Lauren Cohn
Four months after she lost her job as a news anchor and reporter at WFLD-Channel 32, Lauren Cohn could be on her way back to the Fox-owned station group.
Kasell, Hemmert join Radio Hall of Fame's Class of 2010
Aug. 4, 2010
Carl Kasell
Terri Hemmert
National Public Radio veteran Carl Kasell and Chicago rock radio icon Terri Hemmert will be among this year's inductees in the National Radio Hall of Fame. But once again, voters have snubbed two of America's pioneering shock jocks -- Howard Stern and Steve Dahl -- denying them entry in the Chicago-based shrine.
New Trib section promotes blogger Weigel to columnist
Aug. 4, 2010Robservations on the media beat:
- Jenniffer Weigel, the amazingly versatile broadcaster, author, actress, singer, producer and blogger, will soon add Chicago Tribune columnist to her credits. Starting Sept. 1, she'll be writing for the newspaper's new lifestyle section, to be called TribU. It's a three-tiered job that also will involve her making regular TV and radio appearances to promote the section. Since July 2009, Weigel has been blogging for the Tribune's ChicagoNow network. She's the daughter of Tim Weigel, the late Chicago sportscaster, and Kathy Worthington, the former radio news anchor. Her brother is Rafer Weigel, sports anchor on HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade." Her second book, I'm Spiritual Dammit, will be published this fall.
Snafus aside, 'Good Day' team gets off to a smooth start
Aug. 3, 2010Though plagued by technical problems and an excruciatingly slow news day, Corey McPherrin and Anna Davlantes got off to a comfortable start Monday as the new primary hosts of WFLD-Channel 32's "Good Day Chicago."
McPherrin, in particular, was so smooth and relaxed in the role that if you didn't know better, you'd swear he'd spent his career as a talk show host rather than a sports anchor, which had been his job at the Fox-owned station until just this week. Together McPherrin and Davlantes make an attractive and personable team.
The education of Greg Jarrett: Chicago's lost cause
Aug. 2, 2010
Greg Jarrett
Friday's early morning conversation with Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson on WGN-AM (720) was going along uneventfully (even if you could practically hear producer Jim Wiser pulling the strings in the background, as he usually does). The subject, of course, was the front-page news that Bill & Walter would be reuniting as co-anchors of the 6 p.m. newscast at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2.
But then, with one astonishingly stupid question ad libbed at the end, Greg Jarrett again proved why he's unfit to host mornings on the Tribune Co.-owned news/talk station:
Fox Chicago 'promotes' Jill Carlson -- right out of a job
Aug. 2, 2010
Jill Carlson
On the day WFLD-Channel 32 confirmed the exclusive here that Corey McPherrin would be switching from evening sports anchor to morning news co-host, the Fox-owned station put out the word that his slot on the 9 p.m. weeknight newscast would be filled -- at least for the foreseeable future -- by weekend sports anchor Jill Carlson. The Tribune reported it. The Sun-Times reported it. Chicagoland Radio and Media reported it. Even I reported it.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
On Friday, Carlson was notified that she's on her way out.
Christian talker comes home to WYLL afternoon show
Aug. 1, 2010
Janet Mefferd
She's been billed as the fastest growing Christian radio host in national syndication and the embodiment of "The Next Generation of Christian Talk." On Monday, Janet Mefferd returns to the Chicago station where it all started for her.
Back to you, Bill & Walter? Say it ain't so!
Jul. 30, 2010
Bill Kurtis & Walter Jacobson
I know I should be jumping for joy now that WBBM-Channel 2 has announced the reunion of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson, the iconic duo who redefined television news in Chicago nearly four decades ago. Like many who watched Bill & Walter in their heyday, I've long respected and admired them as the gold standard of local anchor teams.
So how come the whole getting-back-together thing makes me feel . . . I don't know . . . kind of sad?