Blog archives
Tv stories in our blog
'Once Upon a Time,' 'Grimm': New TV series spun from old tales
October 31, 2011
TV shows that both feature imagination, writing, acting, and production — and are both rooted in the world of fairy tales.
'Raccoon Mayhem' commercial (Allstate insurance)
August 28, 2011
The Allstate insurance Mayhem commercials starring Dean Winters have burrowed deep into my mental attic.
TV schedule shell games
August 18, 2011
When TV programmers keep us guessing about a show’s airtime, we might decide we don’t really need to watch it after all.
Mad Men Season 5: I give up
March 30, 2011
Mad Men has been a bad soap opera for four seasons, and now Season Five has been postponed until 2012.
TV news: Kerry Sanders drives while reporting live
February 8, 2011
Reporting live from behind the wheel: Is NBC’s Kerry Sanders on the cutting edge of a TV news trend?
Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide, Seasons 1-20
October 31, 2010
20 years of The Simpsons episodes are detailed in Matt Groening’s new 1,200-page, 8.8-pound book.
Eric Holder and Second Amendment, Eric Holder and firearms
October 27, 2010
Can the demonstrators who tell Rachel Maddow that Eric Holder is so anti-guns come up with one anti-gun thing he has done? They cannot.
Ron Johnson for Senate with no jobs plan?
October 22, 2010
All three Feingold/Johnson debates are now streaming online — but Ron Johnson, Wisconsin candidate for U.S. Senate, has no jobs plan.
Robitussin commercial: Orangutan with Droid X smartphone
October 18, 2010
About that Robitussin commercial starring an orangutan: It’s Suryia, of Suryia and Rosco fame. And please avoid palm oil.
'Louie': Hilarious FX sitcom from Louis C.K.
September 7, 2010
Louis C.K.’s FX sitcom Louie is sometimes dark, often loose, always memorable and very funny.
Acid reflux symptoms remedy: Yogurt?
September 1, 2010
Acid reflux has long been battled by funny commercials for various medications. What about eating yogurt instead of pepperoni pizza?
Glenn Beck, Eric Massa, and the worst interview ever
March 9, 2010
Glenn Beck’s nightmare interview of former congressman Eric Massa, as shown on MSNBC’s ‘Countdown’.
Jeff Garlin
February 26, 2010
Jeff has a new book out, called My Footprint: Carrying the Weight of the World, about reducing his physical weight as well as his carbon footprint.
Healthy weight loss program: Alton Brown diet of 'Good Eats'
February 9, 2010
Good Eats host Alton Brown shows how to lose weight eating fruits, whole grains, leafy greens, nuts and carrots.
How to brine turkey, carve turkey: Thanksgiving recipes from Alton Brown
November 10, 2009
See how to carve a turkey with a electric knife, how to brine a turkey, and other Thanksgiving videos from Alton Brown of Good Eats.
WGN-TV shuts out The Museum of Classic Chicago Television
September 30, 2009
WGN-TV has reportedly forced The Museum of Classic Chicago Television to pull all WGN material from the museum website.
Heart-shaped potato
September 22, 2009
The heart-shaped potato that dazzled David Letterman and President Obama is not the only one in existence.
Glenn Beck on Fox News + Jon Stewart, Keith Olbermann = Hilarious!
September 5, 2009
Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart’s segments on Glenn Beck’s lunacy have been hysterical. Do not miss these.
'Mad Men' marathon, Monday on AMC
August 9, 2009
AMC is offering a ‘Mad Men’ marathon tomorrow — all 13 episode of Season 2 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central.
First moon walk video 'erased': Apollo 11 footage lost by NASA
July 16, 2009
The best Apollo 11 video footage of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon is gone, but there is still video on DVD.
Drive-By Truckers: 'Live from Austin, TX' on 'The Righteous Path'
July 11, 2009
The band’s new CD/DVD release was recorded live at ‘Austin City Limits’.
Time Warner cable online 'PayXpress' bill payment issue results in $30 bank fee
June 29, 2009
All about my error in paying through Time Warner Cable’s billing system, and how they resolved it.
Michael Jackson: Carving an icon
June 26, 2009
If artist achievement is what endures, then ‘Billie Jean’ is what I’ll remember Michael Jackson for.
Regina Spektor on Letterman, NPR with new album 'Far'
June 25, 2009
Listen to an NPR interview that aired this morning, and watch her on Letterman tomorrow night.
Justine Henin: Retired from tennis, she's singing, acting, cooking, and more
June 16, 2009
‘Les 12 travaux de Justine Henin’ was a recent Belgian reality show which put the former tennis superstar to a dozen tests.
'Top Chef Masters' premieres tonight on Bravo
June 10, 2009
It’s ‘Top Chef,’ but with actual star chefs competing for charity — and without Padma Lakshmi.
