The Capitol Fax Blog » WLS embarrasses itself yet again

Friday, Jul 17, 2009

* From a press release…

(PRNewsChannel) / Chicago, Ill. / The Big 89, WLS-AM is Where Chicago Comes to Talk and for the next two Sundays, that is what Former IL Governor Rod Blagojevich will be doing. Blagojevich will host a two hour talk show on WLS (890 AM) from 12noon to 2pm.

“The personalities on The Big 89 are compelling, knowledgeable, opinionated and often times, controversial.” said WLS-AM Program Director, Bob Shomper. “Former Governor Blagojevich has all of these traits and more. This will be ‘must-listen’ radio.”

Blagojevich filled-in for The Big 89’s Don Wade & Roma morning show earlier this year.

Since his controversial ousting from office, Blagojevich has become a national celebrity who has appeared on TV news channels and programs such as NBC’s ‘Today’ show, ABC’s ‘The View’ and cable news outlets. He was invited and planned to compete on NBC’s ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here’ reality show this summer. But when he could not go, his wife Patti, the former first lady of Illinois, went in his place. She came in fourth place and was a fan favorite.

For the outspoken former governor, radio is a natural fit.

“The former governor misses talking with people and getting into the mix on issues that affect Illinois,” says Glenn Selig, Blagojevich’s spokesman. “He wants to empower people by helping them understand what really goes on in Washington, Springfield, Cook County and the city of Chicago. He’s going to be provocative, entertaining and, at times, controversial.”

A “national celebrity”? Sheesh.

Also, he’ll have plenty of time to talk to people in prison. Maybe he could “empower” them by being a prison lawyer. Just sayin…

- posted by Rich Miller

61 Comments

- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:32 am:
The line between fame and infamy was erased long ago. When was that? OJ? Monica?

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:36 am:
Monica wasn’t arrested for alleged corruption, and I don’t think OJ got a radio gig.

- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:40 am:
World Laughing Stock — WLS — looks even better today than when first launched. Pity the poor saps you work there — except DumbWade and Roma
Perhaps a quick round of comments from the wing nuts and GOPGuv candidates.

- Cindy Lou - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:40 am:
I’d rather hear Patti talk about her experiences eating spiders and being united with her daughters than hear one more word out of ol’ Rod’s mouth ever again.

- Secret Square - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:41 am:
I’d call it “must-NOT-listen” radio :-)

- Truthteller - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:45 am:
For those who insist that the public sector should be run like the private sector this is a good lesson. Can you imagine any public employer hiring Blagojevich for any purpose while he is under indictment? But for the private employer, the only question is “Can we make a buck?”
There is no shame. But this is a good example why the State shouldn’t simply follow a private sector model.

- Really? - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:45 am:
How much is he getting paid? And is the USAO’s office going to tape the shows for his trial? What lawyer would want Blago as a client?

- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:47 am:
Rich, my point is they — and media outlets –all profited from behavior and acts that that in the past would have made them pariahs, never to be heard from again.

- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:56 am:
For the outspoken former governor, radio is a natural fit.

Radio is a strong fit with Blagojevich. The man can talk non-stop and often be very entertaining. If he stays away from subjects referring to his time in government, he could do well. He has no credibility to discuss current governmental affairs. But Blagojevich is capable of discussing almost anything, and is good at it.

He was our worst governor, but he is a good radio personality. He is a slimeball, but he talks a good show.

Let’s remember what that great John Wayne movie, “Stagecoach”, demonstrates - in America, we get second chances, we can remake ourselves. Wayne’s character is an ex-felon, falls in love with a woman of questionable character, and together ride off in the sunset to begin a new life together, away from the judgements of society to start anew. That is America, and it is true.

So while we can, and should, lock him up for years, we also believe in second chances. Even for the worst governor in Illinois history.

As for WLS - they are happily being used. That is also another American trait, isn’t it?

- Hank - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 9:56 am:
Ain’t going to prison. Between grateful bus riding seniors and tearful women so impressed with Patti eating bugs to hold her penniless family together the holdout juror(s) awaits his/her moment of fame that will once again shame Illinois

- Kamp Krusty - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:02 am:
To quote the internets, “Epic Fail.”

