100 years ago today--March 18, 1922--WFIL (originally WFI, under a license issued to Strawbridge & Clothier) broadcast for the very first time. In 1935, WFI merged with WLIT (originally licensed to the Lit Brothers) to form WFIL. Over the years, the station has had various owners, geographic locations, and formats. Well-known for its "Top 40 Rock & Roll" format and its "Boss Jocks" in the 60s & 70s, WFIL later flipped to adult contemporary, country, and "beautiful" music before most recently changing to a Christian teaching/talk format late in 1993.

To help commemorate the 100th anniversary, the program features WFIL alumni Tony Bruno, Howard Eskin and Mark Daniels, each very accomplished broadcasters in their own right representing over 125 years of media experience. They share great memories and insights, often referencing the impact of many talented people associated with WFIL's decorated history.

We have some fun too mixing in vintage WFIL jingles along the way and gave out $5.60 gift cards to Chick Fil-A, Dunkin, Panera, Rita's & WaWa courtesy of show sponsor Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown.

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Typically the third Thursday of each month is "Trivia Thursday," pitting the guys v the gals. We took February off to recover after the shellacking the ladies handed out in January by a 23-7 score. This time around, will the result be different?...

We also feature an interview from exactly two years ago when John Rhys-Davies (Sallah in the Indiana Jones films & Gimli in Lord of the Rings) spoke with us from his home on the Isle of Man located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain & Ireland. He joined us that day regarding a new film he was in ("I Am Patrick").

Featured sports clips:
Claude Giroux (Flyers)
Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid & James Harden (76ers)
Bryce Harper (Phillies)

Featured music: See Me Through It / BRANDON HEATH

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We're joined by actress Hanako Greensmith (who plays paramedic Violet (Lynn) Mikami on the show Chicago Fire) to chat about her career and the current season of the show. Dan Bartkowiak, Director of Communications with PA Family Institute, checks in to discuss three recent Senate hearings on the legalization of marijuana in the state. More information is available at www.pafamily.org. We also play back our recent conversation with John Oates (of Daryl Hall & John Oates) who kicks off his "An Evening of Songs & Stories" tour with Guthrie Trapp in Phoenixville tonight.

Featured sports clips: Doc Rivers, James Harden & Joel Embiid (76ers); Joe Girardi (Phillies)

Featured music clip: Lord Send Me / JOHN OATES

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Rob Maaddi, Associated Press Pro Football writer checks in regarding being on the receiving end of nasty & unpleasant messages on social media (most recently revolving around comments made by former Eagles & Colts quarterback Carson Wentz shared about being traded that Maaddi simply reposted). Maaddi, who is also host of the "Faith on the Field" radio show (www.faithonthefieldshow.com) emphasizes the need to love your enemy (and at times, use the "block" button on social media :)).

We're also joined by Andrew Levitas, director of the new film "Minamata." From the press release:

"Inspired by a true story, Minamata stars Johnny Depp playing celebrated photojournalist Eugene Smith. The film takes place in 1971 when we find Smith as a recluse and disconnected from the world he once shot. After receiving one final assignment from Life Magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy), Eugene must travel to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning. Ushered by an impassioned Japanese translator, Aileen (Minami) and encouraged by local villagers (Hiroyuki Sanada), Eugene's powerful images expose decades of gross negligence by the country's Chisso Corporation."

Smith is a heavy drinker, smoker, swearer, and broke...and is not a particularly good father. Yet there are flashes of compassion (grizzled as it might be) in his character as Smith perseveres in documenting the story.  "Minamata" is edgy in its language at times, with a storyline that's sad, emotional, powerful, and redemptive (at least in part). One key scene revolves around one of the most famous photos in the past 60 years, "Tomoko In Her Bath" (it is also known by several other names).

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Pastor Paul Sheppard from the "Destined For Victory" radio program (230pm & 930pm weekdays on WFIL & several times over the weekend) checks in to talk about the upcoming Pastors Appreciation Breakfast (Thursday March 31) where he'll be the featured speaker. He shares about his new book Lessons From The Vineyard, on being married nearly 40 years, and most importantly (?), his thoughts on the 76ers trading for superstar James Harden :). Pastor Paul spent the first 31 years of his life in the Philadelphia area (including serving 7 years as Associate Pastor at West Oak Lane Church of God) before following God's call to pastor a church in California. You can find out more about the ministry at www.pastorpaul.net.

The legendary Dionne Warwick also joins the program today. The second-most charted female artist in the rock era (1955-1999) according to Billboard, Warwick--born in Orange, NJ & raised in East Orange, NJ--is known for songs such as "I Say A Little Prayer," "Walk On By," "Then Came You" (with the Spinners), "Heartbreaker" and "That's What Friends Are For" (the single of the year in 1987). She received a lifetime Grammy Award in 2018 and continues to be involved in music, most recently on the single "Power In The Name" by her son Damon Elliott & Krayzie Bone (of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) where Warwick adds guest vocals. She shares about the new song, a documentary that's in the works, her WG Design Lab and her love for Brazil.

We cap off the Famous Friday Show with the side-splitting Now THAT'S Punny!

Featured sports clips: Mike Yeo & Carter Hart (Flyers) + Doc Rivers & James Harden (76ers)

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Actor Aidan Quinn checks in to discuss the upcoming film Blacklight in which Quinn co-stars with Liam Neeson, as well as his role as Theodore Roosevelt in The American Guest, a four-part miniseries on HBO Max.

