I said before that if Oprah leaves Chicago, it won't be good for us. Well, now that she's announced the end of her CBS-syndicated show, my opinion remains unchanged. Since Discovery Communications, the company that's going to partner with her for her OWN cable network, isn't located in Chicago (except for a sales office), that means that a lot of resources and opportunities are going to disappear from our fair city.
Let's hope that another innovative, successful person in Chicago steps up to the plate to keep our city prosperous and dynamic.
I am old enough to remember when Walter Jacobson and Bill Kurtis hosted, I mean read, the news on Channel 2. The newsroom was behind them and had a realistic, gritty, serious feel to it. But we're in the 21st century now--news has changed. So it was weird to see them together on Friday (you can see the video here). And I wonder if younger viewers were puzzled about what all the hype was about, and if they cared. What demographic did they think they were appealing to?
In case you missed it, you can see a bit of this week's episode of "Dirty Jobs" when they were in West Chicago at the Sims Recycling Solutions facility. What's sort of annoying is that the Discover Channel doesn't let folks embed their videos elsewhere, which is why I've only provided the link.
I was at a Blackhawks game on Monday (they won, btw) and I met Gene Honda, who's the public address announcer for them and other teams in town. I think he does voice work for Me-TV, and I've seen him on WTTW during pledge drives, but what's weird is that he's not listed at their site, and he doesn't have his own site either. So I'm not clear what he exactly does at Channel 11, but he has a great voice.
He seemed friendly, though I probably annoyed him because I asked him for advice about some stuff, and he gave me some obtuse answers. He probably thought, "Great, another wannabe asking me about the dwindling competitive voice business," so perhaps he didn't want to be specific because there was no point. I did get a chance to ask him if he speaks Japanese, because I lived there and can speak it ok, but he said "no." After he disappeared into the announcer's booth, I thought I would never see him again, but I later ran past him in a hall downstairs. So I said it was nice to meet him and he smiled, and I haven't emailed him yet to follow up (he doesn't know I write for this site and I seriously wonder if he's glad to be rid of me).
And before I go back into my blogging booth, I'd like to offer him some specific advice: get a website and post your audio and bio so that we can know more about you.
There's been a question posted in Fuel that asks what you think of Oprah leaving Chicago. Well I think that Chicago will definitely suffer if she leaves.
Not only will hundreds of people lose their jobs, but all the residuals that go along with her presence here will be affected as well. Remember what the West Loop used to look like? It was a bunch of emptying warehouses and decrepit buildings, a kind of no-man's land where parking was plentiful, but restaurants weren't.
Not only did her studio bring about urban revitalization, but it's also increased tourism and enhanced Chicago's exposure. Before, Chicago was known more for the mafia and Al Capone than Oprah. Now we get all sorts of people here who want to see what her "hometown" looks like, and even if their friends and family aren't fans of hers, they at least become curious to see what type of place they've been to.
So as a non-fan of her show (though if I got an invite, I'd gladly go), I'd like to publicly plea that she not leave Chicago because we need her. Otherwise, we might slip back to the Chicago of the 70's, when the city was grim and people stayed away.
The second season of "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" opened in Chicago! The salon featured was Orbit Salon in Lakeview, within walking distance from Wrigley Field.
I love this show--I watched the entire first season and was impressed. It's not just about a salon, but about how to run a business, have pride in your work, and take responsibility for even seemingly mundane details. It's entertaining, but I've also come away from the show thinking about how to "step up" (as Tabatha often says) in my own projects and jobs.
There's a really good article in the Sun-Times that talks about some reality behind what we saw: what the stylists had to say compared to what was shown. If you watched the show with the stylists at The Stretch, feel free to talk about it here.
After watching this interview with Sherri Shepherd (who grew up in Chicago and Hoffman Estates before moving to California), I really want to meet her. I'm not a fan of any of the shows she's been involved with, but she seems like a very vibrant person who's funny too. I wish I could make a living off my personality as she's been able to do.
People shouldn't get too much plastic surgery. Actually, no one should get it, but since some segments of society are materialistically self-absorbed, plastic surgery is "inevitable." Just take a walk around the Gold Coast or the Viagra Triangle to test such a theory.
Last night I spotted plastic surgery overkill: Cindyana from "Million Dollar Listing." This photo does not capture the hideousness that appeared on camera for several moments at a time. In fact, I think the producers purposely did close-ups of her face to expose us to such horror. If you want to be creeped out, watch Season 3, Episode 3 -- they'll most likely rerun it multiple times.
When it comes to performing, Chicago native Robert Townsend has certainly done it all; beginning with his 1987 directorial debut, "Hollywood Shuffle", (and before then with a bit part in the 70s cult classic "Cooley High")Townsend has gone on to produce, direct, write and act in several feature films and television series.
After a television hiatus, Townsend returns to the small screen, adding another entry to his repertoire: "Robert Townsend's Musical Theater of Hope." Airing this weekend on the Gospel Music Channel (GMC), "Hope" is a trilogy with a "theatre-like quality" that shows "characters dealing with the challenges of life." I have seen all of his projects, including "Meteor Man", (but don't hold that one against him) and he has consistently put out quality, entertaining, and family-friendly material that everyone can enjoy.
So, if you're all tuckered out from watching football, tune into "Robert Townsend's Musical Theater of Hope" on GMC this Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7pm. Encore performances are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 11pm.
Though I'd like to commend CBS for posting full episodes of "The Good Wife" at their site (for those of us who can't record it on Tuesday nights), I've noticed an inconsistency: the Chicago police in Highland Park. Highland Park has its own police department, so realistically, the police who arrested the teenager in the clip below would be from Highland Park, not Chicago.
