RIP Harry Kalas

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While milling around Nationals Park yesterday, Fritz got a surprising text message from a friend that Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas had collapsed and died. As details began to emerge, we determined that the ambulance we saw on the way into Nationals Park was probably for Kalas. The Nationals had a moment of silence for Kalas just before the start of yesterday's game.

I have been a fan of Kalas for a long time, though it was from his work with NFL Films and network radio telecasts of NFL games. It seemed like whenever we would drive out to cut down a Christmas tree in the country, we'd listen to an out-of-market game on Mutual that Kalas was doing. I also enjoyed his NFL Films narration. I might have seen him doing Phillies work a few times over the years and for some reason I remember watching a Cubs vs. Phillies game that went to rain delay Kalas joined the Cubs broadcasters for some lively banter -- that's good rain delay theater if you ask me.

Lastly, my great Uncle Bill, a lifelong Philadelphian and baseball fan (originally the A's until they moved to Kansas City, then the Phillies) used to correspond with Kalas regularly. After Uncle Bill died, his family discovered these letters. Kalas later acknowledged Uncle Bill's death on air.

Kalas will be missed. I'm glad he got to call a Phillies championship live last season.

Harry Kalas 1936 - 2009 - The Inky & Philly Daily News

Harry Kalas, Longtime Phillies Broadcaster, Dies at 73 - The Post

Harry Kalas Tribute - Baseball Insider, The Post

Thom Loverro: Kalas' legacy much deeper than his voice - The Wash. Times

PRESS RELEASE - Washington Nationals statement on the passing of Harry Kalas - nationals.com

PRESS RELEASE - Kalas family statement - phillies.com

Long-time NFL voice Kalas dead at 73 - AP/NFL

Harry Kalas, Philadelphia Phillies, broadcaster

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2009, Radio, Television, Washington Nationals

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posted by WFY @ 12:38 PM | |

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MASN details, but I still don't like the channel

JIM WILLIAMS - MASN ready for Opening Day and beyond - The Wash. Examiner
In a column that reads like a MASN press release, we get details about broadcast plans for this season. There is some good news:

"We have a new high home camera location on level three of Nationals Park. That means the camera is about 150 feet lower and closer to the field so fans will have a better look at the game action," Glass said. "We will also use X-Mo, a high-speed HD camera..."

Progress, yes.

Later Williams says this:

OK, I am ready for those fans out there that will simply call me an Angelos lover, but MASN is a quality regional sports network. As someone who has first-hand experience in building three of them from the ground up, I can tell you Glass, Cuddihy and their team are very well thought of in the industry. Both the Nationals and the Orioles have top talent in the booth and top-quality talent in the production trucks.

Okay, Angelos lover even if MASN is a top quality sports network, why wasn't it from day 1? The coverage over the years has been poor and anti-Washington. I'm not about to give them a pat on the back because they started figuring it out in year 5.

By the way, hope for rain for more reasons than spoiling the Orioles Opening Day:

"We are producing every Nationals and Orioles game this year in high definition," said Glass, MASN's Executive Producer, Operations Director, on what they have done during the offseason. "That way if say the Orioles' Opening Day game was rained out, then we can switch to the Nationals-Marlins game in HD."

Whoopee, maybe next year all games can be shown in HD.

Washington Nationals, Nats, ,

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2009, Television, Washington Nationals

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posted by WFY @ 12:23 PM | |

Cerphe, classic rock 94.7 sign off

D.C. Radio's Last Rock Overturned - The Post
This morning, I have one less radio station to listen to on my commute as 94.7 has become the third adult contemporary station in the D.C. market. Friday was Don Cerphe Colwell's final day at the microphone on 94.7 FM which was classic rock, then "world-class rock" which included current yuppie/boomer rock (Coldplay, Plant/Krauss) and some older stuff and then back to classic rock again. Of the two formats, "world-class" rock was closer to being a great station and probably could have been with a little more commitment from management.

Despite the article saying classic rock is dead in D.C. radio, it is on WBIG 100.3 FM which has billed itself as oldies, but really you can't be oldies and not play Motown. As for Cerphe, he'll be fine and may even do some specials for WJFK. I'm sure we will hear his morning counterpart, Albie Dee, somewhere too, probably on a completely different format. I wonder if we'll hear from Jonathan "Weasel" Gilbert again though. He was let go to make way for Ablie Dee.

WTGB, classic rock 94.7, radio Cerpe, Don Cerpe Colwell

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 10:30 AM | |

94.7 dropping classic rock format

DCRTV.com reported that WTGB 94.7 FM is dropping its classic rock format and going to adult contemporary, FRESH 94.7. Now I will have one less station to listen to on my commute. This will be particularly tough in the morning.

