24994J

A rather significant set update this morning, with the debut of a brand new desk in a new location. In what is likely a poor concept over the long run, the home base is essentially in the middle of the 1st floor studio, using the weather wall (don't know if weather has moved) as a distant backdrop. I like the desk (hated the last one, still love the 2nd version of the ribbon one), though the logo placement is a little too distorted with the desk front's sharp curve. It makes me wonder if new graphics or at least an update are coming soon, seeing how new desks seem to come around the same time.

Chicago's Very Own, Cleveland's Very Own, LA's Very Own... Sense a theme? http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2017/2/5/all-hands-on-deck-meeting-at-tribune-stations

Not sure how that's a mistake. The talent intros say who the regulars are, and they're not changed when someone is off. Jim was off, so Mark was filling in, as has been standard procedure since many of us were in diapers.

During the 2012 Olympics, when Nightline was still at 10:35. The 5 minute news brief was supposed to compete with the NBC station's late newscast, but it backfired when coverage of the games rarely ended on time. I know WPVI did a similar update, and WABC might have, as well. It was also weird, though, when the already 60-minute weekend newscasts would awkwardly extend a few minutes into the next hour.

Going through my DVR tonight, I completely forgot that this existed, at one point...

After 26 years at ABC 7, and the last 8 as political reporter, Charles Thomas is retiring from television on March 3rd. He soon join an African American community-focused digital venture. http://abc7chicago.com/careers/veteran-broadcast-journalist-and-abc-7-political-reporter-charles-thomas-to-retire/1734264/ http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wls-political-reporter-retiring-after-4-decades/185240

Let's visit a world where Trump doesn't win the presidency or even the primaries. If he doesn't make it to October, the AH video never surfaces and Billy likely remains employed. If he loses in November, Kelly is vindicated and remains a star at Fox. Same scenario if her debate questioning destroys his campaign. So really, this wasn't the plan at all. Today was going to remain status quo, until the sun came up on November 9th. The President of the United States inadvertently changed the (short-term trajectory) of America's first morning show. Think about that.

Six years ago today, Chicago was in the midst of what would be the 3rd largest snowfall in the city's history. Here's the ABC 7 News at 6pm (WLS) from that day (in all its retro glory)...

Nightline co-anchor, and figures prominently when discussing race and civil rights issues.

No real news here, but Bradley Place has officially been sold to a real estate developer for $22 million. As was the plan before, WGN-TV, CLTV, and WGN America will continue to lease the space. http://www.robertfeder.com/2017/01/31/wgn-studios-sold-22-million/

Yes, and yes.

That one on the glass panel is there, as far as I know. They haven't done the dramatic zoom-in to show it, lately, I guess. It bugs the crap out of me, though, that the a, b, and c aren't filled in in white on that panel.

I'll bet you'll see that return to regularity with sweeps looming. That said, even with fewer anchors, I swear channel 5's evening anchors take more time off than channel 7's, and someone's always off there. By the way, I noticed in the last several weeks that there are no longer 2 anchor positions on their job site, which tells me that the alternating Dick/Rob tandem will remain at 4, or they're satisfied with Susan and Michelle on weekend mornings, the latter I'd imagine being the more likely arrangement.

Something that was jokingly mentioned last year might actually be coming to fruition. According the irreverent boys over at the 'Waddle and Silvy' show on ESPN 1000, ABC 7 will actually air their 10pm Super Bowl sportscast from Tom Waddle's watch party at his north suburban home. He appeared live from his home office last year to do his customary Sunday night 'Waddle's World' segment (which is usually pre-recorded at ESPN in Bristol), with a cameo by fake-drunk Giangreco. This year Dionne Miller will be there, too, and it appears that the bosses are on-board. When it was just a playful idea last February, they said the whole newscast should be done from there, but that was obviously never in play.

Not in blue. The ABC was gray, and the 7 was white, leaning toward a slightly purple hue. That said, it was always quite subtle, if it was even lit at all.

It seems to be a little more upbeat, not that the last theme/cut was depressing. It reminds me a little of the 2012 theme, which makes it an improvement, to me.

They really need to re-angle and adjust those graphics to fit the room, too. The proportions are sooooo off.

Public Service Announcement: Don't mess with concussions (a long read, but you might learn something)... https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1835203376755393

No, really, could you please stop? We know where you stand. It's okay to disagree about facts, just ask the president.

Innuendo and crude humor is one thing. As a WGN Morning News viewer, I know that stuff well. Straight-up saying 'bullshit' on-air is a suspendable offense, no matter the context. As much as we may agree with Mike's assertion, the suspension is justified.

He nearly cracked his head open falling on some ice. He's been down with a concussion for a few weeks, but should be back pretty quick. http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wabc-anchor-coming-back-from-concussion/184763

And you're not the real Dirty Harry. I kid, though. You make a good point. Stuff like that isn't going to help the industry's image crisis.

Can't think of one right now, but knowing them, they probably have.

Nice to have confirmation. The instrumentation was a dead giveaway when it debuted.

Very solid. I've met her a few times, and she's very knowledgeable. She's grown on me over the years.