Why Do They Make Me Grumpy?

Okay, enough of all that feel-good, girly recipe stuff. It’s time for me to complain and whine about things that annoy me. Today’s target? Media types that irritate me. A half dozen of them pop into my head right away. As I list them, I will attempt to explain why they rub me the wrong way. Maybe you can tell me why they get on my nerves. Or, perhaps you will tell me that I am all wet and don’t know what I’m talking about. As always, I am open to all comments and feedback.

Jenna Wolfe. Wolfe is a national correspondent for NBC’s Today, and the co-anchor of their Sunday edition. She occasionally fills-in as anchor on the weekday edition of the show, and had once substituted on the NBC Nightly News.

I am not quite sure why she gets on my nerves. But despite the fact that she is very easy on the eyes, she does. Maybe it’s because I get the sense that she thinks her shit don’t stink. Help me on this one.

Kelly Ripa. Since February 2001, Ripa has served as the co-host of Live with Regis and Kelly, along with Regis Philbin. Earlier in her career, Ripa played Hayley Vaughan Santos for 12 years on the soap opera All My Children.

Another good-looking female, but this time I know why she nauseates me. In fact I have 7 million reasons why. That’s right this obnoxious, no talent bum makes $7,000,000 for doing that insipid show. You noticed that I didn’t say, “Earn”.

Doug Russell. Russell is the host of The Doug and Mike Show weekday mornings from 5am-9am CDT on WSSP in Milwaukee. Russell joined WSSP in January 2007 after leaving Sporting News Radio.

I challenge someone to tell me why I should enjoy this guy’s work. His show with Mike Wickett is nothing short of a giggling, sophomoric frat party. Although I haven’t listened to it in months, I still see him occasionally on the TWC Sports 32 Roundtable show. One word comes to mind. Arrogance.

Len Kasper. Kasper is a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs (2005-present), teaming with Bob Brenly on WGN-TV, WCIU-TV, and Comcast SportsNet. His previous stints were with the Milwaukee Brewers (1999-2001) and Florida Marlins (2002-2004).

At first Kasper didn’t bother me too much. However, as time has gone by, he aggravates me more and more. Maybe I listen to too much sports talk radio, but for crying out loud, he shows up everywhere! Plus, his smarmy, “I’m so hip” demeanor makes me vomit in my mouth. But that’s just me. I could be wrong.

Brian Anderson. Anderson was named Milwaukee Brewers’ television play-by-play announcer on January 10, 2007 and is in his fifth season as a Major League broadcaster. For the past two years, Anderson has done play-by-play for the TBS network's coverage of the National League Division Series. In 2010, TBS named him as a play-by play replacement for Chip Caray on their MLB Sunday regular season broadcasts.

See, it’s not just Cub announcers that rub me the wrong way. Anderson is very smug and at times seems to be oblivious to what his partner, Bill Schroeder, is saying. Something else that drives me nuts is his inability to judge a fly ball. He gets excited and very animated every a ball gets even close to the warning track. Fortunately, his increasing TBS workload seems to indicate he has his eyes set on bigger and better things. I don’t think he will be in Milwaukee much longer.

Scott Steele. Steele is a meteorologist and part-time journalist for TODAY’S TMJ4 in Milwaukee since January 2007. He typically does the weather on the weekends in the evening, filling in during the week as needed.

I never thought that a meteorologist could be a diva, but Steele has proved me wrong. Ever since TMJ4 went HD and introduced the “Only HD 7-Day Forecast”, he has been doing his best Mikhail Baryshnikov, spinning his way out of the camera shot as the graphic is displayed. And if I hear him refer to Fon Du Lac as “Fondy” one more time…

Enough bitching and moaning. I don’t expect you to be familiar with all of these people, but let me know what you think about the ones you are familiar with. Let me know if you agree or if you think I am crazy. Please be gentle with me.

Just so this blog doesn’t seem totally negative, I would like to close it with my Top 5 Hottest Anchor/Reporters from TMJ4 of Milwaukee. Being a big fan of channel 4, these ladies make it soooo easy to watch the news.

1. Susan Kim
2. Diane Pathieu
3. Melissa McCrady
4. Melanie Stout
5. Lauren Leamancyzk

Remember, only four more weeks until the award-winning reality show Survivor kicks off its 21st season on its new night. I can’t wait. Until next time…from the booth.