Friday-Sunday, October 5-7, 2007

Web ads grab consumers like no other form of media...

It won't clothe or feed you. Won't give you a place to live. What it will do is help you find all three necessities of life. With revenue dollars harder to find than ever, Internet advertising has hit another high. The Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers (couldn't they find another name to squeeze in?) co-sponsored a survey (survey says) that shows the Web topping $10 billion - a new record - in the first half of the year. Revenue is up 26% from $7.9 billion in the year-earlier period, according to the survey...

Internet advertising is mainstream and a major part of the marketing revenue mix. It's no surprise that the biggest revenue gain (54%) was in consumer-related advertising. Retailers and car companies were the biggest spenders. I guarantee you that places to buy clothes, groceries and real estate were in the mix. Other big spenders included banks, mortgage lenders, insurance providers and others which accounted for about 15% of the total. I don't know where the remaining 31% went but 69% spent on consumer-related advertising is a huge slab of the pie...

Granted, like television, the Web offers sight and sound while radio is one-dimensional but radio is also mobile - that's an advantage. If the day ever comes when they can safely include the Internet in cars, it's all over for radio...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1921] Talking baseball: The World Series is broadcast on radio for the first time. The Giants beat the Yankees, 5 games to 3, back in the day of the 8-game WS...1967] Carl Yastrzemski hits 2 home runs leading the "Impossible Dream" Red Sox to a 5-0 shutout win for Jim Lonborg (now a dentist in New England) to even the WS with the Cardinals at a game a piece. I was at that game at Fenway and loved it a lot...2001] Barry Bonds sets a new mark for home runs by hitting #71 and #72. He hits #73 on October 7. That wasn't water in the water cooler either...
2. 1950] Premiered on this date: "You Bet Your Life", hosted by "the one, the only" Groucho Marx. Here's a clip of one of the funniest game shows of all-time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtIMk63NEis ...
3. 1970] Musical Egyptian Presidents: Anwar Sadat takes office as President of Egypt, replacing Gamal Abdel Nasser...
4. 1982] Dropping the puck: The New Jersey Devils tie the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first game in the Meadowlands...
5. 1983] That's mighty Nobel of you: Lech Walesa wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his effortless work in helping the workers of Poland...
6. 1985] Coach of a lifetime: Grambling's Eddie Robinson becomes the winningest coach in college history with his 324th victory...
7. 1988] Shooting Quayle: Presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen makes his famous "I knew Jack Kennedy" retort to Dan Quayle and here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI ...
8. 1989] Fraud sighting: Jim Bakker is convicted of using his television show to defraud his viewers...
9. 1999] Wedding Bells: MCI and Sprint announce plans to merge in a $115 billion deal. How bad is that commercial with the two network hordes???
10. 2005] Can you say Abu Ghraib?: Defying the House, the Senate votes 90-9 to approve an amendment that would prohibit the use of "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" against anyone in U.S. government custody...

Music Memories:

• 1968] Released on this date: "White Room" - Cream (on their final tour at the time)...1968] "Magic Carpet Ride" - Steppenwolf...1975] "Cats in the Cradle" - Harry Chapin, as seen on this live performance clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlHdjjHNEC8 (especially poignant if you have a son like I do)...
• 1969] Live from the 'Ed Sullivan Theater': The Who make an appearance. Did they follow the plate twirler or Kate Smith???

Commentary...

Paul Power raised a very good point in response to our "Family Guy" lawsuit feature: "If you slander (or plagiarize) the lyrics to a song, especially a standard, you leave yourself wide open." That's a charge in itself, although nothing to do with whether or not "Family Guy" "went too far"...I'm happy with the results of the baseball playoffs so far. TBS reports higher ratings than last year's coverage on ESPN...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nicky Hilton (24), Kate Winslet (32), Mario Lemieux (42), Bernie Mac (50), Bob Geldof (53), Karen Allen (56), Steve Miller (64), Arlene (Chantels) Smith (66) - Arlene and the girls are included in this 'Vocal Group Hall of Fame" clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9kHt_LmOsM and Bill ("My name, Jose Jimenez") Dana (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 19 days until the 1st game of the World Series, 26 nights until Halloween, 30 days until Daylight Savings Time ends and 41 days until Thanksgiving...

Saturday-Sunday, October 6-7, 2007

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1927] Premiered on this date (10/6): "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson. The first "talkie" is based on the short story, "The Day of Atonement" by Samson Raphaelson...1959] "Pillow Talk" starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson (the first of three films starring these two box-office favorites)...1960] Premiered on this date (10/7): 1960] "Route 66" starring George Maharis, Glenn Corbett and Martin Milner (will run 4 seasons). Here's a clip of an episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DadAmhfRM ... 1982] "Cats" screeches in at the Wintergarden Theater on Broadway and lasts entirely too long (the longest running show in Broadway history) meow...1995] Boston's Fleet (Fleece?) Center opens with a 4-4 tie between the Bruins and Islanders despite Cam Neely's 3 goals...
2. 1945] Talking World Series: The "Billy Goat Curse" begins in Chicago when a Cubs fan is refused admission to a World Series game because he had his pet goat with him (the nerve). William "Billy Goat" Sianis, local tavern owner puts a curse on the Cubs. Not only do the Cubs lose the WS, they never win another one. Last WS Cubs victory? 1908 (10/6)...1952] Yankees second-baseman Billy Martin makes a game-saving catch as the Yankees win their 4th straight World Series, beating Brooklyn in Game 7 (10/7)...1967] Game 3 of the World Series between Boston and St. Louis goes to the Cardinals who beat the Red Sox in St. Louis to go one game up with a 2-1 edge in the WS (10/7)...
3. 1956] Sabin the world from Polio: Dr. Albert Sabin discovers the oral polio vaccine which just about eradicates the disease (10/6)...
4. 1960] Round Two: JFK and Richard Nixon square off in their second presidential debate (10/7). JFK wins this one too...
5. 1977] Talking playoff baseball: The Yankees win the AL pennant when Chris Chambliss hits a dramatic home run against Kansas City at Yankee Stadium (10/6)...
6. 1978] Wedding Bells: Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad of ABBA rock down the aisle singing 'Mamma Mia' (10/6)...1991] Larry Fortensky becomes Liz Taylor victim #8 (10/6)...1996] Faith Hill and Tim McGraw become a duo (10/6)...
7. 1981] "Happy Trails": Egyptian President Anwar-el Sadat, 63, is assassinated at a military rally in Cairo by Muslim extremists (10/6)...1983] Cardinal Terrence Cooke of New York succumbs to cancer at 62 (10/6)...1989] Bette Davis dies from cancer in France at 81 (10/6)...
8. 1985] High Seas terror: Four Palestinian terrorists hijack the Achille Lauro. They surrender after 2 days but push wheelchair bound passenger Leon Klinghofer off the boat (10/7)...
9. 1988] "You're fired": Lou Piniella is fired as Yankees manager by George Steinbrenner for the second time (creating 'Billy V"). All Piniella does is win the World Series as Reds manager in 1990. I have to say he turned dumb the other day when he pulled his best pitcher, Carlos Zambrano from game one of the Cubs play-offs too early to save him for game four. Earth to Piniella: with your team down 0-2, there may not be a game four (10/7)...
10. 1988] W(eNd)BC: At 5:30 pm October 7, 1988 the station that started as experimental 2XB in 1919 went off the air, never to return. This was a sad day for a legendary radio station. I'm so glad I had a chance to be one of the station's program directors (1976-1977). R.I.P WNBC (1919-1988)...

Music Memories:

• 1970] Number One on this date (10/6): "Cracklin' Rosie" - Neil Diamond, seen doing it live in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZEjaXvsIjM ...
• 1976] Gold Standard: "Disco Duck" - Rick Dees (10/6)...
• 1978] Released on this date (10/7): "Hold The Line" - Toto ...1979] "Heartache Tonight" - The Eagles (10/6)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(10/6) Elisabeth Shue (44), Tony Dungy (52), Kevin (REO) Cronin (56), Millie Small (61) "My Boy Lollipop": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqcpt-BKZBM and Britt Ekland (65)...

(10/7) Toni Braxton (41), Simon Cowell (48), Yo-Yo Ma (52), John Mellencamp (55), Oliver North (64), Desmond Tutu (76) and Al Martino (80)...

