Mike Mittman's Inside Scoop

Valentine's Night

2009-02-16T05:45:00.005-05:00

Thanks to all those that supported Parkland Football's Booster Club at their Doo-Wop Show over the weekend. We were there on Valentine's night.

We're very happy for John and Georgiann Moniak of Lansford; they won DIAMOND EARRINGS from FOSTER JEWELERS in Northampton. Georgiann waited all of about 30 seconds to put them on! They were great looking earrings. Foster's is a proud supporter of The Wake Up Club radio show and all that we're involved in. When you're shopping for jewelry I highly recommend you head to Main St. in Northampton.

MAYBE IT'S NOT THE REAL THING

2009-01-24T12:35:00.003-05:00

Coca-Cola is facing a possible class-action lawsuit by a consumer advocacy group who said that they made deceptive claims about their vitamin water beverage. You know, how it supports the immune system, keeps you healthy and gives you all that extra energy. What Coke forgot to mention is that it is loaded with sugar, and healthy may not be the proper way to phrase it. Well, at least it can give you a sudden burst of energy.

STAYIN' ALIVE

2008-12-17T10:30:00.004-05:00

A new study from the University of Illinois Medical School tells what to do if someone goes into cardiac arrest. Just pop the Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive" in your cd player. That's right, at 103 beats per minute, it is the ideal number of chest compressions to do CPR. Personally, I'd do "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now." Under no circumstances do you ever play Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up."

THAT'S BULL!

2008-11-24T21:45:00.003-05:00

A Queens, New York woman has become the second person to file a lawsuit claiming injuries from being thrown off a mechanical bull in a Western-themed New York City restaurant. The woman's lawsuit accuses Johnny Utah's in Rockefeller Center of negligence and "assault and battery". It says the restaurant allowed "an inebriated individual" to ride the bull. Did she not know that's the purpose of the bull is to throw riders off? And as far as her drinking, she probably didn't realize that most of the people inside the bar were drinking. It seems like the whole thing is just a lot of bull, mechanical or otherwise.

JUST LIKE THE GOOD OLE DAYS

2008-11-11T16:24:00.003-05:00

One of the relics of the 1950's is making a comeback. The retail invention called--layaway. For many years it has been all but extinct, with the Kmart corporation about the only major retailer bothering to keep layaway plans among their customer services. The service- in which a customer pays off the purchase price of a product in installments plus a small fee before taking it home- appeared headed for obsolescence two years ago when Wal-Mart shut down its' program. But thanks to the economic downturn, and many credit card companies reducing their limits, layaway is making a comeback. This Holiday season many other national retailers have joined Kmart in advertising their layaway options, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Corporation, and many other regional chains and local stores. What will happen when the credit card companies figure out that people don't need them anymore? Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Skyliners and layaway. Yes, the good ole days were still the best.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAINTS'

2008-11-03T14:50:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the Easton Area Community Center (formerly Saint Anthony's Youth Center) for an absolutely superb night. It was my privilege to emcee the 13th annual Larry Holmes All-Star Celebrity Roast at the Best Western Hotel Center on Sunday night. Thanks to the Champ and his inviting all his celebrity friends, the event raised thousands of dollars to help keep the youngsters of the community off the streets, and in organized activities. The event honored Mrs. Margaret Walson, who along with her husband John Walson Sr., invented cable television in the United States. Also honored was son Ed Walson, who along with brother John Walson Jr., has been a big supporter of the Youth Center. Everybody was there, including Hall of Fame football star Lenny Moore, and Heisman trophy winner and Washington Redskins star George Rogers. From the boxing world, former Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier, Gerry Cooney, six-time world champion Emile Griffith, former champions Bobby Czyz and Iran Barkley and former heavyweight contender Renaldo Snipes. And of course, the Hall of Fame Heavyweight Champion of the World, Larry Holmes. Thanks to all who made this night possible, and a big thank you from all the kids that you helped.

HE'S STILL THE KING!!!!

