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The distance of the two spots to the desk is about the same, and the sports/Goudie side monitor is more adjustable, but the way they do the toss allows for a much tighter shot. Plus, there's no good way the monitor on the left could be placed to accommodate the toss and the preceding trending segment closing the show. It might look even worse, in my opinion.

I know they can tilt it to adjust the angle (i.e. facing the floor versus the ceiling), and the whole piece might be able to rotate on its base, but it cannot be moved from its mounting.

Here's the shot with both Linda and Alan... As for the anchors being in the way of the graphic, that stems back to the old arrangement where the toss would go desk > full shot > stand-up, closing with the 'COMING UP AT 5PM' graphic in full view...

He was on at midday today, and they mentioned yesterday that he was fighting a nasty cold last week. Frankly, he didn't sound very good either day this week.

Yup, the new 4 to 5 toss is a thing. Krash and Linda tossed to the desk and right into the 5.

Cheryl was on with Linda at 4, and Alan did a tease in the opening rundown before his report like he did at 6.

That is absolutely hilarious. Fahey approves of that comment, but Ron is displeased.

I first noticed her on 'Midday'. I don't know if she got a welcome or anything. Also of note: Steve Sanders came back to 'Midday' today after 4 weeks. He had his knee replaced, but as a regular viewer, I didn't hear one peep about his absence over the last month. What's interesting, though, is that over those weeks, there had to have been at least 10 different anchors and reporters fill in for him (Bob Jordan the most frequent).

Has Carson already been the de facto 5th member of the team at 10 and slipping right in, or is she being moved there with Ward's cutback?

Kind of an interesting format change on Eyewitness News tonight, a change likely influenced sweeps. For a million years, the 4pm news has always concluded with an anchor toss and a commercial break, with the 5pm news starting thereafter. For the last 8.5 years, the 5 o'clock team would be standing by at the stand-up area to the right of the desk. Today, though, Linda Yu closed the 4pm show from the stand-up area, tossing to Ron and Cheryl at the desk. After the normal tease, the 5pm open ran, leading into a nearly 13 minute block of news (compared to the usual 9 or 10). It was different, and I really liked it. It was a nice switch of the same song and dance, and I hope they keep this toss routine beyond the end of sweeps. I have also noticed lately that the 4pm A-block has expanded by about 3 minutes, as well, but this predated the beginning of November sweeps.

But, to say it's too soon isn't totally correct, either. There's precedent. Oh, and their last major graphics change was another 3 years back in '05-ish.

WABC's 2011 graphics are as old now as the 2008s were when they were replaced.

Man, I misjudged that lower third BIG TIME. It's really just a cheap ESPN knock-off...

Was this from during the marathon coverage, or was it a news segment? Either way, the font choice (and general style, to a lesser extent) looks a lot like WTVD's lower thirds.

It's only been like that for a few weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if it's part of the more straightforward, "toned down" broadcast Muir's been doing to this point.

It's on his online bio/stories filed, the occasional lower third, but not in the talent opens.

All I've heard is that ABC News is taking over production of the show. From where (source) did you get that idea?

So, ABC 7's 3pm restoration is complete. They just reinstated the 4pm preview that runs through the Jeopardy! credit roll. Yeah, it's not the same with the current theme, but it's one of those nice little hallmarks to have back. Also, Jerry, Mike & company are starting to play around with the 7-day for the season like they did last year just before the new graphics debuted. Somebody should tell Skilling to do something like this, instead of crowding his 7-day with moving pictures, symbols and word art... Here's the comparison... WLS' flags feature an ABC logo that is slightly raised and domed, letting light and reflections dictate it's shine effect. WABC's flags (this one, admittedly, being a poor example due to the partially detached disc) uses a printed image of ABC's 2007 logo. Personally, I think the WLS model looks better.

I posted a side-by-side like umpteen pages ago. I'll look for it. It was from when WLS debuted the new ones.

Not at all. Heck, the clip compililations they've put together over the years for 9/11 and other big events have been second to none in the medium.

Not to burst any bubbles, but WABC actually put that video together last year for the 1st anniversary.

Now? You mean like the last 15-18 years? I can't name any of the major market ABC7s that has blown up the size of the ABC disc since their introductions in the late 90s. Textures, effects, and styles have changed, but the proportions are no different. Hell, these stations pretty much didn't have bugs before the ABC# era.

Yes, there are national consequences, but not until election night, and on a broad scale. Every little race is irrelevant and needs no real mention until some nutjob candidate goes off his rocker. And, let's be honest, this has been a fairly uneventful election, despite the potentially important outcome.

Psst...'EVENING News' has had the 14 reports. But still, that fact about ABC doesn't bother me in the least. The LOCAL stations are doing a fine enough job letting me know that the LOCAL races exist. Some people don't want to hear about national news on local newscasts, but I don't care to hear about local news on the national newscasts. Save it for election night.