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In today's promo...Pat & Paul show us their 'home away from home.' It's a cozy little place with a lot of candy...eye candy that is. Check it out...
The only TV I usually can't ignore is the kind that features scantily-clad ladies, or competitive eating contests (a combination of the 2 is even more irresistible), but even these I sometimes get sick of. So I was intrigued when I learned this was the new slogan of the recently re-branded WGN Superstation. It is now . . .
WGN America: TV You Can't Ignore.
The WGN cable channel that reaches millions, and has exposed a new generation of viewers to shows like"Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Barney Miller," is undergoing quite the facelift. It's part of the new ownership's plan to re-invent Tribune, and a move I believe was long overdue.
So I'm on board with whatever they need, and recently, that involved me going out and spreading the word about this new and exciting venture.
*I'd like to thank my friends at Windy City Pro Wrestling for their help in this outstanding campaign. They put on some of the finest pro wrestling shows in Illinois! Check them out at http://www.windycityprowrestling.com
**ALSO, a friend of mine is organizing a big charity golf outing on Monday at Arrowhead Golf Club, with proceeds going to the development program and renovation of exhibits at Cosley Zoo. If you live out that way, stop by. Here are the details:
Monday, August 4 • Arrowhead Golf Club
Enjoy…
• Continental Breakfast/Registration (8 a.m.)
• 18 Holes of Golf with Cart (10 a.m. Shotgun Scramble Start)
• Lunch
• Steak Dinner…with all the trimmings (5 p.m.)
• Great Prizes & Awards
• Thank You Gift
• One-of-a-Kind Raffle & Auction
Registration
$150 per person (grouped in sixsomes)
Registration forms are not yet available for this event.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Call 630-665-5534 for sponsorship or registration information. Hole sponsorships only $150!
Rating - 3 stars
www.crackle.com
Paul claims to have found his son on the street, but Pat says the boy looks more like him. Tune in below to see how this family feud turns out.
Rating - 3 stars
www.justonebadcentury.com
Big news on the bean front ! Looks like I've finally found my supplier! The great men and women of Hoopeston Foods, Inc. have stepped up to the plate ... agreeing to supply me with the black beans I need to launch Oldhavanafoods.com. Hoopeston is a Minnesota-based food company with a cannery in Hoopeston, Illinois ... about 90 miles south of Chicago.
As you know, it's been a tremendous battle trying to find a cannery that would work with a small start-up company like mine.
If you've been following my effort to market my family's old Cuban-Style recipes, you know I've endured a lot of rejection. These gigantic food companies don't want to take a chance with a tiny company like "Old Havana." They're too busy or unwilling to deal with you. Production time is very valuable ... and unless you're cranking out tens-of-thousands of pounds of product, you're going to have a hard time finding someone to help you.
Which is why I'm so grateful to Hoopeston. The folks there are giving me a crack at purchasing their private-label black beans I need to start the dream - marketing my centuries-old family recipes.
Muchas gracias!
Do I sense some hostility in today's promo? I think so! Val joins Pat for this web exclusive and she is not a happy camper. Tune in below and find out why...
You may have caught my top ten list of the best on-screen villians of all time. If not, you can check it out at wgntv.com/deanslist.
It's always hard to whittle a list like that down to just ten characters. Even 25 is too small. Here are some of YOUR early suggestions of would could have been on the list. Feel free to add more.
Dean
name: John
city: Covina, California
Dean, your list of the best villains was great. Uh, but I realize your opinion of the top individual (a deep-voiced Darth Vader complete with full helmet and flowing robe was OBVIOUSLY better than any cool slyness shown from the bald-faced practitioner of coolness known as Hannibal
Lecter) might have been a bit of a slip had I not heard you correctly.
Love the work of James Earl Jones immensely, but to me the lasting impression of his work as Vader did not have the same chilling impact on the viewing public as that of Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Lecter. All you need for proof is in the total nonchalance with which Hopkins' roles following the "Lamb" films has been able to toy with the minds of the viewing public.
"Lasting impression" is what gives Hopkins' Dr. Lecter greater curb appeal than Jones' Vader.
Love your work, Dean. Care for some fava beans and a nice chianti?
name: M. C.
city: Berwyn ,Il. 60402
How about " Chucky "how would you rate him as a villan???? Me!,,,,I give "Chucky" #1
Name: Kenny
city: Chico., IL. 60624
Dean,
How could you forget about (who should be 1a) Lex Luther?!?!
name: George
city: Elmhurts, IL 60126
Just saw your top villians list-and my wife and I feel you missed a key villian "Max Caddy" from Cape Fear-the Robert Deniro rendition-just thought we would share our thoughts
name: Pamela
city: Calumet City, IL 60409
Dean,
I think that you TOTALLY forgot about Denzel Washington's crooked cop gig "Training Day"----he was a real jerk (this won him an Oscar, though).............Christian Bale also deserves a nod for "American Psycho"..........Other than these, your list is not bad at all!!!!!!!! Thanks alot.....