Timeline Countdown for Sunday, October 7: 17 days until the first game of the World Series, 24 nights until Halloween, 28 days until the end of Daylight Savings Time and 39 days until Thanksgiving...

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Does the First Amendment protect everybody and everything???

These days you don't have to wait too long for a lawsuit to pop up about someone who's accused of going too far. This time it's the enormously popular Fox animated series "Family Guy" that's being sued over the use of a song spoof in one of their episodes. Music publisher Bourne Company yesterday filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan accusing Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Fox Broadcasting Co., the Cartoon Network and others of copyright infringement. It seeks unspecified damages...

In 2000, "Family Guy" included a parody called "I Need A Jew" in one of their episodes (which didn't run until 2003). The episode, "When You Wish Upon A Weinstein" featured a main character who could not manage his family's finances and needed to hire a Jewish person to take care of his money. The main character sings, "I Need A Jew", which the lawsuit called a "thinly veiled copy of 'When You Wish Upon A Star", accompanied by new anti-Semitic lyrics. Bourne is hanging their case on the statement they issued in the lawsuit: "With its theme of wholesome hopefulness, the song has gained worldwide status as a classic. By associating Bourne's song with such offensive lyrics and other content in the episode, defendants are harming the value of the song." ...

This is not the first time "Family Guy" has been criticized or sued and it won't be the last. The largest suit (for $6 million in damages) was filed by Carol Burnett over a copyright infringement for her 'Charwoman' cleaning character, used without her permission. The judge tossed the suit stating that the parody was protected under the First Amendment using "Hustler v. Falwell" as a precedent. Will the same thing happen in the "Family Guy" lawsuit? Did they go too far this time? Did O'Reilly, Borat, Imus and a long line of others go too far and what's too far? This is a clip of Seth McFarlane, one of the "Family Guy" voices and the singer of the parody. It's a pretty crude hand-held tape job of a live appearance the cast made in Los Angeles. Following the video is audio where he continues to talk about parodies. I heard one interview he did where he said the writer of the parody was Jewish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ODzIylqKg . You're free to formulate your own opinion of whether they went too far or not. As always, it's open to interpretation...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1931] Premiered on this date: "Dick Tracy" makes its debut in the Detroit Daily Mirror...1956] "Playhouse 90", the live drama anthology debuts and runs 5 seasons...1957] "Leave It To Beaver" makes its debut and lasts 6 seasons...
2. 1955] Who's a Bum?: That was the New York Daily News headline when the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Yankees to win their 1st World Series. In other World Series headlines: 1963] The Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the Yankees in 4 games behind the brilliant pitching of Sandy Koufax who strikes out 15 in the 1st game and is named WS MVP...1967] The Boston Red Sox are in the World Series for the 1st time in 21 years but they lose game 1, 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals. They didn't waste any time last night on a superb pitching performance by Josh Beckett, 4-0. The '67 game was the only one I didn't attend of the 4 at Fenway...
3. 1957] The Space Age is launched: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the 1st man-made satellite, into orbit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTs4_aKw3EU ...
4. 1964] The Point After: Boston Patriots place-kicker Gino Cappelletti goes 6-for-6 in field goal attempts and kicks 3 extra points in a 39-10 (sounds like one of this year's scores) victory over Denver. Do you remember Gino's "Point After" bar/restaurant???
5. 1965] The flying Pope-Mobile: Pope Paul VI becomes the 1st reigning pontiff to travel to North America when he flies to New York for an address to the U.N. General Assembly...
6. 1970] "Happy Trails": Janis Joplin's body is found in a Hollywood hotel room. Janis who had just finished her "Pearl" LP, died of a heroin overdose at 27...
7. 1976] Babwa WaWa: Barbara Walters joins Harry Reasoner at the anchor desk of the "ABC Evening News" - not a match made in TV News Anchor heaven. Barbara later interviewed Harry about it for "20/20": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoqanzKIdOw ...
8. 1986] What's the frequency Kenneth?: That was the question posed to Dan Rather as he was about to be mugged. On this David Letterman clip, DR is seen rehearsing with REM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3vn_YQ1vTE ...
9. 2002] Gotcha!: John Walker Lindh, the so-called 'American Taliban' receives a 20-year sentence. I hope they bathed him first...
10. 2002] Foot Stomping: Richard Reid pleads guilty in Boston to trying to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight with a shoe bomb. Reid is now serving a life sentence. I hope they bathed him first...

Music Memories:

• 1959] Number One on this date: "Mack The Knife" - Bobby Darin - Bobby does it live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h__OQvTlBIU ...1965] "Yesterday" - Beatles...1980] "Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen. Watch this great live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ahUB50LKA ...
• 1969] Released on this date: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" - Crosby, Stills & Nash...

Commentary...

Neil Best of Newsday in this morning's edition says that Don Imus is close to finalizing a contract with Citadel Broadcasting which would put the I-man on either of two New York properties that they own, WABC or WPLJ. He also mentions that Charles McCord would be traveling with Imus from the Fan to wherever and possibly Bernie McGuirk, in a non-speaking role as writer/producer. Is this true I-man???

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Alicia Silverstone (31), Liev Schreiber (40), Jon Secada (46), Russell Simmons (50), Alan Rosenberg (57), Susan Sarandon (61), Sam Huff (73), Leroy Van Dyke (78) and Charlton Heston (84)...

Timeline Countdown: 20 days until the 1st game of the World Series, 27 nights until Halloween, 31 days until the end of Daylight Savings Time and 42 days until Thanksgiving...

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Illegal music downloading trial begins...

The major record companies (Sony BMG, Arista Records LLC, Interscope Records, UMG Recordings, Inc., Capitol Records Inc. and Warner Bros. Records Inc.) couldn't have picked a worse person to start their legal actions against - a 30-year old, single mother of two. Jammie Thomas from Brainerd, Minnesota is charged with improperly sharing nearly 2,000 songs online. Thomas answers by saying, "I do know that I didn't do this and the jury will hear that I did not do this." She also adds that instead of paying a settlement to the six record companies that sued her she chose to spend the same amount on her attorney's retainer. "I refuse to be bullied" says Thomas in a Duluth federal courtroom where the civil copyright trial is underway...

Look I know how serious this downloading problem is for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), not a party to the lawsuit but representing the major companies. Music sales are in the dumper thanks to downloading and bad product, by the way. The Thomas trial could be the beginning of 30,000 such trials against those that have been charged with downloading music files illegally. But kicking it off with a 30-year old single mother to the tune of more than $1.2 million, who denies the charges on top of it???

Not only that but Thomas's computer, a key piece of evidence has a new hard drive. She replaced the best piece of evidence after she claims she had computer problems in 2005. Naturally the record companies say she was trying to cover her tracks after receiving warnings about her illegal downloading...

Look, I don't know whether this woman is guilty or not but how long do you think it will take the jury to decide against a single mother of two facing a $1.2 million lawsuit or the six major record companies in the world??? This is not the way to kick it off...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1863] Pass the cranberry sauce: Abraham Lincoln declares that the last Thursday in November shall be Thanksgiving Day (only 43 days away)...
2. 1901] Taking a Nip: The Victor Talking Machine Company is incorporated. After a merger with Radio Corporation of America, the company becomes RCA-Victor. Enter that adorable little Nipper...
3. 1945] An early Elvis sighting: 10-year old Elvis Presley makes his 1st public appearance at a dairy show talent contest and finishes 2nd, collecting $5...
4. 1951] The shot heard round the world: The Giants' Bobby Thomson hits a 3-run walk-off home run beating the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 3rd and deciding game of their playoffs. Russ Hodges loses it: "The Giants win the pennant", "The Giants win the pennant", "The Giants win the pennant"...
5. 1954] Premiered on this date: "Father Knows Best" starring Robert Young begins a successful 8 year run...1955] "Captain Kangaroo" starring Bob Keeshan debuts and will air for 19 years before being syndicated...1955] "The Mickey Mouse Club" debuts with original episodes until 1962 before being syndicated into 1977. There was a revival of the show in 1989 that would last 5 years. That version starred Christina Aguilera, JC Chavez, Keri Russell, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake...1957] "The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom" which will air for 3 seasons...1961] "The Dick Van Dyke Show", one of the all-time best sitcoms lasts for 5 seasons and here's the show's open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqIyjLxwk-s ...
6. 1992] The Pope is ripped: Sinead O'Connor tears up a picture of the Pope during her "Saturday Night Live" appearance. We're not quite sure why???
7. 1995] O.J. walks: O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the 1994 murders of wife Nicole Brown and Ronald L. Goldman. Justice will prevail in the civil trial...
8. 1997] Hurricane warnings: After moving from Hartford where they were the Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes play their first game in NC and lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3...
9. 2000] "Happy Trails": Benjamin Orr, bass player of the Cars, is the victim of pancreatic cancer at 53...
10. 2003] At the maul: Roy Horn (Siegfried & Roy) is mauled by Montecord, a 7-year old tiger during a stage performance in Las Vegas. Horn was celebrating his 59th birthday...

