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June 28, 2008 Dear Readers, My website will be on hiatus for a few weeks. Thanks. See you soon. Laura June 19, 2008 Don Tollefson will have to continue being "awesome" somewhere else, as Fox29 the station let go of its sports director one day after he returned to the air after a three month hiatus due to a car accident. The move capped off a bizarre few days that began when late last week rumors swirled that Tollefson was fired. However, he returned to the air on Sunday (page down to June 16 and you can see what turned out to be his last appearance on Fox). Weekend anchor Bill Vargus, who took Tolley's place while he was gone, anchored the sports Tuesday night. No word yet on whether he will be named Tollefson's permanent replacement. Tollefson will most likely continue with his charity, One Child Saved fulltime. Tollefson joined Fox29 as the co-host of "Good Day Philadelphia" in 1995. He became sports director in 1998. Of course before that, he was at "Action News" from 1975 - 1990. Tollefson wasn't the only person at Fox29 to lose a job. Industry sources say that assistant news director, Leslie Tyler was let go this week. No word yet on who will become the assistant to news director Kingsley Smith. Since the beginning of the year, Dawn Stensland is the lone survivor of the news desk. Meteorologist Rob Guarino was replaced with John Bolaris in January, news anchor Dave Huddleston's contract wasn't renewed last week, and or course now, sports director Don Tollefson was dropped. June 18, 2008 My favorite awards show, "The TV Land Awards" didn't disappoint as it trotted out the casts of "Roseanne" and "The Golden Girls." It also parodied "TMZ." I'm not sure why musician Lionel Richie was given a television "Icon" award, but it's a small complaint. Catch the highlights on www.tvland.com. You can also check out the hilarious "My Life on the D List" with Kathy Griffin Thursdays at 10 p.m. on Bravo.
June 18, 2008 Time flies! Beasley Reece is celebrating his tenth anniversary as sports director of CBS3. Reece said CBS sent him a gift from Tiffany's for the milestone. Well, CBS is the "Tiffany" network!
June 18, 2008 Remember that cute 6ABC promo I mentioned a couple of days ago? Here's the exact same one for 7ABC in NYC done last year.
June 19, 2008 We have learned that the "Just Six Minutes" promo originated from the creative services department at 6ABC in Philadelphia, and the New York City ABC affiliate promo, "Just Seven Minutes" followed.
June 16, 2008 Murphy hosts "Out of Bounds" weeknights at 7 p.m. on CN8. June 16, 2008 According to industry sources, plans for an HD studio for NBC10, originally set to begin construction in July, have been put on hold. Some speculate it may pertain to a possible sale of more NBC stations. A few months ago, NBC affiliates in Miami and Hartford were sold. An NBC10 spokesperson did not respond to a phone message. In other NBC10 news, nbc10.com
along with the other NBC affiliate web sites will be taken over by the
network. Currently, NBC's web sites are maintained by Internet
Broadcasting Systems. June 16, 2008 Here's Don Tollefson in his first broadcast since injuring his shoulder in a car accident in March. Notice how he is favoring one arm.
June 13, 2008 Spiraling gas prices are the
topic of "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" on CN8 Monday at 9
p.m. During the show, contributor Kevin Walsh will be reporting live
from Super Wawa in Bristol, PA. Those who get interviewed will
receive a free gas card.
June 13, 2008 According to industry sources, Fox29 sports director Don Tollefson is scheduled to return to work on Sunday. Tollefson has been sidelined for a couple of months since suffering injuries in a car accident. June 13, 2008 Check out my new and improved appearances page. June 12, 2008 Here's the catchy 6ABC promo for its morning news:
June 12, 2008 Friday will be the last day on the air for Fox29 news anchor, Dave Huddleston, whose contract was not renewed by the station. Huddleston worked for the station for six years. According to industry sources, Fox will probably rotate anchors such as Kerri-Lee Halkett, Joyce Evans and John Atwater in Huddleston's place this summer to join Dawn Stensland. As for Stensland, who currently is the only member of her household to be on the air right now, as her husband and CBS3 news anchor Larry Mendte awaits his fate, according to sources she has "awhile to go" on her contract. Here are the news anchor lineups for Fox, since it debuted its "Ten O'clock News" in 1986: Lee McCarthy
June 11, 2008 As the "Sex and the City" movie goes into its third week with a gross of over 104-million dollars, it reminded me of the time I met Cynthia Nixon a few years ago at a party that Comcast hosted to launch "On Demand." Besides Nixon, there were plenty of other stars there that night.
June 11, 2008 Jennaphr Frederick will spend Friday morning with Bret Michaels on "Good Day Philadelphia" on Fox29 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Bret is pushing his new "Rock of Love" CD, taken from his series on VH1 (Yes, I watched most of the series, I'm pathetic).