2008-10-28T16:49:00.003-04:00

For the second straight year, Elvis tops the Forbes annual list of top-earning dead celebrities. The Elvis Presley estate raked in over $52 million in the last year giving him top honors. By comparison with some of the top-earning living celebrities, Justin Timberlake earned $44 million and Madonna took in a mere $40 million.

OH, WHAT A NIGHT!!!!!

2008-10-26T16:50:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to LAR Entertainment for a blockbuster night of Doo-Wop & Rock & Roll at Easton's State Theatre. Featuring The Duprees, Kenny Vance & The Planotones, The Tokens, The Teenagers and Kid Kyle, the show was a knockout. Add to that the incredible singing of Pure Gold from PBS fame. The jam-packed crowd roared their approval as I introduced each group on stage. When I took them off, yes, standing ovations. I certainly look forward to working with them again when they return to the State Theatre on March 28th.

REMEMBER, DON'T DRIVE DRUNK---LET THE KIDS DRIVE

2008-10-23T22:32:00.004-04:00

Here's a story that you just couldn't make up. An Ontario woman was charged with a traffic violation after having her nine-year-old daughter drive her home following a night of drinking. The child was driving the car slowly along country roads in southeastern Ontario when police noticed how tiny she was and pulled her over. Didn't anyone ever hear of a taxicab?

WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING ?!!

2008-10-20T15:18:00.004-04:00

If you would love to relive boxing history, tune in this Wednesday night at 7:30 for some unbelievable fight action on the syndicated TV show - "Larry Holmes Presents- What The Heck Were They Thinking?!" You'll see Larry in action with Earnie Shavers, Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks and many others, plus some of the craziest events going on in the nation. This Wednesday - 7:30. Check TV listings for the station or satellite provider in your area.

HOW'S THIS FOR MOTHER OF THE YEAR?

2008-10-14T20:42:00.004-04:00

A Long Beach, California mother has been found guilty of second-degree murder. The 31- year-old mom drove her 17-year-old son and his friends to a fatal fight with a rival gang, and as a result, a 13-year-old died in that fight. You ask, what the heck was she thinking? Her son was charged as an adult, and also convicted of second-degree murder. Oh well, at least he won't have far to travel on Mother's Day.

JUST FEEL THAT NICE OCEAN BREEZE

2008-10-08T13:46:00.003-04:00

Regulators in New Jersey awarded the rights last week for construction of a $1 billion offshore wind farm in the southern part of the state to Garden State Offshore Energy. The plan calls for the installation of 96 turbines to produce as much as 346 megawatts of electricity, enough to power tens of thousands of houses, starting in 2013. The turbines would be placed about 20 miles off the coast of New Jersey's Atlantic and Ocean Counties, much farther out and in much deeper water than other proposed wind farms. Since there's no shortage of that good ole' ocean breeze, this is a win-win for everyone.

NOW THERE'S AN ENERGY DRINK!!!!!!

2008-10-04T17:28:00.005-04:00

Twenty-five states are asking MillerCoors LLC to abandon plans for their new caffeine-infused, alcoholic energy drink called Sparks Red. The drink is being called by many as "a recipe for disaster", because mixing caffeine with alcohol reduces a drinker's sense of intoxication. Not that it's anything new, as many young drinkers already add alcohol to energy drinks, but MillerCoors is just making the whole process a lot easier. Will the beverage giant abandon their plans to release the new drink shortly? Probably not, hey, a buck is a buck.

NOW THERE'S AN IDEA!!

2008-10-02T15:59:00.003-04:00

An Ohio woman says the Michigan Department of Transportation owes her $16 for gas she lost idling in traffic for over an hour due to unannounced highway construction. The woman sent Michigan transportation officials her bill, which she claims is justified because there were no warning signs about the roadwork on southbound Interstate 275 near Newport, Michigan, and north of Toledo, Ohio. At $4-per-gallon for gasoline, "they could at least let you know these things".

OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!!!

