K77

Going back to the streetside studio almost didn't happen AFTER being announced a couple years ago. Lyons prematurely announced moving back to the streetside studio BEFORE getting any permission or approval from bosses above. They actually didn't want the station to do it but eventually gave in to her demand. Also, initial plans for the set were different. The station had their own plans for their own set design customized for the space. The original design included a bunch of "moveable" pieces (similar to the original 2008 set) for a more versatile set with a variety of different uses. That set was rejected from bosses above and the station was told they would be approved for the standard (KCAL) set so a scaled down version was created to fit the space. I believe the interview set is remaining up in the other studio for the time being as it may still be used. Although, I think they moved all the cameras over from that studio. Lyons HATES the music package and that's why they're barely touching any cuts from it. Was told she actually likes the previous 2008 music package but they're not able to go back to it.

No. There were pipes in the wall off the newsroom or near the newsroom that needed replacing having to do with the building's plumbing infrastructure. That's the plumbing work I'm talking about. I can pull up work permits for it if needed.

"LIVE shots" are pretty much dead in Chicago. SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. Since the WFLD incident a few years ago, many rules here in Chicago have changed involving live shots. A couple stations have completely banned them with the exception for certain events (political, weathercaster at a school, etc.) where it is necessary. The unions here in Chicago have added some rules involving them too. Even many of the "LIVE shots" labeled as "LIVE" on the newscasts technically aren't live anymore. They're recorded just prior to the newscasts. Depending on the station and the location, the reporter must be with a photog and/or hired security. The stations also have a "buddy system" with each other (yes, "competiting stations" working together) where the crews of a couple different stations will meet to be at a location together to be there in numbers for safety to record their respective "live" reports.

I believe that renovation actually involved work that needed to be done with the building infrastructure itself as to why it took so long. I know the place had some larger plumbing issues that needed to be dealt with that involved walls/ceilings and concrete needing to be ripped out in some of those areas.

ND and/or EP (I forgot who) doesn't like that area of the set. I'm sure it's going to get ripped out if it hasn't already yet. They ditched it a while back (it was mainly used during the morning weather) for the weather to just be done directly from the weather center attached to the newsroom. I heard the main studio is getting the seamless background monitor upgrade and other upgrades/changes to the set. I don't know if it's going to be a full overhaul. Might be a WMAQ type set upgrade. I know they just changed the weather graphics to the blue and gold graphic set (from the morning graphic set that WFLD doesn't use for their morning show). I don't remember when the morning meteorologists were last in the actual studio or had any actual shots at the anchor desk.. They do all their weather directly from the weather center now or from the windowed studio on rare occasions.

David Yeomans was hired a couple months ago to fill opening left by Robb Ellis.. Mary Kay works as part time as it gets. She doesn't come into the station anymore and just works directly from home in Florida via green screen. Most of the work is done for her and sent to her via computer so she pops on camera for a few minutes a couple times a day. She can take off whenever she wants or choose not to do any forecasts if she chooses to. Ed and Mary Kay aren't going to be "forced" or "pushed out" otherwise the station will face some trouble..

I'm sure Ed is looking towards winding down and retiring too. The reality is CBS (top level, not local level management) wants old talent out. Many local levels are just keeping them on payroll to avoid age discrimination lawsuits.

Mary Kay is at "work whenever she feels like it" status now. Her filling-in is even becoming much more rare now. She very rarely comes in to the station anymore. She's been doing the weather remotely from her Florida home (or some other location down there) the past few months. You can easily tell by the chroma key and lighting quality during her weather segments in addition to her being absent from the CBS 2 studio itself. I can't believe she's been at the station for 22 years now.. Time flies.. Albert Ramon has to be the most absent "chief meteorologist" I've ever seen at a local station here in Chicago. Did his contract include two-thirds or three-quarters of the year off? He seems to always be off or absent from the newscasts. For most bad weather events we've had this year, he's been absent too. They may as well have given the evening chief position to Ed Curran.. The one who's been getting the most screen time lately is their new meteorologist, David Yeomans who came to the station in March.. I'm just not liking him. He comes across too much like a salesman at a car dealership. There's just no "connection" or "chemistry" between the new talent being hired at WBBM and the station veterans and even the viewer at home.. Their newscasts feel so mis-matched now with no flow between talent. But what do I know.. My local TV station days are long over as it just doesn't pay what it once did.

Are there any actual CBS O&O folks here? Word around is the new image (graphics/music) has been a flop. Negative viewer reaction (especially with the music) in just the few months in use. WBBM's President/GM had been very vocal about her concerns about the whole package prior to rollout which are turning out to be true. WBBM has been continuing to use one music cut from the Enforcer package for the opens of the 5, 6, and 10 PM weekday opens since their changeover. I've noticed they've been phasing in more Enforcer cuts here and there, and again for the 10PM bumps. I have a feeling the graphics may stay but the new music may get dumped in the close future.