Phil Griffin's Really Bad Prediction

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Back in March of 2013 MSNBC boss Phil Griffin made a bold prediction about his network.

In a story in The New Republic Griffin talked about how his network could pass Fox News in 2014.

Quoting the story "“MSNBC is more successful now than it has ever been. “At the end of this presidential election, it drew an average of 1.5 million viewers to its weekday prime-time lineup. Fox still gets more than two million a night, but Griffin, optimistically, believes he can beat Fox by 2014.”

The story talked about how cocky Griffin is and how it had even funneled down to the staff. “In a recent staff meeting, one of Griffin’s producers coined a term for Fox News: “‘Loserville.’”

So, as we near the end of 2014, let's see how Phil Griffin's prediction is shaping up?

Not very well, MSNBC has fallen to last place and it basically would have to average 10 million viewers from here on out each and every show to pass Fox News in 2014.

MSNBC has even fallen behind totally lost focus CNN in the numbers. On Election Night, MSNBC watched ratings tumble nearly 25% in the demo compared to the last mid term election.

Rumors are beginning to swirl that Griffin's job could be in jeopardy.

Looks like old Phil packed up the UHaul and moved lock stock and barrel into "loserville."

Just saying.... 

Natalie Morales Looking to Leave Today Show

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Page Six says that “Today” co-host Natalie Morales is planning her next TV move because of the tense atmosphere behind the scenes of the NBC show.

Sources say that Morales’ reps have been looking for other roles for her amid a power struggle with fellow host Tamron Hall and NBC News chief Deborah Turness.

Page Six claims that NBC News President Turness hasn’t talked to Morales in months and instead wishes to promote Hall into a bigger role.

A NBC source told Page Six, “There’s a lot of tension. Natalie and Tamron are competitive, and there was a big blow up in October between the two. Deborah has an issue with Natalie and has sided with Tamron. There has been zero communication between Deborah and Natalie for a long period of time. Its the talk of NBC staff.”

Needless to say, NBC totally denies the rumor.

Today EP Don Nash said in a statement, “This is total nonsense. As the ‘Today’ show continues to gain momentum, it sounds like someone is trying to stir up trouble that doesn’t exist. Natalie Morales is valued by everyone at the news division from the top down, and her future is with the ‘Today’ show and NBC News.”

CBS's Lara Logan in Ebola Quarantine

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Lara Logan was back on 60 Minutes last night with a report from Libera on the Ebola outbreak.

Logan's report showed how a number American Doctors and Nurses are helping to try and contain the spread of the virus. 

Logan entered an ebola treatment Unit and was sprayed with chlorine a number of times. 

Last night on 60 Minutes, Logan did not intro her story, it was done by CBS Anchor Scott Pelley. Logan is has put herself in a 21day self quarantine in South Africa.

She talked about her story and her quarantine on 60 Minutes Overtime:

Longtime, Legendary DC Anchor To Retire

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In a shocker to co-workers, Gordon Peterson, a dean in Washington television, announced late this afternoon he'll be leaving WJLA when his contract expires at the end of this year.

He's been in Washington television 45 years spending last 10 years as anchor at WJLA.

He sent a memo addressed to friends and colleagues an hour ago. Peterson’s departure e-mail did not say that he was retiring from TV news and it was not clear if this move was solely his choice, or if WJLA's new owner Sinclair played a part.

Here is the email Peterson sent to his co-workers:

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As most of you know, I have been in the television news business in Washington, DC for 45 years.  It has been my privilege to have covered many of the great issues of our time beginning with the struggle for civil rights and the huge anti-war rallies of the late '60's and early '70's through eight administrations.  It has been wonderful to have been reunited with Maureen Bunyan and Doug Hill and to join forces with Tim Brant, Leon Harris and Alison Starling. I dare not name anyone else, for fear of leaving someone out, but I want each of you to know how important you are to me and how grateful I am for having had the chance to work with you. My current contract expires at the end of the year and I have decided that after ten terrific years here, it is time to leave Channel 7. I did not want you to hear this from anyone else.
Sincerely,

Gordo

The 13 Sexiest Weather Anchors

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TV Guide has come up with a list of the 13 sexiest weather people.

We have to say that it is TV Guide's list because it would certainly not be ours. They are missing out on so many sexy weather people and including a number that should have never been on the list. 

You know....like guys...WTF?!

You can browse the lucky 13 right here and maybe FTVLive will get around to making our list one day.

Maybe. 

Minneapolis Station Gets Played like a Political Football (Updated)

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KSTP Reporter Jay Kolls did a story in which he accused the Minneapolis Mayor of flashing a gang sign in a photo.

The Minneapolis police leaked a photo of Mayor Betsy Hodges posing with a convicted felon while throwing up a gang sign.

Or, put a different way, she was pointing at a local nonprofit employee who happens to be black and on probation.

Although the station blurred out the man's face, his name is Navell Gordon and he was working on election day to help get people to vote. Gordon himself says that he can't vote himself, but he is working to change that. 

The Mayor has been critical of the police and is now requiring some officers to wear body cams and that has police upset. So, it appears that the cops are doing all they can to smear the Mayor and have even made up a fake story that the Mayor was knowingly throwing gang signs in the photo.

It appears that the only Twin Cities station to buy into this crap, was KSTP.

This is what happens when you are an also ran station and it's ratings.

Here's video of their report:

And he is actual video of the Mayor and Gordan when the photo was taken. You be the judge as to whether she is flashing gang signs or not?