2008-09-28T12:40:00.005-04:00

It was quite a night Saturday as I hosted THE LEGENDS OF ROCK & ROLL FOR PBS at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pa. The Dovells showed why they are truly the legends of Philadelphia Rock as they put on a show that can only be described as "incredible". Besides doing their own great hits such as The Bristol Stomp and You Can't Sit Down ( the song that President Clinton joined them on sax at his inauguration ball), they had the crowd going wild with their versions of Looking For An Echo, and The Morse Code of Love. Backed by an all-star band, and the humor and Vegas-style show of Mark Stevens and Jerry Gross, this was not just a show, but an experience. Top it off with the smooth sounds of Lenny Cocco and The Original Chimes (that's right, all the originals), along with The Angels, The Teenagers, and Adam and The Newhearts, it was a night that was hard to beat. And for me it certainly brought back a lot of memories being back in the Philadelphia area where I started in radio many years ago.

MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR'S PLANS NOW!!!

2008-09-26T14:25:00.004-04:00

HELP WANTED - $17,000 AN HOUR - NO SUCCESS REQUIRED

2008-09-23T18:55:00.008-04:00

Are you capable of taking a perfectly good 158-year-old company and turning it into dust? If so, then you may not be earning up to your full potential. Last year Richard Fuld, the longtime chief of Lehman Brothers earned about $45 million. That amounts to roughly $17,000 an hour to obliterate a firm. If you're willing to drive a company into the ground for less, apply by calling Lehman Brothers at (212) 526-7000. But remember, if you have any valid qualifications, and can actually turn things around, forget about it.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!

2008-09-20T15:41:00.009-04:00

About six months ago national reports revealed that trace amounts of pharmaceuticals were found in our drinking water. The reports stated that more than 41 million Americans were affected by this situation. Yes, everything from blood pressure medicines, asthma medications, anti-depressants, to heart medications, etc. But the FDA and other government agencies said not to worry since it was only trace amounts found in our water supply. Brand new reports are now saying that the problem is much worse, affecting more than 46 million people, and that even small amounts of many of these medications in drinking water are killing mice and human cells in test tubes. OOPS. Are you still thirsty now?

Just makes me feel even better I have the Kinetico Water System from Tim Beil Plumbing. Hate to make this into a commercial, but you really can feel & taste the difference!

WANT TO SAVE MONEY?

2008-09-18T22:21:00.003-04:00

Jazz Airlines, a subsidiary of Air Canada, has come up with a unique way to save money. As we all know, the lighter the vehicle, the less gasoline it consumes. Executives at Jazz have decided to pull all life vests from their aircraft to cut down on weight. In the event of a sudden water landing, passengers will be advised to use their floating seat cushions for buoyancy. What the heck were they thinking? Maybe I'll remove the seatbelts from my Jeep. That could cut a few pounds out and save some gas as well.

THE NEXT WHITNEY HOUSTON?

2008-09-16T11:51:00.003-04:00

After being in the music business for so many years and working with some of the biggest names in recording history, I think the coolest thing is coming across a future star. Tune in Wednesday night at 7:30 (check your guide for the cable or satellite channel in your area) as I host "LARRY HOLMES PRESENTS-WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING?!" to hear an 11 year old singing sensation named Serena. The Champ and I were at a party the other week and there just happened to be a home video camera there, so we decided to put this young lady on the TV show and introduce her to America. She was singing for the people at the party, but we thought we'd share her talents with everyone. I think you'll agree, at 11 years old-- wow!!!!

I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!

2008-09-14T01:16:00.003-04:00

The other day on my blog I mentioned about Pennsylvania's new no-smoking law and how it would make for a greater night out. Just as many nightclub owners in New York were nervous when their anti-smoking laws went into effect, many Pennsylvania nightclubs were also very anxious. I told you that those who smoked would still come, (and maybe get a little exercise walking outside when they needed to smoke) and scores of newcomers would come out for the first time knowing that they would not have to put up with inhaling a ton of second-hand smoke. Well, Friday night at THE BAR WITH NO NAME (inside the Best Western 22 and 512) we were packed all night long. All the regulars and so many new faces coming out for a great night of dancing without the smoke, just the fun. This was certainly one case where I just knew I would be right on the money.