Music Memories:

• 1973] Number One on this date: "Half-Breed" - Cher...1982] "Jack and Diane" - John Cougar Mellencamp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lWvcmgfcSg )...

Commentary...

The Standells sing the national anthem at Fenway Park tonight and Jerry Remy (who played for both the Red Sox and their opponents, the LA Angels, throws out the first ball as the playoffs begin for the Red Sox. That game is tonight. Good luck to the Sox and all the other teams in the opening round of the baseball playoffs that will culminate on October 24th with the playing of the first game of the World Series...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Ashlee Simpson (23), Gwen Stefani (38) "The Sweet Escape": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmTBXWuDJU , Clive Owen (43), Tommy Lee (45), Rev. Al Sharpton (52), Dennis Eckersley (53), Dave Winfield (56), Lindsey Buckingham (60), Biff Henderson (61), here's Biff in action covering the Super Bowl for Dave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjIRYXHfD8 ...Roy Horn (63), Chubby Checker (66) and Gore Vidal (82)...

Timeline Countdown: The MLB playoffs start this afternoon, 21 days until the World Series, 28 days until Halloween, 32 days until daylight light savings time ends and 43 days until Thanksgiving...

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Is your computer really protected???

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Who knew? I don't know about you but if my computer goes down, I'm out of commission. To guard against that happening, I have antivirus, spam and spyware protection and a firewall, which makes me feel like one of those race drivers in a fire-proof suit. Results of a study recently done by McAfee/MCSA (National Cyber Security Alliance) show startling results about consumers who only thought they were protected:

• 87% of U.S. consumers said they were using antivirus protection but a scan showed that only 52% updated their antivirus protection in the last month...
• 70% believed they had antispyware software installed but only 55% do...
• 61% believed they had antispam software installed but only 21% do...

Bari Abdul, VP of worldwide consumer marketing at McAfee put it this way, "consumers at this point in time have a false sense of security." One of the current problems in addition to those previously mentioned is "phishing", where you receive an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank, credit card or other business provider, asking you to click a link to update your personal information. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they heard of phishing but only 54% could describe it accurately. The next figure is staggering - nearly 90% store personal information on their computers and conduct sensitive activies such as banking or stock trading online...

What protection should you have? Abdul defines "core protection" as a combination antivirus, antispyware and firewall software on your computer. Keep it updated and make sure it's working...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1950] Premiered on this date: Charles M. Schulz' "Peanuts" comic strip is born...1953] Edward R. Murrow's "Person to Person" begins an 8-year run...1955] "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" debuts and runs on and off until 1986. 'Good Evening': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVoFCFT_xG4 ...1959] "The Twilight Zone" starts a 5-year run...1961] "Ben Casey" begins a 5-season run...
2. 1967] Thurgood joins the 'Supes': Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the 1st black Supreme Court Justice...
3. 1968] 17K: Bob Gibson strikes out a World Series record 17 batters as the Cardinals beat the Tigers in game one of the WS and here are all 17 strikeouts as called by Curt Gowdy and Harry Caray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixTNIFlBJZQ ...
4. 1970] Team Tragedy: A plane carrying 30 members of the Wichita State football team crashes. All 30 are killed...
5. 1978] Bucky "Bleepin'" Dent: Yankee shortstop Bucky Dent's 7th inning home run at Fenway Park leads the Yankees to a one-game playoff victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees win the AL pennant...
6. 1980] Holmes sweet Holmes: 30-year old heavyweight champ Larry Holmes defends his title with an 11th round TKO of 38-year old Muhammad Ali...
7. 1985] "Happy Trails": 1985] Rock Hudson dies from AIDS at 59...1998] Gene Autry, Hollywood's "Singing Cowboy" dies from lymphoma at 91...
8. 1994] Father and Son: For the first time in NFL history, father and son coaches face each other with Papa Don Shula's Miami Dolphins beating his sons' Cincinnati Bengals...
9. 2002] Sniper rampage begins: A man is shot and killed in a grocery store parking lot in Wheaton (MD), the 1st victim in a series of sniper attacks in the DC area that will leave 10 dead...
10. 2006] Amish massacre: A 32-year old milk truck driver kills 5 Amish girls and then turns the gun on himself in Nickel Mines, Bart Township in Lancaster County (PA)...

Music Memories:

• 1965] Debuted on Shindig: The Who...
• 1985] End of the line: Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." tour ends in Los Angeles...

Commentary...

Shades of Steinbrenner: The Mets did something that George Steinbrenner used to do, apologize for losing. My Mets e-mail apology says, in part: "All of us are bitterly disappointed in failing to achieve our collective goal of building upon last year's success" but then goes on to add, "we wanted to thank you for your record-breaking support of our team this year" (the Mets drew 3.8 million disappointed fans). The e-mail ends with "you deserve better results" (ya think?) and the last line is, "many thanks again for your record-breaking support". For the record, the word "disappointed" was used once while the reference to "record-breaking support" was used twice. Cha-ching, sorry fans...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Tiffany (36), Kelly Ripa (37), Lorraine Bracco (53), Sting (56), Donna Karan (59), Don McLean (62) which calls for the long version of "American Pie": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHkT2YfqHE4 , Rex Reed (69) and Maury Wills (75)...

Timeline Countdown: One day until the MLB wild card playoffs, 22 days until the 1st game of the World Series, 29 days until Halloween and 33 days until the end of daylight savings time...

Monday, October 1, 2007

Baseball playoffs in the major metros...

Using Arbitron's spring 2007 market rankings and including today's one-game playoff in Denver, here's where the baseball playoff cities rank:

• Number 17 San Diego plays Number 22 (Denver) Colorado tonight to represent the NL wild card team...
• The winner of that game will play number 7, Philadelphia in a best-of-five playoff series...
• The number 3 Chicago Cubs take on number 15 (Phoenix) Arizona, same format...
• In the American League, number 2 Los Angeles plays number 11 Boston...
• Number 1 New York (Yankees) plays number 26 (the only team not representing the top 25 but barely) Cleveland...

Of 8 teams in the baseball playoffs, 7 represent top 25 markets with 3 top 5 markets and 4 in the top 10, this does not include surrounding suburban areas nor does it include radio network, satellite (XM) or network TV reach...

Of course, New York could have had 2 teams representing the number one market but we won't get into that. The playoffs should be great with massive numbers of listeners and viewers for the coverage starting tonight and leading to the World Series on October 24...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1903] World Series #1: The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Americans 7-3 in the first World Series game. In this video tribute to the Red Sox, notice the poster for this WS in the open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_YDFGjd7rQ ...
2. 1908] A-Ford-able?: Henry Ford introduces the Model T to the market for $825. The model T in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M3pBIssr-A ...
3. 1952] Premiered on this date: "This Is Your Life", hosted by Ralph Edwards. The biopic series will air in its original format for 9 seasons...1955] "The Honeymooners" kicks off 16 successful seasons...1962] "The Lucy Show", featuring Lucille Ball as Lucy Carmichael, runs for 12 years...1962] Johnny Carson debuts as regular host of NBC's "Tonight Show" and here's a terrific tribute to the best of all late night hosts, voiced by Ted Koppel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp2X3946G50 ...
4. 1961] Roger that: Yankees slugger Roger Maris hits home run #61 at Yankee Stadium, breaking Babe Ruth's season record of 60 in 1927...
5. 1964] It's called the 1st amendment: The Free Speech Movement is launched at the University of California at Berkeley...
6. 1967] The Impossible Dream: Those of us fortunate enough to have witnessed this will never forget it: The Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream comes true as they clinch their 1st AL pennant since 1946 on the last day of the season. With a 3-way tie between Boston, Detroit and Minnesota, Boston beat the Twins and the Tigers lose, giving the pennant to the Red Sox. On opening day 2007, the Sox paid tribute to some of the 1967 Red Sox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR4Cn8LKTFk ...
7. 1971] Eggpot: Walt Disney World opens in Orlando. Ten years later, to the day, EPCOT opens (1981). EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow or by the symbol: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...
8. 1975] The Thrilla in Manilla: Heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali retains his title with a TKO of Joe Frazier in the 15th round...
9. 1993] Every parents' nightmare: 12-year old Polly Klaas is abducted from her California home. Her body is found more than 2 months later...
10. 1996] Gotcha: A federal grand jury indicts Unabomber suspect Theodore Kaczynski for a 1994 mail bomb slaying...