Hi Dean Richards!
I'm Margot. I'm 14... and I just caught your top 10 list.. and when it was over my family was wondering why Voldemort wasn't on there!! He is epic! Ralph Fiennes (I think that's how you spell it?) is amazing in the role... and even if he weren't... the role itself is evil enough to be recognized! Haha... just a thought :] Thanks for reading
name: Cecile
city: Schaumburg, IL 60193
In your search for the most evil in movies - you left out:
Robert Mitchum in Cape Fear and Night of the Hunter Thank you, Cecile
name: Rev. Bob
city: Chicago, IL 60643
Hi Dean,
Enjoyed your Top 10 villain list; I haven't yet seen "No Country...," but I'll trust you that the guy should be in there. My only addition, and I realize he may not rise to the "cinematic impact" criterion you were going for, would have to be Kevin Spacey's horrifying John Doe character from "Se7en." Admittedly, he wasn't actually on-screen very long, but his vicious brutality definitely was, and his creepy sermon in the ride in the cop car made up for his time off-screen! Thanks...
name: Sam
city: Park Ridge, IL
I would think Police Captain Hank Quinlan from a touch of evil would make the most evil character list.
Dean,
I think the Joker is definitely the best villian. The movie just came out and has broken the record, mostly because everyone talks about how crazy he is. Joker is has a lot more personality than Darth Vader. Actually I think Darth is pretty boring. I think that soon, the Joker may be as popular as Darth, or even more popular.
-Alissa
Dean,
Here are my picks.
Darth Vader (Star Wars) - In all honesty, while good ol' Doctor Hannibal Lector is a pretty horrifying individual, Darth Vader steals the cake. Not only is he one of the most well-known characters in film history (let alone villains), he's a complex villain who evolves as the series grows, and is practically a separate being from Anakin Skywalker. And let's not even discuss the big reveal in The Empire Strikes Back.
Hannibal Lector (Silence of the Lambs) - Some may think he's the ultimate villain in film history, and I don't dispute he's one of them. Hannibal is almost inhuman in how terrifying he is, and like some villains have, Hannibal is easily the most important character in the cast of every movie he has ever appeared in. I swear, I even had a nightmare about him - something I've never had with ANY other villain, even Freddy Krueger, the master of nightmarish villainy.
Mr. Potter (It's a Wonderful Life) - Easily the most normal villain on this list, and yet, one of the worst monsters on it as well. Mr. Potter would stop at nothing to control the town, even ruining a poor man's life in the process. Throughout the events of the film, we see how he grows wickeder and wickeder. And yet still, one of his best aspects is that he's not just a fatcat villain twirling his thin moustache - he's THE fatcat villain twirling his thin moustache. And on top of all this, even though he lives to ruin others to help himself, even offering to help the hero who he has attempted to ruin throughout the film for the sake of hurting the greater good, we see him attempting to return a large sum of money to an employee of the hero. He may have decided against it in an attempt to further ruin the hero, but even still, there was that glimmer of good in him that made him more than many other villains.
Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) - Ah, Nurse Ratched. The Wicked Witch of the West may be wicked, but she can't hold a candle to this witch, who has absolute control over the patients in the mental ward she administers, controlling almost every necessity including cigarettes and even food or bathroom privileges. Upon the admittance of R.P. McMurphy, an inmate who fakes insanity to get moved to the psychic ward, she becomes frustrated by his outright defiance of her, and destroying the control she had over her patients. She fights him at every turn, trying to conquer him, and failing each time. The morning after McMurphy throws a party with the and a couple prostitutes, she discovers one of the younger patients, Billy Bibbit, in bed with one of the prostitutes, and while he initially defies her in spite of his timidness (especially towards her), she threatens to tell his mother about this, which makes him succumb. Despite him succumbing, she persists on trying to tear him down, and once she leaves the room, he kills himself by slitting his throat to avoid the shame. It doesn't help that she drove a young man whom she knew to be a suicide risk to killing himself, but she just kinds of shrugs it off and tells everyone to go back to their business. McMurphy, angry at her indifference, attempts to kill her by strangling her, but is thwarted. She ends up with her neck in a brace, and has McMurphy labotomized. She is practically mad in her administration over the ward, and cares more about that control than every single patient in the ward.
HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey) - The only non-living being on my list - HAL 9000, the computer onboard the spaceship Discovery. is really not evil; merely misunderstood. All of his actions, while dangerous to the lives of those on the space ship, were not based on malice or motive, but logic - HAL did nothing more than what he believed to be the greater good, which was to keep the knowledge of the ancient monoliths a secret, which it attempted to accomplish by killing the crew, so there would be no one who could be told of the monoliths. The most interesting aspect of HAL is how he grew to have complex emotions, most notably the paranoia as the result of a programming error that led him to kill most of the crew on the ship, and later, the fear of being killed once David began to disable him. Despite his status as a non-living being, HAL is one of the most human villains in cinematic history, and yet the most frightening - extremely intelligent, and a being who believes that the wrongs he is doing are right, with no ability to do anything but accomplish his goal regardless of who gets in his path.
Rating - 4 stars
www.rerunit.com
Pat & Paul are joined today by a very special guest. Tony Clifton, alter ego of the late comedian Andy Kaufman, takes part in the promo exclusive! Clifton shows his love for Chicago by singing a tribute...check it out....
I have said more than once that I have the best gig in town. Give me screaming Hannah Montana fans over covering a fire any day. That doesn't mean that it's always easy.
About two weeks ago, I spent about 15 minutes tubing in the cold waters of Lake Michigan, at 8 in the morning. Being pulled by a boat, that early in the morning and in cold water...not that much fun.
The extreme was last Thursday when I met the one and only Bikram, as in the creator of Bikram Yoga, at the Bikram Yoga City Studio on Chicago Ave. You might not know, that his type of yoga is taught in a very hot room. When we were shooting our Around Town, it was a balmy 105 degrees.
I am all for hot weather. I was born and raised in it. I hate the fact that Chicago doesn't have enough of it. But working out for 90 minutes in that kind of heat... And the humidity is what gets to you.
I can totally see how your body loosens up enough to contort in to 26 Yoga positions, but after the shoot, I was sweating in places I had never perspired before and I din't even take the class. Needless to say, I needed a shower.
Bikram was all you expect a Yoga guru to be and he says that this kind of Yoga is great for people with chronic problems. I met some people with sports injuries that swear by it. I even so a woman who was 5 months pregnant and still doing it (with the aproval of her midwives. As long as her body temperature doesn't go up to high).
If you are interested, Bikram will be at Soldier Field on August 2nd. His first conference ever in Chicago. You can find out more by calling the Bikram Yoga in the City at 312-255-YOGA. Enjoy your sweaty work out.
Rating - 2 stars
www.youtube.com
As you may know, Corbin Bleu from the "High School Musical" movies was in our studio...OMG! For today's promo...Pat is joined by 2 of his fans. Check out these mini diva's below...
I probably shouldn't say this, but one of my favorite things to watch on TV is a news reporter getting harassed during a live report. Hecklers attempt this in a number of ways: 1) some stand there innocently, glancing back and forth from the camera to the monitor and back again, checking themselves out; 2) some jump up and down, screaming and yelling; and 3) some expose themselves.
I've done both #1 and #2 in a past life, but never #3. A true heckler knows the rules of etiquette. That means no harassment when the story is serious or sober in nature. If it's a story about a violent crime, you're to be simply a bystander. If the reporter is covering a county fair, you're free to hop on his back for a piggy back ride.
Sports reporters are usually most susceptible to this type of torment. That's because most of them still insist on doing their live shots "in the crowd," a concept that was first devised 230 years ago. Now, we have studio shows being shot on location, too. Yet, surprisingly, they've been pretty sheltered from abuse.
Thankfully, our neighbors to the North have given us a few ideas on how to change that.
In case you missed it this week:
-Paul was caught on camera (with audio) walking into the men's room on air.
-During Around Town, a woman, on her knees, bent her entire body back until she appeared like a Cirque Du Soleil contortionist, and then a man stood on top of her.
-Neil Diamond threatened to sue us, for booking his illigitimate son, Stan, for a performance; I really don't think Neil was kidding.
Next week:
A huge suprise Monday---a suprise, because the producer didn't include it in promos. But, let me just say, this performance could be historic.
Later in the week, we'll take you to an amusement park specifically for children ages 2 to 9.
Rating - 4 stars
www.link.brightcove.com
HUGE Show in store for you tomorrow...Ben Gordon shoots hoops with Pat and 'High School Musical's' Corbin Bleu joins us! You don't want to miss this. Plus, tune in to find out why HR was involved for this promo...check it out.
Rating - 2 stars
www.latimes.com
Sweaty yoga?? You could count on that being part of tomorrow's Morning Show...Paul and Val have all those details for you. PLUS, Dean has an interview with Kevin Spacey! Check it out...
Rating - 4 stars
www.maestro-games.ru
Val and Ana take on the web promo...AGAIN! Ana has the inside scoop on tomorrow's 'Around Town' and Dean interviews Mulder and Scully...check it out.
Rating - 3 stars
www.gigglesugar.com
Ana and Val fill in for Pat and Paul today, and they get pretty excited over one of tomorrow's guests. Check out the video below to find out who it is!
