Friday, May 16, 2008

Harry Pappas Forced Into Personal Bankruptcy

Harry PappasAccording to an Associated Press story, creditors have forced Harry Pappas into a personal bankruptcy filing -- an unusual move that threatens his efforts to save Pappas Telecasting Companies from financial disaster.

Pappas Telecasting owns Omaha TV stations KPTM and KXVO.

The court filings earlier this week could lead a judge to order the sale of personal property to pay off debt. In their Chapter 7 filing, creditors say Pappas and his wife, Stella, personally guaranteed $30 million of a $284 million loan that Pappas Telecasting secured in March 2006.

Creditors said the $284 million loan was based on an agreement that Pappas would sell enough of his television stations to repay $100 million of the debt. The rest would be paid on what the filing calls "a reasonable schedule."

Pappas Telecasting owes more than $5.8 million to its top 20 creditors. The biggest sum owed, $1.4 million, is to Fox Broadcasting.

Apparently, budget cuts have forced the public relations arm of Pappas Telecasting to shut down as well. The company's website press room has not had a press release posted since December of 2007.

111 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the Wizard of Oz.

Anonymous said...

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...

Anonymous said...

Matt Perrault is Gay.

Anonymous said...

I hope this doesn't affect the production schedule for the new Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius.

Anonymous said...

So, let's say the IRS swings in & bolts the doors shut next Monday at KPTM/KXVO.
Who would find a news related job in market & where?
(Please, no "the lame guy who hosts mixtape will get work at McDonalds" we all know that didn't work out already.....)

Anonymous said...

well that sucks for Harry.. should have refinanced his deal without the PG's if he knew it would come to this!

how with the news ladies get their fake boobies now?

Anonymous said...

No one will have to find work because Guerin will take over and turn it into a 24-hour Guerin and Jess Dance Party hosted by Don Cornelius.

Everyone will have a role, they just haven't been assigned.

Except, of course, for Geiler, who will lose the Mix Tape gig and start a new job as an advisor to Warren at BH. McDonalds, indeed. Nothing less than Dairy Queen.

Anonymous said...

The real humor in this is that Pappas' wife is named Stella. A couple years back, JJ Davis made fun of Randy Stella, then UNO linebacker, by screaming "STELLLLAAA!!" on the air. It was Davis' tribute to Elaine on Seinfeld, but I'm guessing Mrs Pappas wouldn't have been so amused.

Anonymous said...

Well, he forgave JJ for dropping an F-bomb (albeit off-camera), so he probably would have been fine with that.

Anonymous said...

Part of me starts to feel bad for Harry, but then I remember the story of the time he gathered all the employees of KPTM together, held up a photo and said, "This is my son. Thank for you making him rich."

Anonymous said...

Do you think Harry will spin the first disc on the new Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius, or will he let his rich son have the honors?

Maybe J-Dub could order a crop circle of the new show logo. Now that would be original.

Anonymous said...

Pappas was running fine until he appointed persons in the Omaha stations to run the company.

Anonymous said...

9:26

What do you mean?

Anonymous said...

Maybe JJ was on to something dropping the "F" bomb...I mean, it'd be awesome to watch sports and hear "nobody really gives a fuck about NASCAR" or tune into the weather and hear " It's December in Nebraska and it's fucking cold !"

I'm so stoked about the pajama dance party !

Anonymous said...

I think I know what 9:26 is talking about. About 5-6 years ago, they started promoting some of KPTM upper management to positions overseeing more Pappas stations (like stations in Sioux City, Des Moines, Kearney, etc.) Some did well... some did not.

Anonymous said...

Has Guerin ever done any kind of porn?

Anonymous said...

Ms. Guerin and I were preparing for her next porn role just last night.

Let me tell you...she is a screamer.

Anonymous said...

This Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius will be family friendly viewing. It's been tough getting Geiler to understand he's not part of this show. Jess has already vetoed Perrault (we do want viewers), so we're very fortunate to get Don Cornelius.

Jess, glad you're stoked. You okay not having top billing? It's negotiable.

Anonymous said...

I'm cool with it, Guerin has a face for t.v. and mine is more of a "face for radio", Perrault can come make an appearance so I can make fun of his popped collar though, that'd be fun.

Anonymous said...

I worked for Harry, for nearly a year. I've been in the industry for 30. Reckless, disorganized, and so many levels of "management" that NOBODY was watching the checkbook. They spent money like there was no tomorrow.

Personally, I hope these creditors take everything, including his dog.(I do he beleive he comes with Corp.-mandated tie too.)

Go back to Greece, Harry...

Anonymous said...

Since someone mentioned Greece... How do you separate the men from the boys in Greece?

