Newswoman Erika Erickson and newsmaker Christine Beatty dominate the conversation with ML, Marc and Shawn. Erika is in studio while Beatty – who refuses to speak with ML – appears only in sound bites.

STRAIGHT DOPE: Shawn starts the show off with a story about spilt soup. Seriously. (It was split pea.)

Two women who have been out of the public eye dominate this week’s episode: Former Fox 2 reporter Erika Erickson and former Detroit Chief of Staff Christine Beatty. Erika drops in to brighten up our holidays while Beatty is making news after ML revealed that she has been working quietly for a local nonprofit but failing to make any restitution payments. Read all about it here.

Judging by her social media posts, Erika lives a very glamorous life. But there is a downside to being in the public eye, as every woman on TV will tell you. Erika discusses how she deals with the knuckleheads who feel comfortable commenting on what other people look like – even though they would never say such things to their face.
Erika grew up in Michigan, graduated from Wayne State and was named WSU’s Journalist of the Year. She got her start at a station in Traverse City, even though her first live shot from a breaking news situation was a disaster. She tells us what happened, how people reacted, and how she got over her stage fright. Erika and ML discuss the challenges TV reporters face, as well as their addiction to the adrenalin. Shawn and ML miss deadlines all the time. But when TV reporters miss slot, there are serious consequences. ML shares horror stories.

WDIV heavily promoted a 30-minute sit-down interview with Kwame Kilpatrick’s former chief of staff, lover and co-defendant Christine Beatty. What they didn’t say – because they didn’t know – is WHY Beatty decided to speak with them. ML tells the inside story. Listen and hear Beatty talk about her biggest regret, how she feels about hurting people and what she plans to do about the $78,000 in restitution she still owes. ML, Erika and Marc offer commentary.

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GEEK OF THE WEEK: Draymond Green, the former Spartan whose temper keeps getting the best of him, is this week’s geek.

ROOM 7609: Just in time for Christmas, U2 checks in to the New Wave suite to cover Darlene Love’s classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

FEEDBACK: You asked, so we answer your questions about Beatty’s non-profit employer, her restitution bill, and WDIV’s softball interview. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

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