Colin McEnroe
Encyclopedia
Colin McEnroe is an American columnist and radio personality. He currently hosts The Colin McEnroe Show on Connecticut Public Radio
, writes for The Hartford Courant
, and hosts a blog, ToWit, on the Courant's website.
. He graduated from Kingswood-Oxford School
in West Hartford, Connecticut and then from Yale University
. His father, Robert E. McEnroe was a playwright who had two shows produced on Broadway.
In 1999, McEnroe wrote an often-cited essay for McSweeney's
in which he claimed to be book critic Michiko Kakutani
. The essay, "I Am Michiko Kakutani" is now included in an anthology of McSweeney's literary essays.
McEnroe has been a contributing editor at Best Life
and Men's Health
magazines and has been a heavy contributor to Mirabella
, Mademoiselle
and Verge. His writing has also appeared in Forbes FYI, Cosmopolitan
, McSweeney's
, Family Fun and Metropolitan Home. McEnroe is a weekly columnist for The Hartford Courant
; he has been a reporter and columnist for The Courant for over 30 years. In addition, his columns have appeared in hundreds of newspapers across America and abroad; he occasionally contributes to the New York Times op-ed page.
In 1994, McEnroe wrote a serialized novel in the pages of the Hartford Courant.
In May 2003, his play "A Woman of a Certain Age," was produced at the Ivoryton Playhouse
in CT. The musical was done in collaboration with former Courant colleagues, Steve Metcalf and Lary Bloom.
In 2004, McEnroe's third book, "My Father's Footprints," published by Warner Books, won the Connecticut Book Award for best biography or memoir.
In 2006, McEnroe was heavily involved in coverage of the Senate race between Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont, especially after an exchange between Lieberman and McEnroe on the air. McEnroe also covered the race for Salon
.
In Fall 2008 he resumed his teaching duties at Trinity College, Hartford, CT
with a graduate course that tracks media coverage of the 2008 election. His blog, [To Wit], appears on the Courant’s website and offers a daily glimpse of his interests and opinions. He had been known to frequently lament his lack of a "Wikipedia" page, contrasting himself with fellow WTIC (AM)
on air personality Jim Vicevich
, who did have one. McEnroe hosted a weekday afternoon drive talk show on WTIC
, but was laid off by the station in a cost-cutting move in December 2008.
After McEnroe's show was cancelled, Vicevich's show was expanded an additional hour, only itself to be cancelled (and then reinstated)in Spring 2010.
In 2009, McEnroe moderated the Connecticut Forum for a record-setting sixth time, this panel featuring Anthony Bourdain
, Alice Waters
and Duff Goldman
. In the 2008-2009 season, McEnroe and Edward Cumming reformatted the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's Connections series.
McEnroe is noted for the broad range of topics he addresses and covers, both in his columns and on the air, and for a wry, sharp and quick wit and the air of levity and contemplation which he creates in his work, all of which have contributed to the loyal following he has developed. Politically, while generally associating himself with liberal and progressive viewpoints, he scrutinizes all policies, propositions and viewpoints - including his own - with a measured, continual skepticism.
In February 2011, McEnroe and his radio staff were featured on the cover of Hartford Magazine.
Came under public scrutiny in July of 2011, when he became involved in an on-air feud with Vicodin enthusiast and YouTube internet performer Reh Dogg.
Connecticut Public Radio
Additionally, WECS, Eastern Connecticut State University's campus station, simulcasts the network's feeds of Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Car Talk.-External links:*...
, writes for The Hartford Courant
The Hartford Courant
The Hartford Courant is the largest daily newspaper in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is a morning newspaper for most of the state north of New Haven and east of Waterbury...
, and hosts a blog, ToWit, on the Courant's website.
Early life and education
Colin McEnroe was born October 15, 1954 in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. He graduated from Kingswood-Oxford School
Kingswood-Oxford School
Kingswood Oxford School is a private day school located in West Hartford, Connecticut. Originally two separate schools, Kingswood School and Oxford School for boys and girls respectively, KO is now a co-educational institution and offers grades 6 through 12...
in West Hartford, Connecticut and then from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. His father, Robert E. McEnroe was a playwright who had two shows produced on Broadway.
Career
McEnroe started writing newspaper columns in the 1980s and was syndicated for a while. It was also in the 1980s that he started writing for magazines.In 1999, McEnroe wrote an often-cited essay for McSweeney's
McSweeney's
McSweeney's is an American publishing house founded by editor Dave Eggers.Apart from its book list, McSweeney's is responsible for four regular publications: the quarterly literary journal,...
in which he claimed to be book critic Michiko Kakutani
Michiko Kakutani
is an American Pulitzer Prize-winning critic for The New York Times and is considered by many to be a leading literary critic in the United States.-Life and career:...
. The essay, "I Am Michiko Kakutani" is now included in an anthology of McSweeney's literary essays.
McEnroe has been a contributing editor at Best Life
Best Life
Best Life, published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, was the first luxury service magazine for men, and the fastest-growing men's magazine in America, with a circulation of more than 500,000.-History:...
and Men's Health
Men's Health (magazine)
Men's Health , published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, is the world’s largest men’s magazine brand, with 44 editions around the world. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. It covers fitness, nutrition, sexuality, lifestyle and other aspects of...
magazines and has been a heavy contributor to Mirabella
Mirabella
Mirabella was a women's magazine published from 1989 to 2000. It was created by and named for Grace Mirabella, a former Vogue editor in chief....
