WGNO debuted new morning show Monday

[PelicanGuy 117]

New WGNO show is 'not going to be a bunch of stiffs in the morning'

 

Posted by Dave Walker, TV columnist, The Times-Picayune September 29, 2008 4:05AM

 

Investment advice isn't my specialty, but if there is one word I could share that might help you prosper in these uncertain economic times, it would be:

 

Coffee.

 

Consumption by local TV newscasters alone should be stoking a bull market in strong java.

 

WVUE-Channel 8 recently expanded its newscast footprint on both ends of the broadcast day, adding more early morning and late evening news programs (with a 6 p.m. sportscast and 6:30 p.m. newscast airing on a digital broadcast sub-channel and cable repeater).

 

Now comes a new morning-news product from WGNO-Channel 26 -- actually part of a companywide initiative by corporate parent Tribune Co. -- which launches today at 5 a.m.

 

"It's going to be something totally different from what this market is currently giving viewers," WGNO News Director Bob Noonan said. "We're going to be a cross between 'The View,' '(Live With) Regis and Kelly' and (the Fox New Channel's) 'Fox and Friends.' That's going to be the feel.

 

"We're not all sitting behind a news desk reading the news of the day or repeating our 10 o'clock newscast."

 

The new show's on-air staff will be:

 

• Jon Huffman, a former WVUE-Channel 8 reporter and anchor who has been freelancing for WGNO for a while and recently joined the staff full time. "He's the perfect guy for this," Noonan said.

 

• Anna Adair, recently of Baton Rouge's WAFB-TV. "She's going to shine with the others, too," Noonan said. "She's full of personality."

 

• Cyndi Nguyen, also anchoring the station's newly minted 11 a.m. newscast.

 

• Hank Allen, weathercaster.

 

• Joe Rawley, reporter and another WAFB alum.

 

News headlines, weather and traffic will come at the top and bottom of each hour, though delivered in a conversational style that Noonan likened to the daily celebrity "E! News" reports on the E! Entertainment cable network.

 

Between the headlines will come anchor cross-talk, interviews, cooking and fashion segments, and viewer interactivity.

 

"It's going to be a very relaxed format," Noonan said. "It's really going to be water-cooler talk, hot topics.

 

"For the most part, it's going to be talking about lifestyle things, what's going on in the world, what's going on in your backyard, local, national. It's going to be a fun show.

 

"It's not going to be a bunch of stiffs in the morning. It's going to be fun TV. If there are mistakes on the air, either technical or something by our hosts, we're going to mock ourselves. And we'll let viewers call in and comment about what they like and what they don't like.

 

"I think people are going to enjoy watching this in the morning. They're still going to get their news, but they're also going to be entertained."

 

It's a daring play, given the conservative approach taken by WGNO's morning competitors, and especially if the reference to "The View," where panelist squabbling is a hallmark, is realized.

 

"All of them are not going to agree on items in the morning, and I think that's going to be the fun part," said Noonan of his new wake-up staff. "I don't expect a battle of anchors, but I think they're going to have a lively discussion that will get the viewers involved.

 

"We think there's got to be a market for something different here. We've got the talent to do it. It's not going to be way out there. It's going to be thought-provoking. It's going to be fun. People are not always going to agree with what our guys are saying, and that's why we want them to respond and interact with us.

 

"We're about to shake it up."

 

TV columnist Dave Walker can be reached at [email protected] or 504.826.3429.

 

http://blog.nola.com/davewalker/2008/09/new_wgno_show_is_not_going_to.html