I’m going to guess that when Ray McKinnon signed on to play Coach Burt Cotton in the 2009 movie The Blind Side he couldn’t have guessed it would be among the top grossing films of the year and that his co-star, Sandra Bullock, would be nominated for an Academy Award as best actress. Who... Continue Reading →
Sam Zell biographer on how Money Talks, Bullsh*t Walks! PODCAST INTERVIEW
In retrospect, I can see why real estate billionaire Sam Zell thought buying the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Orlando Sentinel and all their related newspapers and media companies—plus the Chicago Cubs baseball team and its home, Wrigley Field—seemed like a classic ploy. Buy a big family-owned business on the skids for a discount, squeeze... Continue Reading →
Daughter and wrestling world remember announcer Gordon Solie! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Pam Allyn, daughter of Gordon Solie, co-author, The Solie Chronicles: The Life and Times of Gordon Solie There is something about professional wrestling that you just can’t look away from on television. The costumes, the oversize personalities, the inflated drama and comedy—it all plays even bigger on the tube. I remember watching... Continue Reading →
At Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman held every comma in place! PODCAST INTERVIEW
I was a little nervous when I received an email from Jane Friedman, the publisher of Writer’s Digest magazine and books. She was responding to my interview with one of her authors, Mike Sacks, the author of And Here’s the Kicker: Conversations with 21 Top Humor Writers on Their Craft. Sacks was unhappy with... Continue Reading →
NBA baller turned actor Rick Fox settles in at Melrose Place! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Rick Fox, NBA star, actor, "Melrose Place" Think about seeing your life flashing before your eyes. Got the picture? Now think about Rick Fox’s life flashing before your eyes. First round NBA draft pick by the Boston Celtics in 1991. Seven years—and three world championships—with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing elbow-to-elbow with... Continue Reading →
Kevin McCarthy, collect historic photos Florida Gators football! PODCAST INTERVIEW
I graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1982 and, to be honest, I was glad to be done. I never took much to life in a college town and I wasn’t one of those crazy Florida Gators. Heck, the football team was pretty bad back then and it wasn’t the great... Continue Reading →
Streetballers action with Matthew Krentz, Craig Thomas! PODCAST INTERVIEW
If I were running a major American movie studio, I’d want to make Matthew Krentz’s apprenticeship as an indie filmmaker short. In other words, I’d want to be in business with this handsome, talented young auteur. That was my second thought after watching Streetballers, the new film written, directed, produced and starring Krentz as... Continue Reading →
NBA ref or Covert police operative? Bob Delaney was both! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Bob Delaney, NBA referee, New Jersey State Trooper, author, Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob with Dave Scheiber Bob Delaney has lived not one but two enviable and intimidating lives—and he’s nowhere near done, yet. In his first career, Delaney was a New Jersey State Trooper who went undercover for three years to... Continue Reading →
Robert Tuchman picks the 100 Best Live Sporting Events! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today’s a good day to start an argument with your best friends or a bunch of strangers at a bar. Today’s the day we’re going to debate the priorities of Robert Tuchman’s new book, The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live. Honestly, I think he got it wrong, right off the top, listing... Continue Reading →
Golfer Amy Alcott is on the Leaderboard! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Something’s wrong with this picture. I’m Mr. Media. I do the interviewing, right? Somehow I’ve booked an interview with LPGA Golf Hall of Famer Amy Alcott to talk about her new book, The Leaderboard—but it turns out the book is a collection of interviews she conducted. Has the whole world gone crazy? On the... Continue Reading →