Dan Gross: An on-air partner for Eskin?
610 WIP's Howard Eskin was paired last week with Rob Ellis, his first time with a co-host since he partnered with Mike Missanelli from 1999 to 2002. Missanelli's ratings on 950 ESPN, where he hosts opposite Eskin's afternoon drive show, have surpassed Eskin in the coveted radio demographic of men 25-54. Is the new coupling part of WIP's reaction to the ratings slip? Eskin now features more guests on his show, runs contests and even seems to be acting more polite to callers.
610 WIP's
Howard Eskin
was paired last week with
Rob Ellis
, his first time with a co-host since he partnered with
Mike Missanelli
from 1999 to 2002. Missanelli's ratings on 950 ESPN, where he hosts opposite Eskin's afternoon drive show, have surpassed Eskin in the coveted radio demographic of men 25-54. Is the new coupling part of WIP's reaction to the ratings slip? Eskin now features more guests on his show, runs contests and even seems to be acting more polite to callers.
We asked station manager Marc Rayfield if Eskin would permanently be partnered with Ellis, who also works producing "Daily News Live" on Comcast SportsNet. We didn't hear back.
Starr, Domb eye D.C
Why were real-estate mogul Allan Domb and Stephen Starr recently spotted together on a train to Washington, D.C.? Starr told us Friday that he was looking at a potential restaurant space there, and Domb, who "has a minority interest in Starr Restaurants," accompanied him, as he may want to invest in the D.C. location as well.
The pair have been working together for a few years, as Domb's real-estate company owns the Barclay - which houses Starr's Barclay Prime - and the Parc Rittenhouse, which contains Starr's French bistro, Parc. Starr says that Domb owns a bigger piece of Barclay Prime than he does of Starr's other restaurants in Philadelphia, New York and Atlantic City.
He declined to discuss specific ownership percentages. Domb told us that he invested with Starr because he sees "a synergy between real estate and restaurants. . . . Plus, I like to eat. You have to have fun in life." Domb is also a part-owner in the Kibitz Room, a deli at 1521 Locust.
As for the concept for the possible D.C. location, Starr says that it "could be a version of Parc."
Joey Pants' depression doc
Actor Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pants, of "The Sopranos," "Goonies," and many more films, will be at Friends Hospital Thursday for a screening of his documentary "No Kidding, Me Too!," which seeks to destigmatize mental illness. It's named after the nonprofit organization that he founded after being diagnosed with clinical depression. The film screens on Thursday, and on Friday Comcast Network's Lynn Doyle will interview Pantoliano at the hospital's 25th Annual Garden Brunch.
He'll be on a panel with Dr. Marc Rothman, the hospital's chief medical officer and Jordan Burnham, a local teen featured in the film. The film screening takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Tickets are $50 and benefit the No Kidding, Me Too! organization. For info on the film, visit nkm2.org. To order tickets for the screening, call 215-831-4770, or visit FriendsHospital.com.
Out and about
_ A Phillies team-signed jersey worn by Chase Utley was the highest-bidded auction item sold at the 2nd Annual Utley's All Star Animals Casino Night, Thursday at the F.U.E.L Gallery (249 Arch) aka the "Real World" house.
The jersey fetched $3,750, a meet-and-greet with Utley took $3,100. Outfielder Jayson Werth was outbid at the last minute for a package from Holt's Cigars (1522 Walnut). The event raised more than $215,000 for the Pennsylvania SPCA, on which Utley's wife, Jen, is vice-president of the board.
While Utley was live on Comcast SportsNet outside the party, a passer-by pulled out $100 and gave it to him for the PSPCA.
Other Phillies attending included Raaaauuuuuul Ibanez, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Jamie Moyer, Chan Ho Park, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, Eric Bruntlett, Chris Coste, Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and John Mayberry.
* Fashion designer Jay McCarroll, the first winner of "Project Runway," was among guests at a preview party for JimmyStyle (1820 E. Passyunk), the new boutique by designer Jimmy Contreras. Councilman Frank DiCicco was also in attendance.
Hurricane, Hadas judge BBQ
NBC 10's Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz and KYW Newsradio 1060's Hadas Kuznits will judge the Golden Slipper's Hava NaGrilla Kosher BBQ contest at Willow Grove Day Camp on Sunday. The event to promote Jewish culture raises money for Golden Slipper, which helps pay to send underprivileged children to summer camp.
For more information, check out havanagrilla.com.
George Mallet horsin' around
George Mallet, the former Fox 29 anchor, just took first place in adult jumping at the Willow Hill Riding Club Spring Horse show in Fredonia, Wisc. Mallet's now an anchor on Milwaukee's TMJ4. Mallet and his horse, Jenkins, have been together for three years. *
Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.