I liked 94.7's "world class rock" format of last year. It was flawed yes -- (can you really play New Order and Led Zepplin back-to-back?), but overall it was pretty good. Initially, the return to a straight classic rock format was not something I was too enthusiastic about because who needs to hear more .38 Special? However, it got better and for a couple of months I could count on hearing either Bruce Springsteen and/or Rush on my commutes. Perhaps that is why they had trouble attracting listeners.

Marc Fisher of The Post was not too happy about the change either.

One bright spot if you have HD Radio (does anybody) they have something more like "The Globe" format running on the second 94.7 channel.

WTGB, classic rock 94.7, radio

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 10:15 AM | |

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Nats beat writer Chico Harlan does not like his job

Post Watch: Harlan Would Rather Write About the Real Hot Dogs - Washingtonian
The other day, We've Got Heart brought to the Natmosphere's attention a Washingtonian magazine profile of Chico Harlan, Nationals beat writer for The Post. I was able to read it this afternoon. In that profile, "Post Watch: Harlan Would Rather Write About the Real Hot Dogs," Harlan told reporter Harry Jaffe of the Post Watch section that "I don't like sports — I am embarrassed that I cover them" and "I can't wait to stop." It is a means to an end and a paycheck."

Those statements did not go over too well in some quarters for understandable reasons. My take -- whatever, though it explains the initial level of coverage he provided when he took over the beat last season. It struck me as being written by someone who was cocky and probably too into himself. However, Harlan has improved and if he is doing it despite not liking his job, well that speaks well to his professionalism. He still tries to hit you over the head with snark sometimes, rather the nuisanced writing of his predecessor Barry Svrluga,who had his own Washingtonian profile in 2005 (just an image, the link died).

Harlan has already apologized on the Nationals Journal blog and I am not even going to bother parsing it out. I see Harlan's point and add that being sportswriter never had much appeal to me or at least not after I read Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn. The classic book about cover the 1952-53 Brooklyn Dodgers detailed his coverage of the team and among many insights, reveals that he tired of the extensive travel, endless season, boredom and tedium that is the beat writer's life. Kahn also noted that no matter what he did after his days on that beat, people wanted to talk about the Dodgers which frustrated him. Baseball is probably the hardest sport to cover though if you like to see your name in print, there may be no better beat -- in 2005 Svrluga led the Post for number of stories published.

What will happen to Harlan, I cannot say. I have a feeling his superiors will grumble¹, fans will bombard him in his next chat and he might have a few tough days in the clubhouse. Then a few players will tell him off the record that they feel the same way about playing baseball as he does about writing about it. Oh and by the way, Harlan, while there are probably 75 or so MLB beats in American newspapers (maybe more), but I bet there are even fewer food writer beats these days.

Also, in this month's Washingtonian is "Heavy Hitters
," an article with a big photograph of Frank Howard that appears to talk about D.C. baseball sluggers.

Washington Nationals, Nats, ChicoHarlan, Washingtonian

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2009, Washington Nationals

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posted by WFY @ 12:10 PM | |

Forty years of WTOP

WTOP celebrates 40 years in news - WTOP
WTOP went to an all-news format 40 years ago today. It looks like they got about halfway done with their celebration page before giving up.
Washington Nationals, Nats, ,

Labels: BeltwayLand, History, Media, Radio, The District

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Cosby on WTOP

Cosby talks half-smokes, sports and race - WTOP
Here is the story, video and audio from Bill Cosby's rambling visit to WTOP. He would not let them break for traffic and weather on the 8s.

To answer MissChatter's question, no Cosby did not go with the Obamas to Ben's Chili Bowl. In fact he said that Obama had not earned the right to eat there for free.

Bill Cosby, WTOP

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, Radio, The District

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posted by WFY @ 7:14 AM | |

Why wasn't Sammy Baugh above the scroll/fold on Post?

The greatest Redskin of all (if not the greatest D.C. athlete ever), Sammy Baugh, died last night. For some reason, washingtonpost.com did not feature this news above the scroll as of 9:45 a.m. Their local competitors washtimes.com and dcexaminer.com both had Baugh in their carousels. On the print edition, Baugh's passing is only noted at the bottom. The front page of The Wash. Times has the news on the fold. Even the Philly Daily News had Baugh's passing noted on the back (sports) page.

Baugh made football in this town and revolutionized passing. He was also one of the greatest punters of all time and an excellent defensive back. His #33 is the only number officially retired by the Redskins. He was the only quarterback to lead the Redskins to multiple titles (1937 and 1942). I hope the Redskins honor him with a #33 patch on their uniforms for the rest of the season.

Depending on the source, Baugh may have never returned to Washington after retiring in 1952, preferring life on his Texas ranch.

