24994J

So, it's likely for sweeps, but ABC 7 started the 10 o'clock news with a cold-ish open. They did use a 'Eyewitness News' cut for it, but I can't say I hated it. To be clear, I'm not talking about the 9:59 credit roll promo. All the other music and cues remain the same. (Go the :19 second mark) [yt]_JJ7pTYBsbg?t=9s[/yt]

When she either walks out or gets carried out in a wooden box. I don't know when the contract is up, but I'm 100% sure the job is hers for however long she wants it.

[sigh of relief]

The publicly-known pay scale would tell me that this is the extent of the "co-host" title. Either way, it doesn't disrupt anything, and congrats to Lara.

I have two little Charlie Gibson sound bites for this...without sound. On many occasions Mr. Gibson has stated that 'Good Morning America' is the best-named program in the history of television, I would personally say that its evening sibling has the distinction of being the worst-named. Gibson also said around the time of his retirement that the nightly news program would always be "Peter's broadcast". Yes, management has changed, Gibson is gone and Jennings died nearly a decade ago, but there's no reason why that mantra shouldn't be honored now. Would Peter do a show like the current 'World News'? I doubt it. Sure, no one explicitly said in the rule book of television news that things can't change, they do all the time, but there's something endearing about remembering where you've been. For example, look at the NBC and CBS (ignoring Couric's tenure) evening newscasts. Williams is still doing a broadcast that looks and feels similar to that of Brokaw's, and Pelley's show reflects a better time at CBS, under the leadership of Cronkite, and (to a tiny point) even Rather. I'm not saying that ABC should tear up the script and do what CBS did, for there are many things that do work on ABC's flagship. The 'Made in America' and 'America Strong' series are two of the better fixtures in news today, and remind me a lot of something that would be on "Peter's broadcast". The health bits don't bother me, the consumer reports don't bother me, I've even come to forgive them for what they did to the 'Person of the Week' feature, but I draw a thick, deep line at the 'Instant Index'. Noting a prominent death is fine, showing a soldier coming home is fine, but the latest viral video, selfie trend, or animal playing an instrument is beyond unacceptable. If each of these silly not-notable bits were replaced with a open-minded snippet looking at some important issues on a global scale, 'World News' would be an infinitely better program, in quality and substance. It shouldn't take Russia INVADING ANOTHER COUNTRY for us to hear about something non-domestic. And THAT's my main issue with the show. I realize times have changed, but there's no reason why the 'World' couldn't return to 'World News'.

I'm just throwing this out there. It doesn't really pertain to this story or even this thread, really, but am I the only one that thinks Diane would be better away from the desk? I don't necessarily mean that 'World News' would be better off without her (though it likely would be), but what if she were transitioned to a role in the vein of Tom Brokaw or Barbara Walters, serving as "anchor emeritus"? Give her interviews, give her primetime specials, let her call her own hours and the freedom to make her own decisions. She'd still be there on election night...hell, even anchoring with George, she'd even show up on GMA or 'World News' from time to time. At this point in her career, and with the impending exit of Babs, I think this would be a potentially beautiful arrangement.

I guess we'll never find out who would be George's primary fill-in. I'd guess that when one is off the other two will go it alone. There are a lot of unanswered questions about this, as this is relatively uncharted territory. Of course, the last time a contributor was promoted was when Robin joined Charlie and Diane in May of 2005. The precise reason for that move was never really confirmed... Yes, Peter was sick, but this move was likely in the works before he announced his leave. Also, the network was never expecting to install someone from GMA into the nighttime role. Granted, Charlie was the primary anchor in Jennings' absence. CBS at the time had four co-hosts, and NBC was starting to expand their roster, so GMA could've followed suit. Remember, GMA was working with a 5-person team then, as well, between when Mike Barz joined as a feature anchor and Tony Perkins' exit. We must also keep in mind that Charlie had the intention of retiring in 2007, but the Jennings-Vargas-Woodruff mess complicated those plans. So, as we look at this move, I think one thing is for sure. George will not be on the program for the long haul.

