Random WBBM Thread

[Jase 848]

They should have moved Mary Kay to weekends and promoted Robb to weekdays (at 4P) given her current semi-retired status. I can't see many people being interested in taking on double-duty on weekends (WFLD's Mark Strehl being the exception).

[K77 6]

On 2/5/2024 at 6:12 PM, Jase said:

They should have moved Mary Kay to weekends and promoted Robb to weekdays (at 4P) given her current semi-retired status. I can't see many people being interested in taking on double-duty on weekends (WFLD's Mark Strehl being the exception).

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.

[R.R. 71]

5 hours ago, K77 said:

Mary Kay is at "work whenever she feels like it" status now. Her filling-in is even becoming much more rare now.

It was her choice to downshift. She has done just about every shift there when she was alongside Cynthia Santana and John Davis since she got back to Chicago. She wanted more time with family. I agree that Ed should have more (but it’s his call if another promotion was in the books). 
 

When it comes to anchor talent, I’ll give Jen some credit for at least having a few Local native roots pairs anchoring. Jim, Marie, Ryan, Dana, etc.

[K77 6]

5 hours ago, R.R. said:

It was her choice to downshift. She has done just about every shift there when she was alongside Cynthia Santana and John Davis since she got back to Chicago. She wanted more time with family. I agree that Ed should have more (but it’s his call if another promotion was in the books). 
 

When it comes to anchor talent, I’ll give Jen some credit for at least having a few Local native roots pairs anchoring. Jim, Marie, Ryan, Dana, etc.

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.

[Jase 848]

After a long delay… the (reimagined) street side studio will be unveiled soon (tentatively scheduled for July).
 

Not sure if it’s just a state-of-the-art weather center (as previously reported) or something more. Nevertheless, glad to see the studio fully back up and running.

 

 

[brianpr3 175]

They should bring back Megan Glaros

[24994J 5327]

There is a job listing for a meteorologist, but I'd guess that the podcast she had with Erin Kennedy burned all bridges to returning to any broadcasting, and she's probably okay with that.

[R.R. 71]

18 hours ago, 24994J said:

but I'd guess that the podcast she had with Erin Kennedy burned all bridges to returning to any broadcasting, and she's probably okay with that.

Megan already said she was talking bout leaving the business before CBS 2 even laid her off.

 

And to add on, both stated in episodes of “Broken News” that they were offered news gigs after CBS 2 laid the two of them off but they chose to decline and had enough. They both have lives too, and at that rate, being with their families would matter more than to wake up at 1:30 in the morning it seems.

Edited May 22 by R.R.
Add on to facts

[cbs2worksforyou 35]

On 5/21/2024 at 2:52 PM, Jase said:

After a long delay… the (reimagined) street side studio will be unveiled soon (tentatively scheduled for July).
 

Not sure if it’s just a state-of-the-art weather center (as previously reported) or something more. Nevertheless, glad to see the studio fully back up and running.

 

 

 

I really hope they use the full studio and that it's used for news. It's a huge space for just weather...

[Jase 848]

32 minutes ago, cbs2worksforyou said:

 

I really hope they use the full studio and that it's used for news. It's a huge space for just weather...

 

I think they will (use the entire space). Based off the orange signage promoting the street side studio, my guess would be that the morning/streaming newscasts will move here. Plus, if designed properly, there should be enough room for an AR weather center/space as well.

[WeatherandTraffic 48]

They really need to hire 2 more meteorologists as Mary Kay Kleist has been working double time, unlike the part time she wanted(Robb Ellis leaving quietly didn't help). Now she gets a break with Laura and Ed back. Ed seems like he's heading towards retirement or has more health issues now.

[K77 6]

On 6/10/2024 at 6:20 PM, WeatherandTraffic said:

They really need to hire 2 more meteorologists as Mary Kay Kleist has been working double time, unlike the part time she wanted(Robb Ellis leaving quietly didn't help). Now she gets a break with Laura and Ed back. Ed seems like he's heading towards retirement or has more health issues now.

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..

[24994J 5327]

Last I saw, there is a job opening for a meteorologist, so they are definitely looking for somebody to do one or both weekend shifts.

[312newswannabe 8]

Brad Edwards is out, according to FTV Live. No reason given and his bio is in fact removed from WBBM’s website. 

[Chicago2008 9]

Not much of a Brad fan, he seemed like he enjoyed the sound of his own voice

[former newsboy 50]

First, Brad Edwards.  Now, Marshall Harris.  His bio is also gone from the station website.  I'm sad about Brad (something must have happened though).  But not so much about sports director Harris (I'm guessing his contact was simply not renewed - must have been a 3 year deal since it's been exactly that long).  Chicago is a big sports town - if Channel 2 is serious about competing, they need a strong top sports anchor.  They should tap Mark Schanowski, who I believe is only freelance since being back at Channel 7.  He deserves way better than that - he's very good, knows his stuff, and Chicago knows HIM.  Tom Waddle would be good too, but I doubt he'd give up his radio gig.  Could they simply move Ryan Baker back to sports?  I hope not.

 

Also at CBS 2,  Kylee Miller of CBS Detroit was doing the weather over the weekend.  So is she here now or was she just filling-in?  I'm guessing it's the latter.

[mouseboy33 39]

Susan LeMignon said: " thanks for being with us this weekend Kylee." So it sounds like a temporary arrangement. I didnt see alll her appearances. Was she at the desk? Or live from Detroit?