Racecar drivers have a tendency to lose their tempers. It's not rare to see them hurling their helmets at passing cars, T-boning someone during a caution lap, or extending their middle fingers at a race official. If we're lucky, these moments are caught by television cameras, and replayed incessantly. I can't think of a hilite I enjoy more than watching 2 burly, sweaty men in jumpsuits a size-too-small chase each other around a garage.
But the advent of women . . . excuse me, the advent of Danica Patrick in motorsports has changed the dynamic a little bit. She has quite the temper, that one, and has confronted other drivers on a few, well-publicized occasions. But here's the difference between Danica and most of the other drivers- when they become enraged, there's a good chance someone might get kicked; when Danica becomes enraged, there's a good chance she might get choked up.
That's not funny. It's kind of annoying.
And don't read into this as a man vs. woman stereotype. When I was a kid, I got into plenty of arguments with my mother, and believe me, she was never the one left near tears. Or how about my female colleagues? Not exactly the crying types.
Neither is Milka Dunno- the other female driver in the Indy Car circuit. She's no less emotional than Danica, but she expresses it like most of the male drivers out there- with borderline violence. Here's a look at a confrontation between the two over the weekend in Ohio.
Well, here's a Monday morning update from what's happening with me.
Not a whole bunch actually...
I started buying back to school supplies yesterday.
Yes, that's right, summer is almost over!
I can't believe it.
I was a little apprehensive about having Zoe at home all summer and getting bored, but we have been very busy.
She's read 85 books this summer....15 more and we are off to the American Girl store(poor me)!
Max is standing up and walking around all the furrniture in the house.
He's really attached to his ol' mom...a blessing and a curse.
I look forward to breaks from him, but when I am away from him, I miss him and he misses me!
Work is great.
I recently made 3 years here.
Wow, time flies!!!!
You'd think my colleagues would have thrown me a party or something...but of course, I got nothing!
Oh well....
Well, I guess you can tell I have absolutely have nothing to talk about, so when and if you read this, ask me a question about work, me, home, the kids, whatever and I will talk about it next time.
Until then,
Val
Rating - 3 stars
www.sun-sentinel.com
With all 'The Dark Knight' hype going around...who else better to do today's promo but 'Batman' himself! See what he has to say to the 'good citizens' of the world...tune in below.
Rating - 3 stars
www.omodern.com
A special little guest joins Pat & Paul for today's promo...Paul's son Von!...or is it? You make the decision. Take a look and tune in below...
Back when I was strictly a sports reporter, there was nothing I looked forward to more than a good post-game press conference. Pure joy if there ever was such a thing- the intimacy of your question being answered in the company of dozens; irritable coaches being asked "what went wrong" in their team's 12-0 loss; counting how many times someone says "to a man."
As if there were a way to make this sometimes insufferable experience even worse, athletes now occasionally bring their children to these postgame Q&A's. Nothing kills a soundbite worse than cliches, quite like a 3-year old biting a microphone head. Reporters often greet such behavior with obligatory laughter at the child's antics, but let me tell you something- they want to string that kid from a coat rack.
I don't blame them. Number one, they're on a deadline. And number 2, unless I'm a pediatrician, I don't want to see kids in my workplace, period- at least not unnanounced. We have "Take Your Child to Work Day" for a reason- so the rest of us know the exact day we'll need an extra Xanax.
You may think I'm overreacting, that there are only a handful of athletes who do this. I say it's much more common than you may think, and I offer this video as proof.
Rating - 3 stars
www.lileks.com
Pat and Paul go digging through Tom Skilling's archives today and find that he's got some very interesting items stowed away. Check out the video below to learn a few of the weather guru's secrets.
One of the challenges we've been given by the new Tribune ownership is to re-invent the way we produce television. They want us to re-examine all of our shows and consider ways to improve them, whether by doing something revolutionary, or by simply making some minor adjustments.
It's not a challenge we're taking lightly.
This year's baseball All Star game provided us with the perfect opportunity to reach for greatness. In the past, if we had 11 representatives from Chicago in the game, we may have sent a few reporters and camera people, and filed live reports. About what? Well, we'd probably just do a few game previews, and some profiles of the 11 guys. But where's the fun in that?
We're learning that personality is what viewers desire. Management still insisted we go to New York. So, begrudingly, we did. But I really think that in spite of that, we delivered what our viewers want.
Rating - 4 stars
www.sendables.jibjab.com
For this promo, Paul checks out Larry's wardrobe and gives us all the goods on tomorrow's Morning News...check it out!
Rating - 2 stars
www.livevideo.com
Pat and Paul decide to check out what's grillin' behind the station, but discover it's not pretty. Tune in below to find out what's for lunch.
Rating - 2 stars
www.photos.tmz.com
Very special promo in store for you...that's because the entire Morning Show gang joins in! See the fun they stir up in this web promo EXCLUSIVE.
