WGN Morning News Blog

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Q: I thought Robin was a lot older than 40?
- Rich, Valparaiso, IN

A: She is, but only recently would she publicly confirm she'd even reached her 40's. In all truthfulness, she's 67. I tell her she should be open and honest about it. She has phenomenal legs for an old lady.

Q: I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy watching the entire Ch-9 crew, but I kind of get hypnotized when you come out.
- Cristina, Cicero

A: I understand your plight. Other viewers have shared the same story. How do you snap out of it? Past sufferers used to wait for the "Green Grocer" to come on.

Q: Pat, did you watch Bruce Wolf as a kid? Listening to you reminds me of how much I dislike Wolf. Don't like seeing you in your panties, or your Wolf-like comments. You and Dean should take the show on the road, overseas somewhere.
- Charlie, Bourbonnais.

A: I had no idea I was in the habit of wearing panties?? I mean, who among us hasn't dabbled with a silk nightie once or twice, but panties is where I draw the line- there's no way you've seen that. And the only "Wolf" I watched as a kid was WARNER Wolf, the famous NYC sportscaster whose false teeth fell out of his mouth on live TV (Google it). Dean and I would love to take this show overseas, but unfortunately, the station has told us we'd have to swim there.

Q: Now that Mr. Tomasulo has been beaten up by Bobby Hull and chased out of the room by Tom Skilling, will we see a death match between Hull and Skilling?
- Tim, Chicago

A: I don't know if that's a fight Skilling wants. I only ran from him because I didn't want to take out a WGN legend. I don't think he can fight at all. And thank you for calling me Mr. Tomasulo.

Q: Pat, just saw your sports participation video online. Could you BE any more perfect for this job? Thanks for retiring from pro sports to take a pay cut to do WGN sports!
- Tracy, Sugar Grove

A: Wow, Tracy, thank you for complimenting my work while at the same time insulting my status in my preferred career field. I'm going to stick my head in a microwave now.

Q: Pat, on today's blog with Paul, you were hilarious. You always crack me up.
- Amanda Griffith, Lake In The Hills

A: As seeing that only 47 people watch that blog daily, I get to know each and every one of them personally. I can't wait to meet number 48! Do you like Chinese? We need to meet soon.

(Editor's note: Pat and Paul's "Web Promo Exclusive" is a short video preview of what to look for on the next day's show. You can find it here: www.wgntv.com/wgn_extras)

Q: Hi Pat, I'm a 12-year old kid and I always love it when you come on. Sports is my favorite part of the news because I know I am gonna get a laugh.
- Sean, Chesterton, IN

A: Sean, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear from someone who "gets me." Physically, I'm a grown man, but mentally, I'm 10. I always aim for my humor to reach a more mature audience, and this is proof that it's working.

Q: I'm watching WGN right now (12:30 PM) and I was quite offended by the last segment I saw about the book "No Air Guitar Allowed." I've been going to concerts since I was 15. I think I can speak for all concert-goers when I say that Steve Weinberger does not know what he's talking about!
- James Morrissey, Chicago

A: You sure are getting worked up about comments from a guy named "Steve Weinberger." Do you think anyone believes a guy named "Steve Weinberger" is an authority on rock 'n roll?? If his name were ACE HURRICANE or THE PYTHON KING, then I'd understand your outrage. Also, I'm off the air by 9:00 AM, so I really have NO IDEA what you're talking about.

Q: Love watching the morning news. You are all very funny, and I want to know how many cups of coffee you all need to be energized so early???
- Desiree, Chicago

A: Larry and Robin make do with however many their intern fetches for them. Val settles for however many the intern can hold after Larry's and Robin's orders are taken care off. Paul is not a coffee drinker- he just runs around the building naked once or twice to get the blood flowing. Me, Dean and Ana are all coffee now, too, after we learned there's a defibrilator in the building.

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One of the tragedies of reporting on the road is having no time to report all the stories you'd like. On my recent trip to St. Petersburg (Florida, that is. You didn't think they'd send us across any body of water except Lake Michigan, did you????), I had to make some really tough editorial decisions.

Like, do I interview the two guys who nearly lured the Sox to St. Pete 20 years ago, or file a report on the original "Hooters?"

Do I make fun of Rays fans for thinking "mosaic" means "baseball stadium," or do I focus on the grown men with bright blue mohawks?

