CNN Testing Talent for New Day

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Yesterday, the website The Wrap reported a story that FTVLive FIRST reported months ago.

The site says that CNN's signature morning show, New Day is plagued with bad chemistry, including reports of bickering between its hosts Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan and Michaela Pereira. The show is also stuck in the perennial No. 2 morning ratings spot among cable news networks.

Of course this is exactly what FTVLive FIRST reported in October for last year. 

The Wrap goes onto say, in a move to inject new life into “New Day,” insiders told TheWrap that CNN has tested several anchor combinations with and without current host Cuomo — to see what will work.

“They have tried Chris Cuomo with every available woman,” one individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “And they keep trying ‘New Day’ combinations that use none of the three anchors.”

Bolduan, who is currently pregnant, hasn't been included in the anchor testings so far (though she co-hosted “New Day” on Thursday with John Berman, who was filling in for a vacationing Cuomo).

“That speaks for itself,” the insider said of the network's lack of testing around Bolduan, inferring that her future with the morning show is uncertain.

The Wrap billed this story as an "exclusive" but it is nothing more than a rehash of FTVLive's story from last year. 

Just saying.... 

277,000+ Sign Petition to Get Shepard Smith Fired

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A petition calling for the dismissal of Fox News Anchor Shepard Smith, after he branded Robin Williams a “coward”, has been signed by more than 277,000 people since its launch earlier this week.

The online petition was launched by SumOfUs.org, a website that they say aims to “counterbalance the growing power of large corporations” (good luck with that).

Talking about Robin Williams and his 3 daughters, Smith said, “You could love three little things so much, watch them grow, they’re in their mid-20s, and they’re inspiring you, and exciting you, and they fill you up with the kind of joy you could never have known,” he said. “And yet, something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide that you have to end it. Robin Williams, at 63, did that today.”

Smith did apologized for his comments, but this is “not enough” according to the petition.

Woman Sues South Carolina Station

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The South Carolina woman that was arrested for leaving her 9-year-old daughter at a park while she worked at a nearby McDonald’s, is suing WJBF in North Augusta, S.C.

The station posted video Monday of the police interrogation of Debra Harrell, but that video, obtained with a Freedom of Information Act request, included Harrell giving the spelling of her name, her address — and her Social Security number.

A number of people on social media took the station to task for including that in the video. After about an hour online, WJBF edited out the personal information. 

Robert Phillips, Harrell’s attorney, confirmed Thursday that he is filing a lawsuit on behalf of Harrell against the reporter, Deon Guillory, and the station.

The station declined comment on the lawsuit. 

H/T Washington Post

This Interview Knocked it Out of the Park

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Tim Hagerty is a broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas (really? a team named after a tiny dog).

Hagerty was interviewing new pitcher Chris Smith with the standa get-to-know-you interview. You know, how do you like El Paso so far?

But, it the background you can see one guy, looking very agitated, walking up to another guy and then walking away.

Wait to see what happens next.

Let's go to the video: 

H/T Deadspin

Station Says ND is was not Fired

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Yesterday, FTVLive got a number of emails from sources saying that WPIX News Director Mark Effron was gone from the station.

After we posted that story, another source told us that Effron was let go just days after his father had died. We thought that was a low thing to do, even for a TV station.

After our story, FTVLive got an email from Tribune PR person Jessica Bellucci, who said  "To set the record straight, Mark returns to the station on Monday (as ND) he's out of the office this week due to his father's passing."

 Ummmm..... Stay tuned.

And Now It's Official

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Press release from NBC:

Chuck Todd will take the reins at NBC's "Meet the Press," replacing moderator David Gregory, NBC News President Deborah Turness announced Thursday.

In an email to NBC News staff, Turness praised Gregory, who has hosted the Sunday morning public affairs show for the past six years:

I want to express my sincerest thanks to David, who, after the death of Tim Russert, led Meet the Press for almost 6 years. Under his leadership the show has had a string of exclusives, and David has shown a remarkable gift for holding leaders to account and getting answers on issues that matter to our audience. He is an outstanding journalist whose sharp intellect and quick sense of humor have made him a pleasure to work with. I know you all join me in expressing our deepest gratitude and in wishing him the very best.

Turness said Todd, who is currently the NBC News political director and the host of "The Daily Rundown" on MSNBC, will assume hosting duties September 7. Turness said Todd will "hand over his roles" as chief White House correspondent and "Daily Rundown" anchor.

There is no one with a bigger passion for politics than Chuck. His unique ability to deliver that passion with razor sharp analysis and infectious enthusiasm makes him the perfect next generation moderator of this beloved broadcast. Chuck will ensure that Meet the Press is the beating heart of politics, the place where newsmakers come to make news, where the agenda is set. We have some exciting plans to evolve and update the broadcast under Chuck's leadership that we will be sharing with you shortly.

"Meet the Press" premiered in 1947 and is the longest-running show in American television history. Todd is poised to become the show's 11th permanent moderator.

Really Tribune?

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Earlier FTVLive told you that WPIX in NY parted way with News Director Mark Effron. The rumors that Effron would be bounced have circulated for months and months.

Insiders tell FTVLive that Effron's Dad passed away just a few days ago.

And Today he gets fired?! 

Are you kidding me?

I get that you want to change News Directors. But, for a company to do that the day after a guy buries his own father....that's about as low as it gets. 

I always looked at Tribune as one of the better companies to work for.... 

I'm not so sure of that anymore. 

NBC to Name Chuck Todd to MTP at Any Moment

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It appears that NBC is done letting David Gregory twist in the wind.

Although NBC bosses have said that they are sticking by David Gregory as the host of Meet The Press, rumors have swirled for months that he would be replaced.

While NBC has left Gregory hanging, ratings for the show have continued to fall.

Now, word is that NBC is expected to announce Today or Tomorrow that Chuck Todd will replace Gregory on MTP.

The problem is NBC is about to name another beltway insider that does not play in Peoria, or St. Louis or Chicago.

Todd is barely known outside of DC and it is more than likely he is not going to left the ratings. Todd is a safe choice and there is no doubt he is better than Gregory, but it is unlikely he will move the needle.

Expect and official announcement from NBC News at any moment. 

So much for doubling down on David Gregory. 

Busted Back Down to Reporter in Miami

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Well that didn't last long....

Just over a year ago, WPLG in Miami promoted Jen Herrera to the morning anchor job.

Yesterday, they knocked her back down to the reporter ranks.

 Herrera has been replaced by Jacey Birch for now as the station decides on a permanent replacement.

The station named Herrera as the replacement to Kristy Krueger moved to anchor the noon and afternoon newscasts.

In March, WPLG pulled the plug on Herrera's male co-anchor Jason Martinez and replaced him with newcomer Eric Yutzy.

Now, it Herrera's turn to get replaced. 

Don't ya just love TV news?

H/T SFLTV