HAS ANYBODY SEEN JOE BIDEN?

2008-09-12T10:03:00.003-04:00

Just 3 weeks ago Senator Joe Biden was the talk of the nation as the VP pick of Barack Obama. He was going to level out the experience for the ticket, and his knowledge of foreign relations is unsurpassed. Just like in chess when your opponent makes a bad move, you counter it with a good move. Well, credit John McCain with the move of selecting Sarah Palin. The Dems aren't even talking about McCain, it's all about Sarah Palin. And poor Joe Biden. If he were in a car wreck, the press probably wouldn't cover it. Has anybody seen Joe Biden?

A SMOKE FREE NIGHT OUT---WOW!!!!!

2008-09-10T12:17:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to the Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell for finally having the courage to ban smoking in public restaurants, nightclubs, etc. I'm sure it wasn't easy with the tobacco lobbyists throwing big money for them to vote the other way. I can't tell you how many times people have told me they would love to come out to one of my nightclub dance parties, but stayed home because they couldn't stand the smoke. If you want to smoke, well you still can. Just walk 15 feet (the exercise will do you good) to the front door and do it outside, not where it can affect hundreds of other people. I can't wait till I hit the BAR WITH NO NAME on Friday and breathe fresh air with no smoke. Dance the night away with me - smokeless. September 11th is a day that is remembered as taking away so many lives, maybe now it will be noted as saving a few.

LARRY HOLMES ON "THE FALL GUY"

2008-09-08T13:40:00.012-04:00

Remember sitting on the couch with the entire family watching THE FALL GUY with Lee Majors? Well sit back, relax and let's relive those wonderful times. Tonight on Tv-2 at 8:30 and Wednesday at 7:30 pm (check your local guide for the cable or satellite channel) we'll show Larry Holmes' guest appearance on THE FALL GUY in an action-packed battle. Tune in, think back and watch, "LARRY HOLMES PRESENTS - WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING?!" And if you notice a funny guy working the corner, you're right - it's none other than Shecky Green.

Elvis, Beatles, Hendrix Memorabilia together bring in over $1 Billion!

2008-09-06T18:06:00.016-04:00

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=5f73c53d-7c38-4e0b-b37b-5c928b554c96

WANT TO LEARN THE BRISTOL STOMP?

2008-09-05T11:49:00.006-04:00

Tune in tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 6th) to PBS. I'll be hosting a PBS DOO-WOP SPECIAL featuring some of the greatest artists of all time. Joining me in the studio for this Special are the legends of Philadelphia Rock & Roll, THE DOVELLS. They're going to show us the right way to do the Bristol Stomp - these are the guys who invented this dance craze! I promise you it'll be a lot of fun and you'll hear some great music. Tomorrow - PBS 39 (check your local cable or satellite listings) from 4 to 6 pm. Two solid hours of DOO WOP & ROCK 'N' ROLL.

WOW!!! WHAT A SPEECH

2008-09-04T10:03:00.010-04:00

Being in television and radio for over 30 years, I've certainly done my share of public speaking and worked with some of the best speakers in the business. The point is, I don't impress easily. Last night Sarah Palin scored a knockout. With great lines like "what's the difference between a soccer mom and a pitbull--lipstick", she had the crowd eating out of her hands. This wasn't just a speech, it was a history-making event. She's young, exciting and very tough. She can handle a shotgun and eat whale blubber, now that's what I call tough. Am I impressed ----- yes, and I'm a Democrat. Will Barack Obama be sorry he didn't pick Hillary? I think this dynamo just captured the womens' vote, and a lot of men also.

