Video: The ultimate media palate cleanser
posted at 2:10 pm on February 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
If you’ve ever wondered what news anchors do during commercial breaks …mystery solved. Via TMV, we get a look at Chicago’s WGN anchors Robert Jordan and Jackie Bange working on their upcoming segments with professionalism that would have impressed Bob Fosse:
Well, maybe not Bob Fosse, but certainly the cheerleaders in Bring It On. Mitch and I have worked together in radio for almost five years now, and we’d be hard pressed to manage a high-5 most days. Actually, if you’ve seen Mitch, you’d know that a high-5 will be a little intimidating. Besides, we work in radio because we can’t do stuff like this. If we had enough coordination between us to do this, we’d be on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, or at least on the PBS fund-raising drives.
How long do you suppose they worked on this routine, anyway? I guess it beats researching Mayor Daley and Barack Obama.
Update: Okay, okay, the last remark was unfair, and this is cute. My sense of fun: restored.
Blowback
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And “they” said Chicago was the third most miserable city!!!
WashJeff on February 12, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Complete pissants.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 12, 2009 at 2:13 PM
I bet their mothers are so proud.
What an accomplishment.
Say-that guy was acting pretty white-wasn’t he?
Badger40 on February 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM
….wtf?
Tacitus on February 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM
That would have been interesting if their routine caused them to stand up. What would have we seen?
WashJeff on February 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM
I like it!
ballz2wallz on February 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM
If they did actual reporting and fair investigating, I wouldn’t have a problem with this.
latinchic on February 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM
The Deciders.
snickelfritz on February 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I thought it was funny. Oh well.
Rose on February 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I’m Ron Burgandy?
YYZ on February 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Don “No Soul” Simmons’ long lost brother.
reaganaut on February 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Where was Max Headroom?
MadisonConservative on February 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Can’t we all just get along? Nothing wrong with having a little fun at work with your down time. A strong routine but it only got a 7.5 from the russian judge.
DeweyWins on February 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Jackie Bange
Now that’s a porn name if there ever was one.
RobCon on February 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM
In case you didn’t get the reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WICfZ4_V-ys
reaganaut on February 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Oh crap. Can I have the last minute of my life back? Please?
FuriousAmerican on February 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
And that was just the clean version.
RobCon on February 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I left Chicago in 1992. They were both doing the WGN news back then and are still sitting in the same chairs all these years later. That’s even more impressive than the choreography. There’s an excellent radio station in Chicago (WXRT) that also has essentially the same disc jockey lineup today that it did in 1992. Sometimes Chicago is like a corrupt Brigadoon.
Mr. D on February 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I guess it beats researching Mayor Daley and Barack Obama.
Aw come one Ed, it’s a warm-up for Pete’s sake…
max1 on February 12, 2009 at 2:29 PM
That was awesome!
29Victor on February 12, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I wish I could see “The View” commercial break outtakes. I’m sure Joy Behar is so fun off the camera.
/sarc
portlandon on February 12, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I spent a year working in TV while finishing up college. You would be surprised what happens off camera. Most of the time its clueless people panicking. There is a reason why these people are called talking heads.
duffyanneal on February 12, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I give them credit. You have to have a bit of fun on the job.
irishspy on February 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I’m all for having fun and acting a little bizarre, as any of my friends could testify to. But this borders on the insane!
BierManVA on February 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM
lame
Trent1289 on February 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM
actually I believe they started working on the routine years ago and add a little bit to the end every so often, thus growing the routine. if you worked in the “Depress the Nation” industry, you might want something to lighten your day as well…
Kaptain Amerika on February 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Aw, Ed, c’mon…
If they’re in the studio, this happened during a break. You don’t even step in there unless you’re going on air. You don’t have time to get up and go do other things during a newscast unless you’ve got a 3 minute weather segment.
So, ordinarily, Ed, I’m right on your side, but I think you’re wrong here.