- Cindy Lou - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:04 am:
Or on the other hand, Hank, some of those ‘tearful women’ just may be thinking that with Patti’s seemingly new found inner-strength that she can rat the old man out and take her daughters and make a new life for herself.

- Zoble - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:04 am:
You can’t blame Blogo, he has major problems!!
WLS on the other hand… is there no shame? limit?
to what they will do!

- dupage dan - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:05 am:
WLS, shame on you.

- Cinho - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:07 am:
Double sheesh. And yuck. Really, my kids’ vocabulary is sufficient to describe this latest develpment.

- Hon. Cranial Lamb - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:12 am:
WLS - World’s Laughing Stock

Before Blago can explain how Springfield works to the listeners he needs someone to explain it to him.

If he was going to explain the nuances of a complicated shakedown scheme, then I would listen. If he’s going to talk about the state budget - sorry but I know way more than he does.

- OneMan - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:13 am:
I just hope the advertisers are nothing but male enhancement medications and DUI attorneys

- Hon. Cranial Lamb - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:13 am:
They like accused criminals over there. Drew Peterson is a nearly daily caller on the ManCau show.

I feel bad for credible journalists like Ron Magers who have to be associated with that station.

- Speaking at Will - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:19 am:
I always get a kick out of everyones “holy than tho” attitude when WLS brings Hot Rod to the airwaves. People want to hear from Rod, and like it or not he has become a “celebrity” in some sense. Not every moment of air time needs to be devoted to hard hitting, in depth, earth shattering and profound proclamations. I give a double thumbs up to WLS for quality programming!

- casual observer - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:20 am:
So what will he say about his prediction that income taxes would be raised as soon as he was booted from office? I honestly believe that’s 1 reason the speaker couldn’t support a tax increase…he couldn’t give Blago the satisfaction of being right.

- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:22 am:
DOJ does not need to tape broadcast, but would fun to tape the talks between Blagoof and World Laughing Stock execs.

- zatoichi - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:23 am:
Get Lujack and Little Tommy back. They would have a field day with this.

- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:26 am:
Cindy Lou

Patti was on Garry Meier (WGN radio) earlier this week talking about her bug eating experience. Patti Blagjevich interview with Garry Meier

WLS is now has Mancow, Limbaugh….and that type. They are the opinionated news….source…cough, cough so having Blagojevich on? It seems par for the course with them.

- Lou Grant - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:27 am:
Radio is a good fit for Blago. It has a hierarchical, one-way, communication method. If anyone gets on who is really able to challenge him, it is Blago who owns the mike, Blago who gets the last word in.

Keep in mind too, that this is entertainment you are hearing, not a public service.

- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:28 am:
Patti Blagojevich talks bugs with Garry Meier

- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:28 am:
–I feel bad for credible journalists like Ron Magers who have to be associated with that station.–

They don’t have to be. It’s a choice.

- Amy - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:29 am:
WLS is helping Rod with the jury pool. all he needs is one person to hold out. why are they helping him? is there
no one connected with this station in some position of
power who can say no to this stupid programming decision?

- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:32 am:
I probably won’t get much love for this, but if a radio station wants to get attention by letting Blago spew his hilarious insanity on air, its fine with me. If Fox can let a convicted felon like Oliver North have his own show then why complain about this?

- fed up - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:33 am:
Rostenkowski is a tv analyst, dick morris is on TV all the time, there is no shame in commiting crimes.

For those who insist that the public sector should be run like the private sector this is a good lesson. Can you imagine any public employer hiring Blagojevich for any purpose while he is under indictment? But for the private employer, the only question is “Can we make a buck?”
There is no shame. But this is a good example why the State shouldn’t simply follow a private sector model.

Ike carrothers is under indictment and has a public job, Daley never fired his patronage hacks when they were indicted, It is harder to get rid of a public offical than a offical in a private corp.

- dupage dan - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:34 am:
Bob Collins and Wally Phillips are spinning in their graves.

Can the jury pool be seriously affected by RodB’s radio appearances? WGN would bear some responsiblity in providing the bully pulpit for him.

For Shame.

- One of the 35 - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:44 am:
Rich: The only radio speech Blago is able to give with any credibilty would be a sort of Machiavellian lecture on how to engage in really corrupt behavior while simultaneously convincing the public that you are their guy.

