24994J

"Al, come over here! I need you for something!" But really, I'm kidding.

It's way too easy for the tabloids to automatically turn co-worker tension between a man and a woman into sexual tension. Frankly, it's tiring, especially since it's played out at other networks in other rags, too.

Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying it, but they don't suck right now. Instead of constantly changing people, they've made noticeable changes to their product that have generally been for the better. I watched the news after the game tonight, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't walk away feeling dirty or suicidal. Look, I mean, it's still a Fox newscast and it's very fast-paced. No denying it. If that's not your thing, fine, but it's finally fairly palatable, for what it is. I think story selection has been key. Call it a copycat, but it's more in-line with the competition, just presented in a different way. Kudos to the bosses, even though the ratings won't follow, but I respect them for finally, FINALLY giving a damn and trying. Damn, CBS 2. Your turn.

After being passed over for the weekday morning job, it looks like Anthony Ponce is moving away from the TV news biz. He's leaving NBC5 at the end of the month. http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/07/12/robservations-anthony-ponce-quits-nbc-5/

The last pack before C, like 2004/05. It was the look WMAQ used for like 7 years.

That's the font of the new package. Looks A and C used it, too.

The closest thing now is the occasional Sunday 4pm newscast after noon Bears games, which takes a backseat to postgame coverage.

Pardon me, for a moment, everyone. But really, could we stop picking fights? If I was snippy (putting it nicely) to someone every time they did something silly, wrong, annoying, etc., I and many others would've been kicked out of here years ago. Having some restraint really works wonders. Besides, for someone who supposedly could live without this site, you sure seem to feel the need to lurk around and call out everyone's missteps. Look, I don't want you to leave. Many of your contributions here are valuable, and even if you think I'm being fake or disengenous, more voices generally makes for a better forum. Also, I'll even agree that sometimes exceptional bullshit needs to be called out. That said, if I were to call out your intelligence and mental capacity and tell you to log off forever/jump off a cliff/straight up die, I'd look like an incredible ass. Maybe you do, but I sure don't get any thrill out of looking like an ass. Good night, sir. End rant.

So long as the next one is the "Newer" followed by the "Newest", I think we'll be okay.

I was out, but I recorded it. I'll post later tonight.

Yes.

So, George and Natalie are down to just the first hour and a half, plus the later morning headlines? They're have been rumblings of the start time moving to 4am, if I recall. Maybe a first step? (Even though I rarely watch, I oddly like to keep up with these things.)

How do traffic anchor/feature reporter and breaking news anchor relate? Seems like decidedly different roles to me. I can't believe I'm (sort of) defending WFLD, but I must admit that, on paper, they seem to be making a conscious effort to put together a broadcast that is different from the competitors. It probably won't work, but neither would a copycat format. And to those that think it's stupid to being jumping into early fringe, sometimes it's not about ratings, but trying to show your commitment and seriousness about being a competitive news operation. I have more respect for them trying, than waving the white flag of surrender like they've been doing in that time period for the last decade. How long has the noon arrangement been like that? I swear, anytime I've tuned in over the last few months, it's been any of the four morning anchors, Lisa Chavarria (why she gets anchoring assignments, I'll never know), or Schneider anchoring (still haven't seen Kristen anchor).

This article says he will do middays. It does make sense. http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/8278-nbc-5-names-alex-maragos-as-morning-co-anchor

One would think, but not necessarily. The article doesn't say anything about the 11. They might want to have the eventual afternoon anchor take that shift. Last I knew, Zoraida was handling the first half hour on her own, but I don't know the status of that arrangement.

To validate your argument, we all will gladly ignore WVIT, WCAU, WRC and WTVJ's newscasts at 11am...eastern time.

Cough -scam- cough Ach -gimmick- choo In regards to the opens, the syncing was off at 4:30, but it was 100% at 5, and looked really good. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they stretched it to fit in the full signature.

I want to dislike this package, but dammit, it does look nice. There are still some quirks about it I don't like, but at least they're not (at first glance) half-assing like they've done with other packages. Like its immediate predecessor (F 2.0), this is my second favorite package in town. I'll work on getting some opens up this week.

Looks like the graphics will debut today or tomorrow. Looks like we can't look forward to a return of The Tower... [MEDIA=vimeo]172456008[/MEDIA]

The 11am news began (again) today. They're not reinventing the wheel with this one, and there's really no reason to. Despite new anchors, new graphics, new branding and a new set, it feels familiar to the Linda and Sylvia days. There were 2 Windy City Live previews during the hour, including in the first 10 minutes, but I'd imagine they'll stick with just the 2nd half hour preview (about 11:42, which was done from the WCL set). For the opens, they've unsurprisingly opted for the evening Stimulus cut, maintaining the anchors' morning headshots, but using different skyline shots. That said, like the 6pm weeknight open, the time of day doesn't seem right in the broadcast's cityscapes. Unlike the 4 o'clock news, the 11 is not 2 separately-branded shows. An interesting note, the open and talent rejoin use different VO scripts than the other dayparts. "...News at ## Starts NOW" has been replaced with a more traditional line, and the "ABC 7" has been dropped in the talent so they can include the 11AM. Just see for yourself...

Match Game is one hour. Whether it's 2 30-minute games or 1 60, it's on from 9 to 10. The station's online listing confirms that, as does my DVR. Blame your source, I guess.

I still think it should've been at 6. They'd be against 3 stations instead of 4, including a very beatable WBBM. They'd also have the 6:30 half hour to themselves. Have Family Feud at 5 as the lead-in and a less-strong, but respectable primetime line-up as the lead-out, and they'd definitely get a few more eyeballs because of those other blocks. Missed opportunity.

You wouldn't believe where I found his age. He was featured as one of America's most eligible bachelors in People Magazine, July 2000. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20131741,00.html

Yeah. 50-something. Brant's 66, Andy's 59, and Byron is like 57. It's not totally crazy to think they're starting to think for the future.