Murphy's Law

I apologize for the vacation I took from writing. It's been a little crazy around here since Andy announced he's leaving. Here's the update:

Andy's still leaving.

I've also heard from, literally, dozens of people who know the perfect person for SoundOFF. The list of suggested co-hosts includes radio personalities, stand-up comics, newspaper columnists, television reporters and anchors at this station and other stations, a neighbor, the husband of a sales rep here, and Tom Arnold, who I'm guessing is not available (It hasn't gotten that bad has it?).

I love all the ideas and suggestions. I think it really proves many people are invested in the show, feel a part of it, and care what happens. As I've written previously, SoundOFF won't be the same without Andy; it will be something different.

We're, of course, really going to miss Andy. Leaving has kind of re-energized him creatively, which is good and bad :-) He's going out with guns blazing which has made for some appointment television these past few weeks. Sunday night we'll take an entire hour to look back on the best and worst of "What's Bugging Andy" and the Never Fales years at Channel 13. It should be fun. It will be a tough night for me. I imagine it's a bit like dropping your son off at college. You're proud, but it really hurts to see him go. Cheesy, but honest.

Also, check back at whotv.com soon. Due to popular demand---cliched, but true---we're selling a "Best of What's Bugging Andy" DVD for $9.95 plus S&H. It will run around two hours, and have some of the funniest, craziest, and thoughtful things to ever come out of Andy's pie-hole.

Other scattershots...

The Iowa Stars, and many of their fans, mistakenly think we're out to get them. We've pointed out what we see as the good & bad on SoundOFF, just as we do with all local sports. A few months ago we did a news report that simply asked the question, "Is it working?". It was fair, with no agenda, and in many ways positive, but we did ask some tough questions about atmosphere problems, high ticket/concession prices, and disappointing attendance. I find it interesting that today the Stars put out a release with the headline "IOWA STARS AND GLOBAL SPECTRUM JOIN FORCES TO CREATE INNOVATIVE SALES, MARKETING AND GAME ENTERTAINMENT. Lower Ticket Prices and All-Inclusive Food and Beverage Packages are Top Priorities." Exactly. We weren't out to get you. We just knew some changes need to be made. The original management and ownership team with the Stars misjudged this market. To their credit, they're making the right moves now...

Staying with hockey, props to the USHL for scrapping that RIDICULOUS playoff format. You needed calculus just to keep up...

Lindsay Lohan is Maxim magazine's choice as the hottest woman in the world???!!! Do you get that? I don't. Lohan is the hottest woman to drive Herbie the Love Bug, but that's it...

We threw a going away party for Andy, and it was one of those nights where I felt blessed even as I cleaned up the mess. Everyone who came was nice, fun, and considerate. "Life of the party" honors go to Colleen of Star 102.5. She now has a lifetime pass for parties at Murphy Manor...

Former Cyclone Paul Shirley is most famous in these parts for crying, but he's all about the laughs now. Shirley has a funny new book out, "Can I Keep My Jersey?". It's about his journeyman career as a professional basketball player. It's entertaining, in part, because Shirley doesn't care for pro basketball players...

Props to Greg McDermott for sitting down with Shawn Terrell and answering questions about a second year of transfers at Iowa State. McDermott could have ducked the interview---as many coaches would---but instead provided insight that comes across as honest and thoughtful (see 13 Raw video at whotv.com). Being accountable is always the best way to show you have nothing to hide...

Great move by NBC renewing "Friday Night Lights". I am concerned it's now on Friday nights, which on the surface makes sense, but in the Fall will find its target audience at games, not in front of the TV...

"Grey's Anatomy" keeps getting more ridiculous by the week. Meredith needs to go live by herself somewhere because then she'll finally have true love. Izzie is now supposedly in love with George? What happened to being so in love with Denny she couldn't cash a 9 million dollar check? And Burke finally gets what he wants, and walks straight off the alter? This show now belongs in NBC's old "Passions" slot on daytime television. Yes, I'll probably watch again...