'Morning Joe' Scarborough brews up Jon Stewart feud over Starbucks
June 10, 2009
Is there any connection between Scarborough picking a fight with the ‘Daily Show’ host and the launch of his campaign for, uh, his book?
Stephen Colbert reports from Iraq this week
June 8, 2009
‘The Colbert Report’ should be especially good this week, with Stephen Colbert on location in Baghdad, Iraq.
Mute Orlando Magic fan, 4, speaks: Ryan Rodriguez loves this game!
June 5, 2009
Diagnosed with selective mutism, a Florida boy was moved to speech by watching NBA basketball on TV.
French Open tennis starts today, on TV and live streaming
May 24, 2009
The French Open (Roland Garros) begins today on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel.
Olbermann: Mancow gets waterboarded, calls it torture in 6 seconds
May 23, 2009
Erich ‘Mancow’ Muller had himself waterboarded in Chicago for his radio show. He lasted six seconds before declaring it torture.
Gary Vaynerchuck talks Twitter on CNN's 'Your $$$$$'
May 17, 2009
How social media, like Twitter, give anyone a channel to reach any potential audience.
The Killers do 'A Dustland Fairytale' on Letterman
May 16, 2009
I was reminded of Electric Light Orchestra at their best, which would be ‘Eldorado.’
Brendan Greeley celeb sighting
May 15, 2009
Edwardo spots Brendan Greeley at Wrigley on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
Kevin Pang eats cheeseburgers and more
May 2, 2009
About ‘The Cheeseburger Show’ and its adventurous host.
YouTube's new 'Shows' tab: Streaming full-length movies, TV
April 17, 2009
The one that caught my eye first was David Attenborough’s outstanding BBC series, ‘The Life of Birds’.
ABC's 'World News Now' (or is it 'America This Morning'?)
April 16, 2009
Whatever it’s called, it’s a pretty good early-morning news show that deserves its own website.
Will Wisconsin's Time Warner Cable customers soon see Road Runner caps?
April 6, 2009
In some cites, Time Warner Cable is reportedly going to start charging premiums for Internet bandwidth usage. How does $200 per month sound to you?
Bruce Springsteen to perform on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' tonight
March 19, 2009
Bruce Springsteen will be doing a solo performance of the title track, “Working on a Dream.”
The power of now: Eckhart Tolle and a Bike Ride on 35W
March 17, 2009
Be here now. In the moment. Possibly on a bicycle.
Rainn Wilson's SoulPancake.com: Fashioning art, spirituality
March 15, 2009
In an interview with Oprah, the comedic actor from ‘The Office’ outlines his new Web project for spiritual social networking through the arts.
Rachel Maddow ridicules Racine's Rep. Paul Ryan
March 3, 2009
The recession is Rep. Paul Ryan’s chance to become more visible, and he’s taking it.
Deep thought: Happy birthday, Jack Handey!
February 25, 2009
Jack Handey is a real person, not a pen name or a character. He is 60 today.
The purpose of the Academy Awards: Honoring our healing stories
February 22, 2009
The ‘Rosebud’ episode of ‘Northern Exposure’ illustrates the magic mythological power of movies.
Joaquin Phoenix on 'Late Show with David Letterman'
February 12, 2009
Was Joaquin Phoenix’s disoriented ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ appearance all part of a “hilarious documentary”?
Drew Peterson's ex-fiancée Christina Raines on the CBS 'Early Show'
February 2, 2009
This morning’s interview capped the latest breathtaking stunt in Drew Peterson’s circus of distraction.
Breathtaking images
January 20, 2009
We’re watching the inauguration on C-SPAN, and the streaming HD video from CBS.
L. Randolph Cook hopes to save souls by claiming Oprah freebased crack cocaine
January 17, 2009
The ‘Chicago businessman’ is the subject of the latest National Enquirer exclusive. He says he just seeks closure.
Keith Olbermann on the Bush legacy: 8 years in 8 minutes
January 17, 2009
Keith Olbermann nails the reign of George W. Bush.
TV tonight: Bush farewell, new 'Office' and '30 Rock'
January 15, 2009
President Bush delivers his farewell address tonight, and there’s a new ‘The Office’ and ‘30 Rock.’
Barack Obama loves Dixie Kitchen on 'Check, Please!' (updated)
January 7, 2009
A lost episode of ‘Check, Please!’ featuring restaurant reviewer Barack Obama will finally air on Chicago’s WTTW before the inauguration.
TV tonight: 'The Story of India,' Anthony Bourdain season premiere
January 5, 2009
‘The Story of India’ premieres tonight on Channel 10, and a new season of ‘Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations’ begins on The Travel Channel.
Snuggie, Slanket, Heat Surge: My TV monk life
January 1, 2009
The Great Recession makes me consider becoming a monk — a monk with a Snuggie, a Slanket, and a Heat Surge.
Time Warner Cable to drop Viacom, including Comedy Central?
December 31, 2008
Our cable provider is Time Warner Wisconsin, and we might lose all of our Viacom channels tonight, as the New Year is rung in .