So what now, another studio/desk modification? Could this mean the return of a two-woman anchor team and might this be the writing on the wall for George...or even Diane? JOKE TIME! Amy's going to be so pissed!

See below...

Linda's back on 'WCL' as of today.

They seem to do it with every flavor of the month song. They have taken this one a little further than normal. I'd expect something new in May (for sweeps) or even June (for summer).

Not this morning, they didn't. They do, however, have a new-ish opening bed for serious news that's based on the main theme.

Sundays are higher-rated than Saturdays. If it was permanent, you'd think they'd make some mention of it. Otherwise, it does seem quite random and almost unnecessary. The economy's coming back, stations have more money to spend on 2 anchors for each show. I've noticed this on my ABC station lately. This might be part of the reason of adding Sarah on Sundays, as they may have wanted to wait until Rob to retire to make such a move. Still trying to figure that one out. No. Not yet. Someday, but not now. [N/A] I think that ship has sailed.

It's mentioned a few times on this page and the top of the next one... http://forums.tvnewstalk.net/index.php?/topic/11715-wabc-7-eyewitness-news/?p=106272 And here's an example of the framing...

Wait, how are you watching? (Just to be clear)... Antenna SD cable I have U-Verse, and nothing is different. I wonder if ABC is working towards this on a network level, at least at the owned stations. Remember the whole discussion about WABC's framing lately?

That's pretty much what I was thinking, as well. My original point wasn't properly worded, I should have specified and said primary fill-in.

I'm really interested to see who fills in for George next time he's off. No offense, I don't see Gio being there quite yet.

Yes, I 'm pretty sure. Keep in mind, too, that the KTLA image is from the refreshed version of that package. WNEP's look was based on the original.

Actually, I don't know that anyone's ever technically been fired from the show. I'm not sure what the circumstances were that led to Leah Hope leaving the desk in 2001, and I'm pretty sure Lauren Cohn left on her own in 1997. Other than that, there's been very little turnover. Krashesky, Brock and Taft all were promoted, and Mike and Tracy merely switched roles after only a year in their original roles, so I can't see where there'd be any bad blood in the past. Time will tell, I guess.

If the team gets deconstructed/canned.

Related, here's a gem, as posted on Roz's Facebook page...

Today is the 25th anniversary of Eyewitness/ABC 7/ABC 7 Eyewitness News This Morning. Next year's anniversary could be a little more awkward. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9490210&vid=9490212

Been there, done that. Mostly WLS, but I know a lot about the others if you have any questions.

No, he joined from WMAQ early in '98. Floyd Kalber retired from the 6pm, Alan moved there from the 5pm, and Ron filled that spot. He then added the 10pm in 2002. Diann Burns left/was canned in '03, at which point Cheryl moved from weekends, and Kathy added the 10pm in addition to the 6pm where she'd been since '93. The current 10pm team has been in place for 11 years, longer than any other in the station's history, and possibly in town. The only lead team that might beat it would be Kurtis, Jacobson, Coughlin and Morris on WBBM in the 70s/80s. FYI, if anyone ever has any tenure questions, I know the numbers way too well...one of those useless info things that I've got stored in the brain.

No kidding, Jerry just admitted to recently quitting smoking the other night. Mark then quipped that he's instead now huffing paint. Ron quickly tried to move on before anyone got in trouble. Cheryl then said something silly/awkward and everyone rolled their eyes. The 5 o'clock news in a nutshell. For perspective, John Drury was 75 and Joel Daly was 71 when they hung it up. Both did have underlying health issues, but nothing serious at the time. Drury, however, was diagnosed with ALS within the year. If Ron stays healthy (he openly admits to abusing drugs and alcohol, but has been clean for 30 years), he COULD last 10 years, but I don't see it happening.