Michael Klein writes about local people, places, and things three days a week in his column INQlings and contributes on video as "The Insider" on Philly.com. He also writes about the restaurant scene in his column Table Talk.
The WakeUp News CW57
What's the reason behind the change? The WakeUP News is a very functional no frills news cast with a focus on weather and traffic. The new morning show starts at 7AM, which is too late for morning commuters. Shawn Tasha and Kristin did a good job with this basic format.
Money. CBS was paying Traffic.com to produce those two hours of news. By taking it in-house, CBS saves.
6abc Sports Director
Too soon to speculate.
Mark Levin on WPHT?
That was news to 1210's program director. To continue your shoe/sock theme, Philly talk station WNTP (990) now foots the bill to carry Levin's show. Perhaps a flip-flop is in the works, though.
Scott Franzke
The team said that Franzke had some personal business to tend to in Philly while the team was on its West Coast swing. He'll be back on tonight.
eskin
That's Adam "The Bull" Gerstenhaber, who's a CBS guy (from New York's WFAN). Quite honestly, I think WIP management is just toying with everyone with this "rotating series of co-hosts." I just don't see Eskin getting a co-host.
Murray's in Berwyn
It seems closed, but I have been trying to get a straight answer from the owners. They were quite talkative when they opened, and when they hired new chefs, changed the menus, considered adding a bar... Another story for the book idea rattling around in my head.
Kerri Lee Halkett
I guess you can call her "like a third anchor," though she's not billed as an anchor. She recently signed a new contract, so I suppose the expanded role is part of that.
Chickie and Pete's
It's Spring and I'm again hearing that Chickie's is coming to Willow Grove. Any truth to that now?
Afraid not. The old rumor alleged that Chickie's & Pete's was headed to the old Bennigan's near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. That location will be occupied by a Houston-based sports bar (see my "Table Talk" column tomorrow for details). A Chickie's & Pete's location is being considered for the expansion of Philadelphia Park casino in Bensalem. So that'll be only one turnpike exit east.
Iron Hill Brewery in NJ
That was Pasta Vino.
Why Missanelli beats Eskin
Hmmm. I have to disagree. If WIP's spot load is driving away listeners, wouldn't the other WIP shows be similarly affected? That is simply not the case. You do raise an interesting point, though, and that is revenue. Missanelli might be rising in the ratings against Eskin, but I'd wager that Eskin's show now bills three times or more than what Missanelli's does. Unless/until the revenues catch up, Eskin has little to worry about. We can yammer on and on about ratings and shares and even content, but it's the money that really talks.
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