Robservations: WLS drops Stephanie Trussell's weekend show

Stephanie Trussell

Robservations on the media beat:

After seven years on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM, Stephanie Trussell's weekly talk show has been dropped to accommodate University of Illinois football and basketball broadcasts, effective August 30. Airing from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Trussell's was among the few live, local shows on the weekend lineup. She landed the gig by winning the station's first "Next Talk Star Contest" in 2012. "Thank you to all who have supported me," Trussell wrote on Facebook. "I owe everything to God, all of the listeners and the team at WLS, who took a risk by allowing a suburban housewife/mom behind their 50,000 watt microphone." Trussell has agreed to host a weekly podcast for the station. Said WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor: "We are delighted to continue to offer Stephanie's unique content on our website."

Jordan Cornette

Jordan Cornette, former co-host of “The Jam” morning show on Weigel Broadcasting WCIU-Channel 26, has been hired as college basketball analyst and in-studio anchor for ESPN's new ACC Network. In partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference, the new platform will debut August 22. Cornette, a Cincinnati native and former Notre Dame basketball star, also will serve as a co-host for "Spain and Company" on ESPN Radio. He previously co-hosted David Kaplan’s midday show on ESPN Radio sports/talk WMVP 1000-AM. Last month Cornette married Shae Peppler, sports reporter and weekend sports anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. Since he left in May, no replacement has been named for Cornette on "The Jam," which continues with co-hosts Felicia Lawrence and Carly Henderson.

Ravinia

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's July 20 performance of Leonard Bernstein's musical "Mass" at Ravinia will be recorded for a national television special to air in 2020. It's an encore presentation of last summer's program, which featured the talents of 200 artists including Tony-winning baritone Paulo Szot, the choral ensembles Vocality and Chicago Children’s Choir, the Highland Park High School Marching Band, and two dozen actors, singers and dancers. Broadcast details have not been announced. Bernstein's "Mass" was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for the grand opening of the Kennedy Center in 1971.

Pat Tomasulo

Wednesday's comment of the day: Mick Kahler: It seems to me that Pat Tomasulo's show was under-staffed and over-worked in putting on a weekly comedy show. Maybe a twice or once a month special would've been better for all. Still, I'm grateful someone was trying to do creative local programming like this. Outside of Son of Svengoolie and the Channel 7 New Year's countdown where Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies awkwardly lock lips, what the heck else is there?