Phils' radio switch will not affect WBCB
Bucks County Courier Times

On The Air - Now that the Phillies are back on 50,000-watt WPHT 1210-AM, instead of 5,000-watt WPEN 950-AM, does that mean there will be less listeners for WBCB 1490-AM, the Phillies radio network affiliate?

Not according to WBCB co-owner Merrill Reese.

"Believe it or not, we were unaffected when the Phillies were on WPEN," he said. "Bucks County is used to listening to Phillies games on WBCB, whether the flagship is WPHT or WPEN."

WBCB has carried the Phillies for more than 25 years. WPEN was the Phillies flagship station the last three seasons. Many listeners in the western suburbs and other places had trouble getting Phillies games at night on WPEN.

The new Phillies deal with WPHT will cover five years. Friday night games will be aired on Infinity sister-station WIP 610-AM. Sid Mark's Frank Sinatra show, "Fridays with Frank," will continue on WPHT.

Anchors away

Pennsbury High graduate Andy Siegel is making the move from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera, becoming a new sports reporter and anchor for WTAJ-TV, the CBS affiliate in Altoona.

Siegel, 27, spent the last five years as a producer for Comcast SportsNet and worked for "The George Michael Sports Machine" television show after graduating from the University of Maryland.

"I've wanted to do this since I was 12 years old," said Siegel, who recently was married.

Siegel has worked in the business since he was 17, when he was a production assistant on "The John Lucas Show" on the old Sportschannel Philadelphia.

T.O. scores again

FYI Susan and Edie: The publicity from the Terrell Owens/Nicolette Sheridan "Monday Night Football" opening helped ABC's "Desperate Housewives" gain its highest ratings of the season.

Is Mama Solis alive?

Channel 10 had its own Edie as a secret weapon, as sports director Vai Sikahema poked fun of the skit on the WCAU news.

Sikahema was seen telling an off-camera Edie (the name of Nicolette Sheridan's character) that he needed to do his sportscast, while Edie told him "You know you want some." The camera then cut to WCAU veteran reporter Edie Huggins trying to woo Vai with a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Head shot

WPVI weekend sports anchor Phil Andrews is sporting a shaved head.

"I guess when you have short, curly hair like mine there is not a lot you can do with it, and let's face it, my 9-year-old tells me I'm not cool enough to pull of having dreadlock extensions," Andrews said.

New cast

Gerald Henderson is not returning to "Sixers Post Game Live" on Comcast SportsNet this season so he can spend more time watching his son play basketball. Bob Salmi and Fred Carter will be the analysts this season.

Phillies music

A Phillies-themed CD called "Havin' A Ball" with the songs "Concrete and Steel," "I Think We're Gonna Like It Here," "A Little Bit Phanatic," and "The Ballad of Tug McGraw" by Skip Denenberg is available at 1-877-GO-PHILS.

I'm still waiting for the remake of "Penalty Box" by Dave Schultz. Remember these lyrics?

''Baby, how long will you keep me in the penalty box?

Baby, how long - it's lonely in the penalty box.

You know I broke the rules, but rules are broken by fools.

Baby, how long will you keep me in the penalty box?''

November 26, 2004 7:07 AM