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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 Old set, way outdated graphics, small reporting roster, etc.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.

Yeah, when ABC 7 is better at executing a countdown, you know you're screwed. I mean, seriously, Mark licked Janet's cheek at midnight for their infamous annual smooch, and it was STILL the better program.

As bad as ABC 7's special can be (and usually is), there are no surprises. It's nothing if it isn't consistent. NBC gave viewers no good reason to come back next year, plain and simple.

Tracy's doing the night side. You have entered...The Twilight Zone.

Phil was on the first part of the week and has the next few days off, Tracy and Jerry have been off, and Cheryl's been doing all the evening shows. With Cheryl doing the New Year special, it's anyone's guess who shows up for the 7 and 10 tonight. I only say those two, as Cheryl could do the early shows. Heck, Janet Davies and Ravi Baichwal were the team of choice for several years on NYE, and he'd be solo late, while she did a quick hit with Giangreco ahead of the show.

Hell hath frozen over. Troy filled in for Tracy this morning.

According to Feder, WLS only had a 0.3 lead at 10, and lost by a full point in the demo. That's quite a wild swing from November, and I'd betcha a bunch of money that lead-in played a big factor, with ABC heavily relying on seasonal programming.

You're late. No big whoop.

Yeah, I thought that appearance on CBS was a part of some loophole where Weather Channel personalities periodically pop up on the tiffany network.

I think Spencer Christian is a strong favorite to return, as he's been back before and is in the ABC family. I hadn't thought of Diane, but I have my doubts. This stunt would seem to favor a return (even if only a one-off) of Josh, considering he just left the peacock. As resident odds-maker, Sam is a bad bet, as he is still with NBC.

In the video they blew up the image box on the lower third by like 50% and had a video in it. The text bar beside it was condensed and compressed even more, making it crowded and hard to read. I don't know if they're using it on-air, though, as this was just a demo clip with no sound and an outdated story.

I guess anytime. He doesn't really say.