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.

 

Tonight (Tuesday) is your second chance to see the new Courtney Cox Arquette series “Dirt” on FX at 10 p.m. The season premiere scored good ratings for FX last week.
 

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. 

 

Congratulations to former WB17 and Fox29 reporter Tina Kim, who along with her husband, Navy pilot Karl Kottke, became parents for the first time to son, BaeJin (BAY-JIHN) Alexander December 12.  According to Kim, Bae is Korean for inspiration and Jin means treasure.
 
Now living in Norfolk, VA, Kim is a reporter for WAVY-TV, the NBC affiliate there.
 
Kim is a graduate of Abington High School.
 

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

Brothers & Sisters

Heroes
Ugly Betty

 

Favorite New TV Comedy

30 Rock

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

Grey’s Anatomy

House

 

Favorite Competition/Reality Show

American Idol

Deal or No Deal

Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition

 

Favorite Talk Show Host

Ellen Degeneres

Oprah Winfrey

Jay Leno

 

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.