Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
February 14, 2006<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Many subscribers of “The Howard Stern Show” on Sirius Satellite Radio (who are paying $12.95/month for the service) were disappointed when Stern recently announced his plans to take many Fridays off and instead will air something called “The Friday Show.” 

 

Though Stern’s daily show is usually five hours, an hour more than the majority of most morning shows, the Friday news upset many listeners.

 

Observers wondered if listener backlash was the reason Stern returned to do a live show on February 10 after taking February 3 off. 

 

Bob Burke, vice president and managing director of “Friday Morning Quarterback,” a leading radio trade publication said, “It'll be interesting to see how the audience responds if the new "Friday Show" doesn't catch on. Initially it probably shocked some people who didn't read the specifics of Howard's contract as reported by many media outlets. Or maybe they just heard about 500 million (over five years) with 10 weeks off and missed the no Fridays clause.

 

It might be a little too soon to take time off when you're trying to build a brand. Maybe he should have waited three months. But he didn't hide the fact from the audience and has addressed it on the air when called out on it by disgruntled listeners.”

 

The daily recap section of www.howardstern.com said, “Howard said that he feels a great responsibility to his audience and that the reason he created “The Friday Show” was because he wanted to give his fans new material whenever he takes a day off.”

 

“Rock Star” gets an encore on CBS this summer.  The network announced open casting calls in around a dozen cities starting next month (not Philadelphia).  A group has not been announced yet.  Last summer’s edition with INXS hiring new lead singer J.D. Fortune spawned the hit single “Pretty Vegas.”

 

"America's Next Top Model" will hold an open casting call at the "40/40" club in Atlantic City Thursday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Good news for "America's Next Top Model" host Tyra Banks.  Her daytime talk show was renewed for a second season.

 

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are some of Philly’s television sweethearts:

 

Larry Mendte (CBS3) and Dawn Stensland (Fox29) – Dawn and Larry have been married six years and are the parents of a son, Michael, 2.

 

Bill Vargus (Fox29) and Sue Serio (Fox29) – Bill and Sue have been married 11-years and are the parents of a daughter, Nia, 8.

 

Robin Rieger (CBS3) and Tom McGinnis (Sixers radio play-by-play) – Rieger and McGinnis have been married four and a half years and are the parents of daughter Kenna, 2 ½, and a son, Luke, born December 31.

 

Vince DeMentri (NBC10) and Pat James DeMentri (QVC) - Vince and Pat have been married 13-years and are the parents of a daughter, Nicole, 10.

 

Mike Strug (NBC10) and Sharon Crowley (Fox29) – The reporters have been dating a couple of years.

 

Storm a Hit For Station Web Site
 
Sunday's storm meant big numbers for NBC10's web site.  According to a station spokesperson, www.nbc10.com, got over 560,000 page views on Sunday.
 
New Flavor
My latest guilty pleasure is the contrived, but hilarious "Flavor of Love" on VH1 Sundays at 10 p.m. Go New York!