Best of the 'Burgh

Let's get this over with. Voting for Pittsburgh Magazine's annual Best of the 'Burgh is underway through April 20th. I'm honored to be nominated in the Local Writer category. Thanks to everyone for submitting my name as a nominee and thanks if you vote for me or for one of the other finalists in this category.

As many of you know, I live in Northern Virginia. While I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, I am not likely considered a "local" writer if Pittsburgh Magazine has a specific definition of local. I mean, I'm local to Pittsburgh compared to the Artemus II astronauts circling the moon but that probably doesn't count. With that written, many of my posts are Pittsburgh related or have Pittsburgh references. Not including this post, I have written 13 separate posts in 2026. Of course I'd like to write more, but that's a different topic for a different day. 11 of the 13 posts include some type of mention of Pittsburgh. The other two are about my youngest son participating in a spelling bee and about my passing the Brimley / Cocoon line. (For the spelling bee post, I included a story about how I participated in a spelling bee when I was in third grade. Although I didn't actually name the school or my teacher, that spelling bee occurred in Pittsburgh.) I think a spelling bee and reaching a certain age milestone are universal for residents of Pittsburgh and beyond.

If Pittsburgh Magazine and the Best of the 'Burgh voters want someone who lives in Western Pennsylvania, I understand. If they want someone to write only about local topics, I understand that too, though I believe that the great Hal B. Klein is the only nominee that meets this criteria. If it helps my candidacy as a local writer, I can write about very specific local topics such as why it's "sus" (as the kids say) that the longtime Woodland Hills High School Band Director and Director of the Spring Musical retired just a few weeks before opening night of Young Frankenstein at the auditorium named in his honor. Or I can write about two of my kids being in the background of a story filmed by WTAE last week. Is that local enough? Look, I haven't lived in Western PA for many years but Pittsburgh and the region will always be part of me. 

Sally Wiggin

Sally Wiggin has worked at Pittsburgh's WTAE since 1980 spending most (if not all) of that time as a news anchor. Wiggin recently announced that she is leaving the anchor desk to host the ongoing series of one-hour prime-time news specials, "WTAE Chronicle." Wiggin's announcement got me thinking. Is she the #1 seed when it comes to female newscasters in Pittsburgh history? Unless I'm missing someone (which is completely likely since I haven't actually lived in Pittsburgh for 15+ years), the only possible challenger to Wiggin is the late Patti Burns. Fairly or unfairly, I always thought that Burns as a legacy based on her father's tenure at KDKA.

While Wiggin is not retiring, so this isn't an end of an era story, do you have a favorite moment of her career? My top moment is from 1994 (I believe) when she carried the entire the Friday night newscast when Don Cannon showed up drunk. I don't think Cannon said an entire word during the entire 30 minutes. Although this video is not online (I really hope WTAE shares this video someday) and she wasn't asked about Cannon in the WQED interview below, here are some of Wiggin's top moments.

(Wiggin singing at about the 47 second mark.)









(If you're not from Pittsburgh, I completely understand if you skip this post.)

Randomness (PSBT Update, Express Fail & Pasty Butt)

There’s a lot to discuss today, but I have to start with the Sweet 16 round of the 4th annual Best Pittsburgh Sports Tournament. Holy crap! First, there were nearly 1,500 votes in the Behind the Steel Curtain-The “Mc” Effect match-up. While there was some unusual voting patterns using the old software in previous years, this was a legitimate result. BTSC readers were out in full force while The “Mc” Effect got strong support from Waynesburg University. In addition, PSAMP defeated SteelerGurl by only 9 votes, Rum Bunter upset top-seeded Steelers Depot by only 21 votes, and Pitt Script shocked another #1 seed, Empty Netters. The Elite 8 round begins on Monday.

- After almost nine years and over 400 shows, the final Rizzo Sports Weekly show takes place on Tuesday, February 28th. I am honored to have appeared on several episodes, and best of luck to Rizzo in his future endeavors. I just hope that my appearances on the show didn’t cause him to “retire.” [Rizzo Sports]

- This story is about an effort to allow chickens in Arlington County, Virginia. I can’t get past this sentence, though:

Animal rights activists worry that owners can’t care for the high-maintenance birds, which can contract diseases like “pasty butt” and “fowl plague.”

Pasty butt? Pasty butt! I’m sure this is a serious disease, but pasty butt! Yes, I’m 12. [Washington Post]

- Pittsburgh has Anthrocon. DC has Katsucon [DCist]



- WTAE in Pittsburgh interviewed The “Mc” Effect about the “Mc” Effect [WTAE]

- Meanwhile, this may be the first time anyone ever interviewed me. [Behind the Steel Curtain]

- Finally, a brand new Express Fail! Did you know that The Rock was in movie The Pacifier? Neither did I. [Express]

Myron Cope Is MC Cope

In honor of the Pirates 10th inning win over the Braves Sunday, I'm happy to present the late, great Myron Cope's take on MC Hammer's U Can't Touch This.



When this video debuted on WTAE in 1990 (1990?!?!), I thought this was the funniest thing ever. While this doesn't seem to hold up as well today, it's still nice to see Myron Cope in action.

I can't wait to share this video again when the Pirates make the playoffs. Yes, I'm willing to wait.

Random Ramblings

• There are moments of everyone’s life that you regret but they are generally not broadcast for millions of people to see. One such moment occurred on Monday’s The Price Is Right. The episode was taped in September and a college student made it on the stage. Just before spinning the wheel, Drew Carey gave the student, who was wearing a "Block O" Ohio State T-shirt and a buckeye necklace, the microphone. The student shared his excitement about how Ohio State would beat USC the next day. USC crushed Ohio State 35-3. At least the guy won a vacuum cleaner or something.

• I highly recommend visiting Wegmans at 2:00pm on a Monday afternoon. No lines and the friendly staff are even friendlier than they are on Sundays.

• Embarrassed by the thousands of Steelers’ Terrible Towels at the game last week, the Redskins are giving away burgundy towels to the first 50,000 fans at this Sunday’s Dallas game. Good luck with that!

• PittGirl was interviewed via Instant Message in Pittsburgh magazine. I love the fact that the interview starts with "Hi, u there?" I’m guessing that’s how Paul Long started all of his interviews!



• Thank you, Anquan Boldin. Being down 17 points going into Monday night and facing Neil Rackers in my 16-team fantasy football league, Boldin scored 29 points. I won by only 1 point.

• This Onion story titled "Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin To Staff: 'What If Ben Roethlisberger Is Bad?'" is not that funny after Sunday’s game.

• Finally, Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog reports that George Mason is getting a new mascot. In case you have never seen the current mascot, Gunston, here he is answering questions. (There are more videos still available on the Mason Metro website.)