Music Memories:

• 1964] Released on this date: "The Beatles vs. The Four Seasons" LP (on Vee Jay)...
• 1970] O solo mio: Curtis Mayfield leaves the Impressions for a highly successful solo career. Here's one of his biggest hits, "Freddie's Dead": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9nwcpGZE6A ...

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to Miss Moneypenny. Lois Maxwell, the Canadian-born actress who was MM in James Bonds films, passed away in Western Australia at 80. Maxwell had been suffering from cancer. Roger Moore said "she was a very fine actress and had a great sense of humor." R.I.P. Miss Moneypenny...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Randy Quaid (57), Annie Lebovitz (58), Stephen Collins (60), Rod Carew (62), Stella Stevens (71), Julie Andrews (72), Tom Bosley (80), Roger Williams (83), Jimmy Carter (83) and actor/giant tomato grower James Whitmore (86)...

Timeline Countdown: A one-game playoff to determine the National League wild card team will be played tonight between San Diego and Colorado, 2 days until the opening round of the MLB playoffs and 23 days until the World Series opener...

Friday-Sunday, September 28-30, 2007

Watching history in the making in New York...

This is a story that transcends sports. You don't have to be a sports fan to understand these numbers: 4, 10, 7, 17. You don't have to be a sports fan to understand that the New York Mets have a chance to make baseball history should they fail to make the postseason when this weekend ends. The national media has made New York the sports capital of the world, swooping in and circling Shea Stadium like vultures. Now for the numbers:

• 4) The number of games the Mets have won in their last 14 games...
• 10) The number of games the Mets have lost over those 14 games...
• 7) The number of games the Mets led the National League East on September 12...
• 17) The number of games remaining when the Mets were in first place by 7 games on September 12...

There have been worse losing streaks in September but no team in history has ever failed to finish first after being ahead by 7 or more games with 17 remaining in a season. There's your history lesson. Should history be made at Shea Stadium when the regular season ends Sunday afternoon, these 2007 New York Mets will join the '78 Red Sox, '64 Phillies and '51 Dodgers in the baseball hall of shame for blown leads in a pennant stretch...

Only one thing is for certain - this nightmare will be over, one way or another, come 4:30 Sunday afternoon...

10 Timeline Memories for September 28:

1. 1892] Lights, Action: According to the good people of Pennsylvania, the first nighttime football game in America, using electric lights, is played between the Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming (PA) Seminary...
2. 1920] Dirty Sox?: Eight members of the Chicago White Sox are indicted in the "Black Sox" scandal. All eight are accused of throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. They will be acquitted in 1921...
3. 1941] Teddy Ballgame: Ted Williams goes 6 for 6 in a doubleheader and finishes with a .406 batting average (no one has done it since). Ten years later, same date in 1951, Williams hits a home run in his last at-bat...
4. 1951] Oh-no twice: The Yankees' Allie Reynolds pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the season, beating the Red Sox. Yogi Berra gets a second chance to catch a foul pop-up after muffing one. This time he catches it ending the game and saving the no-hitter...
5. 1955] In living color: The World Series is televised in color for the first time. I remember watching it in a store window on 13th Avenue, Borough Park, Brooklyn. I was not happy seeing the Dodgers win however. Here are some highlights of that WS including the catch made by Sandy Amoros: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb1zY7CQzvM ...
6. 1960] Curtains: "The Millionaire" runs its last episode as John Beresford Tipton goes broke after 5 seasons...1968] Janis Joplin leaves Big Brother and the Holding Company to go solo...
7. 1961] Doctor my eyes: Richard Chamberlain starts making house calls as "Dr. Kildare" (Just 4 days later "Ben Casey" debuts). Here's a scene from "Dr. Kildare" from the early 60s. The actress is Yvette Mimeaux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYBen5iQgz8 ...
8. 1976] Rubberband Man: Muhammad Ali wins the rubber-match against Ken Norton in 15 rounds to win back the heavyweight title at Yankee Stadium...
9. 1989] "Happy Trails": 1989] Ferdinand Marcos, deposed Philippine president dies in exile in Hawaii of kidney, heart and lung failure. Marcos was 72...1991] Jazz great Miles Davis dies of a stroke at 65...2000] Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau dies of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer at 80...2003] Tennis champion Althea Gibson dies at 76 from respiratory failure...2004] Legendary disc jockey Scott Muni, dies at 74 after suffering a stroke earlier in the year...
10. 1991] Things go better with coke?: Former mayor of the District of Columbia, Marion Barry is sentenced to 6 months in prison for possession of crack cocaine...

Music Memories:

• 1957] Number One on this date: "Honeycomb" - Jimmie Rodgers...
• 1958] Released on this date: "To Know Him Is To Love Him" - Teddy Bears (18-year old Spector, seen on the right playing guitar and singing the bass part, used his father's headstone inscription as the title of the song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCnUsInBQws ...

Commentary...

As the regular baseball season winds to a close this weekend, there is a saving grace whether or not the Mets make the playoffs, the Red Sox win their division or however your favorite team finishes and that's the finality of it all. If they fail, your misery is over. If they make the playoffs, realize this: there is no correlation between a team's record in September and their performance in the playoffs. Teams have had miserable final months yet have turned it around in the playoffs. The latest example? Last year's St. Louis Cardinals who after a mediocre season, stumbled to the finish line but went on to win the World Series. Have faith. It happens...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Hilary Duff (20), Naomi Watts (39), Mira Sorvino (40), Janeane Garofalo (43), Ben E. King (69), Brigitte Bardot (73), Arnold Stang (82) and William Windom (84)...

Timeline Countdown for September 28: 5 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 26 days before the World Series begins...

Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1947] Brought to you by: The World Series is televised for the first time with sponsors paying a 'hefty' $65,000 for the entire Yankees-Dodgers series (9/30)...
2. 1953] Premiered on this date (9/29): "Make Room For Daddy" starring Danny Thomas for the first of 18 seasons and here's a scene featuring Danny and Dean Martin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOyoDrLKqA ...1960] "My Three Sons" starring Fred MacMurray (runs 12 seasons)...1963] "My Favorite Martian" starring Ray Walston (3 years)...1971] "McMillan and Wife" starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James (6 years)...1985] "MacGyver" (7 years)...1986] "Designing Women" (7 seasons) and 1987] "Thirtysomething" (4 years)...Premiered on this date (9/30): 1950] "Grand Ole Opry" is televised for the first time...1951] "The Red Skelton Show" (20 seasons)...1960] "The Flintstones" (the first primetime animated show runs 6 seasons and in syndication forever. Here's the show's open): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Oj1Yx80uc... 1965] Donovan makes his debut on "Shindig!" which lasts for 2 seasons... 1982] "Cheers" begins an 11-year run...
3. 1954] The Catch: Willie Mays makes what's considered by many as the greatest catch of all-time against Cleveland's Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. The Giants will go on to sweep the heavily favored Indians in 4 games and here's the catch (9/29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dK6zPbkFnE ...1957] Same date in 1957, the Giants play their last game in New York, losing 9-1 in front of 11,606 (9/29)...
4. 1955] Hollywood tragedy: 24-year old Hollywood star James Dean is killed in a two-car collision while racing near Cholame (CA) (9/30) Here's a tribute to the life of James Dean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21bqgY5HLPw ...
5. 1960] Clarabelle speaks: The "Howdy Doody Show" ends with the mute Clarabelle, played by Bob Keeshan, future 'Captain Kangaroo" speaking for the first time. Clarabelle simply says "Goodbye Kids" (9/30)...
6. 1974] John and the Professor: John Lennon sits in as guest disc jockey with Scott Muni on WNEW-FM (9/29)...
7. 1976] Musical managers: Tommy Lasorda replaces Walter Alston as Dodgers manager. Alston was manager for 22 years and Lasorda rings up 20. George Steinbrenner kvells with admiration (9/29)...
8. 1978] Smoke at the Vatican: After serving barely over one month, Pope John Paul I is found dead of a heart attack. There are those who believe the pontiff may have been poisoned. The Pope was 66 (9/29)...
9. 1982] Super Strength: Seven people die in Chicago after taking extra-strength Tylenol that had been laced with cyanide (9/29)...
10. 1985] Curtains: Howard Stern is fired by WNBC after 3 years on the air. Stern resurfaces at WXRK (9/30)...