June 11, 2008 Since CBS3 only has two on-air sports anchors - Beasley Reece and Don Bell, sometimes CBS3 reporter Jamie Smith capably fills in when either is sick or on vacation. Smith, who played on the baseball team for American University in Washington, D.C., began his career as a sports reporter for WLNY-TV in New York City. According to his bio on the cbs3.com web site, his role model is Jim Nantz. June 9, 2008 The Larry Mendte case was the topic on "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" Monday on CN8. If you missed the show at 9 p.m. or midnight, you can pull it up On Demand under "Get Local"
June 9, 2008
CBS3's "Orr at the Shore" with meteorologist Kathy Orr returns for its sixth year at the Jersey Shore this summer. Orr, who along with Beasley Reece are the survivors of the CBS3 main anchor team right now, could probably use some stability by returning to the beach again. Orr will have to put those snazzy powersuits away for the summer. She's my choice for best dressed female anchor and Rick Williams of 6ABC is my choice for best dressed male anchor. Maybe if NBC10 did something similar with their chief meteorologist, they could call it "Schwartz in Shorts?"
June 9, 2008 Philly's
Teddy Pendergrass and Jerry Blavat will be presented with the 2008
Phillies Gamble & Huff Community Partnership Award during the fifth
annual “Sound of Philadelphia Celebration,” before the Phillies/Angels game on June 20 at 7 p.m. At 5 p.m., a free concert
featuring the Three Degrees and more will perform some of the hits of
"The Sound of Philadelphia."
June 9, 2008 From WOGL: The 98.1 WOGL staff will formally dedicate the main WOGL studio this Friday, June 13 and it will become the "Big Ron O'Brien Studio". We will put the sign up above the "On Air" sign as you enter the studio. This is the ultimate radio tribute to the ultimate radio DJ--a guy who truly never felt better or more alive than when he was behind the microphone. He loved that studio and every single minute he was in it, so its only fitting that 98.1 WOGL dedicate it to him. Big Ron's mother, Phyllis Walls will be joining us outside the air studio for this very special dedication. My thoughts: If WOGL decides to hire Big Ron's replacement from within, my first choice would be Angela Mason. Also, Brian Murphy, who does weekends on B101 would be a good candidate. According to WOGL, over 230 audition tapes (mostly MP3s) have been received. June 9, 2008 Harry Kalas missed Friday night's exciting Phillies win over the Braves because he was attending the high school graduation of his son, Kane. June 9, 2008 Here's some advice I gave Hillary on "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" last week:
June 9, 2008 Mike Schmidt's new wine, "Schmidt 548 Zinfendel" is available in stores in Philadelphia and South Jersey. All of the proceeds will support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Suggested retail is $18.99. The 548 signifies the amount of home runs Schmidt hit in his career. Of course, it would go well with Bull's (Greg Luzinski) BBQ sauce. June 5, 2008 Brett Myers' flirtation with a no-hitter propelled the Phillies to the top of the ratings Wednesday night. The game on Comcast SportsNet was the top rated show, broadcast or cable, in the Philadelphia market between the hours of 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. as 247,000 households (8.3 rating) tuned in. The game peaked with an 11.6 rating (345,000 households) at 9:30 p.m. The 8.3 rating was the highest Phillies rating on Comcast SportsNet since the Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves on September 27, 2007 (10.5 rating). June 5, 2008 Here it is:
June 4, 2008 "Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games," written by brothers Tom and Jerry Caraccioli received a positive review in the "Wall Street Journal." Tom is married to Mary Caraccioli of CN8. June 4, 208 Robert Feder of the Chicago Sun Times recalls Mendte from his time in Chicago. June 4, 2008 Here's a snippet from my appearance discussing the "Sex and the City" movie on "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" Tuesday on CN8.
June 4, 2008 Former Q102 morning personality, Booker, was heard on the Howard Stern show Tuesday on Sirius Satellite radio. Booker discussed how he feels very fortunate that he will continue to get paid by Clear Channel through the one year remaining on his contract. He also was advised by Stern regular, Ralph Cirella, on how to spend his free days. With all his free time, Booker said that he was starting to drive his girlfriend (who we all know is Alycia Lane) crazy.
June 4, 2008 If Channel 3 cuts ties with Larry Mendte, maybe he could work with his wife, Dawn Stensland at Fox29, who did not renew the contract of Dave Huddleston.
