So long. Rock, roll, and remember.
These are things associated with Dick Clark... things associated with Dick Clark. Ready. Go!
If you are younger than 30, and didn't watch TV on New Year's Eve, you don't know who Dick Clark is... or any idea why he's been eulogized plentifully this week.
Long story short, he shined the spotlight on others. That spotlight shined on so many different musical acts, so many different game show contestants, and so many dancers from coast to coast on American Bandstand.
On a few occasions, he hosted shows simultaneously on CBS, NBC, and ABC. I remember him on $25,000 Pyramid, TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes, New Year's Rockin' Eve, and The Other Half.
He almost broke the winner's circle record on Pyramid the last time he was a guest celebrity. He counted us into 39 of the last 40 New Year's. He hosted one of the first shows to give away $100,000 on a more-than-once-a-year-basis. He created the American Music Awards. He pioneered lip-synching... he was required viewing Saturdays at 12noon on ABC. I loved when VH1 aired Bandstand reruns back in the 90s.
He was innovative, pioneering, and courageous. Sadly, most of America thought that he couldn't go on much longer co-hosting Rockin' Eve. It took a lot of guts to do what he did. He may not have been able to communicate his thoughts as well as he used to, but that mind of his kept working through all the struggles.
From Utica to Syracuse to Philadelphia to Hollywood and beyond... Dick Clark will be missed.
I hope those Bandstand reruns come back someday. Until then, listen to theme by Barry Manilow, and try not to dance.
Safe home, Dick Clark.
Buckle Up,
TS
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday, June 20, 2011
My friend Larry O
I haven't posted here in a while... but I felt compelled to after what the range of emotions I experienced this morning.
Larry O'Rourke, one of our sports announcers and sideline reporters for T-102 and WPPA, is one of my favorite people to work with. I always enjoying conversations with him. The longer the road trip was, the better the stories were.
Now, I know where his son got his gift of gab that I've been reading all about.
I haven't been able to find a bad word said about young Larry O... one of a kind.
Young Larry O was laid to rest today, concluding a four-year battle with ALS. His struggles have been well-documented by his fellow writers at the Morning Call. Just google Larry's name and you'll see all the tributes to him. They're beautiful.
Larry had a heart as big as a golf course. Read the posts of my friends Mandy & Tom Housenick on the Morning Call's website. That explains Larry in a nutshell.
I never met young Larry O in person, and I really wish I had. The only time I was in the same facility as he was the night he got inducted into Blue Mountain High School's sports hall of fame. This was 2008. He was transported to the ceremony stage via golf cart, with Big Larry O driving.
As his abilities became more limited, you never heard him complain. I never heard Big Larry complain either. Every time I asked Dad about son, the response was always as positive as possible.
While sitting in Saint Ambrose during the funeral mass, I looked around to see his fellow scribes, fellow sports reporters, and a number of Philadelphia sports dignitaries.
Before the final blessing, Big Larry stood up. As best he could, he thanked everyone. It was the most trying, and equally, most courageous, minute of his life. I highly doubt there was a dry eye in the congregation after that. Mine included.
Our celebrant stated that the most painful moment for a parent is to bury their own children. I've never seen the pain battled more gracefully as I have with my friend, Larry O.
His luncheon is this afternoon. The emotions will more likely swing from those of sadness and tears to smiles and laughs.
That's how Young Larry O would have wanted it.
When the time comes for us to remember Big Larry O, it will not only be as a great storyteller, and a great colleague and a great friend. It will also be as one of the strongest, toughest people I know.
"God Bless Larry O'Rourke!"
When Big Larry O shouted that at the end of his minute, I thought the exact same thing of Young Larry O.
And Big Larry O, too.
Larry O'Rourke, one of our sports announcers and sideline reporters for T-102 and WPPA, is one of my favorite people to work with. I always enjoying conversations with him. The longer the road trip was, the better the stories were.
Now, I know where his son got his gift of gab that I've been reading all about.
I haven't been able to find a bad word said about young Larry O... one of a kind.
Young Larry O was laid to rest today, concluding a four-year battle with ALS. His struggles have been well-documented by his fellow writers at the Morning Call. Just google Larry's name and you'll see all the tributes to him. They're beautiful.
Larry had a heart as big as a golf course. Read the posts of my friends Mandy & Tom Housenick on the Morning Call's website. That explains Larry in a nutshell.
