24994J

THANK YOU.

Today is ABC 7's 70th anniversary, going back through their time at WBKB, and the original WENR. Unfortunately, unlike the independent station 2 notches up the dial, they don't appear to be celebrating the occasion. Their 50th anniversary as WLS is next month. I stand corrected. https://abc7chicago.com/society/abc7-turns-70-look-back-at-7-decades-of-chicago-broadcast-history/4216642/

The last original member of the GMA weekend crew is saying goodbye this morning. [MEDIA=twitter]1041013276719632386[/MEDIA]

Here you go...

They've been using it on the other newscasts, for a few weeks, now.

The 9 o'clock news appears to be the only show using Beyond, top to bottom, but I haven't seen the morning show lately.

I like it. The coloring doesn't look as muddy or unnatural, and the imagery is sharper. Overall, a much better look, and I kinda like the blue and red trim at the bottom that matches the graphics. Points are lost, though, for that random blue strip running down the right side of the display.

He and Adrienne Bankert have been anchoring with Dan Harris, but no formal announcement has been made. I probably missed it, and only Wikipedia says she's done, but I'm not entirely sure Paula has formally left the show, yet.

*Thanksgiving special.

They do go to the live camera ahead of some weather reports, much like ABC 7, but that's not much consolation.

Month or two? Not too long.

It operated from the GMA playbook, and it certainly fits the one-hour format better. Did it feel a little like 'Live'? Yes, but a cohosted show is always going to walk that line. Besides, I personally like Sarah and Michael more than their 9am counterparts, so it has that going for it. Keeping Carla Hall from 'The Chew' aboard as a contributor is a good move, but that might just be filling out a contract.

Please let it be a holiday special.

WGN's Dean Richards has joked that he and Billy Joel look alike. With the Piano Man in town, Pat Tomasulo took the doppelganger out on the streets of Chicago to introduce "Mr. Joel" to his fans. Spoiler alert: people will fall for anything. Also, the station has debuted the "World's Greatest Newspaper Television Podcast." https://wgntv.com/2018/09/07/listen-worlds-greatest-newspaper-television-podcast-episode-1/

From New York. He taped a little message that aired during the morning news, but Mark Rivera anchored with Tanja.

Something I've never seen before...instead of a correspondent, like normal, ABC News pulled a local anchor of one of their stations to fill in for Kendis Gibson on the network's overnight newscasts. Terrell Brown got the nod, and is anchoring the 2 hours before his normal shift. It's an odd and costly arrangement, but Brown did anchor CBS News' overnight fare before coming to Chicago. It begs the question, after 4.5 years at the local level, is he itching to get back to a national audience?

Michelle left that shift like a year and a half ago to join Dick, but wasn't announced until early this year, and this is the station that took 2 years and 3 months to replace Rob Elgas at 4:30(/4). Nothing surprises me.

Larry Potash is finally getting the co-anchor of his dreams.

@ns8401 @EatNews Could both of you stop puffing out your chests, acting like a couple tough guys? Thanks.

As they look ahead to their 70th anniversary next month, here's the WLS special from their 50th in September '98, featuring the gold standard anchor team in the history of Chicago; Drury, Burns, Magers, Brock, Krashesky, Yu, and Daly. Station history and Oprah: News, daytime, and Oprah: Whoring out for the network's fall schedule...and Oprah:

By my estimation, Inside Edition isn't ready for airing in the 1 CT hour, so Jeopardy! is the odd one out, by default.

A couple months maybe? Not too long.

11am- Art and Melanie 4pm- Erik and Ilona 5pm- Art and Melanie 6pm- Art and Gina 6:30- Erik and Ilona 10pm- the 3-person team of Gina, Ilona and Erik

I don't think the midday anchors would work. I know Melanie Lawson has some health issues (don't know if a third show between the 11 and 5 would be viable), and Art Rascon is already on at 11, 5 and 6. The 4pm team does the 4, 6:30 and 10, so adding the 3 would stretch their schedule, too. The weekend crew that's getting the nod will surely report the rest of the night, so they're not going to be wasted on only 1 show.

Here it is. Whether or not the format is permanent, the open has been updated with the gray ABC logo (which clashes mightily with the blue lettering), which has been creeping into a lot of new season promos. It looks like that might replace the gold/butterscotch version that's been most dominant for the last 5 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=46Qo306Xrc4;t=10