Deer Run

Sunday evening Mom wanted to find some deer. Last winter we ran into a few off a back road here in beautiful Rockford, but with the heat we had no idea if they would be out or not. It was getting dark when we found this one under a crab apple (you know elderly apples that are always mad about something) tree right in someone's front yard. Due to the fact it was a narrow road with no place to pull over I had to take its picture from a distance in very low light. Still, Mom got to see her dear, the dear found a heck of a tasty apple tree and not one red neck in a pulp wood truck came around the curve and hit us. All in all a good Sunday evening.

Saturday Morning

Great rainy morning to get out and take the dawg (small one) to the bank. After all, one day the entire estate will be shared between her and her adopted brother so she needs to see where the vast fortune is on deposit.

Banks are getting odd as I get older. In the past you walked in, they knew you and your family and if it was Friday offered you some popcorn. Today everyone that comes into their doors is a thief until proven otherwise. With a hint of trepidation I stood behind the the rope until I was allowed to move forward and talk with the keepers of my money. I fully expected a conflict because one of my transactions was cashing a giant fifty dollar check, made out to the Mrs. Even though she has accounts with the bank and some money markets (a place to put big chunks of your money and get doo doo in interest),I knew there would be questions about me cashing her check. I was right, but after I gave them numerous account numbers, some of which even held more than the fifty in question I noticed the ducks.

Asking about the little floaters I was told the bank was selling them to benefit something and those who bought in would be entered in a race for vast fortunes. Knowing it would get the check cashed I bought two for the race and was given the pictured duck as part of the deal. It was worth the ten dollar duck to get the fifty cashed!

GOLDEN DENVER

Good days, Bad days, Tired days, Exciting Days, Long Days are all better when you come home to Denver!

READY FOR THE WEEK!

Good weekend! Farmers Market (downtown Maryville) was rocking on Saturday morning with WDVX pickers, great vegetables and lots of old friends to swap lies with.

Sunday evening I took a Martha Stewart (don't ask) recipe for turkey burgers and substituted ground chuck for the November bird. Man it was good. So easy, get the chuck or the turkey, fold into your burgers salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and cheese, then toss them on the grill. If you are doing the turkey rather than the cow add some bread crumbs, either way roll them up to the size of a soft ball and don't smash them as they cook. Bout the time you think they are done, go back in and watch the end of the open (Tiger is SO BACK) and then ramble back out and put some cheese on them. Ten minutes later bring them in and dress them for dinner!

Got a new column tonight at http://hallsnews.com/columns/johnson.htm so if you are bored dash over and give it a read. Have a fine WEEK!



The link to the swimwear photos from the Miss Universe Pageant. You're
welcome.


http://www.globalbeauties.com/universe/2006/images/coverage/bscswimwear/bscs
wimwear.htm

NICE ENDING FOR THE WEEK

Friday 7-23-06, 5:38 PM EST


Nice roll-down at the end of this week with the vast majority of problems solved and the dogs finally spending more than six minutes in a none airconditioned environ.
As for the tall plant featured below, it was named Mother's Weed after she planted it from seed and on the 4th Newton let us know its lineage. Cool thing is, Mom ordered extra Miracle Grow and set out on making sure she had potted not only the healthiest weed on the deck but if luck holds, the TALLEST! Next week she wants it placed on the lower deck and her picture taken beside it, her thinking is one more week of food will push it well over the five foot mark, GO FOR IT MOM!

Locally the end of summer is crawling up on us and all the box stores have their fall school supplies right next to their empty but soon to be filled, Halloween shelves. There has been no vacation for the tribe this year due to several projects that had to be completed. Still dreaming of a Jackson Hole Christmas, but right now it is still a dream.

Little to report on the media front. If they do something worthy or stupid or both we will flat let you know! Column out Sunday evening at hallsnews.com, be sure to look for it after Deadwood goes off. Have an outstanding weekend!

HOW HOT IS IT?

