Show Biz: Friday 10/31/08

*** Happy Halloween, everyone! Hope you enjoyed yesterday's scream contest. It's turned into a bit of a yearly tradition, and our three contestants all brought their "A" game.

Considering their prize was tickets to the Mazon Fire Department's Dungeon of Terror, methinks the screams they gave us in the morning were a good warmup for what they'd be belting out inside the Dungeon.


*** On a related note, I was informed after the show by Daryl Punke that Haunted Illinois has announced that the Dungeon of Terror was named the number 1 haunted house in the state. Again.


*** I think I bought too much candy to give out at the house. I always forget that we are rarely home during trick-or-treat hours to be able to hand out candy. We generally all go out together with our daughters, and by the time we get back home, there's only about 30 to 60 minutes before trick-or-treating is over. We end up with way too much store bought candy, on top of whatever the girls get.

It's (bites a Snickers) awful. Just (chewing) awful (gulp).

Show Biz: Thursday 10/30/08

*** The highlight of the show for me this morning was getting the call from my parents to talk about the Phillies winning the World Series.

The phone rang at about 6:25 a.m. as I was about to go on the air. I answered, and mom and dad were on the other end shouting and cheering the championship, happy for the win, and happy that I got to watch it.

I asked if they wanted to go on the air, and we ended up with a nice segment reflecting on the title, and what it means to us Philly fans.

I've told the story before about how after so many frustrating losses, and years without a title, my dad basically gave up watching games. It wasn't worth it to him, and I gotta admit, I've had some awfully rough days as a sports fan seeing teams from all four major sports reach the playoffs (47 times collectively) since their last team title in 1983, without ever winning a title.

But, last night, as the Phils were taking a 4-3 lead into the 9th, I called dad to let him know. They were actually almost asleep, but fortunately, they woke up, and decided to watch.

I was nine years old the last time the Phillies won the World Series. I remember jumping off the couch at our house in West Chicago on the final strike, with my mom and dad joining me in the celebration.

Last night, I got to enjoy a similar feeling with my wife and our two daughters. Granted, I was the only one really celebrating -- although my wife was happiest for me, after being around for too many of my frustrations over the years with these teams -- it was still a moment I'm glad they were a part of.

Getting to share it with my folks, and with the listeners this morning, is also something I won't forget.

Show Biz: Tuesday 10/28/08

*** During the show Tuesday, I referenced a website that shows nothing but old, bad Olan Mills photos from years gone by.

I'm not sure if I found the original site that caught my eye, but this place is a good start.

Show Biz: Monday 10/27/08

*** Earlier on the show today, we gave you a story about bees -- don't worry, there were no birds involved -- being able to count.

Big deal. Haven't these researchers seen Bee Movie? Bees can actually talk!


*** Time to get your scream on. With a few tickets left for the Mazon Fire Department's Dungeon Of Terror remaining, we'll probably bring back the scream contest this week.

I'll be screaming tonight at the end of Game 5 of the World Series -- it'll either be a good scream, or a bad one -- but, I'll be screaming into a pillow so I don't wake the kids.


*** It's always nice when a celebrity birthday allows me to play a song from that artist for both the birthday segment, and the 80's Escape. Today's birthday of choice, Simon LeBon, singer of Duran Duran, who turns 50.

A little show trivia: More Duran Duran songs have appeared on the 80's Escape than any other artist or group.

Looks like Culture Club has some catching up to do.

Presidential Quiz

Now until Election Day, we'll be conducting a Presidential Quiz once each day on WJDK.

The first person to correctly answer our Presidential Quiz question will win $25 from Standard Bank.

Good luck, and study! From the list of questions I've been given, I'm picking the hard ones.

Phils preparing to break my heart?

Well, all of the excitement I felt after watching my Phillies hang on for a tense 3-2 road win in game one of the World Series has been dashed.

After watching their listless performance in a 4-2 loss last night, it's apparent that unless they start driving in some runs with runners in scoring position, their season will be over in about 80 hours or so.

In the first two games, the Phillies have 28 official at-bats with runners in scoring position. Do you know how many hits they have that have produced runs in those circumstances?

The same amount that Jay and I do, none.

After an off-day today, which follows a rather off-night Thursday, the Phillies head home -- the good news -- for game three. ALCS MVP Matt Garza starts for Tampa Bay against 45-year old Jamie Moyer, who's been rocked in his two postseason starts this year -- the bad news.

I'll be working Saturday night doing the Playoff Pairing Show until about 9pm. The plan for me is to tape the game at home on the DVR, then avoid the score while here at work, go home and watch the game. Alone.

I'd hate for anyone to see my tears of disappointment.

Show Biz: Thursday 10/23/08

*** Happy Birthday to Jay's wife, Devon. Entertaining birthday segment today as Jay scored some points by wishing her a happy b-day, and dedicating a song from their wedding to her.

Of course, before we got to all of that, we had to have a little fun at Devon's expense. We pretended that our birthday tie-in song was "I Keep Forgettin" by Devon's all-time favorite artist -- we're overflowing with sarcasm here -- Michael McDonald.
I was just happy to finally be able to drop in my Family Guy clip about Michael McDonald. I've been holding on to that thing for months waiting for the perfect chance to use it.

After about thirty seconds, we stopped the Michael McDonald classic, and Jay chose Edwin McCain's, "I'll Be" to play for Devon instead.

