Another WTAE Anchor Shakeup
Pittsburgh:Time for musical anchors at WTAE-TV (4) again. Got your scorecard? Good.
The biggest part of the story is that Senior anchor Sally Wiggin will lose her 6 pm spot only anchoring the noon broadcast. Wiggin has been a weekday evening anchor since being promoted to the position in 1986. She will continue her evening presence as a reporter with the "big interviews". News Director Bob Longo says that moving into the world of the personal people meter means newscasts will be looked at differently needing more "only on" content. "If anyone gets the 'get' interview, it's Sally Wiggin."
Anchor Andrew Stockey, who filled a split shift during Wendy Bell's maternity leave, is being promoted to the evenings at 5, 6, and 11 while Mike Clark will move to the morning and noon slots - the position he started with at Channel 4 in 1995. Michelle Wright also gets cut to one newscast a day - 6 pm.
Neither Wendy Bell or Kelly Frye are mentioned. This means Bell will remain with the 5 and 11 pm reports while Frye continues the morning shift.
In the Weather Center, look for Demetrius Ivory to remain in the morning news position but he'll be on again at 5 pm in a "split shift" format. Weekender Erin Kienzle will be on the noon shift while chief meteorologist Stephen Cropper will be on the air at 6 and 11 pm.
The new lineup begins Monday.
Readers’ Forum
Hey, Channel Four, I guess the Peabody Award doesn’t necessarily translate into ratings! Did you hear that Channel Four won the Peabody Award? Oh, that’s right; it’s at the beginning of EVERY single newscast! The only thing I hear more on Four is “Take a look at this” and “Check this out” at the beginning of most stories. These cutesy little sayings from the anchors who are part of this apparent “youth movement” aren’t necessary, and show a lack of professionalism. Now we’re headed for more of the Andrew and Wendy show. Who do these two know, anyway? They’ve been evening anchors for only a year or so (after Scott Baker was scuttled)and they’re being promoted again, while Sally loses on air time. Don Cannon could come into the WTAE studio today and, despite his problems outside the job, would be their best male anchor. If not Sally, Shannon Perrine should be their #1 female anchor.
pwn
PWN - September 26, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I remember once during a newscast Wendy Bell was interviewing an African American reporter from the PG (I think?) at the end of the interview Ms Bell said, “Preciate it, my brotha!”
UGH! Such class and grace from the station that has won the Peabody!
I wish Channel 4 would treat Ms Wiggin better, she deserves it! As for the Wendy and Andrew Show? Looks like I’ll be watching Channel 2 from now on!
Tim - September 26, 2008 at 9:49 pm
In all honesty, I am glad to be seeing less of Sally. She makes my skin crawl and they seem to have her so close up – ugh. Can’t stand Wendy Bell either. Can’t stomach Kelly Frye at all. About the only one I feel is any good is Michelle Wright. She is great with Mike Clark. What where they thinking not keeping Scott Baker? Don’t look for KDKA to be any better. Patrice is okay. Can’t stand Christine Sorenson (can’t stand her husband Marty Griffith even more).
Shelly - September 28, 2008 at 8:49 pm
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