Poker party ‘desecrates’ Tribune Tower shrine
Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels (far right) at the start of "Poker Night"
Photos published on Facebook show top executives of Tribune Co. — led by CEO Randy Michaels — at a gambling, drinking and smoking party in the palatial Tribune Tower office once occupied by the company’s patriarch, Col. Robert R. McCormick.
“We are in the office of the guy who ran the company from the 1920s to 1955 — it’s normally a shrine,” wrote John D. Phillips, the Tribune Tower building manager who posted the photos. “We pretty much desecrated it with gambling, booze and cigars. Good thing we know the guy who runs the building!”
Randy Michaels and Kevin Metheny
Among those identified in the photos with Michaels were Lee Abrams, senior vice president and chief innovation officer of Tribune Co., Marc Chase, president of Tribune Interactive, and Kevin “Pig Virus” Metheny, program director of Tribune news/talk WGN-AM (720). One of the photos shows Chase and Metheny holding large wads of cash.
Kevin Metheny and Marc Chase
“We broke every rule in the building,” Phillips bragged, also noting: “I particularly liked covering the smoke detectors with Saran Wrap.” According to his account, Texas Hold ’Em was played and Scotch was served. Phillips wrote that his wife, Betsy, also a Tribune Co. employee seen in the photos, “won the whole night!” It’s not specified when the event occurred, but the photos on Phillips’ Facebook page are dated June 17, 2009.
Phillips is a former Cincinnati radio traffic reporter who was among about two dozen former Jacor and Clear Channel associates Michaels hired at Tribune Co. since Sam Zell took the company private in a leveraged buyout in 2007. While continuing to operate under bankruptcy protection, Tribune Co. disclosed plans last week for a third round of executive bonuses, bringing the total to more than $72 million.
Colonel McCormick’s 24th floor Tribune Tower sanctum is clearly identifiable in the photos, including the ornate fireplace, oak paneling and hardwood floor from which the legendary media mogul lorded over his Chicago-based empire for three decades.
blogs.vocalo.org
Well, if it HAD to be dececrated, at least it was done by a group of people with taste and refinement, people with values…..WHAT A BUNCH OF ***HOLES!!!!
Can I just say “who cares?” God forbid people have some fun once in a while! Someone’s old office is not a shrine, it’s an old office, and probably the best room to hold the event. Good for them. Considering the newspaper business is circling the toilet bowl, leave these people alone, let them have fun and spend your time trying to find some fun of your own. Life is too short to waste it being pissed that others are doing things you wish you were a part of.
on the bright side maybe they can all get fired now. malfeasance of funds or something old man potter would say.
Everything and everyone is gross now.
Whoa! Talk about a room full of jerks! Interesting look into who these idiots are, and how they act behind closed doors, how they think of themselves- it’s fantastic that these photos leaked out.
So many people in theses photos are so morbidly obese (i.e., fat) – Michaels, especially. What is it about radio people anyway? Broadcast radio is on its last legs and from the looks of these people, most of them won’t be around for it.
“Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.” – Dean Wormer
While Rome burns…
While Rome burns…which is another way of saying these mopes are playing cards and boozing it up while their product becomes more irrelevant by the day.
Col. McCormick would probably enjoy the iconoclasm.
Here is a man, after all, who when there were 48 states, flew an American flag with only 47 stars to protest something Rhode Island had done.
This was a man who invented his own phonetic spelling for Tribune reporters (“tho” instead of “though”?). Can you imagine the memo coming down from on high over that one! The blogosphere would have gone crazy over that.
This was a guy who had the chutzpah to name his radio station after his newspaper’s self-congratulatory motto, “World’s Greatest Newspaper.”
I can’t wait for Tribune Tower to go condo. With all units for smokers only.
Disgusting!
There is absolutely nothing sacred about that room, so party on!
On a serious note, I have personally witnessed multiple instances where Tribune editors ran with obviously manufactured or grossly inaccurate (e.g., made up; fake) news stories. Here are two examples.
One story involves a legendary jazz musician; the other instance involves a former elected official. Both instances took place around 2005.
