The show hasn’t even premiered yet and already there’s a blog? Will anyone read it? As we prepare to launch “Jay’s Chicago” – and as I get used to having my name in the title – this blog will be a place for me to tell you more about the people you’ll meet in the stories and to offer a glimpse behind the scenes.
Patrick Skoff's van
First, a little about the show. The stories you’ll see each week first aired on Chicago Tonight. So, yes, in a sense, they are reruns. Creative repurposing! But I’m willing to bet that you didn’t see most of them. Or any of them. Take a look at the few sneak previews we’re offering, then tune in on October 15th and Friday nights after that, and see what you think. And then tell us what you think.
One thing about that first story, “Art Hunt.” I just emailed Patrick Skoff yesterday to tell him that his twitter treasure hunt will be featured in the first episode of Jay’s Chicago. He told me that in November, he’s taking his show on the road. He’s loading his colorful, beat-up old van with paintings and driving across the country, giving them away as he goes.
And this afternoon, I’m off to shoot another story – about a guy who does what he calls “Sacred Transformations.” He covers tattoos or scars that represent something about your past that you want to leave behind. But he doesn’t just cover them – he works with you to design a new image to represent your new path, your new sobriety, new life, whatever. You can watch it on Chicago Tonight in a couple weeks, or on Jay’s Chicago later this season. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
[...] Shefsky originally wrote, produced and reported for Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight.” In a blog he started Wednesday to promote the series, Shefsky referred to the reruns as “creative repurposing.” Each [...]
Great, Jay! Who better than you?
As a professional repurposer, I get exactly what you’re doing.
And, it matters.
Way to go. Good luck…you might just get famous. That’d be cool.
All the best,
Tom
My hero Studs Terkel is smiling, somewhere!
We share a hero… thanks!
Those Shefskys are so creative!
Sounds like the start of something great.
And I can say I knew you when…
Good Luck Jay! I can’t wait to see all of your work. But who is going to be watching on Friday night at 7:30? Is it going to be rebroadcast at other times?
Thanks Peter! I just found out it will be rebroadcast at 5:30 am the following morning. Better, right? Or, if you have WTTW Prime, it will be on Friday nights at 10:30 and Monday afternoons at 12:30.
Jay looking forward to more…watched the 3 previews, great job!
Jay,
Congratulations! Great stories should be told more than once. We all know that from family stories. You are the perfect person to present them.
Jerilyn
Because I moved away my native Chicago 11 years ago to Virginia, I haven’t watched “Chicago Tonight”; all these pieces will be new to me. I’m very much looking forward to seeing your take on Chicago and am very happy to hear that the programs will be available online.
Congratulations, Jay; hope it’s a big hit!
We think you should get your mom a bowling shirt! Loved the show; love the idea.
Cool. Now we can watch you in Israel.
Blog away, Jay! Chicago Tonight is part of my evening routine which makes me a silent fan of your work for a long time. Your new namesake program provides more than ample reason to reconnect with you. Congratulations for delivering memorable stories that are notedly worth repurposing. I’ll be watching…and taking notes.
Got this info from a friend who works at Shefsky Froelich. As a lifelong Chicagoan (now Buffalo Grove, dammit) – I always like to know what’s going on in my fine city. Still work downtown every day and will enjoy hearing from you. Reminds me a bit of “Wild Chicago” (remember Ben and his pith helmet?) He did a story about me a long time ago and my business “Exer-Size” which was low impact aerobics for plus-sized women. Best of luck to you. I’ll be watching.
Congrats on the show, Jay…and hello Faith! I remember your segment fondly. What you up to now? I’m working on a Wild Chicago DVD of great clips from the Golden Age of Wildness. And I’m bringing some Wild to my neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. You can take a peek at http://www.andersonville.org
Jay — when are we gonna see you sporting safari shorts?!!
Way to go Jay! Can’t wait to watch.
John Siuntres , formerly of Sporting News Radio
Thanks John! Whatcha up to?
Great work, Jay–enter them for some awards!
Thanks Elizabeth. Long time!
Great show, Jay. Gloria and I will be watching next Friday night!!!!!
Welcome to the lineup Jay … Re-Power to the Re-purposers … I’m looking forward to your segment
Ray Hanania
I happened on Jay’s Chicago Thursday night, January 27th. I just caught the end of the B-24 bomber story. Will watch tonight.(28th) I am reading Laurel Hillenbrand’s new book “Unbroken” (NY Times #1 Non fiction for 2010) which is partly about those B 24s in WW II. How can I access that program – it is not listed for repeat in the Program Guide?
M.L. Stracke: I’m not sure when the full show will air again, but you can always watch that video here: http://www.wttw.com/jayschicago/video/vJRRcNh6Se6YrPxAoo3GOoq33xEkyZI7
Thanks!
Jay
Hey, Jay. Don’t know if you remember me from Legacy. But my husband, Eric Waldbaum, and I are in the Evanston/Skokie area at Block Clinic for Interactive Cancer Care. We were watching the public channel and lo and behold, there you were. What fun! Congratulations!
Can’t imagine a better thing to have happen then to have your own show interacting with your town! Saw the show on photographers. hope your show keeps going. Very nicely done.
I love your show. I start watching, thinking I will tune out the sections I’m not interested in. But it turns out, I’m interested in everything. Please keep it up and consider a rerun time. Or is there one already.
Thanks Patricia … I’m so glad you are enjoying the show!
I just watched your show for the first time with my 11 year old son. I just loved it. I look forward to watching every episode with my son. Great tv!!
Thanks… glad you’re enjoying it!
Jay – I am doing something that I think would be perfect for your show! I will be doing a non-stop crossing of Lake Michigan on a stand up paddle surfboard on August 14th to benefit two great Chicago charities. Learn more at http://www.windycitywaterman.com. Thanks. Matt.
Dear Jay – I love your show and love the focus on Cnicago
There is someone I’d like to recommend as a feature on
Jay’s Chicago:
Jim Vanden Bosch – Executive Director of Terra Nova Films
In Beverly – who produces and distributes films celebrating
the life experiences of older adults. He also has recently
developed a video-streaming project on Care Giving which supports family caregivers. He is an extraordinary talent
and has contributed extensively to the well being of older
adults and their families in the United States.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Reent found your program and I really look forward to watch it. So interested and I like the local things going around Chicago and my neighborhood