Hurricane Football Starts… By Hoch

I love this time of year. Not that I’m a huge college football fan, because I’m not. But I am a “football” fan. I just love when football season rolls around. (I can even watch a quarter or two of pre-season football.) So, my beloved Miami Hurricanes kick off their football season this Thursday night at their new home stadium- Dolphins Stadium. (I’m not one of those people that cares that they’re not playing in the Orange Bowl anymore. In fact, I’ll probably go see some Canes games this season BECAUSE they’re not playing in the Orange Bowl.) But I digress….

The reason I was writing this blog was to invite you to our next Dan LeBatard Show event, which is Wednesday, August 27 at Soo Woo Japanese Steakhouse in Doral. We’re bringing with us to Soo Woo FIFTY PAIR of tickets to see the Hurricanes home opener, which just happens to be the following night. 50 pair of tickets is a lot to give away. My guess is that if you come out, you’re going to have a pretty decent shot of winning a pair. (If 100 people show up, then you have a 1 in 2 chance… and so on.)

Just show up at Soo Woo Japanese Steakhouse in Doral this Wednesday night and enter the random drawing for the tickets. Every 10 minutes we’ll be randomly calling out winners for pairs of tickets… You don’t have to do anything to win tickets, except be there!

Here’s the address:
9753 NW 41 St.
Doral, FL 33178
305-477-4477

And their website is www.thesoowoo.com
I’m always amazed when we do these events, because a lot of people show up and people always tell me that they have a great time hanging out with the show. In my radio history, before doing the LeBatard Show, a “successful” radio appearance would be if 4 people showed up. And no one had fun. And, truth is, no one cared either. This show is different though… We generally try and make it worth your while to show up at one of our events. And 50 free pair of tickets is a pretty good reason, I think.

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Big props, by the way, to all the listeners that showed up at Dania Jai-Alai last Wednesday. The final tally was over 600 people in the building that night, and over 300 of those were LeBatard Show listeners, so thanks for the support once again! We have announced the date of our next Poker Tournament at Dania Jai-Alai. It’s going to be Wednesday, September 17th, and this time it’s going to be a $50 buy-in… That way we’ll have some serious prize money at the end of the night.

If you want to get into our second poker tournament, the easiest way is to head over to the Dania Jai-Alai Poker Room and sign up. If you played in our first poker tournament, you know how much fun it was. This one will be even better. They’re going to be able to stay open later that night, so the blinds won’t have to be raised as often as they were during the first tournament. The poker tourney will sell out, so if you want to play, make sure you stop by the Dania Jai-Alai poker room sometime before the 17th of September and sign up.

I’m going to try and get some good celebs to play in the poker tournament too. Jimmy Snuka anyone? “I fold, brotha.”

40 comments August 22nd, 2008

Lots of Events… By Hoch

We have lots of Dan LeBatard Show events coming up… All of a sudden we’re crawling out of our shells and we’re hanging out with people all over South Florida. We had a great time at our movie screening for “Tropic Thunder” at the Muvico in Hialeah. That was our first event in a long time in the 3-0-5, and as Dan predicted, we were greeted warmly! (And by warmly, I mean a smattering of “boo” and “you guys suck.”

Tropic Thunder was an excellent movie… I’m hoping we do another event in Hialeah soon. Those are my people! (I have video from the event if you want to see it. There’s going to be a new button on the 790 Homepage that says something like “click here for LeBatard Show Videos” and you’ll be able to see videos from our events at Dania and the movie screenings, etc. Keep checking the homepage, as it could be active right now!)

Our next event is Wednesday, August 20 at Dania Jai-Alai… If you want one of the 100 free t-shirts Wednesday night at Dania, make sure you e-mail me your name to cantstanddan@790theticket.com. I’m making a t-shirt list and the first 100 people on the list will get a free shirt. We’re also giving away a $100 gas card that night, as well as tickets to see the Faber-Brown fight at The Hard Rock Live on September 10th. Also, since our event is on a Wednesday night, there will be dollar hot dogs, dollar beers, dollar ice cream… dollar everything. So make sure you’re hanging out with us Wednesday at Dania Jai Alai. (Also, our next poker tournament is going to be September 17th at Dania Jai Alai. This time it’s going to be a $50 buy-in, so the cash prizes are going to really jump.)