Music Memories:

• (9/29) Released on this date: 1967] "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Gladys Knight & the Pips...
• (9/29) Number One on this date: 1977] "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" - Meco...
• (9/29) Gold Standard: 1969] "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" - Jackie DeShannon. This video provides a scenic backdrop for some terrific audio of the single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMDghG_Jrdw ...
• (9/30) Number One on this date: 1971] "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart. This video clip shows Rod with the Faces from the 70s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xikQ0c5KdZE ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(9/29) Jill ("Love Boat") Whelan (41), Andrew "Dice" Clay (49), Bryant Gumble (59), Jerry Lee Lewis (72), Anita Ekberg (76) and Lizabeth Scott (85)...

(9/30) Martina Hingis (27), Jenna Elfman (36), Crystal Bernard (46), Fran Drescher (50), Barry ("Brady Bunch") Williams (53), Deborah Allen (54), Marilyn McCoo (64), Len Cariou (68), Johnny Mathis (72), Cissy Houston (74), Johnny Padres (75), Angie Dickinson (76), Elie Wiesel (79), Robin Roberts (81) and Deborah Kerr (86)...

Timeline Countdown for September 30: 3 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 24 days until the World Series begins...

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Nielsen is on to something that will set a good precedent...

When I first saw this press release I thought - wait a second, this is cheating, you can't do that. My paranoia set in during the "misinterpretation of the rules" statement made in the 'spygate' case by my teams' coach. I'm leery of everyone now. Here's the deal: Nielsen Media Research will measure the audience watching NBC-TV's "Heroes" for the second time (in rerun) this Saturday night. Huh? The only condition being that NBC run the same commercial it ran during the shows' season debut on Monday night. And exactly why would the other networks allow this to happen? Because Nielsen's clients, which would include a network or two I would imagine, agreed to it in the summer, that's why...

There won't be any rating given for the rerun but the unduplicated viewers (but what's to prevent a previous viewer from watching it again?) will be added to what undoubtedly will be a high number for Monday. So NBC will be able to throw out a low-rated hour from, oh let's say "Life" or one of their new shows from its average week. If you don't agree with this new rule, not to worry because it probably won't happen again this season. It's kind of like, the earth ("Heroes") aligning with Mars (same commercial) exactly the same, twice in one week...

The rule change was made because of the changing landscape of television viewing and is done at times in syndication. It's inevitable that total viewing (or listening) accuracy will never be achieved but we can come as close as a random sampling will allow. There's only one answer for that: Find out what (viewers) (listeners) are (watching) (listening to) right now...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1894] It's pony time: Aqueduct Race Track opens in Ozone Park, Queens, giving the New York metro area its first race track...
2. 1954] Tonight, tonight: Steve Allen becomes the 1st host of the new "Tonight Show"...2004] NBC-TV tells Conan O'Brien he will become the new host of the "Tonight Show", replacing Jay Leno in 2009...Conan gives us a history of the show in this great video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-umKXS0Am3s ...
3. 1964] Warren wrap: The Warren Commission issues a report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Questions remain...
4. 1972] Dropping the puck: The 1st hockey game is played at the brand new Nassau Coliseum. In a pre-season affair, the Rangers beat the Islanders 6-4...
5. 1973] Special K: With a strikeout of Minnesota's Rich Reese, Nolan Ryan breaks the Sandy Koufax record for K's in a season with his 383rd...
6. 1973] What's your name?: Carlos Santana, a disciple of Sri Chinmoy, changes his name to Devadip, begging the question, was it Devadip Santana or Santana Devadip??? Hare Krishna...
7. 1983] Real Celtic green: Larry Bird becomes the highest paid Boston Celtic player in history, signing a 7-year contract for $15 million. They would give him the franchise today...
8. 1996] Ptooey: Orioles All-Star second-baseman Roberto Alomar spits on umpire John Hirschbeck during an argument. The two will become friends eventually after Alomar apologizes...
9. 1998] Tainted record: Mark McGwire of the Cardinals sets the all-time home run record for a season when he hits numbers 69 and 70. That was not Tang he started his day with...
10. 2004] Spector charged: Phil Spector is charged with murder in the shooting death of Lana Clarkson at his mansion in 2003. For more on yesterday's hung jury, see my Commentary...

Music Memories:

• 1963] Number One on this date: "Blue Velvet" - Bobby Vinton...1973] "We're An American Band" - Grand Funk. This is a terrific live version of the tune: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_RGnNWmsWIs ...1984] "Let's Go Crazy" - Prince...
• 1964] Premiered on this date: The Beach Boys make their 1st appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" singing "I Get Around". This is from Britain's "Ready, Steady, Go!" in 1964: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCYouoLKxjo ...

Commentary...

When the jury came to the judge deadlocked at 7-5, there appeared to be a chance for a verdict in the Phil Spector murder trial but yesterday they were hopelessly deadlocked at 10-2 in favor of conviction. The judge did the only thing he could and declared a mistrial. If you think this is all over, think again. Prosecutors said they will seek a retrial of Spector at a hearing to be held October 3...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Avril Lavigne (23), Gwyneth Paltrow (35) Here's Gwyneth and Huey Lewis with their great version of Smokey's "Cruisin'": http://youtube.com/watch?v=XAuokuvaZ0s , Meatloaf a.k.a. Marvin Lee Aday (60), Randy Bachman (64), Don Cornelius (71), Wilford Brimley (73), Jayne Meadows (87), Johnny Pesky (88) and Zach a.k.a. Zacherle a.k.a. John Zacherley (89)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 27 days until the World Series opener...

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Month...

The Good

No news about an athlete made me feel better this month than the report that injured Buffalo Bill, Kevin Everett, might one day walk. Kevin suffered a devastating injury on the field in the Bills first game of the season. According to a medical report yesterday, Everett lifted his arm for the first time over the weekend, one day after sitting up in bed for four hours. The initial prognosis was bleak but has improved considerably. Doctors said they can't be sure of a complete recovery but there is now hope. This earlier video clip reported improvement in his condition and shows the helmet-to-helmet blow that caused the injury: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9nNx8s94o . The 'Good Award of The Month' winner is: Kevin Everett...

The Bad

Candidates include: Cyclist Floyd Landis (doping proved), Bill Belichick (spygate) and Rick Ankiel/Troy Glaus/Jay Gibbons (latest baseball poster boys for steroids). But the nod goes to O.J. Simpson for his failed break-in attempt to steal back his memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room. And let's not forget that he was accompanied by armed goons. Our 'Bad Award of The Month' goes to a person who doesn't ever want us to forget him: O.J. Simpson. Here's the video coverage of the break-in as reported by Celeb TV: http://youtube.com/watch?v=StR3oXEP5oM ...

