3/21/2007

I sometimes get the feeling that when people drop by a television station, they sort of expect it to be like those old movie scenes when someone was walking through the back lot of a movie studio…you know, milling around them are people dressed as showgirls, astronauts, gladiators, cowboys, maybe a stray Frankenstein monster…but, in real life, it’s mostly like any other business office. People will sometimes get excited when I happen to come through in my Svengoolie regalia- unless they’re here for the First Business program, and don’t watch television much- then, they’re trying to figure out who the weirdo is. Yet, there are times when , walking through our reception area, you might see people more famous than your old pal Mister Goolie. Just recently, you might have done a double- take when you saw Kim Fields- who starred in “Living Single’ and “the Facts of Life”- who had stopped by to record some elements for Me-TV, and to promote an upcoming play. Not long before that- you might have had to plead guilty to having seen Judge Maria Lopez- the newest member of our judicial block on “the U”-who was in town to promote her show at various radio stations. Speaking of radio, you might run into veteran sportscaster Les Grobstein, on his way in to do “Sports Edition” with Kenny McReynolds. I’ve happened upon legendary deejay and radio personality Clark Weber in our waiting area, and held the door open for Stephen J. Cannell, creator of “the A Team” and so many other shows. I also held the door for Byron Allen, comedian and tv host who first hit it big on the old “Real People” show. (Maybe I should just have a business card that says ‘Doorman to the stars- or, those who think they are.’)When Bears legend Otis Wilson came here, he spotted my coffin on our set and said “Svengoolie! Man, that #@*% has been around for a long time!” Of course, the backlot atmosphere is always alive and well when we do the “doggie auditions”- you know, when we bring in the dogs for those little blurbs that tell you Rover is from Harwood Heights, and can’t live without watching “King of Queens.” I never realized our station appealed to such a large four-legged demographic! Good thing we don’t run “Dr. Katz” (get it? Dogs? Cats?…right, I’ll continue…) Meanwhile, getting back from canines to celebs, you might spot a political figure in our hallways as well- I recall turning a corner, only to be greeted by one of Illinois’ favorite sons, the late Paul Simon (not the singer! The bow-tie wearing senator!)His honor, Mayor Daley has been here, as a guest of George Blaise on the old “Homework Show”- and we often had major movers and shakers come through when my old pal Jack Taylor was doing his interviews for the “Stock Market Observer.” So, you never know who you might see- Jackie Mason, Richard Karn, Jerry Mathers, or even some of the professional wrestlers I’ve mentioned before, like Hulk Hogan and the Honky Tonk Man. My favorite wrestler-visit story? During our first year of “the U”- we did a lot of “taste of Chiacgo” appearances, and, as I burst through a door, I ran smack into a WCW wrestler, “Evad” Sullivan-who jumped and said “you scared me!” Hmm…so, does anybody know if the Undertaker needs a tag team partner?