NBC’s big hope for this season was the Aaron Sorkin (West Wing) series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It's still not meeting ratings expectations. The show is not gone from the schedule. In fact it will return during sweeps and through the holidays.
FOXNEWS reported that the series was marked for cancellation and that cast members were already telling friends and family. However, that may be pre-mature. This week NBC ordered up 3 more scripts to carry the series through the holidays.
Usually when the network orders extra scripts that is a good sign as it usually means that the series is safe for the balance of the season. One of the script problems reported, was that the comedy bits that were supposed to be a part of the fantasy program were not funny. Consultants from SNL have been brought in to help.
Friday Night Lights was placed in the 60’s slot temporarily to see if a move would improve the time period. So far it has hardly made a difference.
Since a few have expressed an interest in the program, EMGR will continue to follow developments.
FOXNEWS reported that the series was marked for cancellation and that cast members were already telling friends and family. However, that may be pre-mature. This week NBC ordered up 3 more scripts to carry the series through the holidays.
Usually when the network orders extra scripts that is a good sign as it usually means that the series is safe for the balance of the season. One of the script problems reported, was that the comedy bits that were supposed to be a part of the fantasy program were not funny. Consultants from SNL have been brought in to help.
Friday Night Lights was placed in the 60’s slot temporarily to see if a move would improve the time period. So far it has hardly made a difference.
Since a few have expressed an interest in the program, EMGR will continue to follow developments.
"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/
Save WSEE News...Write to the station for their FCC File and then inspect it.
Want To Really Wakeup The Political Establisment Next Tuesday? Vote Out All Incumbents…Regardless of Party.
73 comments:
I would like to announce the "Save The Station" telethon to help WSEE.
It is a shame they are so piss poor and are unable to be a first class operation.
Please send donations in any monetary amount to:
Save Our Station
c/o WSEE-TV Channel 35
1220 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16502
Attn: Tracy Stufft (Station Manager & Generally Cheerful Person!)
I'll chip in 25 cents!
(That should be enough to save Scott Bremner!)
When did Scott Bremner become a lightning rod for criticism of WSEE?
Maybe Scott B can be the MC?
If WSEE really needs the cash maybe they could have a wet t-shirt contest?
Just think "The First Annual WSEE Wet T-Shirt Contest!!"
Joey Stevens could be the host.
Gary Drapcho could spray the water.
Carol Wilson could sing the National Anthem!
Scott Bremner could take ticket stubs!
The grand prize winner could be the new WSEE 11pm anchor.
WEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
Last Anonymous...
You sound like MSNBC's Keith Obermann?
Thanks! I appreciate the complement!
Someone said Ray Petelin was up for the role of Daddy Warbucks in the new broadway revival of "Annie!"
I'm glad NBC has yet to pull the plug on "Studio 60!"
It is a good sign NBC is keeping the show around for the November sweeps and the upcoming holidays.
I just hope with all the impending NBC budget cuts they don't decide to pull the plug after January 1st.
Keep me updated Jack, I really enjoy this show.
Joe Malito
Erie
Cracks me up. Never saw so many off topic posts in my life! More than any board or blog I visit! LOL.
ErieDJ...
I know what you mean but I don't like to censor anymore than I have to. At least it is still about the media.
Did you see Kim Thomas tonight at 7 on Action News?
She was live in the newsroom with an extremely tight fitting red sweater!
SCHWING!!!!!!!!!!
DAMN, BABY!
I think some of you guys testosterone is out of wack. Perhaps you should re-read last weeks chat down.
After watching Action News, you should take a shower. LOL
I'm surprised WSEE Management has no comment on the public file controversy.
Does this mean the comments are accurate?
I would think WSEE would want to remain in good graces with the viewing public.
There does seem to be an extremely high turnover there lately.
I guess it must all be true then!
Brace yourself....
The next few months could be rocky.
Someone at WSEE needs to get on the ball.
I just saw a promo for NEWSWATCH and in it were departed reporters Jennifer Boresz and Kim Thomas.
Nice to see the CBS affiliate at 13th & Peach is a finely oiled machine.
I still don't understand why WSEE keeps Joey Stevens. Why??? They paid him all this money and figured their ratings would go up since Joey is such a recognized figure in town.
But it hasn't helped them. So why don't they just dump Joey Stevens if they're dumping all these other reporters and on-air people??