In the case of the jazz musician, the reviewer said he was playing a clarinet, when it was obviously a brass soprano saxophone. What really floored me was when the reviewer used the term “range of the clarinet” in the story. I was shocked that made it to print. This story was probably written by an CLUELESS INTERN instead of the actual critic. This story is still in pint. :)
In the case of the elected official, they decided to publish the most unflattering photo out of the batch. The photographer shot approximately 50 photos in burst mode and the Trib ran with the most distorted photo they could find. Not cool or honest. I know because I was standing right behind the photographer as he scrolled through his images (on a Nikon D1), just before heading back to the tower. Most of the images he shot were actually very flattering, but the Trib opted for the worst. You can make ANYONE look unflattering when you shoot in burst mode (people blink, etc.)
Totally true and totally uncool.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it…in the “shrine.”
Lotta diversity in that management crowd.
Well now you really see the character of the people running the Tribune and related companies. They have no respect for the heritage of the company and no respect for the law. Last time I checked, smoking is prohibited in all buildings in Illinois, except private residences. Gambling and wagering is also prohibited by law. And based upon the wad of cash being flashed, this was a bit more than penny ante stakes. And this is a minor point, but most companies don’t serve liquor to employees on company property. The potential liability is too great.
Oh well. I don’t buy the Tribune and WGN has been turned off since the beginning of the year. These clowns can run the heritage of a formerly great company into the ground for all I care.
Gotta love Facebook.
They might as well do to the office what they have done to the paper.
It’s heartening to see that Tribune execs are maintaining their weight during these tough economic times. “An army marches on its stomach,” Napoleon said.
An eager public awaits photos of lap dancing out at Cantigny.
How embarassing. From a business perspective, what a bunch of morons.
Wow…not only was it a stupid idea to hold an in-your-face party in the office of the man who created the very business that employs these people, and not only was it a stupid idea to brag about it on Facebook, given the state of their business and the media economy in general…but who does a Texas Hold ‘Em party anymore? Lame.
As one who spends his days lamenting the decline of respect and civility in this world, I suggest that you need not look further than the examples set for us by those responsible for “degreasing palms”. How sad.
It’s their space. Like it or not these are media people who, just my guess, understood the significance of that room and thought it a cool thing. I doubt they meant disrespect. No harm, no foul.
Wow–as I have said before–radio people are not usually pretty people. However, what the boss chooses to do in his office is pretty much up to him as long as it’s not illegal. I’m surprised that Randy can sit up to his desk to conduct business. The Trib must offer a generous health plan. As for desecrating the office, I believe it is none of our business.
Meanwhile, they ousted 3 award-winning employees from WGN-TV last week…and a day or so later I read of the executive bonuses. Shameful.
I’m guessing this has been going on since the company was founded. A few perks should come with managing a great company that people look up to. Difference here is, It’s no longer a great company that people look up to and they didn’t even try to hide the fact they’re partying while the ship is sinking. Not much self-respect there.
I remember when Tribune executives were stuffy, North Shore types. What a bunch of jerks these guys are! When a number of laws are being broken (smoking in a public building, gambling, etc.), is it wise to post these photos on Facebook? They’re acting like a bunch of teenagers who vandalize a place, then take photos and post them on the net. Grow up, people.
Can you imagine the party they’re gonna have when they receive the bonuses they want?
Poor judgment and behavior, particularly given their high profile situation/predicament. Says a lot about the corporate culture at the Tribune.
is that the shadow of Col. McCormick(on the wall) in the third picture where the cash is being counted by Mr. Metheny and Mr. Chase? Col. McCormick’s office for those who worked at the tribune was a sacred place, and an honor for those who were able to enter it….at least Mr. Metheny et.al have not moved into it as their offices…..
Well, considering there’s a hidden panel in that room that reveals a hidden staircase up to the place where the Colonel’s girlfriend stayed…
Feder – you’ve finally gone off the deep end. So what if the various managers want to get to know each other and hang out on their own time? Last I checked, the Trib Tower is not a church, so there’s nothing to “desecrate.” Get over yourself!
So this John Phillips guy goes from being a traffic reporter in Cincinnati to the Tribune’s building manager? Natural transition. Obviously a bright boy.
Um, isn’t gambling technically illegal? Nice documentation for the cops.
I am shocked, shocked, to see gambling going on in these premises.
I am just glad that they didnt show Garry meier in a tux dealing cards. Let him have some dignity, even if he is lousy alone on the radio.
Who cares? Nothing is sacred… not even a fancy room.