"Mosaic," won out, but thankfully I can now tell you about the "Rays-hawk," as well. During the regular season, the Rays began shaving mohawks into each other's heads. Then someone came up with the idea to dye the 'hawks blue (probably a guy who still tight-rolls his jeans). Anyway, the fans caught on, and now thousands of them have bright blue streaks in their head.

The young man you'll be introduced to below had enough self-worth to wash out the dye, but he refuses to shave the Rays-hawk.

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The mailbag has been overflowing, but I had lost my letter opener. Thankfully, I found it, and now I bring you another installment of "Mailing It In." In this edition, I answer your questions about my co-workers isolating me, ANOTHER of my predecessors, and my local TV crush.

I have been watching the WGN morning show for several months now and it's great but when are you going to start covering MMA in the sports segment? If ESPN does so can you! Tell Robin I said "How Youse Doin?"
- Drew Guthrie, Yorkville

By MMA, you of course mean the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Perhaps ESPN covers the MMA because of its geographical proximity (the Worldwide Leader is based in CT). I will give it some consideration.

Now, concerning Robin, "Youse" is not proper grammar. There are not 2 Robins. If there were, "How Youse Doin?" would be perfectly acceptable. It's how I greet my family in New Jersey all the time. But until Robin multiplies, stick with "YOU."



"WEEZE DOING GOOD"

Pat, your are so funny, where do you hang out at? Why aren't there any other guys out there like you that are intelligent, good looking, and not crazy!
- Mia, Chicago

Wow, Mia, why is there only one Mona Lisa? Why did Michelangelo scuplt only one statue of David? Why did Mr Holland conduct only one opus? I don't know.

Where do I hang out? Tae kwan do clubs, pawn shops, Elks lodges, the normal spots for intelligent, good looking and not-crazy men.

Val continues to be a studdering idiot who cant get through one segment.
- John Doe, Plainfield

Whoa!!!! Hold on there! Val is my friend and I will not have you talk about her like that. She does not stutter.

This morning before you were doing the sports you were looking at a picture of Marion Brooks. Do you have a crush on her?
- Linda, Evanston

Yes I do. It all started a few months back, when I saw her NBC5 blog entry about the hazards of nursing her newborn- NIPPLE CHAFFING! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
She's a firecracker, no doubt, but I always fall for women who stimulate me creatively. We're always trying to find new ways to make our own WGN blog more appealing, and that bit of brilliance inspired me.

Unfortunately, thus far, it's been a one-sided love affair.

Has anyone ever told you that you look like Gilbert Gottfried? I'm not sure if it's the voice, facial expressions or what, but you have a Gottfriedesque quality about you.
- Tara, Chicago

Are you serious?

I'll assume that you've watched our show more than once over the last 3 years, and that you've seen and heard that exact comparison from hundreds of our viewers before, and that you're writing me simply with the hope that I'll direct you to the bit that Gilbert and I did together on our show?????

Good. Here it is.

Since Paul and Larry are BFF's and even made a video of their excursions around town, did you feel neglected and left out? Do you want to talk about it? How did that make you feel?
- Lynn, Tinley Park

Technically, I wasn't left out- I was driving those two clowns around and buying them ice cream. Would I have liked to be included? Sure. I look AWESOME in a blue blazer and khakis, and everyone knows an ice cream cone is best when shared by three.

If Kurt the cyber guy is go good a being a cyber guy, why are the links he talks about not put on the web site until days later? Shouldn't he be entering it before he talks about in on the air?
- Lenny, Chicago

I don't pretend to know the ways of the Cyber Guy. Perhaps if he spent less time watching blog promos of Paul and I, he'd get more done (though I fully understand the lure of Cyber Pat and Cyber Paul). Perhaps Kurt is the Milli Vanilli of tech reporting? Think about it- how many computer geeks do you know with movie star looks like that?

Who was the dude that did sports for the morning news prior to Bill Weir?? I can't believe he succumbed to Good Morning America.... not that he was any good at sportscasting..... at lease you make it interesting and you also make your viewers wonder what will come out of your mouth next.
- Shari, Wheaton

Not sure I'm following your note completely. Is the "he" in your second line referring to Bill Weir? Or the guy BEFORE Bill Weir?
I don't know either one of them, so I can't answer that question, but I assume what probably lured them to Good Morning America was MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

Glad you enjoy my sports reports. I often don't know what will come out of my mouth next, either. Last week it was my gum.

