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Let’s see what you guys have to say…

This is in regard to Wednesday’s Patron story.

Email:

The response from the Montgomery reporter to the irritated viewer is somewhat symbolic of the attitudes from reporters entering the industry.

It isn’t looking out for the viewers - it is looking out for themself.

As I was informed by two 20-something reporters in my newsroom, managers need to understand this is “where we create our brand,” to ultimately become influencers.

Prime example; a 20-something reporter at my station (top 30) wanted to get followers on TikTok by posting a video of him dancing in the newsroom.

Our news director told him to take it down. What ensued was a tantrum comparable to telling a toddler he can’t have dessert. Basically, they are in it for themselves and could not care less about the product or viewer.

Other reporters have said viewers, even those in their 40s need to “get over it” because this now is how it is.

My, how times have changed…

Text:

Thank you for posting the WSFA/KTUL Don Woods story. I could totally see Don Woods doing that. He probably drew a Gusty for the viewer.  You bought back good childhood memories.

Hope all is good with ya, Scott!

Email:

Hi Scott-

You've opened a pandora's box when you posted about consultants.

I worked for a cable news operation for more than 30 years. We employees knew that when management brought consultants in, they were hiring a scapegoat to blame when things went awry.

Consultants will tell clients that their anchors need to stand if they're currently sitting behind the desk. Conversely, they'll tell them to sit if they're standing.

I've personally seen this from the same consulting group when I worked for different TV stations.

I worked with an "anchor" who is dumber than a box of rocks. She had absolutely no interest in news (she is a former beauty contestant, and apparently just looking for attention).

The only "news" she understood always had something to do with the Kardashians or the like.

The brain trust in our office hired a consultant who told this news reader to ad-lib all the stories.

Essentially, they wanted her to take the written word crafted by a real newsperson and edited by another real newsperson, and put it in her own words (dumb it down).

Some of our execs were so impressed with all the TVs they had in their office (they were monitoring the different networks they were responsible for) they appeared to NEVER listen to what the anchors were actually saying.

Although the job was mostly a lot of fun, sometimes it was frustrating to hear the dribble coming out of some of our on-air personnel.

Email:

Hey Scott,

My News Director mentioned FTVLive in a news meeting yesterday. The ND said that they don’t want to see anyone dancing on FTVLive.com anymore.

Maybe some of them are starting to get it?

Keep up the good work!