Jerry Lewis threatens to sue KROQ

Jerry Lewis apparently doesn't see the humor in KROQ-FM Los Angeles pranksters Kevin & Bean having sidekick Ralph Garman impersonate Lewis to get French President Jacques Chirac on the phone (and on the air) to discuss strained US-French relations (3/17 RBR Daily Epaper #15).

"He's irate about it," Lewis' attorney, Alan Isaacman, told Entertainment Weekly. "That caused Mr. Lewis great damage. It's a terrible thing to do at this time of crisis in our nation's foreign policy."

Issacman told the magazine that he had sent a letter to the Viacom/Infinity station protesting that Lewis' name and voice had been used improperly to obtain an interview by deception. He said the actor/comedian was considering legal action against KROQ.

Hawaii Public Radio may postpone fundraising

Because of Iraq war coverage, Hawaii Public Radio is considering whether to postpone its spring on-air fund-raising drive. The drive is currently scheduled for 4/2-11 and the Honolulu Advertiser reports that GM Michael Titterton plans to decide whether to go forward or postpone by the middle of this week. The newspaper says Hawaii Public Radio needs to raise about $425K to support the next six months of programming on KHPR-FM, KIPO-FM, KANO-FM and KKUA-FM.

Wisconsin radio reaches to Iraq

It's not easy to come up with a truly unique way to show homefront support for US troops in the Middle East, but it appears that WKBH-FM La Crosse, WI has come up with one. The Classic Rock station is personalizing its morning show one day each week for a local soldier, sailor or Marine serving in the war with Iraq. Of course, the service man/woman can't hear the broadcast live, but the whole three hours is being recorded and sent to them.

First up this morning (3/24) is Andy Naeseth of Sparta, WI, who is with a Navy Seabees unit. His mother will be in studio and she's arranged for many other family members to phone in their messages of encouragement.

Clear Channel reporting from the warfront

Clear Channel Radio has been airing customized reports from the Iraq warfront for its 40 or so News/Talk stations. Aaron Katersky from KTRH-AM Houston is one of the US reporters embedded with US troops - - he's with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 533 - - and has been filing news reports and Q&A sessions for Clear Channel stations. He's also been providing daily reports from the warfront for use on all Clear Channel stations via the Clear Channel News Network. That's the service, integrated into the company's Prophet System programming network, whereby Clear Channel stations receive news updates from each other twice each hour.

WWRC drops format for war coverage

Clear Channel Radio's WWRC-AM Washington, DC, as predicted (3/17 RBR Daily Epaper #53), has dumped its Business Talk programming for audio from CNN Headline News. CC Radio may air CNN long-form coverage of the war on Talk WTNT-AM as well. However, G. Gordon was airing on WTNT Friday (3/21). Both stations will return to their regular formats "when it is prudent to do so," according to a release.

ABC Radio Networks' John Batchelor to broadcast from Jerusalem

John Batchelor of ABC Radio Networks' newly syndicated Batchelor and Alexander is traveling to Jerusalem, where he will be reporting on the war with Iraq. Guests scheduled for interviews on the program include Natan Sharansky, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister; Dori Gold, Special Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Major General (Ret.) Danny Rothschild, President of The Council for Peace and Security.

"Given his extensive resources in the region, John will be able to provide listeners with first-hand information and insight on events as they develop," said John McConnell, SVP/Affiliate Relations. "John and Paul thrive in breaking news environments as they deliver compelling commentary and analysis along with distinguished political guests."

Imus issues "no whining" dictate

Westwood One/MSNBC talker Don Imus ordered producer Bernard McGuirk to steer clear of guests "who come on and whine about how the president failed to explore all diplomatic avenues - just drop it because I'm not interested in having that discussion. We got stabbed in the back by those assholes in France and the rest of them. Enough of Tom Daschle, who is disgraceful, and all the rest - enough of that."

RTNDA announces regional Murrow winners

443 radio and TV stations have received regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in electronic journalism from the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). Awards were presented in 13 categories, ranging from overall excellence to spot news and investigative reporting.

RTNDA said it received 2,375 entries this year - - 436 more than a year ago. The regional winners automatically become eligible for the national awards competition, which will be judged in June. The national Murrow Awards will be presented 10/13 in New York.

Click here to see the full list of regional winners.

Youngstown's Dan Ryan dead at 74

Dan Ryan - - a fixture in Youngstown, OH radio for more than 50 years - - died Friday (3/21) at age 74.

Ryan had been on the air regularly in Youngstown since 1949, when he began as an announcer at WBBW-AM, through last fall, when illness forced him to give up his shift at WKBN-AM. Ryan had made the move from DJ to talk host in 1965 and jumped from WBBW to WKBN in 1984. "WKBN became the local talk radio empire, and Ryan was it ruler," the Youngstown Vindicator said in its obituary.

WGY veteran Downie dead at 79

Long-time WGY-AM Albany-Schenectady personality Harry Downie died Friday (3/21) at his winter home in Stuart , FL. He was 79.

Downie had been with WGY since 1965, hosting middays for many years. In his later years he had continued to host a popular weekly cooking show that the station claimed was the longest running radio contest in the nation.