After a long search, this is the only picture I could find. If you have a better picture, feel free to let me know. Nene's uncle is on the far left, and to the right of her is the co-author of her book (Denene Millner), and Nene's alleged real dad.
Someone sent me info about CLTV (which according to some people is the Triple A/Farm Team for WGN): you can now watch it if you have RCN. Finally. It's obviously impractical that for years, people could only see it on Comcast, but what's odd is that not even all Comcast subscribers can see it either. I don't know what CLTV's plan is, but I hope they get more exposure because it's refreshing to see news presented in a regular way (instead of the fluffy presentations on other stations). And they have pleasant weekday morning anchor Tonya Francisco and earnest weekend anchor Judy Wang, two women on TV who don't act dumb.
From the local club scene to cable TV to feature films, Chicago comedian Deon Cole has been steadily climbing the ranks in stand-up comedy; now, he has a new feather in his cap: He is the latest addition to the writing staff of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."
Here is Cole at work:
Be sure to tune in to "The Tonight Show" to see one of Chicago's own in action!
Let me honestly say that I've wanted to write about the Lettermansituation since the story broke, but I've refrained because it seems that everyone is writing about it. But here's something you haven't seen in the Chicago media: any mention that it happens here as well.
Kathy Griffin (who grew up in Oak Park) is in town for some shows at the Chicago Theater, and today I saw her walking out of the Ritz Carlton to get in a car that drove her a couple of blocks to the Borders on Michigan Avenue (which will be closed early next year).
I walked over to the Borders to try to get a picture of her, but all I saw were hundreds of people lined up on the first and second floors to get their books signed. What's D-List about that? Staying at the Ritz, wearing beautiful clothes, surrounded by handlers, sold-out shows at the Chicago Theater, hundreds of people waiting for her to just sign their books...she's obviously a success!
Dean Richards said that he got a chance to talk to her, and she totally made him laugh. That interview will be on the WGN Morning News tomorrow (Thursday), and he said it will be funny. Hopefully they'll post the video online as well.
Here's the context: in the episode The Lazarus Experiment, the Doctor was playing an organ to try to destroy an evil creature and said, "I'll have to turn it up to eleven."
Yes, I'm a Spinal Tap fan which is why I caught that reference easily. I'm sure many people in Chicagoland were smiling and nodding their heads when they heard that. I just wanted to celebrate such a pop cross-cultural reference here. Thank you and have a good night :)
I had a membership with WTTW/Channel 11 but let it lapse, and eventually got a desperate-sounding letter from them, with several paragraphs that started out with the phrase "We took the chance..." followed by "There's only one problem with 'the honor system,' and running a public service on faith--everyone has to keep doing their fair share or it falls down." They said that they're worried, which made me wonder how bad TV would be without them around.
So I sent my membership check in, and I'd like to suggest that other people do the same. They're one of the few TV stations that doesn't require trash to fuel their programming, and they don't use visual extremes or try to melt people's minds.
I've never worked for them and don't know anyone there, so I don't have a ulterior motive. I just appreciate that they're around.
If you look at the opening scene in the video below, the alarm radio goes off, and the traffic reporter is talking about how backed up Michigan Avenue traffic is. But really, do we ever hear about it? Real Chicago traffic reports focus on expressways and Lake Shore Drive. But I guess the show wanted to feature that famously pretty street, not only visually (you see Michigan Avenue a lot in the opening credits) but on the radio as well.
I honestly didn't expect much from the new CBS show The Good Wife, but it was actually really good. I still can't believe they created a main character who is female and complex! And we can identify with her--not just her struggles but her strength as well--who would've thought that TV shows could do that?
What's amusing is that the woman's husband was the Cook County State's Attorney, and before he was thrown in jail, they lived in Highland Park.
I was surprised to see Matt Czuchry in the show--I watched him in many episodes of Gilmore Girls, where he played a smug rich kid. Now he's an ambitious junior lawyer, working on cases that are tried in our glorious Cook County.
I'm going to tune in next week, but if CBS decides to make any of the mainfemalecharacters stupid, slutty, weak, shrill, or shallow, I will no longer watch.
Oprah (aka Opie to some folks) promptly paid back the city for closing down Michigan Avenue to kick off her 24th season. (Why she wouldn't wait for "25" to make it really special, I have no idea. Which makes me wonder what she has planned for next year.) That was fast. And responsible. Thanks.
I don't worship at the Temple of O, and I'm not a buddy of Da Mayor either, but I had no problem with her closing down Michigan Avenue to throw her party. It might not be a hip opinion, since it seems that a lot of people wanted to complain about how she pushed her way onto the most prestigious section of street in the city, but it's only helped. Chicago got exposure not just on TV, but in all the residuals that surrounded the event, and businesses made money.
I had difficulty getting down the street, but I got a clear view from a high floor in the 333 building, and sure, there were a lot of people, but it was organized and festive and they cleaned up real nice, too. We didn't hear about any crime or freak-outs, so let's just be happy a TV powerhouse chose Chicago to celebrate success, and let's hope that gets more visitors here.
CAN-TV has just posted a video of a panel on making a living as an artist, featuring those who figured out a different solution to the art/money conundrum.
First it was Pat O'Brien, now we find out that Chicago stand-up Hannibal Buress has also been hired to write for the newest season of Saturday Night Live. Buress has been living and performing in New York City, having recently appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and he recently announced on his Twitter page that he would be joining the SNL cast on the 17th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
"hey. i found out that ill be writing on this season of SNL. lots of elaborate poop sketches will be pitched this season:"
Tune in to the season premiere of the 35th season of SNL on September 26th on NBC!
In the American cultural landscape, tap dancing has fought hard to be regarded the same as other dance forms. Lane Alexander, founder and director of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), explains tap's global impact, and why it is finally... Read this feature »
