Brent Musburger: No Apologizes

ABC/ESPN announcer Brent Musburger stands by the fire in his 73-year-old loins -- telling TMZ, he's not sorry for showering Miss Alabama USA Katherine Webb with compliments during the big game between Alabama and Notre Dame ... because he didn't do anything wrong.

Musburger was arriving at the airport in Palm Beach, Florida Tuesday when we asked if he thinks his comments about QB A.J. McCarron's GF were inappropriate -- and Musburger made it clear ... the answer is no.

BCS Announcer Brent Musburger -- I Did NOTHING Wrong By Ogling Miss Alabama - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

In fact, it was pretty obvious Brent has a beef with ESPN for issuing an apology for the whole thing -- but he still issued a pretty politically correct statement about the Worldwide Leader. 

"Individuals say what individuals say. And corporations do what corporations do," Musburger said ... adding, "Obviously, they felt it was the right thing for them to do."

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Morning Show Makes “Flu Kit” House Calls

KIFM / 98.1 Smooth FM Morning Show host, Lenny B, and the 98.1 “Flu Crew” are making “Flu Kit House Calls” to listeners who are at home sick with the flu, according to a story at sdradio.net.

With the influenza epidemic now having reached all fifty states, 98.1 Smooth FM wants to do something to help locals who are at home suffering with the flu and have nobody to take care of them.  A masked Lenny B. and the “Flu Crew” are going to listeners’ houses with cans of chicken soup, Theraflu, tea, Gatorade, cough drops, hand sanitizer, boxes of Kleenex, and more.

It all began this past Friday when a listener with the flu called in.  Lenny B. was joking around with her and she said that she was new to San Diego and had nobody to help takecare of her or pick anything up for her at the store.  Lenny decided to make a “Flu Kit Housecall” since most doctors no longer make house calls.  He assembled some of the 98.1 Smooth FM promotions team as the “Flu Crew.”

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Howard Stern Clarifies ‘Fat Girl’ Comments

Lena Dunham

Howard Stern would like to take back some things he said about Lena Dunham. On his radio show last week, the shock jock called the Girls creator and star "a little fat girl who looks like Jonah Hill," among other choice insults.

According to ivillage.com, on Monday -- following Dunham's Golden Globe wins for best actress in a comedy series and best comedy series -- Stern seemed to have a change of heart.

"I felt bad because I really do love the show Girls and enjoy it, and I admire the girl who writes it," Stern told his listeners. "[The media coverage] was a hatchet job, plain and simple."

Armstrong Brand Value Near Zero

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, who denied doping for more than a decade, admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that will air in two parts Thursday and Friday, according to an NBC News source. The talk show queen characterized the interview as “forthcoming.”

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“Lance knows he’s poison as is, and my guess is he believes if he apologizes... and cries big crocodile tears it won’t solve his problems immediately, but it will at least start the process,” said Richard Burton, David Falk professor of sports management at Syracuse University told NBC News.

Although he earned millions in prize money from winning the Tour de France, Armstrong’s brand value lay in endorsements.

“His brand value during his yellow jersey days was almost immeasurable,” said Mark Serrano, CEO of ProActive Communications. “I think there were probably few brands in the world that were worth in excess of $20 million a year, and he was one of them.”

Armstrong had deals with numerous companies, including Nike, Anheuser-Busch, Radio Shack and bicycle manufacturer Trek, all of which ended their associations with him after he was banned for life from competing in Olympic sports and was the subject of a brutal report by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

“Today we’re looking at a brand value of near zero,” Serrano said.

"He is starting to repair his own brand,'' New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica told Matt Lauer on TODAY Tuesday morning. But Lupica characterized the expected admission as motivated by public relations and a desire for control, not heartfelt contrition.

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Steve Harvey Extends Deal With Premiere Networks

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has announced an exclusive five year agreement with Steve Harvey.

Under the agreement, Harvey will continue his current role as host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which is syndicated nationally by Premiere Networks on nearly 70 radio stations.

Harvey will also work with CCM+E on a variety of joint ventures including the international expansion of his radio program, development and creation of new programming and promotions, community and charitable events, as well as multimedia projects and events.

"Steve is an unrivaled talent with success across multiple media platforms and we are thrilled to expand our partnership with him and collaborate on new opportunities to further drive business growth," said John Hogan, CCM+E Chairman/CEO.

"It is my pleasure to be in business with the best!," stated Harvey. "My life has been an amazing ride, and when you can do business in a big way, it makes the ride all the more amazing. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Premiere Networks have been great partners. Mama, here come that Man!"

In September 2000, Harvey created The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which joined Premiere Networks’ national lineup in 2005.

Today, it’s the number-one syndicated morning show in the top 25 metro markets with Persons 12+, Adults 25-54, Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Women 25-54.

Co-hosted by Shirley Strawberry, Carla Ferrell and Harvey’s "Nephew Tommy," The Steve Harvey Morning Show broadcasts live on weekdays from 6 - 10 a.m. EST.

Schnitt vs. Bubba Radio Trial Begins

Jury slections began Monday in the civil trial of Todd ‘MJ’ Schnitt vs. ‘Bubba the Love Sponge’ Clem.  Schnitt is suing for false and defamatory comments made by Bubba.

The suit was originally filed in 2008.

Jury selection began in a civil defamation trial involving two of the Tampa Bay area's most well-known radio personalities, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem and Todd "MJ" Schnitt.  Already, it appears it will be a long, drawn-out affair, just like the lawsuit itself has been.

ABC Action News in Tampa reports when potential jurors finally came into the courtroom at around 11:00 a.m., it was soon clear it was going to take a while to seat a jury.