The First of the Gunslingers - The Post

Sammy Baugh, early Redskins great, dies - The Wash. Times

Washington Redskins, Sammy Baugh

Labels: Blogging/WWW, History, Media, Redskins/NFL

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posted by WFY @ 12:46 PM | |

WTOP sports puts Baltimore first again

Quick question with the Nationals and Orioles both playing at home which ballpark do you think Washington radio station WTOP had its reporter at? Was it Nationals Park? Nope, Craig Heist was reporting from Oriole Park in Baltimore. The Orioles vs. Rays game was giving top billing on tonight's sportscast above the Nationals. The reason seems pretty simple if you read Heist's bio:

I love covering my hometown team, the Orioles.

Boy, that's sweet Craig nothing like putting the city your station broadcasts from second. I might have to stop listening to anything on WTOP that does not start on the eights.

Washington Nationals, Nats, WTOP, Craig Heist

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2008, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 5:52 PM | |

Somebody screwed up: BTN overflow channel on Comcast not working

ARGH! None of the Big Ten Network overflow channels are showing a picture, meaning that we cannot watch the Penn State vs. Temple game that is going on right now. I called Comcast and they are aware of it, in fact the rep said, "Penn State?" when I mentioned the game was not on.

I'm kind of annoyed that Penn State is not the regular telecast here anyway since it is about 215 miles away from here and Temple is even closer. BTN proper went with OSU vs. Troy instead. I don't believe either school is within 450 miles of here.

I will be calling Comcast's billing dept. for a refund on Monday.

Big Ten Network, Comcast

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, Television, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 12:28 PM | |

We had a similar problem during the 1st game vs. Coastal Carolina. That PSU game was on the ONLY overflow channel that wasn't working. Fortunately in our area today, they had the PSU game on the main channel so there were no problems. You didn't miss anything in the first quarter. I did call Comast to complain that day and it took them most of the first half to fix the problem.

# posted by  The Maryland Bureau Chief : Saturday, September 20, 2008 4:32:00 PM  

WTOP's Dave Johnson: Putting Baltimore first

This morning, WTOP sports led with the Ravens win over Cincinatti and devoted the largest part of the sportscast to Baltimore's football team. I'm pretty indifferent to the Ravens other than I am glad Baltimore got a NFL team again, even if they have to wear purple. I am not going to suggest that the NFL is not important, if the Redskins had played yesterday instead of Thursday, it would have made sense for them to lead off in sports. I will suggest though that local teams like the Nationals are more important than non-local teams like the Ravens. The Nationals came from behind and won in 14 innings yesterday (The Post) and are broadcasted by WTOP's sister station WWWT.

Even if you accept that non-local NFL games trump local MLB games, I would argue that the Ravens are not even the second most popular team in BeltwayLand. That position is probably held by the Giants with the Eagles, Jets, Steelers, possibly the Patriots and even Cowboys more popular than the Ravens, so why not focus on them if D.C. teams don't matter too much? Perhaps sports director Dave Johnson's bio offers a hint:

Before breaking into sports Johnson was a disc jockey at several stations in Baltimore. His first job was at a station that played Sinatra music and then he went on to "spin records" at rock and country stations.

A graduate of Towson University...

It is not a stretch to suggest that Johnson's colors run purple & black and orange & black instead of red, white & blue and burgundy & gold. He is even wearing Ravens colors in his photo. It is an ongoing pro-Baltimore trend that also rewards the bad behavior by anti-Washington baseball owner Peter Angelo$. Johnson should shape up and focus on the real home teams.

Washington Nationals, Nats, WTOP, Dave Johnson

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2008, Radio, Redskins/NFL

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posted by WFY @ 12:15 PM | |

Thanks for responding, though I'll note there was no mention of the Nationals in either the 6:45 or 7:15 sportscasts. They had the night off, but they are back tonight.

# posted by  WFY : Tuesday, September 09, 2008 8:08:00 AM  

Saturday's PSU game: Overflow to the rescue!

First off, forgive me if for being such a cable luddite, but I barely watch TV, especially now with Will around. I am not familiar with how everything is set up and will probably not get an HD TV for a long time. Anyway, the news about this weeks' Penn State game appears to be good:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30TH FOOTBALL GAMES

Catch your Big Ten games on COMCAST! See below for details in your area.

12:00 PM (ET) / 11:00 AM (CT)
YOUNGSTOWN STATE VS. OHIO STATE: channel 257 (SD)
AKRON VS. WISCONSIN *: channel 801 (SD)
MAINE VS. IOWA: channel 802 (SD)
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. INDIANA *: channel 803 (SD)
COASTAL CAROLINA VS. PENN STATE: channel 804 (SD)

That comes via search on the Big Ten Network gamefinder for my zip code in Alexandria, Va. I have had my skepticisms of BTN, but they do have a pretty useful Web site.