Hi Pat, As always, I was watching the a.m. news today, and wondered if you, Larry, Robin, Val, Paul and Ana have ever had meltdowns. If so, I would be fun to see them.
- Sharon Sandberg, Chicago

That's fun to you, seeing other people suffer? You know, when we run clips of people falling, over and over again (and often in slow-motion), it's not for our enjoyment. It's to educate and inform YOU, the viewer. It doesn't make us happy to see people fall off ladders, or take a wiffle ball bat to the groin, or slip on a wet floor. Same thing for when our colleagues make mistakes- it hurts us to watch Bill O'Reilly have a stroke on camera, or listen to Pat O'Brien leave drunken, perverted ramblings on an answering machine. But we share them with you because it's NEWS. We're givers.

Are you married? If so why don't you wear a wedding band?
- Northside Irregulars, Chicago

Not yet. I'm still waiting for my very own cracked-nippled dream girl.

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ozzie Guillen is admittedly brutally honest. He says what's on his mind, WHENEVER it's on his mind, usually with no regard for sensitive ears or network censors. So when he suggested, Sunday night, that GM Kenny Williams shake up the roster, who were we to doubt him? He seemed to express himself rather clearly:

"F@#& it! If they can't get it done, Kenny should find someone to get it done."

(Exact words)

Well . . . TURNS OUT, that's not REALLY what he meant. Ozzie and Kenny met before Tuesday night's game, and Ozzie explained the true meaning of his comments. In doing so, I couldn't help but be reminded of one of the greatest sitcom stars of all-time.

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Time for another installment of "Mailing It In." Sorry it's taken a little while this time, but I was on a Red Cross mission in the Balkans. This week, I'm answering some questions about repeating myself, and my predecessor (who apparently had a speedo and leather fetish).

Isn't it Paul's turn to make you eat something from the Wheel of Death????
- Kevin Merrill, Chicago

I'm sorry, Kevin, but I know not what you speak of. I can only imagine you're referencing something which is the EXACT OPPOSITE of a "Wheel of Death." And that is our very special "Wheel of LIFE," the vending machine in our cafeteria that provides nourishing snacks and heartily nutritious meals for everyone at WGN. If anyone ever referred to it as the "Wheel of Death," AND did a segment on it, that was certainly in poor taste, and management knew better than to let it continue.

Good Morning Pat. You are a wonderful sports anchor but what I would Like to know is why does every segment show the exact same thing I know you all have pick up more coverage than just the exact same segment each and every time it is time to speak. This goes on for four hours every day why stay on for so long if you are just going to repeat that same thing everytime. This os not just the sports segment but the whole show for the entire FOUR HOURS.
- Robin, Chicago

There is only one way you could know that we repeat ourselves all 4 hours, and that's if you're watching ALL 4 HOURS! I believe this is the first issue we must address. Are you in a body cast?

What is the significance of baseball players keeping the back pocket inside out. on their uniforms? I noticed AJ does but missed the comment regarding the reasoning behind it. Thanks.Enjoy your segments.
- Pat McCormick, Chicago

Pat, there is an epidemic in baseball right now that's bigger than steroids, or inflated salaries, or the Tampa Rays being in first place. Pick-pocketing. Players across both leagues have been having their wallets stolen, and this has been interfering terribly with their social agendas- and not so much because of their money, credit cards or ID's being stolen.

Pat, I was wanting to find out why Notre Dame gets talked about more even when they lose vs other local Div 1 college teams when they are winning? Do they slide you an extra $$ to hear their name on tv? Less ND please.....Thanks
- Doug, Oswego

Yeah, that's it. Notre Dame won 3 games last year, and of most importance to them is hearing the school's name mentioned on an early morning local newscast.

You have been around a while now so the honeymoon is over - when are you going to to sports in a speedo like Mike Barz did? You may be do sports but brother you aint no Mike Barz
- Eric, Gurnee

Asking me to wear the "Sports Speedo" would be like asking me to start doing a "Top Ten List," or a "Jaywalking" segment. These are trademarked bits specific to their creators. Mike Barz didn't just wear the "Sports Speedo"; Mike Barz IS the "Sports Speedo." How would you feel if he went on the air claiming he owned FOX-32?

Plus, the guy's 6'5." I can't compete with legs like that.

