Random WGN thread

[24994J 5621]

Kaitlin Sharkey debuted tonight. Chris Boden was bummed that he missed the party. 

 

 

[24994J 5621]

So, the first TV listings of the new fall season are out, and there are a few notable changes on the WGN schedule. Despite the show wrapping production, I'm shocked that a rerun slate of Maury isn't included in the afternoon block. Instead, Lauren Lake's Paternity Court (yikes) slots in at 2pm. The biggest surprise, though, might come at 3pm, as Friends reruns return to weekday, daylight hours for the first time in forever. Personally, that programming decision feels like a placeholder move, but what do I know?

Edited August 30, 2022 by 24994J

[CircleSeven 1960]

11 hours ago, 24994J said:

Despite the show wrapping production, I'm shocked that a rerun slate of Maury isn't included in the afternoon block. Instead, Lauren Lake's Paternity Court (yikes) slots in at 2pm. 

The Maury repeats are headed to WCIU at 11am, before his successor show Karamo comes on. 

 

All the NBC trash talkers will be on one place. 

Edited August 30, 2022 by CircleSeven

[R.R. 96]

11 hours ago, 24994J said:

So, the first TV listings of the new fall season are out, and there are a few notable changes on the WGN schedule. Despite the show wrapping production, I'm shocked that a rerun slate of Maury isn't included in the afternoon block. Instead, Lauren Lake's Paternity Court (yikes) slots in at 2pm. The biggest surprise, though, might come at 3pm, as Friends reruns return to weekday, daylight hours for the first time in forever. Personally, that programming decision feels like a placeholder move, but what do I know?

There hasn’t been a court show on WGN since Judge Jeanine Pirro which was taped at NBC tower years ago!

[R.R. 96]

Erin Ivory is set to return soon!

[24994J 5621]

...And Erin made her return today, but her feature stories will air on Thursday, starting next week.

 

 

[Georgie56 3318]

The Sun-Times’ Jeff Agrest is reporting that when WFLD’s deal with the Bears ends, WGN is a possible landing spot.

 

Marquee is also in the running as well.

[Georgie56 3318]

Looked at WGN’s Thanksgiving schedule, and it appears they’re not running Bozo, Gar & Ray this year, instead replacing it with the two Bozo’s Circus 1960s and 1970s specials.

 

Meanwhile, the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade finally has a new, proper home after last year’s VPOD embarrassment: WCIU.

[24994J 5621]

2 hours ago, Georgie56 said:

Looked at WGN’s Thanksgiving schedule, and it appears they’re not running Bozo, Gar & Ray this year, instead replacing it with the two Bozo’s Circus 1960s and 1970s specials.

 

Don't quote me on it, but I believe I saw that Bozo, Gar & Ray is airing on Sunday. 

[Georgie56 3318]

On 11/18/2022 at 9:56 AM, 24994J said:

 

Don't quote me on it, but I believe I saw that Bozo, Gar & Ray is airing on Sunday. 

Checked their schedule, it’s not airing until Thanksgiving Sunday at 3pm.

[Georgie56 3318]

WGN starting their diamond celebration early.

 

 

[24994J 5621]

Before John Drury helped usher in the modern news department, the face of WGN News was Jack Taylor. We perhaps know him best from old broadcasts of the classic Night Beat. He passed away this weekend at 94, only retiring from any and all media work in the last few years.

 

Obituary, from earlier tonight:

 

Night Beat, 9/10/79:

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by 24994J

[CircleSeven 1960]

After he left Channel 9, he also anchored that financial news block that aired on WCIU for several years. 

 

May he rest in peace. 

 

 

[WeatherandTraffic 54]

Btw, Micah Materre has been out since early February due to having back surgery. I hope she's doing well and can be back anchoring soon. 

 

Do you guys think Tom Skilling will cut back his schedule until his retirement or retire at the hours he has now? 

