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Television Sun Jan 17 2010

The Paranoid Fitness Folks

I was at the Media Monolith, aka 190 North State Street, which houses various radio and TV outlets, including ESPN and WLS-TV. I was in the waiting area downstairs and saw a guy and a woman dressed in identical sweatsuits discussing what seemed like a segment that they were going to be doing that day.

So I asked them if they were going to go on TV, and they looked at me as if I was asking them for money. They eventually said "yes" and I told them that I write for this site, which means I'll be able to write something about them. They looked at me again as if I was deranged, and they mumbled something about "[blah blah] exercises for 2010". So I asked them if they were going to go on Channel 7, and the guy started listing exercises they were going to do.

Um, that's not what I was asking, but apparently they were so freaked out, they didn't want to incriminate themselves by being specific or forthright about their purpose at the Monolith.

I'm sure they were relieved when someone from inside came out and told them that "it" was going to be recorded because they seemed to jump off the couch in glee, thus free of my offensive questions. Maybe I was too bundled from the cold so they thought I didn't look slick enough to warrant any attention.

But let me break this down lest anyone think I was some random threat: no one can enter the lobby without clearance from Security. Once they look you over, you have to sign in, then they call the party who is sponsoring you, and only when they get some type of confirmation that your visit to the Monolith is legit, they buzz you into the inner sanctum where you wait while "The View" is blaring in the background.

Which means that I was one of the Lucky Few who got to sit near the Fitness Folks. But such a simple concept was too much for them to comprehend. Which means I couldn't plug whatever gym or business they have. Too bad.

 
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Architecture Tue Nov 03 2015

Paul Goldberger Describes the "Pragmatism and Poetry" of Frank Gehry's Architecture in His New Book

By Nancy Bishop

Architecture critic Paul Goldberger talks about Frank Gehry's life and work in a new book.
Read this feature »

Steve at the Movies Fri Jan 01 2016

Best Feature Films & Documentaries of 2015

By Steve Prokopy

Read this column »

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