Star Tribune, Minneapolis, C.J. column: Life's sweet for Reger, who is making a TV splash in California

Oct 02, 2008 (Star Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- GOOG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The crash of Pacific waves is so seductive to John Reger it's amazing he returns any phone calls.

The former WCCO-TV weekend anchor, whose job got downsized in March by CBS, has made a soft landing in California near Monterey-Pebble Beach at the Salinas-based KION-TV. As usual, our interview began with a verbal skirmish about his casual attitude toward newspaper deadlines. This time he blamed connection problems on different time zones and his surfing schedule: "I surfed this morning before work," he said.

He's making the most of this move, which took him from the family he loves so much, especially his parents, Billie and Al. On sunny days the waves, lapping near his residence, call Reger to play early. He's there "as long as the surf stays up [usually from] 7-9 a.m. Then I go to the gym. Then I take a nap. At 2:45 p.m. I've got to be to work. It's a pretty sweet deal."

The TV market's smaller, but Reger said the station's owners are pumping in money and hiring people to work at the facility that's home to KION, a CBS affiliate, a FOX station, a CW and Telemundo. Reger anchors 5, 6 and 11 p.m. shows for CBS and a 10 p.m. show for Fox "and a little bit for Telemundo because I speak Spanish. It's pretty sweet."

"Sweet" is Reger's favorite new word. He even said the "gig" was sweet, while remarking on all the additional work involved in "working with a lot of new people. A market like Minneapolis has people who have been there for 20 years. There are a lot of new people here getting rolling."

The sweetest part of the gig may be the creative freedom.

"I don't know if you've seen those things I've done on WCCO (Google: Reger rewind), climbing Mount Everest, through Patagonia, going into these little villages or extreme places where I shoot them, write them and edit them," Reger said. "I've had some interest in trying to develop it on a couple of the cable channels. This TV station will allow me the freedom and time off to work on that if I land a deal."

Reger said that something "like 50 people e-mailed me," after his former WCCO co-anchor and bud Terri Gruca warned John that she was going to start telling colleagues he took a job in California where he once lived and worked as an actor.

"I don't know if you know this area," Reger said, "and I say this knowing that I'll regret it: You are welcome to come out here and be my guest."

That would be one way to start collecting photos for Reger: The Swimsuit Edition. I told Reger he's safe, as I've never taken up anchor god Paul Magers on his kind offer to stay in the guest house on his L.A. property a) because I'm afraid of his boss, Kathy Magers; b) because California is going to fall off into the Pacific any day now, and c) I don't find crashing waves and bodies of water calming. Despite my pathetic reasons, Reger kept selling me on a visit. I wouldn't do it for me, but all the Twin Cities women who'd like to see Reger in a Speedo.

A new name for steaks

The disappearing act of Randy Norman on Block E continues.

The r. Norman's Steakhouse name has been replaced by Seven, the name of the sushi bar and nightclub inside the steakhouse.

"Just keeping brand consistency," said Jessica Roe, attorney for Koch Group, which owns Seven. "Due to Seven's overwhelming popularity, the name has been changed to 'Seven The Steakhouse.'"

Asked about the whereabouts of Randy Norman, Roe said, "I think it's better to keep those matters confidential, until the parties are able to come to a mutually satisfying agreement." When people ask me what happened to Norman, I tell them he's in the RPP: Restaurateur Protection Program.

Seven better be David Koch's lucky number. Between the economy and the competition down the street, Capital Grille, Manny's moving nearer by, Morton's and Murray's, good fortune is essential.

Celebrities at Calhoun

Anybody notice a couple of Oscar winners walking around Lake Calhoun on Sunday?

"Lisa La Coursiere" of Eden Prairie e-mailed: "I'm sure this is probably old news to you, but my boyfriend and I saw Frances McDormand walking around Lake Calhoun yesterday afternoon with who I believe was Joel Coen. She is TEENY, TINY! She was not wearing any makeup, but the first time we walked by her, we knew it was her immediately. The second time my boyfriend [Brian, who told me "I never forget a face"] waved and said hello and she did the same back. Are they working on a new project?"

Joel and Ethan Coen are in the metro shooting "A Serious Man," a vintage, dark comedy about an academic family. The Coen brothers were members of such a family when they grew up in St. Louis Park. In that movie, we should all look for clues that explain the reason their movies always contain violent, traumatic scenes involving wood chippers and meat cleavers. They seem like such mellow guys, and one was cool enough to marry that fabulous McDormand, so the twisted undertone of their movies is curious. An Oscar prediction: Brad Pitt should get a supporting nod for unleashing his inner-airhead in "Burn After Reading."

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count. Attachments are not opened, so don't even try. More of her attitude can be seen on Fox 9 Thursday mornings.

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