Ellen J. Meany
Jason Joyce's desk at TheDailyPage.com.
Whether we're picking it up off our driveways or downloading it to our mobile devices, we not only love our media in Madison, we love to have strong opinions about it. And we definitely favor the fire-hose approach. Papers? Let's have several. Blogs? Haven't you started one yet? Podcasts? Update them more often!
Madison's Favorite Local Reporter
1. Bill Lueders, Isthmus
2. Doug Moe, Wisconsin State Journal
3. John Nichols, The Capital Times
The ink-stained quadrant of local media is well represented in this category, with Isthmus' own dogged news editor, Bill Lueders, taking the gold. He's neither as prolific as the State Journal's Doug Moe, whose column appears daily, nor as ubiquitous as The Capital Times' John Nichols, who broadcasts to the world from a downtown coffee house. But he's just as good lookin' as both those guys!
Madison's Favorite Local TV Personality
1. Charlie Shortino (WMTV)
2. TIE: Emmy Fink (The CW); Rob Starbuck (WISC); and Carleen Wild (WMTV)
Calling Charlie Shortino a weatherman would be like calling Brett Favre a football player. Technically accurate, but he's so much more! In Shortino's case, he's the charismatic straw that stirs WMTV's morning-show drink. A three-way tie for second includes Emmy Fink, the CW's woman about town, Rob Starbuck, WISC's dryly humorous morning guy, and Carleen Wild, the early evening anchor on WMTV.
Madison's Favorite Local TV Station
1. WISC (channel 3, CBS)
2. WMTV (channel 15, NBC)
3. WKOW (channel 27, ABC)
While some might insist WISC's CBS programming, like Letterman and the NCAA basketball tournament, put it over the top in this category, we're sticking with Neil Heinen's authoritative yet warm-hearted editorials. NBC-15, home of 30 Rock and sports guy Robb Vogel, comes in second. The guess here is that voters are punishing channel 27 for moving Seinfeld reruns to after midnight.
Madison's Favorite Local Blogger
1. Nichole Fromm and JonMichael Rasmus (Eating in Madison A to Z)
2. Gregory Humphrey ("Deke Rivers" of Caffeinated Politics)
3. TIE: Emily Mills (The Lost Albatross); and David Blaska (Blaska's Blog at TheDailyPage.com)
'Sconnies, we're told, like to eat. It should come as no surprise, then, to know that Nichole and JM from madisonatoz.com, a blog devoted to sampling every Madison restaurant in alphabetical order, claims top honors here. Close behind was "Deke Rivers," the guy behind the Caffeinated Politics blog. Tied for third are Isthmus contributors Emily Mills of lostalbatross.com and David Blaska of TDP's own Blaska's Blog.
Madison's Favorite Local Website
2. Madison.com
3. Dane101
Isthmus' own TheDailyPage.com delivers what Madison wants to read about with a variety of nontraditional voices, including beer guru Robin Shepard, righty blogger David Blaska, fringe foodie Kyle Nabilcy and a cast of hundreds on Forum. Coming in second is Madison.com and its constantly expanding stable of sites. Collaborative blog Dane101 rounds out the field.
Madison's Favorite Local Radio Personality
1. Mel & Floyd (WORT)
2. Jonathan & Kitty (WMMM-FM)
3. Vicki McKenna (WIBA-AM)
WORT's Mel and Mr. Smartypants (Floyd remains on vacation) continue to dominate this category, because they're always letting the listener in on the joke. And with each week's headlines as fodder for their conversations, there's always plenty of material. Triple M's Jonathan & Kitty are fun to spend morning drive time with. And as infuriating as WIBA's Vicki McKenna can be, it's obvious that you either love her or love to hate her.
Madison's Favorite Local Radio Station
1. WORT 89.9 FM
Locally produced radio has taken a beating in recent years. But this category is proof that Madison loves local. WORT, staffed by volunteers from all over the community, runs away with the trophy. But Triple M, with its staff of veteran Madisonians, and Wisconsin Public Radio, with the likes of Michael Feldman and Larry Meiller, garner impressive totals.