- Cindy Lou - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:44 am:
AM I the only one who remembers WLS back in the 70’s and the music? Rush and Rod now uh? Knew there had to be a reason I listen to very little radio at all these days.

Thanks for the links to Patti, but really don’t wish to hear her either.

Now if Rich would just ‘pipe’ in a little music here…

- Out There - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:48 am:
It’s human nature to be attracted to a spectacle like Rod’s radio performance. We watch horror movies for the blood and guts; many watch auto racing for the wrecks, right? And as for WLS? They’re fortunate, not un-ethical. You buy and enjoy the National Enquirer when Brad Pitt’s on the cover don’t you? You look at it at every grocery stand (you know you do). This should all be expected – it just down-right American! Go Free Enterprise.

- really - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:51 am:
Will the USAO be taping this show?

- Heywood - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:54 am:
@Speaking: Which people would those be, exactly?

We should all call in and try to goad him into making incriminating statements.

- North of I-80 - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:00 am:
Ratings. Guess a Home Electronics Show isn’t a big draw. Since Drew Peterson appearances got shut off, Rod is next one on deck. It’s a free country and if Rod turns off listeners & advertisers, WLS’ll stop. Then we can continue to listen to how to hook up flat panel HD TVs that we don’t own.

- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:01 am:
One good thing about Blago…he is out of office.
In terms of embarrassing…. its sad that Blagos hair attracted more attention on a national level…than the current Illinois budget process…as well as the proposed budget cuts that targeted the states most vulnerable… I dont care about Blago anymore…what I do care about is how we as citzens of Illinois can once again be heard and have input in the process of governing our state. We elected individuals that violated our trust…they are to represent us…they should all be impeached.. not one member has the guts to do the right thing…or step down.

- Nine Lives - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:04 am:
No one listens to Rod’s rants, no one cares!
WLS isn’t kidding anyone, their ratings are in the toilet.
No matter what Rod and Patti do, they will both end up in prison.

- lake county democrat - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:06 am:
Rich, have you written anything about Cliff Kelly, who got a talk radio show after he was actually convicted? Is the difference between him and Blago the fact that Blago is going on the air pre-trial, where he could indeed be working the jury pool? Reverse-racism (and I mean from everyone who doesn’t criticize the Kelly show, not you specifically if that even includes you)? Difference in scope between an alderman and a governor? Interestingly, Conrad Black writes a newspaper column from prison that is syndicated in Canada (but I’m not sure he doesn’t own the syndicate!)

Anyway, actually as a lawyer Blago theoretically could do a lot of good in prision (see Senator Jim Webb’s desperately needed prison reform commission). Unfortunately, didn’t Blago boast that while in law school in sunny Cali he blew off all his classes in favor of the beach?

- Give it up - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:12 am:
Gee, let’s see. Illinois’s claim to fame - Rod & Patti Blagojevich, Drew Peterson and let’s not forget our cowardly/ greedy politicians.
What great examples for our children!

- Rod - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:13 am:
I love it. Can’t wait to tune in! Go Rod.

Meanwhile what I really get a kick out of is reading all the negative comments about our former Gov here. The overwhelming sentiment seems to be that Rod is a narcissist. Well, I’ve got news for you folks - ask any professional - the best way to ‘get back at’ a narcissist who’s affected your life in a negative way (as it seems he has, hearing all of you talk) is to IGNORE that person. Each negative comment made here only serves to facilitate further appearances on radio shows and the like…but moreso, by proving that there is a significant amount of interest in Rod R. Blagojevich, your comments *legitimize* these radio appearances that you are all so adamantly against! Just sayin’ ;) Keep talking people. The more you do, the more fuel you’ll add to the man’s fire.

God Bless America…and the foolish people who live here.

- James the Intolerant - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:19 am:
Even though I like a few shows on WLS 890, between Blago and the fact that they seemed to have Drew Peterson on the channel way more than any taste would allow, I should boycott WLS.

- Johnny USA - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:21 am:
Where’s Senator Durbin when you need him?

This is a golden opportunity for him to start lobbying for the need to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine.

C’mon Senator! We need this law re-enacted NOW to prevent stupidity like this!

- Zzzzzz - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:39 am:
Rod - Regardless Rod will still do many years in federal prison, do federal prison have radio stations?

