The Capitol Fax Blog » WLS loses its mind

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009

* 7:28 am - WLS Radio’s program director just announced that the disgraced, arrested, impeached and removed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will fill in for Don & Roma tomorrow morning from 7-9.

This is supposedly just a one-time gig. We’ll see.

Man, are they that desperate for attention over there?

* 8:05 am - Blagojevich, of course, accepts. From a press release…

(PRNewsChannel) / Chicago, Ill. / He’s done dozens of interviews since being thrust into the national spotlight–and countless more during his political days. Now, for the first time, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will ask the questions when he takes over as guest host on a top Chicago-area radio station, the PR firm that represents the former governor announced today.

Blagojevich will fill in Wednesday morning for the vacationing Don Wade and Roma - “the dynamic duo” on WLS 890 AM.

“He’s excited about hosting,” says Glenn Selig, Blagojevich’s publicist and founder of The Publicity Agency (http://www.thepublicityagency.com). “He’s ready for the challenge and promises to be a fair interviewer. He’ll also be tough when he needs to be. He’s a talented communicator.”

“Broadcasters and the public were witness to his talent when he went national to tell his side of the story,” says Selig. “He thinks fast on his feet, is energenic and knows how to speak about complicated subjects so that anyone can understand what he’s saying.”

Blagojevich is in the midst of writing a highly anticipated book due out in October. The former governor received a six figure advance.

Blagojevich was a guest on the “Don Wade and Roma” show March 17.

Guests for Blagojevich’s fill-in show will be announced later today, Selig says.

* 9:22 am - Related…

* Prominent lawyer may join Blagojevich legal team

* Second City turns governor’s saga into Rod opera

- posted by Rich Miller

54 Comments

- South of I-80 - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 7:38 am:
WLS just beat WGN hands down! GN was only able to come up with Jerry Springer as afternoon host a couple of weeks ago! On second thought, WGN wins big time!

- Leroy - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 7:43 am:
The man has been in the public eye most of his adult life. And for most of his public career, he was portrayed to be a darling. What did you think he was going to do after he left office, crawl into a hole and die?

We the people of Illinois made this man, like we do all our politicians. Now why doesn’t anyone want to live with him? Is this what we do in this so-called compassionate state? Chuck people aside that no longer serve a purpose to us?

- You Go Boy - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 7:52 am:
For anyone on the fence as to whether this is a “race to the bottom” and “there’s no such thing as bad publicity”, this tidbit should help you decide. I hope it fails miserably, but it probably won’t. I only hope that those that do call in will give him hell (i.e. tell him the truth), and as Harry T. said ” … he’ll just think it’s hell”

- Justice - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 7:58 am:
It would be the perfect time for the Feds to step in and issue him and indictment and haul his sorry butt off to the slammer!! But then so would April Fool’s day!

- Bill - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 7:59 am:
Good luck, Rod!
Give em hell.

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:02 am:
I hope Patrick Fitzgerald’s office will be calling in.

- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:09 am:
I heard Gillespie joined his defense team. After what happened with Genson, he should have established some ground rules, i.e. stop talking.

- Easy - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:14 am:
I feel like a mosquito lured by the shiny blue light. I won’t be able to help myself, must listen..

- Macbeth - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:17 am:
Well, two years from now, I’m sure WLS will be quite embarrassed. And I’m sure a WLS spokesman will issue a press release saying that this particular gig was a mistake.

I’m assuming, of course, that the trial will be over — or nearly over — and the outcome will be what everybody expects the outcome to be.

- Cranky Old Man - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:20 am:
Leroy, leave me out of the “We the people of Illinois made this man”. I voted against him both times he ran.

- Ryan Hermes - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:21 am:
Nice proofreading on that release:

“He thinks fast on his feet, is *energenic* and knows…”

- Heartless Libertarian - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:22 am:
From a marketing standpoint, this is a dream. WLS will not be embarrassed. It will be entertaining and people will listen. As long as it doesn’t become a regular thing, it could really work for them.

- North of I-80 - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:24 am:
1) Ratings

2) While Rod was refusing to budge from the governor’s chair, WLS made the offer: resign & we’ll give you a morning show. In this day of broken campaign promises, empty words, broken contract law & bad mortgage apps, it is good to see that words actually mean something.

- How Ironic - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:24 am:
I would imagine that he won’t be taking random callers. Well, maybe we can hope somone calls in and professes to be a supporter. Then evisorate him on air.

Except I’m sure WLS has a 7-sec delay. No one would ever hear the callers.

Grrr.

