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« August 2008 | Main | October 2008 »
Pat gives Ana a sports lesson and Paul gives you the goods on tomorrow's show! We hear Elvis and Johnny Cash are stopping by...find out who else in this web promo exclusive.
Rating - 3 stars
www.break.com
Pat & Paul are on the move and run in to a couple folks on the way. Meet them, and hear about what's in store for tomorrow's show!
Rating - 2 stars
www.bestweekever.tv
This week we featured HOODOO, a book about Cubs curses, bad luck and general weirdness. With the tenacity of an investigative reporter, Grant Deporter sifts through an archive of material to find stories of superstition that add color to the story of the Cubs last championship season, and some insight to what might be the foundation of Cubs culture. This treasured collection of artistic newspaper cartoon sketches give us a unique perspective on Chicago baseball history.
Dean and Ana let you in on all the fun happening in Monday’s show! We go “Around Town” to the Tribune Tower for a BIG celebration…find out what it’s for in this web promo exclusive.
Big show in store for you tomorrow! Leslie Nielsen and Plain White T's join The Morning Show...you don't want to miss this. Check it out...
Rating - 3 stars
www.disgruntledthemovie.com
Black beans. I've got Cuban black beans on the brain - and Cuban food practically coming out of my ears. Every night, as l lay my thick skull down to sleep, I see Cuban recipes dancing around in my head. It's a magnificent and terrible obsession. Can't stop thinking about it - as I reach a pivotal moment. Old Havana Foods is ready to launch in early October.
It's been a nutty couple of weeks, cruisin' across the Chicagoland area (remember Cruisin' Ilinois?) Now I'm crusin' food plants! Out here in Union, Illinois (west of Crystal Lake). I'm driving to Downers Grove to see my Reed-Rite / Reliable Label supplier (great people). I'm meeting with my wonderful web designers (Andiamo Creative) and talking to my rice man and my intellectual property lawyer (working to trademark Old Havana Foods). I'm trying to get the skinny on web marketing from my "google guru," Tom Casale, at Simplified Solutions. I'm talking to anyone that'll listen. There's a science to selling on the web and I'm still stuck in the Stone Age when it comes to the internet. I need all the advice I can get. As I''ve learned through experience, it takes a village to launch a new food brand and I've been fortunate to find great and talented people. Thanks to the efforts of many and my rapidly-dwindling bank account, all systems are go for launch. If all goes well, Old Havana Foods will be "on-the-air" by October 15th.
I have to pinch myself to know I'm not dreaming. My wife wants to pinch me too, or slug me! Because she keeps asking why we didn't finish the basement with all the money we've spent. But there comes a time in your life when you have to stand up tall ... and roll the dice. I just hope it doesn't come up snake eyes.
I'm going to be on WGN Radio this Sunday morning, September 28th! I'll be on the Dean Richards Sunday Morning show - starting about 11AM. I'm going to feed Dean and the WGN radio crew with my famous Chili Cubano. Friends and neighbors who've tried it say it's the best black bean chili they've ever tasted. I'm going to tell the story about my Cuban
great-grandfather, Julio. More than 150 years ago, back home in Havana, Julio perfected his famous black beans or "frijoles negros" - as its known on the island. And his recipes became an Old Havana sensation.
It's the fulfillment of along-held dream - to market my authentic Cuban-style specialites. Watch me as I continue to drain the paltry Crews bank account and max out 13 credit cards. whatever happens, it won't be boring. It'll all play out before your eyes, right here on the WGN Morning News blog. Thanks for following Julian's Crazy Beanquest, as we like to call it here on the WGN Morning News Blog. I'll see you Sunday on WGN Radio!
Ana and Val handle today's promo...and Ana has a surprise that will be revealed in tomorrow's show! What's the surprise? Tune in to find out...
Rating - 4 stars
www.youtube.com
The "Axe effect" plays part in today's promo. See what anchor is "effected" by the body spray...tune in below.
I'm very excited to fit into my skinny pre pregnancy jeans. The moment I was able to wear all those pairs I hadn't worn for a year, I was exstatic. Until I had to squat to pick up Amelia at a party and my husband ran from accross the room to cover my "exposed tush".
You know what I'm talking about. What's exposed is not the pretty cheeks but the ugly crack. That is not pretty on anyone. Even when I wasn't someone's mother I hated the fact the fashion industry made us sit around with our undewear out there. I searched high and low for a pair of cute, normal waisted jeans.
Now it's become a practical thing too. I can't run after Amelia with my butt in the air. No matter how long the blouse, you would need a "mu-mu" to cover your butt.
But I don't want to buy my jeans at Land's End or LL Bean.
Does anyone have a suggestion??
Thanks,
Ana
Rating - 2 stars
www.jokeroo.com
Pat would like to call this promo a "masterpiece!" Not quite sure why...but maybe you can figure it out. Check out the web exclusive below...
