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Showing content with the highest reputation on 03/28/24 in Posts

  1. John Sterling is 85 and Bob Uecker is 90. Both are still calling games for the Yankees and Brewers, respectively. Age doesn't matter as long as you're capable of doing the job.
    6 points
  2. I know you probably don’t mean it this way, but this comes off a bit ageist to me. Chuck is willing to work, NBC is willing to have him work, the viewers love him, and he’s still good at what he does, so I don’t see any reason for him to stop just because he’s old. It’s not as though he’s impeding younger journalists from greater opportunities. Besides, David Ushery and Natalie Pasquarella are the primary anchors there now, and if anything, having someone like Chuck in your newsroom to mentor younger journalists is an asset, not a liability. As far as Dana’s concerned, I’ve never met her, so I can’t speak to what others have said about her. Some people talk about her being supposedly difficult to work with, others have nothing but great things to say about her. That said, she was a good anchor who did her job well for decades, and I think she deserved acknowledgment for that. Ideally, one could argue she should’ve been given a bigger sendoff, but considering the nature of the TV news business, I’m glad she was given any sort of sendoff at all.
    3 points
  3. I’ve been trying to figure out the words to describe what I think and how I feel with regards to Dana and WCBS at this moment. The nearest comparison I’ve settled on is that this has been like seeing a friend be grievously and irreparably wronged and there is nothing you can do. Dana was pushed out the door, whether it be because of budget cuts or age or whatever else. I understand why she decided to fully exit the station at this time, but the abruptness of her complete departure was a shock. Reflecting on it, WCBS has rarely ever ‘sent someone off.’ The constant turnover and abrupt dismissals of icons and legends meant that personalities never had an on air goodbye— even if they deserved one. The bare minimum that was done for Dana— a hastily recut video tribute from her NYSBA Hall of Fame induction— is the most I can remember ever seeing on their air. (Although I vaguely remember a few minutes on air acknowledging Stephen Clark’s last day.) Dana was a survivor— somehow making it through the darkest years of WCBS. Think about all of the times that Dana had to put up a strong appearance while the station was in chaos (the massacre, dismissing Stephen, dismissing Jim Rosenfield, dismissing Jim Jensen, tossing Warner aside, the times when Angela, Roz, and Kristine replaced her at 11, and so many more). Dana continued to be the familiar face to us, after all of the ups and many, many downs she went through at WCBS. We all consume local news differently now. Local newscasts are no longer packed with stories impacting the local communities and viewing area, with more and more time being used for filler national stories (or worse, appalling in newscast product ad segments). Many no longer turn on the 5/6 news while making dinner, or the 11 before drifting off. Most people now read a jumble of stories from a variety of sources on our phones throughout the day. What that means, as everyone here knows, is that the local anchor is less important than ever. Those left watching local news (and television as a whole) are an older and older audience— audiences that are comfortable with the faces they recognize. We are witnessing the last generation of legendary news anchors. Losing Dana isn’t going to push most people to change the channel; Maurice and Kristine are also familiar and trusted faces who are good anchors. But Dana was the heart and soul of the WCBS product. She always exuded warmth and the constant through all of the years of change. After the recent passings of Pablo Guzman, Max Gomez, and Frank Field, I didn’t tune in to see what Kristine or Dick or Chris would say— I wanted to hear how Dana would remember them. Because more than any other anchor, honestly in the whole New York market, Dana came across as the one who cared about people. We focus a lot on the on air product, but if were to glance today at the posts of current and former colleagues of Dana online, you would see a lot of gratitude for what she did off camera too. So many credit her with making them better, investing in their success, sending notes of praise or offering a helping hand or open ear. All of it summed up by saying: Dana truly cared. It is understandable why she decided to leave now, after being told there was no longer a regular space for her at a station that produces nine hours of daily news. Throwing up the most recent prepared montage of her— a rushed, re-cut version of her 2022 NYSBA Hall of Fame tribute— didn’t really capture the fact that they were saying goodbye to someone so important to that news organization. What she deserved is similar to what Chuck is receiving now: a celebration leading up to her departure. She deserved to have some of her favorite stories reaired, to have tributes from current and past colleagues (the likes of Jim Rosenfield, Ernie Anastos, Ira Joe Fisher, Warner Wolf, Don Dahler, and Stephen Clark— who she was part of a tribute video for a few years ago when he retired from his station in Detroit), and even tributes from her competitors (who she graciously took time to thank in her final words). We should have seen her sit down with Cindy for an extended conversation at 9am about her career and the stories she has covered. All of that (and more) is what Dana deserved. She deserved better. And we deserved better.