Is it just me or is it silly for Virginia to get Ohio State when the states on the northern and southern border are getting Penn State?

Penn State, Nittany Lions, Comcast, Big Ten Network

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, Television

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posted by WFY @ 6:39 AM | |

Nobody is listening to the Nats either

From the Basement, It's No Wonder Radio Reception Is Poor - The Post
Boy, this really is a lost season -- nobody is listening to the excellent Nationals radio broadcast. How unfortunate, Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler are quite good too.

After the season, I plan on having a really long post about what the Nationals need to do to get the franchise where it needs to be.

Washington Nationals, Nats, radio

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2008

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posted by WFY @ 12:11 PM | |

Tape delay for Penn State vs. Coastal Carolina on Alexandria Comcast

The $5 a month I am spending for Big Ten Network and the sports tier entitles me to the watch or tape the Penn State vs. Coastal Carolina game 23 hours after it starts. Apparently, there are no overflow channels for the network. It looks like I will be considering another service provider after all. Given that I can't watch the game live anyway, it is not a big deal – this week. Boo Comcast though.

It was nice watching the 2002 Penn State vs. Wisconsin game last night though, even though it was played on dreadful artificial turf. They looked like they were playing on a floor, not a field. I had forgotten just how terrible those rugs were before FieldTurf/SportTurf/etc.

Penn State, Nittany Lions, Comcast, Big Ten Network

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008

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posted by WFY @ 10:30 AM | |

Yup, right on 804

# posted by  WFY : Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:19:00 AM  

Yesterday's NYC tabs had same frontpage headline

Mayor Bloomberg wanted to put wind turbines on top of buildings and bridges and that drew obvious responses. Don't worry, it is not going to happen to any of your favorite landmarks.

Architects and Engineers Express Doubt About Bloomberg’s Windmill Proposal - The Times

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 5:47 AM | |

Thoughts on the Mike O'Meara Show

Recently, a few co-workers and I had a conversation about the new Mike O'Meara Show, heard locally on WJFK 106.7. We all had the same conclusion -- it is pretty good. While the new show is not as good as the old Don & Mike Show at its peak, it still keeps me entertained and is better than what the Don & Mike Show had become. Don Geronimo was clearly unhappy being on the old show, so his retirement has been an addition via subtraction. O'Meara's show isn't dark like D&M could be and has more whimsy and tomfoolery. Sure, some of the bits are not super, but overall the lighter tone is a welcome change. Keep it up Mike!

Mike O'Meara, Mike O'Meara Show, Don and Mike Show, Don Geronimo, WJFK

Labels: Media, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 12:36 PM | |

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Big11Ten Network availability search

In case you are unsure about whether Big11Ten Network will be available were you live go to this search page and type in your zip code. That will let you know if you can get it on one of several providers (Comcast, RCN, etc.) I'm quite pleased that Arlington/Alexandria Comcast will offer it, likely on the sports tier.

Big Ten Network, cable TV

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, Television

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Favre to Jets means 3 tabloids use same bad pun

I really hoped I would not have to post anything about Brett Favre, but he got traded to the Jets, so I knew tabloids would all pretty much look the same today. The little twist is that the NY Post made "JET FAVRE" the top headline, but had a bigger focus on the anthrax story.



Oh why did he have to go to New York? The nightmare of Favre coverage may just be getting started.

Prediction -- Favre will have a season ending injury before October, rendering the whole ordeal pointless.

Brett Favre, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Newsday

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 9:15 AM | |

I must agree. That is a terrible headline. It's not even funny. I would have preferred "Get yer cheese-cake ready."

# posted by  Kevin McGuire : Friday, August 08, 2008 9:27:00 AM  

Just tabloids being tabloids

Is it just me or is it unbecoming of New York tabloids to devote the backpage to a Boston player getting traded?

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Manny Ramirez

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 9:00 AM | |

True Oldies?

Overheard in the car..."that was Manfred Mann with 'Blinded by the Light' on True Oldies 105.9."

If 105.9 is really true oldies, shouldn't they have played Bruce Springsteen's version of "Blinded by the Light?"

Blinded by the Light, Manfred Mann, Bruce Springsteen, true oldies 105.9

Labels: Media, Music, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 10:30 AM | |

Seeing double, almost triple on NY tabs backpages

The Mets' ten wins in a row have vaulted them into first place. Even with that, I think the "First & 10" headline is not terribly strong and is kind of forced. It did not stop with the two city tabloids' back pages either.



Newsday, Long Island's paper of record, went with the identical sounding "First & Ten" headline, but used a different photograph than the other two.

The Ombudsman can't be too happy to see his Phillies in second place.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Mets, Newsday

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 9:00 AM | |

Coverage is lacking

Looking for a Nats story in The Post today, I found none. Now, I realize this is the All-Star break and all, but a quick survey of all other leading newspapers along the Northeast Corridor had coverage of their home teams in them. Ignoring the home team during the middle of the season is an odd choice for sports editor Emilio Garcia-Ruiz to make, no? Garcia-Ruiz does have a staff article on a team from another city though, one that is owned by a someone who tried to kill the hometown team. To me, that is rewarding bad behavior, if not promoting it outright. Is this good news judgment?

Over on New York Ave. NE, despite a much smaller circulation and budget, they are committed to covering the Nationals. They also boast the best writer on the beat these days. The Dick Heller column is pretty stupid though and will not get linked.

Nationals First-Half Report Card - The Wash. Times

Washington Nationals, Nats, Washington Post, Emilio Garcia-Ruiz

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2008

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posted by WFY @ 8:00 AM | |

Wow that Heller thing is a colossal piece of junk. Like Kristen said, some fact-checking would have been in order. But what are facts except something to get in the way of a zany zinger.

# posted by  DC Optimist : Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:04:00 PM  

This was a Collegian editorial?

Suggestions for stellar scene setting - The Collegian
I read this editorial, which is the centerpiece of any opinion page, making fun of LaVar Arrington for reopening the old Sports Cafe as the new Linebacker U. bar and wondered what the point was and the overall appropriateness of it in general. It would be one thing if it was just a bad column with a byline, but an editorial?

An alumnus, in a letter to the editor, did not care for the editorial either.

It is going to be a long year for Collegian readers methinks.

Lavar Arrington, Penn State Nittany Lions, Daily Collegian, Linebacker U

Labels: Media, PSU/Happy Valley, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 12:00 PM | |

I don't get the Daily Collegian = Daily Worker arguments, but this was a pointless editorial.

# posted by  WFY : Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:45:00 AM  

washingtonpost.com cutting back on chats

Post.com Cuts Back On Online Chats - Fishbowl DC
Fewer live discussions? Chats are one of the things that really sets washingtonpost.com apart from other newspaper Web sites -- nobody has done them better. For the record, my favorite chats, in no particular order are the Nationals, Gene Weingarten, Marc Fisher and Capitals. I also check in on the Tom Sietsema, Dave Shenin and Thomas Boswell chats.

This development could be a great opportunity for washingtontimes.com to claim some chat traffic by upgrading their software to something more robust.

Washington Post, chats, washingtonpost.com

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Chats, Media

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posted by WFY @ 7:00 AM | |

Bracken farewell column

RON BRACKEN - Ride ends with acknowledgement of supportive cast - CDT
Bracken's final column, if you are interested. He explains himself:

Just as for an athlete, the time comes when they can no longer turn on a fastball, throw a tight spiral that leads a receiver just right or hit the fall away jumper; so too for a writer the time comes when the words no longer flow like tap water, the account at the idea bank is overdrawn and the passion has faded . It's a hard thing to admit but even harder to ignore.

Good to see he saw the same things I was seeing.

Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times, CDT

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, PSU/Happy Valley

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posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM | |

Weingarten is a hack!

Fiddling Around With History - The Post
Gene Weingarten's Pulitzer Prize winning story about a world-class violinist playing before subway patrons was not original! The same thing happened in 1930 in Chicago.

PREVIOUSLY
Post Pulitzers
Weingarten does it again
Q&A: Gene Weingarten

Gene Weingarten, Joshua Bell,

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, The District

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posted by WFY @ 12:13 PM | |

Big11Ten Network, Comcast seal the deal

Comcast will carry BTN -- for now - Patriot-News
More details on the Comcast-Big11Ten Network deal. Essentially, for the upcoming football and basketball seasons, BTN will be on expanded-basic cable in the Big11Ten footprint which does not include Philadelphia. In markets outside of the footprint, Comcast will offer BTN on a sports tier. After basketball season is over, Comcast may move it to the sports tier everywhere.

My suggestion to those of us outside of the footprint -- contact Comcast and request that BTN be on the sports tier. I don't mind paying a few bucks a month for more Penn State sports.

PRESS RELEASES:
Comcast, Big Ten Network Reach Broad Multimedia Agreement for Big Ten Network Content - Comcast Press Room
Comcast, Big Ten Network Reach Broad Multimedia Agreement for Big Ten Network Content - Big Ten Network

Comcast, BigTenNetwork

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, PSU Sports, Television

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posted by WFY @ 2:15 PM | |

Thanks for the clarification, UncleLar. I'm a cable Luddite who watches about three shows -- PSU, Nats and Caps.