Friends it is so HOT...(please go to ask.com and type in how hot is it) that the dogs have cut their "Lilly watering time" in half!

Now, where were we. This week has been so dang southern, great blistering weather, bumping into old acquaintances, crackling brown grass and a real feeling that the national republican party will really do well not only in local elections but in all of the states that vote for the good of the country. Lord help that is so profound! No really here is the deal, with the major dust up between the Jews and the thugs, the left wing kids have lost all ground in slicing and dicing GW! They wanta find something WRONG but so far only CNN (Clinton News Network) has been able to ratchet up a complaint from an American escaping the fighting on a cruise ship! Yep, that's it, even AIR AMERICA is sucking wind.

Locally (here in the Tennessee Valley) the stumbling blog of WATE continues to amuse the unwashed. After they were exposed on their nothing story about the high sheriff they had to resort to a post a story about a package seen on their former rival WBIR! I kid you not, their anchor was watching Channel 10s remembrances of a weather icon and felt the need to POST about it! Lord help, in olden times when I worked rock and roll radio if we even mentioned a cross town rival our thin be hinds were tossed! Anyway, the key is after posting "nothing" shots at the sheriff and such, they (WATE) felt it would be better to "relax" the rhetoric by talking about their former (the race now is between WVLT and BIR, look at the over-nights)rival by going fluff on their blog. Such a disipoinintment!

Also this great southern week contained a return to an old station (WIVK) to cut a spot and not only did I get to work in the semi-airconditioned comfort of their high tech production room (the kids did have an old R2R on the desk) I ran into Edd and Mike. Both were nice, Mike looked a bit TOOO TAN to be in management and Edd (not sure about the two d's) relaxed a few minutes to remember the olden times.

Friends WIVK is a hell of a place, say what you will, it has just kicked more ass than Hulk Hogan and is still kicking! Got a press release from them the other day about a stack of awards they are going for and knowing the Frog they will get them.
Hey, come here. Think that is enough sucking up??? Ok, cool.

As for the column this week (posted this coming Sunday evening), hallsnews.com, there is a fun story about the local TV debates and an even "funnier" story about a fill-in weather dude at WBIR. The new gate time is Sunday evening on hallsnews.com. I don't have a clue when the hard
copy comes out.

Been re-reading the book Cumberland Ave. Revisited and would suggest anyone who hung around the University of Tennessee from 1966 to whenever go buy a copy. Go to Metro
Pulse (yep they got a web site and no I don't have a clue what it is) and they will tell you how to get a copy. For those of you who ran the strip back them just think YARDARM, The Place, Twin Light, Cats Meow, and naturally the LONGBRANCH! Great summer reading.

Stay cool!

Monday Media Fun

GOODMONDAYMORNING!

Ok, lame picture, I admit it but I hate just to read a book and not see pictures!


Late last week local news hound WATE looked at their news watches and yelled, HEY KIDS IT HAS BEEN MINUTES SINCE WE WENT AFTER THE HIGH SHERIFF! The top cop in question is none other than TH, a people's favorite (check out his election wins) and a very good public servant not to mention police officer.

Poor reporting and made up facts cobbled together with an ambush "recorded for air" package was not only so wrong it actually caused a reaction on the sheriffs website. After reading the site you can see where 6 blew it again and any reasonable fellow would know it was time to let this dog alone, but not the news hound! Mr. Gene (I was out of town so I don't really know much about the story) posted on his now infamous blog even more slanted and false points concerning the story. The first one to respond came from a local media blog (not sure who it is but if WATE finds out they sure as heck will tell you) and they really did a point by point response to the WATE mess (story) in a calm and well written manner. Here is their site,
http://www.saysuncle.com be sure to check it out.

This morning things really got rolling on the WATE blog when folks responded to the nothing story, all but one post (and according to my IT guys they think it was none other than Mr. Anchor hiding behind a made-up name) were supporting the high sheriff and pointing out the MESS channel 6 is making of their obvious vendetta.