Has anyone been out to Cantigny and checked if Coloniel McCormick rolled over in his grave?
I LOVE it – this is what Chicagoans are all about! Honestly, I see this and it makes me proud. Come on guys – we’re CHICAGOANS – i.e. NOTHING is sacred and life is just one big bacanal! I’m glad they did it and I’m surprised at how many of you are so uptight about it — I thought you were my people.
john phillips a bright boy? he’d be standing in the unemployment line if he worked for me. posting those pics has got to be the most stupid thing anyone could of done. 2nd most stupid thing…holding the poker party was the most stupid.
Has anybody investigated this judge who keeps letting these lardbottomed disc jockeys loot the company with bonuses?
Shrine? It’s just a room. And it’s not a government building, so why should anyone care but the CEO of the Tribune company? Looks like the worst thing they did is cover the fire alarms.
Newspapers were better when smoking and drinking went on in the building
Did they really “desecrate” it? That was a poor choice of words. They might have stunk it up a bit with those cigars. Hardly a desecration though.
Someone correct me, but wasn’t the Tribune in the heyday of Col. McCormick a place where smoking and drinking booze occurred in the newsroom round the clock?
And for that matter, by even the nicest accounts, I haven’t heard anything about Col. McCormick that doesn’t portray him as being an even bigger egotistical asshole than Randy Michaels and Sam Zell combined!
Seems to me the “shrine” was well used in this situation.
Notice that Benjamin Humel (Randy Michaels) has not changed one bit. This is a typical stunt by this clown. It appears in the picture that he needs to step away from the dinner table now and then! Also in the article it mentioned one of his worshipers from Cincinnati, Mr. John Phillips. I remember when John was a helicopter traffic reporter for a radio station in Cincinnati. He was cited one time for shooting ground hogs from the air. That show how smart this guy was, but hey, that fits in well with Randy Michael circus!
Gambling is illegal. Smoking in the building is illegal. Covering the smoke detectors is illegal. If the Ricketts family and the Wirtz family are smart they’ll bolt this sinking ship for a station that wants them.
Funny you post this Rob, because if you’ve seen WFLD’s new promos for “The Office” HR Rep Toby Flenderson tells Michael Scott “We’re reeeeeealy not supposed to serve alcohol” in which Michael replies “ZIP IT TOBY! it’s a party!” how much are you willing to wager Michaels bought himself a “World’s greatest boss” mug across the street at the NBC store? Any chance Jolene Bennett of Sabre is going to buy Tribune Co. too? LOL!
I don’t see a problem with the poker night. One company I worked for used to have a white water rafting trip, and another had a kitchen and pool table and a fridge stocked with beer. We work hard, we deserve to let our hair down. Lighten up people. The newspaper business is tough now.
Give me a break, WHO CARES. Tribune management having fun letting lose. At least they are not flying to the Arizona Biltmore for massages and high priced wine like our banks and insurance companies do. At least they are all hanging together having fun as a team. It is an empty office that has not been occupied in over 50 years, why does anyone give a damn.
My family and I enjoy a party. Does anyone care?
“Give me a break, WHO CARES. Tribune management having fun letting lose.”
last word of your sentence says it all.
Are these photos admissible evidence in the Tribune bankruptcy proceedings?
– MrJM
I agree that they we are all entitled to enjoy ourselves but what irritates me more than anything is the arrogance of these people who seem to think that they are above the rules as they continue to dismantle WGN radio as we once knew it.
Up above, A. Listener said:
A. Listener #
06.03.2010 08:24
“Feder – you’ve finally gone off the deep end. So what if the various managers want to get to know each other and hang out on their own time? Last I checked, the Trib Tower is not a church, so there’s nothing to “desecrate.” Get over yourself!”
There is no problem getting to know one another on your own time. However, following the law should be a given, ESPECIALLY if you do it in your workplace building. What laws were broken in there? 1. Illegal Gambling 2. smoking in a public building 3. Covering smoke detectors with saran wrap.
There SHOULD be a law that states if you are in or have filed bankruptcy, there are NO bonuses to be paid.
It is a bunch of men and women who work for a company having fun. Obviously not spending company money on fancy dinners or flying around in private planes. Anyone who finds these pictures disturbing is bitter and disgruntled.
Reminds me of Nero playing fiddle as Rome burns!