# posted by  WFY : Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:45:00 AM  

I (sort of) got Romenesko'ed

Filmmaker: "I suspect that Hunter would have liked Obama" - Romenesko
A question I asked in the Talking With Alex Gibney washingtonpost.com chat got picked up by Poynter Online's Romenesko blog. Here is the question:

Western Alexandria: Near the end of his life, Thompson was quite angry about the Bush presidency. I kind of get the feeling that he would have been very pleased by the Obama run.

Alex Gibney: I do think you're right. I suspect that Hunter would have liked Obama. He seems to capture the same kind of idealism that Hunter responded to with Robert F. Kennedy and George McGovern.

Actually, I know Thompson would have been all over the Obama campaign, but he chose to blow his head off in 2005. Back then, I said it was a "logical end to an illogical life" and while I still maintain that is true, I was not defending his decision. Suicide is a the most selfish act and had he not made that decision, he would finally have a candidate he could believe in. The joke's on him I guess, so in other words teenage suicide gonzo journalist suicide, don't do it.

Romenesko, Hunter S. Thompson, Alex Gibney, gonzo

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Chats, Media

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posted by WFY @ 6:30 AM | |

Big11Ten Network, Comcast near deal?

Big Ten Network, Comcast ready to call a truce - Chicago Tribune
There are indications that Comcast subscribers will be able to get the Big11Ten Network in time for football season. Folks in Big11Ten Country get it as part of basic cable, while those of us out of it (which includes Philadelphia, apparently) will have to get it on a sports tier.

I will probably splurge and get the sports tier, since it is cheaper than going to a bar to watch the game. I am still not happy about the way it all went down though.

H/T: Black Shoe Diaries, fool

Big Ten Network, Comcast, television, cable, Penn State Nittany Lions

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, PSU Sports, Television

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Same headline, photo on NYC backpages

The Mets' Carlos Beltran's 13th inning walk-off inspired the two NYC tabloids to use the same photo and same headline again.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post Mets

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 9:58 AM | |

On JoePa & the media class and JoePa & the media; blogs

JoePa's media drills land him in class - Tribune-Review
An article looking at the "how the media covers Joe Paterno class" is a look at how the media covers Joe Paterno. It is a good article about the man and the class. It also contains a quote that might make a few bloggers upset:

"It's impossible to tell the difference between a good blogger and a bad blogger," he said. "The media has to figure out a way to teach students about the impact of blogging on legitimate journalism."

I can't get worked about the quote, but I bet somebody does. I guess EDSBS (h/t, btw) kind of does.

As for Paterno in the media -- no one in sports controls the message as well as he does, Redskins owner Dan Snyder aspires he were 10% as good as Paterno.

Penn State, Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno, college football

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Media, PSU Football 2008

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posted by WFY @ 2:18 PM | |

Friday tabs made the same New York Climbs pun

Both tabloids had the same idea for the cover -- New York Climbs in a gothic typeface similar to the old gray lady's flag (not masthead, as it is mistakenly called). I appreciate the Daily News one more because it included the definite article.

Apparently, designers of the relatively new New York Times building had not considered how easy it would be to climb the 52-story skyscraper (The Times) at 8th and 41st. Two climbers, one a stuntman from France and the other from Brooklyn, both did it on the same day.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post New York Times

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 9:40 AM | |

Dan Snyder buys WTEM

Dan Snyder Expands Radio Empire - The Post
In an effort to control the message and provide "unfiltered" coverage of the Redskins, owner Dan Snyder has purchased WTEM, the market's original sports radio station.

Since taking over the Redskins in 1999, Snyder has made a number of deals to control both the media and the message. In addition to purchasing the Triple X radio stations in late 2005, the Redskins buy time on local TV stations to air upbeat, magazine-style shows such as "Redskins Game Day" that are produced by the team.

That is a pretty tame way of putting it. Snyder comes off as incredibly petty and insecure about himself and his team. Once again, he has bought his way out of criticism, if there is even much of it on WTEM; I don't know, because I don't listen to sports radio.

One wonders how Snyder would hold up in a media market that did not provide so much favorable coverage of the team. Clearly, he doesn't see it, but I think reasonable people realize that the Redskins have traditionally been subject to coverage that is far from harsh. Can you imagine Snyder owning a team in a place like New York or Philly? He couldn't have handle it.

Snyder has faced some backlash over the years, but not enough that he hasn't been able to fill FedEx Field every Sunday. He has the luxury of a devoted fanbase and a season-ticket waiting list that has spanned generations. Moves like this though and the mediocre gameday experience is probably going to cut it into that soon. Ten years from now, he could find himself in a really tough spot, maybe five if the Redskins can't win regularly.

Lastly, I wonder if Bonneville is going to switch 3WT to sports radio. They have very little original programming now and already carry the Nats and Caps. They must be thinking about it a little bit.