Never believe me, just check out the say uncle blog and get the facts for yourself. It is just scary to think a local news operation is sliding into the Jerry Springer/AllthenewswecanmakeupNewYorkTimes mode! BLESS THEIR HEARTS!

Media and Summer

The flower and bug are from the front yard and the storm is from last year (so little rain this year it is hard to get good storm pictures)

The column at hallsnews.com now changes every Sunday evening and the one coming up this Sunday (July 17 2006) is about WBIR anchor Bill Williams. He talks about his fill in return, his work with the station and his new contract starting in December.

This week has been a real trip for the local TV stations and I would love to jump into some of the fights but right now I have to just keep still. See you in the paper!

WBIR ratings and my thoughts

First here is the short and the long of it from WBIR on their May win.

Primary News Time Periods:

HH Rating WBIR/NBC News Share WATE/ABC News Share WVLT/CBS News Share HH Total
6-7a 6.6 65.3% 2.7 26.7% 0.8 7.9% 10.1
6-630p 11.7 46.1% 9.4 37.0% 4.3 16.9% 25.4
11-1130p 10.5 55.6% 3.7 19.6% 4.7 24.9% 18.9
Average News Share 52.94% 29.04% 18.01%
As of the May 2006 Nielsen sweep, WBIR nationally ranks as one of NBCÂ’s highest rated affiliates in AmericaÂ’s metered markets:
#4 nationally ranked HH delivery of the “Today Show”
#2 nationally ranked HH delivery of the “NBC Nightly News”
#6 nationally ranked HH delivery of over all NBC Primetime




Since these thoughts were sent from 10 they have hired their new anchor and have had more than a few nice wins in the 5 p.m. slot. May has shown advertisers that they can now buy WVLT at 11 and Noon and WBIR either early morning or 6 and spend much less than last May to cover the market. It has also shown Channel 8 growing, Channel 10 continuing to win big (the thought on not buying 10 at 11 was nothing but price, they are still the number one buy at 11) and Knoxville slowly turning from a market with three major local TV news competitors into one with two. As always let the account fellow from the station you are thinking about buying explain the numbers before you make your buy.

Class of 66!

The Maryville High class of 1966 had a glorious two day reunion last weekend and if you would like to see more of these great folks their blog is http://maryvilleclassof66.blogspot.com

Tons of pictures of kids pushing 58+ and looking not a day over 57!

















Here are a few of the tunes the class of 1966 dance to TODAY!

Updated hits of the 60's

1. Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.
2. The Bee Gees--- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
3. Bobby Darin--- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.
4. Ringo Starr--- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
5. Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
6. Johnny Nash--- I Can't See Clearly Now.
7. Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
8. The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.
9. Marvin Gaye--- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.
10. Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair.
11. Leo Sayer--- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.
12. The Temptations--- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.
13. Abba--- Denture Queen.
14. Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.
15. Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.
16. Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again
17. Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure and I'll Cry If I Want To.

RATINGS THOUGTS FROM 8

WVLT Ratings Overview

MAY 2006





WVLT-TV CONTINUES STRONG GROWTH and SOLIDIFIES ITS #2 MARKET POSITION IN NEWS, PRIME, and SIGN-ON to SIGN-OFF!





WVLT VOLUNTEER TV NEWS is the #2 MOST WATCHED LOCAL NEWS STATION in the KNOXVILLE MARKET 6:00 A.M. to Midnight Monday through Friday, according to the most recent Nielsen Media Research for May 2006. The average weekly estimates for Households and Persons 2+ for 6-7am, Noon News, First @ Four, 5-5:30pm, 5:30-6pm, 6-6:30pm, 7pm News, and the Late News at 11-11:30pm confirms WVLT’s position.



STATION HOUSEHOLDS PERSONS 2+

WBIR/NBC 243,000 311,000

WVLT/CBS 152,000 188,000

WATE/ABC 145,000 185,000





LATE NEWS 11:00pm Monday – Friday

· WVLT is #2 in TOTAL Household Ratings for the second book in a row beating WATE in May by 4 full share points!



