boring drivel is what you consider interesting or good radio?
truthscreamer, exactly! They are true to themselves and are having fun. They aren’t phony or doing a format. You would probably be happier listening to B96 raps or to BEZ discussing problems in the Greek economy or to Lady Gaga on your Ipod. That is great too.
Steve and Johhny are at their comic best when they whisper on the radio and call the listeners “kids”. Oh, they are so talented. Dr. Larry you are right about the talent of S&J.
Dr.Frateschi: No, I’m sorry, your pathetic attempts to peg me as B96 or BEZ listener to boost your own opinions have sadly backfired. I’m not a teenager, and I’m not a 70+ year old retiree who enjoys Steve and Johnny’s “playing radio, kids” happy happy talk and safe, good old fashioned, clean, fun. I’m an adult right in the middle demographic who wrote off WGN’s overnight programming because of their incredibly lame, predictable, safe, boring show. I want to hear somebody fresh and different, not some guitar and comic book obsessed relic from the 1950’s and his phony, terminally happy, admitted former teacher’s pet, Pollyanna wife. It seems as though WGN’s program director and the rest of management are fast asleep at those hours, focused on the cash cow morning and afternoon drive slots, and have no idea how stupid and stale their host’s shows actually are (and have been for seemingly decades), and what they’re doing overnights. I couldn’t believe it when I listened in last night to see what it was they’re up to nowadays, what you enjoy listening to Larry, and I got hours of comic book talk and a lady from Alaska rambling on unchecked on a 50,000 watt powerhouse. As I said, almost a parody or unintended satire!
truthdreamer, Ambien and scotch. you’ll feel better.
Dr. Larry – You nailed it by saying “Steve and Johnnie don’t follow a format!” They need one desperately. The massive hours they’re on the air reaks of rambling and lack of format. They need fewer hours to hone well-topiced programs. But, who’s to blame them. If you were expected to talk for some six hours a night, you’d ramble too. But wait! They’re actually getting paid to talk!! They need a format and to stay focused on a listenable topic. They don’t! You hear them as “having fun” – I hear them as “wasting the airwaves while taking home a check. While I respect their longevity in the business, they’re losing respect as they babble on and on. They’ve said it all. Time to be offered the gold watch and retire.