That said, most anchors don’t typically write their own stories- there, I think you may have an argument.
tmi3rd
p.s.- for those wondering, I used to be a producer at an NBC and a CBS affiliate.
tmi3rd on February 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM
LMAO! C’mon Ed, lets see you and Mitch give this a try on Saturday. The results might be frighteningly funny.
simkeith on February 12, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Good clean fun, totally bereft of cynicism or gallows humor, except what is provided by the commentators here.
I thought it was hilarious.
Spc Steve on February 12, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Freaking awesome! Extremely nonlame.
Pavel on February 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM
There’s an excellent radio station in Chicago (WXRT) that also has essentially the same disc jockey lineup today that it did in 1992.
They actually brought in a new guy, Jason Thomas, last year. He’s very good. Bobby Skafish moved to 97.1 The Drive, which is like the XRT of classic rock stations.
Tom_Shipley on February 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Maybe they need to start up a competition with other news anchors across the country.
albill on February 12, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Did I see an Asian eye squint in that routine?
ctmom on February 12, 2009 at 2:48 PM
That’s strange. I always thought they were hitting their bongs between breaks. Well, at least they’re getting some exercise.
gocatholic on February 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM
That was funny. Outrageously complex.
Dr. Manhattan on February 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM
how long did it take to perfect that? idiots
custer on February 12, 2009 at 3:07 PM
I liked it. Amazing how a little fun can rattle the HA bluestockings….
MrScribbler on February 12, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Hilarious . . . I loved it!
califcon on February 12, 2009 at 3:14 PM
These two have worked together too long.
bopbottle on February 12, 2009 at 3:16 PM
That is hysterical.
drjohn on February 12, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Why do I get the impression this might have been created for public consumption?
I will say that they certainly aren’t Ron Burgandy or Veronica Corningstone….
creatocon on February 12, 2009 at 3:19 PM
I thought it was great! Everyone needs more of that at work! :)
ihasurnominashun on February 12, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Why?
hillbillyjim on February 12, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Just goes to show you, not just anybody can do that job.
Squarestate on February 12, 2009 at 3:28 PM
That took some time to learn.
TheSitRep on February 12, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I’m sure that the people who liked this childish crap also love the imbeciles who dance in the endzones, or in the middle of the field, for doing what they’re paid to do.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 12, 2009 at 3:43 PM
At first I thought it was lame, and then it turned out pretty funny. I’d think that job would need some humor – I know my local news is always reporting on homicides and fires and the like, must get depressing after a while.
They’ve been working on that a long time.
Anna on February 12, 2009 at 3:43 PM
I was convinced that the lead in when they returned to the air was going to be macabre: “Several hundred people DIED today…” That would have put a bit of a twist on the video.
Other than that, I’m glad they can enjoy their job and let loose some of that seriousness. Lord knows the silly things I have done after long serious phone calls with customers. Thank goodness I work alone. ;-)
Spectreman on February 12, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Hilarious!
Alana on February 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM
After having to report on the one and the others in the Illinois political machine, I would have done a tap routine on top of the desk.
nor on February 12, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Dan Rather could do it better…
juanito on February 12, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Awesome
Gotta goof off sometime
LimeyGeek on February 12, 2009 at 4:00 PM
I’m sitting here watching that mess and the very first thing that came to my mind was this: “Can you imagine Huntley and Brinkley doing that crap between segments?”
How immature are those two twits? How long have they been doing that routine? It’s not as if it was improvised. They had to have practiced that for hours to get it right. Retarded talking heads. Just like Matthews and Olbermann.
Jarhead68 on February 12, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Yep, I’ve heard him — he is good. Skafish wasn’t around in ’92, either, but the rest of the on-air talent pretty much was. I’m just happy about internet radio so I can listen to WXRT again, especially Saturday Morning Flashback. The music choices available on radio in the Twin Cities are not good.
Mr. D on February 12, 2009 at 4:14 PM
I’m not wearing any pants.
Film at 11.