Anonymous said...

Jess, you mean the popped collar like Rick Astley in all of his videos? Don't tell me Perrault still has a Members Only jacket.

And isn't it rude the way these other people keep interrupting our conversation with all of this on-topic stuff? :-)

Anonymous said...

Didn't Doug Crary get promoted to some place in Neb?

Anonymous said...

That's one scrumptuous pic of Harry Pappas. Makes me putter go a-flutter.

Sincerely,

Matt Perrault

Anonymous said...

I'm not fiscally bankrupt, just morally.

I will buy Fox 42 and make it my personal playpen. You are all invited to the orgy of wonders that I am.

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

Yeah I'm digging the turkey neck he's got goin' on, he just squinked that bow tie underneath it.

And, yes it is quite rude, I don't really come here for the stories, I come here for the comments. Who really goes to Hooters for the wings ?

Who is this Doug Crary person you speak of 12:29 ?

Anonymous said...

Rick Astley????


Here's a song by a gay guy.....

Anonymous said...

I love Rick Astley. One day I will begin using "Never Gonna Give You Up" as my show opener.

When that happens, I will publicly announce my deep, passionate romantic relationship with my boy Ricky and my dominance on Omaha radio will be cemented in legend.

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

I worked for a Pappas station for a while. I agree about the many levels of management... but what did you see them spend money on, 12:22? I'm not mocking, just legitimately curious. Because they wouldn't spend money on ANYTHING when I was there.

Anonymous said...

This is Karma w/ a capitol K. The dude ran the most ass-backwards news company in the world and its finally coming back to him.

Anonymous said...

Doesn't he only have one arm?

Anonymous said...

Pappas spent millions on high definition Spanish-language news in Reno, there probably weren't more than a few hundred hd sets because of technical issues with plasama tv's operating above sea level. Early plasmas could not work above 5,000 feet. There were even fewer viewers as the lack of sales eventually proved.

In Omaha, they often bought equipment that took them months to figure out how it worked. It seemed as if Management had no clue about the equipment operated, except that the salesman said anybody could use it.

The only qualifications of the Omaha managers was that they were in their positions when Fox got the NFL and the network took off. Anybody could have ridden on the back of the Fox success; they guys claimed it was their leadership that made a difference. Their actual abilities eventually were exposed over time with the results of bankruptcy.

The company that Mr. Pappas started nearly four decades ago hasn't been the same. It's unlikely that he can recover from the damage that has been done. There's a generation of broadcasters with a bad taste in their mouth. It's hard to recover from bad press and hard feelings.

Anonymous said...

The guy was probably a pretty good local broadcaster at one time? His Fresno station and KPTM did pretty well.
Then either he decided that he was a big time deal maker...or maybe listened to his lame management in Omaha?
Made one stupid deal after another. Started stations on Sioux City, DesMoines, Reno, North Carolina and others that were not economically viable...and overseen by an idiot. (see Omaha above)
Then he bet the farm to be the fourth or fifth player in Spanish network TV business.
He deserves worse than he will get. All the people who have busted their ass over the years because of his and (see Omaha)lies are the people who have really been screwed!

Anonymous said...

J.J.'s "STELLA!" probably refers to Marlon Brando(Streetcar Named Desire) I'd imagine. Not Elaine on Seinfeld.

Sorry I'm an old fart like the J-man, and like his quirks.

Anonymous said...

Anyone heard yet how this affects the production schedule for the new Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius? I hope plans haven't changed dramatically and the show goes on.

Don Moore said...

Sioux City did very well as they didn't have a Fox Station before. Des Moines is holding their own as Greensboro did before Omaha replaced the General Manager and cut Sales Management. Reno had been operated as a satellite of the Fresno station for years.

Mr. Pappas jumped into the Spanish network business early; but, unfortunately, it was something that could be duplicated and expedited by others with more money. I think that his interest in Azteca America ignited the Spanish TV explosion in America from 2 networks to 5 or 6. He just was not staffed or financed to ride the wave and therefore got washed out by the newer players.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but what about the status of the new Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius?

Anonymous said...

Maybe instead of Cornelius we could give Pappas a guest hosting gig, sounds like he may need some cash flow. Then the next week we'll have Chambers, and after that Hillary Clinton---she'll have some free time soon.

Anonymous said...

Good idea Jess, a rotating host schedule. It could have been another James Brown Celebrity Hot Tub Party, but I don't know if you want your jammies to get wet, plus, James isn't available these days.

Anonymous said...

Hey did anyone watch the opening skit on Saturday Night Live 2 nights ago? I was on getting my diploma!

Anonymous said...

yup..I was on there too getting my diploma.

