24994J

The mid-forecast hand-off is nothing new. I will say, I don't really like that Tracy was given the lead role, as this is Troy's broadcast, but that's neither here nor there. I do have to disagree with you about the tag-teaming being pretty much unnecessary. Now, I don't like being a know-it-all, but I think my (limited) weather training/experience gives me a bit of insight in this kind of situation. As it is in my classroom, as it is in the weather center...two pairs of eyes are better than one, plain and simple. Do they both need to be on-air? Maybe not, but when their putting their maps together, looking at the systems, bouncing theories around, multiple personnel is invaluable. A little unrelated, but Tracy actually came to our class this week and talked with us about that middle ground, where the training and the on-air forecasting meets. Having the ability to work with someone else, getting into a discussion only helps them get better. In fact, she had such a good time, that she'd like to come back, sometime. [ATTENTION: shameless self-promotion.] They were filming a segment with our lead professor, for a special that will air in a few weeks...and I'm likely going to make an appearance.

According to her Facebook page, Linda will be back on Monday. I dry run sitting at the desk today was successful.

Ice desks are soooo last week. The ice green screen is where it's at now... http://www.newscaststudio.com/2014/01/29/ohio-station-builds-ice-chroma-key-wall/

WGN in Chicago isn't, either. I don't it's something they have much of a say-so in, as the CW has been very (somewhat) strict in allowing pre-emptions of their programming than the WB ever was...though it mostly applies to sporting events.

Wasn't that experimental week with Oprah? If not, I'd guess it would be Mary Ann Childers, as she was doing the 4:30 show at that time. It's hard to figure out these things with WLS, as everything is kind of blurry from when Fahey Flynn died in '83 to when Drury and Kalber joined the station in '84.

Any idea when her anniversary falls? I want to say it's much later in the year.

Yeah, she pops up on one or two Saturday nights a year. I mean, Jerry's been on vacation every other week lately, and they've been working Mike like a racehorse, so she's next in line...especially if anyone's job is on the line. Mike or Jerry will be in tomorrow night, as they implied that Troy will be solo tomorrow morning and Tracy will be on at 4 AM Monday.

Not that it entirely matters, but it is somewhat of a reflection of the show's success...GMA has surpassed Today in total followers on both Twitter and Facebook, also being the first of the morning shows to reach 2,000,000 on the latter site.

I don't think so.

ABC News gets credit for this one. Here's the opening to the very first edition of 'World News Tonight' from 1978. It features Frank Reynolds, Max Robinson, Peter Jennings, Barbara Walters and Howard K. Smith... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151985497989818&stream_ref=1