The Ugly

FYI: Michael Vick is not included here because he was a winner in August. Right now, Vick is the leading candidate for 'Ugly Award of The Year'. Candidates for September include: Isiah Thomas (sexual harassment case against him which is turning ugly) and Mike Tyson (another athlete who like O.J. doesn't want us to forget him) for drug use and another DUI but neither of them is the winner. That distinction goes to Ray Boudreaux. Who? Ray Boudreaux is the Tulane running back who was arrested on five counts of attempted murder that left five wounded victims in a Bourbon Street stabbing. Boudreaux is claiming self-defense. Our 'Ugly Award Winner of The Month': Ray Boudreaux...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1914] The feds to the rescue: The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is established. Like you, I don't know what they do either...
2. 1955] Wedding Bells: Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher walk down the aisle and then go on an "Aba Dabba Honeymoon". After 4 years Eddie Fisher calls out for help, singing "Oh Mein Papa"...
3. 1957] Premiered on this date: "West Side Story" at the Winter Garden Theater (for 732 performances)...1962] "Beverly Hillbillies" which will air for 9 seasons...1964] "Gilligan's Island" for 3 seasons and then re-runs forever...1968] "Hawaii Five-O" which says 'Aloha' after its 12th season...1969] "The Brady Bunch" which lasts 5 seasons...1969] The Fillmore West opens in San Francisco...1975] "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf premieres. Here's my favorite song from the movie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zdu7xoHU9DA ...1995] JFK Jr.'s "George" magazine is born...
4. 1960] Debate? What debate?: The first of four nationally televised debates between presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon is held. Guess who won???
5. 1965] Good Knight: The Beatles are decorated with the Order of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. They are four of the 372 members of the order...1969] Same date, 4 years later: The "Abbey Road" LP is released. From the LP, "Here Comes The Sun": http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuUhZxkr194 ..
6. 1985] Shamooooo: Shamu is the first Orca whale born at Sea World (Orlando). Shamu becomes the first killer whale to survive being born in captivity. There have been several since including Candu, Cantdu and Wontdu...
7. 1986] Here come de judge: William H. Rehnquist is sworn in as the 16th justice of the Supreme Court. Antonin Scalia is sworn in as an associate judge...
8. 1986] Waking the dead: The episode of "Dallas" featuring Bobby Ewing a.k.a. Patrick Duffy returning from the dead airs...
9. 1991] Bubble people: Four men and four women begin a 2-year stay inside the Biosphere II. The project is intended to develop technology for future space colonies. Two years later, to the date, they leave the bubble...
10. 2001] Guilty as charged: Richard Allen Davis, the killer of 12-year old Polly Klaas is sentenced to death in San Jose (CA)...

Music Memories:

• 1964] Released on this date: "You Really Got Me" - Kinks...1979] "I Fought The Law" - The Clash (here's the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ae_Gv8KoiZA ...1984] "Purple Rain" - Prince...
• 1966] Number One on this date: "Cherish" - Association...

Commentary...

In response to yesterday's feature about the XO laptop, Harvey Mednick adds: "Saw the XO promo in the Times and forwarded it to our Pastor (we support an orphanage in Kenya). It's a great church activity as well as TalkRadio promotion. Hopefully stations will get all over it after reading your blog." Thanks Harv. I would think it's a great promotion for all formats of radio. I hope the mention helps...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Serena Williams (26), Jillian Barberie (41), Melissa Sue Anderson (45), Carlene Carter (52), WFAN's Joe Benigno (54), Olivia Newton-John (59), Lynn Anderson (60), Christie Todd Whitman (61) and Jack LaLanne (93)...

Timeline Countdown: 7 days until the MLB playoff openers and 28 days until the first game of the World Series...

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The "XO" - give one, get one...

In one of the best feel-good stories of the year, Quanta Computer, Inc. of Cambridge (MA) has designed a low-cost laptop which will introduce computers to children around the world. The XO is a small green and white low-power computer which sells for $188. The laptop, designed for children, has built-in wireless networking, uses very little power and can be recharged by hand with a pulley or a crank. The display has separate indoor and outdoor settings and can be read in full sunlight. About the only drawback is that it doesn't use Windows but the manufacturer is hopeful that one day it will...

From November 12 to November 26, Quanta is offering a "give one, get one" sale of the XO for $400 each, available in the U.S. and Canada only. They will begin mass production next month and although they have fewer than 3 million initial orders, they're hoping that this deal spurs many millions more. It's Quanta's hope that their "One laptop Per Child" campaign results in thousands of donated laptops that will trigger demand in countries that have been hesitant to join the program...

If the U.N. really wants to accomplish something useful world-wide, instead of backing off about 99% of the disputes in the world and creating massive gridlock every time they meet here, how about buying computers for children all over the world. Make it part of UNICEF. The world would applaud you. Then when you've done that, find another city to call home...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1962] A Sonny forecast: Sonny Liston KO's Floyd Patterson in the 1st round to win the heavyweight championship...
2. 1965] Premiered on this date: The half-hour Saturday morning cartoon, "The Beatles" debuts on ABC-TV and lasts until September, 1969...1979] "Evita" opens on Broadway. It's the 3rd collaboration of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber...1997] The season premiere of "ER" is a live presentation...
3. 1965] "Say Hey" has his day: At the age of 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to hit 50 home runs in a season...1973] "Willie Mays Night" draws a sold-out Shea Stadium crowd. Willie does not play in the game but the Mets win it for him, 2-1 over Montreal. Willie in his own words: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0zXvKwnCx6w ...
4. 1980] "Happy Trails": Led Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham who dies of excessive alcohol consumption at 32...2003] Author George Plimpton dies of natural causes at 76...
5. 1990] Naming Rights: Little Richard Boulevard is named for the star in Macon (GA)...
6. 1992] D-I-V-O-R-C-E: A judge in Orlando (FL) rules in favor of Gregory Kingsley, a 12-year old seeking a divorce from his biological parents...
7. 1995] Independence Day: Ross Perot announces the formation of the Independence Party...
8. 1997] Biting mad: NBC sportscaster Marv Albert pleads guilty to assault and battery of his lover. He is fired by NBC hours later...
9. 2001] An MJ sighting: Michael Jordan announces his return to basketball as a player for the Washington Wizards. MJ became president of operations in January, 2000...
10. 2006] Super again: The Superdome reopens for football and the hometown Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3...

Music Memories:

• 1954] Live from the Grand Ole Opry: Elvis Presley appears singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky" - this is not that performance but it is audio of Elvis doing the Bill Monroe song over a scenic video backdrop: http://youtube.com/watch?v=upxstc776V0 ...
• 1971] Released on this date: "Peace Train" - Cat Stevens...1979] "The Long Run" LP - Eagles. The title tune: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UKOTAiPxSAU ...
• 1975] Jackie Wilson tragedy: Jackie Wilson collapses on stage while singing "Lonely Teardrops" in Cherry Hill (NJ). 41 at the time, Wilson suffers a heart attack resulting in brain damage. He dies in 1984 after spending the rest of his life in a coma. Here's a tribute to the legendary performer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=E1VG0iJPbOA ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Catherine Zeta-Jones (38), Will Smith (39), Heather Locklear (46), Mark Hamill (56), Cheryl Tiegs (60), Michael Douglas (63) and Barbara Walters (78)...

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until the MLB playoff opener and 29 days until the World Series opener...

Monday, September 24, 2007

The growth of Internet Radio...

The Sunday New York Times had an interesting story about the operator of an Internet radio station who's trying to stay afloat despite rising music copyright costs. The Times quoted Bridge Ratings statistics showing total Internet radio listening in America at 55 million as opposed to 279 million who listen to terrestrial (free) radio. Internet radio listening has gone up 26% in the past year. A lot of that listening is done on-the-job where terrestrial radio reception is often inferior. Of course Yahoo and AOL lead the way with portals featuring videos, music news and zillions of song choices. Thrown into that mix of choices is NPR, college, commercial and satellite radio. In addition to all those choices we now have a new breed of broadcasters who are manning their own Internet radio stations and they're starting to make a dent...

Anyone can start broadcasting music online (Ken "Spider" Webb, a veteran R&B personality from New York was the first person I knew of that started his own station years ago). Under a deal in effect since 2003 Webcasters with annual revenues under $1.25 million, pay 10% of their revenues or 7% of expenses to satisfy copyright laws. The big guys like Yahoo and AOL have to pay per song. In March the Copyright Royalty Board, a federal panel (exactly who are these people?) issued a ruling allowing SoundExchange, an organization that collects 90% of the royalties for songwriters, to charge all Webcasters on a per-song basis and raise the cost of playing a song from $.0008 to $.0019 by 2010, making royalty payments undoable for most broadcasters. In August, they backed down...