So, this is what they LIKE to do – while media is what they get away with doing. It’s in very poor taste. I could accept this better as some sort of charity fund-raising event. Chicago has spent years trying to devolve from its roaring ’20s reputation for shady ‘backrooms’. Law breaking and code violations aside, your the f’n TRIBUNE COMPANY and you’re not helping me restore my trust in you!
Covering the smoke detectors is illegal! According to the state & local ordances, smoking in a public (which this is) building is illegal. Hosting a private party for the expressed purpose of gambling is illegal. Of course we all know that Randy Michaels is above the law.
I have no problem with the trib higher-up having a party like this, but you need to have it at the appropriate place and the office is not that place. They could have chartered a boat and had the same ammount of fun, maybe more. How many drove home after having a few drinks? Something to think about.
Someone has a poker party and it’s “news”?
uh, if you delete my previous post, try this……
shame on those folks for having a good time while there are hungry people out there
Is this a bad time to mention all the hookers we watch them bring in?
I gotta agree on those who say “who cares?”. Leadership folks understand the need for team-building events (the merits of his particular team can be debated elsewhere). Plus, they likely did it for a heck of a lot cheaper in-house as opposed to renting a room off-site. If you told me they were handed a grand each from Trib coffers and allowed to keep winnings, then I may be critical of how they’re spending money they don’t have. Otherwise, let’s put this in the “Around Town” section next time. :)
When you have good books, who cares. When you DON’T have the PPM ratings this fall, new story.
At least the urinal is still on the wall.
I don’t really care what some big wigs do in their fancy clubroom…if they want to trash their frat house that’s fine with me. But I don’t understand how they can ethically operate under bankruptcy protection, and still hand out hefty bonuses. If these photos and this story are legitimate, it’s clear why the newspaper industry is suffering. It’s sad that journalists and other talented people lose jobs or can’t find work, all because the people running the organizations are more concerned with patting each other on the ass, than with finding innovative ways to adapt to changing times and new technology.
Isn’t that a violation of the state’s Indoor Smoking Act, since it IS an office building? Arrest every single one of them.
Teacher! Teacher! Those boys were talking while you were out of the classroom!
When I worked at the Trib many decades ago reporters and editors smoked and drank in the newsroom. The photogs played cards in their room. On the third floor composition room, one of the printers also booked sports bets. What’s changed? The action has just moved up the tower to the Colonel’s sanctum sanctorum.
awesome @old newsman
Breaking news: it turns out that this was a weight watchers meeting at the Trib.
Did Mr. Michaels legally change his name?
I’m surprised the Tribune didn’t put his real name, Benjamin Homel, in parentheses on the official press release? Randy Michaels sounds like a real name.
“Randy ‘Ace’ Michaels Rockin’ the house!” does sound much better, however.
Also, they would have a LOT more cash for gambling if the Tribune used WordPress, instead of the other platform for all of their blogs. Vocalo has it right.
WordCamp Chicago is this weekend, bloggers!
Looks like a confederation of douchebags to me.
I’m surprised Steve and Johnnie did not have one of their “terrific” guitar-playing pals perfomr a set, and Greg Jarrett was not doing his show remote from the event. Must have been hard for Michaels and Pig Virus/Vomit to have played cards given neither is dealing with a full deck.
Seriously…how is this an issue? They wanted to throw a party and they did. Move on. Good God.
“God forbid people have some fun once in a while! Someone’s old office is not a shrine, it’s an old office, and probably the best room to hold the event. Good for them.” Eh? What’s that you say? COuld not hear you as I was wretching over the toilet while reading this effluent ridiculousness. Nero come to mind? A really big, really fat, Nero? This guy presided over the layoffs of scores of talented journalists and stories that really need to be brought to light in Chicago and beyond are allowed to fester, along with those who are being fleeced, because these cheese fries and beer-bloated idiots decided to play poker. Did Randy Michaels EAT Chicago? Looks like he did. Watch out Moline! He’s coming for you next. What a fat, jowly, overindulgent spectacle of disgrace. They are not American!
This just in, I clicked on the link in Robert’s article and the content (pictures) is currently unavailable. Go figure. I’m glad Mr Feder got them while he could.
Did any of this cost taxpayers money? If not, who cares what they do…ever.