Wintana and Navell on our #FreeTheVote campaign: why getting out the vote in our community is so important and the obstacles they've overcome to get there.

Let's hope KSTP apologizes for what was nothing more than an inaccurate and sensationalized report. 

But, we won't hold our breath. 

Update: The station released this statement after being raked over the coals for their awful reporting:

"Law enforcement sources alerted KSTP-TV to a photo they believed could jeopardize public safety and put their officers at risk, especially given the recent increase in gang violence. Multiple sources from several law enforcement agencies told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the photo had the potential for undermining the work they are doing on the streets. 5 Eyewitness News blurred the individual’s face and did not name the group he was working for because police called into question only the judgment of Mayor Betsy Hodges."

We question the judgement of not the Mayor, but KSTP.

Just saying.... 

Change in the Weather at Seattle Station

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KIRO morning Meteorologist Brian Monahan was bumped up the Cox food, moving to WSB in Atlanta.

The station has bumped up weekend weather Anchor Morgan Palmer to mornings and hired Kelly Franson (pictured)  from WBTV Charlotte to fill Palmer's spot.

Here is the internal email, obtained by FTVLive and sent to the staff from KIRO News Director Jake Milstein:

As we move into flood/wind season, we have some important weather news about KIRO 7.

First:  Morgan Palmer is now officially our morning meteorologist. He has grown tremendously since he came to KIRO 7 in 2011. His ability to explain meteorology to the viewers as they wake up in the morning is terrific. And, his ability to harness the power of social media is hugely impressive #wakeupwithus! Please join me in congratulating him on a well-deserved promotion.

Second: We have hired a new meteorologist who will work primarily on the weekends but will also fill in for Morgan and Sam. Kelly Franson is from the Northwest originally (Idaho). She worked at two stations in Idaho before going really really far away. She currently works at WBTV in Charlotte and is excited to be coming back to the best corner of the map. She starts in the 2nd week of December.

Thanks,
Jake

Atlanta Station Hires New News Director

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On October 24th, FTVLive told you that Jennifer Rigby, who oversaw live programing at The Weather Channel was out of that gig. We wrote that, "Riby is being kicked upstairs to some VP of nothing and will report directly to TWC boss David Clark."

Well now, Rigby is out of The Weather Channel completely and will become the new News Director at Gannett owned WXIA in Atlanta.

Rigby has formally in Dayton, Pittsburgh, Atlanta (WSB) and as a dreaded TV consultant.

Flipping the Bird on The Five

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Fox News co-host Bob Beckel got caught on camera flipping off Fox News correspondent Jesse Watters yesterday. 

The Five panel was discussing Democrats’ use of the “race card” against Republicans before and after the midterm elections when Watters argued, “Anything that threatens the Democrat monopoly on the black vote, threatens the entire power structure of the Democrat party.”

“Oh, come on,” Beckel responded in a frustrated tone.

The back and forth continued when a frustrated Beckel flipped Watters the bird.

Classy guy, don't ya think?

H/T The Blaze

News Photographer Quits in Email Blasting Station Management

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A News Photographer at WPEC is West Palm Beach up and quit the Sinclair station after just a few weeks on the job. 

In his resignation email to management, Vince Norman blasted the Sinclair station, complaining about the equipment and the station's management and Assignment Desk. 

Here's the email that he sent station management and CC'd to the rest of the staff and Sinclair managers:

From: Vince Norman <vpnorman@sbgtv.com>
Date: November 2, 2014 at 12:57:33 PM EST
To: Carl Pugliese <cpugliese@sbgtv.com>, Ursula Peak <upeak@sbgtv.com>
Cc: WPEC News Department <ml-wpecnews12-allnewsdepartment@sbgtv.com>
Subject: Termination of employment

I regret to inform you that I am leaving WPEC. As it is within the 90 day probationary period, and since Florida is a right to work state, I am not required to give two weeks notice. 

I am sad to leave, though not for the reasons you may expect. 

The people that work in the field are an excellent group of men and women, extremely rich in talent and creativity. The same can be said of many in the newsroom as well. 

Unfortunately, talent and creativity aren’t enough to run a successful news operation, without adequate support from a technical and logistical standpoint. 

Too often in the three weeks I’ve been in the field, WPEC has consistently failed to provide theses two critical points. 

Whether it was the third day of my employment, working a double with no gear, using a mostly destroyed camera to attempt (and fail) two live shots using a liveU; or simply being run all over creation due to the complete lack of situational awareness demonstrated by the assignment desk; I have reached the limit of what I’m willing to put up with. 

Good luck to all employees, and I hope that the situation changes for the better soon. 

I hold no ill will towards anyone at the station, and wish all of you the best. 

-Vince Norman

Al Roker's 34 Hour Sweep Stunt

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NBC's Today is willing to try just about anything to knock off ABC's Good Morning America. Today Show Weatherman Al Roker is even willing to give up sleep.

Next week Roker will try to set a new world record with a 34-hour unbroken weathercast.

NBC is dubbing the stunt as "Rokerthon" and if he makes it, he will shatter the current Guinness record of 24 hours.

The NY Daily News says that Roker will begin his stunt at 10 p.m. Wednesday and plans to finish at 8 a.m. Friday on the Today Show.

NBC will spread Roker's antics across multiple NBC shows during this time, including Thursday's "NBC Nightly News," and also be streamed online.

Not to be outdone, ABC's GMA will have Ginger Zee trying to break the record for the world's longest bubble bath. The network will show zee bathing on GMA and also streamed online.

Ok...maybe not. 

But we can hope, can't we?