I never met young Larry O in person, and I really wish I had. The only time I was in the same facility as he was the night he got inducted into Blue Mountain High School's sports hall of fame. This was 2008. He was transported to the ceremony stage via golf cart, with Big Larry O driving.
As his abilities became more limited, you never heard him complain. I never heard Big Larry complain either. Every time I asked Dad about son, the response was always as positive as possible.
While sitting in Saint Ambrose during the funeral mass, I looked around to see his fellow scribes, fellow sports reporters, and a number of Philadelphia sports dignitaries.
Before the final blessing, Big Larry stood up. As best he could, he thanked everyone. It was the most trying, and equally, most courageous, minute of his life. I highly doubt there was a dry eye in the congregation after that. Mine included.
Our celebrant stated that the most painful moment for a parent is to bury their own children. I've never seen the pain battled more gracefully as I have with my friend, Larry O.
His luncheon is this afternoon. The emotions will more likely swing from those of sadness and tears to smiles and laughs.
That's how Young Larry O would have wanted it.
When the time comes for us to remember Big Larry O, it will not only be as a great storyteller, and a great colleague and a great friend. It will also be as one of the strongest, toughest people I know.
"God Bless Larry O'Rourke!"
When Big Larry O shouted that at the end of his minute, I thought the exact same thing of Young Larry O.
And Big Larry O, too.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Election
Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you, I'm writing a blog about politics. Here are some random thoughts...
After years of making excuses to my Dad for not voting, I registered to vote a few years ago. It's easy to remember who I cast my first vote for... the late Jim Rhoades following his passing.
I'm not the only one who has been sick of seeing Toomey/Sestak ads since May. A number of people I know have been counting the days until the election ads stop airing. I guarantee there would be fewer political ads if candidates were required to spend the same amount after the elections as they do prior to election day.
I could never be a good political candidate. I can't sling mud.
I can almost guarantee that I will among the first 100 to vote at my polling place tomorrow. I'll go around 8:30.
Go vote tomorrow. Take your kids with you, too.
Buckle Up,
TS
After years of making excuses to my Dad for not voting, I registered to vote a few years ago. It's easy to remember who I cast my first vote for... the late Jim Rhoades following his passing.
I'm not the only one who has been sick of seeing Toomey/Sestak ads since May. A number of people I know have been counting the days until the election ads stop airing. I guarantee there would be fewer political ads if candidates were required to spend the same amount after the elections as they do prior to election day.
I could never be a good political candidate. I can't sling mud.
I can almost guarantee that I will among the first 100 to vote at my polling place tomorrow. I'll go around 8:30.
Go vote tomorrow. Take your kids with you, too.
Buckle Up,
TS
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Can you smell it?
Fire up the fryers. Plug in the pizza ovens. Start simmering the soup. Stock up on soda.
Football is here.
We welcome aboard Tim Demko for netcast play-by-play, and Chuck Kutz as an analyst on our broadcast games.
Don't forget that the netcasts are archived for playback anytime afterwards.
Then, hear all the scores on Goal Line on Friday nights at 9:45PM, then on Sports Saturday at 9:00AM on WPPA and WPPAradio.com.
Oh yeah, TD Tips is back at 5:45PM on Fridays on WPPA... Herbie won last year for the umpteenth time. C'mon guys... do I have to come back so that someone can beat him?
Now for my predictions... for entertainment purposes only.
Wyomissing vs. Pottsville: I don't mind if I'm wrong on this one... Wyomissing 14, Pottsville 12
Tri-Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven: Tough game to open with... TV 20, Haven 17
Whitehall vs. Blue Mountain: BM will finish with a winning record, but this is a tough first test... Whitehall 26, BM 13
Minersville vs. Williams Valley: Miners will improve this year... WV can run. WV 21, Miners 14
Shenandoah Valley vs. North Schuylkill: New QB's on both sides... NS 23, SV 6
Panther Valley vs. Mahanoy Area: I see another deep playoff run for PV this year... PV 29, Mahanoy Area 14
Tamaqua vs. Jim Thorpe: I'm interested to see how both teams reload... this was a dandy last year. Tamaqua 28, JT 20
Marian vs. Lehighton: Marian is hungry... Marian 30, Lehighton 19
Northern Lebanon vs. Pine Grove: PG needs to establish an offense early... PG 14, NL 7
Nativity vs. Freedom Village: Back to St. Clair for the Green Wave... Nativity 21, FV 13
Penn State vs. Youngstown State: Bundle up, only gonna be 70 on Curtin Road... PSU 45, YSU 10
Football is here.
