ESPN 1000 drops Teinowitz from afternoon show

Harry Teinowitz

It’s over and out for Harry Teinowitz after 12 years as afternoon co-host of ESPN Radio sports/talk WMVP-AM (1000).

Thursday was his final show with Carmen DeFalco and John Jurkovic, although listeners didn't know it was the last call for Carmen, Jurko & Harry. Neither did Teinowitz, who was told after he got off the air.

"Harry has done great work for the company for many years," an ESPN Radio spokesman told me. "While we decided to move in another direction, we wish him continued success." The program, which airs from 2 to 6pm weekdays, will be hosted as a two-man show by DeFalco and Jurkovic while the company determines its next steps.

"At 6pm this evening Harry Teinowitz signed off air for the last time at ESPN Chicago,” the station’s managers told staffers in a memo. “Throughout the many years that Harry has been with us, he has served in many different roles and has helped to establish the ESPN brand in Chicago.

“Harry’s contributions will be felt for years to come in every department at ESPN Chicago. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

Teinowitz, 52, could not be reached Thursday. A native of north suburban Glencoe, former stand-up comic, and 19-year veteran of Chicago radio, he joined ESPN 1000 in 1998 and began hosting afternoons with Dan McNeil and Jurkovic in 2001.

In the latest Arbitron Portable People Meter survey, ESPN 1000 ranked 10th in afternoons among men between 25 and 54 with a 3.4 percent share and a cumulative weekly audience of 149,800. CBS Radio sports/talk WSCR-AM (670), with Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein, was No. 1 in the target demo with a 7.2 share and a weekly cume of 176,100.

Teinowitz made headlines in March 2011 when he was arrested in north suburban Skokie and charged with driving under the influence. He voluntarily entered a rehab program before returning to the air in May of that year. He later pleaded guilty to DUI and was given 18 months conditional discharge and sentenced to 240 hours of community service.

ESPN Radio 1000 is owned by Walt Disney Co.