· Adults 25-54 Ratings:

· WVLT #2 Adults 25-54 with a 25% increase in rating and a 21% increase in share book to book, and beating WATE by 7 share points!

· WVLT also posts a 67% increase in rating and a 70% increase in share year to year! (May 2006 vs. May 2005)



Adults 18-49 Ratings:
WVLT is #2 Adults 18-49 with a 33% increase in rating and a 33% increase in share book to book!
Plus, a 100% increase in rating and a 78% increase in share year to year! (May 2006 vs. May 2005)


LATE NEWS 11:00pm Sunday – Saturday

Household Ratings:
WVLT is #2 with a 19% increase in share year to year! (May 2006 vs. May 2005)


WVLT is a strong #2 among Adults 25-54.


WVLT is also a strong #2 among Adults 18-49!


SIGN-ON to SIGN-OFF 7:00a – 1:00am



WVLT-TV finishes the May 2006 rating period as the solid #2 sign on to sign off.



NOON NEWS



For the second ratings period in a row, WVLT Volunteer TV News at Noon takes 1st place with a Household 6 rating/14 share, reflecting growth book to book, and besting both WBIR and WATE. Additionally, WVLT News at Noon showed growth year to year in key demos; Adults 18-49, Adults 25-54, and Women 25-54.
This is the third time in the last five ratings periods that WVLT has finished #1 in Noon News…


4:00 NEWS – FIRST AT FOUR



WVLT up book to book and year to year in Key Demos in both rating and share.
Adults 18-49 up 2 share points…+25% Book to Book and up 7 share points…+233% May 2006 vs. May 2005
Adults 25-54 up 3 share points…+33% Book to Book and up 8 share points…+200% May 2006 vs. May 2005




WVLT-TV 5:30 NEWS



WVLT up book to book and year to year in Key Demos in both rating and share.
Adults 18-49 up 1 share point…+11% year-to-year
Adults 25-54 up 4 share points…+40% year to year


VOLUNTEER TV NEWS @ 6:00pm



WVLT – Volunteer News at 6 reflected growth in HH ratings, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54…year to year.
Adults 18-49 up 2 share points…+33% May 2006 vs. May 2005
Adults 25-54 up 1 share point…+12.5% May 2006 vs. May 2005


VOLUNTEER TV NEWS @ 7:00pm



WVLT continues dominance as the only LIVE 7pm News cast.


MONDAY – SATURDAY PRIME 8-11pm and SUNDAY 7-11pm



WVLT up 3 share points…+12% book to book in Prime and finishes second in Household Ratings and tied for “First Place” in Key Demos...Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54.
WVLT-TV delivered nine (9) of the Top 20 Prime/Special programs, Household ratings, that ran once during the May 2006 Ratings Period, including Four (4) of the Top 10. This is more than any other station in the market.
WVLT-TV delivered seven (7) of the Top 20 Prime programs, Household ratings, running twice or more in the May 2006 Ratings, this is more than any other station in the market. Topping the list is CSI with an 18 rating and 26 share.


Highlights –



ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS an 11.6 rating and 60,000 viewers. Women 25-54 a 13 rating and Women 18-49 a 12 rating.


C.S.I. – 18 HH rating/26 share; Women 25-54 a 17 rating and Women 18-49 a 15 rating.




**********************



Also, UPN Knoxville Continues to show steady growth with gains both network and non network programming, positioning it well for the switch to MyNetwork!



Notable Highlights:



WWE SMACKDOWN – 2 HH rating and a 4 share; Demos – Adults 18-49 a 2 rating; Adults 25-54 a 2 rating; Men 25-54 a 3 rating; Men 18-49 an 3 rating.


AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL – HH 1.3 rating.


ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT – HH 1.1 rating.


COPS – HH 1.0 rating.






Steve Crabtree