mountainave

Tony Yates filled in for Lori a few mornings this past week. I actually thought she was great with Ken. I prefer her to Shirleen.

You're right. That is a little bizarre. By all accounts, if the plan was for her to replace Rob, it would have been announced during or shortly following Rob's departure. Maybe they are still negotiating contract details?

I'll bet on Amy replacing Robin, and either Dan Harris or David Muir replacing George.

David anchored tonight instead of Tom, perhaps given the gravity of the day's news.

Today was a full day of hot topics and the panel was Whoopi, Sara, Joy, Sunny, and Paula. You can just tell that this is a more intellectual panel. The discussion was richer and more thoughtful. It certainly is a different atmosphere than we got with Whoopi, Michelle, Joy, Raven, and Paula. I would love to see Whoopi, Joy, Sunny, Paula, and Jedediah. Sara is great but I think Jedediah is less afraid to jump in with passion. Sunny and Joy are so, so liberal that it would be nice to have Jedediah there (along with Paula, though I think Jedediah is better) to balance out the points of view at the table.

On another note, what leverage did ABC have over Whoopi to be able to cut her salary in half? My guess would be that they had ratings and feedback data that suggested that Joy was well-liked by viewers, and that ratings didn't drop on Fridays when Whoopi was gone. In other words, maybe they told Whoopi to take a pay cut or be replaced by Joy.

I'll add to the choir and agree that Candace seemed to fit in well. Unlike Paula, she was able to be outspoken in her conservative viewpoints, and she did so without being obnoxious. Moreover, Whoopi actually seemed to like her and respect her quite a bit.

When was the last time Michelle Collins was at the table?

That New at 11 box looks like it belongs on Fox 5. Plus, it's huge. Totally covered the collision in the video they played. If people are already tuned in, I wonder what the point is. Maybe they have data suggesting that some people are watching the open and then changing the channel or turning the TV off, so they are looking for a way to keep people lured in.

Ah, okay. I must've been thinking about the studio.

I vaguely recall seeing new graphics debut over the weekend in the past. Gives them a chance to test things out live on the weekend shows and iron out kinks before the more-watched weekday shows.

Looks like the trend toward "flat" made its way to WABC...

The only way this makes sense to me is if it is meant to lay the groundwork for Lara's departure. Michael takes on more of the lighthearted stuff as Lara's role continues to be reduced, until the next headline reads "Lara decides to move on for other opportunities." That's the possibility I'm envisioning right now. I have a hard time picturing the plausibility of having six anchors full-time for the long-haul.

Could be. I raised the question because I wonder if a station in the #1 DMA would be willing to have a female chief sports anchor. If it's up to Camille, then maybe it would happen. But otherwise, I imagine there might be some apprehension about how viewers would respond to a female delivering sports on weeknights.

We once speculated at great lengths the possibility that Rob would eventually transition to news while at WABC. However, the hiring of Shirleen virtually eliminated that possibility. It also essentially put an end to Rob filling in for the news anchors which he had previously been doing more and more of. So, if he indeed wants to transition to news, I guess this makes sense. Would be a loss for the team at a time when more instability isn't needed. Would also raise the question: what happens to Laura Benhke?

I think the reference was to the assertion allegedly made by Lisa's mom that Camille overworked Lisa. But, yes, add the Sarah Wallace situation to the mix, too. My problem with Shirleen is that, to me, she still feels young and inexperienced, especially when placed in comparison to heavy hitters like Ritter, Williams, and Stokes.

I think that's it. They probably see it as a chance to raise his profile.

That's bizarre. Well, I imagine she can't be the full time GMA meteorologist in NYC and a full time DWTS competitor in LA at the same time. I wonder if this is ABC creating an opportunity for Sam to step back in?

Jim Dolan just tweeted that he is returning to air after eight weeks off. Anybody know why he was off for two months? Couldn't have been vacation, and he hasn't given any indication that it was a medical leave. He's been critical in the past of WABC management decisions (I'm thinking in particular of the email he sent following the exit of Sarah Wallace). Can't help but wonder if this was a suspension. Pure speculation, of course.

Now that's an interesting idea. Hadn't thought of that before. I could see Deborah really excelling on the show.

Today had the same arrangement. M + S were together in Iowa.

Didn't realize it was a competition.

Freelancer Kala Rama is leaving WABC to become a weekend evening anchor at PIX.

I also have been getting the sense that Whoopi doesn't like Paula. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed. Paula has definitely taken on the Walters role as the "fact-giver" during discussions, though that could be because she was told to do so by the producers. Who knows. Sara does feel more natural. She is certainly better suited for a show like this than a for a news program like GMA.

The panel that's on today -- Whoopi, Michelle, Joy, Candace, and Sara Haines -- is really great together.