Then on Wednesday, August 27th we’re going to be at Soo-Woo Japanese Steakhouse in Doral. We’re bringing 50 pair of tickets to see the Canes home opener, and we’re going to give those tickets away for free, randomly, that night. Just show up and hang out with us at Soo Woo August 27th after the show, and you might get the tickets.

Then… On Monday, September 8th we’re going to have a Monday Night Football watch party at a Quarterdeck… (Don’t know which Quarterdeck yet, but I’ll keep you posted.)

Lots of events going on, but (if I do say so myself), our events are always fun and you always have a chance of walking away with a great prize for free. I’ll blog more later, but I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that came out to the movie in Hialeah, and tell everyone I look forward to seeing them at Dania Jai-Alai on Wednesday. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to head to the mall food court alone and grab something to eat.

63 comments August 15th, 2008

We’re Coming To Hialeah… By Hoch

It’s been a while since our show did a movie screening, but we’re back baby! Wednesday night after the show we’re all going to gather at the Muvico in Hialeah and watch the new Ben Stiller movie “Tropic Thunder.” If you’ve never been to one of our movie screenings, here’s how it works: Get there early! The theater holds about 400 people, and thanks to A & P Air Conditioning, all the seats are paid for. I have to give major props to A & P for sponsoring the event. They really came through for all the listeners by sponsoring it. The great thing about the LeBatard Show listeners is that we stick together, so please- if you need a new air conditioner or repairs to your current a/c unit- check out A & P Air Conditioning at www.APAirConditioning.com.

So, I’m figuring if you get to the movie theater by 7 or 7:30 Wednesday night you’ll get a decent seat. Just like we’ve done in the past movie screenings, it will be open seating, so the earlier you get there, the better seat you’ll get. (And it’s not stadium seating at this theater, so be prepared!)

We’ll give out some prizes before the movie… And we’ll also be looking for the best mustaches too. (So, grow a mustache. Now.) If you need directions to the Muvico in Hialeah, check out the Muvico website at www.muvico.com.

Dan’s been giving me shit on the air, saying I have no desire to go to Hialeah, but I actually am looking forward to it. I always enjoy our movie screenings, so I figure this one should be no different. And, even though I’m a Dania Beach guy, I’m looking forward to hanging out with the listeners in Dade. (And I’m looking forward to the Muvico Icee’s. If they’re anything like the Icee’s at the Muvico in Boca, I suggest you get one.)

If you have any questions about the movie screening, drop me an e-mail at cantstanddan@790theticket.com. Hialeah!

30 comments August 8th, 2008

Back From Vacation… By Hoch

Not that anyone noticed, but I was on vacation the last two weeks. Took the family on a road trip in the old family truckster. We drove around for the past 14 days… A few days in Daytona Beach… a day in Savannah… a week in North Carolina…. a couple days in Charleston…. and ended the trip with a couple days in Orlando. Good times with the wife and kid, but I’m definitely glad to be home.

A couple of observations from the trip: Charleston, South Carolina is the hottest place on earth. Maggie Valley, North Carolina has a perfect temperature. Dillsboro, North Carolina has a great smokehouse where I got a pulled chicken sandwich that I’m still thinking about. The tour of Daytona International Speedway was interesting… I’m amazed at how high and narrow the turns are. Makes me appreciate Nascar much more. The sweet tea at Beacon’s Drive In in Spartanburg, South Carolina is the greatest thing you will ever drink in your life. Seriously.

We went to see a minor league baseball game– and that was fun. We saw the Charleston River Dogs against the Hickory Craw Dads. And yes, I paid for the tickets; I didn’t get them for free. Minor league baseball in a different city is always a cool thing to do with your kid. We went to Daytona Lagoon Water Park in Daytona Beach… Much fun, but I’ve realized I’m at a stage in my life where I refuse to be photographed with my shirt off. Just too painful. I added to my man boobs throughout the trip by eating andouille sausage in Savannah… fried blue crab claws in Charleston… and a deep fried Snickers bar in North Carolina.