A friend of mine told me I would never have clean clothes again after having a baby. Lord knows I have tried to avoid becoming a stereotype, but here I am, with cookie crust on my shirt at work.
So far, every time I would catch some kind of stain from my little one on my clothing I would immediately change. Actually, I avoid picking her up with any of my nice, work clothes on. I wear my battle outfits around her, usually sweats. (yes, another stereotype). But, it's Friday morning at 5AM. Our seven AM producer already called to tell me that she can't find the tape of what airs in about two hours, so cookie on my shirt is the least of my worries.
Besides, I'm wearing a beige shirt and the cookie crust blends well. By the way, I love that the girl can eat a cookie, but do we need the cookie puree all over her mouth, shirt, pants, and carpet. I know we have to go through it, but my husband and I can't stand the mushy combination of food and drool. Poop we can deal with, spit up, no problem. Mushy cookie makes us gag.
To top it all off, Amelia rubbed her mushy cookie hands all over my legs yesterday and had a blast. I guess, I have to be thankful it was only my shirt that ended up with cookie crust.
So if you ever watch Around Town and you see some foreign speck on my blouse, now you know, the baby is eating solids.
If you missed today's show---you didn't miss much. Another dull day.
But, if you have any complaints, please feel free to post them here.
It's cheaper than market research.
In other news, we're heading towards the All-Star break, a time when baseball fans argue about who should've made the cut, which league is better etc.
If you are a fan of the July tradition, you may be interested in the boardgame, Cadaco All-Star baseball game (made in Chicago) which was what kids played before videogames.
In my Red Eye column a year ago, I wrote that when my 10-year-old nephew comes to town, I jump at the chance to play my Cadaco All-Star Baseball game. It's from the mid-70s and features a pop-up ivy wall and Wrigley Field scoreboard. The wall has since collapsed, but the spinning needle still works on the statistically accurate 'player discs' for greats like Willie McCovey, Bill Madlock and Carl Yastrzemski.
I got a call from one reader from Virginia (a Chicago native) who also still plays the game. Apparently, the web has brought Cadaco All-Star fans together. We met a Magggianos in Schaumburg this week to play a three-game series, in which my American League team, made up of players from the 70's, defeated his National League stars from the 1950's three games to one. I just wanted to provide you hard data if you are arguing about the best league, or era, in your All-Star baseball debates Tuesday night.
One of the challenges of doing a show like ours is maintaining that delicate balance between news and fun. What happens if we're scheduled to run a piece where Speedoman wrestles 2 Hooters Girls, and there's major breaking news?
Nine times out of 10, news wins out.
The Milwaukee Brewers were facing a similar decision yesterday, but this was one of those 1 in 10 situations . Their plan was to sabotage recently-named All Star Corey Hart's press conference, and spray him with beer. And the fact that Hart's 2-year old daughter was sitting on his lap did little to dissuade them.
Rating - 4 stars
www.moodstream.gettyimages.com/
Pat & Paul learn a lesson from a St. Pauli girl...a lesson on language. Check out what different languages she teaches the fellas...and all that's coming up on tomorrow's show!
Richard Petty reminds me of Richard Simmons. Not because he's hyper, has an afro, or is slightly effeminate, but because you never see the guy out of costume- a cowboy hat and dark shades are his bedazzled shirt and short shorts (it's probably the more appropriate ensemble for a guy named "The King").
He told me that he's tried to go incognito, and not wear the hat and shades, but still gets noticed. This was purely an experiment, as The King never hides from his fans. And that's why he's still NASCAR's most recognizable figure, even at 71 years old. You could put stars like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and points leader Kyle Busch in the same room, and if The King walked in, he would OWN it.
There's a lot to like about Richard Petty. There's also a lot not to like. For instance, he's 71 and still has about 5% body fat; he has enough stamina to out-work guys a third his age; and he has a full-enough head of hair. After my last haircut, I can't say the same about myself.
When he visited the show this morning, it was like we'd known each other 10 years. The man is a geuine Southern gentleman, and befitting of the name "King" for more than his racing.
Rating - 2 stars
www.metacafe.com
Cubs and Yankees fans don't have much in common. Yankees fans are spoiled with 26 World Championships, have ownership that wants to win at all costs and they can't seem to pronounce certain "r's" (Derek Je-tah, fuh-get about it, etc). But we share a common bond on one thing: utter contempt for one Kyle Lynn Farnsworth.
On the airplane ride to NY to see the Yankees vs Red Sox game over the weekend, I was reading Phil Rogers' column in the Tribune. He had one line about a t-shirt being sold outside of Yankee Stadium that says "Anybody But Farnsworth." I made it my mission to find one.
