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15 years ago tonight... [MEDIA=twitter]983419285149118466[/MEDIA]

No surprise, but the old ESPN graphics remain for Cubs broadcasts. The package is ultimately inoffensive, and I wish they would've done something with the scoreboard, but I figured that that was unlikely. This will be the look for the 5-year deal.

Two gentleman who don't get enough credit when groundbreaking racial diversity is discussed in Chicago TV history. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1670851022964703

When doing the obligatory 1948 comparisons, they showed a Sinclair gas station for fuel prices. I'm dying.

I totally forgot that he hosted that special. In addition to his Chicago ties, WGN probably had 'According to Jim' syndie rights, at that point.

Happy 70th, everyone! More tonight at 8, and across all newscasts.

The weather team has debuted a podcast. The first episode went up more than a week ago, and they're not yet promoting it, so I'd say it's still in soft-launch mode. The thumbnail/icon likely gives another tease at the new graphics I've been speculating about for more than a year. I listened to the first episode, and while it's not the most technical discussion (which is probably a good thing), the meteorologists are able to dive into stuff that doesn't fit into the 1-3 minute windows they have on the newscasts. "Our expert ABC7 meteorologists walk you through weather phenomena, the ins and outs of the weather industry, and give you a detailed look at how weather affects the world around us." http://abc7chicago.com/weather/abc7-chicago-podcasts/3247467/

I'd almost say so. The open was the same, but the bumper sounded different. This theme will work well with the Blackhawks, as the new open sounds like a cross between theirs and the Sox old ones. I doubt this'll jive with the Bulls, though.

Yes, she is. It's remarkable. Maybe it's the surrounding talent, but Cheryl actually has a wider range of emotion. Kaitlin seems to have only two deliveries: 75 degrees and sunshine and rainbows, or 200 degrees and raining hellfire doom.

Playing with the font size and redoing the out indicators really worked wonders for the scorebar. It's still the weakest part of an otherwise great package, but it's not so glaringly off as it was during the dry run. Like the old graphics, the open is my favorite part. Now if ABC 7 could adopt the now-former white ESPN pack, we'd be golden, but I'm not holding my breath.

#GetToKnowJoe

In a bit of a surprise, while the theme is updated and very similar to the old, it now closes with the news theme's signature. It actually sounds pretty good.

Did they get Sinclair to do these? They get their own custom goddamn graphics, and they STILL have to squeeze CUBS into that little box. Are they expecting baseball teams to score hundreds of points? I do like the color scheme. The blue, white, and gray on black is nice, but it falls...flat. Betcha every sport will use blue, including the Sox, which will look really out of place on everybody that's not the Cubs. Color the team names their appropriate color, and that would add a little pop to that side of the board.

Holy crap, that is bad.

First the GM, now the ND. Shit's 'bout to go down. http://www.robertfeder.com/2018/03/22/cbs-2-news-director-jeff-kiernan-bails-milwaukee/

Michelle Relerford has officially been named weekend evening anchor. That's right, she's only been on that shift for a year, and Christian Farr has been permanent on her former morning shift for some time. http://www.robertfeder.com/2018/03/21/robservations-home-radio-dr-laura-berman/

He did 7+ hours straight tonight. He held his own quite well. Even though he's not getting the lead chair, and I agree with that move, he has a lot of that conversational style that shows glimmers of Magers and Suppelsa.

It's primary election night in Illinois, so here's a throwback to the same occasion, in 1992. Here's the complete WLS 6pm newscast from that night. While Floyd Kalber was still anchor, morning anchors Alan Krashesky and Kathy Brock were at the desk that night. Back to 2018, and those two just celebrated 20 years together at 6, and just polished off another election night show just minutes ago. Newscast begins at the 28:25 mark, preceded by a Sam Donaldson-anchored World News Tonight: [MEDIA=vimeo]217929979[/MEDIA]

Hahaha, no. I didn't clarify, but he did explain that she left to go to some location to report.

Kind of an odd set-up tonight for primary election coverage. Alan and Cheryl led off the 5 o'clock news, but she was off the desk by the first commercial break. Alan went solo with Phil and Mark the rest of the way. If that was the plan to have her leave so soon, Kathy or Judy should've filled in.

LOOK WHO THEY LET OUT OF THE BASEMENT! http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/former-abc7-anchor-joel-daly-to-be-special-guest-during-chicago-st-patricks-day-parade/3224094/

Coleman left in 1990. Room in was the most frequent lead weatherman through the 90's, but was demoted a couple times, including when they picked up Andy Avalos after he left WLS. Brant really wasn't elevated til late in the decade. The weather team saw a lot of instability after Coleman left, much like how the sports department was directionless for 10-20 years after Giangreco jumped ship.

1978: From a Chicago broadcast, a GMA weather update with John Coleman, with a promo from fill-in anchors Jim McKay (ABC Sports) and Joan Lunden (WABC), before her tenure as host.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade booth is getting a makeover this year. Janet Davies and Larry Mowry will take the reins from Alan Krashesky, and while he will be honored by the station/parade for this, his 50th go-around, Joel Daly will not be on the call (I mean, he is 83). Liz Nagy will be on the street, taking over for the retired Frank Mathie. http://abc7chicago.com/community-events/2018-chicago-st-patricks-day-parade/3206834/

I've seen it in a few places that Amy is likely going to replace Elizabeth Vargas on 20/20 after she leaves in May. Whether or not Amy continues on GMA is unknown, but it would give her a greater assignment than whatever you'd call her official role, now. EDIT: Yeah, what Drew said.