Wouldn't it make more sense to dump someone who is costing them the most money? Stevens needs to go.
Last anonymous...
I can understand why you said it but I don't agree with the problem. Yes Joey was the most important personality in all of television. I have seen survey's that showed just that.
Television is very complicated. It is the decisions behind the camera that sometimes make or break what takes place in front. In Joey's case, something special need to be done to capitalize on his popularity. It didn't happen.
This happens at the national level too. Look at Katie Curic...A Dan Rather...Brian Gumble. All fine in the formats and the producers that made them major personalities. But put them into a new element without the right kind of handling and it can fall apart.
I would not replace Joey unless I had someone a step or two better. I had discussions with Joey before as well with Bob Hoffman at the same. I told both that a jump like that would have to be carefull handled and prepared. He just can't show up on a new set and exect to do the same thing. Expectations were higher.
It should have happened. While changes may need to be made, realization that something has to be done is more important. It has to be done as a package.
Right now the content and who delieres the content is most important. We need maturity. A Carol Wilson should be doing more and have a free hand. We need another Carol Pella to pull tegether.
Good feedback. keep it coming. I hope management kicks in. but I sort of doubt it. If I was advising WSEE today with a glog tht has not been friendly, I would say meet it head on and post. Show you have balls and vision.
I agree with the comments about Joey Stevens. I have heard rumors about what he makes and I can't believe WSEE keeps him around.
For that kind of money WSEE should be getting a lot more bang for the buck. He isn't even a meteorologist and WSEE calls him "Chief Forecaster!"
Guess that's just a way of saying "he comes in, stands in front of the camera and reads a forecast someone else prepared?"
Time to cut the Fat!
WSEE made a terrible mistake years ago when they hred Don Shriver and Joey Stevens away from WJET.
It would have been better for WSEE had they simply invested the money they spent on Don and Joey on new equipment.
This policy of raiding other stations' for talent is not exclusive to Erie.
It is very rare for the ratings of a station to go up after poaching talent from another station in the same market.
I remember Bob Hoffman's quote in the Times after hiring both Don and Joey, "I think we'll be number one in 6 months!"
They really screwed the pooch on that one!
Maybe they're cutting staff to be able to afford the weatherman????
First piece of advice to the Lilly's: Go outside the company and hire a COMPETENT G.M. to run the station. Oh, give them carte blanche to make whatever decision they see fit to make.
This will never happen but it could save the station?
Hi Jack, looks like you've got a hot one here! Let me be the first to say something about your original topic. Cancellation of Studio 60 seems imminent. I did hear that NBC ordered 3 more episodes but I also read from a not-so-reliable source that it was due to "contractual obligations", purely speculation at this point. Why aren't people watching this show!? I will be sad to see it go. Maybe I'm the only one.
As for the rest of the conversation, has anyone actually laid eyes on the public file at WSEE yet? I will be curious to know if it is indeed intact and complete or even exists. Keep us posted when that first person finally sees the holy grail. LOL
Besides just wanting to see WSEE's public file, which should be available for public inspection during regular business hours, without an appointment....what is it everyone is interested in seeing? Somewhere along the way here, I've lost the reason to inspect 35's missing public file?? Can you refresh my memory?
Max Beta...
I would be glad to refresh your memory. On anoter thread, someone posted that they wrote a critical letter to WSEE and went down to see if it was in the file. I believe that it wasn't. A second person did the same but was denied access do to other issues. A third did the same but was told that it was only available on Mon-Wed & Friday (they were there on a Tuesday) The question that has sort of been asked, is the file current and are all letters, as required, being placed in the file.
Anyone correct me if I got it wrong. (And I know you will)
You got it right Jack!
Since it is alledged that WSEE only opens the public file to inspection on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will try to access said file tomorrow.
Before I head down to 13th & Peach I will call ahead to see if I can view the file.
I am not expecting to find my hyper-critical letter in the file. A little birdie told me that some "negative" letters were simply filed in the shredder.
Anyone know the address of the FCC in Washington, D.C.? I might have a need for it!?
To above anonymous...
Cut and paste the above file.
http://eriemedia.blogspot.com/2006/10/dont-mess-with-fcc-and-public-file.html
or just click in the October file for the post "Don't mess with the FCC and the public File" I think you will find everything you want to know thanks to another anonymous poster.