Techie on February 12, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Mallard T. Drake on February 12, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Reminded me of Monica and Ross on ‘Friends’ when they finally got on the NYE Countdown show w/Dick Clark.
Dubn8tr on February 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Holy cow that was hilarious. It’s so fun watching people have fun.
token on February 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM
These guys just made my Richmond anchors look a whole lot more professional.
But I liked the routine. It was cute and fun, and who cares if they used it to blow off steam?
Meryl Yourish on February 12, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Obamania?
Helloyawl on February 12, 2009 at 4:43 PM
way too much work
Alden Pyle on February 12, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Don’t try this at home. These folks are trained professionals……
Zardoz on February 12, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Wow. Lighten up. What a bunch of crabasses on this site.
Constant Parrhesia on February 12, 2009 at 4:52 PM
You can cut the sexual tension with a knife.
UndertheBridge on February 12, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Nice. Now I know why the snooze is soooooooooooo boring.
I wonder who has to slum and do this with the perky one?
jdsmith0021 on February 12, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I actually stream The Current. That’s my favorite station to listen for good, new music.
Tom_Shipley on February 12, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Whatever their political beliefs..be it on the left or the right…THIS was pretty cool.
:)
(Plus…she’s pretty cute!)
Handel on February 12, 2009 at 5:26 PM
HAY GUYS AND DID YOU NOTICE THE GUY ON THE LEFT IS BLACK? WEIRD HUH?
Y’KNOW, CUZ BLACK PEOPLE DON’T USUALLY ACT LIKE THIS. NORMAL BLACKS GRIMACE AND SAY STUFF LIKE “GIT OUTA MAH FACE, SUCKA!” BUT HERE THIS ONE IS NOT DOING THAT HE’S DOING SOMETHING NOT-BLACK SO IT’S WHITE AND HE’S WHAT NOLRMAL BLACKS CALL “OREO” I THINK.
I KNOW SOME LIBRUL IS GOING TO SAY MY ATTENTION TO THIS UNREMARKABLE DETAIL IS “RACIST” BUT LIBRULS ARE THE REAL RACISTS BECAUSE YOU SEE, I’M COLOR-BLIND.
eh on February 12, 2009 at 5:28 PM
The fact that this is over two minutes long makes me wonder how long they had practiced this…
…but the lady giving the cue messed up…you don’t say “one” just in case the mike is on early….
ladyingray on February 12, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Yeah, it was cool, although a tad too long
Baphomet on February 12, 2009 at 6:22 PM
True, but for an old guy like me it’s too much work to stay Current with the Current. They definitely serve their niche well.
Mr. D on February 12, 2009 at 6:29 PM
I am suprised they “shot” each other in it.
boomer on February 12, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Wow. They should do competitive speech.
Aronne on February 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I thought it was a riot, and the longer it went the funnier it got. I live in Chicago and have seen these two numbskulls for years. She’s harmless and a little slutty, he’s as dumb as a stump, but this restored some appreciation for me. I would have never dreamed he could memorize all that!
Jackie Bange (too funny) is a sporty little hottie, and when she was still new in town she got involved in a relationship with a certain high-profile professional sports coach, and was pretty uninhibited about being seen all over town with him.
He was, of course, married at the time.
Jaibones on February 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM
What strikes me about this is that it wasn’t just off the cuff fooling around at work. It was clear that they have practiced this, learned it much like a group of dancers coordinate their routines. It is clear they spent quite a bit of time on this, most likely at work while on the clock. These people are clearly over paid and under worked. I’m surprised any boss would knowingly pay their employees to waste time like this.
Dollayo on February 13, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Here’s another performance:
http://www.examiner.com/x-590-Chicago-News-Examiner~y2009m1d1-How-WGNs-Bob-Jordan-and-Jackie-Bange-lighten-up-during-commercials
Y’know, in case you wanted to see it twice.
mikeyboss on February 13, 2009 at 12:16 AM
God, get a room.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:52 AM