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Hello, it's me ... on CNBC

by Harrison Wyman

CNBC's midday yakfest "Power Lunch" (weekdays, noon-2 p.m.) has always taken a different approach to business news. It tries to interview a wide range of people who can shed light on how new technology affects all aspects of society. So it was no surprise to find veteran rocker Todd Rundgren sitting next to host Bill Griffeth at the CNBC anchor desk Wednesday, talking about his Internet venture PatroNet. The surprise was when Rundgren stepped away from the anchor desk and performed his new single, "I Hate My Frickin' ISP," with his band Power Trio and a jam session/reunion with one of his former drummers.

Rundgren has been involved with computers for over two decades, even taking a year off from music to learn how to write computer programs. Rundgren started the PatroNet web site as an alternate means of distributing his music, but it evolved into an on-line chronicle of how he put an album together. Subscribers could listen to and download songs in progress. The end result was Rundgren's new album, "One Long Year," released the same day Rundgren and his band appeared on "Power Lunch" and on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" that evening. Rundgren has sold PatroNet and his other multimedia ventures; a revamped PatroNet web site will open on July 1.

Unfortunately, CNBC's newsroom/studio is not set up to handle a rock band with full amplification, and the distorted audio that came out reminded one of another CNBC show, "Squawk Box." That was followed by an instrumental with Kevin Ellman, director of financial planning at Lincoln Financial Group and former member of Utopia, one of Rundgren's most successful bands (how come stories like this never make VH1's "Behind the Music"?).

The bigger surprise after the wild applause from the staff and crew was CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo saying to Griffeth, "I always, always wanted to be a backup singer." "Power Lunch" may not have a permanent band, but Rundgren's interview and performance of "I Hate My Frickin' ISP" can be seen and heard on the CNBC TV web site.

On this date...

in 1997, the "Pro Bowlers Tour" rolls its final frame on ABC, ending a 36-year association with the network (although sister network ESPN continues the tradition). -- Tom Heald

Previously at TV Barn:

• The sci-fi recycling plant (6/20/00)
• "Mission Hill" returns (6/16/00)
• Mitchell's plan shows Achilles of PBS (6/15/00)
• The WB wants your kids (6/14/00)
• "Survivor's" B.B. wishes he'd stayed (6/13/00)
• Good niche radio isn't on radio (6/12/00)
• "Clerks" checks out; Sam Donaldson goofin' on Ellen (6/9/00)
• "Survivor": Bye bye, B.B. (6/8/00)
• "Clerks: The Animated Series" (6/7/00)
• "Sports Night's" future (6/6/00)
• Brian Unger (6/5/00)
• "King Gimp" (6/5/00)
• COMPLETE COVERAGE: The 2000 Upfronts (5/15-18/00)

 

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