Looks like Mr. Michaels needs to see Jenny Craig and maybe get a pair of jeans to fit that fat ass of his. Pig Vomit…enough said there. Amazing Greg Jarrett and S&J weren’t there to hold court. FOSSILS! Tribune going to a hell in a handbasket sort of way. Oh well.
Lee Abrams and Randy Michaels trying to decide whether to play the cards or eat them.
So THAT’S where my bonus went.
@College of Coaches – So True! You made me laugh…
So THAT’s where my JOB went… To all the people who don’t see how this is a big deal… Playing poker and having fun is not the issue. Hundreds of people lost their jobs so these assholes could get fat (quite literally, jeez) and dismantle once great news organizations. Even if you have your snarky comments about journalists, keep in mind these are still people who are trying to make their next house payment, raise their kids and put food on the table. Next time there is a crisis in your town or some crooked politician decides to use your tax money to finance his or her next vacation to the Bahamas, think about that. If reporters are gone, who do you think will bring you the information on where to get help or uncover the scam and keep the next guy from doing the same thing? Do you think little gremlins come out of the woodwork and put that information together??
@former employee…
You are absolutely right about what we have lost in journalism. But these fat cats did not kill the newspaper. The internet did; and a market economy where everyone wants information for free. The fat cats are feeding on the last of it as it goes down. Could better people have created a lasting paper? Perhaps. I assumed that there were all levels of people at this casino night, and if indeed it is just the non-journalists, then I understand the anger. I want nothing more than for the reporters to find a place and for our citizens to realize why our country needs to support real objective journalism.
@Robin
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. However, I think there is a widespread, but erroneous, belief out there that says “the Internet” is killing newspapers. Granted, the rise of “free” information on the Internet has contributed to the decline of print journalism, however, newspaper staffs are still the source of much of the news people read online. Yahoo doesn’t have reporters. Google doesn’t have reporters. They certainly don’t have bureaus in Baghdad and Kabul staffed with brave individuals working under extreme conditions of duress gathering the news. You are right, however, when you say there is a culture out there that feels that all the information they read should be free. That’s truly unfortunate and has impacted more than just journalism. The precipitous decline of the old ad-based revenue model for newspapers has also contributed to the problems. However, if you examine how these clowns have “managed” the Tribune company and the many properties they own, you might agree that they are in large part responsible for it’s decline. Many other news organizations have weathered the dismal economy of the past few years and still managed to maintain the quality of their “products.”
McCormick probably did a lot worse in the place. They are reporters for Godsake! Business as usual.
The issue isn’t that the internet killed the papers and TV. that’s true. The issue is that these pretenders love to scream “innovation” when they innovate nothing. They like to do a lot of stupid shit and then declare victories. The Florida TV station (Lee’s pet project) has a zero point zero rating in the morning. Big win. All their new TV commercials/promos they’re finally making by themselves look exactly like the old traditional TV stuff that’s been around. All that’s new is Lee’s weekly declarations of how cool they are, and the you tube videos from bands that he points out. Trouble is, the bands created the cool videos (the OK GO treadmill video, etc), Lee didn’t. These bloat-hards have a lot to show us after they declared that everyone before them in TV is stupid. Now when the rubber meets the road, they are making the same shit as those who came before. The only differences are that THEY are starring in their own commercials (VP Lee Abrams squeezes into a white lab coat to crow about the $100,000 bank vault contest-followed by a pukey DJ voiceover from another old Jacor pal-which BTW ain’t innovation, it’s a tired radio contest. #Fail. Or VP Marc Chase dressed up as a security guard to host the movies with a sexy girl. That’s so new and different! What other VP’s in this poker room don’t yet have their own shows? It’s ain’t innovation, it’s the executives playing in the electronic sandbox. While in Bankruptcy. While giving themselves tens of millions in bonuses. While firing anyone who doesn’t say “right you are!” While declaring that all are stupid who came before them. Otherwise, they’re great! Hey, they’re a private company and can have a poker night This group would be “Bloat-ions Eleven”.
Well…it’s official. Watching cowards whine on the Internet never gets old. :)
We used to do much worse up on the third floor at 1906 Highland! Where do you think those guys learned how to party?
