Channel
Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
January 9, 2007
Radio observers were surprised to learn that WBEB 101-FM morning personality Chris McCoy was released from the station Friday. “B-101,” one of the top rated music stations for years, placed third behind WDAS 105.3-FM and KYW 1060-AM with a 6.1 share of the audience for listeners 12 and over in the most recent Arbitron ratings. However, it dropped from a 7.0 share in the summer. According to radio sources, McCoy was told, “the station wanted to go in a new direction.” According to sources, McCoy’s partner, Tiffany Hill was retained. “The Chris and J.J.” morning show ran for several years. “J.J.,” Joan Jones now is the newsperson for “The Michael Smerconish Show” on WPHT 1210-AM. The next radio ratings come out January 11.
Another column, another “Good Day Philadelphia” change to report. According to those close to the situation, former “Good Day” co-host, Jennaphr Frederick, who moved to reporter duty a couple of months ago, will leave the show to join the upcoming Fox29 5 p.m. show. Frederick will do the appropriately named “What’s Bugging You” segment for the news, which debuts January 22. Last week, we reported that Scott Engler, who joined the show in July, was leaving for a job outside of television. Previous to that, Kerri Lee Halkett departed the show for the 11 a.m. show. At least we can depend on Sue (Serio) and Dorothy (Krysiuk)!
Fox29 10 p.m. anchor Dawn Stensland is scheduled to return from maternity leave January 15. Stensland gave birth to a son in the fall.
CBS3 will hold an open casting call for “The Amazing Race” Friday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at C & C Ford in Horsham, PA. An all-star edition of “Race” is scheduled to start soon. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but Charla and Mirna should be on the “short list” to be part of the show.
Congratulations to CN8 host Lynn Doyle who became a grandmother, as her daughter Jennifer and husband Andrew, became parents to twin sons, Drew and Zach last week.
Queen Latifah hosts the 33rd annual “People’s Choice Awards” tonight on CBS at 9 p.m.. Here are some of the television categories with my choices in bold:
Favorite New TV Drama
Heroes
Ugly Betty
Favorite New TV Comedy
The Class
‘Till Death
Favorite TV Comedy
The King of Queens
My Name is Earl
Two and a Half Men
*None – my favorite is The Office
Favorite TV Drama
CSI
House
Favorite Competition/Reality Show
Deal or No Deal
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Favorite Talk Show Host
Ellen Degeneres
You may vote online at www.pcavote.com
Laura Nachman will give a presentation "TV: You be the Critic" at the Kaiserman JCC in Wynnewood, PA Monday, January 15th at 10 a.m.