ON THE AIR Best and worst of local television and radio Here are some of my observations from the local scene of the last year. By LAURA NACHMAN Courier Times During the past year, I've had the privilege to report on the Philadelphia and national sports media. Here are some of my observations from the local scene during this time. Harry rules: 2002 was the year of Harry Kalas. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and won an award seemingly every time he turned around. Help wanted: The WPHL weekend sports anchor position has been vacant for more than half a year. Worst comeback: The screeching voice of former CSN "talent" Pete Christy has returned to the airwaves on "The Sports Connection with Lou Tilley." Disconnect immediately. Worst Eagles programming: Tie between the "Donovan McNabb Show" and "The Andy Reid Show," which don't believe in audience participation. Best Eagles show: "Eagles Post Game Live." The CSN wrap-up show is a great addition to the game. Bucks County's Vaughn Hebron needs a fashion spin-off series now. Honorable mention goes to CSN's "The Angelo Cataldi Show," which actually is taped in front of real people. All-around guy: CSN's Michael Barkann, who does everything at the cable station except windows. One is the loneliest number: Can someone explain why Tom McGinnis does the Sixers games solo in the fourth-largest market? Rock, out: WYSP needs to cut out the distracting rock songs underneath the Eagles announcers. Led Zeppelin and Merrill Reese go together as well as Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley. Biggest error: The Phillies move their games from 50,000-watt station WPHT-AM to 5,000-watt WPEN-AM, evidently feeling that getting to hear the games at night is optional. WPEN laughs at this station: ESPN Radio (920-AM). Best exports: Villanova's Howie Long of Fox, Ex-Phillie John Kruk of Fox Sports Net, Marple-Newtown's Bill Maas of Fox, and Dresher's Suzie Kolber of ESPN. Best nickname: Anthony "Ant" Gargano of WIP-AM. I don't feel great: Pat Croce doesn't get picked up by the new NBA package after a season at NBC and must wake up at 3 a.m. to co-host "Good Day Philadelphia" on WTXF. Open Mike turned down: WIP's Mike Missanelli gets moved from afternoon drive to the less prestigious mid-day slot and loses his gig on WPHL. It could be worse: WIP-AM gives 60-something Steve Fredericks the graveyard shift when he returns from illness. "Spinal Tap" drummer: The analyst position on "Phillies Post Game Live." Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at bradyresident@aol.com. December 06, 2002