This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Culinary no-no #87
This week’s installment of Culinary no-no includes the following elements, in no particular order:
1) That great philosopher, Arthur Fonzarelli
2) Sendik’s
3) Felix Unger, or anyone who has his identical characteristics
4) Cryptosporidium
5) Oprah Winfrey
OK, let’s begin. Follow along carefully.
Having been, and still dabbling in, the radio-TV business, I understand the concept of teasing the audience. You’ve seen and heard this practice a million times:
“Women who fall in love with their stalkers…on the next Oprah.”
Local TV news departments are experts at teasing:
“Christmas toys that kill coming up on the 10:00 news.”
Brief, shocking, right to the heart.
Sometimes, I believe them (having written a few gazillion myself), sometimes I don’t. Hmmmm……
When I was News Director at WTMJ Radio during the crypto outbreak, the station actually ran public service announcements about the importance of washing your hands after going to the bathroom. I kid you not. I think there was a staff meeting about doing on-air warnings about looking both ways before crossing busy streets.
Remember the TV series, “Happy Days"?
Sunday, Monday, Happy Days…..
I recall an episode when an incredulous Richie Cunningham was at the supermarket and he ran into Fonzie pushing a shopping cart. The wide-eyed Richie couldn’t believe Fonzie was placing canned goods into his cart. The Fonz chastised his red-haired friend, asking him if he thought little elves left bags of groceries at his door.
Then there’s Jerry, my friend who dines by himself at Meyer’s in Greenfield. When seated, he pulls out some handi-wipe and cleans off the table and chairs before sitting down. He hates even the slightest mess.
Are you still with me?
Are you scratching your head wondering where this is going?
If you haven’t left, thank you, because it's ok. To quote “Soap,” another 70’s TV show, “Confused? You won't be" after I clarify.
You’ve got to eat, right? To eat, you need to grocery shop. Little elves will not do it for you. So you’ve got to hit the supermarket and grab a shopping cart, and maneuver up and down aisle after aisle.
But how safe is that shopping cart?
Is it clean or really dirty?
Is it so full of germs that it warrants a TV I-team investigation?
“Deadly shopping carts…..the story at 10:00.”
No, it’s not hyperbole. No, I’m not laughing at my TV.
The average shopping cart can house one million germs. And you put your family’s food in there. Your child sits in there. Your child handles the cart, even licks it. My wife and I were just on vacation and saw many kids put their mouths on the windows and the seats of tourist busses. One bus driver told us about what rags looked like after he cleaned the bus windows. Yuck!
Maybe my friend at Meyer’s doesn’t look so silly after all. Walk in to the Franklin Sendik’s and there are wipes at the entrance doors. Scrubbing down the carts might not be such a bad idea. Going without wiping could turn out to be a no-no.
Here’s more from The Today Show.
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