Anonymous said...

HE should have just used UNIVISION not AZTECA on digital subs and the mabey he would have still been in bussiness

Anonymous said...

He could have taken the Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius and syndicated it nationwide. Then he would have STILL been in business,

Anonymous said...

I'm gonna have to agree with Horatio here. For one, because I really do agree, and two because I haven't commented all day and felt the need to do so.

Anonymous said...

Screw the pajama party, I want the 24 hour Ronco infomercial channel featuring the Vaj-a-matic!

Anonymous said...

6:23 pm - I think you mean "Veg-a-matic". Isn't "Vaj-a-matic" a sex toy?

Anonymous said...

Jess, thanks for agreeing and feeling the need to post. Your comment neutralized the vapidity of the two that followed yours. Wow, those were bad, even for this blog.

So, what color jammies will you be wearing in the series premiere, and have you discussed a song list with Guerin yet? Don Cornelius was asking.

Anonymous said...

Pink jammies would be best I think.
Guerin is avoiding my calls, something about not wanting to be on a show with a nobody but I told her I'd let Perrault know he couldn't come...and the songs are still up in the air.
For some strange reason I'm feeling a mix of Aerosmith and Young Jeezy might just work.

Anonymous said...

Aerosmith ALWAYS works. Guerin is a someone? Your blog and comments here are more entertaining than the drech she puts out, but Pappas insists and Don Cornelius has his heart set on both of you in the show.

You think anybody under the age of 30 knows who Don Cornelius is?

Anonymous said...

Don is gonna be a HIT, I can feel it, he'll be the new "it" guy in town. He won't be able to go to the mall without all the kids mobbing him.
Oh and I heard "Cotton Eyed Joe" earlier, think we can fit that in somewhere ?

Anonymous said...

No 8:18, I want the Vaj-a-matic featuring the Kung-Fu grip. And yes, I do want flies with that.

Anonymous said...

Vaj-a-matic. Yeah. The one sold at www.symbian.com/venusindex.html definitely has a Kung-Fu grip. Most likely to yank your willie right off!!

Anonymous said...

Consider it done. Cotton Eyed Joe will be slotted as a mid-show pick-me-up coming back from break.

Of course, Don insists we take at least one ride on the SOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL Train.

Anonymous said...

Enough with this pajama party stuff.

Harry really needs some cash, so it's time to get down and dirty.

Omaha management has kept the same cast, but changed the theme to Jello wrestling party.

Put all those wrestling fans together with the boobie fans and it's a sure winner!!! Luscious babes battling it out in a tub of jello... what viewer of the CW could resist!!

Word is that Don King might even agree to an unpaid cameo.

If the Jello wrestling concept takes off, Omaha management may just add a second hour of programming - Hot Oil Wrestling with Travis & Matt sponsored by Vaj-a-matic. Each episode will feature local kickboxers who choose to oil wrestle with either Travis or Matt. If the kickboxer wins the match, he gets a guest spot on Matt's show to promote kickboxing. If Travis or Matt wins well... that wouldn't happen, would it?

Our research shows this should become the highest rated show in Omaha!!! We have all important demographics covered here: With all the posts on here from listeners who rant and rave about Matt & Travis, being able to watch the snot getting kicked out of M&T should make this the highest rated show in Omaha even in the redneck straight guy demographic!!! The ladies should be attracted to kickboxers with awesome abs and delicious boy bulges. If not, the gays enjoy such things and should keep the ratings up. Getting a commision off all those Vaj-a-matic sex toys should bring in enough money to get Harry out of bankruptcy and even buy Univision for himself.

Anonymous said...

9:08:

What about Turd and Tyler.

Anonymous said...

Turd and Teabag??

We asked them to participate as celebrity kickboxers. The official response was they weren't available because they were hired as the new news directors at KMTV. But everyone knows the real reason is that they were afraid Matt and Travis would whump them like nellie schoolgirls.

Anonymous said...

Sorry guys, but the Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius is all ready to go.

Market research has determined that most viewers would prefer to see a pair of hotties hosting a show with people dancing in their jammies than a vehicle designed primarily to get Perrault guests for his local show on a 25-watt station you can't pick up clearly on Pacific Street.

Who did your research, J-Dub?

Anonymous said...

Damn I have to go away for a day and already someone is trying to replace me !

*sniffle* and I already bought my jammies.....

Anonymous said...

Jess, rest assured, you're not being replaced. There's too much sexy going on in that G&J lineup. Not enough people even know who Perrault is (outside of this blog, does he even make a dent in the consciousness?), and if they're going to go for the matics and, yuck, boy bulges, they'll have to go to PPV.

