"Change in Weather Patterns at Fox-Philadelphia"
 By Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times

     Fox-Philadelphia will carry on in 2001 without weatherman Frank Cariello, whose contract wasn’t renewed after eight years on “The Ten O’Clock News.” Cariello’s last air date is scheduled for January 4th.  Fox-Philadelphia News Director John Mussoni said the station will officially announce Cariello’s replacement in the first week of January.  Fox-Philadelphia newsroom insiders say weekend weatherman, Rob Guarino is the main contender to take over as the weekday weatherman on “The Ten O’Clock News.”  The station has received two-dozen audition tapes for the weekday slot.  Fox-Philadelphia’s “Good Day Philadelphia” weathercaster Sue Serio could not be reached for comment to say if she was interested in moving to the night shift, but sources say she is happy with her current situation at “Good Day.” 

     Meanwhile, it doesn’t look like Cariello will turn up at WB-17 (at least for six months due to a no-compete clause in his contract).  WB-17 fill-in Darryl Green is likely to get the weekend weathercaster job vacated by Dawn Brown. Green (not to be confused with the Washington Redskins Defensive Back) moves over to WB from the now-defunct Philly TV News. 

     Fox-Philadelphia’s Donya Archer called co-hosting the nationally syndicated “Live With Regis” on Monday, December 11th an “incredible experience.”  Archer, a native of Los Angeles, watched Regis Philbin when he hosted “AM Los Angeles” in the 80’s. A one-time-only appearance, Archer returned to her regular duties as co-host of “Good Day Philadelphia,” with Mike Jerrick the following day.  Archer was selected after sending an audition tape and interviewing with “Live With Regis” producer (Michael) Gelman. Archer said everyone at “Good Day” was very supportive and happy about the appearance. Archer’s contract at Fox runs through May of 2002.  “Live with Regis,” which airs on WPVI-6 at 9 A.M., has successfully utilized guest hosts since the departure of Kathie Lee Gifford in July.  Latest reports say “All My Children” (and South Jersey native) actress, Kelly Ripa is the leading contender for the slot.

      Meanwhile, “Good Day Philadelphia” is breathing a sigh of relief that the election turmoil is over.  During November sweeps, most Philadelphia viewers got their election coverage from the national shows “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.”  However, according to news director John Mussoni, due to the election ending and the exposure of Donya Archer on “Live with Regis,” ratings for the local show shot up again. 

     “Here Comes Ms. Jordan.”  Karen Jordan joins Philadelphia’s WB17 News as a news reporter and anchor.  The Chicago native worked the last three years at the Fox affiliate in Dayton, Ohio.  Jordan holds a master of science degree in broadcast journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. 

     Former Fox-Philadelphia anchor/reporter Tracy Matisak hosts the TV-12 special “City Hall 100,” on December 31st at 8 PM.  Matisak left  Fox over a year ago to spend more time with her three children.  The Temple graduate joined WHYY on a part time basis in June and helped anchor the TV 12 coverage of the Republican National Convention. She will be an anchor and on-air host for various projects.

     If he had worked at NBC, this would’ve been perfect, but WPVI’s sports anchor Gary Papa became a “Daddio” for the second time, as his wife Kathleen gave birth to son “Tucker,” at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood. “Daddio” and “Tucker” were two sitcoms that briefly aired on NBC this fall. Fittingly, the newest Papa, was a little 76er, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces.  Tucker joins big brother, Nathaniel, 2 ½.

     According to local merchants, “Larry Kane’s Philadelphia” is doing very well as a holiday gift.  The tome, published by Temple University Press, includes the KYW-TV anchorman’s take on the Beatles, Frank Rizzo, and Jessica Savitch. 

     Pinewood’s Alan Berkes, Pennsbury High Class of 1979, is one of the founders of the Los Angeles advertising agency, “The Ballpark,” http://theballpark.com, which has created ad campaigns for ESPN, FOX Sports, Wimbledon on TNT and The LA Galaxy soccer team.  Berkes, the son of former Democratic Party County chairman, Milt Berkes, of Brigantine, NJ and Ethel Mandell of Levittown, played soccer and wrestled while at Pennsbury. Alan’s brother, Howard Berkes, is an award-winning reporter for National Public Radio in Salt Lake City, Utah.   

     And once again, WB-17 will be broadcasting the Mummers New Year’s Day parade.  Steve Highsmith, Margie Smith, Mike Dardis, Toni Yates, and Steve MacLaughlin will handle the announcing duties.  

  

Laura Nachman can be reached through her web site, “Brady Residence,” www.geocities.com/bradylady.

Thursday, December 21, 2000