Dann Gire

Robservations on the media beat:

The great Dann Gire, award-winning film critic of the Daily Herald, is stepping down today after 42 years as a full-time employee of the newspaper. Gire, 64, was among a reported 17 staffers to accept voluntary buyouts from parent company Paddock Publications. But wait, there’s a sequel: Gire is expected to continue reviewing movies and contributing other features on a freelance basis. Until his new deal is official, Gire declined to comment. He joined the Daily Herald in 1975 as a reporter covering government, crime and courts, and was named film critic in 1978. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University and eight-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for arts criticism, Gire also serves as president and founding director of the Chicago Film Critics Association. Continue reading →

Charlie Rose

Robservations on the media beat:

Before he became nationally famous, Charlie Rose enjoyed a brief run in Chicago in the late ’70s as co-host of “A.M. Chicago” on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. (That’s the show Oprah Winfrey would take over a few years later and transform into syndication gold.) “In terms of professional experience, it was important to what I learned, not how well I did,” he once recalled. “I didn't do very well.” Now Rose is the latest public figure to be scrutinized for sexual misconduct. Following a Washington Post report with the accusations of eight women, CBS News suspended Rose as host of "CBS This Morning" with Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell and a contributor to ’60 Minutes,” and PBS halted distribution of his nightly interview show. At the start of Tuesday’s show, King said: “I really am reeling. I got one hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night. Both my son and my daughter called me; Oprah called me and said, ‘Are you okay?’ I am not okay. . . . I’m really struggling. . . . What do you say, when someone that you deeply care about has done something that’s so horrible? How do you wrap your brain around that?” None of the allegations published Monday included Rose's time at ABC 7. Continue reading →

Darlene Hill

Robservations on the media beat:

Anita Padilla

It’s official: “Good Day Chicago” news anchor Darlene Hill and Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 have parted company. Hill has been off the morning show since the end of September when her contract expired. On Friday, both sides publicly acknowledged the split. "I want to thank all of the viewers in Chicago, the people who allowed me to tell their stories every day from the city to the suburbs,” Hill said in a statement released by Fox 32. “The past 23 years have been magical and I've been fortunate to be a part of an award-winning news team at Fox 32 News. I'm not sure what the future holds but I'm excited about the next steps on this new journey.” Said general manager Dennis Welsh: “We want to thank her for her many years of service to Chicagoans and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.” Succeeding Hill alongside Scott Schneider on “Good Day Chicago” is Anita Padilla. A Chicago area native, Padilla joined Fox 32 as a reporter in 2007 after 10 years at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5. Continue reading →

104.3 JAMS

On its first day as owner of CBS Radio, Entercom Communications has blown up classic hits WJMK FM 104.3, replacing the six-year-old K-Hits brand with a new format of classic hip-hop and R&B.

At 11 a.m. Friday the company launched “The New 104.3 JAMS – Chicago’s #1 for Throwbacks,” geared to an ethnically diverse audience of millennials with rhythmic music of the ’90s and early ’00s. Core artists include Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., TLC, 2pac, Nelly, Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, Eminem, Aaliyah, Fugees, and Kanye West. Continue reading →

Jimmy deCastro

Robservations on the media beat:

Entercom

Look for Jimmy deCastro to hit the ground running as the new senior vice president and Chicago market manager of Entercom, which officially takes over CBS Radio today. The veteran Chicago radio impresario has an ambitious agenda to boost ratings and revenues at the company’s seven stations here. Staffers bid farewell Thursday to Tim Pohlman, who held the job since January 2016. The $1.7 billion merger with Entercom effectively ends the CBS Radio brand, which dates back to 1927 when Chicago native William S. Paley and his family bought a struggling network of 16 stations called the Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System. Now it’s history. Continue reading →

The Takeout

Robservations on the media beat:

Kevin Pang

From the people who brought you The Onion and The A.V. Club, now comes The Takeout, a nonsatirical website “exploring the intersection of food and pop culture.” Fusion Media Group launched the site Wednesday with a Chicago-based staff headed by editor-in-chief Kevin Pang, food editor of The A.V. Club and former food writer for the Chicago Tribune. “The Takeout is the food site I’ve always wanted to read — one that’s accessible, friendly, helpful, and satiates curiosities,” Pang said. “With our DNA rooted in The A.V. Club, we hope to bring that same level of geeky obsession to the world of food and drink culture.” Managing editor is Jen Sabella, former deputy editor of DNAinfo Chicago and Chicago editor of Huffington Post. Staff writer and columnist is Kate Bernot, former nightlife correspondent for RedEye Chicago. Continue reading →

Pat Tomasulo

For the first time since “Bozo” went off the air in 2001, WGN-Channel 9 will be producing a local weekly entertainment program. This time the funnyman in the spotlight will be WGN Morning News sports anchor and stand-up comedian Pat Tomasulo.

The Tribune Broadcasting station officially unveiled plans Wednesday for “Man of the People with Pat Tomasulo,” to air from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays, starting in late January. Continue reading →

Erich Mancow Muller

In what could be a rerun of a legal battle he fought 10 years ago, Chicago radio personality Erich Mancow Muller is suing an old boss who’s just come back as his new boss.

Earlier this month Cumulus Media hired Marv Nyren as vice president and market manager, overseeing its four Chicago stations. They include classic rock WLUP FM 97.9, where Muller has been hosting mornings since March 2015. Continue reading →

Kerry Lester

Robservations on the media beat:

The Daily Herald is losing one of its brightest stars. Columnist and senior writer Kerry Lester has applied for a buyout and is stepping down to pursue “other opportunities in and outside the news business.” Among them will be a Ph.D. in politics and media. Except for a two-year run as Springfield bureau chief of the Associated Press, Lester has been with the Daily Herald since she started as an editorial assistant in 2006. She also served as political editor and education reporter. “The paper's a place where I cut my teeth, and as a suburban native, something that will always have a piece of my heart,” Lester told Facebook friends Monday. “Thanks so much for reading, and for all of your tips and insights.” Earlier this year she was cited here as one of the most powerful women in Chicago journalism. Continue reading →

NBC Sports Chicago

Another wave of layoffs hit NBC Sports Chicago Monday, as the regional sports network responded to continuing declines in subscribers and revenue.

No figures were confirmed, but sources said 12 full-time positions were eliminated, including White Sox beat writer Dan Hayes, a senior executive producer, two senior web producer/editors, a digital director, digital sales executive, associate producer, photographer and director. Continue reading →