Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Scandal on the Airwaves

My interest isn’t normally piqued when a car salesman changes dealerships. In fact, I’m usually not even notified when such transactions take place. But Walt Skube isn’t just any car dealer and as a blogger who enjoys the occasional foray into media critiquing, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the news that shocked both the AM morning talk show community and the local advertising world.

It wasn’t unusual to hear Walt’s voice coming out of my radio this morning at approximately 8:52 AM. This is normally the time he calls into AM Springfield and chats briefly with congenial host Sam Madonia (although his boss, Bob Ridings, usually takes the Wednesday morning spot), while pitching the latest deals on new and pre-owned vehicles. But there Walt was, engaging in some comfortable banter with . . . Jim Leach?

It was like hearing Ed McMahon guffawing to Dick Cavett jokes. Taking nothing away from Leach and his fine morning program, it just didn’t sound right. In fact, I felt that I was witness to an act of betrayal, a secret rendezvous between two secret lovers. At that very moment, Atlantic Starr was playing on sister station, WNNS. Or they might have been, I didn’t dial over to check.

It wasn’t until I was over the initial shock and regained my faculties that I was able to focus on their conversation. This moment of relative calm was itself shattered when I heard Walt say that he had left the Ridings family of dealerships and that I was no longer 30 miles away from Walt Skube. More like three miles. It seems that he is now plying his considerable auto trading talents for Springfield-based Landmark Ford. And with this, I’m left with more questions than answers.

Did Skube and Ridings part amicably?

Did Landmark lure him away, like Couric to the Eye?

Is there any animosity between Skube and Madonia or the WFMB sales staff?

Can Skube and Leach be happy together once the initial excitement of their freshly blooming relationship begins to autumn?

Has Bob Murray been seen keeping company with Warren the Painter?

Suffice to say this turn of events has turned my morning commute topsy-turvy. To me, this story is every bit as big as the canning of Brian, Kellie, and Barstool Bob. But you just watch, the liberal/conservative/moderate mainstream media will completely ignore it. Thank God for us bloggers.

*UPDATE*
I didn't expect anyone to actually have any inside scope on this. But I fear that now that someone has come forth with allegations, my carefree, albeit little seen blog could stir up some unwanted controversy from the outside. So it was with heavy heart that I deleted some comments. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it made me uneasy having them there. I suppose this is one instance when blogging unanonymously has a downside.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

16 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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BlogFreeSpringfield said...

dave117,

You’re right. In the spirit of the whole Brian and Kellie Versus the Blogger thing, I thought I was creating a fake controversy for the enjoyment of the BFS commentors. I didn’t really expect someone to offer any real lowdown on the situation, which was stupid of me. I guess if I were hiding behind a screen name, say Dan117, I’d be a little more daring in spreading conjecture or exposing the truth in spite of any consequences that I or anyone else might face. Guess that makes me a bad blogger.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

Anonymous said...

I don't think you are a bad blogger- but I am really confused as to what is going on.

Anonymous said...

And to think that poor Chief Illiniwek was subjected to so much conjecture and hate in your blog.

Just kidding. I understand your decision Dan. It's your blog, run it how you see fit. If anyone doesn't like it they can make their own blog.

Sounds familiar. Kind of like the smoker's arguement for non-smokers to just stay at home if they don't like it.

Just don't edit too much.....

Anonymous said...

Just for clarification. Dave117 is not Dave H.

Anonymous said...

More puff pieces or ones where nobody really knows what the hell your talking about!

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:27,

I'm not sure what your point is. But in my opinion Dan's blog is just the right mix of 'puff' pieces (not sure that's the word I'd use) and serious topics. I don't think Dan intends all of his posts to result in intellectual debate or lengthy discourse from all sides. Sometimes it's good to read something for sheer entertainment value and get a chuckle out of it, and lots of times I think that's all he's going for. This is one of those times...I don't think he's really distraught over Walt Skube's current employment situation and I don't think he really cares if Walt and Sam are still best friends forever. And as he stated, he didn't really intend to spark a discussion on any of these topics.

And, rarely does 'nobody know what the hell' he is talking about. Dan's audience is by and large very intelligent and very in tune with what he's writing about.

Anonymous said...

Actually Dan, I think this piece is historic. Peter James Bond (and all his other aliases), Laura and I are all in agreement. That's got to be right up there with the Camp David Agreement.

BlogFreeSpringfield said...

Nancy,

While I appreciate your and Laura's support, I think Peter James was taking a dig at me by comparing me to a smoker. We may have to keep waiting for the Immaculate Consensus.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

Anonymous said...

No dig, no diiiig. (Use a Seinfeldian type voice here)

It wasn't a dig at you or Dave, it was merely an observation on how the same argument on two different topics can actually be used by both sides.

Don't go gettin all embattled and stuff.......you straight haired virgin.

Anonymous said...

What...?????

Anonymous said...

The parents ran out of good ideas by the time they got to you huh?

Anonymous said...

Can't we all just get back to the topic that we can't comment on?

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan117!!!!!

Nancy happens to mean "Grace" and refers to woman who are charming, talented and have a very positive attitude to life.

Nancys attract success and recognition; are focussed and patient; understand that material rewards are a result of discipline; are creative; are drawn towards the arts; and are likely to be important. Above all they are loyal friends who must be allowed freedom and independence.

I think it is a beautiful name . . .

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh Girl, you getting you some lovin'.