Random WGN thread

[R.R. 126]

Gaynor Hall is no longer with WGN. She recently announced Friday was her last day at the station after 16 years with the station, and stated it was time for a new challenge.  For the last 3 years, she has co-anchored the weekend morning show with former CLTV Colleague Sean Lewis.

[R.R. 126]

Glenn Marshall is out at WGN.

[WeatherandTraffic 63]

On 8/15/2024 at 10:57 AM, R.R. said:

Glenn Marshall is out at WGN.

It seems like a very non amicable exit. If he stays in Chicago, ABC7 has a 2 morning reporter slots open. 

[24994J 5888]

41 minutes ago, WeatherandTraffic said:

It seems like a very non amicable exit. If he stays in Chicago, ABC7 has a 2 morning reporter slots open. 

 

But is 7 even hiring? It seems like Stephanie Wade and Christian Piekos have things nailed down, at the moment.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

An exceptional guest has returned to WGN-TV to celebrate 30 years of the Morning News, a broadcast he was never a part of but became more famous because of one legendary bit...

 

 

[Jase 1164]

WGN promotes Hillery to Weekend Morning Anchor

[Chicago2008 39]

I would like to see the WGN morning news team do this again 

 

[R.R. 126]

Glenn Marshall speaks out on his departure citing he quit WGN for many reasons

[Jase 1164]

3 hours ago, R.R. said:

Glenn Marshall speaks out on his departure citing he quit WGN for many reasons

 

 

Not to invalidate his claims, but he's making some pretty serious accusations. Sounds like he wasn't happy in his role (which I'm guessing was as a morning reporter??) and wanted to move up. Anchor slots (or even anchor fill-in roles) often go to station vets and/or those with a lot more experience than he has. If he was looking to move up the ladder, WGN was the wrong station for him.

 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Tom Skilling's first of his many reapperances on WGN-TV post-retirement.

 

Enjoy!

 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

WGN is interested in carrying some CHSN telecasts in hopes of bringing back WGN Sports in some form.

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2025/04/18/wgn-tv-chicago-sports-network-white-sox-bulls-blackhawks-comcast-michael-reinsdorf-ric-harris-cubs-marquee-sports-network

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Sometimes, news music can get a bit tiring.

 

Luckily, the WGN Morning News is trying to find some alternatives to their breaking news theme.

 

https://youtu.be/_MZ1wMiKevU?si=ASLDQ52RV4WUmZ_Z

[NBC 5 Chicago 215]

On 4/20/2025 at 3:33 AM, TheRolyPoly said:

Sometimes, news music can get a bit tiring.

 

Luckily, the WGN Morning News is trying to find some alternatives to their breaking news theme.

 

https://youtu.be/_MZ1wMiKevU?si=ASLDQ52RV4WUmZ_Z

 

Gosh.. this show is one of a kind. Seriously nothing else like it on TV. 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

This morning, the Fart Tank came back.

 

 

If you haven't seen the original, it's still (IMO) the best Morning News bit they've ever done.

 

https://youtu.be/NAesSGtlCqY?si=FnmKO77veXO3QUKv

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

The WGN Morning News team are full of professionals, right? Yes, but also no.

 

At least Dan tried to be when it comes to sports... but failed miserably on Tuesday. So yesterday, he got "fired" from the segment and they found a replacement...

 

 

[Georgie56 3661]

In a first, Dina Bair will co-anchor the Morning News on Friday. 
 

 

[24994J 5888]

I think this leaves Cortopassi and probably Tahman Bradley as the last regular anchors who haven't anchored the show?

[R.R. 126]

6 minutes ago, 24994J said:

I think this leaves Cortopassi and probably Tahman Bradley as the last regular anchors who haven't anchored the show?

Tahman filled in on the morning show at least once in 2017.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

You expect anything less from this legendary morning news program?

 

If you can get Dan and Robin to laugh, then you've made it as a comedian, IMHO.

 

 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Who says the News at 9:00 can't have some fun every now and then?

 

 

[Georgie56 3661]

WGN is adding a new show at 2pm this fall called Take Two, replacing Dr. Phil.

 

This means WGN will now have nonstop local content from 4am-3pm daily.

[24994J 5888]

42 minutes ago, Georgie56 said:

WGN is adding a new show at 2pm this fall called Take Two, replacing Dr. Phil.

 

This means WGN will now have nonstop local content from 4am-3pm daily.

 

Looks like a time slot switch for their two streaming offerings, with Marcus & Brhett's What a Day moving from 2 to 3, and their Best of Morning News show getting a rebrand and adding an OTA broadcast. A little surprised that it's not What a Day getting the promotion, as it's a Chicago version of KTLA's Off the Clock B-team show.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

On 12/17/2024 at 7:58 PM, R.R. said:

Glenn Marshall speaks out on his departure citing he quit WGN for many reasons

I'm late but I appreciate when news talent speaks up about what went wrong that lead to their exit rather than a goodbye post with subliminal hints about their bad experiences. 

 

Unfortunately this may cost him the opportunity to work again so it's understandable why other reporters don't do this.

On 12/17/2024 at 11:16 PM, Jase said:

 Anchor slots (or even anchor fill-in roles) often go to station vets and/or those with a lot more experience than he has. 

 

His situation aside, I always wonder why anchor positions are reserved for more experienced talent when it's easier than reporting (as long as you have the presence to be on camera for more than 2 minutes). 

 

Especially in mid markets, you "need" tons of experience to anchor yet the teleprompter copy is written by recent grads. 

Edited August 10, 2025 by MediaZone4K

[Jase 1164]

On 8/9/2025 at 11:07 PM, MediaZone4K said:

His situation aside, I always wonder why anchor positions are reserved for more experienced talent when it's easier than reporting (as long as you have the presence to be on camera for more than 2 minutes). 

 

Especially in mid markets, you "need" tons of experience to anchor yet the teleprompter copy is written by recent grads. 

The easiest answer to your question is that you don’t want to put just anyone in an anchor position unless you feel they are capable of handling the role. Which is why most anchor roles go to those with experience and have ‘paid their dues.’

 

And the majority of anchors still report in some fashion (whether it’s daily/weekly, special reports, news features, in the field covering breaking news, etc…). I don’t think there are many anchors that just anchor and nothing else. 

[Jase 1164]

WGN hires Akemi Harrison as News Director

 

Harrison held the same position at WMAQ - NBC 5 and leaves the station at a pivotal time as it looks to combine the newsrooms of WMAQ and WSNS into one.