On August 21, SoundExchange offered to extend much of the current rate structure until 2010, thanks to tons of opposition generated by protests and the help of a handful of lawmakers. How wide spread this movement of new Internet radio stations can grow (right now they number in the thousands) will depend a great deal on how much the copyright rates rise in 2010. I'm in no way an advocate of some person starting his or her own radio station with a handful of their favorite records but it does create still another choice for consumers, doesn't it???

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1957] Last exit from Brooklyn: The Dodgers play their last game in Brooklyn at Ebbets Field in front of 6,702 fans. They beat the Pirates 2-0 with Gil Hodges driving in the final run in Brooklyn...
2. 1961] Curtains: "I Love Lucy" bows out after a run of 10 years. One of the classic scenes from the show is "Vitameatavegamin": http://youtube.com/watch?v=KzgVvAy-6ms ...
3. 1961] Premiered on this date: "The Bullwinkle Show", originally known as "Rocky and His Friends" in an afternoon slot, the primetime run lasts 3 years with reruns until 1973...1964] "The Munsters", CBS-TV's answer to "The Addams Family" runs first-run for 2 years and then in syndication...1968] "60 Minutes" begins ticking...1968] "Mod Squad" on ABC-TV until 1973...1977] "The Love Boat" sets sail on ABC-TV and won't dock until 1986...
4. 1969] Behind the 8-ball: A trial begins for the "Chicago Eight", accused of inciting riots at the 1968 Democrats national convention in Chicago...
5. 1969] The Mets shock baseball: The New York Mets beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles to win their first World Series. Here's the final out captured on this video clip. Curt Gowdy does the play-by-play: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DgY_YZTiV9U...
6. 1972] Broadway Joe beats Baltimore: Jets QB Joe Namath passes for 6 touchdowns in the Jets 44-34 win over the Colts...
7. 1976] Guilty as charged: Patricia Hearst is sentenced to 7 years in prison for her role in a 1974 bank robbery. She serves 22 months before Jimmy Carter sets her free on a clemency order...1988] After shooting it out with a Georgia state trooper, James Brown is arrested...
8. 1991] "Happy Trails": Dr. Seuss a.k.a. Theodor Seuss Geisel dies of natural causes at 87...
9. 1996] No Nukes: Bill Clinton and other major nuclear powers sign a treaty to end all testing and development of nuclear weapons...
10. 2005] Not lovely: Hurricane Rita strikes eastern Texas and the Louisiana coast, causing more flooding in New Orleans...

Music Memories:

• 1977] Released on this date: "Come Sail Away" - Styx: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BARLfUmyBJA ... 1982] "1999" - Prince...
• 1994] Live from New York...It's Saturday Night: Eric Clapton kicks off the 1994 season...

Commentary...

We lost two entertainers over the weekend who made millions laugh with the passing of the legendary mime, Marcel Marceau and the veteran actress, Alice Ghostley. Marceau who could make you laugh or cry without a spoken word was 84 when he passed away in his native France...The Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ghostley, star sidekick on "Bewitched" and "Designing Women" was the victim of cancer at 83. "Happy Trails" to both...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nia Vardalos (45), Joseph Kennedy II (55), Football Hall of Famer, Mean Joe Greene (61), Lou Dobbs (62), Gerry Marsden (65), Angels' Barbara and Phyliss "Jiggs" Allbut (65), Sheila MacRae (83) and Jim McKay (86)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until the MLB playoffs and 30 days until the opener of the World Series...

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23, 2007

A Tufts physicist studies steroids...

The American Journal of Physics will soon issue results of a study on steroids made by Tufts University physicist Roger Tobin. To the best of my knowledge this is the first report showing actual percentages of physical advantages in steroid use...

According to Tobin, calculations show that by putting on 10% more muscle mass, a batter can swing about 5% faster, increasing the ball's speed by 4% as it leaves the bat. "A 4% increase in ball speed can reasonably be expected from steroid use and can increase home run production by anywhere from 50% to 100%" says Tobin. I'm guessing that it's closer to 50% than 100%. A 100% increase would produce home runs traveling 700 feet or more, I would think. Anyway, Tobin adds "an extra 10 pounds of muscle could add just enough extra to a batters swing to send the ball out of the park"...

Tobin did not do a study on Barry Bonds but believes that the number of home runs coincides with the dawn of the "steroid era" during the mid-90s and that the surge quickly dropped to more average numbers in 2003 when Major League Baseball instituted steroid testing...

You might be interested in reading the full report when it's published, I know I am. One thing that stands out to me is that I can understand hitters wanting an advantage but why in the world would pitchers? If a ball comes off the bat 4% faster using Tobin's 'ball off the bat' theory of increased speed, couldn't a pitcher also throw a pitch 4% faster. If the increased speed helps him strike more batters out fine but if the ball makes contact with the bat, how much faster will the ball travel off the bat? This is not a physics test - just wondering...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1937] Premiered on this date: "The Hobbit" is published by J.R.R. Tolkien...1957] "Perry Mason" starring Raymond Burr starts a run of 17 years (here's the show open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViP2UGjdND0 )...1970] "Monday Night Football" debuts with Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson (who is eventually replaced by Frank Gifford) and "Dandy" Don Meredith. The first game features a Cleveland win over the Jets 31-21. This open is from 1973: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_EwidWjKtw ...
2. 1938] A hurricane with no name: A surprise and unnamed category 3 hurricane slams into Long Island and southern New England claiming as many as 600 lives...
3. 1949] From Maine to Mexico: Milton Berle becomes the permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC-TV. In this clip done in the 50s, "Melvin" Presley joins his brother Elvis on stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78asaw-2G2g ...
4. 1966] What's your name?: Jimmy Hendrix changes the spelling of his first name to "Jimi"...
5. 1973] Confirmation day: Henry Kissinger is confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate...1981] The Senate confirms Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice of the Supreme Court...
6. 1981] Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Elton John signs a long-term deal with Geffen Records...
7. 1982] Dropping the puck: The first hockey game is played in the Meadowlands with the Devils beating the Rangers 3-2 in an exhibition game...
8. 1986] Emmy Gold: Winners at the 38th Emmy Awards include "Golden Girls", "Cagney and Lacey" and Michael J. Fox...
9. 1998] Is "is" is?: This is the day that Bill Clinton actually said the following: "It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is?" in testimony about an affair with "that woman, Miss Lewinsky". Hokay..
10. 1998] "Happy Trails": Olympic gold medal track star Florence Griffith Joyner dies in her sleep after suffering an epileptic seizure. FloJo was just 38...

Music Memories:

• 1961] Number One on this date: "Take Good Care Of My Baby" - Bobby Vee. This is just a video clip with a still of Bobby but the audio is great anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efMv1rwco8M ...1972] "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" - Mac Davis...1983] "Tell Her About It" - Billy Joel...
• 1974] Released on this date: "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet - BTO...

Commentary...

Another sad announcement about a member of the CBS Records family: Bob Altshuler passed away on Monday, September 17th at his home in Southbury (CT). Raised in Lawrence (MA) Bob was a dee jay at 16 and hosted a jazz show with his twin brother Bill. His love of jazz music was legendary and he had one of the largest private collections of the genre, actually donating some of his collection to the Library of Congress. Bob worked for 37 years in the music business (CBS, Atlantic, Prestige and Riverside), mostly in publicity and I'll always remember him for that big smile and gravelly voice. RIP Bob. Bob had retired in 1991 and was 84 at the time of his passing...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nicole Richie (26), Ricki Lake (39), Faith Hill (40), Rob Morrow (45), Bill Murray (57), Stephen King (60), The Eagles' Don Felder (60), Henry Gibson (72), Leonard Cohen (73) and Larry Hagman (76)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until autumn in New York, 12 days until the MLB playoffs and 33 days until the World Series opener...

