Random WMAQ Thread

[TVNewsLover 779]

1 hour ago, 24994J said:

NBC 5 is now a tie-optional operation, and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

 

Keith at WCAU is usually no tie in the mornings, but the morning newscasts tend to be a little softer. 

[Jase 1047]

On 10/17/2022 at 11:38 PM, 24994J said:

NBC 5 is now a tie-optional operation, and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

 

 

Yeah... it's way too casual of a look for a news anchor (regardless of the time of day). Not sure if this is an attempt to appeal to a younger demo, but this isn't the way to do it.

[Geoffrey 861]

18 hours ago, jase said:

 

Yeah... it's way too casual of a look for a news anchor (regardless of the time of day). Not sure if this is an attempt to appeal to a younger demo, but this isn't the way to do it.

 

I'm fine with it. The pandemic accelerated a lot of changes. Ties feel excessively formal and stuffy.

[Jase 1047]

Evrod made his debut last week. He will be anchoring weekend mornings (with Kate) and reporting during the week. That said, not sure who anchors with Michelle (JC maybe?) weekday mornings.

 

[MorningNews 1448]

On 11/2/2022 at 6:45 PM, Geoffrey said:

 

I'm fine with it. The pandemic accelerated a lot of changes. Ties feel excessively formal and stuffy.

The no-tie look is awkward because the female news anchor still dresses rather formal.

[24994J 5576]

37 minutes ago, jase said:

 (JC maybe?)

 

Yes.

[NBC 5 Chicago 191]

Also, Lauren Petty moved from reporting weekday mornings to full feature health reporter. WMAQ hasn't had that since Nesita Kwan  who left in 2015.

[Jase 1047]

1 hour ago, 24994J said:

 

Yes.

 

They should have kept Patrick with Michelle rather than (unofficially) promoting JC. Not sure what the thought process is there (...if there is one).

 

 

14 minutes ago, NBC 5 Chicago said:

Also, Lauren Petty moved from reporting weekday mornings to full feature health reporter. WMAQ hasn't had that since Nesita Kwan  who left in 2015.

 

Solid choice.

[24994J 5576]

1 minute ago, jase said:

They should have kept Patrick with Michelle rather than (unofficially) promoting JC. Not sure what the thought process is there (...if there is one).

 

Hell, I had pegged Evrod for the weekday slot. I'm sure J.C. is a swell fella, but screams small market. He came from El Paso, and was only anchoring Sunday mornings. Evrod comes with a solid reputation, with major market anchoring experience. Doesn't quite add up, to me.

[WeatherandTraffic 54]

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=535524711720557&set=a.149448953661470

JC Navarrete is the new morning anchor. 

6 minutes ago, jase said:

 

They should have kept Patrick with Michelle rather than (unofficially) promoting JC. Not sure what the thought process is there (...if there is one).

 

 

 

Solid choice.

I think when Stefan was brought back, I think they wanted to phase Patrick out. But when Zoraida was in and out a couple of times and then left, it delayed that. I wouldn't be surprise to see Patrick being let go at the end of his contract. 

 

Also, I said this before, still not impressed with Kate Chappell's anchoring. The need to find a stronger fill in anchor and have Kate just report.

[R.R. 90]

And I’m not really a fan of JC's anchoring either. It Just doesn’t click with me….

[Daybreak 288]

[Jase 1047]

Rob had a pretty good run at WMAQ and for 10 years prior to that with Dateline. Guessing Patrick gets the 4P back with Stefan picking up the 5P and 6P newscasts.

[WeatherandTraffic 54]

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2022/12/7/resurfacing-in-la

 

He's leaving for KCBS/KCAL. I really thought he was going to replace Brant Miller when he retires. So does Alicia move to the 11am and 4pm and be the main fill in for Brant and Iisha gets mornings, which he is pregnant btw. 

[Jase 1047]

On 12/8/2022 at 9:21 AM, WeatherandTraffic said:

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2022/12/7/resurfacing-in-la

 

He's leaving for KCBS/KCAL. I really thought he was going to replace Brant Miller when he retires. So does Alicia move to the 11am and 4pm and be the main fill in for Brant and Iisha gets mornings, which he is pregnant btw. 

 

If true, they likely will find someone other than Alicia to succeed Paul at 11A & 4P. Brant doesn't appear to want to retire (maybe he's trying to outlast Skilling at WGN???) so whomever they hire would have to have a lot of patience. 