Your predecessor, Mike Barz, once did a leather clothing fashion segment. With IML (International Mr. Leather) 30 coming up this Memorial Day weekend, any chance you'd do a leather clothing segment?
- John G., Chicago

Again, another signature bit for Mike, but one I nearly made an exception for. Did you notice that I waited until after the competition to answer you? I couldn't think of a reasonable excuse, as I love the feel of leather on my thighs. Ultimately, I just couldn't steal his idea.

By the way, can you believe it's already IML 30??? It seems like IML 10 was just yesterday!!!

This morning you were sitting at your desk doing the sports and it looked like there were 2 bobbleheads on your desk. They are personalized? One looked like you and the other like Larry. The reason I'm asking - my husband ordered 50 personalized bobbleheads of himself and would love to send you one for your desk to display. Would you be interested? Let me know. I have 50 of them to give away.
- Gina Iannantone, Plainfield

So let me get this straight. Your husband ordered 50 bobbleheads of himself, and he has 50 to give away? Were they so bad he didn't even want one? I guess I'll take one, though I have to say, you're not exactly making a hard sell here. I do, in fact, have a personalized bobblehead. Larry does not. Is this the bobblehead you're mistaking for him? And if so, what are you saying about his hair?

Pat, As you were walking down Broadway crossing Aldine yesterday in your blue/grey workout clothes, the collective gasps and sighs from the boys at Caribou could be heard for blocks! Yet, you seemed oblivious to the "man-traction" of it all. Great to see you!
- John, Chicago

Was that around 3:00? Apparently your adulation was so loud, a buddy of mine thought Ricky Martin was in the neighborhood. Sadly, I was oblivious to the "man-traction," as I am oblivious to many things in my life, like smoke alarms, paying credit cards, and authority figures in general.

Cougar got your tongue? Apologize, you witless, wantabie WGN TV reporter, for your distasteful, arrogant and for lack of better words, stupid, anal portrayal of seniors. You will be lucky if you are around for two more years of your immature portrait of a mature individual. Suck it in, apologize and if you don't know the meaning, ask one of your associates to find the meaning of apology in a dictionary. Better yet, dust your self off and head for parts unknown. The St. Valentine's Day massacre had more credibility then your poor excuse for farce.
- CeCE, Downers Grove

Wow! A little late to the party, no, CeCee? I did that bit like 4 weeks ago! Perhaps it took you that long to craft these eloquent and persuasive remarks. Well allow me to retort. I said the piece was a look at what I would be like as an old man, and it is. I simply took some of my current character traits (farting, poor driving and stage fright at the urinal) and advanced them 50 years.

I'm also confused as to what exactly an "anal portrayal" is. Are you sure you're reeeeaaaalllly lacking for better words here????

You need to grow a mustache. Will you sport one for the summer?
- Bryan, Chicago

Summer is not a time for facial hair, Bryan, but the winter of '07 was (see below)

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Here it is, our first edition of "Mailing It In." I've chosen 10 questions to answer in this week's edition. I hope you are well-served and better informed by my responses. I'm just one man trying to make a difference.

To solve our nation's obesity crisis, Richard Simmons should create and lead an army of those "Seven-Bots" from the Bally's commercial. Can you forward this message to him? Unless they have already created an "Eight".
- Jonah, St. Charles

I'm scheduled to see Richard in 2 weeks when I produce his new workout video- "Sweatin to Gangsta Rap." How about I bring up your question in person, rather than in an impersonal e-mail? There is, in fact, an "Eight" in development, but right now it's only a prototype.

Do you know some websites or auditions me and my friend can do to become famouse actress we always wanted to do this if you can give us advice this will be a dream cometrue thanks
- Alexis, Chicago

Well, being a famous actress myself, I have loads of experience and expertise in this area. There are a number of websites out there that offer help, but most of them require visitors be at least 18 years old- I find they can be a bit limiting. My advice would be to stage your own productions at various "L" stops throughout the city, or in front of a Walgreens. Talent scouts often frequent these areas, and I know passers-by love the entertainment and are not inconvenienced by it in the least bit. Good luck!

How come no one is reporting on the "Promoter's Ordinance" that city council is voting on in about 24 hours?
- Brandon, Rolling Meadows

I am not involved in the planning done by our news department, but I've noticed the City Council meetings that get the most coverage are those that devolve into a pie-throwing episode of Bozo (granted, those are about 73% of their meetings). Perhaps if one set of promoters was for foie gras, and the other against, it'd get more attention.