- Peanut Gallery - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:45 am:
Doesn’t matter, WLS is clueless as to what most individuals listen to. Barely anyone tunes into WLS-AM.
Most are tuned into FM, Sirius, XM or their Ipod.
Rod & WLS do not matter.

- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:49 am:
Is there a way to complain to the FCC about this being an abuse of the airways or at least improper use? Blago is so not in public’s interest.

- Peanut Gallery - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 11:56 am:
FCC Complaint Link

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

- Boscobud - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 12:39 pm:
WLS is taking a man that just got fired from one of the biggest jobs in Illinois and people want to hear what the man is going to say. He has 2 hours of control of whom and what he talks about. I think this is a smart business move, and I think many radio stations are going to kick themselves for not offering this to Rod.

- I. Raymon - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 1:08 pm:
WLS has become a highly Republican-leaning station over time, and my impression is that they are using Rod’s little freakshow to embarrass and mess with the Democratic party in Illinois. Sow more chaos and hope the Repubs can capitalize on it.

Rod doesn’t care he’s being used; he thinks he’s using them to pollute the future jury pool. It’s all good as far as he’s concerned.

- Keep Smiling - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 1:20 pm:
It’s free speech. I’m looking forward to the entertainment, particularly his current take on Quinn. And I’d love for him to endorse some candidates - just for fun.

For all the disappointment Blago may have caused us, I somehow feel more disappointed by Quinn and the GA now that Blago is gone. The incredible opportunity that they had - and wasted - to bring integrity back to governance amazes me.

- ArchPundit - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 1:21 pm:
==Maybe he could “empower” them by being a prison lawyer. Just sayin…

What do you have against prisoners?

- Will County Woman - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 1:31 pm:
why are so many of you so intent upon begruding blago this, and any other, opportunity to earn a legitimate living?

hnestly how many of you really listen to, or care about, WLS anyway?

the man has children to support, and he is doing what any good father should do: working to provide for his children.

the man is down, and has been for some time now, no need to continue to beat up on him, is there?

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 1:34 pm:
===the man is down, and has been for some time now===

He’s not truly down until he’s safely behind bars.

- lake county democrat - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 2:10 pm:
I’m still trying to understand the difference here between Kelly and Blago. Wasn’t Kelly convicted of taking bribes in exchange for steering city contracts? I can’t recall a single protest when he was given a show on African-American talk radio. Kelly sure wasn’t any more contrite than Blago has been. I’m not saying two wrongs make a right, but there seems to be a double standard here.

- Ghost - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 2:32 pm:
WLS would be concerned, but they are too busy counting all the ad revenue they are making.

This is free market economics - people will tune in for various reasons, their motives do not matter. Advertisers wanting to have their products shilled will by ad time if the number of listenrs provides them with a sufficently large target audience they wish to reach.

This is reality entertainment at its finest. I wonder if they will have a call screener, or if you can direct dial in….

- iMAGINE - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 2:55 pm:
Rod couldn’t handle a real caller. Nothing changes he’s spoon feed.

- Dudeman - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 3:13 pm:
Sad, but Blago will still have a larger audience on a Saturday afternoon than Rich or the White Sox ever will.
Won’t listen, but they’re free to make money just like all the other garbage on tv and radio. I don’t hear many arguments to take all the other human debris off reality tv. Should we demand they take “Dance your a$$ off” off the air??

Maybe they can have a remote next with George Ryan!

- Ghost - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 3:37 pm:
=== but Blago will still have a larger audience on a Saturday afternoon than Rich or the White Sox ever will.===

Since Rich had more hits on some of his news footage then the major news outlets I tend to doubt that.

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 3:46 pm:
Sunday at noon on WLS during baseball season does not attract a lot of listeners.

- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 17, 09 @ 10:45 pm:
==========
Sad, but Blago will still have a larger audience on a Saturday afternoon than Rich or the White Sox ever will.
==========

Ah…but their reasons and motivation aren’t the same.

- jake - Sunday, Jul 19, 09 @ 1:55 pm:
Isn’t it interesting that not ONE caller wanted to confront Rod. All we needed was Dodo Wade yelling at some callers for being mean to Rod and Ridiculous Roma slobbering all over Rod, as usual.

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