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If I've learned anything from KYW's recent moves, this can ONLY end well. There is simply no other possible outcome.

Looks like we have a sequel to the "Lonely" promo... I don't like this one as much as the other, but I do appreciate the more playful tone of it, rather than the normal "sky is falling" attitude they and the other stations in town usually take with winter.

I have no clue as to why the portal keeps happening, so I'll sooner criticize the things they're doing wrong that even I could do better. Besides, I find the portal to be amusing.

I'm gonna let the 'portal to hell' slide, but the spelling errors really need to be gotten under control.

Graphics. Set. Both of which can be more than a little in your face.

Frankly, that's more of a question for the 'BBM thread, but I'll bite. Considering Johnson's successor on weekends hasn't moved up, I can't imagine Rob would've been in a better spot at WLS, 18 years after his hiring. I know it's politically incorrect to say, but placing Johnson alongside Krashesky and Magers wouldn't have exactly made the most diverse male core, either. Had he not moved to CBS, a smart GM (haha) might have picked him up at Fox in '08, '10, '13, or somewhere in between. At this point, he's still WBBM's best option, outside of moving a pushing-60 Jim Williams to the A-team, which would go against everything the bosses have been pushing. I understand the Sullivan firing, but the Sargent hire is beyond uninspired. I get that corporate likes keeping things all in the family, but bringing in a complete outsider (at least Kate went to Notre Dame and spent time within 100 miles of town) with the warmth and charm of a cold french fry gives the impression that they're just not trying. It's astounding the competent, known, available anchors both at the station and on the Chicago bench that, time after time, WBBM refuses to tap into. Are many of them young? No, but what do they have to lose if they reinstated Roseanne Tellez or brought in Anna Davlantes, Sylvia Perez, Robin Robinson, etc? Were they specifically looking for a young African American female? Try and lure Karen Jordan from ABC and reunite the old team. Maybe the ratings don't jump, but at least there'd be SOME buzz over any such arrivals. The way they welcome and send off anchors reminds me of how things are done in sterile, sub-100 markets. Throw in the fact that CBS 2's newscasts lack any signature quality, instead opting for a bare-bones product, and you can see why no one watches, or even cares that they exist. ABC 7 has flash and familiarity. NBC 5 has investigations. WGN has Skilling. CBS 2 has jack squat.

Looks like the 7x3 is busted today. The gold-tinted morning skyline has been used all day today, and it is reallllly out of place at 10. It seems like they can cue up OTS' and such, but there must be a reason for the eternal sunrise. UPDATE: Monty Burns' solar blocker was activated during the first break.

CRM and a few other sources left out the fact that they've had a relationship with the Sun-Times for awhile, only now is it expanding into a more Skilling-esque extravaganza. They've been making videos for them as long, too.

Question, does anyone ever recall Ben Bradley anchoring the weekday 10? He pretty much doesn't fill in anymore, so if he was ever going to, it would've already happened. If so, he and Babich (99% sure) are the only anchors to not do the big show.

Ever since Linda's accident and extended leave like two years ago, Judy's been in the 4 o'clock rotation, but the 7pm addition cut a lot of those appearances. Krashesky, Taft, and Scott were the only regulars on tonight. Ron, Hosea, and JR had been off all week. So, when I put it that way, only 4 were off tonight. Karen was probably on her scheduled days off, as she'll usually fill in earlier in the week, with Baca on the back end (generally the same with Rob and Ravi). Frankly, I like that they're more willing to play around with anchor combos and give others a chance to see some higher-rated hours. Under the previous regime, you could predict, to a T, who would show up and when based on who was off. You just begin to notice these things over time, I guess. I'm good with recognizing patterns. Still does, from time to time.

She was with Alan at 4 and 6, too. Rob and Stacey were on at 5 and 7. At least Judy didn't have to come on this morning. I'd imagine Stacey would've done the late show if she didn't have to be on at 5am.

Jay Levine's hanging it up after 25 years at CBS 2 (plus 16 years at ABC 7). He'll remain with the station in a special contributor role. Frankly, I think this is his choice, because if the station wanted him out, he'd be gone entirely, not just semi/mostly retired. However, the terms of his new role are still being worked out. http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/7880-cbs-2-chief-correspondent-jay-levine-stepping-down

My snark aside, I wondered that, too. You'd think the days of the week, morning, afternoon, evening, and tomorrow would be ready to go anytime. I mean, and I know it's likely a different department, but it would seem to me like they'd treat it like the reporter's lower thirds, all in-stock.

Congratulations on never making a mistake in your life. Taft does this, "goofy, lovable Jerry". Scott does this, "she's awful, she sucks".

[MEDIA=abcnews]36100991[/MEDIA]

I think being made is that, since they've been hyping this announcement for over a week, anyone who was expecting Lee Goldberg, Cheryl Scott, Cecily Tynan, etc. to fill was going to have another thing coming. Beside, one would think the Infra Petersons hire is effectively going to end the affiliate import practice.

Thanks. It had been awhile since I picked up on any "relocation" rumblings, so it's nice to have a better idea of where things stand.

Is there an actual studio on an upper floor if they were to abandon the street front? I've heard rumors that corporate isn't thrilled witg the pretty penny being spent on their prime real estate, given their ratings and poor product.

Sam Champion anchored GMA a few times on a holiday, and I think (don't hold me to it) Roker's sat in for Lauer once or twice.

NBC 5 is better-funded now than they were before Comcast. Old set, way outdated graphics, small reporting roster, etc. All have been improved over the last 4 years. I still miss The Tower, dammit.

They don't hurt, but I think they just have the better slate of 9pm shows, in general. The Tonight Show, a better-funded news division, and lowering viewer loyalty are also key factors. And, while many would expect that WLS has given WMAQ the most viewers, WBBM has been hurt the most by NBC's ascension. WGN's also broken into 2 and 7's late news totals.

Thank you. Really, it does get old very fast. Some even bring her up when someone else is mentioned. I mean, Tracy and Troy did yesterday and today, and yet Cheryl's name was brought up just so we were all reminded how much she's disliked. There are people on Chicago TV that I don't like, and you know what I do? I change the channel. I really hated the Scott hire a year ago, and I still don't like that Mike got fired, but you just learn to live with it. Mike's been hired elsewhere, so go watch him. As for Cheryl, like it or not, she's come a long way in her delivery. Is she perfect? Hell no, but that falls on management, not her. Also, I saw that whole exchange with Ron. That was an exception, not the rule. He's usually more than cordial with her, which is all you really need. He's the same way with Phil, and was the same with Mike. If he'd been working with her for 20 years like he has with Jerry, they'd obviously have a better chemistry. Besides, Ron's likely hanging it up within a few years, so who cares if they're not cute and giggly together? That's not the anchor she'll spend most of her time next to.

Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't win by more. The ball is in NBC's court, because, sure, they got a lot of curious 7 viewers, but most of their audience are those that weren't watching 7 before, looking for something new. Did NBC do enough to get the lookie-loos to come back next year, or will they turn their TV back off?

That could certainly throw a wrench into things. As for any awkwardness, if any such emotions don't show up on air, then it shouldn't be a problem for the viewers. Like her or not, both she and Jerry are professionals, and rarely show up on the air together.

You couod probably blame the out-of-town corporate execs for that.