Mancow on the move: New studio, new producer

Mancow Muller

Robservations on the media beat:

• Mancow has left the building: After four years at 190 North State Street, Mancow Muller this week packed up and left the studios of Cumulus Radio, where his syndicated morning radio show originated. Taped shows are airing this week while Fox Chicago completes new studios for Muller at 205 North Michigan Avenue. If all goes as planned, Muller is expected to simulcast from 6 to 8am Monday through Friday on Fox-owned WPWR-Channel 50, starting October 22. Hired as director/producer of the new Mancow is Don DuPree, former executive producer of Ebert & Roeper and former assistant news director at CBS 2. DuPree said he hopes to “bring something different and very entertaining to morning television.” In the Chicago area, Muller’s radio show airs from sunrise to 11am weekdays on west suburban WCKG-AM (1530).

• Dave Fogel, who lost his morning gig at WLS-FM (94.7) September 27 — just before the Cumulus Media station switched to a classic hits format — wasn’t idle for long. Starting Thursday, the Chicago radio veteran will be filling in from 7pm to midnight weeknights on CBS Radio classic hits WJMK-FM (104.3). “When you work the classic hits format, it's important that you love the music you play,” program director Todd Cavanah told me. “I think Dave is a better fit for K-Hits, and I look forward to hearing how he sounds on this radio station.” Earlier, Forgel told fans on Facebook: “OK, two weeks not on-the-radio was enough for me. . . . I'll be back playing the Greatest Hits again! YESSSSSS!” George McFly, who’d been hosting evenings on K-Hits since March 2011, is out.

• The debate Tuesday night was between 8th District congressional candidates Joe Walsh and Tammy Duckworth. But much of the criticism was aimed at Dick Kay, weekend host on Newsweb progressive talk WCPT-AM (820) and one of the debate's two questioners. "Dick Kay throwing fastballs/beanballs at Walsh, tossing red meat queries at Duckworth," tweeted the Chicago Tribune's Clout Street. "Even moderator Paul Green getting irked with Dick Kay's long windups." Also on the panel was Steve Cochran, afternoon host on Salem conservative talk WIND-AM (560), who tweeted: "Dick Kay asks another loaded, hostile laced question to Walsh. Walsh responds, 'I'm not even sure I understand the question.'" The event at the Meadows Clubs in northwest suburban Rolling Meadows was simulcast on WCPT and WIND.

• ABC 7 is expanding its top-rated Sunday morning newscast. Starting November 11, the newscast anchored by Stacey Baca and Ben Bradley will add 30 minutes and air from 8 to 10am, followed by ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos from 10 to 11am. ABC 7’s earlier Sunday morning news block from 6 to 7am, also anchored by Baca and Bradley, remains unchanged.

• Check, Please! kicks off its 12th season with a celebration of Chicago’s food truck scene. Hosted by Alpana Singh, the opener was taped last month outside WTTW-Channel 11 studios and premieres at 8pm Friday. Thirteen of the city’s most popular trucks took part in the outdoor festival for the benefit of the public television station’s weekly restaurant review show.