Jase

For one, it's summer so they likely want to take off right after GDC is over to do other things. I can't blame them. Second, Corey is often on assignment taping his 'Chicago Kitchens'. Plus, unless something major is happening, they (and other stations too) really don't need two people. As unconventional as it may seem, having solo anchors is common place with them (whether it's @ Noon or on the weekends). Heck...my DirecTV only list Corey @ Noon and they still list Darlene as a reporter on the web site. They don't care much about being consistent about things.

I would say no. WMAQ is fully devoted to two things now (weather and investigations). So I think WLS (among others) may be feeling some pressure to be ready to go at a moment's notice if something happens because it's pretty clear that 'MAQ is ready and willing to go wall-to-wall with weather coverage without any hesitation, trepidation or overwhelming need. After last week's storm coverage, I feel that a line has been drawn in the sand. With that said, expect a lot of jocking amongst every station when it comes to weather.

The situation at WFLD is a hard one to figure out. While the issues are clearly apparent, fixing said issues seems impossible for some reason. There doesn't seem any plan to move the station forward and improve the product. The decisions (whether they are coming from the top or locally) just don't work and no ones seems to know what they are doing.

Very doubtful they do anything major other than the light upgrade. Some cosmetic work (update durans in weather/traffic center, etc..) is a very small possibility, but even that seems like a long shot. Honestly, I would leave the newsroom set-up as is and maybe add another stand-up element to the other side near the control room.

Just work on the lights is all. Nothing major.

Brant (WMAQ) was nearing the end of his forecast (within the 4:30 newscast) when word came down and quickly asked they bring up an updated map, so he was prepared. WBBM stayed with Judge Judy given they were minutes away from the 5P newscast. WFLD had a weather crawl.

Interesting. Could this be a game changer???

So..they hire yet another person with very little experience. It's as if they want to fail.

Yeah...makes you wonder why they decided to go with an outside company for the Cubs baseball opener when they clearly have both the resources and people who could create something as solid as this.

This was a dead end for Lewis so it makes sense she decided to head back home. Helms apparently can barely put a package together by herself much less write a cohesive sentence. Word is insiders were in shock when she was hired last year based on her serious lack of knowledge and journalistic skills. I guess WFLD management wanted to wait at least a year before they let her go to save what little face they have.

He is likely the only one available. Plus, with extended sports coverage, they likely didn't want Karen to anchor the enitire hour solo.

What the heck is going on over there? I believe this was the 6 EP Good Day Chicago has had in the past 7 years. How can things get better when they never give people enough time to turn things around?

WLS reportedly did this on Monday and Tuesday with WMAQ responding yesterday to the challenge. WMAQ has used this tactic before and WFLD has used a different type in the past also.That said, look for MAQ' to run a promo saying they are #1 @ TEN (with an * noting it's actaully a win in the demo and not households/total viewers in the smallest print possible). Gotta love their competitive spirit!!!

Stations here have often used promos to highlight things...ie..'#1 at TEN,' 'Local Coverage. FIRST.,' etc... They don't do that as much as they once did however. That said, I can't remember ever coming across any releases online as of late.

WMAQ and WLS were a lot more competitive, particularly at 10, for years often trading the #1 spot every few months. In late 1997/early 1998, WMAQ suffered a 20% decline in viewership after Marin and Magers quit and it took years for them to recover. WLS, to a certain degree, benefitted from that and maybe still does a little. Honestly, who knows how things would have played out if Ron and Carol had stayed... News coverage (in general) has changed so much and with it, the habits of viewers. I think it will only get tougher for WLS to hold off WMAQ constantly in certain key demos (overall/total viewership doesn't matter) going forward if MAQ' offers up something (whether it's an investigative piece, storm coverage, etc...) that draws viewers in regardless of how long that may be. Sadly, I don't think WBBM is up to the challenge to compete with either of them. I miss the days when everyone made a constant effort to up their game and really go after each other.

Since the door has been opened (if you will), it looks like he is wearing the same shirt too. There appears to be makeup residue on the collar that is somewhat similar, but more pronounced today on one side given the angle. I could be totally wrong given that I'm dealing with an eye infection.

This is what happens when you cut beyond the bone, so none of this should come as a surprise. You have to feel for those that have to pretty much scrape together a newscast day in and day out because management, on any level, just doesn't care.

At one point, Tom and the rest of the crew gave him kudos for his coverage. He said he has covered small tornadoes before, but, as you can imagine, seeing the devastation first hand is difficult to see/explain.

Rob keeps talking over her and vice versa. They need to work as a team and not try to be the lead. Honestly, Brant could (and should have) just run things. Shocking how bad they are.

As I have said before, when Scott was at WMAQ, it was a very similar situation (very bad weather/entire weather team on-air) and she seemed out of her element. So I dont see things getting better. As far as technical issues, they could have sent someone (or both) upstairs and run things from there if they couldn't get things going in the studio.

Sadly this isn't her forte. When it comes to breaking weather coverage, she is weak. Jerry sounds sick (I dont know if he really is) and has to carry the load. I feel bad for him.

Conventional wisdom would suggest 2018 would be the end date (10 yrs. after the studio debuted). I still believe that if they wanted out, they probably could get out of it. The city has bigger issues to deal with plus with the entire Gallery 37 complex on a upswing, I doubt there would be anything/anyone standing in their way.

Yes. Both he and Marion Brooks were cropped out.

As of late (a couple of weeks), it has been a live toss. It may be something they're trying to help keep the numbers here in Chicago (Lester's former hometown) and in other key markets stable following the Williams thingy.

As stated above, 'Empire' is filmed here, but the setting is NYC. While they are still behind WGN rating-wise, having a mega hit like 'Empire' as a lead-in has no doubt helped WFLD stabilize things a bit. WMAQ tends to do the same with both 'Chicago Fire' and 'PD.' For example, actors from CF/CPD hosted WMAQ's auto show last month. With more TV shows calling Chicago home these days, most of us have grown use to Empire, Prison Break. ER segments, etc.. appearing on newscasts.