Rating - 3 stars
www.cadenhead.org
Pat and Paul are lucky enough to be joined by "The Girl Next Door," Holly Madison! She's sporting a new look for the promo too...you're going to want to check this out.
In case you missed it...
We had a woman on Thursday who does everything Oprah tells her to---buys her books, clothes, etc.
As were going to break, I asked her, "What overall grade would you give Oprah's advice?"
We went to commercial before she could answer.
Her grade?
"C."
Who says mediocrity doesn't pay?
Also....at the end of our KNOW YOUR PLAYMATE game show, we had a group hug finale with Hugh Hefner's main squeeze, Holly Madison. What you may have missed, is that in our group hug, someone lost something out of their shirt. I'm not sure if you'll be able to tell in the clip posted on our morning show site.
-Next week's game show: Know Your Latin Lovers
-A new book about the Cubs
-and Paul and I are on a mission to win one viewer at a time when we meet a young woman in the grocery store, who doesn't watch our show
Rating - 4 stars
www.hitzthespot.com
Pat lets you in on a private phone call...who is he calling? Find out! Plus, get the scoop on who's joining us on tomorrow's show. I believe it's a certain "Girl Next Door"...
Rating - 4 stars
www.metacafe.com
For today's promo, Ana joins in and Dean gets physical...need I say more? Check out the madness in this web exclusive...
Rating - 4 stars
www.freeple.com
One of my favorite Bears stopped by the show today- Roberto Garza. He, of the maligned offensive line which has only blocked for the NFL's 9th best rushing attack, and which has given up only 3 sacks (on a quarterback with NO mobility).
That Roberto Garza.
Here's why I like Roberto: as I mentioned when he visited last year, he shows up on time. He didn't arrive alone like he did last year- he brought his agent- but the agent was a pretty likeable guy (and not just likeable for an agent), so it's a wash. Roberto is also a very community-minded guy. We feasted on some delicious "Robert Garza MVP Donuts" (which you can find in your local Jewel Osco freezer case), and I learned that Roberto does not get paid a cent for endorsing the donuts, choosing instead that his share be donated to charity.
And aside from all that, he's just a good guy to be around. We will, of course, test that goodwill by asking him to come on another 6 times. So let's hope he's an even better guy than I've encountered so far.
Pat & Paul are starting a special coffee mug collection. Well, not really...but find out why these mugs are "special" in today's web promo exclusive.
Rating - 4 stars
www.splendad.com
Pat and Paul have the list of nominees for the Chicago Midwest Emmy's in their little hands! Did the guys get nominated? Find out...and also get the scoop on what's in store for tomorrow's show, in this web promo exclusive.
Stand-ins take over today's promo and they may be better than Pat and Paul! Are the guys jobs in jeopardy?? You be the judge. Check out this web exclusive...
. . . is you do not talk about Fan Club (at least that was the first stipulation of the lawsuit).
Pat is no where to be found...so Paul does this promo solo. Fun stuff in store for tomorrow's Morning Show...including live music from "Manic Sewing Circle," performing their version of "Go Cubs Go!" For more info, check out the video below...
Rating - 1 star
www.youtube.com
Here's the full list of the Country Music Association nominees for 2008.
The awards will be given out on November 12th.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
New Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler
Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
"Don’t Blink"
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
"Gunpowder & Lead"
Miranda Lambert
Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records
"I Saw God Today"
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville
"Stay"
Sugarland
Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville
"You’re Gonna Miss This"
Trace Adkins
Produced by Frank Rogers
Capitol Records Nashville
Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
Carnival Ride
Carrie Underwood
Produced by Mark Bright
19 Records Limited/Arista Nashville
Cowboy Town
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville
Good Time
Alan Jackson
Produced by Keith Stegall
Arista Nashville
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
Troubadour
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville
Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)
“Good Time”
Alan Jackson
EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
“I Saw God Today”
Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby
Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music
“Letter To Me”
Brad Paisley
EMI-April Music/New Sea Gayle Music
“Stay”
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles Publishing
“You’re Gonna Miss This”
Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller
EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle/Noah’s Little Boat Music/Songs of Combustion Music
Musical Event of the Year
(Award to each Artist)
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
“Another Try”
MCA Nashville
Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
“Every Other Weekend”
MCA Nashville
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“Gone, Gone, Gone”
Rounder Records
Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
“Life In A Northern Town”
Mercury Nashville
Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait)
“Shiftwork”
BNA Records
Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Don’t Blink”
Kenny Chesney
Directed by Shaun Silva
“Good Time”
Alan Jackson
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Stay”
Sugarland
Directed by Shaun Silva
“Waitin’ On A Woman”
Brad Paisley
Directed by Jim Shea
“You’re Gonna Miss This”
Trace Adkins
Directed by Peter Zavadil
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar Brent
Mason – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
It's done. We are officially moved. That's why I haven't been blogging lately. What a nightmare! I found good movers, as good as movers can be. They were 45 minutes late, but called twice to let us know, and only broke one piece of furniture.
