Competitor Reports Arrest of Anchor's Wife

When does a DUI arrests after a single car crash become news?

When the person arrested is the wife of your competitor's Anchor.

WGXA (Macon) reported that Marilyn Malloy, the wife of WMAZ anchor Frank Malloy, was arrested Friday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a June 2 traffic accident that sent her to the hospital.

Malloy was driving her Chevy Mailbu on Rivoli Drive near Wesleyan in north Macon on a clear afternoon just before 2 p.m. when the car left the roadway, went down an embankment and hit a tree.

If Anchor Frank Mallory was arrested, since he is a public figure, I would say it is fair game to report that arrest. Just as you would if the Mayor of Macon was busted for DUI.

But, to report the arrest of the Anchor's wife in a single car crash with no injuries to others, is a bit petty in our view. Is WGXA now going to report on all DUI arrests in the area. If so, their better expand the newscasts. 

Just saying....

Seriously Piers...Just Walk Away from the Keyboard

I know Piers Morgan has a lot of times on his hands since he got booted from CNN. But his jealousy of Larry King, or maybe it's a man crush, just has to stop.

Yesterday, FTVLive told you how Morgan got into another Twitter fight with Larry King.

Then later in the day, he did the same with Larry King's wife.

Really Piers? You need to just get up and walk away from the keyboard. You're making an even bigger ass out of yourself. Which, to be honest, I didn't think was possible. 

CNN ReporterApologizes for Drunk Actions

Yesterday, FTVLive told you that two EMT's are suing CNN because they say that one of their Correspondents bit them.

The incident was big enough that even State Department launched an investigation into it.  

CNN Senior International Correspondent aw Damon llegedly bit two medical worker uring a drunken fit at the US Embass in Baghda.

Damon was said to be intoxicated and abusive to medics stationed on the grounds of the embassy, and bit both EMTs on their forearms as they tried to treat her on July 19, ccording to a $2 million lawsui they filed against Damon and CNN in Manhattan on Monda.

The papers say Damon, 36, bit EM Tracy Lamar and Charles Simons as they tried to help her, before threatening them and saying she was a “major reporter for CNN.” The suit claims CNN hired Damon knowing she “has a history of becoming intoxicated and then abusive,” and a “penchant for violence even when sober.”

The State Department prepared a report on the incident, which was sent to CNN. But Damon continued working for the network, where we’re told she is well-regarded.

Page Six reports that a sobered-up Damon later wrote a groveling apology to US Embassy staff about her “disastrous behavior,” which she claims she doesn’t fully remember.

She said in an e-mail: “It’s been an extremely stressful time, I was exhausted, I had not had proper food all day and clearly miscalculated how my body would handle the alcohol consumed . . . Needless to say, I am utterly mortified and take full responsibility for my actions, which are inexcusable.”

She added, “I am being filled in on the details of my behavior. I am beyond embarrassed. My actions and words were entirely out of my character, and I hope that everyone can at some point forgive me.”

Last night, CNN top brass still didn’t seem to be fully aware of the drama. A CNN rep said, “We are not aware of the alleged lawsuit and, therefore, have no comment.”

O-Town Anchor Bumped Up at Hearst

Another Anchor has left WESH in Orlando, but this one will still been seen on WESH's air.

Last week, FTVLive told you that main WESH Anchor Martha Sugalski has left the station after 8 years. Sugalski is headed to WFTV, although no one is saying that officially. 

Anchor Aixa Diaz signed off from WESH last month, but she will still be seen on the station's newscasts. Diaz as moved up to become Reporter for Hearst Washington Bureau. Hearst owns WESH.

"I miss the dear friends I made in Orlando and thank the viewers who supported me over the years. "I'm now a correspondent for the Hearst Washington Bureau. I filed a few reports last week, but begin as the daily morning reporter later this week," Diaz said. 

H/T Orlando Sentinel 

First and Fast...That's FTVLive

Yesterday, FTVLive told you that former CNN Anchor Kiran Chetry was returning after being gone for 3 years. 

Cherry is anchoring CNN International.

After FTVLive posted the story that Chetry was returning to CNN, even she was impressed with how quickly FTVLive was on the story:

Fox News Anchor At the Top of Her Game

Megyn Kelly is red hot right now, according to Politico.