I had seen deep fried Snickers bars on TV before… You know those specials where they show “World’s Greatest Fried Foods.” I had never intended to try a deep fried Snickers bar, because I do have some dignity… but we were at an amusement park in North Carolina called “Ghost Town in The Sky.” (A fun park—- Wild West themed, of course.) I was in line to buy some ice cream for my wife and son when the man in front of me ordered a deep fried Snickers bar. Before I could even think, my body reacted by blurting out, “I’ll take one of those deep fried Snickers bars too.” They put a stick in the Snickers bar, then roll it in some batter, and then pop it in the deep fryer. And when it comes out, it’s heaven on a stick. The outside batter was soft like a donut… the inside was a mushy, gushy, array of chocolate and peanuts, and whatever else is in a Snickers bar. Anyway, it’s good. I want another one.

But now I’m back… Back in time for the continuing Brett Favre Saga… Back in time to root for Jason Taylor to have a pro-bowl season…. Back in time to watch the Olympics. (Yes, I’m excited to watch.) And back in time to see the latest version of Beverly Hills 90210.

41 comments August 4th, 2008

Something Good… By Hoch

I participated in something good on Friday and I wanted to share some of the details with you. We received an e-mail a few weeks ago from a father who had a 5 year old son that had some medical problems. The boy had a liver transplant when he was 6 months old… his body was now rejecting the liver… and there are further complications, all leading to a childhood that’s probably spent more with doctors than playmates. Anyway, the e-mail said that this boy, Justin, really wanted to meet Kimbo Slice. The father e-mailed and asked if we were doing any events coming up where Kimbo would be there. I told him we weren’t, but that I would try and get in touch with Kimbo’s management and see if they had any time to meet Justin.

Team Kimbo could not have been more accommodating. When I told them the situation, they suggested Kimbo and Justin could meet at Boomer’s in Dania Beach and play some video games and have some fun. It took a couple weeks of planning, due to a ridiculously busy schedule that Kimbo Slice has, but the meeting date and time was finally picked.

The father told me Justin was tremendously excited all week. He had watched Kimbo fights on TV with his dad (who happened to be a big mma fan.) Justing would tell his dad that he thought Kimbo could beat the Incredible Hulk. The week leading up to the meeting, Justin asked his dad every morning, “is this the day we meet Kimbo?”

When I met Justin and his father at Boomers, I explained that Kimbo was a very busy guy and he would probably only be able to spend a few minutes with him, but I was sure he’d be able to take a photo with him. About 15 minutes later, Kimbo Slice, his manager, and two others showed up to Boomer’s… and proceeded to spend the next two hours with Justin. Two hours! Kimbo took a genuine interest in Justin, making sure he had enough to eat… making sure he got to play all the games he wanted… making sure Justin felt like a STAR. (And he did.) Kimbo also brought him autographed photos, merchandise, and lots of other great stuff. The entire afternoon was so touching on so many levels.

Justin was on top of the world… His dad told me he doesn’t really get to go to places like Boomers, because of all the immuno-supression drugs that he’s on. It makes it dangerous for Justin to be around a lot of kids (and a lot of germs) because his body would have a tough time fighting off even a minor illness. Justing took tons of photos with Kimbo, and Kimbo played games with Justin for the entire 2 hours. It was pretty amazing to see the power of an individual… Kimbo made this kid feel great, just by spending some time with him. What a great power to have.

I was just blown away by Kimbo doing this for a kid he didn’t even know. Kimbo’s manager was telling me that they get e-mails and letters everyday from sick people looking for help… He said they wished they could help everybody, but obviously they couldn’t. We never mentioned on the air that Kimbo was going to do this for the kid, because that’s not what it was about. We could have turned it into a media circus… There’s so much interest in Kimbo, we could have had every newspaper on site taking photos of Kimbo and Justin and made it into an event… But that’s not what it was about. It was about a super-celebrity badass, Kimbo Slice, taking a couple hours out of his day to make a sick kid feel great for a while.