This is not a surprise to me at all. There are A LOT of other things that went on at the trib they fortunately don’t have pictures of. I have to admit that allowing pictures of illegal gambling in a corporate office to be taken is pretty friggin’ stupid. “Zell’s Crew” aren’t exactly the brightest apples on the tree. They would have been great in corporate america circa 1950-1970 though:) hell, most of them have been sued for sexual harrasment at least a few times ;)
Drinking in the building is nothing new…Marc Chase supplies booze every friday to all of his staff etc. I guess it will just take one employee to get a DUI and lawsuit for them to figure out how stupid they are. strike that…they are too stupid to realize how stupid they are…pictures above…case in point.
It always gave me a fuzzy feeling working there that they can afford to have booze shipped in by the skid full every week, but couldn’t afford to keep even mailroom employees.
Zell never cared about newspapers, nor do any of his cronies. Zell bought the tribune because it was cheap. He wanted to make it mildly successful, then flip it for a profit. He is a real estate man afterall. The real estate market went to shit, his plans canceled out, employees payed the price.
Let them have as much fun as they can before the banks take over the company. From what I saw working there, it won’t be for much longer. Anyone with any talent has either left or has been let go.
Where are the cameras?
Who took these photos?
See you in the unemployment line . . .
I did not cancel my Tribune subscription because I could get the information for free on the internet. Their website is a third-rate pain in the ass.
I canceled because they hiked my 6 month plan from $117 to $149 at the same time they placed advertising on the FRONT page and started attaching those wrap-arounds to section one.
And because they turned page 3 into a print version of a crummy comedy club.
And because the “newspaper” is now only about 5% news.
And now instead of by-lines, I have to see each writer’s face. When did journalists become celebrities?
They did come back with a 4 day-a-week offer at a fraction of the price, which is at least reasonable, and I can have the “feel” of a newspaper in my hands without getting burned.
This just further cements the truth of Chicago media being a national laughingstock and one giant freak show, which is quite appropriate given who runs Tribune and who they’re hiring (Bubba The Love Sponge, Bill Cunningham, etc.) And to all who say this isn’t a big deal, I guess you’re comfortable with with the status quo – it’s morons like you who keep this city and this state corrupt – the same idiots who keep voting for Daley, Blago, the aldermen, etc. Way too many lazy people around here – that’s why crime is so high and so are taxes. It’s little wonder why Tribune execs can get away with so much because most of the humanoids in this town are too stupid to realize what’s going on.
The CEO is a lard ass, a true “fat cat.” This picture makes them all look like big idiots. Isn’t gambling illegal?
I am turning in my grave.
WGN is being descimated with convicted felons as talk show hosts (never kind that sister Tribune posits itself as the Paragon of Clean Government) … “edgy” talk show hosts … and hiring an out of towner/know it all that softballs political questions to politicans and mispronouncing Chicagoland towns, etc., etc.
And why is it the Washington Post is still a solid, hefty daily newspaper … but the Tribune is a dumbed down version of USA Today?
Desecration? Seriously? The colonel was a sexist, racist, paranoid, megalomaniacal sadist. He took joy in abusing staff. He smoked, drank and messed around. The true spin in his grave probably came a few weeks after last year’s event (you’re great at getting right on the “story,” Feder) when there was a “Women of Tribune” event held in the same space. Because there were executive WOMEN having a great time (There was alcohol served there too … because there were ADULTS present). And some of these women were Jewish! And … sit down … there were women of color included as well! You must really be desperate to go for this one, Feder. A self-funded, fun evening out hurt no one! And the digs about FAT? Seriously? Is this high school? This sure beats the Tribune of old where the privileged squandered the (public) company’s cash and treated staff like indentured servants. This “expose,” and you, Mr. Feder, are jokes. Clearly, no one invites you to their parties.
I’ll surely be inviting Mr. Feder to my next party, but not any of the Tribune big shots.
They might eat my house.
Is it the same office with the secret staircase that exits one floor below? The Colonel was no dummy. He had a hidden door that allowed him to come and go without being seen by peasants waiting for an audience in his outer office. I think Geoffrey Baer mentioned it in one of his WTTW shows.
Wow. It is interesting how some people can draw a line from an office party to the fall of mankind (#86). However, it does not surprise me since some people think drinking beer leads to heroin.
Mr. Michaels needs to be introduced to salads.
