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An hour and 23 minutes in, if anyone was wondering.

I honestly think that this is his decision. Sure, maybe he saw the writing on the wall that he wasn't going to move up, but his background and previous endeavors make this new job seem like a really good fit. Best of luck to him. http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/03/10/robservations-troy-christensen-exits-abc-7-weather-team/#more-10725 I wonder if Schwarz and McGinnis filling his duties means that Phil's up at 5 on Sundays, or Feder doesn't realize that Phil never left Sunday mornings.

I don't know if there are any potential partners left in the New York market, but the 4 (formerly 5) ABC stations with newscasts on independent stations have set a precedent within the station group.

Holy crap... [MEDIA=twitter]707665528890990593[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]707672196626432000[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]707630612169949185[/MEDIA] It's going viral amongst all the major networks, though they don't know who it is...yet.

Maybe it was shortsighted, but I wonder if Shirleen was hired due to the recent "issues" with the weekday female bench and the possibility that someone could've abruptly left. In the last 6-9 months Diana was out tending to both her husband and son, and I'd imagine her full return was in doubt...I know it was here. Lori also spent noticeable time away when her father was ill, and while her long-time employment was never really questioned, her and Ken wanting to move off the noon show added to the instability. Finally, lest we forget, there was the question (if only for a brief time) if Liz could be leaving to follow Josh as he looked for a new job. Now the station is loaded with 8 weekday anchors. While that seems like a lot, and someone could eventually be cut, it still only puts them in-line with sisters WLS, WPVI, and KTRK, and they're still smaller than those 3 when counting Monday through Friday weather and sports staff. Heck, within New York, 7 weekday anchors is about average at the lesser operations, so 8 isn't crazy at the #1 outlet. Just a thought.

I like the bug and the recoloring of the banners, but the font resizing looks really bad.

Question, was Liz hired to be top dog right upon arrivial, or did she do like the noon for a little bit before assuming the 11 (and 6)?

Yes, but I'm pretty sure the Brown/Bloom team lasted only a few months before David's death.

They've been pretty much tied with WGN in the high 2's since 9 entered the race, but they were maybe only a half point better before that.

Yes, yes, absolutely yes.

No idea, and no idea.

Kristen Pflum's reel wasn't bad. Can't speak for the other Kristen. Yes? Am I missing something?

Baskerville (WBBM) does not have a song, and besides, Mowry won't even have the possibility of a song if he's not the chief here (which he won't be...right now, anyway).

What's that name? http://www.lex18.com/story/27621152/lex18-news-anchor-general-assignment-reporter-kristen-pflum Hmm...a name change as we move to the big city? I googled her (new) name, looking for a demo reel, and most of the results were for a Playboy model/porn star. Already off to a good start.

Thanks. Hadn't noticed.

While we don't have a date, the difference in this hiring could be that Jerry's retirement is actually on the horizon, unlike at the end of 2014. Because of that, I'm going to hold off on predicting anyone's exit. Also, I'm thoroughly convinced that Larry Mowry's hiring is faaaaarrrrrrr superior to the last -ahem- acquisition. Now for needless speculation on Mowry's landing spot. To be clear, this plan is an ambition and risky realignment, though nothing is riskier than Cheryl at 10. First off, chief meteorologist in market #5 could lead to any position in Chicago. In this case, positions 2 through 4 on the depth chart are up for grabs. I'd be putting Larry on the morning news. Dare I say, the program could use a little bit of a testosterone boost, and a good looking young (enough) guy like Larry would likely keep a lot of the female viewers. With the move, Tracy would make a return to weekends, and while that seems like a demotion, it would give her the chance to get away from the ungodly hours of mornings, and give her more deserved weeknight airtime as fill-in. The final move, or first, depending on how you look at it, would be installing Phil on weeknights. I would personally slot him in at 6 (after Jerry's retirement), and at either 4 or 5, returning someone to a more Caplan-esque afternoon schedule, so whoever's working at 4am doesn't have to stick around til 1pm during inclement weather (like Tracy did like 2 weeks ago). Also of note, Troy would take all weekend morning hours, and become the weekday morning back-up. With this plan, Scott gets the 10 and gives up an earlier show, Schwarz finally moves up to weekdays, Butler gets to burn her alarm clock, Mowry gets greater exposure compared to the Saturday morning slot he used to hold, and Christensen absorbed more duties. Also, I'm still not sure how the chips will fall on the next season's daytime schedule, and who know's what will fill the potential 30 minute hole.

From what I remember, Mowry was pretty good. A decade passing has likely only helped him. If he's the product of that job posting on their website, then he's a good pickup. Dare I say, though, he's not as I diverse as I expected a hire to be. We shall see.

Frankly, her blandness and delivery would be what kept her out of a big market, not her age.

I think so. Either way, they've seemingly come through their own recent talent changes unscathed.

Yeah, WLS has been on a skid for a few years, and has mostly stabilized except for after WGN joined at 10. As for one of the others, KTVU's downfall has helped KGO immensely.

All kidding aside, as much as we've been proclaiming the death of WLS, things look pretty rosy compared to some of the other falling ABC powerhouses...WABC, WSOC, WSB, KTRK, WFAA...

While he's nothing like George, he does the format well. Frankly, Muir and Harris are the only guys I'd rather see sit in for Stephanopoulos.

I can think of at least a dozen ABC/ESPN/Disney-related stars off the top of my head that have participated in the past. There's generally 1 or 2 each season. Of course the show is going to be synergy-heavy.

She should be fine. There have been other contestants with far more demanding schedules, including a few that have commuted from New York. In any of those cases, the professional partner relocates and follows them. It's also more feasible since the show is only one night a week through most of the competition. I'm sure proper arrangements have been made, because it's no secret that the show has been trying for many years to court someone from the news division. Also, while she just had the baby, the network's likely allowing this since they're not sending her into a storm zone anytime soon.

Via a surrogate, Erin McElroy and Demetrius Ivory are now the proud parents to twin girls. Congrats to the couple. http://wgntv.com/2016/03/02/wgns-demetrius-ivory-erin-mcelroy-welcome-twins-with-help-of-surrogate/