    3 points
  4. None of those places have weekday openings. WABC has not replaced Sandra on weekends, and I’m not convinced they’re going to. I’m probably in the minority here, but what has she done in all those years to move the needle at WCBS? She hasn’t always seemed like the easiest to work with. I’m fairly confident her anchoring days are done. Regardless of my thoughts on her, she’s had a long career with the same employer and many accomplishments, she should enjoy retirement. No matter how great of a career, there’s no need for people to be anchoring into their 80s (I’m looking at you Chuck).
    3 points
  5. Just watched the video- she noted her goodbye at the end was pre-taped which is understandable because she seemed quite emotional and this is clearly not what she wants- but it is the super harsh reality of the business. I do think Channel 2 could have done a better job saluting her and not a rushed piece for 8 minutes at the end of one newscast. She deserves better, but I think the reason she didn't get a longer send off is because she's being forced out and likely made this decision more last minute than expected. It also seems like she is not staying with the station in any capacity (unlike previous reports) which I really respect. She will go out with dignity and on a high note. I'm still in shock about all of this, though (as I'm sure Dana is too); and it is all quite unfortunate. I really wish Dana happiness in whatever she choses to do next.
    3 points
  6. This was a very nicely done tribute, but I am in shock that this was Dana's last day. We knew Dana (and Dick Brennan) were leaving the 6pm newscast, but she was supposed to remain with the station as a fill-in anchor and contributor. However, per an article in Newsday.com (paywalled), which cited a memo from GM Johnny Green, Dana thought about it and decided that today would be her last day. The Newsday.com article goes on to mention that several in the news industry believe this move is directly related to budget cuts at Paramount Global. Regardless of the reason, this feels like a pretty abrupt ending for someone who devoted nearly 34 years of her life and career to this station. The entire process, starting with a leaked internal memo announcing that Dana and DIck would be "transitioning" off the 6pm newscast, seems like it was completely mishandled.
    3 points
  7. Dana admittedly hasn't been the best solo anchor in recent years, she's better with a partner. As for ratings..eehh. But again, I don't think Dana is CBS 2's problem, their presentation is. Anchoring is not a physically taxing job, it's about personality and commanding an audience. If an octogenarian is mentally alert, looks good on camera, and still draws an audience, there's no reason for them to retire. Veterans often have contacts and resources that the younger talent do not. A problem arises if that veteran anchor has no effect on ratings and if their massive pay is taking up resources (but let's also extend that scrutiny to company executive salaries). There's a common mindset that your career stops at 65. Assuming you live to be 90 and (physically fit)...what will you be doing with yourself for 20+ years? Every old person isn't close with their family, and their friends may not be physically agile. Purpose and activity keeps people going.
    1 point
  8. Marcia Kramer, Cindy Hsu, and Jennifer McLogan are the only links remaining from the Jim Jensen era or the 90s itself at WCBS-TV following the departure of Dana Tyler. Kramer joined the station in 1990 and Hsu and McLogan came on board in 1993. If I'm not mistaken, the next longest tenured member of the news department after that is Mary Calvi.
    1 point
  9. They have shown a couple of clips during the week, as well as some comments she made at the luncheon held on Monday at the Rainbow Room. Can't wait to see more...
    1 point
  10. A Chuck and Sue reunion conversation is being promoted as part of the half hour 50th Anniversary tribute to Chuck, airing Thursday at 7 pm.
    1 point
  11. almost poetic that this comes the same week as Chuck's 50th anniversary over on 4. Two legends being treated very differently by their stations. Wishing Dana all the best.
    1 point
  12. 1 point
  13. During the bridge collapse I found myself looking at Hearst's WBAL or turning to DC stations like WRC & WTTG because of the quality issues with the other three stations in Baltimore (CBS O&O, Scripps, Sinclair). It's crazy how much Scripps has fallen in such a short time that we could put them in the same sentence as Sinclair. Again, just looking at WPTV in the last 4-5 years is evidence. Scripps is quickly becoming a cheaper version what CBS O&Os often are --- coorperate and lacking local flavor.
    1 point
  14. Love that WNBC is dipping into the archives for Chuck! Take your daughter to work day (Mid 90s) Chuck and Sue dancing (1980s)
    1 point
  15. I don't see Nexstar/Mission fighting for Detroit Kevin Adell blew it just like blowing that CBS deal in 94.
    1 point
  16. Dana Tyler just signed off WCBS for the last time, after an 8 minute tribute at the end of the 6pm where she said it was her last day at channel 2.
    0 points
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