When I wrote my first post for the Vocalo blogs in November 2009, I couldn’t have imagined what an exciting and eventful year would follow. From the announcement of Oprah’s departure to Bill & Walter’s reunion, and from Roger Ebert’s television comeback to the meltdown at Tribune Co. and WGN Radio, it’s been an unforgettable 12 months on the media beat.
As you may have noticed, there’ve been some significant changes here, too. With the recent redesign of the Vocalo blogs and their move to a new site at wbez.org; I have decided it’s time for me to leave Chicago Public Media. But let me assure you, I won't be leaving the daily media beat. I expect to make an announcement about my new online home soon.
Before I sign off here, I want to thank Chicago Public Media and especially its outstanding CEO, Torey Malatia, for giving me the opportunity to launch my new career as a blogger. I will be grateful to him forever for his confidence, support and encouragement. I also appreciate the efforts of Allison Scholly, Wendy Turner, Steve Edwards and Andrew Gill.
Feder: A note of thanks - and farewell (for now)
Nov. 23, 2010‘Pig Virus’ quarantined: Metheny, Laski driven out from WGN
Nov. 12, 2010If Kevin Metheny wasn’t the worst program director in the history of Chicago radio, I don’t know who was.
Kevin Metheny and Jim Laski in a fond embrace
Arrogant, aloof, stubborn and contemptuous of the legacy he’d inherited, the man known as “Pig Virus” nearly destroyed one of the greatest brands in American broadcasting by alienating hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners and breaking bonds of trust that had endured for more than 80 years.
Never has a station fallen so far, so fast in public esteem — all because of one man who took pride in dealing dishonestly with his employees and audience alike. “Truthfulness is only an added benefit when it happens to drop into your lap,” he famously told his staff in a memo that turned up on this blog one year ago last week.
On Thursday afternoon — three weeks after his mentor and protector, Randy Michaels, was ousted in scandal as CEO of Tribune Co.
Happy first birthday to us: Vocalo blogs on the move
Oct. 25, 2010Robservations on the media beat:
A personal note: One year ago this week I signed on to the launch of the Vocalo blogs and began what I’d hoped would be a daily conversation about the media. It’s been an exhilarating year, thanks largely to so many thoughtful readers who’ve shared opinions and insights on the issues raised here. My thanks to them — and to you — for making my transition from ex-newspaper columnist to blogger as rewarding as it’s been. While the Vocalo blogs undergo a makeover and move to the redesigned website of Chicago Public Media’s wbez.org, I’ll be on a short break. Barring any media emergencies, see you again in a week or two.
- Shocking a shock jock: Commenting on the ouster of Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels, former-shock-jock-turned-talk-host Mancow Muller told listeners to his Sunday night radio show on WABC-AM in New York about the time he met with Michaels about a possible job.
Randy Michaels' first disaster in Chicago? It was 'hell'
Oct. 23, 2010In December 2007, on the day Sam Zell named his old pal Randy Michaels as head of broadcast operations for Tribune Co., I wrote these words: “Woe is us.”
ABC 7 names production team for new morning show
Oct. 22, 2010Life after Oprah at her Chicago television flagship took a giant step forward Friday with the hiring of two seasoned producers to create and oversee a new live, local morning show to originate from the studios of ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.
Named executive producer was Marlaine Selip, former executive producer of NBC’s “In the Loop with iVillage.” The short-lived show was produced at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 until March 2008. Named supervising producer was Cindy Patrasso, former supervising producer of “In the Loop with iVillage” and former creative marketing director of “Donahue,” the landmark talk show hosted by Phil Donahue and syndicated by Multimedia Entertainment.
In announcing the hires, Emily Barr, president and general manager of Channel 7, cited their “deep Chicago roots and extensive experience in live, daytime television,” adding:
“They are creative, energetic and innovative. Combine this with strong leadership skills and good old fashioned Midwestern values and this puts us in a terrific position to produce a compelling and uniquely Chicago-centric show.”
Over and out: Tribune Co. cancels Randy Michaels
Oct. 22, 2010
A year in the life of Tribune Co.
Oct. 22, 2010
The resignation of Randy Michaels as chief executive officer of Tribune Co. culminates a tumultuous year in the history of the Chicago media company -- especially for its flagship news/talk radio station, WGN-AM (720). Here's how the story unfolded on this blog:
Feder's Chicago media flashback: October 1992
Oct. 22, 2010An assortment of news items (updated and annotated) from my Chicago Sun-Times columns of 18 years ago this week: