This is a really long post. This was going only be the post about Idler. But since other stuff occured, let me first point out some things that 24494J said back on Thursday night, which he made some real crucial points.
You know what? Ever since Ms. Barr left WLS, I had a strong theory that the reason why she left the station to head Post-Newsweek Stations, was because she wasn't appointed as the successor of MCTYW co-creator Walter Liss's seat as ABC owned president, which he instead appointed WABC's GM Rebecca Campbell to succeed him. Maybe they were think why would she stay as President and GM that long (over 15 years), while every other O&O station GMs were getting better positions in other places. Before then, because she stayed all these years, I came to the impression that she loved her position and she probably didn't want to leave.
I do agree with certain elements being stagnant, especially Barr's last years. Hell they didn't even used the "Start Here" logo fully until early last year. But even if you would think it was 'stale', I still think that familiarity was the true goal, and I think she'd conquered it. I think the problem was not getting more of a younger audience on the last years of her being there, while the other stations changed their content (to a degree) and made changes cosmetically, while WLS kept their own content (which is no problem to me) and kept the same look in 2005. So I'm not mad about that.
About Live, it was a no-brainer that ABC wanted Live on Channel 7 from the get-go. The last time Live was on at Channel 7, and Ms. Barr started as GM, it was on in the overnight hours, but obviously they wanted the show to be on at 9am. But my question to you is this. Do you think that ABC wanted Live on Channel 7 that bad, despite having Oprah on at 9am (for the entire run), basically by Oprah's request? And by how it sounds, I think Ms. Barr honored that request.
I still think if WCL would've gotten canned (despite being how popular the show was becoming), their 11am news would've stayed. Although I would've hate to see the force getting fired, Sylvia wouldn't gotten the ax. But then who knows, they probably plan to get rid of Sylvia, even if they did get rid of WCL and fire the force wholesale.
I'm not too keen about someone's age. As long as they still have the same credibility and style they always have, they should continue to do their thing. Look at 85 year old Harry Porterfield. He still anchors the 11am news on Channel 2. He'll retire when he feels ready. I think many folks were shocked that a station that gotten rid of him 24 years prior, new management from the station brought him back with open arms, some were pissed is to why they have him anchoring and not a younger anchor. I know many want more younger cats and want to slowly push the old cats away. But they should really be careful and not shove everybody out at the same time, because you will see a ratings shift that you don't want to see.
I think the stations that have more of an older anchor personnel need to start a "farm and groom" approach now, and start trying climb folks up that ladder, should the older personalities decides to leave. When you don't have that plan, that makes is disastrous.
I don't think they'll get rid of Ron, Jerry, Mark & Jim, until they feel ready to hang it up. But it will be an interesting time come contract renewal time. I also don't want to see Linda leave, despite her being there for going on 30 years next year. But you have to wonder who'll become the next weakest link, and I think Linda could be the next one.
Should either Mark and/or Jim leave the station, you can say good bye to the 4pm sports segment and two weekday sports anchors. I know WPVI started doing it recently, but typically sports segments would be on the earliest of the evening news shows. So should Rafer become the main sports anchor in the future, you'll probably going to see him on the 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm shows.
Should Jerry leaves, many would think that Mike would easily replaced Jerry. But one would wonder, what happens with Tracy & Phil, which all three came at the start around the same time (94-95). One would worry if Mike gets the main spot, could Tracy or Phil revolt from Channel 7 and move to the competing stations? Both Brant Miller and Steve Baskerville are in their early 60s. They're not as old as Jerry, but they're surely heading there. It wouldn't be fair to the other younger weather anchors of Channel 2 & 5 if they get one of the Channel 7 meteorologist, if they do so leave.
Yes, I strongly agree that its a foregone conclusion, that Alan would finally get the top spot once Ron leaves the station. But I have to wonder, if he does get it, how long will he be around. As mentioned, he'll be reaching that 31 year mark next month. Yeah and he's no young buck either, as he's in his 50s. But if he does become the top anchor, I don't think he'll go past at least a good decade, (no more, no less). And should that be the case, he would already be pushing on over the four decades mark.
As for the female side, you are absolutely right. It is a very crowded field. The only one from the Morning Show that I would likely see getting promoted is probably Judy, should Linda leaves. Should WCL get the ax, and there's a no brainer that the Midday news will return. Judy could return doing the midday news. Or leave the morning news, and do the 4pm. That would be open season for Baca and Jordan. But I tend to like Baca more field reporting or fill-in anchoring during the early evening shows, instead of her anchoring during the weekend morning news. Let's just say on I find her "non-serious moments" during the weekend morning news very dry and somewhat irritating. Jordan on the other hand, is a complete opposite, and I seriously wouldn't mind seeing her on the morning show. Hell, I wouldn't be too shocked if I see another female anchor pair at 4pm. But all in fairness, its really too early to tell.
But in all seriousness, I don't really think should be any personnel changes in the morning. But there could be a toss up, where Idler could break up the station's current longest-tenured anchor team (12 years, 8 months), since the station's ratings have dipped as of late. I hope that's not the case.
Should WCL goes, I tend to agree that Ryan could go back to do sports. But I don't think Valerie would be out of the station. I think the station would probably assign her to be either a host of some local program or a feature reporter. I strongly doubt she'll be doing heavy reporting or even becoming an anchor of any of the newscast. But I don't think they'll get rid of Valerie that quick.
Also should WCL gets the ax, it's a no brainer that the midday news will return. In fact about it, that's my prediction. WCL and that Couric borefest will go away. I think Couric will be gone by seasons' end. And if Couric replaces Walters on the View, that show will be in jeopardy. This leaves The Chew and GH. The only one daytime show that probably, surprising growing is shockingly, GH!. I'm not too sure if it's going to hold up in the future, but it appears that they held up its own by being the only soap on the network. But who knows, things changed in a snap of a finger.
_________________________________________
Now what I think its the bread and butter of this part of the discussion.
I can't agree with you more with who's bringing the content style. That keeps me watching WLS for news. But I can't go without talking my favor element of all of this. And I've been preaching this so many times before. But it just need to explain it again.
They've gone with the same music for 21 years now. I don't care how some have said how stale its sounding now. Hell, I didn't even like NS2000+ when it first began 21 years ago. I was 6 years old, and at that time, I was "diggin'" per se, the News Series 2000 theme. But after while, I grew up and embraced it since then, and it has been the station's longest used news theme, longer than the station's previous themes and longer than the competing stations, while they've changed their themes 3-6 times since that 21-year period.
Dropping the iconic News Series 2000 Plus for the overly used ABC O&O News Package would be nothing short of being a catastrophic and apocalyptic event for the station. It'll probably be worst than the equivalent to WPVI dropping of Move Closer To Your World back in 1996. Yet both MCTYW & NS2000+ are two very different themes in their own right, both have lasted long enough that most viewers in those respective cities grow to know the easily identifiable themes whenever the news comes on. And the major factor is both themes have longevity. You cannot beat that. When you get rid of an iconic theme, you take a part of the station's identity, locality, individuality, creativity, legacy away. You through all of that out the window. WJZ using Chroma Cues for over a quarter century. Although they've basically went through small updates here and there, they've basically used the same theme in those balance of those 25 years. That's a strong sentiment. The countless other stations can't say that, because they're use to having theme changes every 3-7 years average. So me even earlier than that, others longer within a full decade. And anyway many of the newer themes get stale so quick, those CSD be begging for a new theme, and they just got a fresh new theme some months back. Change just for the sake of Change. Where ever happen to having music that's going to last for the long haul? No station in this country would ever want to pursue this.