Edited January 2, 2023 by jase

[Jase 1047]

Rob Stafford anchors final newscast

 

Edited December 24, 2022 by jase

[TexasTVNews 1377]

Next to Ron Magers and the late Warner Saunders; Rob Stafford is truly Chicago's best anchor at NBC 5.

[24994J 5576]

1 hour ago, TexasTVNews said:

Next to Ron Magers and the late Warner Saunders; Rob Stafford is truly Chicago's best anchor at NBC 5.

 

Carol Marin and Floyd Kalber would like a word. Hell, Allison Rosati's 25 years as lead has her GOATed, to a degree.

Edited December 24, 2022 by 24994J

[NBC 5 Chicago 191]

And another retirement. Phil Rogers will be leaving after 31 years at WMAQ on Friday. 

 

Not sure if he is part of the early retirement being offered as most of those were announced weeks ago. 

 

The investigative unit is taking a hit with Rob Stafford and now Phil Rogers gone. 

 

 

[Jase 1047]

9 hours ago, NBC 5 Chicago said:

And another retirement. Phil Rogers will be leaving after 31 years at WMAQ on Friday. 

 

Not sure if he is part of the early retirement being offered as most of those were announced weeks ago. 

 

The investigative unit is taking a hit with Rob Stafford and now Phil Rogers gone. 

 

 

I would imagine Allison, Charlie and Mary Ann could be looking to retire as well in the next year or so. They don’t have a good reporter/anchor bench and the few solid people they do have could end up bailing for greener pastures. 

[R.R. 90]

Cassimy would’ve been great in the weekday morning timeslot

[NBC 5 Chicago 191]

Interesting. I wonder what this means for Alex Maragos. With Rob retiring I wonder if he'll take over the 4pm. But I figured Patrick Fazio would be both 11am and 4pm with Marion.

 

Honestly I thought with WMAQ hiring Evrod Cassimy he would have went right to weekday mornings. I don't mind JC but he's more suited for reporting. 

 

They just need to revamp the morning anchors. Michelle should have stayed on Weekend nights. Now with Evrod moving to weekends they would be a great pairing. 

[24994J 5576]

Bless their hearts, I've liked a lot of what management has been done at NBC 5, lately, but what the hell is their deal with male anchors? Can they just not leave anything alone for a few years, much less A FEW MONTHS? I know they need to name a 5 & 6pm assignment, but they always seem to feel the need to fiddle with things that aren't huge problems.

[NBC 5 Chicago 191]

Looks like Frank Whittaker VP of News at WMAQ is also retiring this week. He's been there for 26 years. 

 

So far 3 retirements,  Rob Stafford, Phil Rogers and Frank Whittaker this year. 

[Jase 1047]

9 hours ago, NBC 5 Chicago said:

Interesting. I wonder what this means for Alex Maragos. With Rob retiring I wonder if he'll take over the 4pm. But I figured Patrick Fazio would be both 11am and 4pm with Marion.

 

Honestly I thought with WMAQ hiring Evrod Cassimy he would have went right to weekday mornings. I don't mind JC but he's more suited for reporting. 

 

They just need to revamp the morning anchors. Michelle should have stayed on Weekend nights. Now with Evrod moving to weekends they would be a great pairing. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Alex goes back to weekday mornings and JC goes back to Weekend mornings. I still think they may (or should) give the 4P back to Patrick. It would make the most sense to reset things, as best they can, back to what they were.

 

 

4 hours ago, 24994J said:

Bless their hearts, I've liked a lot of what management has been done at NBC 5, lately, but what the hell is their deal with male anchors? Can they just not leave anything alone for a few years, much less A FEW MONTHS? I know they need to name a 5 & 6pm assignment, but they always seem to feel the need to fiddle with things that aren't huge problems.

 

Not just their male anchors, but their anchor pairings in general. I don't think they realize (or care) that all the unnecessary upheaval has taken a toll over the years. Hard to keep viewers interested/invested when there's constant change.

 

 

2 hours ago, NBC 5 Chicago said:

Looks like Frank Whittaker VP of News at WMAQ is also retiring this week. He's been there for 26 years. 

 

 

Hopefully, the next ND/Station Manager will be willing to shake things up a bit. WMAQ has been way too complacent over the years. I miss the days when they were competitive with WLS. These days, they seem happy to just be in 2nd (or 3rd) place.