- Huge in Japan - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:30 am:
Nice catch, Ryan, on the “energetic” and I noticed another small error: when Selig says that he (Blagojevich) knows how to speak about complicated subjects I believe she meant that he knows how to speak *around* complicated subjects…

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:31 am:
He thinks fast on his feet, is energenic and knows how to speak about complicated subjects so that anyone can understand what he’s saying.

Translation: He’s a face-paced liar who understands that the easiest lie to tell people is the one they want to hear.

And thank you Ryan Hermes. I thought someone slipped “energenic” into the dictionary while I wasn’t looking.

Perhaps Selig hopes to coin a new term:

en-er-GEN-ic: adj. 1. neurotically hyperactive; 2. sociopathic juggernaut; 3. One whose genetic make-up enables their mouth to tell unceasing lies at the speed of sound.

- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:32 am:
==resign & we’ll give you a morning show==
I remember the deal being a Sunday afternoon spot…I’m sure this is just a trial (pun intended) run.

- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:49 am:
QOTD: What guests would you like to see on Rod’s show?

- EmptySuitParade - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:49 am:
last week Don & Roma earned the distinction of becomeing the Three Stooges of radio — they are justing Stooge #3….Hope Johnson and Cameron can pick up a new gig quickly

- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:52 am:
Leroy, I must make one small correction to one of your statements. We the people of CHICAGO Illinois made this man. Leave us downstaters out of the mess. He’s their product, not ours.

- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:53 am:
Vote Quimby, I suggest NO guests but only listen to Elvis implode.

- BIG R.PH. - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:55 am:
Is Glenn Selig related to baseball commissioner Bud Selig?

Seems to be the same kind of thinking. You know cancel the World Series…give Blago unfettered access to the public airwaves.

- Mr. Ethics - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:58 am:
Tune in around 7:45 - Rod was never on time as Gov.

- Secret Square - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 8:59 am:
I would rather listen to a Vogon poetry reading (a reference to Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) than one of Rod’s poetry readings.

- carbon deforestation - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:00 am:
wow, that’s really going to make out of work radio guys like Gary Meier feel like s**t!

I too will be drawn to the light . . . .must listen.

I hope he takes calls, I really want to help him tell the “truth” about his story to the voters of Illinois.

Here is what his show will sound like:
* I told you so, Quinn wants to raise your taxes!
* Can’t talk about the details, but I promise the truth will exonerate me.
* Look at Sanchez - look at Daley - I’m innocent - they are guilty.
* Buy my book!

- Secret Square - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:02 am:
Unfortunately, LE, we the downstaters (those who were Democrats) DID make him the first time around, in 2002, by giving him the primary boost he needed against Paul Vallas. Don’t blame us for 2006, however.

- BigDog - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:05 am:
“2) While Rod was refusing to budge from the governor’s chair, WLS made the offer: resign & we’ll give you a morning show. In this day of broken campaign promises, empty words, broken contract law & bad mortgage apps, it is good to see that words actually mean something.”

North of I-80 - Rod resigned??

- Cousin Ralph - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:09 am:
He will announce that he is calling his show back on the air each day until the legislature fixes Illinois’ financial mess.

- dan l - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:16 am:
Any chance he’ll team up with Drew Peterson? Rod And Drew in the Mornings? Or maybe call the show “the league of wrongfully accused gentlemen”?

- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:20 am:
Quinn should be his guest and Rich should volunteer to wear black and white pinstripes to referee.

- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:21 am:
This is gold for WLS. The Elvis Revival Hour with the People’s DJ.

- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:26 am:
–QOTD: What guests would you like to see on Rod’s show?–

Dominick Longo, Dick Mell, Chris Kelley, Don Rickles, Jim DeLeo, Stu Levine, Tony Rezko, Lola Falana, Roland Burris, Lon Monk, Sam Adam Jr., Wayne Newton, Rahm Emanuel, Lon Monk, John Harris, Don Rickles, John Wyma, Joe Cari, Ali Ata, Shecky Greene, Doug Scofeld, Jay Hoffman, Jesse Jackson III, Joan Rivers, Bill Cellini, Bob Kjellander, Sam Zell and Charo.

- Speaking at Will - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:41 am:
== WLS loses its mind. Man, are they that desperate for attention over there? ==

WLS hasn’t lost thier minds. They are brilliant for taking advantage of a great opportunity. Look at the number of Comments that a post regarding Blago gets on this blog compared to the others.

Furthermore, part of a radio stations job is to get attention, garner ratings, brings eyes to advertisers. I will be listening intently w/o one bit of shame! Go WLS!

- Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:50 am:
This will be new material for Second City. Everything else Milorad has touched blew up in his face, I’m sure this will also.

- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 9:56 am:
Secret Square, we downstates may have helped elect this idiot as our governor but Chicago planted, fertilized, and cultivated him long before he ran for governor. He’s still a product of Chicago politics.

- fedup dem - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 10:08 am:
Hopefully, WLS will make a nice audiotape of the program for use by the federal prison that Rod ends up at as entertainment while the inmates are eating breakfast.

- Bluefish - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 10:21 am:
As the saying goes - give him enough rope…

- Anon in BB - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 10:33 am:
As Don Wade says in plugs for the station - make sure your little clock radio is tuned to WLS. However, tomorrow I will do the exact opposite and tune it to WGN or WBBM. I have no interest in escalating my blood pressure that early in the morning. And I’m going to write to WLS and tell them the same thing.

- Secret Square - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:13 am:
Word, your guest list is hilarious! Although I don’t quite figure where Lola Falana, Shecky Greene, and Charo fit in. Oh, and did you remember to mention Lon Monk and Don Rickles :)

- Secret Square - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:14 am:
Even though, as my blog name indicates, I did watch a lot of celebrity game shows in the 70s.

- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:17 am:
Secret, chronic guests from the past.

- Nort'sider - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:30 am:
Secret Square @ 8:59, How about some Narn opera?

This is a great ratings stunt. I wonder if WLS is trying to get People Meters hooked up to radios at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Chicago bureau…

- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:33 am:
AWESOME!
Now let’s see who has the testicular virility to tell our impeached clown governor what they think of him!

- Nick Danger - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:35 am:
One of these days Rod will end up with a job on Fox Noise.

- Secret Square - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 11:39 am:
Or better yet, a command performance by Disaster Area, loudest band in the universe, one of whose members chose to spend a year dead for tax reasons.

- Ghost - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 1:21 pm:
This should answer the age old question of whether it is truly possible for phone lines to actually melt.

- Levois - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 1:52 pm:
Isn’t he coming back for more tomorrow?

- Black Ivy - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 2:14 pm:
I, for one, look forward to the return of Governor Rod Blagojevich. It will be good to hear from from him, irreverent charm and all.

- Sweet Polly Purebred - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 4:19 pm:
Rich: This kinda falls into the Blago bit bucket. We here at DHS have just been notified that we MUST take the ETHICS test between 1 April and 1 May 2009. Here is my favorite passage from the OEIG’s memo - “Although it’s possible that you believe this training to be of limited value in altering a culture in which some State employees, appointees and officials choose not to act ethically, I believe that regular reminders about laws, rules and policies are an important element of promoting an ethical climate within government. The examples and scenario-based lessons contained in this year’s training should help you to understand how and when these laws and rules apply to your State job. In addition, you will be provided instructions concerning who to contact if you need help with a work-related ethics issue.” Gotta love it! I am refusing to take the test. I have enough problems without adopting the ethics of the last 2 governors, Mayor Daley, and Burris. My personal road to he** is already greased with my own youthful bad behaviour - I don’t need to add to it! My boss says take or face disciplinary action up to and including getting fired. We shall see…..

- Concerned Voter - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 4:25 pm:
What’s the over under on how many times “taken out of context” will be used?

I put it at 15

- Concerned Voter - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 4:37 pm:
On the ethics test is, if you can’t figure out what the correct answers are without reading the examples, you’re an idiot.

The best part is, if you take it too quickly, you will be flunked and have to retake it again, possibly also get disciplinary action.

Various techniques to meet the time requirements include, taking a bathroom break during the test, taking your regular break during the test, having your lunch break during the test time.

So, is it really ethical to say it took me 45 minutes to take a test, when it really could have taken me only fifteen?

- North of I-80 - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 4:51 pm:
Big Dog; WLS offered him a regular weekend show if he resigned - he didn’t but got excommunicated instead. This 1-time deal is a consolation prize that makes WLS look honorable. Besides, he’ll say something that Fitz might be able to use and warn us all what’ll happen when you hike taxes with a slowing economy and rising unemployment.

- Bookworm - Tuesday, Mar 24, 09 @ 10:02 pm:
Hilarious if true: The cast of “Rod Blagojevich Superstar!” is scheduled to appear on Blago’s show tomorrow! Now if he could just get an interview with the “SNL” cast member who played him…

- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Mar 25, 09 @ 12:43 am:
WLS had a mind to lose?

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