So, how many sets of jammies? Guerin is going shopping with Cornelius this weekend to get her wardrobe sorted out.

Anonymous said...

Shit, Cornelius is gonna pick out some purple and metallic gold shit for her, I can feel it. That is so gonna clash.

Anonymous said...

At once a week, it just occurred to me that Harold Andersen.com posts just as often, if not more, than this blog. And though I've never read his blog, I can say with supreme confidence that his web site features no mention of that no-talent Matt Perrault.

Way to go, Jim and Sean. You're being out-posted by an 80something guy who has no idea what "posting" means. Unless, that is, it involves Marian and her schnauzers. Woof.

Anonymous said...

Jello wrestling in "Hello Kitty" flannel jammies ... messy, but J-Dub tells us it could work. Teenage boys aren't picky. Neither are adult men who think like teenage boys.

Anonymous said...

Horatio - Dude, Baywatch made millions by putting bouncing breasts and boy bulges on TV.

Was there a script? Great actors? Didn't matter. Totally soft-core porn on free TV. And tons of "Girls Gone Wild" ads to keep your attention during the breaks.

Anonymous said...

HELLO..........hello........

Anonymous said...

May 23, 11:23 PM - Where do you think the idea for the Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius came from? Hasselhoff is a genius.

Anonymous said...

The idea for "Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius" came from Baywatch?!?!?

Who exactly do you think will turn in to see Don Corneilus' boy bulge? He's not exactly Hasselhoff material. He and Bob Dole could exchange Viagra stories.

Did J-Dub advise you on this?

Anonymous said...

I used thee words that start with "ex" in same paragraph in the previous post. Do I get a prize?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, you get a thesaurus....

Hahahahahahaha...

Anonymous said...

5/24 10:25 and 10:27 - So, you're diggin' on the Hoff? And when you get your thesaurus, ask them if you can get a pharmaceutical dictionary as well so you can learn to spell the name of the lil' blue pill.

If you even know who J-Dub is, you know she couldn't have advised me on this - it didn't have anything to do with a crop circle or embargos.

First taping of the Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius will be announced in a few weeks. The date and location are currently embargoed!

Anonymous said...

Let's get the facts straight before making broad sweeping generalizations. All broadcasters are experiencing challenges right now. The government shares the bulk of the blame, forcing the DTV conversion on everyone. Add in the fact that economic times are the worst in years, pile on the writers strike and you have a recipe for disaster. In spite of all of this, several of the Pappas stations are doing very well, including, Fresno, Omaha, Des Moines and Greensboro. First quarter of this year, the market in Greensboro was down 10% while the Pappas station was up 8%.

Anonymous said...

But that 8% could be 80% if they'd only add Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius. That's the key to improved success in good markets and bringing low performing markets out of their funk.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure where to post this, but it seems this is the venting place for local television. Is it me or is something really off at WOWT lately? I love the Today Show, but when Al Roker throws to the local stations for weather, it seems they usually play half a taped news cut-in...I think that's what they're called. Usually, no weather! It's like they have the wrong tape cued up!

And has anyone noticed some of their video is in black and white? I don't think it's just my tv. some stories are in color, but a lot of their national stuff isn't. sorry if this isn't the place to complain about this...I figured some other people might have noticed the same stuff.

Anonymous said...

11:03 AM - This would be the place. To answer your question, it's Matt Perrault and Travis Justice's fault.

Seriously, it isn't just your TV. A lot of other people on here seem to think Channel 6 is on the decline, and this might be a prime example.

Anonymous said...

Yep it's Perrault's fault ! And, no it's not just your T.V.

This is the place to complain about anything you'd like really, just don't tell Jim and Sean I said that.

Anonymous said...

More Erin Andrews, please...

Anonymous said...

Why the obsession with Erin Andrews? She's on ESPN, isn't she? Not even a local yokel. At least it's not all about Brummer and Mueller, or however she spells her last name.

Anonymous said...

One look at Erin Andrews and you'll understand why...mmmmm, tasteeeee....

Anonymous said...

Barry - Don't forget Marla Rabe, she's got it together!!!

Anonymous said...

Horatio Caine says "If you even know who J-Dub is, you know she couldn't have advised me on this - it didn't have anything to do with a crop circle or embargos."

Hmm... who d'ya think came up with doing cornrow circles as Don Cornelius' hairdo?

And you wouldn't know about the show opening she has planned with the jammie-clad cast dancing in crop circles, as it is, well... EMBARGOED!!!

J-DUB IS EVERYWHERE...

