Robert Feder

A note of thanks — and farewell (for now)

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0600

When I wrote my first post for the Vocalo blogs in November 2009, I couldn’t have imagined what an exciting and eventful year would follow. From the announcement of Oprah’s departure to Bill & Walter’s reunion, and from Roger Ebert’s television comeback to the meltdown at Tribune Co. and WGN Radio, it’s been an unforgettable 12 months on the media beat.

As you may have noticed, there’ve been some significant changes here, too. With the...

‘Pig Virus’ quarantined: Metheny, Laski driven out from WGN

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0600

If Kevin Metheny wasn’t the worst program director in the history of Chicago radio, I don’t know who was.

^{Kevin Metheny and Jim Laski in a...}

Happy first birthday to us: Vocalo blogs on the move

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Robservations on the media beat:

A personal note: One year ago this week I signed on to the launch of the Vocalo blogs and began what I’d hoped would be a daily conversation about the media. It’s been an exhilarating year, thanks largely to so many thoughtful readers who’ve shared opinions and insights on the issues raised here. My thanks to them — and to you — for making my transition from ex-...

Randy Michaels' first disaster in Chicago? It was 'hell'

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500

In December 2007, on the day Sam Zell named his old pal Randy Michaels as head of broadcast operations for Tribune Co., I wrote these words: “Woe is us.”

^{Randy Michaels}

Even I didn't know how prophetic that would be.

My column for the Sun-Times that...

ABC 7 names production team for new morning show

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:15:00 -0500

Life after Oprah at her Chicago television flagship took a giant step forward Friday with the hiring of two seasoned producers to create and oversee a new live, local morning show to originate from the studios of ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

Named executive producer was Marlaine Selip, former executive producer of NBC’s “In the Loop with iVillage.” The short-lived show was produced at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 until March 2008. Named supervising producer was...

Over and out: Tribune Co. cancels Randy Michaels

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:59:00 -0500

So long, Randy. We hardly knew ye.

^{Randy Michaels}

Randy Michaels resigned Friday as chief executive officer of Tribune Co. amid allegations that...

A year in the life of Tribune Co.

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:02:00 -0500

The resignation of Randy Michaels as chief executive officer of Tribune Co. culminates a tumultuous year in the history of the Chicago media...

Feder's Chicago media flashback: October 1992

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:00:00 -0500

An assortment of news items (updated and annotated) from my Chicago Sun-Times columns of 18 years ago this week:

^{Howard Stern}

“Howard Stern got off...

Another anchor reunion: Back to you, Bob & Marianne

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:40:00 -0500

If Bill & Walter can do it, why not Bob & Marianne?

^{Marianne Murciano and Bob Sirott}

Ten years...

Sun-Times owner discloses battle with stomach cancer

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:50:00 -0500

^{Jim Tyree}

Jim Tyree, the Mesirow Financial chairman and CEO who came to the rescue of the Chicago Sun-Times last year, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Sun-Times...