Bernie Smilovitz joins ML, Marc and Shawn to tell amazing tales of his career and the time he met Keith Moon of The Who passed out in the Watergate hotel.

STRAIGHT DOPE
Bernie Smilovitz has been retired for five weeks, but he’s still telling great stories…though he starts off playing nice to avoid getting his “nuts cut off.”

Yes, Bernie has seen “Weekend at Bernie’s.” Listen to what he thinks about as well as what one of the stars had to say about this puerile classic.

It’s been 17 years since ML left WDIV/Local 4, and as soon as he reminds Bernie that they were once colleagues, Bernie shares how he recovered from the loss of such a treasured associate. In one of Bernie’s many great quips, he sums up ML’s Loco 4 career with: “Don’t you love TV?”

Bernie predicts a Lions Super Bowl victory. Find out why he’s so confident. Then consummate Lions fan ML shares his theory about when the Lions REALLY got cursed.

Shawn and ML debate whether you can be an effective employee working remotely. Bernie shares how he felt about the year-and-a-half he worked from home during COVID – and who came to visit while his family was on lockdown.

Find out how Bernie got his start in broadcasting, how finding Keith Moon of The Who passed out in a hotel room scored backstage passes, and how an interview with 18-year-old high school basketball phenom launched his career.

The local media roasted Bernie when he arrived from Washington, D.C. You may have forgotten, but Bernie never did! Hear how he handled the heat.

ML and Bernie and Steve Yzerman witnessed Bill Bonds doing something you would only believe if you saw it. Bernie tells the tale.

Steve Garagiola gets lots of love from Bernie and ML, who also pay tribute to the late Fred McLeod.

This is not something you want to read as your first child is being born: “Smilovitz has to go; worst thing that ever happened to Detroit.” Find out how Bernie’s wife reacted to this hot take from a Free Press sportswriter – and how Bernie won over one of his harshest critics.

One of the things that upset Detroit sports fans (and TV critics) was Bernie’s less-than reverent style and new approach to sports on TV. Listen and learn how he changed the game.

Bernie likes to tell people he went to U of M – the University of Maryland – but ML still asks him to weigh in on the U-M scandal involving Jim Harbaugh. Without hesitation, Berne says…Wait, you’ll have to listen for yourself. (Spoiler alert: ML totally agrees!)

Winners and losers weren’t as important to Bernie as trying to find a shot of a fan doing something memorable in the stands. The more you hear about his philosophy, the more you realize why he stood out among local TV sports anchors.

Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez got run out of Ann Arbor. Bernie and Shawn discuss how they got to town … and why they got run out.

An early decision Matt Patricia made doomed him as coach of the Detroit Lions. Bernie tells the inside story. Shawn dishes, too.

Bernie spent the last two years of his time at WDIV/Local 4 pursuing some elusive prey. Find out who resisted the Smilovitz charm and blew him off right til the end.

After years of keeping one of Carmen Harlan’s secrets, Bernie’s visit inspires ML to spill. Hear the hair-raising story in yet another ML Soul of Detroit exclusive!

As soon as ML crowns Dick Purtan as the most gracious media bigshot in Detroit, Bernie objects and offers his own choice for that title.

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GEEK OF THE WEEK

For years, a woman visited her father’s gravesite … until she learned he wasn’t buried there. The people responsible for keeping his remains above ground are this week’s geek.

ROOM 7609

Listener Joe thinks he knows groove and offers “Good Times” by Planet Booty” as exhibit A. ML is persuaded, but what does self-appointed Arbiter of Groove Shawn say? Send us your favorite deep cut or obscure band – and a story about them or why they mean something to you – by writing to [email protected].

FEEDBACK

Hannah is back with more on JD Vance and Jim says ML made him homesick for the Cadieux Café. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

SAVE WITH THE SOUL

Use promo code SOUL to get 10% off your registration for sports leagues with Come Play Detroit atwww.comeplaydetroit.com and promo code MLSOUL to save $40 off a 15-person pedal pub ride with Michigan Pedaler at www.michiganpedaler.com

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