, Mademoiselle
Mademoiselle (magazine)
Mademoiselle was an influential women's magazine first published in 1935 by Street and Smith and later acquired by Condé Nast Publications....
and Verge. His writing has also appeared in Forbes FYI, Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan (magazine)
Cosmopolitan is an international magazine for women. It was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s...
, McSweeney's
McSweeney's
McSweeney's is an American publishing house founded by editor Dave Eggers.Apart from its book list, McSweeney's is responsible for four regular publications: the quarterly literary journal,...
, Family Fun and Metropolitan Home. McEnroe is a weekly columnist for The Hartford Courant
The Hartford Courant
The Hartford Courant is the largest daily newspaper in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is a morning newspaper for most of the state north of New Haven and east of Waterbury...
; he has been a reporter and columnist for The Courant for over 30 years. In addition, his columns have appeared in hundreds of newspapers across America and abroad; he occasionally contributes to the New York Times op-ed page.
In 1994, McEnroe wrote a serialized novel in the pages of the Hartford Courant.
In May 2003, his play "A Woman of a Certain Age," was produced at the Ivoryton Playhouse
Ivoryton Playhouse
The Ivoryton Playhouse is a small professional theater located in the village of Ivoryton in the town of Essex, Connecticut, USA. It produces shows year round, March through December. As Comstock-Cheney Hall, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.-History:It was built in 1910...
in CT. The musical was done in collaboration with former Courant colleagues, Steve Metcalf and Lary Bloom.
In 2004, McEnroe's third book, "My Father's Footprints," published by Warner Books, won the Connecticut Book Award for best biography or memoir.
In 2006, McEnroe was heavily involved in coverage of the Senate race between Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont, especially after an exchange between Lieberman and McEnroe on the air. McEnroe also covered the race for Salon
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
.
In Fall 2008 he resumed his teaching duties at Trinity College, Hartford, CT
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
with a graduate course that tracks media coverage of the 2008 election. His blog, [To Wit], appears on the Courant’s website and offers a daily glimpse of his interests and opinions. He had been known to frequently lament his lack of a "Wikipedia" page, contrasting himself with fellow WTIC (AM)
WTIC (AM)
WTIC is a 50,000-watt radio station operating out of Hartford, Connecticut, broadcasting news and talk radio. Its signal, located at 1080 kHz, can be picked up throughout southern New England by day and over several states as well as parts of Canada by night...
on air personality Jim Vicevich
Jim Vicevich
Jim "Buddy" Vicevich is an American talk radio host based in Hartford, Connecticut. His show Sound Off Connecticut deals with local, as well as national, topics ranging from politics, economics and social issues, to movies and music...
, who did have one. McEnroe hosted a weekday afternoon drive talk show on WTIC
WTIC (AM)
WTIC is a 50,000-watt radio station operating out of Hartford, Connecticut, broadcasting news and talk radio. Its signal, located at 1080 kHz, can be picked up throughout southern New England by day and over several states as well as parts of Canada by night...
, but was laid off by the station in a cost-cutting move in December 2008.
After McEnroe's show was cancelled, Vicevich's show was expanded an additional hour, only itself to be cancelled (and then reinstated)in Spring 2010.
In 2009, McEnroe moderated the Connecticut Forum for a record-setting sixth time, this panel featuring Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Michael "Tony" Bourdain is an American chef, author and television personality. He is well known for his 2000 book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, and is the host of Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure program Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.A...
, Alice Waters
Alice Waters
Alice Louise Waters is an American chef, restaurateur, activist, and author. She is the owner of Chez Panisse, a Berkeley, California restaurant famous for its organic, locally-grown ingredients and for pioneering California cuisine.Waters opened the restaurant in 1971. It has consistently ranked...
and Duff Goldman
Duff Goldman
Jeffrey Adam "Duff" Goldman is a pastry chef and television personality. He is the executive chef of the Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes shop which is featured in the Food Network reality television show Ace of Cakes...
. In the 2008-2009 season, McEnroe and Edward Cumming reformatted the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's Connections series.
McEnroe is noted for the broad range of topics he addresses and covers, both in his columns and on the air, and for a wry, sharp and quick wit and the air of levity and contemplation which he creates in his work, all of which have contributed to the loyal following he has developed. Politically, while generally associating himself with liberal and progressive viewpoints, he scrutinizes all policies, propositions and viewpoints - including his own - with a measured, continual skepticism.
In February 2011, McEnroe and his radio staff were featured on the cover of Hartford Magazine.
Came under public scrutiny in July of 2011, when he became involved in an on-air feud with Vicodin enthusiast and YouTube internet performer Reh Dogg.
Marriage and children
McEnroe is divorced. He lives with his teen-age son whom he refers to on-air as "Mortimer."Published works
- My Favorite Ice Cream is Only Sometimes Vanilla (Doubleday, 1984)
- Swimming Chickens: And Other Half-breasted Accounts of the Animal World (Doubleday, 1987)
- Lose Weight Through Great Sex with Celebrities (The Elvis Way) (Doubleday, 1989)
- My Father's Footprints: a Memoir (Warner Books, 2003)
External links
- Colin McEnroe: To Wit
- http://www.ctforum.org/popups/bio.asp?event_bio_image_id=2568Colin's
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9lBUvCoks