Saturday and Sunday, September 22 & 23, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1642] Harvard graduates its first class: A grand total of 9 (all male) students graduate with degrees (9/23)...
2. 1939] "Happy Trails": Sigmund Freud dies in London at 83 of a physician assisted morphine overdose. Freud was suffering from cancer of the mouth (9/23)...1980] Irving Berlin dies at the age of 101 (9/22)...1987] Bob Fosse suffers a fatal heart attack at 60 (9/23)...1999] George C. Scott passes away from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm at 71 (9/22)...2001] Isaac Stern dies from congestive heart failure at 81 (9/22)...
3. 1952] The real Rocky: Rocky Marciano wins his biggest fight to date by knocking out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to win the heavyweight championship (9/23)...
4. 1957] Premiered on this date: "Maverick" starring James Garner for the first of 5 seasons (9/22). Here's the show open (notice the crude slide they used which I helped mail from the ABC mailroom): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AKMP16meGk ...1961] NBC-TV's "Saturday Night At The Movies" debuts with "How To Marry A Millionaire" (9/23)...1962] "The Jetsons" debuts on ABC-TV. It's the networks first program in color, running for just one season (9/23). Here's a one-minute promo for the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeKx7q8D5co ...1964] "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." debuts, making stars of Robert Vaughn and David McCallum for 4 seasons (9/23)...1964] "Fiddler On The Roof" starring Zero Mostel opens on Broadway (9/23)...1969] "Marcus Welby MD" debuts on ABC-TV with Robert Young for 7 years (9/23)...
5. 1962] Legalized larceny: The Dodgers Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb's 47-year old record for stolen bases in a season with his 97th steal (he will total 104 for the season) (9/23)...
6. 1967] The Beatles on TIME: The Fab Four adorn the cover of Time Magazine (9/22)...
7. 1969] Joining the 600 Club: Willie Mays of the Giants becomes the second player besides Babe Ruth to hit his 600th home run (9/22)...
8. 1969] Paul is dead hoax: The London Daily Mirror reports that Paul McCartney is dead. WABC's Roby Yonge believed it. Listen to this aircheck in which Roby also announces that he has already been fired (9/23): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNam3ahXXWI ...
9. 1975] You missed me: Sara Jane Moore fails in an attempt to shoot President Gerald Ford outside San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel. It's the second attempt on his life in 17 days (9/22)...
10. 1985] Farm aid: Inspired by John Cougar Mellencamp, the first 'Farm Aid' concert raises $10 million. In addition to Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Neil Young perform (9/22)...

Music Memories:

• 1962] Live from Carnegie Hall: Bob Dylan makes his first appearance there as part of a Pete Seeger concert (9/22)...
• 1962] First Brit top 20: The Springfields (featuring Dusty) become the first British group to reach the U.S. Top 20 with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (9/22)...
• 1965] Recorded on this date: "I Hear A Symphony" - Supremes (9/22)...
• 1966] Released on this date: "Have You Seen Your Mother Baby" - Rolling Stones (9/22)...1967] "People Are Strange" - Doors (9/23)...1972] "All The Young Dudes" - Mott The Hoople (9/23) Here they are in a live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvOUAYYYw7U ...1997] "Candle in The Wind" - Elton John (9/22)...
• 1967] Number One on this date: "The Letter" - Box Tops (9/22)...1975] "I'm Sorry" - John Denver (9/22)...
• 1983] Reunited and it feels so good: After being apart for 10 years, the Everly Brothers reunite in London's Royal Albert Hall (9/22)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(9/22) Scott Baio (45), Joan Jett (47) (JJ loves R&R: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8 ), Andrea Bocelli (49), Debby Boone (51), Joni James (77) (legendary New England radio personality Dickie Robinson recently interviewed Joni: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3JPBfq7RU and Tommy Lasorda (80)...

(9/23) Harry Connick Jr. (40), Chi McBride (46), Jason Alexander (48), Bruce Springsteen (58), Paul Petersen (62), Julio Iglesias (64) and Mickey Rooney (87)...

Timeline Countdown for Sunday, September 23, 2007: Autumn in New York arrived this morning, 10 days until the MLB playoff opener and 31 days until the World Series opener...

Thursday, September 20, 2007

NBC vs. Apple in a downloading war...

This whole thing started out with NBC unhappy about the price they were getting from Apple for downloads of their TV shows on iTunes. Apple said we're charging $1.99 per episode for NBC shows on demand to which NBC said, uh, I don't think so. Apple accused NBC of demanding "more than double the wholesale price" to which Apple told NBC, uh, I don't think so. This of course was denied by NBC. No NBC shows. No iTunes. Now, NBC is making downloads available of those same shows for f-r-e-e, every one's favorite price except for Apple...

The only price to download shows like "Heroes", "The Office", "30 Rock", "Friday Night Lights", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - even the new "Bionic Woman" is watching a commercial which cannot be fast forwarded but hey, it's free. The sponsor is happy and so is the consumer as long as they don't have too many Geico commercials. NBC Direct will start in beta mode in October but consumers can only download shows for one week after the show airs and only on computers running Microsoft Windows. NBC plans on expanding its service for everyone (including Mac) and eventually shows will be available for the whole season...

The thought occurs to me that hi-tech is expanding so rapidly that TiVo and VCR's are on their way to extinction to be replaced with one unit (already available) that has everything (computer, DVD, iPod, MP3 and a recording device) and in every configuration. It will have everything but a radio...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1921] Premiered on this date: KDKA in Pittsburgh starts one of the first daily newscasts on U.S. radio...1952] TV debuts include: "The Jackie Gleason Show" (18 years)...1953] "The Loretta Young Show" (8 seasons)...1975] The Bay City Rollers make their U.S. debut on the premiere of what was originally called "Saturday Night Live", hosted by Howard Cosell (one season)...1976] "The Captain & Tennille Show" (one season but "Love Will Keep (It) Together"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEWU25aN67U ...1984] "The Cosby Show" (led the pack for 8 seasons). Stevie Wonder sings "I Just Called To Say I Love You" in this episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YxY3JCNauw ...
2. 1947] "Happy Trails": Former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia is the victim of pancreatic cancer at 64...1973] 30-year old singer Jim Croce is killed in a small plane crash in Louisiana. Croce was on his way to a concert in Sherman (TX). Here's a video of Jim and his family with one of his biggest hits, "Time In A Bottle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtfI54okNZE ...
3. 1962] Blacked out: Black student James Meredith (a transfer student from Jackson State) is refused entrance to the University of Mississippi by Governor Ross R. Barnett. Meredith was later admitted by court order and graduated from "Ol' Miss" in 1963...
4. 1969] Taking care of Beatle Biz: Associated TV buys control of the Beatles' publishing company Northern Songs for a couple of million dollars. What were the Beatles thinking???
5. 1972] Get a whiff of that: Police find cannabis growing on the farm of Paul and Linda McCartney. Paul says it must of been the birds that dropped the seeds. Well they were flying high...
6. 1973] Battle of the sexes: Billie Jean King (30) beats Bobby Riggs (55) in a grudge tennis match at the Houston Astrodome. King whipped Riggs in straight sets...
7. 1976] From Jimmy with lust: Playboy releases the Jimmy Carter interview in which he's quoted as saying "I've looked at a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times". How come Clinton didn't think of this instead of 'it depends on what your definition of 'is' is...
8. 1982] NFL hits the bricks: NFL players begin a 57-day strike, the first in-season strike in NFL history. The season is reduced to a 9-game schedule, instead of 16 and a special playoff tournament is used prior to the Super Bowl...
9. 1998] 'The Streak' (boogety boogety) ends: After playing in a record 2,632 consecutive games over 16 seasons, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Orioles sits out a game...
10. 2001] Color-coded: President Bush addresses a joint session of Congress regarding the 911 attacks and names Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to head up the new Office of Homeland Security. Ridge wears an orange tie to match his code Orange shirt but brings a red shirt and tie, just in case...

Music Memories:

• 1964] Curtains: The Beatles wrap up their 1st U.S. tour with a date at the New York Paramount in front of 3,682 screaming 'Beatlemaniacs'...1971] Peter Frampton leaves Humble Pie to pursue a solo career...
• 1975] Released on this date: "Born To Run" - Bruce Springsteen...

Commentary...

Bob Sherwood sent me an e-mail this morning that will be of interest to CBS Records alumni. Former CBS Records New York Branch Manager Ron Piccolo, now living in Florida has entered a Miami hospital for major surgery. Those of us who know 'Pic' hope that he pulls through so he can get back on the golf course. For those interested in additional info, please e-mail me (mphillips1675@yahoo.com)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson (40), Kristen Johnston (40), Red Sox owner John W. Henry (58), Sophia Loren (73), Anne Meara (78), Joyce Brothers (79) and Gogi Grant (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until autumn in New York, 13 days until the MLB playoff openers and 34 days until the World Series opener...