Trouble
Last Friday Robin, Larry and I were chewed out by management here for an issue that I am not at liberty to blog about.
However, it was a spectacular beating...like I have not received here in almost 6 years.
The boss man was furious and blew his top for almost 5 minutes straight without a breath.
It was like out of a movie.
It gave me a whole new appreciation for management and the miserable position that they are in...dealing with mopes like Larry and Robin.
I do not intend to get into anymore detail...other than to say...butts were kicked and I am sore.
However, it leads me to consider my other visits to the bosses office over the years.
I wanted to give you just a handful of some beatings that stick out in my mind. No particular order.
1. Calling the bosses "morons" on the air. The first time it happened was Spring of 1997.
It was the closest I have ever come to losing my job. It's a longer story...however, I was wrong and feel badly about what I said. Even though I was right...my methodology was wrong and immature. Eventually we were able to call them "morons" openly. But we did it with more respect and maturity.
2. I really got a beating for making a spectacular one-liner about the renaming of Northwestern's Dyche Stadium and the girls track team. It was a great comedy...but apparently in our pc world was insensitive and rude. I plead no contest. It was insensitive and crass. To this day I still think it was one of my funnier lines. When pressed about it...I told the boss "I have no idea what you are talking about...I never said anything like that." He proceeded to show me my performance on the video tape to refresh my memory. I took what I like to call a "personal day".
3. One time I typed into the weather crawl that our anchor at the time was not wearing pants.
So, it read...." Today Mostly Sunny High: 65 Bill's not wearing pants Tonight: Mostly Cloudy. The boss at the time apparently got a ton of calls and he wasn't in a good mood.
He let me have it and gave me some time to think about how stupid I was. No argument from me. I don't need time to think about it. He still gave me time.
The list goes on.
But enough for now.
I will post this today and see if the boss man orders it taken down from the site.
He's usually a level headed guy.
But if I am missing for a few days, he didn't think it was as funny as I did.
Konrad
Comments
i hope you don't get into too much trouble. i liked how you snuck into the weather crawl that the anchor wasn't wearing pants. genius!!!
Posted by: Lynn | November 6, 2007 4:16 PM
Sorry the three of you got scolded...I think we all know what you are talking about. You would think that the bosses would let you know there was new music and hey, I don't know, perhaps let you hear it ahead of time?!
You all were fine in my book. Friday's show rocked as usual, and if anyone complained they need a life.
Posted by: Matt | November 6, 2007 4:27 PM
Your ratings are through the roof. You are invincible. Your boss can't fire you. What does he know anyways? So spill the beans man! How can you hold out on your loyal viewers? We get up every morning to see you and that cutie Pat. When is he going to be in a Speedo by the way? I keep hoping.
Posted by: Shannon | November 6, 2007 7:56 PM
I agree with shannon. Pat needs to start showing some skin! :D
Posted by: Heather | November 7, 2007 1:55 PM
You are the reason many of us have stayed with WGN in the morning for so many years. I hope your management realizes that the very charm of the show is the way you guys bring your real personalities to the show every day. If they ever make you change, you can believe you will lose a lot of viewers.
Posted by: Annette Evans | November 7, 2007 2:17 PM
I must say you all keep me laughing. If you all were boring like the other stations I would not watch the news at all. Your comments always make me laugh. Keep up the good work. If you start missing for weeks at a time, that probablly be it for me watching the news.
Posted by: Michelle | November 7, 2007 2:45 PM
Hey Paul,
Gee, and I thought you were just getting too much vacation time! Keep walking that fine line carefully (I hate this PC world too), as you are too wonderful to be fired. I'd never watch WGN Morning News again! Tell THAT to the morons!
Posted by: Marie | November 7, 2007 2:47 PM
I'm a very loyal viewer, and I applaud your irreverence and your "think outside the box" demeanor. Management needs to understand that the issues they are upset about, are the exact reasons we watch every day. The morning news team can be quite candid, and I wish they would get off your back and let you do what you do best. Keep up the good work if they'll let you!
