1.26.2007
No Calm Before The Storm At My9
The New York Daily News reports Storm Field, WWOR/9 meteorologist for about a decade, was unceremoniously axed Wednesday night after the newscast. Field told the News he was "taken aback" by the move, and added: "There's a humane way to shoot somebody. Unfortunately, they chose to be inhumane about it."
While the article did not cite the reason for his dismissal, the second paragraph in the story refers to, ironically, Puente enduring a "similar ugly contract deal" at her former employer, WCBS/2.
While Field did not grant a comment to the New York Post, their story on this transaction today noted it's the first time "since the 1960's" that a Field - neither Storm nor his father Dr. Frank - has not done weather on New York TV.
If what went down at 9 Broadcast Plaza - or is it now 205 E. 67th, I don't know - is as "inhumane" as the younger Field said it was, I do wish him all the best, and he certainly shouldn't have a problem landing another gig - if not here, then elsewhere. Someone with that much experience should be given a fair opportunity.
For example - and with all due respect to Storm, if you did a word association with me and asked the first word that comes to mind when you say "WWOR" and "weather", my word would be, "HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Yup, good ol' Lloyd Lindsay Young. In case you're wondering how he's doing these days, he's actually in Bakersfield right now doing the weather for McGraw-Hill's KERO ABC 23 News. And not only is he still doing the "HELLOOOOOOOO" schtick (and allowing viewers to write in who they want him to say "HELLOOOOOOOO" to on the air), he's also accepting suggestions as to what to use as a pointer (look for the button on 23's site called "Get to the Point" for more information).
As far as the hiring of Tito Puente's daughter at WWOR, clearly it shouldn't be compared to CBS putting Katie Couric in the anchor chair over at CBS. Audrey actually knows what she's doing, and has a passion for it, to boot. And with WWOR previously shooting for the ethnic demos under its former affiliation with UPN, and now aiming at the ladies with their "My" branding, Audrey and My9 seem like a perfect fit. I guess that contract dispute at WCBS/2 that Huff refers to could be the best thing that ever happened to her. She's got a bright future ahead of her, and WWOR seems like the best launching pad. Who knows, after 25 years, she may have made the rounds with the other area stations like her predecessor, Storm Field. But hopefully, News Corp. won't drop the ball when they get to that bridge. Don't blow it, Channel 9.
While the article did not cite the reason for his dismissal, the second paragraph in the story refers to, ironically, Puente enduring a "similar ugly contract deal" at her former employer, WCBS/2.
While Field did not grant a comment to the New York Post, their story on this transaction today noted it's the first time "since the 1960's" that a Field - neither Storm nor his father Dr. Frank - has not done weather on New York TV.
If what went down at 9 Broadcast Plaza - or is it now 205 E. 67th, I don't know - is as "inhumane" as the younger Field said it was, I do wish him all the best, and he certainly shouldn't have a problem landing another gig - if not here, then elsewhere. Someone with that much experience should be given a fair opportunity.
For example - and with all due respect to Storm, if you did a word association with me and asked the first word that comes to mind when you say "WWOR" and "weather", my word would be, "HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Yup, good ol' Lloyd Lindsay Young. In case you're wondering how he's doing these days, he's actually in Bakersfield right now doing the weather for McGraw-Hill's KERO ABC 23 News. And not only is he still doing the "HELLOOOOOOOO" schtick (and allowing viewers to write in who they want him to say "HELLOOOOOOOO" to on the air), he's also accepting suggestions as to what to use as a pointer (look for the button on 23's site called "Get to the Point" for more information).
As far as the hiring of Tito Puente's daughter at WWOR, clearly it shouldn't be compared to CBS putting Katie Couric in the anchor chair over at CBS. Audrey actually knows what she's doing, and has a passion for it, to boot. And with WWOR previously shooting for the ethnic demos under its former affiliation with UPN, and now aiming at the ladies with their "My" branding, Audrey and My9 seem like a perfect fit. I guess that contract dispute at WCBS/2 that Huff refers to could be the best thing that ever happened to her. She's got a bright future ahead of her, and WWOR seems like the best launching pad. Who knows, after 25 years, she may have made the rounds with the other area stations like her predecessor, Storm Field. But hopefully, News Corp. won't drop the ball when they get to that bridge. Don't blow it, Channel 9.
