Note: EMGR has moved to its own domain name. This site will remain online (but with closed comments) until roughly July 1, 2007. Please update your bookmarks to visit EMGR at its new location: eriemediablog.com.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

ABC's "Lost"..."Houswives" keep "Dancing."


October 30-Nov. 5, 2006



NFL Lands NBC #2

(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.)

Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Desperate Housewives ABC 22.65
2 NBC Sunday Night Football 21.95
3 Grey’s Anatomy-THU ABC 21.02
4 CSI CBS 20.77
5 Dancing With/Stars ABC 20.51
6 Dancing With/Stars Results ABC 19.22
7 Criminal Minds CBS 16.97
8 Deal or No Deal NBC Mon 16.90
9 CSI: NY CBS 16.64
10 Lost ABC 16.07

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted by FREDFA on AVSFORUM.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Paul Wagner has always been one of WICU's best Journalists. Where is he on the big Erie stories now?

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jack, based on these results, I believe I have the formula for a smash hit tv show! Desperately Dancing CSI Investigators!

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of working with Paul when he was WICU-TV's primary 11pm anchor. Paul is one of the most prepared, dilligent and hardest working people in Erie Broadcast Television.

When Paul worked the night shift he would routinely (which is to say everyday) come in at least 60 minutes early to prepare for his shift and the evening newscasts.

The level of professionalism and preparation I witnessed with Paul is unmatched with the current crop of broadcast journalists today.

It would benefit WICU and the viewing public if Channel 12 used Paul's talents PROPERLY.

There are many important issues and problems facing Erie City Government and the Regional Economy. Paul would be the perfect reporter to do these stories.

I don't have anything against the other reporters at WICU. However, with Paul's many years of experience and contacts it would just seem a natural fit to let Paul do his thing.

I enjoy your blog and the many comments - pro and con.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comments about Paul. One of the hardest working reporters in Erie.

A shame WICU doesn't properly utilize his talents.

Anonymous said...

What's with Paul? Why all of a sudden does WICU use him on mediocre stories? Seems they've annointed Bo Koltnow to do the harder hitting stories!

I hope 12 isn't planning on pushing Paul out?

Anonymous said...

If WICU doesn't want to use Paul anymore I'm sure WJET would love to have a journalist of his stature!

Anonymous said...

What the?

Paul Wagner could be going to WJET? Did I miss something?

Anonymous said...

Paul Wagner to WJET? FANTASTIC!!! That's a great addition to "On Your Side"

Jack Tirak said...

Last Anonymous...

Hey...don't start a rumor. Read the previous post again.

Jack Tirak said...

You all know what I was saying. Paul is a great journalist. Has the same low key approach of a Ned McGrath. He knows how to talk to people in his own way to get people to say things they might not otherwise divuldge.

I just think that WICU needs to use Paul as he was meant to be used. A previous commentor said it well. Nothing against any of the other reporters at WICU. (We will be writing about WICU NEWS soon, But when it comes to local politics, few understand the issues and can convey it better to the viewers than Paul Wagner.

And let's not start a rumor campaign to send Paul to WJET. WICU still can use him.

Anonymous said...

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Paul Wagner is not going anywhere!
Jack simply typed "Paul Wagner has always been one of WICU's best Journalists. Where is he on the big Erie stories now?"

How did you get Paul Wagner to WJET out of that? Might I suggest a couple of restful days in Sunny Key West, Florida? Fort Meyers, Florida? You really sound stressed out!

Don't try and cause trouble just because you don't like your job. Take some time off, learn a new hobby, stop and smell the roses but please don't cause trouble!

Jack Tirak said...

AMEN BROTHER (OR SISTER) Have to be sure I am politically correct.

Anonymous said...

This has nothing to do with this topic but why does Lisa Adams only work Saturday and Sunday?

I would think with her experience (hasn't she been at 12 longer than Paul?) WICU would use her as much as possible? At least promote the hell out of her experience and Paul's experience?

Lisa and Paul have experience out the ass! If you're gonna keep your two best reporters on the bench most of the time then you don't belong in this game! If the N.Y. Yankees didn't use Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig that would be a shame.

Someone at WICU has to realize they have two fantastic journalists in the newsroom and use them! use them! use them!

Jack Tirak said...

I think I am right in this but I know I will be corrected if I am wrong.

Lisa Adams is a different situation. From what I know, it was her choice to only want to work weekends. With her family and family time came first. She made that decision years ago. Sort of like what happened with Kelly Gaughan and WJET-TV.

"Motherhood changes a lot of things." (Of course I never had the experience myself, but my wife told me to post that)

Anonymous said...

I agree. I hope WICU doesn't underutilize Paul and Lisa because some damn consultant tells them they don't skew young? People in Erie appreciate Paul and Lisa being here so long with lots and lots of experience.

