24994J

Holy hell, it's more than lights. New duratrans behind each anchor and the ABC 7 appears to have been painted.

Looks like the repairs are done, and the 4 o'clock show will be back at the big kids' table. They only showed the one-shot on Linda Yu during the 3:30 tease, but things are definitely lit a little differently, though there doesn't appear to be any new set pieces. Pics are forthcoming...

Nothing new this morning. Mike Caplan even made a little joke about the desktop screens looking like something put of the old game show 'Pyramid'. Also, Hosea and Judy mentioned that they're making some changes in the main studio, and they hope to be back there "soon", sounding to me like it might not even be tomorrow. Maybe they'll be back in the SSS at 4, but I'm beginning to think that lighting might not be the only modifications being made, even though Rob Feder is typically very reliable.

Nothing new tonight. Still in the temporary abyss. One thing different today is the weather person (Troy in the morning and Jerry this evening) is in front of the chromakey during the show, instead of the weather office like last night. Whether it's in the temp studio or not, I don't know, but Troy joined Terrell and Stacey on set to close throughout this morning's news, whereas Jerry never appeared next to Ron and Kathy yesterday.

I have a feeling a new desk would be very complicated to install, as there's very little wiggle room to move it out. However, that doesn't mean it could be dismantled/destroyed first, though trashing it would be stupid because it is in immaculate shape when I sat at it. Also, new lighting is a potentially vague way of describing what's being done. Like I said, the set, despite its age, is in great condition, and some adjusted lighting (and maybe updated duras) could really add 2-3 to its life expectancy.

Confirmed by Feder on Twitter, it's new lighting. (I asked.)

They're still on the temp this morning. If it's a tech or lighting issue, they'll probably be back in the SSS tonight or tomorrow morning. If it's a refresh, probably Monday. Bigger than that? I doubt anything's going that far, but it would definitely be awhile.

This duratran is a duplicate of the male anchor backdrop. Where is it in the building? Not a clue. I know they have had a set like this for mock newscasts at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Hell, it might be the same one, just shipped back to 190N.

Now here's an actually nice cap. I'm actually digging the set-up. There's nothing really over the top with the SSS, but there's something really appealing about such a no-frills setting like this. Kind of a fun throwback to the 20 years they sat in front of a blue wall.

One thing strikes me about this, though. When I was in the SSS last week, a few of the studio monitors showed the temp set they're using tonight. A production guy was sitting in the anchor seat, and they were clearly adjusting/testing the lighting and camera angles. Take it for what it's worth, but it seems weird, thinking back to what I saw. Oh, and no mention. Here's a quicky little album for anyone that doesn't see it... http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/24994J/library/WLS%20Temp%20Set%202014

Isn't it amazing that this is the first time in nearly eight and a half years that this has happened? At least to the point of actually broadcasting elsewhere. If they didn't ditch for NATO in 2012 or Lolla in years past, I wonder what's so different now? I'm betting on tech problems like jase is going with. Would it be crazy though to think they might do a backdrop refresh like WPVI at some point?

Holy shit! Ron and Kathy are on a temp set and Jerry's in the upstairs studio!

Look up the 6pm weekend open from the debut of the graphics. They do have a dusk-time open, and it looks fantastic. I think it's the best-looking in the package. I don't know why they wouldn't use it, because it could work year-round.

This hasn't gone full-on public yet (unless I'm way behind), but as I was snooping around Twitter tonight, I found out that reporter Jeremy Ross of WITI in Milwaukee is joining WBBM in Chicago in a similar role. He just recently filed his last report north of the Cheddar Curtain.

In regards to the desk, absolutely. Up until the new monitor wall tonight, the Nightline/Weekend GMA side of the set was certainly the best looking part of the room.

Seeing how little Sawyer's broadcast uses the screen (now screens), this is definitely an investment in Muir.

That's what I mean. A lot of it is really subtle, but it's a big improvement over the flat-but-dimensional thing they had going until today. Old on the left, new on the right...

So, as of today's 4 o'clock news, ABC 7 has significantly upgraded their weather map software and updated some of the graphics. Nothing groundbreaking on the graphics side, but the angled display motif looks better as those slides have been given a 3D effect. Skilling would be jealous.

Fun fact: When I was visiting WLS today, I asked the lady at the front desk if anyone actually comes by to look at the public file, and she said that in the 2.5 years she's worked there, only 3 people have been documented looking at it.

Filming location for 'The NOW'? I'm here all week. Remember to tip your waitresses.

WGN reporter/fill-in anchor Frank Holland to WCVB. http://www.robertfeder.com/2014/07/17/wgns-holland-hauls-anchor-to-boston/

Okay, I gotta brag for a moment. WCL is hosting a Facebook fan day this Tuesday (7/22), and yours truly got tickets. What's more, in addition to the taping, guests of the show will be given lunch (I'd assume, as the event is til 2:30), a tour of the State Street Studio, and a meet and greet with many of the anchors and reporters. I'll be sure to take a bunch of pictures. Oh, and if anyone's ever wondered about the process of attending a talk show, here's the letter I was sent...

That bumper cut, though, minus the stinger, is awesome.

I've really only seen one news blog online that's reputable, factual, and (99%) impartial , but ironically, I'm biased.

I think I've seen Ron anchor weekends once. It was a holiday and Kate Snow was still co-anchor, so it's been awhile.