C.J.: 'On the Fly' trio is now duo with producer's exit

Dan Edwards has quietly left My 29’s “On the Fly.”

Very quietly, considering how delightfully noisy and rambunctious Edwards is.

I thought I was just catching the show hosted by Tony Fly and Kelsey Soby on the days their on-air producer wasn’t there. Apparently not. Edwards’ role has been filled by various comedians and local celebs. The show will probably hire another producer, who may not be a permanent on-camera presence.

An e-mail from “Al V” reminded me of some stuff I had not written.

I’ve got to admit that I thought there was a third-wheel element to Edwards’ being on set, and I was sometimes uncomfortable with his version of awkward exploits. But he seemed like a sweet fellow and pretty good producer, and I’m told the show is doing very well as far as attracting a large audience. I have heard Edwards’ talents have been sought by other media and he may have left My29 of his own accord.

Dan was Tony’s producer at the former B96 and K-TWIN. Edwards started his career as a KDWB intern in 1998 and then moved all around the country — Champaign, Ill., Bismarck, N.D., and Erie, Pa. — programming radio stations. He returned home to work late nights on B96 before moving to Tony’s morning radio show.

“Since mid-May his name has been taken off the opening credits and questions on Facebook from fans regarding his absence have gone unanswered,” according to Al V’s e-mail to me.

I’ve called the station for a comment but have not heard back. They are probably silent because My29ers need permission from NYC to talk.

But Edwards is no longer encumbered by such rules, so I asked him for a comment via Twitter.

“Thanks for the tweet!” Edwards said via e-mail. “I did leave ‘On the Fly.’ I don’t want to go into specifics, but it was the right time to move on. I know Tony will do amazing things with that show! As far as options, I’m talking to a few people in and out of market. Can’t say a ton right now.”

 

Favre scores for Cochran

In a manner of speaking, Brett Favre defeated Sarah Palin at the polls Tuesday in Mississippi.

The former Vikings and Packers QB, a Mississippi native, stuck his toe into politics by doing a campaign commercial for six-term Sen. Thad Cochran. Cochran was in a runoff with Tea Party-backed challenger Chris McDaniel, who had the support of the former governor of Alaska.

Weekend news reports were giving the edge to Palin’s candidate, but when the votes were counted, Cochran had 51 percent to McDaniel’s 49.

Most stories about Cochran’s victory mention Favre’s spot, without saying that it may have been the difference.

In the spot, Favre, considerably more ripped than the last time I saw him in the locker room at Winter Park and with his hair styled in a fetching new way, asked voters to “Stand with Thad.”

While politics doesn’t look like nearly as much fun as coaching, even on the high school level, Mississippians I know say Favre could get elected to any office he wanted down there.

Via Twitter, I asked Favre if helping Cochran had given him the political itch. Shockingly, there has been no response.

 

Book launch epilogue

Finally finished editing the video from the Sunday book party Dan Buettner threw for Arianna Huffington. I hadn’t budgeted time for this video, but the party Buettner threw turned so eventful that a video has been attached to my June 24 column.

I think Buettner, Mr. @BlueZones, wasn’t completely happy with that column, as he reminded me via e-mail: “The purpose of the party was to introduce Arianna to the mayor, CEOs of several health and wellness companies. We had Blue Cross, HealthPartners, Penny George, [who] conceived and funded this,” directing me to http://tinyurl.com/cujqwm9. “I think there were incredible connections made.”

He forgot to mention the presence of Penny’s husband, Bill George, Medtronic’s former chief exec, now a Harvard Business School professor.

 

C.J. can be reached at cj@startribune.com and seen on Fox 9’s “Buzz.” E-mailers, please state a subject; “Hello” does not count. Attachments are not opened.