Apparently Jay sang the song for Devon on their wedding day. I've been scouring Youtube all afternoon for video of that performance, but, so far, no luck.

All I've been able to find is this...

Show Biz: Wednesday 10/22/08

*** It's always exciting when one of the Hanson brothers has a birthday. Anytime I have an excuse to bring out some "MMM Bop", or "Where's The Love", you bet I'm going to take advantage of it.

What a magical time it was in 1997: Hanson, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, and Britney Spears.

At least the dudes in Hanson wrote and performed their own music.

And, who could forget their terrific performance playing themselves in the classic sports flick, Slap Shot.



*** Make sure you're tuned in Thursday morning, as both Jay and I will be fighting the sleepies. Jay will be covering the Candidates Forum which can be heard on WJDK starting at 7pm, while I'll be wearing out a pacing path on my family room carpet while watching my Phillies battle the Rays in Game 1 of the World Series.

Show Biz: Tuesday 10/21/08

*** Our early listeners heard Jay and I talking about a possible second stimulus check coming down the line from the government. Jay mentioned how it would be nice to see another check, since he has an addition to the family on the way -- Jay's wife is due in December.

Jay told the story of their recent weekend away, and how his wife was having trouble walking, having to stop and rest several times.

I suggested that Jay get some good practice for pushing a baby around in a stroller, by getting a bigger stroller for his wife, and pushing her around for these final few months.

Jay joked that he'd be worried about the first time he'd go to push the baby, after a couple of months pushing around his wife. With a newborn weighing a tad less than a pregnant woman, Jay would worry about launching the baby forward due to how light he/she will be.

I said it'd be a fun ride for the newborn, it's first roller coaster ride, or as it will now be known as, a stroller coaster ride. Not bad for 5:45am.


*** Can't believe I missed a celebrity birthday that would have made a perfect 80's Escape tie-in. Charlotte Caffey, guitarist with the Go Go's turned 55 today. Any missed chance to play Go Go's music makes for a bad day in my opinion.


*** Keep listening for chances to win tickets for the Mazon Fire Department's Dungeon Of Terror. They'll only be open the next two weekends, and we're running low on passes.

Show Biz: Monday 10/20/08

*** I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things after being in Orlando most of last week. Considering me and my family were at Disney World, it's actually much more relaxing now that we're back in town.

It's the early mornings that are hitting me pretty hard.

Most of our nights in Florida went pretty late, so it's a wee bit rough adjusting to the 3:20am wakeups each weekday.

Next time you go to Disney World, make sure you do/try the following...

• The No Way Jose ice cream treat at Beaches and Cream. The restaurant is located at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort. Seek it out. Trust me.
• Tower Of Terror at Hollywood Studios. You've heard about this ride, right? Especially for first-time riders, it's a must.
• A chocolate shake at Ghirardelli's in Downtown Disney.
• Aerosmith's Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, also at Hollywood Studios. It's worth it for the first three seconds of the ride, when you go from 0 to 57 m.p.h.
• Use Fast Pass whenever possible. Try to avoid the long standby lines by getting Fast Passes for whatever ride will offer it. It allows you to come back at a certain time of day -- an hour window -- to skip the main line, and have a much shorter wait. Be prepared, though. There was even a long Fast Pass line for the most popular ride, Toy Story Mania, also at Hollywood Studios.

And, here's the most important one: If you happen to do a weekday morning show, don't plan a Chicago arrival of 8:55pm, resulting in getting to bed at 11:00pm, with a turnaround of less than 5 hours for a full day of work -- including a football game that night.


*** There was a brief bit of confusion during the birthday segment as to which M*A*S*H* character was portrayed by William Christopher, who had his 76th birthday on Monday. I never got to clarify on the air that it was, indeed, Father Mulcahy.


*** A couple of programming reminders that we've been mentioning on the show: Wendesday night, tune in for the Candidates Forum at 7:00. Also, Morris football hits the airwaves Friday night at 7:00. The Redskins must win at Plainfield North to make the playoffs. Tune in the next night, Saturday, at 8:00 for the Playoff Pairings Show.

The Mike Williams Morning Show is on the...web!

Because The Mike Williams Morning Show is so overflowing, overstuffed, and jam packed with excitement, goodies, and flava, we've created this blog as yet another free service to you, the faithful listener.

Wait, have I already referred to myself in the third person in the opening paragraph?

While you ponder that, please allow me to welcome you to the official (I think) blog of The Mike Williams Morning Show, on 95.7 FM, WJDK.

This will hopefully be a place you visit throughout the day to get caught up on whatever is going on with the show, whether it's things we've mentioned on the air, reminders of upcoming events, or maybe even some behind the scenes stories, pictures, etc. that either do, or don't make it on the broadcast each day.

This thing will evolve as we go, and if you have any suggestions on what else you'd like to see here, email me.

I'll make a post for show topics called "Show Biz" with that day's date. Catchy, huh? That's where you'll find links to things that were discussed that day, or any other pertinent info related to that morning's broadcast.

When the mood strikes, there will be other various posts as well, covering whatever else is on my mind, or that of my newsman, Jay Capron.

That's Jay on the left. Looking very dapper, isn't he? Gotta hand it to him, he's been here for just over a year now, and he still dresses better than me and Kevin Schramm -- morning host on WCSJ -- 98% of the time.

He'll learn.

We've been waiting a long time to get this up and running, and we hope that our enthusiasm for the blog translates into a fun time for you each time you visit.

Thanks for stopping by, and come back often.