On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
www.bradyresidence.com/channelsurfing.html
December 30, 2005

A year to remember in television, radio

Welcome to the Millenium: Within the last month, for the first time in station history, Channel 10 and Channel 6 hired female sportscasters, Jade McCarthy and Jamie Apody, respectively.

The Super Bowl: Every station went nuts over the Eagles' appearance in the "Super Bowl" in February. I'm still having nightmares about "The Peagle," the hybrid Eagle and NBC Peacock created by NBC10.

The Big Story on Action News: After two decades of stability, suddenly the "Action News" sports staff imploded in 2005. First, 5 p.m. sports anchor Scott Palmer announced his retirement in the spring. Then, longtime sports producer and on-air contributor Jack Brayboy departed. Finally, the contract of 15-year veteran Phil Andrews wasn't renewed in the summer. Sports director Gary Papa is the only veteran remaining.

The low point occurred when reporters Chad Pradelli and David Henry attempted to do sports. However, Henry provided the sound bite of the year at the Terrell Owens/Drew Rosenhaus press conference, when he asked Rosenhaus: "What have you done for your client besides get him kicked off the team?"

Today, Palmer is a consultant for the Phillies, Andrews is a reporter/anchor for Comcast SportsNet, and Brayboy a sports producer in North Carolina. Channel 6 hired ESPN news anchor Keith Russell for weekend sports and Apody, set to debut shortly.

The Big National Story: The new NFL contracts. "Monday Night Football" moves from ABC to ESPN. NBC takes over "Sunday Night Football."

Bad First Impression: The NHL's debut on OLN should have been put in the penalty box for the amateurish between-periods set.

Keep Your Name Out My Mouth: Don't criticize Donovan McNabb. Just ask Terrell Owens (deactivated) or Jerry Mondesire (reprimanded). Signed, Rush Limbaugh.

Camera Shy: The Eagles were 0-3 on "Monday Night Football" and 0-1 on "Sunday Night Football" this year.

Best Comedic Performance: Mike Adamle on "Battle of the Network Reality Stars."

Best Comedic Performance (Unintentional): The congressional baseball steroids hearings.

Visual Image of the Year: Terrell Owens doing crunches in his driveway this summer.

Feuds of the Year: Angelo Cataldi vs. Mike Missanelli, Gary Papa vs. Phil Andrews, Angelo Cataldi vs. Howard Eskin, Shannon Sharpe vs. Phil Simms, Tom Jackson vs. Michael Irvin.

Terrell Owens Feuds: Owens vs. Donovan McNabb, Owens vs. Brad Childress, Owens vs. Hugh Douglas, Owens vs. Eagles management, Owens vs. Andy Reid.

Coach of the Year: Billy Bob Thornton in "Friday Night Lights" and "The Bad News Bears."

60 Minute Men: Sports stars Ricky Williams, Michael Jordan and Bill Romanowski all confessed their sins to "60 Minutes" this year.

Murder Ball: Ugueth Urbina, who pitched for the Phillies the second half of last season, was charged with attempted murder in his country of Venezuela.

Welcome: Don Bell, Jade McCarthy, Keith Russell, Jamie Apody, Dan Schwartzman, Mike Missanelli (again).

Farewell: To three quarters of the Channel 6 sports staff, Tom McCarthy, Tripp Rogers, Steve Martorano, WB17's Matt Biondi, Lou Tilley's mustache.