[Spring Rubber 714]

54 minutes ago, WeatherandTraffic said:

Btw, Micah Materre has been out since early February due to having back surgery. I hope she's doing well and can be back anchoring soon. 

 

Do you guys think Tom Skilling will cut back his schedule until his retirement or retire at the hours he has now? 

I hope Micah recovers, as well. I know back surgery is always hit or miss...

 

I could foresee Tom cutting out the nighttime newscasts and just keeping the 5pm and 6pm at some point.

[24994J 5621]

Honestly, I'd be totally okay if they were to bounce the evening team to a 6pm start, giving the 4pm team an additional hour, unless they eventually envision a 3pm newscast for that crew, considering the bleak hellscape that is daytime syndication. That said, Skilling is gonna do what he damn well wants, as he damn well should. IF he were to cut back, I think he keeps the marquee late block. There's little reason to relegate him to their 2 weakest hours of the day (neck and neck with NBC5 for 2nd at 5pm, and an outright 3rd at 6pm).

 

As for Micah, I'd imagine they're in no rush for her to return, at this point. Her doctors are obviously calling the shots, and not her bosses, but with 2 election nights already missed and summer coming up quick, nothing major should be rushing her potential timeline.

Edited April 27, 2023 by 24994J

[Georgie56 3318]

WGN is launching a new local show, Spotlight Chicago, at 3pm in September.

[CircleSeven 1960]

On 7/7/2023 at 1:54 PM, Georgie56 said:

WGN is launching a new local show, Spotlight Chicago, at 3pm in September.

Station just pulled out a release.

 

Traffic anchor Sarah Jindra and Daytime Chicago fill-in host Ji Suk Yi will host this new hourly show.

[Spring Rubber 714]

7 hours ago, CircleSeven said:

Station just pulled out a release.

 

Traffic anchor Sarah Jindra and Daytime Chicago fill-in host Ji Suk Yi will host this new hourly show.

If Sarah Jindra is hosting, and if she's also going to be staying on the morning news, is it safe to say that Spotlight Chicago will probably be pre-recorded, either earlier in the day (that is, if the show will film daily), or perhaps well in advance (if they'll film multiple episodes at a time and churn them out later)? 

[24994J 5621]

40 minutes ago, Spring Rubber said:

If Sarah Jindra is hosting, and if she's also going to be staying on the morning news, is it safe to say that Spotlight Chicago will probably be pre-recorded, either earlier in the day (that is, if the show will film daily), or perhaps well in advance (if they'll film multiple episodes at a time and churn them out later)? 

 

Can't link right now, but her last day on the morning news will be August 4th.

[Spring Rubber 714]

2 minutes ago, 24994J said:

 

Can't link right now, but her last day on the morning news will be August 4th.

Ah ok, so this show is going to be a full-time commitment. Makes sense. Thanks for the info.

[nathannah 2494]

I don't know what on earth is happening to WGN News's Twitter feed (Nexstar AI experiment? Google bombing? The Morning News staff needing some reactive content for the week?), but these are...pieces the feed has posted today, credited to WTVO.

 

 

[R.R. 96]

Skilling is giving us 4 more months y’all

 

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/tom-skilling-to-retire/?fbclid=IwAR0Sz_Q6MXsDU52-esAIRKww48TJqizInbQ6k7o3jv94IMMQJUcTX4kBH6I

 

 

[24994J 5621]

WITI reporter and Chicago-area native Brhett Vickery joins as morning traffic anchor.

 

https://wgntv.com/community/news-releases/brhett-vickery-to-join-wgn-morning-news-as-traffic-reporter/

[norcalTVfan 18]

5 hours ago, 24994J said:

WITI reporter and Chicago-area native Brhett Vickery joins as morning traffic anchor.

 

https://wgntv.com/community/news-releases/brhett-vickery-to-join-wgn-morning-news-as-traffic-reporter/

Wow.  It only takes a five-year career to make it to WGN now. They might as well just start recruiting in Laredo or Eureka for that matter.