Rick Sanchez and baby talk news
December 24, 2008
Rick Sanchez and the new, superficial, Twitter-it-yourself news. Is it Quality?
'The Digg Reel'
December 18, 2008
You should watch ‘The Digg Reel’. It showcases popular Internet videos, and Andrew Bancroft is a funny host.
Drew Peterson engaged to 23-year-old woman? Maybe not (updated)
December 17, 2008
Drew Peterson’s publicist confirms his client has become engaged to a 23-year-old woman. Drew wonders how this got out.
Could free TV make a comeback?
December 17, 2008
Our neighbor gets plenty of digital channels — for free — on the same old TVs she has owned for years.
'Good Eats' on YouTube
December 9, 2008
The Good Eats Fan Page now includes YouTube links to several recent seasons of ‘Good Eats’ episode.
Obama Plays It Cool: SNL's Fred Armisen
December 7, 2008
Fred Armisen’s Barack Obama impression on ‘Saturday Night Live’ is getting better and better.
Total Oprah
December 5, 2008
Robyn Okrant has been living, breathing, and eating Oprah for nearly a year.
Oprah's snow globe
December 5, 2008
Oprah Winfrey’s incredibly self-aggrandizing snow globe has been photographed and described by the Chicago Tribune.
Live blogging Election Day 2008
November 4, 2008
Election Day 2008, as experienced in our living room.
Racine's minute in ABC's 'World News' spotlight
October 11, 2008
The Dow drops 679 points and throng of Obama supporters gathers in downtown Racine. ABC World News, here in our city to cover the election, shows none of this.
Saddleback forum followup
August 18, 2008
John McCain will give us hope and inspiration, Rick Warren’s “Cone of Silence” was apparently a joke.
Enablex commercial: Class reunion of urine-filled balloons?
July 2, 2008
Recognize the voice in the Enablex bladder-balloon commercial? It’s SCTV’s Andrea Martin.
'Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie'
May 6, 2008
If you like food, Gourmet’s ‘Diary of a Foodie’ is an outstanding show — and you can download it to iTunes.
'Top Chef' Chicago
March 11, 2008
Season 4 of the Bravo TV competition — hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio — takes place in the Windy City.
José Andrés: 'Made in Spain'
March 7, 2008
This very unique PBS foodie series is both fun and fascinating.
Big music night on TV
November 29, 2007
Public TV has the best of ‘The Johnny Cash Show,’ Bruce Springsteen in Dublin, and Van Morrison on ‘Austin City Limits’.
I'm not Oprah-worthy
November 3, 2007
I friended Oprah on MySpace, but after ten days, she still has not reciprocated.
'The War' -- WWII movie by Ken Burns on PBS
September 26, 2007
An excellent documentary, resulting from years of searching and assembly.
Joseph Campbell on mythology, religion, and art
March 26, 2007
Mythological stories of the hero journey fill the history of religion. Joseph Campbell taught the power of myths.
"In Spite of Ourselves" / John Prine and Iris DeMent
March 23, 2007
A video clip from the old ‘Sessions at West 54th Street’ show.
Thursday night TV
March 1, 2007
‘My Name is Earl,’ ‘The Office,’ and ‘30 Rock’ have us tuning to NBC every week.
Keith Olbermann's 'Special Comment' on Condoleezza Rice
February 27, 2007
The Secretary of State’s deformed analogy rings the special bell in the commentator’s head.
New Orleans cooking: Alton Brown gumbo recipe
February 19, 2007
Gumbo, that icon of the cuisine of New Orleans, begins with a roux. Alton Brown shares the secret.
Regina Spektor
January 30, 2007
Thanks to ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ for introducing us to the introspective, playful musician.
Faster, faster, the lights are turning red
December 13, 2006
Why do places like Reykjavik and Slovenia have Internet speeds 100 times faster than the USA?
Keith Olbermann's special comments
October 22, 2006
His occasional seven to ten-minute editorial essays on MSNBC take the Bush administration to task through sharp writing and dry wit.
Earworm infestation
August 15, 2006
Peace and quiet out in the yard? Not with Kenny Loggins singing “Danny’s Song” over and over and over.
Oatmeal recipe: Steel-cut oats ala Alton Brown
May 17, 2006
‘Good Eats’ is a TV show that can improve your life. Steel-cut oatmeal is a food that may lengthen it.
The Bean: A shining, elastic success
May 16, 2006
Like the Mona Lisa, Anish Kapoor’s sculpture captures swarms of humans in wordless aesthetic arrest.
Labeling immigrants
May 1, 2006
How did CNN’s graphic designers arrive at this odd choice in branding their coverage of immigrants?
2005 Tour de France
June 29, 2005
My anticipation is strong as the main event in cycling is about to begin again.
Wimbledon time warp
June 27, 2005
The way that NBC and ESPN2 split up Wimbledon makes the Central time zone miss out.