The site writes that she’s achieved an unusual status for a host in the middle of the often-ideological cable new wars: Kelly’s earning respect across the political divide. She prods interview subjects whether they’re from the left or the right, at times treating them like hostile witnesses; her questions are pointed and she’s quick to interrupt an answer that’s off point or meandering - no matter who it’s from.

Members of Congress who have been interviewed commend her lively style, competing producers praise the content on her show, even left-leaning journalists like Greenwald, among others, say they have to respect Kelly’s forceful challenges to the right, and former colleagues and media watchers say she’s just got that “X-factor” - the mix of qualities that produce a cable news superstar.

Recognition has come from viewers - she often comes in a close second to ratings king Bill O’Reilly - and from the press, too. Kelly, 43, was the only woman in media to be included in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people list this year.

Kelly has shown that she is not afraid to grill Fox friends like Dick Cheney and/or other Republicans. 

In June, for instance, she shut down Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) as he tried to explain the nuclear option.

“My bad for asking a lawyer and a U.S. senator to try to explain something so complex in a quick 30 seconds,” Kelly said, adding later in the program, “If you’re boring, I tend to just call you out.”

In another memorable and widely covered put down, Kelly interrupted Bill Ayers and told him, “You sound like - with respect - Osama bin Laden” when the ex-Weather Underground leader was trying to justify the use of violence.

Kelly may be tough when she wants to be, but the ease with which she shifts from prosecutor to bubbly anchor giggling over a “throwback Thursday” photo can be disarming.

“I always felt she was solid and excited about her interviews because I knew they’d be spot on,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who regularly appears on Fox News. “They’d be fair. They wouldn’t be slanted or tainted, trying to get you in the gotcha moment. Megyn puts you at ease. You don’t look at her as a threat as someone just trying to get you to get somewhere else.”

Brent Bozell, president of the conservative-leaning Media Research Center and a frequent guest on Kelly’s show, went so far as liken her to the legendary NBC newsman Tim Russert.

High praise indeed. 

More from Politico

Paramedics Claim Drunk CNN Reporter Bit Them

Two Emergency Medical Technicians are suing CNN after they say one of the network's Correspondents  bit them in a drunken rage.

TMZ says that Arwa Damon -- the Beirut-based senior international correspondent for CNN -- was in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad back in July.  According to the lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- she became "seriously intoxicated" and became unruly and violent.

Authorities arrived and according to the suit ... EMTs Tracy Lamar and Charles Simons were trying to help Damon when the correspondent bit both on their left arms.  Simons also claims his knees and elbows were injured.  Lamar says she was also bruised.

The suit claims while the EMTs were providing assistance ... Damon played the famous card, saying she was a "major reporter for CNN."

The suit claims CNN knew Damon had a history of becoming drunk and abusive, and had a penchant for violence, even when sober.

Lamar and Simons are each suing CNN and Damon for $1 million.

CNN has yet to comment on the lawsuit. 

Longtime LA Anchor Announces Retirement

It's the end of an era in LA....

Longtime KCBS/KCAL Anchor Kent Shocknek today announced his plans to retire at the end of September 2014.

A veteran of more than 36 years in television news, Shocknek has been a fixture in Los Angeles for 31 years and is believed to have anchored more hours of news on local television than anyone else in the history of the market.

The first and longest-serving morning TV news anchor in Los Angeles, Shocknek was the original anchor of “Today in L.A.,” which debuted in 1986.  He joined CBS 2 in 2001 and anchored morning and evening newscasts for the station until November 2013, when he became co-anchor of sister station KCAL 9’s top-rated 8 and 10 p.m. newscasts.

“For years at CBS 2 and KCAL 9, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with the best producers in morning TV; and more recently, the best prime-time anchor team anywhere,” Shocknek said. “Now it’s time to catch up with the people I love, and check out some places I’ve always wanted to go.”

“Kent Shocknek is a Los Angeles TV news institution,” said Steve Mauldin, President and General Manager, CBS 2 and KCAL 9.  “He’s a consummate professional who has distinguished himself as an outstanding breaking news anchor with an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Southern California.”

Well Look Who's Headed Back to CNN

It looks like CNN is batted its way around to the top of the order. 

3 Years later...look who's returning to CNN:

Fox Business Pulls Plug on The Independents

Looks like the show “The Independents” on Fox Business Channel has cashed out. 