I wasn’t even going to blog about it or mention it on the air, but Justin’s father asked if I would, so that everyone would know what lengths Kimbo Slice went to to make sure this kid had a great day. I myself have a 4 year old son, and after speaking with Justin’s father for a couple hours, I still can’t imagine the pain one goes through when they have a sick child. It was a truly moving day, an experience I won’t soon forget. A day that made me see Kimbo Slice in a whole new light… Kimbo Nice.

64 comments July 21st, 2008

Radio Personalities… By Hoch

I’ve been wanting to do a blog about run-ins with radio personalities for a while, so here it is. I mentioned this on the air last week… That I thought it would be interesting to hear stories from people about their encounters with radio people. I’ve always been a big fan of radio, so meeting radio people I’ve listened to all my life has always been some sort of bizarre thrill for me. (I warn you now- if this blog just becomes a tired, worn out Zaslow bashing response, I’m ending this blog forever.)

I’ve had a few encounters with radio personalities over the years… None worse than Sonny Fox. Sonny Fox used to be a big deal in South Florida radio. When I ran into him it was while he was the morning host for Majic 102.7. I was a young UM student, just trying to find my way in radio. I had a job running the tape for “The Best of Sonny Fox” on Sunday mornings from 6am10am. (The mere fact that there was something called “The Best” of Sonny Fox should tell you something about how weak this radio market is.)

So every Sunday I’d come in and roll tape for “The Best of Sonny Fox” and I’d get paid $5.25 per hour. Obviously, I wasn’t doing it for the money. I was hoping to use the experience to gain a foothold in the medium. After months of running the show, I finally got a chance to meet Sonny Fox himself. He had to be at the studio early one Sunday morning to take the van to a radio remote. I figured this would be my big chance to meet him, let him tell me how much he appreciated me running his “best of” show, and perhaps have him offer me a gig on his morning show.

He blew me off. He walked in the studio, I began to introduce myself, and he waved his arm at me, (as if to say “I’ve heard enough out of you,”) and walked out. That was it. Fuck Sonny Fox. I lost my job several months later when- no joke- I asked for a dollar more per hour. I wanted to make $6.25 per hour… It would have cost the company an additional $4.00 per week, but they told me no. So I quit. Fuck Sonny Fox.

Another big deal for me was meeting Phil Hendrie, who to me is the single most talented radio person that has ever lived. If you’ve never heard Phil Hendrie’s show, find it online and listen. It might take a while to figure what’s going on, but when you do, you’ll realize just what a genius he is. I had listened to Hendrie for a while when he was on WIOD. (Neil Rogers and Phil Hendrie on the same station— now THAT was a great radio lineup.)

At that time in my life, I was also DJing parties with a little mobile DJ system I had. I got hired to DJ the WIOD Christmas party one year, and that’s when I got to meet Phil Hendrie. That dude was awesome. Really nice… Really friendly… Really appreciative of kind words… Fuck Sonny Fox.

That was the first time I ever asked a radio personality for an autograph. (I had a “best of Phil Hendrie” CD with me, and he autographed it for me.) The only other time I’ve ever asked a radio person for an autograph was when I met Gary Dell’Abate’s mother at an event and I asked her to give my card to her son and ask him to send me an autograph. (Dell’Abate is Howard Stern’s executive producer, better known as Baba Booey.) I was working at a top 40 radio station in West Palm Beach at the time and I was working our booth at an outdoor art festival. A nice lady came up to our booth, and after conversing for a while, she told me her son was Baba Booey. Since I love the Howard Stern Show, I gave her my card and asked her to give it to Gary and have him send me an autograph. I had forgotten all about it, but a couple weeks later and autographed photo of Baba Booey showed up in my mailbox.

So, let’s hear some radio run ins you’ve had. Was Hank Goldberg an asshole? Was Footy a swell guy? I must know. And fuck Sonny Fox.

49 comments July 14th, 2008

Loaded Steakhouse Burger… By Hoch

Well, I finally did it. I made it over to Burger King and ordered the Loaded Steakhouse Burger I’ve been anticipating. But the experience left me empty and unsatisfied. The idea of a loaded steakhouse burger– a giant burger, covered in cheese, mashed potatoes, chives, bacon, and onion strings– sounds delicious. The concept is there. But my BK fell a little short in the execution department.