Lordy, lordy. Such anger. Goodness sakes. This is hilarious! C’mon people, you act like this is some kind of shocker! It’s just Randzo the Clown and his Tiny Chubbies performing to expectations.
Unfortunately, whoever posted these pics buried the lead! Better would have been shots of the hookers (@MMento #55) being brought into the building and joining in the fun. Why not? Flagrant debauchery can’t be complete without sexual titillation. If you’re going to gamble and (heavens!) drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, you’ve got to show off the nasty girls, too. Hookers, carousing staffers and even (gasp!) interns have been desecrating and defiling the nooks and crannies of Trib Tower since, and doubtless including, Col. McCormick’s day. You can’t tell me this is the first time anyone has had a little “mature/immature fun” in his office! Bah! I don’t believe it!
Bottom line…these clowns own the joint. They are a bunch of tasteless buffoons with no skill whatsoever in running the business but they know they can get their party on…and they are taking full advantage.
Oh, and if you think the guy who Facebooked this is headed for the unemployment line…think again. If there’s anything Sammy, Randzo and Vomitus like better than a good meal it’s shoving their circus into our faces at every possible opportunity. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to discover Randzo is reviling in RFeder’s disgust.
think of all the folks who lost their jobs and pensions after zell bought the company. think of all the folks who aren’t getting paid for their goods and services because the hogs are protected by bankruptcy right now, think about how many of the folks in the above pictures are waiting for a judge to approve the distribution of 27 million dollars in bonuses, think about how this is just a snapshot of what happens all over corporate america, down in springfield, city hall, and other institutions accross america. i am amazed by all the people who comment here that seems to think it’s no big deal. oh they will think it’s a big deal when they lose their job, pension, or a loved one to a truck driver that payed a bribe for his drivers license. these are the same type of folks who will scream “somebody has to do something!!!” when it affects them.
BP is spilling 1 million gallons of oil into our gulf and we really think a bunch of old guys and women playing cards and smoking cigars is news? Tribune company just scored a huge deal with the NFL, i read this morning, i’m sure they have plenty to celebrate. This is lame gossip not news.
Right or wrong doesn’t really matter to me … this just shows how arrogant these overpaid idiots are. Anyone with a brain would know better than to have a party like this in the first place, let alone post the images on Facebook. And they’re supposedly running a media company. Unbelievable. My 12 year-old cousin is more Facebook-savvy than these belligerent, bloated buffoons.
Why am I pissed about this? Because I work for this f*cking sh*thole of a company and, while we’re laying off people as fast as we can, these morons piss away the money saved by ruining people’s lives on outrageous bonuses for fat f*cks like those at the party. God…please deliver me from this damned place.
Screw the Colonel turning in his grave – Royko’s probably pissed he didn’t have them as bosses.
Sam and Randy picking up the tab?
A reporters dream!
This is like visiting the main deck of the Titanic……………..Glub, Glub!!
THIS IS SERIOUS AS #95 SAID. HOW CAN ANYONE OF YOU CONDONE THIS? WHO EVER THINKS THIS IS OK IS AS BIG A MORON. I CAN’T STAND THE LOOK OF PIGGY AND RANDY. THEY MAKE ME SICK. AND THATS NO JOKE. ANY OF THE PEOPLE ON HERE THAT SAID ITS OK AND NONE OF OUR BUSINESS, I HOPE YOU ALL LOSE A JOB AND YOUR BOSS DECIDES ITS OK TO PISS YOUR PENSION AWAY WHILE YOU WONDER HOW YOU’RE GOING TO PAY YOUR MORTGAGE. AND THEY HAVE SUCH DISREGARD FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LISTEN TO THEIR STATION, SO MUCH SO THAT THEY GIVE US THE LIKES OF GREG JARRETT AND LASKI.
He Who Must Not Be Named #
… I haven’t heard anything about Col. McCormick that doesn’t portray him as being an even bigger egotistical asshole than Randy Michaels and Sam Zell combined…”
Perhaps true, but McCormick built a fine newspaper that people actually wanted to read. Zell just finds tax loopholes.
