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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 16:42
The Chicago Reader's giant annual issue featuring the "Best Of Chicago" picks, as voted on by readers and Reader staffers, is being released later today. Among the many dozens of "Best..." categories were a few Chicago media entries. Here are some of the media "Bests" for 2012, as found in the newest issue of the Chicago Reader and on its website.
READER'S POLL:
Best Overall Radio Station: WXRT 93.1
Runner-up: WBEZ 91.5
Best Radio DJ: Cooper St. James, WLUW 88.7
Runner-up: Lin Brehmer, WXRT 93.1
Best Morning Show: "This Is Hell!", WNUR 89.3
Runner-up: "Eric and Kathy", WTMX 101.9
Best Journalist: Chuck Mertz, WNUR 89.3
Runner-up: Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader
Best Local Music Podcast: Rye Bread Radio
Runner-Up: Friday Fallout Shelter
CRITIC'S PICKS:
Best Example of Old Media Hanging in There: Chicago Reporter
As with the Chicago Reader's "Best Of" polls from the last few years, many of the results are suspect, as less-than-worthy winners come out of nowhere after pushing social media campaigns for support and suspicious online vote stuffing. Chuck Mertz and his "This is Hell!" show defied logic for the second year in a row by winning in a couple of media categories, despite being not well known outside of small circles. One person, Brendan Kelly, was able to win in multiple categories, including Best Blog, Best Twitter, Best New Artist and Best Singer/Songwriter, leading some to ask the obvious question: "
Who...?" (Best Ability To Gain Votes In An Alternative Online Poll was not a category this year or there could have been some stiff competition.) Regardless, the overall results of the poll always makes for good reading every third week in June.
The entire "Best of Chicago 2012" section can be found for the next week only in the newest issue of the Chicago Reader. The free alternative newspaper can be found on newsstands and establishments all over Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. An online version of the list of winners can be found at this link
HERE.
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