Excellent! Thank You
Son of a *****! I tried to view the public file today at WSEE. I made sure to call before I made the trip to 13th & Peach. I was told the Public file "was being reviewed and updated by Station Management and would not be available for inspection this week." HUH? I guess I am asking too much. I just wanted to see what became of my letter. What good is having a public file if the public is not allowed to view it? Maybe I am naieve but I get the feeling the folks at WSEE are trying to hide something.
Above Anonymous...
Did all this happen on the phone or after you got there? Also should you decide to contact the FCC, make sure you follow the instructions that were noted. Especially noting the time and also including a copy of the letter that you wanted to search for.
I never even got to WSEE. All the above occured over the telephone.
anonymous, et al, have you had this problem only at WSEE or at any other local station as well? Do you know that the other stations don't have this policy or something similar? I don't know, I'm just asking. It seems like you have a "thing" for WSEE. What exactly is your beef with them, anyways?
It sure is nice to see so many passionate responses on this topic.
Just proves the point that people will crawl through a desert and eat sand for quality local news.
Too bad Erie hasn't had quality local news for a good many years now!
WSEE IS NOT CUTTING BACK ON STAFF. (THERE ARE SO MANY WRONG COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG IT KILLS ME.)
PEOPLE, LIKE JEN BORESZ AND KIM THOMAS, MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN REASONS. ERIE IS A STARTER MARKET AND YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW THAT. SOME MOVE ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS....OTHERS, JUST MAKE MISTAKES.
BESIDES, WSEE IS NOT THE ONLY STATION TO LOSE REPORTERS IN THE PAST YEAR BY THEIR OWN CHOICE....DYLAN DRYER (WICU)BRITTANY GORDAN (WICU) RACHEL FRANK (WICU)...AND THE GLORIFIED WJET LOST FIVE REPORTERS IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF - ROB MACKO, DIANA MOON, LAURA GRAY, NICOLE LEISURE & RENEE DECAMILLO.
I just checked on the Jet website and it indicated that three of their reporters have started in the last 13 months. Talk about turnover....
By the way Jennifer Boresz left for Toledo because she was offered a job there, they came to her. She wasn't dissatisfied at WSEE.
Wow there. Erie never started out as a starter market. Sure some begin their careers in Erie but Erie doesn't have to be the babysitter for the big stations. We had plenty of experience staff come from larger markets to Erie.
You are off target guy on that one. While staff come and go... and you are right. The reasons for leaving are not always because pleasant.
Jack, Erie may not have started as a starter market, but it is now. Who has come from a larger market in a horizontal or vertical move to Erie in the last 5 years? I don't mean someone who has come from a larger market where they worked as a producer or a photog or a desk assistant and are reporting here, I mean who has come to Erie as a reporter from a larger market where they were also a reporter?
And Jack, since you seem to claim some insight on the subject, how about dishing on some of the unpleasant reasons (without naming names, of course) why people have left Erie stations?
Jack,
I hate to break it to you... with the pay scales in Erie, and the small market size, the industry does consider Erie to be a starter market. Every market has "lifers" if you want to call them that. And being a starter market does not necessarily mean you cannot make a career in Erie. How many seasoned vets have been hired in this town from other markets? I don't see a big pool of them waiting for openings in this town. The only big reason to end here is family ties, you could never get out, or you fall in love with Erie's charm (it does have it you know).
Since kim Thomas is no longer at WSEE, maybe she could enlighten us on how bad she had it over there. That would make a great addtion to your blog, Jack. Lots of speculation about her "jumping ship". That is what started these heated "chat downs". Why not get the info from the horse's mouth?
Kim is welcome to write anytime she wants but I suspect the station (WJET) would prefer she didn't under her own name.
She she wants to write me privately she could do that at any time as others have. She has no responsibility to this blog or to the viewers to tell her story. That's her personal business.
I have been very careful about not getting into anyones personal business and I will continue that policy.
JET also lost Jennifer Mobilia in the last year as well. I guess there must be some huge problems over there with everyone jumping ship.
I still can't get over the amazingly fast climb and departure of Danielle Bazylack a few years ago at WSEE. Wasn't she an anchor by the time she was 23? Then she completely left the field, and took a job at a Meadville hospital. I can't remember a similarly-fast rise by someone who then went and quit the business.
