Will Dardis replace Tollefson on Channel 29?

 
Could WPHL weekday news anchor Mike Dardis be returning to sports? Industry sources are speculating that Dardis, 35, may move to WTXF.

There are a couple of factors that may lead to this scenario. First, sources have reported that new Fox management is looking for a replacement for current weekday sports anchor, Don Tollefson, 50. Second, if ratings don't improve for the WPHL 10 p.m. news, industry sources say that Tribune, which owns WPHL, may pull the plug on the newscast.

Dardis, who spent six years as the main sportscaster at Channel 17 before moving to news more than two years ago, said "no comment." Asked if WPHL would discontinue its news, WPHL vice president and general manager Leslie Glenn-Chesloff also said "no comment."

WPHL has never beaten WTXF in the 10 p.m. news race, in which WTXF usually doubles the ratings of WPHL.

Bucci switching stations?

In more channel-switching, another name that has been brought up as a possible addition to WTXF is KYW weekend sports anchor Steve Bucci. If WCAU news anchor Larry Mendte moves to KYW, many believe that KYW weekday anchor Ukee Washington could move back to sports, taking Bucci's slot.

Best of show

Comcast SportsNet's Michael Barkann recently was named the Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA). It's the second time Barkann has won the award.

Double duty

This is a big weekend for Bob Costas. The third season of his Emmy Award-winning interview series, "On the Record with Bob Costas," premieres tonight at 11:30 on HBO. Then he'll co-host the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby with Tom Hammond tomorrow at 5 p.m. on NBC.

"On the Record" will celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Bull Durham" with guest stars Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Robert Wuhl. Evidently, Kevin Costner was too busy making bad movies to attend. The first person to e-mail me the name of Costner's character in the film will get his/her name mentioned in this space next week.

Rome expanding

Jim Rome's new show, "Rome Is Burning," premieres on ESPN at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Somewhere Jim "Chrissy" Everett is burning up inside. Rome will continue with his ESPN Radio show, which most of Philadelphia can't get anyway on 920-AM.

Name that co-host

With the recent management turmoil at WIP 610-AM, it may be a while before a permanent mid-day co-host is determined. However, if I had a vote, I'd reunite Glen Macnow with Anthony Gargano. Though Macnow has improved the evenings tremendously, his talents are being wasted there. If WIP wants to have the strongest lineup, it should move its best people to the prime slots.

Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at bradyresident@aol.com.




May 2, 2003 7:57 AM