Jordan Foster
Robservations on the media beat:
Jordan Foster, the overnight and fill-in host who goes by the name JRDN, was promoted Wednesday to nighttime personality at iHeartMedia Top 40 WKSC 103.5-FM. From 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, he succeeds Erik Zachary, who stepped down in August. “I’m really excited and honored to be taking on this role,” Foster said in a statement. “It’s something I’ve worked towards for a while now, so I can’t wait to serve Chicago some great times and good laughs.” A native of Syracuse, New York, and graduate of Syracuse University, Foster began his career as the rap artist Jay Foss before joining iHeartMedia Chicago in 2015. Said 103.5 Kiss FM program director James Howard: “He brings a level of energy to events that no one can match.”
Cate Cauguiran
Cate Cauguiran, who's been a per diem reporter at WLS-Channel 7 since 2017, has been promoted to full-time general assignment reporter at the ABC-owned station. She also will join the reporting team of "Asian Influences," the series of public-affairs specials on ABC 7. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, Cauguiran previously worked for KPIX, the CBS-owned station in San Francisco, and KTVL, the CBS affiliate in Medford, Oregon.
Richard Roeper
Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper has been named recipient of the African American Film Critics Association's 2020 Roger Ebert Award. He'll be honored at a luncheon in April in Pacific Palisades, California. "I can't even begin to express how much this means to me," Roeper said in a statement. "I am humbled and honored, and it will be my great privilege to join such a legendary and distinguished group of honorees." Roeper co-hosted the syndicated "Ebert & Roeper At The Movies" with his late Sun-Times colleague from 2000 to 2008.
MeTV FM
It's a "No Tricks, Just Musical Treats" special today at MeTV FM, the Weigel Broadcasting soft-rock oldies station at WRME 87.7-FM. In honor of Halloween they'll be sprinkling in spooky songs throughout the day, including such gems as "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett; "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley; "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon; "The Svengoolie Stomp" by Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon; and "Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra.
Windy City Live
ABC 7's "Windy City Live" celebrates its 2,000th episode with a special broadcast Friday from Teatro ZinZanni, the cirque spectacle now running at the Cambria Hotel. Guests include former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (who appeared on the show's debut in 2011), former White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, and comedians Erica Watson and Russ Williamson. Hosts Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini recall the show's funniest and craziest celebrity-filled moments. "Windy City Live" airs weekdays at 1 p.m. and repeats at 12:05 a.m.
Wednesday’s comment of the day: Terry Stanton: I hope one of [Sandra Cordova Micek's] moves is to get some control over the frequency of pledge drives [on WTTW] and stop playing garbage programming during them. It's maddening when the pledge hosts talk about all the high-minded news and cultural programming PBS airs, and then they show some snake oil salesman peddling bogus nutrition theories or a financial huckster pitching questionable investment strategies. . . . And improve the digital signal!