What is the matter with you selfish, tiny, stupid people? When is the last time you created a job? Employed people? Created anything that was worth anything real? You think money comes from a money machine with no understanding at all of what it takes to get build anything of value. I watch you blowhards whine about a bunch of people spending their own money to play a damned poker game while taking nothing from any of you. Go get a job. If you’re miserable at the one you have LEAVE! Take responsibility for yourselves. Stop whining. Stop feeling so friggin’ entitled and do something for someone else. Most of the people in that picture work their tails off. They weren’t born to money and they don’t think anyone owes them a living. They played poker in 2009 and you people think you get a vote on that. Let’s call the cops. What is the MATTER with you self-serving, elitist, pompous, judgmental fools? Go do something for someone else. Be productive. Stop whining. Get a grip on the real world … the one that has changed and the one you can’t accept. And get over yourselves. You just ain’t all that.
Ever see one of those films of monkees playing poker?
are you guys serious? The party was held at night, at least the workers stayed late. They are smoking cigars and playing cards. Anyone who says something is wrong with this is bitter and jealous. I don’t know randy but he’s got a loyal following much like other executives (les moones at cbs) Fact is when Kevin ran Cleveland they were very successful until Clear Channel crammed down all their stupid initiatives. The people on this board do NOT own the company, you don’t even work for the company, your attacks are one you’d expect from children. Making jokes about overweight? Are you really serious. You cannot be taken seriously with comments like that. Glad some people are having fun.
No affirmative action here.
Wonder if Jodi Cohen will report on this with the same vigor that she did the U of I admissions scandal ?
hey molly pipkins, rush on over to south dearborn, blago wants clueless people like you on his jury
if a bunch of grown ass folks want to have a card game, fine, go to somebodys house, but don’t have it at the work place, and how much do you want to bet (i’m all in) that a lot of the activities there were expensed.
@”Sam #
06.03.2010 13:33
71
Did any of this cost taxpayers money? If not, who cares what they do…ever.”
Uh, yeah, moron! It DID! They still owe over 60 employes (who were laid off) SEVERANCE checks! They let go of 63+ hard-working (yes, the little people who do not make 100 grand a year, most of which make under 50k) people without blinking an eye…FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY and DENIED THEM SEVERANCE!!! TRIB SUCKS BIG TIME. ALL THEIR NEWSPAPERS…ALL THEIR TV STATIONS….SUCK!
too bad they didn’t burn the building down with their cigars :(
THEY MAKE ME SICK. AND THATS NO JOKE. ANY OF THE PEOPLE ON HERE THAT SAID ITS OK AND NONE OF OUR BUSINESS, I HOPE YOU ALL LOSE A JOB AND YOUR BOSS DECIDES ITS OK TO PISS YOUR PENSION AWAY WHILE YOU WONDER HOW YOU’RE GOING TO PAY YOUR MORTGAGE.
Think of all the folks who lost their jobs and pensions after zell bought the company. think of all the folks who aren’t getting paid for their goods and services because the hogs are protected by bankruptcy right now, think about how many of the folks in the above pictures are waiting for a judge to approve the distribution of 27 million dollars in bonuses, think about how this is just a snapshot of what happens all over corporate america, down in springfield, city hall, and other institutions accross america. i am amazed by all the people who comment here that seems to think it’s no big deal. oh they will think it’s a big deal when they lose their job, pension, or a loved one to a truck driver that payed a bribe for his drivers license. these are the same type of folks who will scream “somebody has to do something!!!” when it affects them.
I look at this photo and I can hear their thoughts, “What do I care? I won’t be here a year from now.” Kind of like Louis XV when he said “After me the deluge.” These cretins really have run this company into the ground and right now they are making sure they line their pockets with underserved bonuses before they get the boot.
This type of stuff makes me sick. They think it’s all fun and games around the Tower when the people who actually make the company money, i.e. the employees, work their asses off, fear for their jobs everyday and don’t get pay raises or merit increases. They should be helping the little guy out and not tooting their own horns. Yes, it’s just a party but a blatant one at that from people who don’t care about anyone but themselves.
Wow…what a diverse group the Trib has put together.
These guys are pathetic. They know nothing about running a large media company (neither do I but at least I do not pretend to!). I am not upset about the disrepect this shows to Tribune’s heritage (Co. McCormich probably would have joined in the game!). but the disrepect this shows to Tribune employees both past and present. The company is in shambles. These guys are kids in a candy store. Soon there will be no candy left though as they run the company to the ground.
glad i am getting laid off by tribune so they can have parties such as this….