I love to watch the Cubbies. When watching the Cubs on WGN, there is a notation in the upper right hand corner of the picture which proclaims the video is being sent in Hi-Def. I am sorry. The picture quality is so bad, I cannot watch it anymore. If you are not on ESPN, I don't get to atch your games. Sorry. Come to Florida with a technician and see for yourself what I am talking about. The picture quality is horrible. Actually the only one worse is the Rays network out of Tampa, and I don't care about them anyway
- Warren Miller, The Villages, FL

Warren, last I was made aware, the WGN Morning News is not seen on the Superstation, which means you have absolutely no idea who I am. For all you know, I could work in the mail room. However, this is your lucky day. I was able to free up a few afternoons this week, and me and a technician are coming down to fix everything! Just give me your address, some days and times when you'll be out of the house (we like to work uninterrupted), leave your keys in the mailbox and a detailed map showing all the escape routes out of your subdivision.

My name is Luke Schneider and I have a 7th grade english project that I could use your help with an interview. I have 9 questions to ask in an interview. I don't want to pressure you...but my total grade depends on your answers and you wouldn't want to let an impressionable young future sportscaster and Tomasulo fan down would you? I've missed the bus 15 times because of you.......Its a long walk to school.
- Luke, Crystal Lake

First off, it's not a long enough walk. You kids these days are soft- too much X-Box and not enough manual labor. When I was a kid, we didn't even have the bus. I had to find a buddy and alternate piggy-back rides to school. Second, what kind of teacher puts a student's entire grade in my hands? Has he or she seen my work? I dress up like an old man and fart for a living! I'll answer your questions, but I hope you haven't made any plans this summer.

You ought to come check out the Anglo-Irish madhouse at Fado tavern on May 21st when our beloved Manchester United play Chelsea in the European Champions Cup final!
- Ivor Irwin, Chicago

Is Ivor really your name? I'm looking at my keyboard and noticing how close "V" is to "G." Is it Ivor or Igor? And do you all headbutt each other when your team scores a goal? If so, I'll strongly consider it.

Why can't you be a kiss up like juan carlos?
- Ernie, Palatine

Great question. Now ask me why I can't dunk like Michael Jordan.

Pat, easy on the makeup. You are a sportscaster, not a drag queen.
- Sharon Needles, Chicago

Sharon, our makeup artist is a wonderfully gifted yet very sensitive woman. If she sees this question, I will hear about it for the next 6 months. And if I have to hear about it for the next 6 months, I am going to hunt you down and destroy you.

Otherwise, thanks for watching!

Hey Pat, is it possible I can come to WGN and see the operation (Live) before I go to work?
- William Stewart, Jr., Chicago

Ooohh, William, I wish I could help out here. I can get you on the waiting list, but our show is sold out until 2014 (1 year longer than "Oprah"). Sometimes I'll see tickets to the show pop up on craigslist, but they usually go pretty fast.

How do I get a recording of the Cubs Fight Song, "GO CUBS GO"
- J. Kuebel, Sparta

Does it matter who's singing it? I would be more than happy to corral Paul Konrad for a duet on our Morning Show Blog. He's an alto and I'm a tenor- our harmonies are usually breathtaking. Just let us know.

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I don't have any concrete evidence to back this up, but I believe Ricky Williams is the only man in history to quit the NFL so he could smoke marijuana full-time. I'm not judging- he obviosuly found an activity he enjoyed more than playing football. We should all be so passionate about something in our lives, though I would suggest something legal.

Ricky is a former Texas Longhorn, much like Cedric Benson, and the two are friendly. Apparently, they're so friendly that WIlliams nearly accompanied Benson on his boat trip the night he was pepper sprayed and waterboarded. He declined Benson's invitation, and now he's wondering what might have been . . .

Also, earlier in the week I told you about my new blog segment: "Mailing it in." This is where I will answer viewers' questions. I presumed most of the questions would be about sports. Instead, most of them have been about my makeup, doing someone else's homework assignment, and me considering a second career as a drag queen. I will be answering some of these questions Monday right here on the blog. There's still time to submit questions. Click below to do so. Check back Monday after the show for our first installment of . . .
Mailing It In.

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