My dad and I drove to BK Thursday afternoon right around 12:15… Perfect time for lunch. We waited in a line of about 4 people, all the while I was anticipating the loaded steakhouse burger. Finally, it was our turn. I ordered. And then I was told they had run out of cheese. RUN OUT OF CHEESE. What kind of Burger King runs out of cheese at the height of lunch hour? Was this some sort of cruel joke?

Since we were already there, there was nothing we could do but continue our orders WITHOUT cheese. So I don’t feel like I really got the flavor of a true loaded steakhouse burger, because mine was lacking cheese. And cheese is important. Without the cheese, the flavor of the burger/grill was a little too prominent for me. I like the cheese to act as a “buffer” that brings all the flavors together. Without that “buffer” the burger was a bit too loaded. Great idea with the mashed potatoes on top… Great idea with the chives…. Great idea with the onion strings… Great marketing campaign within the store… But NO CHEESE is not acceptable. Not at lunchtime at BK.

So how would I rate the loaded steakhouse burger? I can’t. I just don’t feel that my steakhouse burger was truly loaded. It kind of felt like when I took my kid to see The Wiggles at The Bank Atlantic Center, and one of the Wiggles was ill that night, so they had a substitute Wiggle. Just didn’t seem the same. When I order something “loaded” I’m expecting cheese. No cheese=Not loaded.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.

41 comments July 11th, 2008

Anticipation… By Hoch

By the time you read this, I may already have found what I’m looking for. A Burger King loaded steakhouse burger. That’s right. I was out this past weekend with some friends, and my friend Pete asked me if I had tried the loaded steakhouse burger from Burger King. I informed him that I wasn’t even aware of the burger, and he told me I should go as quickly as I can to the nearest Burger King to get one.

I must admit, shamefully, that I do enjoy fast food. I know it’s not good for you… I know it’s loaded with fats and sodium… But, I like fast food and I’m not going to stop eating it. Then Pete told me about the Burger King loaded steakhouse burger, and my anticipation built… It’s not your typical BK burger- it’s angus beef. And it’s got cheese. And it’s got BBQ sauce… and it’s got- get ready for this- MASHED POTATOES ON TOP. That’s right… If you order the steakhouse burger “loaded,” it’s got a layer of mashed potatoes. Oh sweet heaven.

So I’ve been thinking about it all weekend. Anticipating it. I’m not a big BK fan, but this burger sounds perfect to me. (I could smother just about anything in mashed potatoes and enjoy it.) My real favorite fast food is Wendy’s. (Or Pollo Tropical and Chicken Kitchen if you’re feeling like something a bit healthier.) BK is pretty far down on my list. I remember several years ago seeing a commercial for a “Shaq Burger” at BK, so I went and tried that and I swore I’d never go back. The Shaq Burger was to hamburgers what the real Shaq is to speed.

So, my plan right now is to stop and get a loaded steakhouse burger from BK before work on Monday. I’ll keep you updated as to how it all works out.

46 comments July 7th, 2008

Summer TV… By Hoch

If you read my blog, you know I like to use this forum to share things with you that I find interesting. Whether it’s cereal from the dollar store (Blueberry Muffin Tops) or Dania Jai-Alai, I always like to share whatever I’m “in” to at the moment. This weekend I discovered a great new high-def channel (that I think is only available on Comcast.) It’s called Mojo, and it’s got a few of the best tv shows I’ve seen in a while.

I had been watching Mojo off and on for a few weeks since I got Comcast. (I’ve had the dish for many years, but I just switched because, among other things, I wanted to be able to receive Howard TV.) The first show I started watching on Mojo was called “Dr. Danger.” It’s a show about Dr. Bob Arnot, who you may recognize as a former NBC news reporter. He travels to fascinating places on this show and does “adventure” stuff. I’ve watched shows where he’s gone to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabi, Somali, and numerous other locations. The show is wild- partly because he seems a bit insane. (We’re working to get him on the show with Dan. I think he’d make a really interesting interview.)

