WGN Morning News Blog

OK, so the ladies were atwitter around the the studio today, anticipating the arrival of Travis Stork, ER doctor, and former star of "The Bachelor."

He was here promoting his new book "Don't Be That Girl." It basically puts women into about eight different categories, and tells them how those categorizations may be keeping them from finding true love.

There's AGENDA GIRL, INSECURE GIRL, WORKING GIRL.....you get the idea.

And then, there's BITTER GIRL.

Larry and Paul, for some reason, thought that one reminded them of someone they knew.
Take a look.

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So, I don't normally comply with all the "FLAT STANLEY" requests I get here at the old number 9. Every fall, we're bombarded with kids sending pictures of a flat boy, made famous in the book by Jeff Brown. The idea is to guilt people into taking pictures with Stanley, and write back with details about where he's been.

Lovely idea for kids, a pain for adults.

But, I lovingly comply this time, because young Kyle and Yusuf from Arlington Heights were smart enough to make their Stanleys look just like Larry.

God bless you kids. But please, NO MORE STANLEYS!!

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 7:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Regular viewers of the Morning Show are familiar with Drake the Cameraman.

Yes, ladies - he's single. But probably not for long after the gals get a glimpse of him in this costume.

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Robin

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "A MEETING OF THE MINDS" »

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Continue reading "A LITTLE MOTHERLY ADVICE" »

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Look, I know she likes to blame "hormones", but pregnancy, in my opinion, is no excuse for the reckless and tasteless behavior being exhibited of late by one Valerie Warner.

Every time I turn around, she's elbowing me out of the way to get closer to her favorite guy.

But, in her defense, there's others around here who can't resist. See below.

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FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

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2 pkgs 8oz Cream Cheese

8 slices White Bread

1 dozen large eggs

2 cups white milk

1/2 cup syrup

*TEAR BREAD INTO PIECES, PUT IN 9x13 PAN.

*CUBE CREAM CHEESE, PUT ON BREAD.

*MIX EGGS, MILK, AND SYRUP, AND POUR OVER CHEESE & BREAD.

*REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT.

*BAKE AT 375 DEGREES FOR 45 MINUTES, SERVE.

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Well, if you haven't been reading Larry's blog updates about the morning show ratings, suffice it to say that the month of May was very good to us.

In fact, Larry - or "Ricky Ratings" as we like to call him - has been bragging about how his new suits really put us over the top this rating period.

Given his modesty, it's oddly apropos that when the big boss - the very handsome and powerful Tom Ehlmann - came in with breakfast to congratulate the crew, Ricky had the day off.

Sorry, Ricky. We saved you a piece of fruitcake.

-- Robin Baumgarten

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Continue reading "PAUL GETS A HOBBY" »

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If you missed it this morning (at let me say I'm not sure how, since we mentioned it about five times an hour) it was all Larry, all the time, as we celebrated his 40th birthday.

And here's something that I love. Legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis stopped by to pass on good wishes to the birthday boy.

COME ON!!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

That man is the best. A news legend, land baron, investigative reporter, production company owner, beef businessman, and overall very busy guy who always takes the time for schmoes like us. Or excuse me - schmoes like Larry.

Happy birthday, big guy!

ps.....looks like Val is REALLY likin' Mr. Kurtis!!!

Posted by Admin at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

So, my daughter Anna made me this adorable - yet predictably cheesy - flower shaped like paper heart with her school picture taped to a straw and planted in a plastic cup. Every parent has gotten one of these - usually with an optional "macaroni" feature.

Well, I've been promising since Valentine's Day to bring it to work and keep it on my desk.
But, as you know, my desk is on the air, the the big boss is not fond of seeing knickknacks perched on the ledge behind the anchors as they read serious news stories.

So, my idea was to take this picture of me on the set holding her crafty creation, and post it on the blog.
Then, pull up the website on our home computer, pretend it's the t.v., and show her Mom is showing her flower on t.v.

The problem might be trying to explain how I'm in two places at once, and why the t.v. looks so much like the computer.

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It is truly amazing how viewers who send drawings of us are able to capture our true essence so accurately.

I've always told Larry that he is a dead-ringer for Guy Smiley from Sesame Street. But until I saw the sketch of myself I had no idea how much I look like......Larry.

You heard it here first. We're brother and sister.

(p.s. An artist from a children's book company "Publications International" in Lincolnwood drew the picture)

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "THE WGN HALLWAYS" »

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

What a treat this week to not only visit with the "big man" (Santa), but the other "big man"....I'm talkin' about one Chet Coppock.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeesssss Ladies & Gentlemen, I had the pleasure of working with Chet back in 1990 - one of my first radio gigs doing traffic reporting on his old radio show on AM1000 - "Coppock on Sports."
That's when he used to call me Robin "ChaCha" Muldowney.
He's still one of the best in the business, and still one of the best characters this city has to offer.
He stopped into read a Bears version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." (click to see it).
Tune him in on ESPN Radio.
--Robin Baumgarten

Posted by Admin at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It has been mentioned on the show in the past that Larry Potash is a man who appreciates a good apple. So when high school student chef Dzeskia Platos came on the show with her award-winning apple pie recipe, guess who was hogging the spork??

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Who knew all these folks were still around? We sat down with 4 of the last living munchkins from the Wizard of Oz.
Meinhardt Raabe (The Coroner); Karl Slover (The Trumpeter); Margaret Pellegrini (The Sleepyhead) and Mickey Carroll (Parade Leader)
Check our website for the complete interview - what a trip! They say they don't get sick of talking about the Wizard of Oz, and still will read their lines from the movie, when asked.
The biggest trip? Mickey Carroll (on the right) went to school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, and in later years was a speechwriter for Franklin Roosevelt.
Robin

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It's stuff like this that makes him the big, strong anchor you see on the air.

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have finally jumped on the computer bandwagon, after holding out for years. Who knew a digital camera at the office could be so much fun!

Once a week, I will do my best to bring you the most riveting sights around the WGN newsroom, and TV station.
Be careful! You're in danger of....falling asleep!

Robin

Posted by Robin Baumgarten at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)