Anonymous said...

this is lame... can we stop these ridiculous off topic rants? i would love a news blog actually about news... and you guys need to grow up and get a life.

and yes... the bankruptcy is DEFINITELY karma...

and yes... things are looking black and white at WOWT... and very much on the decline.

Anonymous said...

Lighten up, Francis.

Anonymous said...

11:00 p.m. you are lame.

On the other hand, I'm a god.

Sincerely,

The Perrualt.

P.S. This is on topic. I am always the topic.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of topics -- I had a bad case of the cramps last night, but felt much better after I took a big, stinky Perrault.

And as you know...no Perrault is complete until the paperwork's finished.

Ahhhhhh...

Anonymous said...

11:00 thanks for blessing us with your almighty opinion.

I play a grown up everyday in real life, so how 'bout a cup of "shut the hell up" about what I say here ?

We did talk about the blog, and then it got boring soooooooo.....we stopped.

Anonymous said...

Hey 11 p.m. -- if you don't like what you read here, go back to SesameStreet.com where it's more your speed.

Big baby...

Anonymous said...

Lets get this nighty dance show started. I could not help but tune into Mix Tape (or what the hell ever it is) only to see that turd dressed up like a girl scout singing a TERRIBLE song. Sorry, but cross-dressing for the sake of cross-dressing is NOT funny. If you want to see how to do it right, watch Kids in the Hall.

Anonymous said...

7:50, agreed !

Anonymous said...

7:50 -- a turd dressed in a Girl Scouts uniform? I knew The Perrault was a fruit cake...but that takes creepy to a whole nother level.

Wonder if he wears a G-string while he's on the air...wait, never mind...I don't need to know...

Anonymous said...

To 11 p.m. - The most disturbing thing is that you were reading this blog and posting at 1 in the morning. These aren't set to CDT. Wow, too much coffee during the day, or did Perrault reject your advances again?

Anonymous said...

are gas prices causing Jim and Sean to not post in here anymore?

Jesse Penny said...

Is everyone ready for the full unleasing of the TV weather tracking/prediction/fear generation arsenal tonight?

Hopefully KETV will send FUBAR out storm chasing to do some live coverage from inside a tornado.

Anonymous said...

Sean, put some gas in your computer and post something dammit !

Jesse--I don't know about everyone else but I damn sure am !

Jesse Penny said...

I'm getting my popcorn ready for sure tonight.

Anonymous said...

I am post #96.

Anonymous said...

cry some more 8:19 pm...whaaahhh

Anonymous said...

Guerin and Jess Pajama Dance Party Hour hosted by Don Cornelius update - first taping on hold every so briefly as Mr. Pappas has slashed the pajama budget. We're working on alternatives, any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

Anyone see Regis fart on live TV yesterday? Tim Russert did that a few days ago, do these things come in threes?

Anonymous said...

6:55 AM: you must have be very bitter about life if you are complaining about posts on a media blog. Whaaahhhhh

Anonymous said...

Neil - stop trying so hard...you've already got the blog schmuck of the day award wrapped up, cowboy.

Anonymous said...

At 4:59 am horatio caine said... "Guerin and Jess Pajama Dance Party Hour hosted by Don Cornelius update - first taping on hold every so briefly as Mr. Pappas has slashed the pajama budget. We're working on alternatives, any suggestions?"

Okay, the PJs are gone. So it's a naked dance party. Naked ladies dancing in crop circles could put Nebraska on the map!!!

Anonymous said...

9:55 PM...why don't you use your real name like I do, and stop posting anon.

Anonymous said...

How's this Neil, ya' schmuck???

Anonymous said...

way to post anonymously 10:45 PM, ya schmuck!

Anonymous said...

Ladies, ladies... please, let's behave. Please focus on the real topic, how this impacts Trav and the Perrault.

Anonymous said...

You mean how Neil N. Sucket lusts after Trav's and Perrault's man-meat??? THAT kind of impact??? I think it speaks for itself, don't you???

Anonymous said...

you all are hilarious! thanks for the laugh! You only wish I lusted after their man-meat...ha ha ha!

Anonymous said...

Actually, neil n. sucket -- we wish you WOULDN'T...although it's obvious by your screen name that you can't help yourself.

Sucks being you...so to speak...

Anonymous said...

mmmmf mmf oooom mmff mmfff

Translation -- I can't respond right now. I'm helping relieve Matt Perrault's stress from being a wannabe who gets no love, either on the air or off.

Anonymous said...

Guerin and Jess Pajama Party Dance Hour hosted by Don Cornelius is the baum. My girlfriend, Sukimi, said she'd love to join but has a standing offer with the Phil McCrackin Plumbing hour hosted by Dwayne Schneider. Any updates on pilot would be helpful...

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