Channel Surfing

By Laura Nachman

www.bradyresidence.com/channelsurfing.html

Bucks County Courier Times
October 18, 2005

 

According to industry sources, WB17 news anchor Mary Stoker-Smith will likely join CBS3 as a weekend anchor when the WB17 news closes shop in December.  It is not known yet whether Stoker Smith will anchor in the morning, which is anchored by Cydney Long and Calvin Hughes or in the evening, which is anchored by Anne-Marie Green. Sources say Stoker-Smith, who joined the WB17 news in April, also was offered a chance to apply for a reporter’s job at NBC10.  When reached by phone, Smith would not comment on her future plans, but did say that she would like to stay in town.

 

“When the news came out about WB17, my agent received a few inquiries from other cities, but I’m hoping to stay.  I love it here.  Philadelphia is close to New York City, Atlantic City, and Washington D.C. and I love the quality of life here.”

 

Also, according to station sources, NBC10 weekday 5 p.m. news anchor Vince DeMentri, reporter/sometimes anchor Lori Delgado, weekday 5 p.m. weather anchor Doug Kammerer, and weekday sports anchor Vai Sikahema will be the lineup for new WB17 news that will be produced by NBC10. 

 

The NBC10 weekend team - news anchor Lauren Cohn, weather anchor Amy Freeze, and sports anchor John Clark will add the WB17 weekend show to their job descriptions.

 

The last scheduled day for “The WB17 News at 10” is December 10.

 

Insiders say it’s unlikely that Channel 10 will hire any reporters for the 10 p.m. show and will probably use its own to provide news for Channel 17.  The reason?  Money.  Estimates place a starting salary for a reporter at NBC10 around 86-thousand dollars a year.  It's cheaper to use an existing reporter at NBC10, rather than hire a new one.

 

Wynnewood, PA resident and musical legend Patti LaBelle is the subject of “An All-Star Salute to Patti Labelle:  Live From Atlantis” November 8 at 9 p.m. on UPN.  The special features performances by Nelly, Ashanti, Michael McDonald, Boyz II Men, and a reunion of LaBelle’s 70’s group “LaBelle.” LaBelle will be joined by Ashanti for “New Attitude,” Michael McDonald for “On My Own,” and Nelly and Kelly Rowland for “Dilemma.”

 

Comings and Goings

According to news industry web sites, 6ABC reporter Michele McCormack is leaving the station to anchor for the weekday morning news for WISN-12, an ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, WI.  Though Milwaukee (33) is a smaller market than Philadelphia (4), McCormack will get to be a full-time anchor in Milwaukee.  Her last day on the air at 6ABC was Friday.

 

Meanwhile, Fox29’s new reporter David Atwood arrives from WISN this month.

 

Though Bucks county native Paul McCrane is no longer a regular on “ER” as Dr. “Rocket” Romano, he directed last week’s episode of “ER.”

 

A Very Brady Thanksgiving

UPN 57 is airing a “Brady Bunch” marathon Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Highlights include the Hawaii trilogy at 3 p.m., and “Getting Davy Jones” at noon.  Let’s sing together…

 

“Girl”
Performed by Davy Jones

 

Girl, look what you’ve done to me

Me and my whole world

Girl, you brought the sun to me

With your smile

You did it girl

I’m telling you girl

Something unknown to me

Makes you what you are

And what you are

Is all I could ask for me

And it’s good you feel that way girl

Thank you girl for making the morning brighter

Girl, for making the nighttime nicer

Girl for making a better world for me

 

Thank you girl, for making the music softer

Girl, for making the nighttime warmer

Girl, for making a better world for me