Thursday, December 22, 2005

ON AIR WITH HOWARD COHEN

If you have ever met Jeff Berkowitz and his, um, tiny camera, you might cast him aside as a looney bin who has a cable show in his Mom’s basement.

Popping up here and there, and whining tough questions to dazed politicians, angry handlers have debated whether to ignore him or engage him.

But in the small Midwest, where weathermen are media stars, our political class is perplexed: his cable show is booked between test patterns, but he is on TV and that makes him a real reporter, right?

Probably not. Despite his boasting, watching him on TV makes one ponder whether he won his gig (and his suit) in a Kiwanis raffle.

That being said, the Shadow sees hope for attorney Berkowitz. His tenacity, rudeness, wit and stumbling reminds me of another irritant who also chucked the law for a microphone.

That cub reporter’s name was Howard Cohen, more commonly known as Howard Cosell.

In his middle life, Cosell exited his successful legal practice to pursue his dream. But the only job available was announcing little league games gratis before massive crowds of 27. For years, Cosell annoyed parents, berated children for striking out and treated every game like the World Series. But he refused to be ignored and eventually transformed himself into an icon.

Does Mr. Berkowitz’ future hold the same? Who knows.

But like Cosell, Berkowitz is not going away anytime soon.

14 comments:

pathickey 9:23 AM  

On Monday Nights, in the 1970's, my fellow coaches and teachers at Bishop Mac and I would drive up to Reilly's Daughter Pub in Oak Lawn from Kankakee in order to get in on the lottery - to hurl a brick at Howard Cosell. It was a hoot!

This emotional and moral purgation lasted only until ABC's beloved sportscaster Tim Weigel, a Yale Man and a man who knew how to spring for drinks, participated.

Roone Arlidge, it seems had as short a sense of humor as the ponificating poltroon himself!

fedup dem 9:34 AM  

Hosting a politically-oriented interview program on Cable-TV access channels is not to be sneezed at. As someone who has hosted or produced such programs (mainly over the Chicago Access Network) since October 1990, I know these programs have an impact, as one builds up exposure over the years.

Remember, as you are channel surfing in your home at night, the Cable-TV channel that airs Jeff Berkowitz' program or the ones I produce ("Election 2006," usually hosted by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner candidate Frank Avila) doesn't look all that different from the channels carrying CBS, NBC, ABC, etc.

It should also be noted that political and government leaders tend to gravitate to viewing these programs. I suppose it is a natural instinct. If you are someone like for example, Cook County Board Finance Chairman John Daley (the mayor's brother) and you notice a political interview program hosted by Berkowitz or Avila on the air as you zip thru the channels late at night, you probably stop and watch.

These Cable-TV programs are a potential tool for candidates to overcome the big bucks advantage their opponents in a given race might have. It has played a decisive role in electing a number of candidates to local offices in recent years. It should not be dismissed lightly.

RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago

Cal Skinner 10:30 AM  

His questions are more probing than those of most of the Left Stream media

Anonymous,  11:16 AM  

He is a giant in his own mind.

David 12:21 PM  

Bloggers should think carefully about mocking the last decade's "new media". Cable access definitely serves a niche; I've done a few of those shows, and I'm always pleasantly amazed at how many friends later tell me that they caught the program.

Anonymous,  3:29 PM  

I am in the city and I watch political programs on public access television, WL Lillard is also on in Chicago on Channel 25, He has the best African American political show on channel 25. Morgan Carter (The Conservation Starter) also has a pipe hitting show. I watch Berkowitz just to see him whip out his little school backpack.

Extreme Wisdom 4:35 PM  

The petty ankle-biting on this blog post smacks of either;

a) some former guest who resented Jeff's aggressive drilling, or

b) an anonymous attempt by Jeff's surrogates to increase his exposure while making some people appear incredibly petty.

Anonymous,  5:21 PM  

I like Jeff's work. He's smart, knowledgable and fair. He understands the power of the blog and the Internet in general and puts out into the public a valuable archive of information.
Long live "Public Affairs."

Anonymous,  8:20 PM  

Face it, the man is a moron. His little penile extension, I mean camera, allows him to believe that he's something that he's not.

As someone who knows Berkowitz, let me tell you that he is one of the most shallow man I've met. He is someone you avoid at parties, praying all the time that your eyes don't accidentally meet and he'll take it as an invitation to talk.

Despite being almost always wrong, he believes he is the best political analyst in Illinois. The only people who respect him are weirdos like Tom Roeser, a grumpy old man who appreciates someone as out of touch with reality as he is.

He often smells funny too. A real creep.

The difference between Berky and Cosell is that Howard had talent. But I don't expect him to go away anytime soon. It's not like he needs money to fund his political habit.

Anonymous,  8:27 PM  

By the way, I took a look at Jerky's viewer stats. By far his best day in the past month was 300 visitors. Not exactly a powerhouse.

Anonymous,  1:29 AM  

Berkowitz is not a journalist - he has an agenda. (Creepiness aside)

I often try to shout him down at public events when he hogs the microphone to "ask" a question (more like make a statement). I have also complained about his abuses to the City Club of Chicago, I encourage others to do the same.

His lack of consideration for other people is actually a hinderance to the free discussion of ideas, that he claims his show may encourage. I think he's a jerk.

Anonymous,  12:49 AM  

Who?

Anonymous,  10:33 PM  

Frank Avila Jr. has a good cable show, the show is hilarious

Anonymous,  11:59 PM  

Never heard of him. And after reading these comments I'm glad I've never heard of him. Yucky.

  © Blogger template The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP