Air Waves
by Laura Nachman
Philadelphia Metro

April 21, 2005

 

*Note - In addition to my Tuesday and Friday columns for the "Bucks County Courier Times," beginning today I am writing a column for "The Metro" on Thursdays.

 

Monica Alert

 

For those wondering about the whereabouts of WPVI 5 p.m. news anchor Monica Malpass, who has been off the air almost four weeks, we’ve learned at least she is in town.  Malpass was seen entering a Rittenhouse Square restaurant at lunchtime Tuesday with a female companion.

 

The popular theory in newsroom circles is that the absense of Malpass is related to her divorce proceedings from real estate developer David Cutler.

 

Also at Channel 6, former 5 p.m. news anchor Lisa Thomas Laury was spotted visiting the newsroom recently.  Observers said Thomas Laury, who was forced to depart Channel 6 last year due to medical problems, looked good.

 

Thomas Laury and Marc Howard were a fixture at 5 p.m. for over 20-years until Laury left and Howard bolted for KYW. 

  

Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev will sit down for a one-on-one talk with Lynn Doyle on “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” Sunday at 8 p.m. on CN8.

 

KYW weekend meteorologist Maria LaRosa and her husband are expecting their first child in the fall.  LaRosa can arrange weather play-dates with KYW chief meteorologist Kathy Orr who is expecting her second child the same time and WTXF weekend weather person Karen Thomas, who had a baby in April. 

 

When both Orr and LaRosa are on maternity leave, this will mean more air time for Tom LaMaine, who was taken off full-time status when LaRosa joined Channel 3 a few months ago.

 

Comedian Jackie Mason's self-titled talk show debuts on CN8 Monday at 6 p.m.  The weekly, live half-hour show won't have an audience, but Mason will take calls from viewers. Mason also is starring in the Broadway show "Freshly Squeezed."
 

Reality Roundup

Philly area’s Stephenie LaGrossa is one of the final eight on “Survivor” tonight at 8 p.m. on CBS.  Fired “Apprentice” candidate Erin Elmore, will discuss tonight’s episode on “10” tomorrow at 10 a.m. on WCAU.

 

Programming Notes

The syndicated “Larry Elder Show” won’t return in the fall.  This means for the fourth year in a row, KYW will have a new show in the 9 a.m. slot.  Elder followed “Living It Up with Ali & Jack,” and “Crossing Over with John Edward.”

 

If the names Alonzo Johnson, Na Brown, and Jerry Robinson are meaningful to you, then enter “The Draft House” on Comcast SportsNet tonight at 9 p.m.

 

Laura Nachman covers the Philadelphia television and radio scene.  Questions and comments can be sent to lauranachman@verizon.net