The first issue on hand, the length of the trial itself. Those involved in the case expect the case could run 3 weeks. Why? the number of potential witnesses. The Schnitt team could call upwards of 70, and Bubba's team could bring in over 90.

So of the first group of 70 potential jurors, 41 were dismissed, with the remain 29 asked to come back for further questioning tomorrow.

The roots of the case go back to another court case involving Bubba.  He stood trial for animal abuse surrounding a radio stunt in which he killed a wild pig.

Many have reported that Bubba believed that Shnitt's wife, Michelle, who worked at the State Attorney's Office at the time, help bring that case to a head. And so Bubba made it his goal to go after Schnitt, who was working mornings at WFLS 93.3 FM, and to bury him in the ratings, allowing Bubba to become the number one morning jock in the bay area.

The Schnitt camp claims Bubba the Love Sponge Clem went too far with that effort, actually launching personal attacks against "MJ" and his wife, Michelle, referring to her in very unflattering terms.

Bubba's team maintains both Schnitts are public personalities and thus, fair game when it comes to broadcasting parodies or gags.  In that, basically whatever was done, was just radio shtick.

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Legal Analyst Weighs In On Radio Bad Boys Trial

Former Tampa prosecutor and Tampa TV analyst Joe Episcopo says the trial involving former WFLZ morning man Todd Schnitt and WHPT’s Bubba The Love Songe Clem is about vengeance and egos.

Schnitt is suing Clem for defamation. The trial resumes Tuesday morning.




Tampa attorney Joe Episcopo, who is not associated with either side in this civil case, says it will be very hard for the Schnitt camp to prove defamation.

ABC Action News reports in cases such as this, you have to prove that you have suffered financial loss of $15,000 or more because of the actions of one of the parties.  When you are dealing with two radio personalities, that may be impossible, because both are in the public eye, so both are fair game.

"How can you defame somebody?  That's what they do," said Episcopo.  "What 'MJ' should have done was do some parodies on Bubba.  He had a lot of material.  It would have been very entertaining and maybe he wouldn't have lost his ratings."

DC Radio: Mike O’Meara Debuts On WTNT

Washington, DC radio personality Mike O'Meara is back on-air.  His show started Monday night 7 PM to 9 PM show on talker WTNT, 730 AM/102.9 FM.

With O'Meara is longtime WJFK and, later, mikeomearashow.com podcast crew of Robb Spewak, Buzz Burbank, and Oscar Santana.

"The success of their podcast was a significant factor in their return to the airwaves, along with the amazing loyalty of their many listeners," according to a press release from O'Meara.

One of the show's advertisers, Oncor Insurance, has agreed to underwrite the broadcast's production costs.

Metro Radio CEO Dave Houston said, "We are truly excited to acquire such a popular and successful show. We see it as a fresh, new addition to our lineup."

O'Meara's last radio gig, doing mornings at classic rocker 105.9 The Edge, ended in September 2011 when that station flipped to a simulcast of news talker WMAL.

Before that, he'd been partnered with Don Geronimo on the "Don And Mike Show" for two decades on WJFK and WAVA, which syndicated by Westwood One.

Brent Musburger Calls Holly Rowe “Smokin’”

Holly Rowe, ESPN

Brent Musburger was calling was calling his first game on ESPN since making headlines during last week's BCS national title game for ogling Webb, the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron. According to USA Today, he made it through almost all of Monday's Kansas basketball victory over Baylor without referencing the incident or alluding to his network's apology for the comments.

Then, as he launched into his usual sign-off, Musburger dropped an unexpected, jaw-dropping line.

"Once again, your final score, Kansas 61, Baylor 44," Musburger said in the manner he has hundreds of times before. "Coming up next, SportsCenter. For Fran Franschilla and Holly Rowe, who was really smokin' tonight, I want to say 'so long from Lawrence.'"

There was extra emphasis on the "really smoking," like he wanted to make sure you heard him.

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Tom's Take: Didya know Musburger's middle name is "Woody"?

Robin Roberts Hopes For GMA Return Next Month

Robin Roberts appeared on Monday's (January 14th) edition of Good Morning America to announce her plans to return to the show in February. The anchor shared the positive news that her doctors are seeing results after her bone marrow transplant last September.

Robin elaborated that her sister's donor cells have helped her blood count to improve and that her last bone marrow test showed no abnormalities. She told the GMA audience, "What all of this means is my doctors were waiting for this information to tell me I can begin the process of returning to the anchor chair. I'm coming home."

The 52-year-old also said that she will start by doing a "dry run" next week which includes waking up early, getting to the studio, and sitting in the makeup chair.

Roberts announced last June that she is battling the blood and bone marrow disorder MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome.)

ESPN Anchor Says Cancer Has Returned

ESPN anchor Stuart Scott said on Monday that he will undergo more chemotherapy treatments for cancer, according to USA Today.

On Twitter, the ESPN anchor said, "I'm back in the fight. C reared its head again. Chemo evry 2 weeks, but I'll still work, still work out."

Scott was not available for immediate comment. ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said Scott "plans to continue to work the best he can around his treatments."

Scott fell ill in 2007 and underwent an emergency appendectomy during which doctors found a malignancy. He later underwent chemotherapy. At the time, doctors indicated they were confident they had removed the cancerous tissue. Scott said at the time that he's "not the type of guy to let this eat up my life."

Blessed by prayers..I'm back in the Fight. C reared its head again. Chemo evry 2 wks but I'll still work, still work out..still #LIVESTRONG
— Stuart Scott (@StuartScott) January 15, 2013

In 2011, Scott announced on Twitter that he was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, but he did not disclose more details.

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