Robservations: Jim DeRogatis to write the book on R. Kelly

Jim DeRogatis

Robservations on the media beat:

Veteran Chicago music critic and “Sound Opinions” co-host Jim DeRogatis is the subject of a glowing profile in the New York Times, which credits him for his heroic reporting of alleged sexual misconduct by R&B star R. Kelly over the past two decades. CNN's Brian Stelter called it "a must-read story." (Here is the link.) The case was reignited after the recent airing of “Surviving R. Kelly,” a six-part documentary series on Lifetime. The New York Times also reports that DeRogatis has signed with Abrams Press to publish Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly this fall. In the book DeRogatis will chronicle his reporting of the case and "delve into some of the topics that have consumed him as a critic, like the insidious power of celebrity media."

Judy Pielach

When Judy Pielach took a buyout last month after 32 years as news anchor and reporter at Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN 720-AM, she told friends: “On to the next adventure . . . whatever that may be!” It turns out she could be working with Erich Mancow Muller. On Tuesday Pielach auditioned on the air for a role as a contributor to the “Mancow Morning Show” on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM. By all accounts it went well. “I thought she was fantastic!” Muller said of Pielach. “A pro. Talent trumps all.”

Chris Bury

Chris Bury, the former ABC News correspondent who now serves as senior journalist in residence at DePaul University, will fill in today and next Monday and Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. on Newsweb Radio progressive talk WCPT 820-AM. Filling in this Thursday and Friday will be Carolyn Grisko, president and CEO of the Chicago-based Grisko communications firm and former news director and program host at Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. The afternoon hosting job has been open since WCPT cut Ben Joravsky in late December. Paul Chivari has been named afternoon show producer.

Hannah Stanley and Fred Weintraub

Fred Weintraub, executive producer at Weigel Broadcasting and author of the "Worldly Fellow" blog from London, Singapore and points beyond, is teaming up with weekend and fill-in host Hannah Stanley on Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN 720-AM. They'll co-host from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday. “It’s an honor to be on WGN Radio from the Allstate Skyline Studio," Weintraub said. "Hannah and I have great chemistry and have some surprises planned. You never know where it will lead from anywhere around the world.”

Bobby Moynihan

Actor and comedian Bobby Moynihan, who was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" from 2008 to 2017, will headline the latest "Conversations in Comedy" event Saturday at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 North State Street. WGN entertainment reporter Dean Richards will interview Moynihan in conjunction with the museum's ongoing exhibition "Saturday Night Live: The Experience.” (Here is the link for tickets.)

Hank Price

Hank Price, former vice president and general manager of CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, is sharing lessons he has learned after three decades of station management. He's written Leading Local Television, a guide to all aspects of the business from the perspective of the front office. The 272-page paperback, published by Beaver's Pond Press, is available on Amazon. Price, who headed CBS 2 from 1996 to 2000, also spent 15 years as senior director of Northwestern University’s Media Management Center.

Tuesday's comment of the day: Dawn Ladislas: A bigger problem to me is how many broadcasters are children of other broadcasters. In these cases, the people don't use the last name of politicians but how many other broadcasters do use names of broadcasters? Many people I know attempted a broadcasting career only to hit obstacles. Meanwhile the sons and daughters of people working in the media got lucrative gigs. So many people who studied broadcasting and got experience often find themselves having to return to school or go into another field entirely.