June 4, 2008 If Larry Mendte loses his job over this email thing, some are joking that it will mean a big financial hit for the Mid-Atlantic chapter of NATAS. In Mendte's time in Philly, first at NBC10 and then at CBS3, he was notorious for submitting dozens of entries (all with an entry fee). Last year alone, he won 13-Emmy awards (and submitted many more). Whether Mendte has a job or not, it won't affect nominations for this year because submissions were due in April. And in the topsy-turvy world of television, it's actually common for winners to be at different stations by the time the awards are handed out in September. Nominations will be announced in August. The annual ceremonies are in September. June 3, 2008 Here are some other local news fights that come to mind: Sharon Reed vs. Alicia Taylor - The first internet age skirmish occurred a few years ago when then NBC10 news anchor Reed was busted for writing mean things about NBC10 reporter Taylor. Reed lost her job and wound up in Cleveland. Taylor eventually also left the station. Gary Papa vs. Phil Andrews - During the Eagles' Super Bowl week in 2005, the 6ABC sportscasters engaged in a shouting match during a disagreement in Jacksonville. Andrews' contract was not renewed by the station that summer. Jim O'Brien vs. Steve Levy - The two were good friends when they worked for Action News in the 70's, O'Brien was even the godfather for Levy's daughter, but reportedly O'Brien and Levy had a falling out after Levy left Channel 6 for Channel 10. Vince DeMentri vs. Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz - DeMentri allegedly physically threatened Schwartz after a disagreement over flood coverage. Larry Kane vs. fill in the blank - Like Allen Iverson, Kane never seemed to have found a compatible partner. Just ask Cherie Bank, Deborah Knapp, Diane Allen, Alan Frio, or Trina Robinson. Monique Braxton vs. Harry Hairston - Braxton, and NBC10 reporter was suspended for badmouthing fellow reporter Hairston to outside people.
June 3, 2008 Dawn Stensland co-anchored the 10 p.m. news Monday night on Fox29. Stensland's husband Larry Mendte is the subject of a federal investigation for allegedly reading the personal emails of former co-anchor Alycia Lane. June 3, 2008 Industry sources are saying the Fox29, which is the only local television station that uses Metro Traffic, may change lanes and switch to Traffic Pulse, which provides traffic reports for NBC10, 6ABC, CBS3, and CW57. June 3, 2008 In the battle of the vowels, Jose Canseco and Vai Sikahema will talk up their big boxing match in July on "10" Tuesday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on NBC10. If Canseco can survive living
with Janice Dickinson and Omarosa on a season of "The Surreal
Life," he can handle anything. June 3, 2008 I am scheduled to be part of a panel discussing the "Sex and the City" movie on "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" on CN8 Tuesday at 9 p.m. It was the number one movie of the weekend with 55-million dollars. It will probably be number one movie again this weekend as it is up against new releases "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" and "Kung Fu Panda." June 3, 2008 "Two Funny Philly
Guys" starring Big Daddy
Graham and Joe Conklin returns
to the Borgata in Atlantic City
July 6.
June 1, 2008
Former Channel 6 medical reporter-turned media consultant Susanne
LaFrankie reacted to the news that CBS3 news anchor Larry Mendte is
under a federal investigation for reading the emails of former
colleague, Alycia Lane, who was fired in January.
"I've never seen anything like it. It looks like Alycia Lane isn't going down alone. You've got to wonder--if this is all true-- what type of competitive relationship these two had," LaFrankie said. As for what CBS3 should do, LaFrankie said, "I say wipe the slate clean...move on quickly, concentrate on the station's credibility, reputation and integrity--after all they are a news organization in the fourth largest market." June 1, 2008 CBS3 finally reported on the Larry Mendte story during the 6:30 p.m. show on Sunday. Here's Fox29's version (with video).
June 1, 2008 With Larry Mendte off the air indefinitely and possibly for good, for the second time in six months, CBS3 has a major vacancy to fill. Their probable first choice would be weekday 4 p.m. news anchor Chris May who arrived less than a year ago. My first choice would be weekday morning news anchor Ukee Washington, who ironically paired with current 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. anchor Susan Barnett in the A.M. until she was replaced with Liz Keptner in the fall of 2007. Or maybe CBS3 could bring Marc Howard out of retirement? Of course, Dave Huddleston is available too, as his contract wasn't renewed by Fox29. This should be interesting. June 1, 2008
"Late last
week CBS 3 became aware of an investigation by the U. S .Attorney's
office regarding anchor Larry
Mendte. CBS 3 is cooperating fully with that office in this matter.
Mr.Mendte will not be on CBS 3's broadcasts pending further
investigation."
June 1, 2008 Michael Klein breaks the surprising story. Not surprisingly, it's not on cbs3.com but it's the top story on nbc.com and 6abc.com, but not on myfoxphilly.com, probably out of deference to Mendte's wife, Dawn Stensland, who is the 10 p.m. news anchor there. It is also the top story on CBS3 sister station, kyw1060.com.
May 31, 2008 Beginning Monday, NBC10 will air "10" live at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. and move "Martha" to noon. That means the embarrassing infomercials that were airing at noon will be gone. There is a hole in NBC10's schedule because "iVillage Live" was canceled in March. So which is better - infomercials or two airings of "10?" |
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