Washington Redskins, WTEM, Dan Snyder, Red Zebra

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, Radio, Redskins/NFL

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posted by WFY @ 9:03 AM | |

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new washingtontimes.com debuts

The new washingtontimes.com is here. There is a fair amount of video now and it is embeddedable. The "newscube" treatment on the front page is kind of a 3-D spin on the rotating tabs that most papers use. There are links in the cube stories to related themes (tags more or less) and other stories. That is a nice feature, but on the stories themselves, there are not related stories.

There are dozens of RSS feeds, but there is not a feed specifically for the Nationals, something I was expecting. There is a baseball feed, but I don't want to clog Google Reader with stories about other teams like the Orioles. I also don't think the "Themes" area is working as it is supposed to yet.

Overall the design seems kind of dated. The content area is barely 800 pixels wide, over 100 fewer pixels than many contemporary designs. They also appear to have migrated out of the Saxotech content management system. Right now, there are some problem with the section fronts delivering the same content every time they are refreshed. For example, I had seen a story about Ryan Zimmerman's shoulder on the Sports front, but after I read a different story and returned to the Sports front, the Zimmerman story was gone.

So far, the new washingtontimes.com is okay, but they have some bugs to work out. I will check back in several weeks and see how it has come along.

Frequently Asked Questions - The Wash. Times

Washington Times, newspaper, redesign

Labels: BeltwayLand, Blogging/WWW, Media, The District, Video

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posted by WFY @ 5:51 AM | |

Newspaper Web site redesigns

There are several redesigns to newspaper Web sites that are here or almost here.

Washington Times provides sneak preview of new Web site - The Wash. Times
They have a mockup online, but I would not go as far to call it a beta site since the functionality is not there. A rotating image on the front -- something many sites started doing last year, but are starting to abandon. So far, the new washtimes.com site looks okay and I like the idea of "400,000 custom news feeds" being made available.

I have heard that the goal is for washtimes.com to become one of the top 10 sites -- not newspaper sites -- in the world. I don't see that happening.

Our new look: More information, more quickly - USA Today
Less trapped white space and no more rotating top stories on usatoday.com's frontpage in this design incarnation.

Also, philly.com, the Web site for The Inky and Philly Daily News has taken a step back and switched the front page design for something less robust and with a terrible color palette. I had really liked the way the had it, particularly the way they gave each paper its own site with suitable designs.

Washington Times, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, philly.com

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Media, Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania, The District

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posted by WFY @ 12:30 PM | |

Oh, no, mainstream media. This blog has lost all credibility.

# posted by  DJ in Hbg : Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:00:00 AM  

Tabloids have same take on Subway Series

The Yankees are in the odd position of last place (it is a rebuilding year, though no one told Hank Steinbrenner) right now and the Mets are not as good as they were supposed to be this season. That has the two city tabloids thinking the same thing as the regular season Subway Series resumes tonight.

The Bronx Bombers won't be in last place for long and may make the playoffs yet. The Mets on the other hand, have third place written all over them.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post Yankees, Mets, Subway Series

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids, Yankees

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posted by WFY @ 12:20 PM | |

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Ron Bracken retiring

Sharing a career full of memories and personal beliefs - CDT
Ron Bracken, who has been at the CDT since 1967 (the year after Joe Paterno became Penn State head coach -- JoePa outlasts another one), is retiring on June 30. The eight Sundays proceeding his retirement will feature "highlights of his career" in the CDT. A farewell tour seems a bit much, but I see something interesting, I'll post it.

Over the last few years, Bracken has struck me as getting pretty grumpy about the state of the Nittany Lions (sound like anyone you know?). He was a lot more enthusiastic about covering the program when he came to Jock Lauterer's community journalism class when I was an undergrad.

Players who will never be forgotten - CDT

Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times, CDT

Labels: Media, PSU Football 2008, PSU Sports, PSU/Happy Valley

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posted by WFY @ 12:21 PM | |

Mike D'Antoni doubled up

Mike D'Antoni is the latest Knickerbockers coach. The headlines just write themselves.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Mike D'Antoni

Labels: Media, New York, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 11:48 AM | |

New Nats reporter for Post announced

Prepare to welcome a new beat writer - Nationals Journal, washingtonpost.com
Chico Harlan, previously the Penn State football reporter for the Post-Gazette, will be succeeding Barry Svrluga on The Post's Nats beat. Those are very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, Svrluga's departure from the beat means he is on the fast-track to columnist status.

Harlan was pretty good on the Penn State beat and I think he actually broke the "Graham Spainer/Tim Curley trying to convince Joe Paterno to retire in 2004" story. He also just spent a year in Australia.