I keep seeing Brian Sheridan back on WJET and Fox. Didn't Sheridan leave Next Media to take a job at Mercyhurst College? It seems that no matter what Sheridan does, he eventually finds his way back to some on-air position at WJET or Fox. He's left several times now, and always seems to come back.
Scott Wuldaga, excuse the spelling, just left JET too. If people leaving is any indication, like previously reported, this JET is going to crash. Just remember JET staffers, your seats can be used as a floatation device, and hopefully they will get floated to a better place. What is with the big exit at JET? I thought that was the shining example of broadcasting in Erie.
As I have said before. people leave for different reasons. Some good and some defensive.
Check tomorrows blog...You are getting way ahead of yourself here. WJET, WICU and WSEE have different issues.
Amanda Barren, Nicole Leasure, Renae Decamilia, Jamie Murphy, and Tim Miller are among others who have left WJET. And then there was the Kelly Gaughan Fiasco. She was a very sharp on-air presense, and WJET basically fired her. So many people have left WJET in recent years.
Don't tell stories that are not true. I can't speak regarding the others but Kelly was not fired. It was a contractual dispute. Had to do with family and family time vs. station on air.
What Kelly Gaughan fiasco?
If memory serves correct Kelly left the station because she wanted to work part-time. Nexstar has a rule that on-air anchors (especially primary anchors) do not work part-time.
Kelly left the station ON HER OWN TERMS. Kelly left the station ON GOOD TERMS WITH MANAGEMENT!!!!!
Might I suggest checking your facts before telling stories that are outright LIES!
Amanda Barren left WJET to work at WHAZ in Huntington, WV. Eventually (someday) she'll wind up in Pittsburgh or higher - she's that good.
Nicole Leasure left for a station in Columbus, Ohio.
Renee had a lot of exposure from the Brian Wells case and left for a larger paycheck in a bigger market.
Tim Miller went to go to a station in Knoxville, TN. Again - bigger market and more money. He's that good!
Jaime Murphy has many talents and is now working with the Erie Otters.
None of the above were fired. Kelly certainly wasn't fired! Maybe you are trying to cause trouble?
My point is that WJET is not as bad as WSEE. There are a lot of perfectly content employees at WJET.
It's too bad you were exposed for the fraud that you are.
Keep posting more ridiculously untrue stories. I love picking them apart.
Keeps me sharp!
Thanks for backing me up on Kelly G. I sort of feel a little responsible for her career path.
No one said those JET people were fired. You jumped to a conclusion, and picked nothing apart. You just re-stated, in more depth, the fact that all those people left WJET for "better opportunities". Some you stated were correct, other were not. So I guess you better be careful with how sharp you get, you might cut yourself.
My pleasure Jack!
Enjoy your blog. Started slow with the comments but lately you seem to be posting some real hot button issues.
Good to see people care.
Then why don't you "enlighten" me??? You claim to know "the real story?"
Ronald Reagan once said, "Put Up Or Shut Up!"
The gauntlet has been thrown down.
Show us you are not a fraud. Tell us the "real reasons" all those people left JET.
I'll Bet You Won't!
The previous anonymous had it right on the money with those reporters.
The other anonymous doesn't know too much about JET.
Must be someone trying to act important?
I guess you don't know how to read the above post very well. To me it read as clear as a jetplane.
Someone sure stirred up a hornet's nest!
I do find it funny that this original post was about NBC Studio 60. A fictional network show.
Based on reading all the comments on this post, perhaps the story editors should look to Erie broadcasting for ideas.
Jack,
How about just opening a message board like TVSPY.com or Medialine.com where people can start a topic and post. It is "clear as a jetplane", whatever that is supposed to mean, that people don't post here to put their two cents in on the topics you write about. This blog has no clear focus, and only pitts one station against the other. You should just start a topic called "Bitch about the other station" and let it go. That would have more direction and control than this blog you run. I cannot say that it is not interesting, but I can say that it is a mess. It no longer is the media watch dog that you were trying to create. Now it is a playground for small market tv personalitites who want to cry about why they think they are better. Your topics and your posts have an obvious slant towards one station. Is it that they are the easiest to pick on. If you are such a mogul in the biz, why not dig a little deeper and expose the other stations. Do you honestly think it is that rosy at the other stations? You are taking an easy route to instigate "chat downs". While it may get people to your blog, it also has caused it to lose control, just like the other media you like to bitch about. It would be amazing to see what kind of television would be produced if there wasn't so much time wasted here.