[Georgie56 3079]

3 hours ago, former newsboy said:

First, Brad Edwards.  Now, Marshall Harris.  His bio is also gone from the station website.  I'm sad about Brad (something must have happened though).  But not so much about sports director Harris (I'm guessing his contact was simply not renewed - must have been a 3 year deal since it's been exactly that long).  Chicago is a big sports town - if Channel 2 is serious about competing, they need a strong top sports anchor.  They should tap Mark Schanowski, who I believe is only freelance since being back at Channel 7.  He deserves way better than that - he's very good, knows his stuff, and Chicago knows HIM.  Tom Waddle would be good too, but I doubt he'd give up his radio gig.  Could they simply move Ryan Baker back to sports?  I hope not.

Shouldn’t Matt Zahn get his turn? He’s the longest-tenured of everyone on the sports team.

[R.R. 71]

Zahn should but that’s if he wants the position. As for putting Ryan back in sports dept, that would defeat the whole purpose of what he’s doing now.

[24994J 5327]

1 hour ago, mouseboy33 said:

Susan LeMignon said: " thanks for being with us this weekend Kylee." So it sounds like a temporary arrangement. I didnt see alll her appearances. Was she at the desk? Or live from Detroit?

 

In Chicago, to my surprise.

 

[GodfreyGR 515]

4 hours ago, former newsboy said:

Chicago is a big sports town - if Channel 2 is serious about competing, they need a strong top sports anchor.

Has the Mark Giangreco fiasco cooled down? 

[R.R. 71]

18 minutes ago, GodfreyGR said:

Has the Mark Giangreco fiasco cooled down? 

He’s done, said it multiple times. Even though he has gotten offers since ABC 7, he’s done.

[Jase 848]

6 hours ago, former newsboy said:

First, Brad Edwards.  Now, Marshall Harris.  His bio is also gone from the station website.  I'm sad about Brad (something must have happened though).  But not so much about sports director Harris (I'm guessing his contact was simply not renewed - must have been a 3 year deal since it's been exactly that long).  Chicago is a big sports town - if Channel 2 is serious about competing, they need a strong top sports anchor.  They should tap Mark Schanowski, who I believe is only freelance since being back at Channel 7.  He deserves way better than that - he's very good, knows his stuff, and Chicago knows HIM.  Tom Waddle would be good too, but I doubt he'd give up his radio gig.  Could they simply move Ryan Baker back to sports?  I hope not.

 

Also at CBS 2,  Kylee Miller of CBS Detroit was doing the weather over the weekend.  So is she here now or was she just filling-in?  I'm guessing it's the latter.

 

Given the current state of Chicago professional sports... the 'need' to have more than 2 full-time sports anchors isn't there, so I could see WBBM going without having 3. Maybe they hire a freelancer at some point, but who knows.

 

They could be trimming more people beyond Edwards and Harris too. If Ed isn't in the best of health, probably best for him to step down. Tucker is the last of the old guard, they could cut her and maybe even Savini as well.

Edited Monday at 04:41 PM by Jase

[Chicago2008 9]

8 hours ago, former newsboy said:

First, Brad Edwards.  Now, Marshall Harris.  His bio is also gone from the station website.  I'm sad about Brad (something must have happened though).  But not so much about sports director Harris (I'm guessing his contact was simply not renewed - must have been a 3 year deal since it's been exactly that long).  Chicago is a big sports town - if Channel 2 is serious about competing, they need a strong top sports anchor.  They should tap Mark Schanowski, who I believe is only freelance since being back at Channel 7.  He deserves way better than that - he's very good, knows his stuff, and Chicago knows HIM.  Tom Waddle would be good too, but I doubt he'd give up his radio gig.  Could they simply move Ryan Baker back to sports?  I hope not.

 

Also at CBS 2,  Kylee Miller of CBS Detroit was doing the weather over the weekend.  So is she here now or was she just filling-in?  I'm guessing it's the latter.

For sports, why not tap Silvey or Carm? Then again Silvey is too winney so..........

Edited Monday at 07:14 PM by Chicago2008

[24994J 5327]

Mark Schanowski is north of 65. He has a pleasant, semi-retired thing going with his Bulls podcasting, Windy City Bulls broadcasting, and ABC7 fill-in work. Silvy or Carm would be capable, but their strengths would be wasted in a 2.5 minute sportscast. And Waddle? Yes, he did some Fox32 fill-ins, back in the day, but like Kap during the Bears season, his best TV work is done when crossing the hall for ABC7 analysis.

 

Matt Zahn and Jori Parys will be perfectly fine, at least in the interim.

 

5 hours ago, R.R. said:

Zahn should but that’s if he wants the position. As for putting Ryan back in sports dept, that would defeat the whole purpose of what he’s doing now.

 

That said, moving Baker back to sports isn't a terrible idea, though that would require some outside help to be brought on for the morning show. They'd need to make a splashy hire after losing both male anchors. Their male bench doesn't have the anchor potential to make an impact.

 

And again, let everyone remember that they have a job listing posted for a weather anchor, so weekends should get some help soon. With Yeomans taking the 11am, if and when Ed retires, Bannon will be perfectly capable to handle the whole morning block, or at least til 10am and maybe shift Yeomans even earlier.

Edited Monday at 07:40 PM by 24994J