Paul and Lisa have an extensive list of contacts. They've built up a lot of goodwill in the community.

It's a shame WICU doesn't realize what they have.

Anonymous said...

Jack - right on the money! Lisa chose to go weekends only.

(I saw Kelly Gaughan yesterday - she appears to be pregnant again. Congratulations!)

Jack Tirak said...

"she appears to be pregnant again."

Wouldn't that be an usual EMGR exclusive?

Anonymous said...

IT'S ANOTHER EMGR EXCLUSIVE!

I was watching Newswatch Insider this morning at 5am. Kelly was interviewing Becca Martin.

Kelly looked to be very pregnant.

CHALK UP ANOTHER TIRAK EXCLUSIVE!

(Must feel good to scoop the media?)

Jack Tirak said...

It should be pointed out that the "mother-to-be" has not confirmed it to EMGR. (Wow! Is this really off topic)

P.S. I am glad you used the word "scoop". Some might have thought of another word.

Anonymous said...

Does Paul Wagner have some huge affinity for Erie? Because I've often thought he was good enough to have left Erie for a much bigger market. He's that good.

Anonymous said...

Paul could have gone to a top-10 market. He's that good. Erie is very fortunate.

Anonymous said...

Kelly Gaughan is pregnant again? Or does she just look pregnant? A bit matronly perhaps, but pregnant again? Does anyone at 35 know for sure? That'll make 3, right?


As for Paul Wagner, I'm sure he's doing the stories he wants to do. He's senior man...I'm sure he get his pick of the list. He's doing just fine and loving it.

Anonymous said...

They use Bo Koltnow for too many investigative-type stories when they should be using Paul Wagner for them.

Koltnow does not have nearly the experience that Wagner does. On top of that, Koltnow comes off as tremendously arrogant. Maybe he's spending too much time with Kevin McDowell.

Anonymous said...

I agree about Bo Koltnow coming across as arrogant. Also add pompous, conceited and self-important and you have a winner! Why does WICU do those stupid Kevin MacDowell promos? You know, the one's where Amanda, Rob and Mike feign praise on Kevin! Did Kevin have a contract renewal coming up? Did WICU want to keep him and they had to kiss his ass with those stupid commercials? Love the Scott Cook comment, "There's no better place to work then this newsroom!" BULL(Edit)!

Anonymous said...

Why did 12 make those stupid K-Mac commercials? Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!

I get a good laugh out of it. Biggest blowhole in Erie TV!

Jack Tirak said...

Boy! You people are really hard on ol' Kevin. He at least asks the reporters questions to dig deeper into the meaning of a story. Something you rarely see on the others.

Paul's significant experience, credibility and current standing at WICU was the point of my short comment

Anonymous said...

Scott Cook is another example of someone who never could have found an on-air job in Erie 20 or 30 years ago. For God's sakes! Just listen to him! Cook probably has the worst voice for television in Erie broadcasting history. Cook's natural voice makes him sound like the cameraman is grabbing him by the testicles! Probably not a bad guy, but Cook is an example of how the quality standard for Erie
on-air people has gone WAY down.

Jack Tirak said...

I really have to take issue with the last comment on Scott Cook. True the standards have changed. It used to be the voice and looks were more important than the knowlege. (The Ted Baxter kind of reporting) Now the trend is less of the looks and sound and more to the journalistic ability.

True Scott is not going to do voice over promo's but I don't think that was ever his intent. I think he is a good news person. In a way, Scott's voice attracts me to content of the story. I may be all wrong as I have a horrible sounding voice myself. But everyone has their own opinion. That is why we need more competition not less.

Anonymous said...

I believe that maybe 35 ran an "Insider" that was taped before Kelly gave birth to her last kid. She just came back from maternity leave about two months ago. I don't know anything for sure, but last time I saw her (Thursday) she didn't appear even remotely pregnant.

Jack Tirak said...

Video tape can be so permanent as a reminder of how we looked.

Anonymous said...

Kevin MacDowell has the biggest ego in Erie TV. What other anchor makes his promotions staff do a commercial all about him?

What other anchor has his co-workers go on air saying how funny he is?

All he ever does on air is complain, move his hands like he's shooting craps and makes stupid facial expressions!

Ned McGrath is truly spinning in his grave!

Anonymous said...

I could actually see McDowell hosting some kind of laid back talk show where he would sit in a chair and talk to guests. He reminds me somewhat of Dick Cavett, who used to have a show like that.

Anonymous said...

Kevin MacDowell reminds me of William Buckley. He should host a talk show like that. He certainly is a pompous ass like Bill Buckley.

Anonymous said...

According to Amanda Post, Kevin is one of the funniest people she knows!

She must not know too many people?

Anonymous said...