We welcome aboard Tim Demko for netcast play-by-play, and Chuck Kutz as an analyst on our broadcast games.
Don't forget that the netcasts are archived for playback anytime afterwards.
Then, hear all the scores on Goal Line on Friday nights at 9:45PM, then on Sports Saturday at 9:00AM on WPPA and WPPAradio.com.
Oh yeah, TD Tips is back at 5:45PM on Fridays on WPPA... Herbie won last year for the umpteenth time. C'mon guys... do I have to come back so that someone can beat him?
Now for my predictions... for entertainment purposes only.
Wyomissing vs. Pottsville: I don't mind if I'm wrong on this one... Wyomissing 14, Pottsville 12
Tri-Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven: Tough game to open with... TV 20, Haven 17
Whitehall vs. Blue Mountain: BM will finish with a winning record, but this is a tough first test... Whitehall 26, BM 13
Minersville vs. Williams Valley: Miners will improve this year... WV can run. WV 21, Miners 14
Shenandoah Valley vs. North Schuylkill: New QB's on both sides... NS 23, SV 6
Panther Valley vs. Mahanoy Area: I see another deep playoff run for PV this year... PV 29, Mahanoy Area 14
Tamaqua vs. Jim Thorpe: I'm interested to see how both teams reload... this was a dandy last year. Tamaqua 28, JT 20
Marian vs. Lehighton: Marian is hungry... Marian 30, Lehighton 19
Northern Lebanon vs. Pine Grove: PG needs to establish an offense early... PG 14, NL 7
Nativity vs. Freedom Village: Back to St. Clair for the Green Wave... Nativity 21, FV 13
Penn State vs. Youngstown State: Bundle up, only gonna be 70 on Curtin Road... PSU 45, YSU 10
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Please help my friends at WVIA...
Every Tuesday in April, go to Wendy's between 5-8pm, and 10% of the proceeds go to WVIA.
This fundraiser is held at the Wendy's in Pottsville, Shamokin, Bloomsburg, Danville, Drums, Hazleton, Hummels Wharf, Lewisburg, and Wilkes-Barre. It is also being held at Wendy's in Clarks Summit, Dallas, Dickson City, Dunmore, East Stroudsburg, Edwardsville, Honesdale, Lock Haven, Matamoras, Montoursville, Mount Pocono, Pittston, Scranton, Towanda, and Williamsport.
Thanks for helping my dear friends at WVIA.
====
Big Ben, stay home. Club it up all you want after you retire.
====
Phil Mickelson is better than Tiger Woods, in more ways than one. This past weekend proved it.
====
The Phillies won their opener and their home opener. Too bad they don't play the Nationals every other series the rest of the year.
Buckle up,
TS
This fundraiser is held at the Wendy's in Pottsville, Shamokin, Bloomsburg, Danville, Drums, Hazleton, Hummels Wharf, Lewisburg, and Wilkes-Barre. It is also being held at Wendy's in Clarks Summit, Dallas, Dickson City, Dunmore, East Stroudsburg, Edwardsville, Honesdale, Lock Haven, Matamoras, Montoursville, Mount Pocono, Pittston, Scranton, Towanda, and Williamsport.
Thanks for helping my dear friends at WVIA.
====
Big Ben, stay home. Club it up all you want after you retire.
====
Phil Mickelson is better than Tiger Woods, in more ways than one. This past weekend proved it.
====
The Phillies won their opener and their home opener. Too bad they don't play the Nationals every other series the rest of the year.
Buckle up,
TS
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I goofed...
Daylight Time begins on March 14th, not March 7th like I had printed in the T102 calendars.
And yes, March has 31 days.
I shoulda hadda V8.
Buckle up,
TS
And yes, March has 31 days.
I shoulda hadda V8.
Buckle up,
TS
Friday, February 19, 2010
The newest inductee into the Apology Hall of Fame
MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann has an Apology Hall of Fame... filled with inductees ranging from all walks of life... from Mark McGwire to Eliot Spitzer.
Enter, Eldrick.
I'm sorry that T-102 thankfully didn't participate in what I'm calling, "I'm Sorry Friday." Everywhere I turned on TV today was the teaser for Tiger's apology. Just about everyone was boasting of its coverage of this made-for-TV event.
I didn't watch it... when I saw it on a TV here in the building, I turned away. I already knew what the message was going to be. I've seen it all-too-often, and I've said those same things all-too-often. Trust me, I'm no angel.