I knew it wouldn't be sold in any official Yankees merchandise shop, so I found a street vendor who had a pile of them. After bonding with a few crass words and mutual condolences about "The Farns" I paid him $10 for a simple t-shirt that says so much about a player who has broken so many hearts (and I'm not just talking about the lovely ladies in Wrigleyville).
My only regret is that I didn't have one at the infamous game against the Astros on August 27, 2004, when Kylie blew a lead and imploded, throwing his glove into the stands and spraining his knee while kicking an electric fan; the day the Cubs began the Death Spiral of 2004.
Producer, WGN Morning News
Mike Wilder
I took my first trip to New York City this week; for all of my 38 years I've had no interest, whatsoever, in spending any time there -- we Chicagoans can be very parochial. This year, I broke out of my shell because I'm a big baseball fan and I wanted to see Yankee Stadium before they blow it up.
So my wife and I spent a couple of days doing what the rest of the tourists do in NYC: pushing, shoving and stepping on each others feet trying to get to all of the obligatory tourist traps, Broadway shows, Statue of Liberty, Flash Dancers, acting like we had original vacation ideas.
Like a moth to a flame, being a TV news guy, we ended up going to see the Today Show on Rockefeller Plaza. We were staying just 2 blocks away, so why not? But if I was going to do that, I wanted to make sure to get in a plug for the number one morning show in Chicago (that's us, by the way). Plus, I wanted to see a show that, despite 100 times more resources, budget and staffing, loses in the ratings to the "Little Show That Could" for the last ten years.
So we found a piece of cardboard and wrote a couple of messages for the competition. I had to walk thru security with my sign. The security guard asked to read my sign. No problem. I showed him the front. It read: "Al Rocks Larry's World". Benign enough, and a reference no one except devout WGN Morning Show viewers would even get. Then he asked to see the other side. This is where I thought I'd get turned away. To my surprise, he read it and let me in.
Watch the video carefully -- first you'll see a couple of slow motion shots of me, way in the background with the "Larry's World" message on the front of the sign. Later, I flipped it over to launch my covert attack in enemy territory. If you can't make it out, it says "WGN Rules Chicago." Yes, my big chance to punk the competition in front of a worldwide audience and that's all I could come up with! Like some graffiti you'd write in grade school in the bathroom stall.
My wife snapped a couple of pictures of Matt and Meredith with sort of funny looks on their faces and I thought we could do a caption contest. (no prizes-- but keep them clean and maybe we'll show some of the clever ones on the Morning Show.)
Mike Wilder
Producer, WGN Morning News
Went to the big "All Things Organic Trade Show" at McCormick Place in search of a bean supplier. To my disappointment, I didn't "score." But I managed to make contact with a big food company in Michigan (won't reaveal their name until we agree to work together). However, it's taken weeks to follow up on our initial communication. I'm discovering that when you're a small fish, unfortunately you're at the bottom of the priority list for these big companies.
Nevertheless, I met a very interesting guy who's managed to break into the food industry. And his story is very inspiring. His name is Brian Crummy and his company is called, "Crummy Brothers" (what a great name!). The Chicagoan started an organic cookie company, and he says his products are being distributed nationwide by Whole Foods Market.
He's got a great packaging and a well-written marketing pitch. He calls it, "The Crummy Credo" (see website link below). But his business plan is anything but crummy. He's hoping to expand his Crummy business into other areas.
And he encouraged me to hang tough in my quest to introduce Cuban food to Chicago food lovers. If I can secure a bean supply, I'm on my way. But the problem I've found is these big canneries have 10,000 pound minimums (which would blow my modest start-up budget out of the water).
So I'm hopiing I can convince a bean supplier to take a chance with me, and maybe it'll pay off. I'll keep you posted. And thanks for reading my Julian's Bean Guest blog.
CRUMMY BROTHERS
Many of WGN's morning faces join in for this promo...and you can sure feel the love! Tune in to see what I'm talking about...and also to see what's coming up on tomorrow's Morning News.
Ever since the 4th of July Fireworks show I have been getting complaints about the music that was chosen to play behind the fireworks.
It was some pop music presented by WTMX.
Just for the record, WGN and I had nothing to do with it.
The city of Chicago and who knows who else came up with the idea.
Just for clarification, I am not a communist.
I am a God fearing, America loving patriot.
WGN employees in general are America lovers.
We didn't have anything to do with it.
If you want to complain to someone...fine.
Maybe call the nice lady who answers the phone at the 311 center.
See what she tells you.
Thanks,
Konrad
Rating - 2 stars
www.i-am-bored.com
There are a number of things I agree with my colleague Paul Konrad on: horses ARE useless; Oprah IS the Devil; and Robin HAS a dirty mouth.