Posted by: Christine | November 8, 2007 8:44 PM
I saw how all of you reacted to the music change and I didn't think you were at all disrespectful. Your boss needs an attitude adjustment. The viewers love you.
Posted by: Susan | November 9, 2007 9:05 AM
I think you all are great. Keep talking it keeps the news a little more enjoyable.
Posted by: Linda | November 9, 2007 10:48 AM
I think the 'morons' need to need to wake up as early as yous do so they can see that those childish antics,crass remarks and unprovoked humor are probably the very reason your show is kickin every other shows butts.If some uptight viewers dont like it,tell them to turn on channel 5.They are about as bland and tasteless as licking my floor,I guarantee however that your show will stay number 1 without those whiners,and dont worry I will happily wake up and start my day with yous,that is until the morons screw it all up for everybody because they need to power trip.
Posted by: mike on central | November 12, 2007 7:43 AM
The Morning News Team is great at getting us the information we need but our tv's stay faithfully tuned to Channel 9 because Robin, Larry, Paul and the rest are real people, they start our day with a smile. Anyone who thinks they are offensive hasn't watched the shows on later in the day. They are family, don't mess with our family.
Posted by: Pete | November 12, 2007 8:40 AM
I think you guys were a little unprofessional about the new music. I doubt Ron Magers would throw a hissy fit on the air or hold his show up to ridicule if his channel changed their graphics or something. Are you guys ever team players?
Posted by: Dwayne | November 12, 2007 9:58 AM
I LOVE you guys!!! You put a smile on my face before I go to work in the morning-now that's priceless! Seriously, you are the BEST morning news team EVER and I wouldn't watch WGN without all of you. I hope management reads this and weeps. Because clearly we like you all way more than the management guy. You all are awesome!
Posted by: Kristy | November 12, 2007 10:47 AM
To say you guys are brilliant goes without saying, but I can't tell you how mant times I've thought- whoever picks the music on that show needs a raise.It's ALWAYS right on the mark.
Posted by: Pat Lau | November 12, 2007 4:13 PM
I Love your morning show !! Shame on your boss for letting you guys have it ! I didn't see the "infraction" but I'd bet it was funny and made the show more entertaining. Keep up the fun you make my day !
Posted by: Betsy | November 13, 2007 7:47 AM
I REALLY enjoy the WGN morning show. It's a great combination of personalities. However, something is sorely missing when Paul is absent. I hope management doesn't lose sight of that. Thanks for all the laughs!
Posted by: Amy | November 13, 2007 8:04 AM
I sooooo remember the pants thing in the crawl! It made me laugh so hard, i told like 5 people at work about it and it reminded me of why i always watch YOU GUYS every morning!
Posted by: Tina | November 13, 2007 6:18 PM
I guess your boss didn't think it was funny since you were missing Monday. You keep it up and you're gonna end up like Bruce Wolf from Fox. He was a funny guy too!
I think you're hilarious, keep up the good work and you won't have to use your vacation days.
Posted by: VC | November 13, 2007 7:46 PM
I have to say at 24yrs old most my friends don't watch the morning new like me (heck most aren't even awake) but you guys are great you keep everything in good taste. Thank you for helping wake me up and giving the newscast in a great way.
Posted by: Ann | November 15, 2007 3:46 PM
I love you guys...When you are not on, the kids ask why aren't you watching the news...and they know the answer...NO Paaaaulllieeeeeee.
If your not on, I don't tune in. So keep it up, Mr. Management, and there will be a new group on my space (thanks to my kids) Paulie is cute, watch wgn! If your bosses don't like what you are doning then they are taking themselves to seriously, because that is why we watch you, if we wanted boring news hello we can watch 2,5,7 and I might add, that fox is funny too, so in our home you beat fox, Watching Larry and Paul is like waking up to my brothers, I am the youngest of 5 and my sister and I agree that you guys are like our brothers where when we were growing up...You don't say anything that is not what others would say in bar or we would hear at a party...keep up the good work, and thanks for waking us up!
Posted by: Marilou Purpura | January 4, 2008 6:47 AM