Barry Svrluga, Chico Harlan, Washington Post, Washington Nationals, Nats

Labels: Media, Nats/MLB 2008

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posted by WFY @ 12:29 PM | |

Same headline for the first time in a long time

Don't mess with Uma.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Uma Thurman

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Tabloids

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posted by WFY @ 12:21 PM | |

Final Don & Mike Show available

The final Don & Mike Show, is available on WJFK.com.

The Mike O'Meara Show debuts at 3 p.m. today.

PREVIOUSLY: Final Don & Mike Show today

Don and Mike Show, Don Geronimo, Mike O'meara, WJFK

Labels: Media, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 12:02 PM | |

Newseum opens today

The Newseum is now open. Admission is free today, but starting tomorrow, $20. The price seems steep, especially with the Smithsonian's free admission, but it is worth it

I thought I would round up some articles about the museum, some pro, some con. I reviewed it last week after attending a preview.

Cityguide : Newseum - The Post
News under glass - The Wash. Times
Get Me Rewrite: A New Monument to Press Freedom - The Times
Massive Newseum opens window on journalism - USA Today
News museum to open in Washington - BBC
To Do: Skip Newseum Opening - Slate
Newseum's an attic packed with storied stuff - The Boston Globe

Newseum, museum, dc, Washington, media

Labels: Arts and Culture, BeltwayLand, History, Media, The District

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posted by WFY @ 12:49 PM | |

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Final Don & Mike Show today

Don Geronimo makes his return to the Don & Mike Show for one final show today at 3 p.m. on WJFK and dozens of radio stations nationwide. He is retiring (early) after over 20 years on the show with Mike O'Meara. I expect him to name names and overall be very, very bitter and selfish, but occasionally grateful.

The Mike O'Meara Show debuts on Monday.

If Mike ever wants to kill off the Charly character, now would be a great time. I hope he doesn't though.

UPDATE: Don skipped the bitterness. He explained that he couldn't do the show anymore because it was keeping him from moving on from the death of his wife Freida. He talked about his new life and shared war stories with each member of the cast, ending with Mike. Now he's taking some time to say a few other things before he goes out.

Don and Mike Show, Don Geronimo, Mike O'meara, WJFK

Labels: Media, Radio

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posted by WFY @ 12:05 PM | |

Post Pulitzers

The Post just about swept The Pulitzer Prizes this year, winning six awards, a record for the paper.

The Pulitzer Prizes: 2008 Washington Post Winners

There are few stories in particular that I'll comment on when they published:

Local Reporting, Breaking News
Virginia Tech Shootings -- washingtonpost.com was behind everybody on the story for the better part of the morning, something I documented. I suppose the lesson is being first to break the news is not as important as covering it very thoroughly.

Feature Writing
Pearls before Breakfast -- Gene Weingarten finds fascinating characters and stories and makes them come to life with his writing. While this wasn't my favorite Weingarten article, I commented at the time that he had "done it again." Of course, he jokes he had "nothing to do with it" but that he "would gladly accept the award." ALSO: His first post-Pulitzerchat.

Also, I can now say I have interviewed a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Commentary
Steve Pearlstein -- No, his silly "I like the messy vitality of Tysons" column didn't make it.

Also, the Public Service award for the
Walter Reed series is one of the finest examples of why the fourth estate is so important.

Len Downie makes the announcement


The winners speak


Washington Post, Pulitzer Prize,

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, The District, Video, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:44 PM | |

The Onion catches up to me

Charlton Heston's Gun Taken From His Cold, Dead Hands - The Onion
They are two days behind me. What took them so long?

H/T: Ombudsman

Charlton Heston, The Onion

Labels: Media

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posted by WFY @ 8:40 PM | |

Gun removed from Charlton Heston's cold dead hand

Charlton Heston, Actor and Gun Activist, Dies - The Post
Shouldn't the title of this post be on The Onion (Web site) right now? They have let me down.

I saw Heston speak at Penn State. His topics included acting, his role as a civil rights activist, which he is was both proud and smug about, and firearms. If I recall correctly, he was presented a rifle at the end. I went, half expecting to see protesters or, even better, people in ape masks, but neither happened.

Charlton Heston, from my cold dead hand

Labels: Media

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posted by WFY @ 8:06 AM | |

The New Newseum

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Since I am a "special friend" of the Newseum, I was able to get free preview tickets to the new museum. Erica, Fritz, dl004d (another media stuides major -- I'm not alone!) and Grand Marnier came along as well. Back when the Newseum was in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Va., I went to original Newseum, which closed in late 2001/early 2002, several times over the years. In fact, when I worked in Rosslyn I parked in a garage at the old Newseum.

The beginning starts of our visit was a little awkward.. Newseum guides recommended we start on the lower level, past the Berlin Wall and into the "holding center" to wait for the next showing of the 4D movie. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Several panels of