I love the WABC cues. I always did since I first received WABC and saw their newscast on satellite in 2000. But its better suited for only WABC. This is just another example of trying to strip its own identity and try to make a carbon copy of another. I don't want to see any WABC elements on WLS. It just doesn't look right. And I don't want to hear any themes that were used by the other sister-stations, despite WLS using several EWN cues for other usage over the years. I would feel more happier if they bring back the afternoon bumper for the 4 & 5pm news shows again, since the 11am show is gone. I just can't see WLS using the WABC cues during the newscast of any of the versions from 1994 down to now with last year's update that KABC is using now. NS2000+ is too iconic, I don't care if some of you think its getting old and stale, which I think its not the case. And one the same boat with Eyewitness News, I wouldn't want to see WLS using the rejected NS2000+ updated cues either. It sounds too much like the New Generation themes, and it doesn't fit the content style the current cues are.
Throughout the 21 years span with the same news theme, Channel 7 have gone through three different news sets, different different opening graphics, six different lower third & OTS graphics and several different talent changes. And lets not forget, they've been a longtime Gari client since 1980!! I'd never seen a station using the same client for over 30+ consecutive years, and I don't think any station right now has ever been with the same client longer than WLS. That's nothing short of remarkable and monumental. If they can update the set and graphics, but keep their theme in the process, while doing so in previous cosmetic changes, I think they'll have the guts to pull it through again. But should the inevitability occurs, and they drop their longtime music, this would be the darkest moment in the history of WLS-TV.
______________________________
And now I want to talk about Idler.
No. But it appears in my mind that he can't think straight. While the latter means way more to me, than those other two shows (Live & WCL), they are several things that he have done that has been nothing but hurting the station's credibility, gradually stripping the station's hallmarks and legacies. Before you know it, it'll become a station similar to the other O&Os and viewers will really revolt. When doing several changes like this, you have to really have to be careful of which viewers you're hurting. Hell, I still can't get over the way Sylvia was departed. That has to be one of the lowest moments at the station in recent years. Yeah, you can say the Mouse have to trim the fat meat, but it should've been handled way better. You can add the getting rid of weekly 190 North show, firing Tom Hebel, and brought in a CSD from his old station.
I know some of y'all are saying, "Don't call him a dummy" or "Oh, Give him a CHANCE. He's trying. Give it some TIME. He's no Emily Barr". You're right, He's no Emily Barr. But I wouldn't say she didn't have any flaws either. Yet she was instrumental coming out against the LNS service in 2009 and was very vocal to start the Live Well Network, she was responsible for dumping longtime and LOCAL VO Ron Rolland for Roger Rose. I even said, with that VO change that "Al Parker should be rolling in his grave". If I would make changes to the station, I wouldn't just let your viewers leave like that, especially in the morning. I think whatever he does doesn't benefit the viewers, but to benefits his bosses, as he's an asskisser to Rebecca Campbell. Even if any of you think he's not asskissing, I strongly think he is, but that's my strong opinion.
It's probably not a good thing to call folks out their names. But as I said before, whether I call him a Dumbo of not (That's what I said), while I'm just to show how I'm frustrated on his work since he step foot at 190 North State Street over a year ago, I'm not going to change the way I think of him, and he's not going to care what I think or anyone else think. As long as he's the keeper of the key at Channel 7, he will do whatever he pleases, whether anyone likes it or not. And more in likely, I will continue to bitch like everyone else when new changes occur at the station, because you can let it pass this Idler & Curtis Miles. I'm fearing that any new massive cosmetic changes that comes forth at this point, which eliminates the charm, hallmark and legacy of the station would be nothing more than a catastrophic and apocalyptic event.
