Comments on: Red ink spills over black-and-white at ‘Chicago Tonight’

By: Jim Mueller

Jim Mueller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:19:42 +0000

You know who’s an extremely bright reporter? A guy who could and should move beyond sports reporting? Lawrence Holmes at WSCR. WTTW could do worse than to hire Holmes and work him into the segments. He’s wasted in his current assignment alongside Dan Hampton.

I don’t know about the rest of you folks, but I’ve always felt Channel 11 repeatedly misses the boat by not making more creative use of (seemingly) available talent. For example, Lester Munson should have a 30-minute weekly panel show. He’s a national figure. Other PBS outlets might well snap up his show and help defray the cost. Yes, yes, I realize Lester Munson may not care to make such a commitment at this point. I’m just tossing out ideas. I’ve also long felt Carol Marin and Mary Ann Ahern could be paired in a weekly Marin-Ahern Report focused on local and state politics. They might be a harder sell than Munson to potential underwriters. But you don’t know until you try, right? Marin and Ahern wouldn’t even requite a new set. Nor would Munson. Just a few opening graphics and Joel’s round table area. There you go.

There are obvious moves to make…but instead WTTW takes the Check Please formula and tries applying it to hard news with Ana Davlantes hosting? We can do better.

By: John

John — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:33:56 +0000

Apres… Diann Burns wasn’t ditched by channel 7. She was taken off the air when it became clear that she was shopping around for a new contract. And she and her agent husband knew they could get big bucks–to the tune of $2 mil a year–from former channel 7 boss Joe Ahern who was newly back in Chicago running channel 2 in 2002. He tried to raid channel 7’s talent but they all negotiatied better deals and stayed put. Those that switched channels…well…most he had to fire before he himself was let go. But I digress.

By: Kevin McAllen

Kevin McAllen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:48:34 +0000

Give more airtime to the lovely Cheryl Burton. Lots more

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:54:51 +0000

What happened to the best person for the job?

By: DisappointedinSam

DisappointedinSam — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:53:21 +0000

Could the egos belonging to Carol Marin and Diann Burns fit in the same building???

Now, if Joel Weisman could become THEIR agent as well (as are his client/’guests’ on “Chicago, The Week in Review”), perhaps they could all enhance and enlarge the happy family that is WTTW…

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:44 +0000

Esther I agree with you. Jackson influence is like a double-edge sword. For example He rules at WGN and look at their New Anchor Line Up. The Noon and Evening Newscasts are soo bad. Giving Fox a good chance to win in the ratings.

By: Esther J. Cepeda

Esther J. Cepeda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:18 +0000

Interesting, Rob, so good to read you again! Like a cool drink of water. An advocate/avtivist like Jackson is a double-edged sword. The Latino community often complains about not having a Jesse Jackson to hold feet to fire on diversity issues such as this one but at the same time…having a Latino Jesse Jackson sounds scary as hell.

By: Apres Ski

Apres Ski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Third times the charm for Diann Burns.
Ditched by Channel 7 because her chi was that of a beached whale. They claim she just sat there instead of being “effervescent” like Cheryl Burton. Channel 2 just bought out her contract but still, they weren’t happy with her either.
Maybe this might be the one for her . . .

By: Apres Ski

Apres Ski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:50:23 +0000

Oh look, there’s a job opening . . .
A full time position for someone.
Wonder how many resumes will apply for this one???

By: Kathy Kalber Kinsella

Kathy Kalber Kinsella — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:45:46 +0000

Robert,
It’s good to be reading your column! you have been missed!