24994J

(The post above this one came in as I was writing this.) I DEFINITELY don't want to speculate too much, but thinking about some things he talks about on ESPN1000 and then these few tweets, I'm left to wonder if he's dealing with some "self improvement," if you will. He's been vocal about how hard some deaths of friends hit him this last year (including Jerry), he's been very self-conscious about his weight and eating habits, and not being able to see his family hasn't helped. Whatever he's up to or dealing with, I hope he gets right, and I'd love to see him back, when he can.

Honestly, I can't make heads or tails of this one. Mark's actually been more active on social media than normal, conversing with both civilians and colleagues about anything and everything. One tweet stood out. Granted, it's really only referring to the radio side, but it's like the only time he's addressed his absence. If he were taking time off, both sides would say so. If he was being fired, you'd think they wouldn't still be running the normal 5 & 10 promos with him in it. Also, why would such a process take so long? There are 2 other options that crossed my mind. Somebody could explain this, or even dismiss it, but could he be being furloughed, in some way? Forced time off to save some money right now. Or, and I definitely wouldn't want this to be the case, but could he be sick? It took Krashesky personally addressing his month-long absence after surgery last year for it to go public, with the station relaying the message only after that. Whether COVID or something else, it can't be ruled out. That would certainly explain why he's still in the promotional fold, despite being in some kind of limbo, with no one really talking about it.

Good Lord, what? Can we remain on the topic of WNT, or at least not on half a dozen topics?

Not surprising that the tensions have lingered, but I'll be damned if they keep finding ways to make it all work. And no one needs to reiterate their confusion over the "Chief Anchor" role, like the dead horse that is. It's really not complicated, and spelled out in this story.

17 years before a guy infamously tried to turn their studio into a drive-thru, another intruder, this one armed, successfully made his way into the State & Lake Building, home of WLS and ABC's Chicago bureau.

Hours later... Anyway, I guess I'm not entirely surprised, as Janet's role had been dialed back in the last couple years. 190 North hasn't been produced in a year and a half, hasn't gotten many interviews, unlike her counterparts in NY and LA, and recent features that would be covered by someone in her position never quite well to her style. New Years Eve was basically her highest-profile work of the year, and when budgets need to be balanced, her contributions probably weren't warranting the salary. It's a cruel irony, though, that after all the farewells she presented in recent years, she won't get one. Meanwhile, Giangreco has been off the air since the end of January, with basically no explanation. I recall him mentioning during his last ESPN 1000 appearance that he was going to be off for a period, but it didn't sound like anything out of the ordinary. Neither he nor the station are saying anything, but it was enough for Feder to mention it the other day, especially since we're entering the final week of sweeps. This, paired with the other two exits this week (though I maintain that Steve's leaving is convenient for both parties, and totally amicable) has the armchair media analysts speculating. Also, Friday was Dolinsky's final midday piece, and he got a very nice send-off by the 11am crew, with cameos from some of the biggest names on the Chicago restaurant scene, and the former anchor of the daytime newscast. His last report is tonight. https://www.facebook.com/tanjababich/posts/3832588693495933

Well, shit.

If I'm understanding that tweet, I see it as they notched a 2nd place finish that day. It says they beat Today. It doesn't say that they came in first. Right?

There hasn't technically been any confirmation of this, outside of some suspect corporate speak in the press release. I'll link to @Weeters' assessment of this from that discussion. The announcement is at the top of that thread.

WLS 10pm open from 8/13/1984 that followed an ABC Olympics highlight show. Anchoring is Mary Ann Childers... ...with new weekend anchor Mike Jackson, fresh from WMAQ. Mary Ann gets top billing, as John Drury has not yet arrived from WGN, hence the pregnant pause between names, and not an "and." Oh, and AM Chicago Oprah.

No, it's Michael.

The logo is white and the whole desk is blue, and thankfully, they removed the D-shape wings. It's perfectly acceptable.

And if any confirmation was needed, KABC posted an open weathercaster position on their jobs page. https://jobs.disneycareers.com/job/glendale/weathercaster-general-assignment-reporter-kabc-tv/391/18712598

You answered your own question. Most CBS O&O's do this for the Super Bowl, Grammys, and anything else, because their stations are generally lower-rated and understaffed on the weekend desk, so it's a great opportunity to feature the main anchor team following a large lead-in.

He closes with the personal news.

With so many other projects, and the ongoing restaurant struggles, I felt like this was coming. Glad to see an amicable split, but his work will be sorely missed. As nice as it would be, I'd imagine he won't be replaced, with any food segments being folded into Windy City Live, and especially Local-ish.

For all who didn't see. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/abc-news-names-cecilia-vega-chief-white-house-correspondent

I don't know that Karl's formal role of the This Week cycle will steal any of George's time. Martha could be looking to return to more foreign reporting, special projects, or, at almost 68, maybe even take a bit of a break, and scale back her duties.

I could see a scenario where those going out into the field stick to the first floor, leaving the main newsroom for those who remain at the station through the day. Yes, the pandemic has shown just how much can be done from home, but in many cases there's a certain convenience of having folks in the building. If it means spreading them out, so be it. They definitely have the space.

Please stop posting in the wrong threads. Consider this a warning.

The red live bug is also notable. I don't recall that when they introduced these new L3's within the last couple weeks. The word I've gotten is that WGN won't get the NewsNation look, in any form, but I doubt this is a part of a larger rollout. It still is odd, though, that they'd debut any new stuff if things are gonna be blown up within a few months.

WMAQ, Saturday morning news, 2006, featuring baby Ginger Zee, soon after her arrival in Chicago.

Longtime Chicago weatherman, host, pioneering airline pilot, and aviation expert Jim Tilmon passed away at 86. His decades-long career included stops at WTTW (PBS), WMAQ, and WBBM. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/jim-tilmon-longtime-nbc-5-forecaster-dies-at-86/2417684/ https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/01/16/jim-tilmon-longtime-chicago-meteorologist-and-aviation-expert-dies-at-86/

I like the new dark on light logo treatment, and I understand the purpose of the wings to better hide the end anchors' legs, but this ain't it. The blue tabs are fine, but the gold parts are way too eye-catching. Honestly, I don't know why they're making such a change now, as I can't imagine they want the anchors sitting THAT far apart forever. They could've just relocated the upstairs desk, which is the same shape, but not so wacky.

And even more rare, a WLS weekend newscast from that same weekend in 2001. This open has never been seen on YouTube.