The only things Kevin has in common with Dick Cavett is their hair color... and their height.

Anonymous said...

WICU should do a commercial about Kevin's many "hand movements!"

Just think, Kevin MacD jerking around on the news set to the music of Michael Jackson's "Thriller!"

Anonymous said...

Kevin MacDowell: "Erie's Version of Ron Burgundy!"

Pomposity You Can Count On!

Anonymous said...

Is Kevin MacDowell insecure? Why the hell would he want to do a commercial that is all about him??

That had to be the most shameless example of blatant self-promotion I've ever seen!

Why not do a commercial and just say: "This is Kevin MacDowell. He's the best we can do. He's a little insecure so we just want to tell you how funny he is. Oh, he's also the biggest smartass on Erie TV! 12 News is Coverage You Can Count On!"

Take that!

Anonymous said...

I just saw the commercial about Kevin again. This time Amanda Post says "Kevin is Our Anchor. He is The One That Keeps Us All Together!"

Really? I'd like to know why everyone there is kissing his ass! If he threatened to leave I'd tell him not to let the door hit him in the ass on the way out! Nighty Night Sweet Prince!

Anonymous said...

I heard Kevin MacDowell plays Santa Claus during Amanda Post's Christmas Show.

HO!HO!HO!

Jack Tirak said...

I guess I am not getting all this bashing on Kevin. Why so hard? For myself, I think he is a go anchor. I won't say why again because I said it before. But I will not edit any posts who take a different postition.

Remember this started out to be about Paul Wagner at WICU. Not a bash Kevin party.

Anonymous said...

Remember that commercial for Amanda Post's Patsy Cline tribute show that was running last year? How about that one scene, where Amada's singing on stage and all of a sudden she starts shaking her ass and twisting her hips? If she does the show again, they'll probably run that same commercial this year, so watch for it! It's my favorite Amanda Post television moment!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to whoever posted about the Amanda Post Patsy Cline show. I got a good chuckle remembering Amanda shake her ass and twist her hips.

I'd like to see Lisa Adams try and do that! LOL!!!!!

Personally I like the commercial for Amanda's Christmas show. The one where she's wearing a sequined low cut dress. Did you know that Kevin MacDowell was playing Santa?

Anonymous said...

In defense of some things said about Kevin, I think anyone in a newsroom would agree... no one EVER says, hey make a promotion about me. thats usually some genius in the "Promotions Dept." (hence the name of the department) Those weren't his idea. He doesn't suck up to people... he likes to ask tough questions, at least someone is.

Anonymous said...

Getting back to the original topic,
Paul wagner. I would bet ya a dozen donuts that SJL is currently in contract talks with Mr. Wagner.
It is an age old tatic of broadcasting management to take a "senior reporter" off of all pertinent stories as a way of showing him that he can be replaced.
It may be bad for the product but
SJL like many corporate entities doesn't care about that. It is their way of "sweating" talent to sign a contract quickly or to sign a contract that is sub-standard.
I once worked three months without a contract until a new GM came on board and demanded that the ND sign me ASAP. I eventually got what I wanted plus a few more perks. It is a nasty game and one that is not for the faint of heart.
Management has a way of taking a talented person and making them feel like "chopped liver" and in the end the viewer suffers most. (well, maybe the unemployed schmuck who got jerked around by the company)

Radio Free JoJo said...

I find it interesting that the strongest reporting in Erie comes from those with the strongest ties to the community. Paul's work is always outstanding and remember he was on duty in Washington County for the Filippi case; biggest story of 2006. I sure hope management isn't jerking him around now.

Anonymous said...

I think management is jerking him around. Why does Bo Koltnow do all the investigative/top stories? He comes across as a pompous ass - even more so than K Mac!

Don't jerk Paul - USE PAUL!

Anonymous said...

Ever see Bo Koltnow do a story? What a pompous pretty boy! Who the hell wears french-cuffs to go out in the field and do a story? Where do they find these people at?

Anonymous said...

I don't know who the News Director is at WICU but whoever he is he needs to put Paul Wagner on the important stories. Put Bo on the fashion beat, or have him do stories on health foods.

You don't misuse your top reporter. I thought "Senior Reporter" meant the person who does the top (important) stories?

Bo kinda looks sissified out in the field.

Anonymous said...

I agree with eriedjguy. Why would you assign a green reporter like BoBo to cover a possible teacher's strike? Paul has covered numerous teacher's strikes in the region.

Looks like WICU needs a new assignment editor!?

Anonymous said...

Paul covers the stories he likes. Period. Rank has it's privileges. He's way beyond worrying whether he's doing the lead story or not. Let pretty turtle-neck boy have them. Senior reporter does what he wants, as he should.

Anonymous said...