So, while I had been watching “Dr. Danger” for a few weeks, I kept seeing promos on Mojo for some of their other programs. So I set my DVR to tape a bunch, and this weekend I sat down to watch. And I have discovered two great shows that I suggest you check out if you get Mojo.

This first is “Wall Street Warriors.” It’s a reality show that follows people in New York that work on Wall Street. There’s a rookie day trader… A fund manager… A stockbroker that seems like he belongs in the movie “Boiler Room…” And a couple others. It’s such a great inside look at Wall Street and people trying to make it. It’s shot in high definition and it’s put together perfectly. I was just sitting there watching- transfixed on whether or not frozen orange juice concentrate futures were going to go up or down. That’s how mesmerizing the show is… Who the hell cares about oj futures? But as you get into the show, you really become attached to the characters and the drama. (You don’t need to know anything about Wall Street to enjoy the program.) I watched 3 episodes of Wall Street Warriors this weekend, and I’m craving more.

The other show on Mojo that I fell in love with is called “Start Up Junkies.” It’s another reality program, this time about people that are “addicted” to building start-up companies. I’ve always been fascinated with entrepreneurs as it is. This show is a great inside look at people that risk EVERYTHING to build a new concept or business. Just like Wall Street Warriors, you get a really great inside look at what it takes to do what they do. I watched an episode where the owner of the new company is trying to get venture capital to keep the business going. It’s fascinating to see the ups and downs of a start-up. (It also gave me a bit of a start-up jones. I’d kind of like to start a business and grow it, but I don’t have the time, capital, or balls to do it.)

So there you have it. My new love for the Mojo network. It’s not all I watched this weekend though. I also watched Celebrity Family Feud on NBC which is so ridiculously terrible that I can’t wait for the next episode. I couldn’t believe that gangsta rapper Ice-T would subject his family to this nonsense. (Man, he has a hot, white wife.) The other families on the episode I saw were Joan Rivers family, Wayne Newtwon’s family, and Raven Symone’s family. (Raven Symone, who I remember as the little girl on the Cosby Show, is so annoying that I actually fantasized about punching her in the face.)

It was also interesting to see Joan Rivers and Wayne Newton in the same room. They are both grotesque looking due to numerous plastic surgeries. I found myself feeling bad for them, and repulsed by them, at the same time. But all four of those shows have made it onto my summertime tv list: Dr. Danger, Wall Street Warriors, Start Up Junkies, and Celebrity Family Feud. And I’m really just biding my time until Big Brother kicks off on CBS.

43 comments June 30th, 2008

Back From Biloxi… By Hoch

We left town right after our second Dania Jai-Alai night last Wednesday… Dan, Myself, and some other friends went to The Beau Rivage in Biloxi to do some gambling and have some fun… Was definitely a good time. We got caught there for an extra day, because our flight home on Sunday night was canceled, but still a great time.

Don’t want to admit that I played roulette and video poker machine most of the time, but I did. Usually we play craps. Craps, craps, and more craps. I can stand at a craps table for eight hours and never get bored. But for some reason, Dan and I started playing roulette when we got there, which is a game we NEVER play. Stupid game- but man is it fun when you’re hitting numbers. (I”m always hammering number 23 for Michael Jordan and number 6 for Dan Uggla. Yeah, I’m a dork. So what?)

So now we’re back, trying to get into the swing of things. My main order of business is to get our poker tournament all set up for Wednesday, July 16 at Dania Jai-Alai. It’s a $25 buy-in, and we’re figuring the winner will take home somewhere in the $2,000 range. If you want to play poker with me, Dan, Stugotz, Mike Ryan, and a bunch of other hosts from the station, please e-mail me at cantstanddan@790theticket.com and I’ll send you back all the details on how to get registered for the tourney. Should be a lot of fun.

That’s all I got right now… Just got back into town and getting everything settled…. Thanks to everyone that braved the shitty weather last Wednesday for our Jai-Alai night… They had a great crowd again, and we all had a really good time. Can’t wait to do another jai-alai night. (I proudly wore my Dania Jai-Alai hat all through Biloxi, Mississippi.)

41 comments June 24th, 2008