Robservations: Will Paul Sullivan fill Tribune's sports media gap?

Chicago Tribune

Robservations on the media beat:

Paul Sullivan

You don't replace a Phil Rosenthal, whose words and thoughts "shined like diamonds" before he gracefully bowed out last month as sports media columnist at the Chicago Tribune. But the beat goes on. Monday brought the debut of a "sports media week in review" column by Paul Sullivan, the veteran baseball writer and "In the Wake of News" sports columnist — including a couple of generous nods to previous Tribune sports media columnists Rosenthal and Teddy Greenstein. (Here is the link.) Sullivan told me he's not really covering the media beat, but he didn't say whether his media recap will become a regular weekly feature. Here's hoping it does. Continue reading →

Robservations: Chris Boden cut as Blackhawks radio studio host

Chris Boden

Robservations on the media beat:

Chris Boden won’t be returning as studio host for Chicago Blackhawks hockey broadcasts on Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN 720-AM. “After four years, my time with the Blackhawks ends today, informed at season's end the pre/postgame host position is being eliminated due to COVID-related financial losses,” Boden posted on social media Wednesday. (Here is the link.) “As this chapter ends, this lifelong Chicagoan seeks and looks forward to whatever is next.” The veteran Chicago sportscaster and former Comcast SportsNet Chicago host grew up in south suburban Burbank and graduated from Luther South High School and Columbia College. Continue reading →

Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones named editorial page editor

Chris Jones (Photo: Chicago Tonight/WTTW)

After two decades as theater critic of the Chicago Tribune Chris Jones was named editorial page editor Wednesday. But he said he still plans to review “the major shows” for the newspaper.

The unorthodox move, as first reported here, comes amid staff upheaval following the exodus of more than 40 journalists who accepted buyouts from the Tribune’s new owners, New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital. Continue reading →

Robservations: Buyout or not, Kristen McQueary quits Chicago Tribune

Kristen McQueary (Photo: Chicago Tonight/WTTW)

Robservations on the media beat:

The buyouts may be over but the bleeding hasn't stopped for the Chicago Tribune. On Tuesday Kristen McQueary, editor of the Tribune's editorial page, announced that she's quitting too. "After nine years on the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board and page editor since March of last year, Friday will be my last day at the paper," McQueary tweeted. "I applied for the buyout, but my application was not accepted. I'll be pursuing other opportunities. Stay tuned!" It's not known why McQueary's buyout bid was rejected but her departure leaves the Tribune minus another stellar talent. "To be sure, she and I differ on quite a few issues, but I have no doubt of her integrity and her heart," newly departed Tribune columnist Eric Zorn said of McQueary. "She ran the Edit Board with grace, energy and humor during a very difficult year and has the affection and appreciation of the liberals, the moderates and the conservatives whom she supervised." McQueary joined the Tribune in 2012 from Chicago Public Media and the Chicago News Cooperative. The Rockford native and graduate of Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Springfield previously worked for the Daily Southtown and Peoria Journal Star.

Chris Jones

With much of the Chicago Tribune newsroom already being gutted under the new management of Alden Global Capital, it's all hands on deck these days. In a surprise plot twist, Chris Jones, who's been the Tribune's esteemed theater critic for 20 years, is the favorite to replace McQueary as editorial page editor, sources say. It's hard to imagine Jones bowing out as Chicago's preeminent drama critic just when theaters are opening again. But it's been hard to imagine a lot these days. Come to think of it, other than making money and wrecking newspapers, does Alden Global Capital even have an editorial philosophy? Continue reading →

WGN Radio Walk of Fame takes an eerie detour to the suburbs

WGN Radio Walk of Fame — 2021

Whatever happened to the WGN Radio Walk of Fame?

It all started in 2014 as a promotional gimmick devised by radio impresario Jimmy deCastro. Plaques honoring dozens of current and former personalities were embedded in the pavement outside the showcase studio of WGN 720-AM at the hallowed Tribune Tower, 435 North Michigan Avenue.

From legendary WGN morning stars Wally Phillips and Bob Collins to “Flying Officer” Leonard Frank Baldy and "Tenpin Tattler" Sam Weinstein, their unique contributions to the history and heritage of the news/talk station were to be honored for the ages. Continue reading →

Robservations: It's 'a blessing' to host Inspiration 1390 for DeAndre Patterson

DeAndre Patterson

Robservations on the media beat:

There's a new afternoon voice on Chicago's Inspiration 1390. DeAndre Patterson, a gospel songwriter, recording artist and pastor of two area congregations, today steps up to permanent host from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on iHeartMedia gospel WGRB 1390-AM. He's been filling in since Marcella Jones left in March. “DeAndre Patterson is the perfect fit to host afternoons on Inspiration 1390,” program director Sonya Blakey said in a statement. “He has built a solid reputation as a trusted voice in music and ministry in Chicago.” Pastor of Destiny Worship Center on the West Side and Miracle Revival Cathedral Church in west suburban Maywood, he'll continue to host “Old School Gospel Hits" from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays on Inspiration 1390. Said Patterson: “It’s a blessing to join the weekday lineup.” Continue reading →