HISTORY RELIVED ON LABOR DAY

2008-09-02T18:51:00.019-04:00

It's a fact that WAEB AM 790 is the Lehigh Valley's undisputed leader of talk radio. Led by my friend, Bobby Gunther Walsh, the ratings are huge, and his listeners enjoy the topics as he whips them into a frenzy. But many of the region's Baby Boomers remember the time when WAEB was the area's leading top 40 station, playing all the hits of the time from Elvis to The Beatles.

The tradition still lives on every holiday when WAEB turns back the clock for great solid gold fun. And yes, it was fun for me to be a part of this great tradition on Labor Day Monday. It's as if it was 30 some years ago (I was only 12 at the time because I started so young in the business, well, maybe not exactly 12) and I was cranking up the hits one more time on a station that not only led the Valley, but was a leader nation-wide. It certainly was a lot of fun for me and I hope you enjoyed it. Even though I only moved about 15 feet from the Fox 1470 studio to the WAEB studio across the hall, it was like I moved back in time. Let's do it again next holiday. You can count on it.

THE PERFECT CAR

2008-08-28T13:13:00.003-04:00

Forget the hybrids, electric cars, and vehicles that can run on vegetable oil. This car can run on air! That's right, plain old air. MDI, a European company founded in the early 1990's, has developed a car that can run on compressed air. A New York firm, Zero Pollution Motors, has obtained a license from MDI to start producing the cars in the United States starting in 2010. They claim the cars could achieve a fuel economy of 106 miles per gallon. Now that's what I call fuel efficiency!

WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING?

2008-08-26T14:06:00.011-04:00

Did you ever try calling customer service for a certain computer company and the person on the other end sounds like they're in India? That's because they are. Yes, our jobs are leaving the country faster than you can count, the oil companies are ripping us off and even our food is no longer any good. Are the politicians that we elected looking out for us? And speaking of that, did Barack Obama blow his chances for good by not picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate? For hard-hitting commentary, tune in Wednesday night as I host "LARRY HOLMES PRESENTS-- WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING?! the syndicated TV show that tells it like it is. Also on tomorrow's show you can hear the champ sing live from Las Vegas. That's Wednesday, 7:30pm. In this area you can pick it up on Service Electric dial 18,RCN dial 51, DIRECT TV dial 51,as well as Dishnet, Suburban Cable and Time Warner. Hope you enjoy it.

ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA

2008-08-25T14:07:00.008-04:00

Quite a day in Rock & Roll history. Let's take a look at some of the happenings.

The great Bobby Darin performed what would be his last concert before his death at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1973.

Frankie Avalon premiers his 4 week summer variety series on CBS in 1976. Special quest on every episode, you guessed it - Annette.

Elton John makes his US concert debut at the Troubador Nightclub in L.A. in 1970. He is introduced by none other than Neil Diamond.

Forget the rumors... Yes, Abba returned for a special reunion July 4th to celebrate the Swedish premiere of the hit movie - Mamma Mia - but forget about it if you think there will be more. Supposedly they have turned down an offer of $1 billion to do a reunion tour. Gee, they could have bought a lot of really cool suits with that kind of money.

TEEN IDOLS

2008-08-24T14:01:00.010-04:00

Well, the newest teen idols are ready to hit the Great Allentown Fair. The wave of excitement created by the Jonas Brothers has been compared toBeatlemania. What the heck were they thinking? While these youngsters may certainly be talented by today's standards, will anyone remember them in say 5 years, much less 20 or 30.

The teen idols of our day, Bobby Rydell, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, The Beatles, The Stones, and the list goes on, are still hot some 40 years later with timeless classic hits. A few years from now the Jonas Brothers may be saying "Hi, remember us?" And as the Rock says,"It doesn't matter".

BAR WITH NO NAME

2008-08-22T13:56:00.006-04:00

Yes, tonight's the night, join me and all the baby boomers for my "After Work Office Party" at the Bar with No Name, inside the Best Western, 22 and 512. Get there at 5 for a free food buffet and then get ready to dance to the greatest hits of all time. See you tonight, and get ready to party.