The NY Daily News says that network president Roger Ailes had argued against the show, telling another top executive at the cable network that it was unwatchable and that co-host Matt Welch, the editor-in-chief of monthly libertarian journal Reason magazine, was a “dud.”

The paper reports that co-host Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, a former MTV DJ and outspoken libertarian, will return home to Pacific Palisades, Calif., where she lives with her former professional snowboarder hubby, Dave Lee, and their two daughters. She likely will remain a contributor to Fox going forward.

It’s not clear where third co-host Kmele Foster, a telecommunications entrepreneur, will land. The show, which features political roundtables, will run until Labor Day. The prime-time series was launched in December 2013.

Charlotte Reporter Attacked at Court Hearing

WBTV's Steve Ohnesorge said he was attacked while covering the case of an accused murderer in court.

Maggie Daniels was found dead on the floor of her apartment. Over the weekend, police busted  Sharman Odom as the prime suspect in the murder.

Ohnesorge says that Odom's mom attacked him and he tweeted the pictures of his bruised face. 

And like any good Journalist, Ohnesorge says he kept the camera rolling as he was attacked. Guess you can bet what story will be all over WBTV's newscast tonight? 

Cops Say Geraldo Rivera Killed 12 Year Old Girl

A 12 year old girl was killed while riding her bike in Tampa. Police say it was a hit and run accident.

Cops say the little girl was rundown by Geraldo Rivera.

According to an arrest affidavit, the bicycle the girl was riding was still lodged under Rivera's vehicle when police found it. 

Here's more on the story and no it's not that Geraldo Rivera. 

Damn it!  I hate click bait!

It Seems Like It Has Been Longer Than That

According to Good Morning America this morning, it has been just 1 year since the start of World War I.

I could swear  that it has been at least 10 or 15 years. 

Just saying.....

H/T TVNewser 

Out the Door in the A-T-L

After 16 years at the station, WXIA Sports Anchor and Reporter Sam Crenshaw is gone. 

His final day was over the weekend.

Crenshaw has been on a month-to-month situation and without a long-term contract for quite awhile.

Crenshaw's on air goodbye was short, about 40 seconds.

Weekend anchor Keith Whitney wished Crenshaw goodbye at 11:26 p.m. last night. “If there is a nicer guy in this industry, I personally have not met him,” Whitney said on air. “We love you. We’re going to miss you.”

“I appreciate it so much… Thanks so much,” he said in very succinctly.

“End of an era,” Whitney said.

H/T Atlanta Journal Constitution 

One For the Record Books

The summer months are supposed to be the slow time for TV viewing and web surfing. TV stations see viewership decrease and websites see visitors decline in the summer time.

Well.... not all websites.

Despite what is supposed to be the "slow time" FTVLive.com just posted our best month ever in July.

FTVLive continues to grow traffic at a pace that even we are astonished by, but we never figured that July would go down as our best month ever.

A huge thank you to you guys for spreading the word about this site and even a bigger thank you to the awesome sponsors of this site.

FTVLive has only taken sponsorship from the best companies in and around TV news. We are one of the very few websites that has turned down ad dollars because we didn't believe in the company. 

The sponsors of this site are the best of the best and they are the ones that make this all possible.

Thanks for a great month!

Cops Bust Sacramento Anchor, Charged with 3 Felonies

FTVLive told you over the weekend that KTXL (Sacramento) Anchor Sabrina Rodriguez was arrested on charges of grand theft, burglary and conspiracy.

Rodriguez turned herself in to Sacramento police after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

The warrant charges that Rodriguez aided an accomplice in the theft of 10 wallets worth $2,500 from a Coach outlet store just outside Sacramento. 

Store employees said they recognized Rodriguez from watching the news. 

As court records show, Rodriguez has been charged with 3 Felonies:

You know that if the Mayor of Sacramento was busted for 3 felonies, KTXL would demand comment from the Mayor and/or his office.

But when one of their own Anchor's is popped for a felony, the station clams up. A spokesman for KTXL said in a written bullshit statement that the charges relate to a personal situation and is not connected with her work at the station.

The last time you saw Rodriguez mentioned on FTVLive, it was for being felt up by a baboon. 

Rodriguez’s attorney said she is “100 percent innocent” of the charges. She is currently on a "voluntary" leave of absence from the station.

According to the court document above, Rodriguez is due back in court at the end of the month.