We’re also joined by Raul Ries, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (CA) and featured speaker of the "Somebody Loves You" radio program, WFIL’s Ministry of the Month for February. The program has been on WFIL almost 24 years and airs weekdays at 1030am (and 330am), Saturdays at 430am, and Sundays at 3pm & 930pm. More information on the ministry available at www.somebodylovesyou.com or through WFIL's program guide at wfil.com (where you can also enter to win several prizes in the Ministry of the Month feature/contest :)).

We also add in some gift card giveaway fun to the mix!

Featured sports clips—Mike Yeo, Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, Derick Brassard, Claude Giroux

Featured clips—Dave Peterson (owner/operator of Tim DeMoss Show sponsor Bryner Chevrolet)

Featured songs—Little Youth Group / APOLOGETIX, I Don’t Need To See Miracles / APOLOGETIX

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Dr. Bryan Chapell joins the program for the first time and shares his testimony, his years as a pastor (including at the historic Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois), thoughts on the radio ministry and specifically the word "grace." We also discuss parts of the "Walking In Grace" video series which can be found at www.bryanchapell.com (featuring videos simply titled "Walk," "Closer," "Place," "Messed Up," and "Works").

You can catch the "Unlimited Grace with Bryan Chapell" radio program each weekday at 3pm on AM 560 WFIL, at wfil.com, and on the WFIL app :).

Featured sports clips: Mike Yeo, James Van Riemsdyk, Travis Konecny & Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers)

Featured music: Take Me Back / KJ-52, See Me Through It / BRANDON HEATH

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Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, calls in to the show to discuss Senate Bill 956 (The Life Amendment). The bill is in response to a lawsuit (which is currently before the PA Supreme Court) by Planned Parenthood & the abortion industry. The lawsuit demands taxpayer funding of abortion and "further asks the court to declare a right to abortion in our state constitution." PA State Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair), who introduced the bill, noted "I am proposing a simple amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution clarifying that there is no right to an abortion or abortion funding within Pennsylvania's constitution. This amendment is designed to maintain our laws regulating abortion and preventing the taxpayer funding of elective abortion." More information on this and other cases is available at www.pafamily.org.

Kevin Harvey, Philadelphia 76ers chaplain and South Jersey Fellowship of Christian Athletes Area Director, also checks in. As a freshman at LaSalle University, Harvey sustained an ankle injury that derailed his basketball aspirations. He shares his testimony, the ministry work he does, and a new chapter he believes the Lord is establishing in the weeks and months ahead. You can find out more about what the South Jersey FCA offers and how to be involved simply at www.southjerseyfca.org.

Sports clips: Doc Rivers, Andre Drummond & Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers), Mike Yeo & Rasmus Ristolainen (Philadelphia Flyers)

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Rob Maaddi, Associated Press Pro Football writer, joins the show to chat about the NFL playoffs and Tom Brady's potential retirement. Maaddi, who was the AP's beat writer for the Philadelphia Eagles & Philadelphia Phillies for 20+ years, was promoted recently to his new position and moved to Florida where this past season he interacted regularly with Brady at Tampa Bay practices & games. Maaddi, who also hosts "Faith On The Field" (www.faithonthefield.com) radio show/podcast, shares his testimony and news as well pertaining to a special event FOTF will be hosting Friday February 11.

Tim also gives the latest update in WFIL's partnership with Pre-Born, a ministry that provides free ultrasounds to pregnant women & girls. Approximately 83% of such women, after having the chance to see their baby--and hear their baby's heartbeat--are inclined to keep their baby. Pre-Born also provides related services such as diapers, clothing & strollers in the months that follow the ultrasound.

The opportunity to help wraps up at midnight tonight (Monday 01/31/22). You can do so at 1 833 850-BABY (2229) or at wfil.com. The goal entering January was 450 ultrasounds, and as of 430pm today, 601 ultrasounds had been covered :)! The all-time WFIL record is 774, so as of this writing we're just 174 away from a new record. If you'd like to help, each potentially life-saving ultrasound is $28. 5 can be provided for $140, 10 for $280, 20 for $560 :). Thank you for whatever help you can offer by midnight tonight!

Featured sports clips: Mike Yeo, Carter Hart, Cam Atkinson (Philadelphia Flyers), Tyrese Maxey & Danny Green (Philadelphia 76ers)

Featured clips: Scott Wilder (Pre-Born), J. Jackson (ApologetiX lead singer/lyricist), and Katie Trent (author of Dishing Up Devotions, which WFIL is giving away (contest ends at midnight tonight)).

Featured songs: I Don't Need To See Miracles / APOLOGETIX (parody of "All I Need Is A Miracle" / MIKE + THE MECHANICS) & Take Me Back / KJ-52

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Bucks County (PA) photographer Megan Brock joins the program in-studio to share about her experiences since early 2020 advocating for children, specifically in the realm of education including the opportunity for kids to learn in school.

Brock's advocacy, along with that of other local parents, has been an organically-growing story on behalf of children in her community (her own two young children have been in school most of the past couple of years). The process has involved over 300 "Right To Know" requests which Megan sheds light on (in terms of what they are and how a person can utilize them in their own communities if needed). Brock also takes time to express how her faith in the Lord has come into play throughout, as the story continues to unfold even now.

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