But one thing I don't agree with him on is the merit of those "look-a-likes" that viewers send in. I personally think they're phenomenal, and dead-on. I mean, Dean looks exactly like Bob Newhart, doesn't he? I wish I could say the look-a-like comparisons that I get are that good. Gilbert Gottfried? Pastor Joel Osteen? Tom Cruise?
Please.
That's why I'm offering my own look-a-like. Watch below to see it, and let me know what you think.
*Following my look-a-like comparison, I've posted more of our coverage of Wimbledon champ Rafael Nadal.
Pat and Paul make some new friends at the station! Find out what else is going on tomorrow on WGN's Morning News on today's Web Exclusive:
I feel a little left out today. Apparently, the greatest tennis match of all time occurred yesterday, and I was too busy flipping through CNN, Benny Hill Ministries, and a showing of "Zoolander" on TNT. I checked in on Federer-Nadal a few times, but then went about my day. Stupid me.
Of course, I could have tuned in after my day had been gone about. At 4 hours, 48 minutes long, the match was still going on. And I think this would have been my only realistic chance of experiencing this monumental event.
Because there's no way I'm watching 5 hours of tennis.
I've pondered this long and hard, and at this point in my life, I don't think there's anything I'd enjoy doing for 5 hours straight. And this includes all the experiences from my college years. Pub crawls, double features, poker tournaments, Tantra- not for me.
Those I've talked to who watched the Wimbledon final say it flew by, and as an avid sports fan, I can understand this. Sometimes when you're in the moment of a live sporting event (especially one as captivating and historically significant as this one supposedly was), you're not in your right mind. During the Knicks-Bulls Playoff matchups of the 90's, I'd sit through 6 hours of NBA doubleheaders.
But I was 13.
Now I'm a grown man, with grown up responsibilities, and my conscience simply won't allow that. I can't imagine if I somehow got sucked into 5 hours of tennis. I'd have slash marks on my back from the self-flagellation! (though I must admit, tennis is probably very low on my "Sports That Could Suck Me In For 5 Straight Hours" list).
Believe me, I'm regretting that I didn't have a strategic plan to maximize my Wimbledon viewing yesterday. I missed out terribly. But I'm not like my friends who watched that entire match. They're a different breed, the kind that likes marathons and chess.
And part-time employment.
*Thankfully, for those like me who didn't watch the entire match, there was plenty of coverage. Champion Rafael Nadal faced reporters, and answered their questions . . . at least the ones that made sense:
I was her at some point. But never, ever would I have been as rude and unsympathetic as the woman I encountered on the plane on our way back from Ft. Lauderdale. She saw us come in with our nine month old and could not contain herself. As I told a passenger who had mistakenly sat on my seat that he probably didn't want to travel next to our rowdy infant, she said as she stared right at us "oh good, sit her as close to the window and as far away from me as possible!"
I was not talking to her, I didn't even look at her. But she felt the need to tell us how much she hated the fact that there was going to be a baby traveling on the opposite row to her. Not even right behind her.
But that wasn't enough for this sharp looking middle aged business woman. Every time Amelia would make a peep, (And she is my daughter, so she is loud and happy), this lady would look back and stare disapprovingly at my child. So by the second dirty look at my baby, I had enough. So I told her, "I'm sorry ma'm . This is how it's going to be the entire trio". And the woman had the gall to reply, "I know, I'm looking forward to it". To what my motherly tigress instinct answer, "then you should find someone to switch seats with you".
The passengers right in front of me and behind me told me not to worry about it. But I wanted to cry with anger. If she wasn't looking forward to traveling with my nine month old, neither was I. I had already traveled with Amelia crying the entire way down to Florida.
But surprise, surprise. Amelia was a great traveler. She jumped on her father and I all flight, screaming with happiness and very content, playing with her toys and everything she could get her hands o, on that very dirty plane. Half an hour before landing, she fell asleep.
A very small part of me wanted her to puke on that rude lady. Scream in her ear for 2 and a half hours. Part of me wants to describe the woman to a t and tell you what flight I was on, so if whoever reads this and recognizes her, can tell her how insensitive she is and that she will probably die alone. I know, that's a little harsh.
As I said, I was probably her at one point. We all have been, I'm sure. We see the baby come in the plane and we pray to the Saint of Impossible Things to please, please let the family sit at the back of the plane. But I was always aware that it was going to be harder on his/her parents and that poor child than on me. I had my magazines and my ipod. They had to deal with a screaming baby that couldn't help but feel cooped up in that tiny seat.
I wish I didn't have to travel with a baby, but my family lives far away and I want my child to get to know them. Hell, I see know reason why I have to justify my flying. That woman was rude and I just thought I would share that with you. I now belong to the other side of the plane, the one that resents rude comments and welcomes anyone who smiles at my kid.
