Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
March 11, 2003

 

            WPVI general manager and vice president Dave Davis had a few remarks about KYW news anchor Marc Howard’s quotes in “Philadelphia” magazine.  In the article “Broken News,” Howard was quoted as saying that when Howard worked for Davis at WPVI, Davis was jealous of the anchor’s higher salary and that Howard was treated like a “heretic” when word leaked that he was thinking of leaving WPVI.

“When Marc left the station (in August), we had a gentleman’s agreement that neither would comment on his departure.  I’m still sticking to that,” Davis said. 

            In response to Howard’s quote in the article that he blamed the audience for the quality of local television, Davis said, “We respect and are grateful for our audience.”

            Davis admitted that WPVI management did not grant permission for weather anchor Cecily Tynan to be photographed for the cover alongside Howard and former WCAU weather anchor John Bolaris, now of WCBS in New York.  “Our role is to give the news, not be the news,” said Davis. He denied that WPVI did not allow Tynan to pose with the others because he didn’t want a Channel 6 employee to be photographed with someone from a competing station. 

            “Philadelphia” ended up using a year-old photo of Tynan from a previous story about her.  Though it looks like the three were together, the magazine traveled to New York City to photograph Bolaris, and took Howard’s photo separately in Philadelphia.   

            When asked if it was bad for station morale not to allow Tynan to pose for the cover of a magazine, (or to discourage station employees not to enter the local Emmys) Davis laughed, “People seem to stick around here a long time.  I don’t think we have unhappy employees.”

            WPEN 950-AM disc jockey Jerry Blavat shared the stage with Lou Rawls and Aretha Franklin in the fantastic PBS special “Rhythm, Love, and Soul.”   While millions watch amateur singers try to sing R&B classics on “American Idol,” this show featured the real thing - Thelma Houston, The Spinners, Gloria Gaynor, and Freda Payne, Mary Wilson, and more.

 

University of Pennsylvania freshman biology major Evan Silverstein won the “Hollywood Squares” College Tourament last week.  

 

Though I’m not a fan of most of the syndicated programming on WPHT 1210-AM, such as “Don Imus,” “Glenn Beck,” and “Rush Limbaugh,” there is one syndicated show that is worth listening to – “Matt Drudge” – on Sunday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.  He is the creator of the popular internet site “The Drudge Report.”

Another show worth checking out is “Celebrity Justice” on UPN 57 weekdays at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.   Focusing on problems in show business, this “Anti-Entertainment Tonight” never runs out of material.

 The National Television Academy announces the 2003 Young Producer's
Award
for high school seniors in the greater Philadelphia region who are planning to pursue a communications- related degree in college.  This year, students are asked to create a script and a storyboard for a public service message on the TOPIC: "Your Right to Vote: Use it!"


This is the fifth year that the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of NATAS
has organized the competition, which awards a total of $6,000. 
The deadline for entries is March 26, 2003.  Interested students
and schools may contact NATAS office at (215)641-8974, for request
entry forms or further information