Bruce DuMont
Robservations on the media beat:
Chicago television luminaries gathered Saturday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. The gala fundraiser on the top floor of the museum at 360 North State Street was emceed by Bob Sirott and featured personal tributes from Janet Davies, Judy Hsu, Dick Johnson and Paul Lisnek along with video retrospectives. Museum chairman Larry Wert saluted founder and president Bruce DuMont for his vision and dedication to preserving broadcasting’s legacy. Radio also was well represented at the event, including two National Radio Hall of Famers — Paul Harvey Jr. and Chuck Schaden.
Ed Volkman and Joe Colborn
Media insiders are scratching their heads over a Facebook post suggesting a possible reunion of Eddie & Jobo. The former Chicago radio duo of Ed Volkman and Joe Colborn broke up in 2014 after Colborn turned down a lucrative offer to host mornings on Cumulus Media classic hits WLS FM 94.7. “Eddie may dispute what I say . . . but Eddie and JoBo are just on hold as far as I'm concerned,” Colborn wrote last week. “I have faith in what we do . . . my guess is we'll get back together soon. Sh--'s in the pipeline . . . we've reinvented ourselves dozens of times. 25 years working as a team . . . in show biz? Seriously . . . not very common.” With Volkman happily hosting mornings solo on Matrix Broadcasting northwest suburban classic rock WFXF FM 103.9, friends say chances of a reunion are slim and none.
Emmy Awards
It’s Emmy season: The Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will host its 2017 Emmy Awards nominations party October 12 at Rockit Bar and Grill, 22 West Hubbard Street. The event is a run-up to the 59th annual regional Emmy ceremony December 2 at the Swissotel, 323 Upper Wacker Drive.
CBS 2
WBBM-Channel 2 was the latest Chicago station to unveil a new studio for its newscasts last week — and it’s a sleek stunner. At 4,320 square feet, the space is nearly double the size of the CBS-owned station’s former streetfront studio facing Daley Plaza at Washington and Dearborn. In addition to the four-person anchor desk, Studio B features an interview area with a sectional sofa, “legacy station memorabilia” and an 80-inch monitor. Tom Schnecke, the vice president of broadcast operations and engineering who directed installation of the old studio in 2008, is credited with the new-and-improved digs, too.
CBS 2