I was her at some point. But never, ever would I have been as rude and unsympathetic as the woman I encountered on the plane on our way back from Ft. Lauderdale. She saw us come in with our nine month old and could not contain herself. As I told a passenger who had mistakenly sat on my seat that he probably didn't want to travel next to our rowdy infant, she said as she stared right at us "oh good, sit her as close to the window and as far away from me as possible!"
I was not talking to her, I didn't even look at her. But she felt the need to tell us how much she hated the fact that there was going to be a baby traveling on the opposite row to her. Not even right behind her.
But that wasn't enough for this sharp looking middle aged business woman. Every time Amelia would make a peep, (And she is my daughter, so she is loud and happy), this lady would look back and stare disapprovingly at my child. So by the second dirty look at my baby, I had enough. So I told her, "I'm sorry ma'm . This is how it's going to be the entire trio". And the woman had the gall to reply, "I know, I'm looking forward to it". To what my motherly tigress instinct answer, "then you should find someone to switch seats with you".
The passengers right in front of me and behind me told me not to worry about it. But I wanted to cry with anger. If she wasn't looking forward to traveling with my nine month old, neither was I. I had already traveled with Amelia crying the entire way down to Florida.
But surprise, surprise. Amelia was a great traveler. She jumped on her father and I all flight, screaming with happiness and very content, playing with her toys and everything she could get her hands o, on that very dirty plane. Half an hour before landing, she fell asleep.
A very small part of me wanted her to puke on that rude lady. Scream in her ear for 2 and a half hours. Part of me wants to describe the woman to a t and tell you what flight I was on, so if whoever reads this and recognizes her, can tell her how insensitive she is and that she will probably die alone. I know, that's a little harsh.
As I said, I was probably her at one point. We all have been, I'm sure. We see the baby come in the plane and we pray to the Saint of Impossible Things to please, please let the family sit at the back of the plane. But I was always aware that it was going to be harder on his/her parents and that poor child than on me. I had my magazines and my ipod. They had to deal with a screaming baby that couldn't help but feel cooped up in that tiny seat.
I wish I didn't have to travel with a baby, but my family lives far away and I want my child to get to know them. Hell, I see know reason why I have to justify my flying. That woman was rude and I just thought I would share that with you. I now belong to the other side of the plane, the one that resents rude comments and welcomes anyone who smiles at my kid.
Pat and Paul delve deep into the station's seedy underbelly and find all sorts of "interesting" stuff... tune in below to find out what!
Rating - 4 stars
http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=95Ntk1r5vK1DbJ804R94
Pat's thunder is taken away from him in this promo! Meet the man that is able to do so...check it out in today's web EXCLUSIVE.
Rating - 3 stars
www.ecodazoo.com
I was in the back seat of Tom Skilling's ride.
The windows were tinted, that's why Paul didn't see me.
Plus, I was a little embarrassed that I was in the car with Tom and Bozo.
Tom was actually taking me to see my shrink.
Yes, I have lost it.
Bozo isn't the only one going through rough times.
I have a gambling problem and I'm broke.
I bet on everything....from how long it will take Larry to have to pee when he sits down to anchor the news....to how long it will take Robin to change her hairstyle or punch a writer for having a typo in a script.
But, really...that Tom Skilling is a saint to drive me around to my appointments and to not let anyone know that he's helping me out during my crisis.
God Bless that man!!!!!!!!!
Paul and "special" guest Jeff Hoover answer a longtime question for WGN viewers: How big is Tim McGill? Tune in below to find out!
Rating - 3 stars
www.youtube.com
What people don't know is that Skilling possesses not only the most knowledgable weather mind in the business...he also has the biggest heart.
Yesterday I was coming out of my Astrologist/Tax advisor's office and spotted Tom and his old friend Bozo driving around looking for a parking spot. I had heard rumors that Skilling had taken Bozo in when he fell on hard times following the cancellation of his show. I never pursued the rumors because 90% of the time they are totally false.
Here at the station there were all kinds of hushed conversations about Bozo and Skilling's "out of control parties, hookers and llamas". But I never dignified them...because of both of their reputations as solid Quakers and Capricorns.
Needless to say it was a little awkward. Tom and Boz were surprised to see me and we fumbled through an uncomfortable conversation. Tom made up some story that they were looking for an eye doctor to tighten up the screws on what he calls his new "Let's Get Jiggy Glasses".
He later told me that Bozo had his drivers license suspended and that he was taking him to the Best Buy to fill out a job application.
I felt badly for Bozo and could tell he was uncomfortable and embarrassed. But, we all hit hard times at some point in our lives. Lord knows I have had more than my fair share of failures.
Anyway...it just goes to show. The Skilling you see on the air is the same kind hearted guy that he is in real life. We should all be so fortunate to have such a friend.
Pat & Paul are joined today by two special guests...and they're wearing swimsuits! Find out who they are...tune in below.
Rating - 3 stars
www.ancientworlds.net