So y'all can defend Idler and kiss his ass, and rub his belly, and pat him on the back or the forehead and play the wait and see game, while y'all "givin' it some time" and see what strings he'll be pulling under his sleeve next. I already said my stance back in June, coining him as the "New Joe Ahern of this market". In my view, the writing is already on the wall. It's already a "Foregone Conclusion". Like I preached on that other threads, folks need to be accountable for what they do. Idler needs to be accountable for what he does. As I see it, when you think an then execute things that would end up being dumb, "Dumbo" (not the Disney Elephant Character) should be an unofficial title for you. But that's what I believe at this very moment. Yes, no newly appointed ND and/or GM coming from outside the city wants to be another Joe Ahern, Cheatwood or the countless others. At some point, folks are going to do things that may not lead a successful path. That's what you "taking a risk". Everybody does that. And if it doesn't go in your favor, you take accountable for your loses. And if you see anything that is not right, even if you think its "incredibly rude" (which I think its not), why the hell not fault the keeper of the key?!! How much time do he need? You can't blame everything on Ms. Barr. Dumbo Idler is the captain of the ship, and if he does a bad move, he has to be held accountable for every wrong turn he makes. So until I see some improvement that would benefit and show some good and to preserve some of the hallmarks an legacies (that its left) on one of my favorite television stations in the country, I'm not going to sugarcode it or dilly-dally, I'm not going to tip-toe through the tulips, or beat around the bush. Therefore, I meant every word that I said about John Idler, and I'm not going to recant or backtrack what I said. He deserves to be called what he needs to be called. I make no apologies for that statement. As I sad before on another thread, In My View, I call a spade a spade.
I do agree with you with your last point, but only to a degree. They're content continues to stay a status quo, which is a strong plus. But if Idler & Miles keeps tinkering with more of the elements, more viewers will flock away from Channel 7. And he doesn't want to see that #1 slot stripped away from them. Like I said before. I wouldn't care if the set and graphics get a change, but I'm only mentioning about one key element (you know what I'm talking about) that should not be meddled with. Change ain't always good.
___________________________________________
Finally, Those old-old-old Movies!
As I stated before, any station can air an infomercial to make more dough for the station. I'm not contesting that. But my point is why get rid of a staple that's been around for over five decades. Hell, the Circle 7 Logo wasn't even created yet, when they bought the license of the C&C RKO prints.
But last night, this came up....
THANK YOU!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
At least someone is understanding my stance! And welcome to the board.
If the station was too keen for the ratings, which probably wouldn't made any difference 20 years earlier, they probably would've got rid of these movies a long time ago. But the biggest point that the poster said was that he "felt that there was something special about the last remaining local station to keep the ritual going." I cannot agree with you more. Even if the viewership is sparse, or slim to zilch at 2:30, 3, 3:30 4 o'clock in the morning, it's the point that the station continued to air these kinds of movies this long, even as late as 2013. Some weeks be two movie at a time, the same day remember Insomniac Theater? I think I read from somewhere, they were more than 740 of those RKO C&C films that were aired on syndication. And I probably don't know the name of many of them by heart. But after all that time, I've grown to embrace the airings of these b&w 30s & 40s prints. Being what could be the last major over-the-air television station to do so is nothing more than monumental. It's more then a privilege to embrace these timeless gems.
As for the other stations, I don't mean any disrespect and I'm not trying to be funny but.. Who watches WYCC Channel 20? I mean, I ask because, I don't hear anyone saying that they watches that station. I know they also air a good boat load of old movies as well. But for several years, I'm use to them airing on WLS on the overnights. And that alone for a big station to do so is nothing short of incredible. Many OTA stations today are hard press to even air newer movies. Yeah the success of This TV & Movies! subchannels is one thing. But I'm not a big movie fan. But when I was a child, when I saw a black and white movie on channel 7, I always thought it was fascinating to see something like this. It would be a whole different story if I never liked these movies, I probably wouldn't mentioned it on this thread.
So yes, I'm happy I'm not the only one that feels the same way about this matter. And I highly commend him for his input. I still think WLS did the dummy in dumping those old movies. But what can you do? Hmm. But it was really fun while it lasted. End of an era.