Look....I have worked with Paul. He enjoys doing Human Interest stories. That is what he likes. I think that after you work anywhere for as long as Paul has, you've earned the right to do what you like. Do his ties make stories better? Not usually, it helps "sometimes" but in a true newsroom, with true journalists, you share sources and contacts. I know this is a hard concept to get across in a bashing blog, but sometimes a duck, is just a duck.

Jack Tirak said...

I would hardly call the comments about Paul negative. Lot of respect out there for what he has done and what he knows.

People are missing that perspective. Not saying anything against the other reporters. Paul brings a calm measured approach to the stories he does. Just miss him on the City beat where he has a better understanding than most in TV.

Anonymous said...

"Bashing Blog?" This blog is not a bashing blog. It is amazing to me the amount of thin-skinned people in Erie media.

I think you are in the wrong business if you have such a thin-skin?

No one posted ANY negative comments about Paul - AT ALL!

Since you have such a thin-skin maybe you should go to work for the Bush Administration?

If you can't stand the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen!

Anonymous said...

WICU News Anchor Teams Over The Years:

Annette Tyler & Paul Wagner
Renee Phillips & Paul Wagner
Lisa Guyton & Chris Knowles (UGH!)
Kiran Chetry & Tony Victor
Kiran Chetry & Kevin MacDowell (?)
Angie Dickson & Kevin MacDowell
Amanda Post & Kevin MacDowell

...and this is just over the past 14 years! I guess there is quite a revolving door at WICU as well as WSEE?

WJET Anchor Teams (Same Time Frame):

Don Shriver & Kelly Gaughan
Kelly Gaughan & Sean Lafferty
Karla Mullenax & Sean Lafferty

...Hmmm! I guess WJET is more stable then certain commentators would have us believe?

WSEE Anchor Teams (Screw It! Too damn many people to keep track of! Go read a book, Dammit!)

Anonymous said...

Or maybe it's because ICU and SEE have hired people with real potential who move on to bigger and better things (Chetry, Knowles at ICU, Price, Feinstein, Baker at SEE)?

Anonymous said...

Whenever I watch Pat VanZandt and Scott Bremner do the news on WSEE I think of Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Anonymous said...

I'll give you Leila Feinstein. When she was in Erie a few years back I thought she was just awful. Fast-forward to present: Leila is now the co-anchor of KTLA-TV 5 News at 10pm in Los Angeles - the 2nd largest market in America!!!! As for Dave Price, he needs to grow up and stop acting so goofy. I'll never forget the time he threw a (edit) snowball at Carol Wilson during the ME morning news. The snowball hit Carol right in the face and (edit)! caused her makeup to run! (edit)

Anonymous said...

I remember the Dave Price snowball incident. There was a large overnight snowfall - school was cancelled in Erie and Millcreek. Your classic lakeshore snow. Dave paid no attention to the weather situation outside. Dave spent the majority of the morning news throwing snowballs at Carol Wilson and Dave Belmondo.

I don't remember a snowball hitting Carol in the face. I do remember a snowball hitting David Belmondo's coffee cup. Smashed the cup to smithereens and splashed coffee all over Dave. Boy was he pissed!

AHHHH, Memories!

Anonymous said...

I read on tvspy.com a while ago that Dave Price got in trouble with his CBS superiors. I guess Dave started a rumor that when Bob Barker retired he (Dave) was going to host "The Price Is Right."

Simply because of his last name! I don't care much for Dave. Too much of a goof!

Anonymous said...

Scott Cook has the worst voice in Erie TV. When I hear his voice I am reminded of Don Corleone in "The Godfather"

Jack Tirak said...

I saw Scott on the set being interviewed. Sounded like he had a cold. Hardly had a voice at all.

Anonymous said...

tirak - do you realize that the first posting was a list of WICU & WJET's MAIN anchors....

when you listed WSEE you listed every anchor - including weekend and morning. clearly - not the same.

Anonymous said...

I'll take a stab at WSEE Anchors (Over the last 14 years): Lisa Zompa Scott Bremner Scott Baker Carol Wilson David Belmondo Drew Sugars Nerissa Sugars Scott Bremner (Again!) Suzanne Ferrare Kym Young Carol Wilson (Again!) Scott Bremner (Again! UGH!) Danielle Basczlak Pat Van Zandt Jennifer Taylor Raechel Vendetti Don Shriver Pete Yaksik Kara Calabrese Wow! That is a lot of anchors! You get the feeling WSEE has no clue what they are doing? Perhaps it would be best to just (edit)? (Edit) Pick an Anchor/Anchor team and just stick with them!

Jack Tirak said...

Correction. That was not my post. I had to edit the original post to take out out language unfriendly to some of the WSEE people. I forgot to change the poster to Anonymous. Thanks for reminding me to correct it.