The amount of stuff that we had in that 2 bedroom apartment was unbelievable so there was a lot of purging going on the last 2 weeks. It got to the point where we were ready to just keep 2 dinner plates and 2 glasses and throw everything else out.
Unpacking was very difficult but the worst part was doing it while taking care of an 11 month old who wants to chew on every cable and climb every box. She was also teething, so we really haven't slept well in 2 weeks.
Since I know Paul and Larry will hurt me if I go into details about my life as a Mom, I have started a separate blog, with the blessing of my boss. You can read updates about my adventures at motherhood and my thoughts on my "new job". Please check it out at Anabelaval.blogspot.com
I'll still blog on this site, no worries since with the job I have, I have plenty of material.
Pat couldn't make it for today's promo...but Paul is joined by a "little" friend of his. Tune in to find out who...or what joins him, and get the 411 on tomorrow's show!
Rating - 3 stars
www.mapjack.com
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you...Paul is not in today's promo. But, it looks like someone...or something, has replaced him! See for yourself, in this web exclusive.
Rating - 3 stars
www.deadspin.com
A new member of the WGN morning team is introduced in today's promo, find out who! Also find out what's new for tomorrow's Morning Show...tune in below.
BURNSVILLE, Mn (WGN Morning News Blog) - It's "Bean Country," up here in Burnsville, Minnesota - a green and beautiful place. You've got to see the wide-open farmlands to believe it. As you drive across the prairie, with it's legendary jet-black soil, it hits you like a semi-trailer. THIS is the famous "Bread Basket" - the fertile place where they grow the world's finest black beans. And I realize I'm in the perfect place to launch the dream.
It's something she'd always wanted to do, I'm told. My beloved grandmother had her sights set on marketing the centuries-old family recipe for black beans, or "frijoles negros," as it's known on the island. But the demands of raising a family made that dream impossible. And now, fifty years later, I'm making final preparations to fulfill that family dream.
I'm just about ready to launch Old Havana Foods, now that I've driver to Burnsville to close the deal with my bean supplier - Hoopeston Foods. It's been an expensive leap of faith - I could have finished the basement for what it's cost me to get to this point. But I've got no regrets because if you don't try to follow your dreams you'll never know.
I'm in the process of finalizing product labels to begin my inaugural production run. If all goes according to plan, oldhavanafoods.com will be "on-the-air" in October. And I still can't believe it. Stay tuned - more to come very soon. And don't hesitate to drop me a line if you have any thoughts.
I'd love to hear from you. Just e-mail me at jcrews@tribune.com
Rating - 2 stars
www.your3dsource.com
It's back to school....and every year I broadcast this list that I found somewhere years ago. It always inspired a lot of feedback----parents seem to love it. I didn't use it on air because it's become a little cliche but for those of you who haven't seen it, here it is. We would love to hear your additions to the list.
11 RULES THEY DON'T TEACH YOU IN SCHOOL
Rule 1:
Life is not fair - get used to it.
Rule 2:
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3:
You will NOT make $50,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4:
If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5:
Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it opportunity.
Rule 6:
If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7:
Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8:
Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9:
Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time!
Rule 10:
Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11:
Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Rating - 3 stars
www.celebrityhomephotos.com
If John Paxson had ANY chance of landing Dwyane Wade in the offseason and didn't, he should be tied to the Jordan statue for the entire NBA season (which might not be terribly long for the Bulls, but long enough that he gets the message). Wade was a beast during the Olympics, showing the skill and toughness that made him the darling of the NBA in '06.
Dwyane is in town for his "Young, Fly and Flashy" weekend, which sounds like one of those absurdly extravagant birthday parties athletes like to throw for themselves these days (there's a reason no one's throwing the party for you, genius . . .YOU'RE ONLY 24!). Thankfully, D-Wade celebrates his birthday in private, and "Young, Fly and Flashy" is actually a weekend full of events aimed at Chicago-area youth, and is just another instance of Dwyane giving back to his hometown.
He chose to go on "Oprah" yesterday, but that was only for some low-budget, Olympic Champions reunion show. To promote his big weekend, he chose to come on our show!
Paul schools Pat on his history for today's promo. See how well he does, and what's coming up on tomorrow's show...all in this web exclusive.
Rating - 4 stars
www.noob.us
Pat and Paul are joined by two very special guest...dogs! That's right, the dogs are out for today's promo...and they seem to have a connection with the fellas. Could Pat and Paul be Chicago's next Dog Whisperer? You be the judge, check out this web exclusive.
In today's promo, Pat introduces you to two VIP's here at the station! Find out what they do, and why they're so important to Pat...tune in below.
Rating - 2 stars
www.deadspin.com