A few notes... - Linda Yu posted an update on her condition... "Many of you live with constant excruciating pain: mine is beginning to diminish. Many of you have permanent life altering injuries: I will walk again in 3 months. Many of you struggle with loneliness and isolation: I am surrounded by healing help. Life teaches us many lessons. Compassion, understanding and gratitude are the lessons I'm learning now. I miss you and expect to see you soon." - New hire Tanja Babich (WSYR) made her reporting debut last night. I first saw her this evening, though. Solid reporter, good looks, not an airhead, seems like a good hire...now let's see her at the anchor desk. As we all know, anchor chemistry has always been a hallmark at Channel 7. - I've been thinking about the possibility of an anchor switch. Now, it's been reported (a poorly kept secret) that Ms. Babich has been hired to do more than report and fill in. It should not come as any surprise that she is expected to find a permanent place at the desk before the year is out. The big question is where will she land? Frankly, I'm not sure. There are a few possibilities. Now, all of these are potential vacancies, not necessarily positions for Tanja, just positions that might open up. I do think that should any weekday anchor changes be made, any of the four weekend anchors are in good shape to move up the totem pole. Should that be the case, Tanja will land on Saturdays and Sundays... The morning show is the most obvious choice, and would cause the least amount of upheaval and chaos. In recent years, it's become stale, formulaic, and boring. Not only are the demo numbers down, but total viewer count is falling, as well. The broadcast is fighting it out with WMAQ for the #2 spot. It's the only newscast (WCL notwithstanding) that is not number one in either total or young viewers. Who'd be displaced is a good question. Both Hosea Sanders or Judy Hsu (or both) could be removed from the broadcast (not necessarily fired). The 4 o'clock news can't be ruled out, either. With Linda's injury, it's anyone's guess when she will return. Yes, it would be incredibly cold and cruel to kick Ms. Yu while she's down, but seeing how the Perez dismissal was allegedly handled, well... Now, another Linda-related option could come with the likely return of a midday newscast, seeing any of the aforementioned female anchors front (possibly with Yu) the show, being set up as a successor for Linda's 4pm role at some point. Now, the dark horse here is the 5pm news. Now, now, I know that sounds ridiculous, but I'd like to present my evidence to the jury. Over the last several months, Cheryl Burton's role on the 10pm news has been greatly reduced. She never (not in SEVERAL months) fills in for Ron at 10, either, with Alan and Ravi getting the nod, or Kathy going solo. The biggest clue I've noticed has come in the last couple weeks. Kathy has been on at four for Linda every day except this past Friday and yesterday, when Ravi (Friday)/Ron (Monday) and Cheryl anchored all evening broadcasts. Ms. Brock was back on today. Of course, Sylvia used was Linda's primary sub for over 20 years, but when she wasn't available, Cheryl would always be next in line. Kathy would rarely be seen at that early period, as she already had two other shows to do, but Ms. Burton would give up her 10 o'clock role and do the 4. Not anymore. I don't know. Sorry this one was kinda messy and convoluted (especially that last one), just throwing some theories out there.

I wonder if NBC still has a camera set up behind the vertical monitor that is positioned behind the old, now secondary 'Today' desk position. That would be a good backdrop. Crappy traffic, bad weather, it just screams suckiness.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. At first I was hesitant at the choice of Ratner for the voiceovers. Locally, I closely associated him with his time at WBBM, and the fact that he's the voice on many commercials, as well. After a few months, though, I'm really warming up to his work on WLS. I like Roger Rose's work as a secondary VO and on WCL, but his voice is not strong enough for the hard news promos and opens. It didn't help that he was replacing Ron Rolland. That said, having put some thought to it, Bill Ratner seems to me to a more logical successor to Rolland, much like Charlie Van Dyke was for Jeff Kaye at WPVI.

1. We were briefly talking about the Tribune stations. 2. Trib's Fox graphics are not the O&O look, but their own product. 3. Tribune wouldn't give a Fox package to non-Fox stations.

Good point, I forgot about the Fox graphics.

Website? I don't know...maybe never, considering how poorly-received it has been. As for graphics, Tribune doesn't have a station-wide package, and there really isn't anything saying there will be. I will say, considering the LocalTV pick-ups, and the fact that many of Trib's flagships are due for a refresh (WGN has used a version of their current package since 2008, KTLA's has been in place since 2009, and WPIX has such lousy graphics, that just about anything else would be a welcomed change), if the company was to roll out a group look, this would be the time frame to do it. Now back on topic...

I find her to be far more authentic and likable than Smith.

Well, either Sara Haines (formerly of Today) or Rachel Smith (On The Red Carpet) sit at the desk to do pop news, so that gives the show 2 men and 2 women. The weather job could really go either way.

20 bucks says that's a typo... http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/morning-show-ratings-week-of-december-30_b209899

Filmed in LA. Takes place in Chicago. Uses New York anchor? :bang:

So, Troy made his weekday debut with Tracy this morning, and she's still on with Mike at now at 4. Jerry is apparently off, as well, so the promo for the 5 has her showing up there, as well. She's apparently been in since 3am. My cynicism makes me wonder if she's pulling for that promotion? (sarcasm)

I'm just glad they brought back the closings ticker in the style of the last package. The little white ticker was not cutting it this morning.

And I do want to clarify, I am being a bit critical. The show isn't completely unwatchable, it's just sad to see where the show was and where it is now. The changes that were made to the broadcast in the last few years weren't entirely necessary. To say that the current format is the main reason the show's seen a ratings bump isn't totally true. Charlie Gibson spent more time at #1 in his 3.5 years than Diane ever has in 4.