While it may go off the posted topic ( and it does) it does get interesting and that is the purpose to foster debate.
I am not against any station...I am against bad management of the stations. Yes there is one, in particular that does stand out. I also have posted "my views" on how it could be corrected.
Why don't you follow your own suggestion and do what you suggest. That's up to you. I like the blog format right now and have no interest in running a chat room.
But thank you for you suggestion. I does become a challenge but I like it and enjoy it. If others don't, I guess the comments would just fall off.
So far that hasn't happen.
Who cares about whether an anchor or reporter isn't happy?
I want to know about the real issues!
I live 1.5 miles form the WICU transmitter on Donation Road and I CANNOT get WICU Digital.
I can't even get WJET Digital. I know all about WSEE Digital.
Let's get back to the important stuff - I want CBS in Digital and I want it NOW!!!!
I have tried 3 times in the past 6 months to get waivers from all 3 local stations and have been turned down all 3 times!
I like the Blog! That other person is obviously disturbed.
Whenever I have had a bad day I just turn to the blog for a few laughs.
People in Erie TV are sure goofy!
ErieDJguy.
I can understand exactly what you are saying but the fact is they just can't speak with their own voice sometimes. That's ok. It is sometimes easy to figure out where the post comes from even if you don't know the exact person.
The debate even as dualing anonymousi, is still interesting.
Maybe they are posting as "anonymous" because they are afraid to lose their jobs?
The former Soviet Union is alive and well at WICU and WSEE.
COMRADES!
I'd love to see Amanda Post in one of those form fitting female Soviet Army uniforms.
Da! Da! Da! MOMMY!
I guess all the former anonymous comment posting as Soviet Union are for the ***** complaining about anonymous postings.
The following has been brought to you by E.F. Hutton.
"When E.F. Hutton Talks, People Listen!"
What????? I guess this means that Kevin MacDowell is Josef Stalin? And going by that, Rob Wilson (aka p[Edit]) would be running KGB. **** IT!
Wasn't the topic of this post "NBC Sends Studio 60 To The ER?"
If we're comparing WICU on-air to Stalin I would say we are really off point!
Don't change a thing. I LOVE IT!
To those of you reading from out-of-town: YES! Erie TV is really this screwed up! (And a lot of infighting and backstabbing. But when the **** hits the fan everyone comes together to try TRY and do their best)
With the pending NBC budget cuts I don't think Studio 60 will be back for a second season next fall.
I appreciate the ******* self editing.
******* I thought you would appreciate that! *******
It is interesting that someone talked about out-of-towners reading EMGR. My stat count tells me that only half of the hits come from Erie. The second most hits comes from Washington D.C.
Washington, DC? Most Interesting?
Does this mean the FCC knows Erie TV's most "intimate secrets?"
I think I am comment Number 70. Does this mean I get the free case of Coors Light?
HAHAHA!
Congrats on so many comments
Jack, don't listen to the complainers about your Blog. This blog is the best damn thing to hit Erie in a long time. Keep up the great work!!
Jack - why is it when someone leaves a station on Upper Peach St. they are doing it for good reasons - to better themselves and their careers, yet when someone from lower Peach St. leaves it is because the work conditions are so horrible that they have to get out for their own safety. Every station has it's own problems, trust me, things at 13th and Peach are not as dire as you make them out to be.
I tried to answer that with today's post and saying that people leave for different reasons. Some personal, some professional.
There were some stories printed about people who currently left various stations that were not true. I wanted to set the record straight the best I could from the information I had or knew personally.
The issue of VJ is a growing issue. It won't go away as it is a tool. But like any tool, it can be used correctly or poorly. If it is just used to cut staff in half..my judgement is that it is used poorly and that is my point.
But I do agree with you that every station or company has its own problems. That's life. It takes good management with the proper people skills to handle difficult situatons and educate staff properly. I really hope lower Peach will learn something. It deesn't seem to be trying very hard.
Back to the original topic, Studio 60 has been picked up by NBC for a full season. Relief!
Post a Comment