24994J

Thank you. We all knew this was coming. Does it stink a little? Yes, but Jerry's still employed. If they really wanted him out, he'd be gone (there's precedent). I'd also have a bigger problem with this if Jerry was still at the top of his game. I didnt think I would, but I've warmed up to Scott more than anyone here. Why? It's their station, not mine, so I learned to accept it, and her delivery has improved in her 19 months at 7, though nobody wants to admit it. There's no question that this likely isn't a good decision, but the vast majority of the changes made in the last few years have been positive, though nobody wants to admit it. The return to Eyewitness News could use a better theme, but we all lived to see the next day. The station unveiled a new studio, and found ways to better utilize the space. A solid bench of anchors have been introduced for the future, while only one was sacrificed. For a station that was mostly unscathed by the recession, the aging roster should consider itself very lucky. After canceling the midday newscast in favor of locally-produced programming, they reinstated it. While another local program was canceled, it returned at a more frequent pace than initially expected. Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars were invested in a real deal radar system. Speaking of talent, the station's lead anchor was given a send-off for the ages, replaced by a guy who's paid his dues and deserved the promotion. But yes, let's only dwell on Cheryl Scott. Ultimately, I think of it like this; she is more than competent and capable in the day to day role, and if bad weather comes, she is surrounded by a very good team to help deliver the message. Besides, if you don't like this, then you're REALLY not gonna like what I think is coming after Jerry retires, but I'll keep that theory to myself.

Maybe Paula wasn't right for the role, but I can't trust the judgment of anyone who thinks Sunny Hostin is some kind of godsend. I respect the views and opinions of each person on the panel, but every time she speaks, she sounds like nothing more than Raven with a law degree. Jedediah's better than I thought she'd be, though. Better than the recent revolving door of "conservative" voices.

Robin Roberts was interviewed for 'Windy City Live' on WLS, and she revealed some interesting and unfortunate medical changes that she's faced SINCE her health setbacks. Not a part of the initial conversation, a post-interview compliment of Roberts' glasses led to this admission. This just proves that whether cancer or other problems, the personal struggle sometimes never goes away.

OFFICIAL: Cheryl Scott and Jerry Taft will trade the 7 and 10pm newscasts August 1st. Taft recently signed a 1-year contract extension, and maintains he's not retiring. I'm a little surprised they didn't give him back the 5, as it's a shorter broadcast, he'd be out the door even earlier each night, and it would keep the bromance with Giangreco alive. Note: Jerry is still billed as chief. http://abc7chicago.com/careers/abc7-meteorologists-jerry-taft-and-cheryl-scott-take-on-new-assignments/1435261/ http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/07/20/abc-7-promotes-cheryl-scott-to-10-p-m-weather/

Meh. It's kinda just there, more than anything else. Outside of current news, it doesn't really offer any new content, but for their lowest-rated newscast, why would they? WCIU wanted a respectable newscast, and that's what they got. It's about as bland as bland can be, but it gets the job done. Last I knew, the ratings were about on-par with the sitcoms that preceded it in that time slot, but it will continue as long as the two stations are satisfied with it (or until it loses money, which might never happen, in the current media landscape).

I highly doubt it. Judge Judy is still too good of a lead-in for 2.

I'd generally say WBBM. WFLD has been so mismanaged and starved for talent in recent years that they just haven't been able to put together a solid on-air presence, when 3 other stations in town go all out with 2-4 meteorologists (not counting anchors and reporters). WBBM doesn't have as much of an excuse. I can't even put into words all the reasons, why.

I'll reply to that in the CBS 2 thread. (Spoiler alert: you can figure out my answer.)

I wonder why they sent her (or anybody, for that matter)? Is it possible the network/affiliate service has a bit of a talent shortage with the RNC?

Cheryl's there, behind the scenes, or at least that's what I think Larry said.

I can get behind that. Instant Replay is only as good as it's host, and Rich King was the superior presenter. Same with Sports Sunday. That hasn't had any edge since Paula Faris left. Some might say it hasn't been good since Giangreco was there.

*Pokemen.

News has been kind of slow around here this week, though national and international news has more than made up for it.

I've got a line for that, but even I have my limits. (Spoiler: insert Bill Cosby joke)

From Feder, March 25th... "There’s another new face coming to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Starting Monday as a per-diem reporter is Liz Nagy, just in from WSVN, the Fox affiliate in Miami. Before joining WSVN in 2011, Nagy worked for WEAR, the ABC affiliate in Pensacola, Florida, and WVIR, the NBC affiliate in Charlottesville, Virginia. A Philadelphia native and graduate of Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, she began at WEIU, the PBS station in Charleston, Illinois. Nagy is engaged to John Hendren, Chicago-based correspondent for Al Jazeera English." The couple have since married. She's been on mostly weeknights, definitely the most infrequent of the by-the-hour hires, though she filled in for Stacey Baca on the anchor desk last weekend alongside Diane Pathieu.

"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.