Channel
Surfing
by Laura Nachman
January 2, 2002
Craig Weber's age
discrimination complaint against WPHL could go to trial in March
according to one of his attorneys, Peter Rosenzweig. Rosenzweig
and Alan B. Epstein (whom Denzel Washington's character in the movie
"Philadelphia" was based on) of the center city law firm
Spector Gadon & Rosen P.C. are representing the former WPHL
meteorologist. The firm also successfully represented former WCAU
personality Herb Denenberg in a similar case. Tribune Television
Company, WPHL and Leslie Glenn, the general manager of the station are
named as defendants in the amended complaint, which was filed December
19 with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania. Weber, 52, a meteorologist since 1979, was fired
from WPHL in June of 2000 and replaced with 24-year-old Steve
MacLaughlin, who had no major market experience. To add insult to
injury, this came after a period when Weber worked the weekday and
weekend newscasts, a total of 114 days in a row. Currently a
fill-in for CN8, Weber who also was at KYW, is seeking damages in excess
of $150,000. WPHL is represented by the center city firm of
Littler Mendelson.
In other legal news, a hearing recently took place with the PA Human
Relations Commission to investigate the racial discrimination complaint
by former news anchor Rich Noonan against WTXF. The anchor
contends he was fired because Fox wanted a black/white news team.
Marc Howard and Kathy Orr debut on KYW, make that CBS-3, Monday.
Howard will be anchoring the 11 p.m. news and Orr will take over the 5
p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. weather chores. Meanwhile, Larry Kane's
final broadcast on December 23rd grabbed a 10.5 rating/17 share over
WCAU's 9.2 rating/15 share, around a 3 point increase over normal
numbers, but well below the 17.8 rating that WCAU got for the John
Bolaris farewell. WPVI's news ran late that night due to "Monday
Night Football."
Also, contrary to some talk around town, a KYW spokesperson denied that
the station is planning to start a 4 p.m. newscast to take advantage of
the lead-in from "Dr. Phil." KYW can't move "Dr.
Phil" to 4 p.m., because under his contract, his show is not
allowed to compete with "Oprah," which airs on WPVI at that
time.
"The Other Half" with Dick Clark, Danny Bonaduce, and Mario
Lopez will return to WCAU. It began the season on Channel 48, but
was "snatched up by Channel 10" according to a WGTW
spokesperson. It is likely to replace "Life Moments" on
WCAU at 11 a.m.
Paging Eric Snow
The new weather anchor for WCAU is named Amy Freeze (her
real name!) Her initial assignment will be the evening weekend
weather position.
WCAU reporter Sheela Allen-Stephens came to the rescue during a recent
episode of "10." Due to a scheduling mix-up, there
wasn't a make-up person one day last week, and Allen-Stephens was
spotted applying make-up to some of the guests. Besides doing
makeup, cut-up Stephens would be a good fit for the magazine show.
Of course she has experience with that format as years ago she co-hosted
"Live on City Line," with some guy named Matt Lauer.
Whatever happened to him?
Condolences to WCAU news anchor Larry Mendte, whose mother Katherine Q.
Mendte, 88, died last week of a stroke.
Last Dance
This year's Mummers' Parade will be the final one on
WPHL. So far, no other station has put in a bid for the parade.
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