Howard Stern never should have allowed his syndicated morningshow to air on WLUP-AM (1000) in the first place, his representativesaid Wednesday.
"We obviously did business with the wrong people," said New Yorkagent Don Buchwald, in reference to bosses of WLUP and parent companyEvergreen Media Corp., who abruptly dumped Stern's show after only 10months last Friday. "We made a mistake."
Setting the stage for what he called a "very aggressive legalchallenge," Buchwald said that the Loop and Evergreen had violatedStern's multiyear contract and would be sued "very soon" by Stern,Buchwald and Infinity Broadcasting Corp., which syndicates Stern'sshow.
"Before we're through, it could turn out that Howard owns an AMstation in Chicago, and (as his agent), I'll have 10 percent,"Buchwald said.
WLUP general manager Larry Wert declined to comment Wednesday.In announcing Stern's ouster last week, Wert said his show was "notcompatible with our station," citing Stern's mounting troubles withthe Federal Communications Commission - to the tune of $1.3 millionin fines for indecency.
Stern made his only comments on the cancellation during his showMonday, when he dismissed the FCC issue as a cover for impatiencewith his ratings.
Although Buchwald claimed Stern had "a number of opportunities"in Chicago before signing on with AM-1000, no other station here madea serious offer.
Infinity owns three stations in Chicago - WJMK-FM (104.3),WUSN-FM (99.5) and WJJD-AM (1160). But none is expected to pick upStern's show. Tuning in: Channel 2 `pulling back' The long nightmare isfinally over at WBBM-Channel 2, according to news anchor Bill Kurtis.Sensational news coverage and "screaming graphics" (intended byformer general manager Bill Applegate to hype the ratings)are givingway to more serious reporting and more responsible presentation undernew general manager Bob McGann. "We're pulling back to thetraditional middle of the road," an obviously relieved Kurtis toldWGN-AM (720) late-night host Ed Curran on Tuesday. As for themenacing voice that introduces Channel 2's newscasts, Kurtis added:"I'd love to put him out to pasture, too."
Harry Volkman returns to weekday weather duty next week with thelaunch of Channel 2's new noon newscast, anchored by Joan Lovett andPenny Daniels. No word yet on Volkman's replacement as weekendweatherman.
Chicago free-lance cameraman Steve Bernstein and soundman BobBaer shot the opening sequence, bumpers and exteriors for "TheBuilding," the new CBS comedy series set in Wrigleyville. Dialing: US-99 wins country honors
WUSN has been named 1993 major market station of the year by theCountry Music Association. The prestigious honor will be presentedon the nationally televised CMA Awards on Sept. 29 in Nashville. Inconjunction with the event, J.D. Spangler will broadcast his US-99morning show from Nashville Sept. 28 to 30.
Also at US-99, afternoon jock Big John Howell and his Born toBoogie Band will perform at Michael Jordan's celebrity golf classictomorrow in west suburban Woodridge.
WNVR-AM (1030), the north suburban station which boasts thecountry's only full-time commercial Polish-language format onweekdays, has expanded its Polish programming to weekends. Amongnew offerings are "Uncle Jerzy and Aunt Magda's Children's Hour,"hosted by Jerzy Jurek and Magdalena Szczydiel, at 1 p.m. Sundays.
Howard McGee hosts "Old School Sunday," a new showcase for funkhits of the '70s and '80s, from 8 to 10 p.m. Sundays on WGCI-FM(107.5). "This show is designed for the old `funkateers' who are nowdoctors and lawyers," said program boss Elroy Smith.
Nel Jackson, director of the Washington-based Ethics ResourceCenter, has been named director of development at WBEZ-FM (91.5).Also at the public radio outlet, Barbara Carney, membership andvolunteer program manager at the Museum of Science and Industry, hasbeen hired as membership director.
Dan Stone of WIMK-FM in Iron Mountain, Mich., has replaced DaveLeoschke as late-night jock on northwest suburban WCBR-FM (92.7).
Erv Jezek, program/operations director at WCLZ-FM in Portland,Maine, has been named assistant program director and music directorat the College of Du Page's WDCB-FM (90.9). Dona Mullen, eveningjazz host at WDCB, has been given additional duties as operationsassistant.
Chicago Sun-Times travel editor Jack Schnedler talks about hisnew guidebook, Chicago, with Ed Schwartz at 11 p.m. tomorrow onWLUP-AM (1000).
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