Can we trust Tiger like he was? I dunno. When you see Kobe Bryant on TV, do you think of his run-in with something similar 7 years ago? When you see Ray Lewis on TV, do you think of what he went through the year before he won the Super Bowl MVP? When you see Eliot Spitzer on CNBC, or former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, do you think about their escapades in the headlines?
Only time will tell how Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Public perceive Tiger from here on in. There will be those who want to hear every sordid, tedious detail. There will be the crowd who will tell him what Dr. Phil likes to say, "You choose the behavior, you choose the consequences." When he decides to return to the PGA, there will be rowdy fans who will remind him of his transgressions.
I don't envy the guy one bit. He has more weight on his shoulders than every single government official and school board member combined. I do object to the timing of his statement today... some are overanalyzing how he's sticking it to Accenture ( a sponsor that dropped him as a spokesperson) by doing this during their sponsored event this week.
Yes, he should have done this much earlier. But, he's living his life now the way his uber-bloated PR machine wants him to. Must be nice. Boy, I wish had that machine with me every time I screwed up here at the station, or when I made my Mom angry.
I can't wait til the day that Tiger removes the veil of secrecy and gobs of red tape, and just opens totally up. I doubt that'll happen, but more of America would accept him as a human being, rather than someone who is more teflon than tin cup god. I remember back in 1999, when the Greaseman made an off-color remark on radio about African-Americans, got fired from his job in Washington DC, then went on local TV. I'll never forget the short clip I saw... it was the angriest I ever saw WRC-TV's Jim Vance, who is African-American. "What the hell were you thinkin'?" spewed Vance. Greaseman's answer was simple... "I wasn't." I'd love to see Vance interview Tiger one-on-one, no holds barred, no PR people... just Vance, Tiger, and a camera. I know it won't happen, but I can dream, can't I?
It'll be a good 36 hours before this news gets moved to the back burner. Then, he'll be front and center again when he returns, Masters or otherwise... and I'll be changing the channel.
Buckle up,
TS
Enter, Eldrick.
I'm sorry that T-102 thankfully didn't participate in what I'm calling, "I'm Sorry Friday." Everywhere I turned on TV today was the teaser for Tiger's apology. Just about everyone was boasting of its coverage of this made-for-TV event.
I didn't watch it... when I saw it on a TV here in the building, I turned away. I already knew what the message was going to be. I've seen it all-too-often, and I've said those same things all-too-often. Trust me, I'm no angel.
Can we trust Tiger like he was? I dunno. When you see Kobe Bryant on TV, do you think of his run-in with something similar 7 years ago? When you see Ray Lewis on TV, do you think of what he went through the year before he won the Super Bowl MVP? When you see Eliot Spitzer on CNBC, or former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, do you think about their escapades in the headlines?
Only time will tell how Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Public perceive Tiger from here on in. There will be those who want to hear every sordid, tedious detail. There will be the crowd who will tell him what Dr. Phil likes to say, "You choose the behavior, you choose the consequences." When he decides to return to the PGA, there will be rowdy fans who will remind him of his transgressions.
I don't envy the guy one bit. He has more weight on his shoulders than every single government official and school board member combined. I do object to the timing of his statement today... some are overanalyzing how he's sticking it to Accenture ( a sponsor that dropped him as a spokesperson) by doing this during their sponsored event this week.
Yes, he should have done this much earlier. But, he's living his life now the way his uber-bloated PR machine wants him to. Must be nice. Boy, I wish had that machine with me every time I screwed up here at the station, or when I made my Mom angry.
I can't wait til the day that Tiger removes the veil of secrecy and gobs of red tape, and just opens totally up. I doubt that'll happen, but more of America would accept him as a human being, rather than someone who is more teflon than tin cup god. I remember back in 1999, when the Greaseman made an off-color remark on radio about African-Americans, got fired from his job in Washington DC, then went on local TV. I'll never forget the short clip I saw... it was the angriest I ever saw WRC-TV's Jim Vance, who is African-American. "What the hell were you thinkin'?" spewed Vance. Greaseman's answer was simple... "I wasn't." I'd love to see Vance interview Tiger one-on-one, no holds barred, no PR people... just Vance, Tiger, and a camera. I know it won't happen, but I can dream, can't I?
It'll be a good 36 hours before this news gets moved to the back burner. Then, he'll be front and center again when he returns, Masters or otherwise... and I'll be changing the channel.
Buckle up,
TS
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