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Television
John Kiesewetter on the world of local and national TV


Senior Entertainment Reporter John Kiesewetter has been covering TV and media issues for 20 years. After joining the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1975 as a summer intern, he worked as a county government and suburban reporter; assistant city editor and suburban editor; and features editor supervising the Life section. He has a B.S. in journalism from Ohio University.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Pick Your Local TV News Final Four

OK, let's have some fun today. Since everyone is picking favorite Final Four basketball teams for the NCAA tourney, I'm asking you to pick your Final Four TV anchors.

Here's the deal: You can mix and match anchors from different newscasts (morning, noon or night) or different stations. Tell me who would be your TV news dream team -- two news anchors, a weather person and a sports anchor. The only rule is that they must be curently on the air. So that means no Rich Apuzzo, Norma Rashid, Harvey Smilovitz, etc.

The team I'd like to see would be:
News: Clyde Gray & Sheila Gray (imagine the promos!)
Weather: Tim Hedrick
Sports: John Popovich
All great communicators. I think they'd get along great and be fun to watch together.

I also thought about doing an all-rookie Final Four, but can't think of any/many news anchors who would qualify. For weather I'd take meteorologist Eric Green, and sports anchor Lisa Cornwell.

Who would be your Final Four? Give me your list of four and tell me why.


47 Comments:

at 3/14/2007 10:12 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let's see, for sports I have alwayd like George Vogel and I know you won't let us pick people not on the air here anymore so I'll go with Tim Hedrick. Although I love Lisa Cooney in the mornings, she would be on my dream team in a top spot. She is real and believeable. then I would go with Clyde Gray, he and Lisa would have a great rapore with each other because he is believeable too.

 
at 3/14/2007 10:14 AM Blogger John Kiesewetter said...

Good suggestions. Clyde used to work at Ch 5 in the 1980s. I wonder if he ever worked with Lisa? Thanks!

 
at 3/14/2007 10:45 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I go along with Clyde Gray. I would have originally picked Cammy Dierking, but since she has moved from the morning news, she has lost some of the spunk she use to have. So I will just go with Clyde as the news anchor.

Tim Hedrick for weather.

Popovich for sports.

 
at 3/14/2007 12:25 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

David Rose & Sherrie Palollelo (spelling?) It would definitely be interesting....

 
at 3/14/2007 12:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paul Horton for weather & Dennis Jansen Sports

 
at 3/14/2007 12:29 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd go with Rob Braun and Sandra Ali for news

The rest of the anchors in this town are mundane to terrible.

For weather...is the anyone who can get a forecast correct? By default, Horstmeyer

Sports? Ken Broo. Janson is boring, Johannson is into nothing but preening and Vogel is a dork.

 
at 3/14/2007 12:53 PM Blogger SpongeBob SquarePants said...

I can imagine the promos now:

Clyde Gray and Sheila Gray - are they husband and wife? brother and sister? (LOL)

"News: Clyde Gray & Sheila Gray (imagine the promos!)
Weather: Tim Hedrick
Sports: John Popovich
All great communicators. I think they'd get along great and be fun to watch together."

 
at 3/14/2007 1:29 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

My starting five: "Jello" Paolello, a violently pregnant Tricia Macke, Katherine Nero, Michelle Boutillette, and Sasha Rionda.

 
at 3/14/2007 2:33 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

My lineup
News: Jack Atherton and Sandra Ali
Sports: Ken Broo
Weather: Steve Raleigh
My reporters
John London, Michelle Hopkins, Shannon Kettler, Shawn Ley.

Then Weekly segments of michael flannery, and deb dixon.

 
at 3/14/2007 2:38 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

i agree with the above poster

Clyde Gray and Lisa Cooney
Weatehr: Tim Hedrick
Sports: Ken Broo

you could really make up some good teams here...and some equally BAD teams as well....For instance

David Rose and Tricia Macke
Weather: Steve Raleigh
Sports: that girl from 12

thanks for the fun Kiese!!

 
at 3/14/2007 2:55 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anchor: Clyde Gray and Sandra Ali
Weather: Tim Hedrick
Sports: Ken Broo

That'd be a newscast I would watch every night. Props to whoever picked out John London too as that man is a true professional.

I wonder if Cincinnati will ever see another news team as good as Springer, Norma, Broo and Berry were on 5 back in the day.

 
at 3/14/2007 3:32 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

1st String
News: Clyde and Shree
Weather: Tim
Sports: Ken

2nd String
News: David and Shree
Weather: Paul
Sports: Ken

Wish List
News: Clyde and Norma
Weather: Pat Barry
Sports: Ken

 
at 3/14/2007 3:42 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

News: Dave wagner and Cammy
Weather: Horstmeyer
Sports: Vogel

Morning Team
News: Lisa Cooney and John Lomax
Weather: Valerie Abati
Traffic: Denise Johnson

Weekend Team
News: Paul Addler and Regina Russo
Weather: John Bateman
Sports: Popo

 
at 3/14/2007 4:12 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Clyde Gray is definitely the best in town, I like Tanya O'Rourke too, both are very personable yet professional (and Carol Williams just seems mean).

Popo for sports and Michelle Boutillette for weather. If I could get a fifth for consumer news - gimme Matarese.

BTW did Clear Channel take over WCPO's website already? The layout has radically changed & it's slower than molasses!!

 
at 3/14/2007 4:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tricia and Sheila Anchors
Kathrine Sports
Michele Weather
Lauren,Corey,Tanya,Emily,Candice Reporters

 
at 3/14/2007 7:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't believe that someone actually put Abati as part of a "dream team" Funny!!

 
at 3/14/2007 7:25 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

MY "ENQUIRER FINAL 4:"

This is quite difficult due to the decline in newspaper quality and poor quality of the reporting, plus it's hard just to NAME 4 people at this fish-wrap, but here goes:

THOSE TWO GIRLS WHO LIED TO GET THEIR LIZ & DAVEY CARROLL INTERVIEWS, PLUS ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR ATTORNEY GREG COHEN.
I need one more ... uh, well ... can anyone else name a newspaper reporter? How about a "Swallens" Ad?
Does this paper even go to print anymore or just 'blog' like our main man John Keesewetter?
Do they report ANY facts?
Do you get paid to 'blog' Mr. Kiesewettiers?

 
at 3/14/2007 7:52 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my! My husband and I would love to see Shawn Ley and Sandra Ali,
Tim Hedrick and John Popovic!
That's all you'd need!

 
at 3/14/2007 9:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

if it is a list of former and not here anymore it would be
Al Schottlekotte and Jerry Springer
IraJoe Fisher
Dei Lynam
Juliette Vara,Stephanie Riggs, Barbara Caine, Sheryl Case

 
at 3/15/2007 12:10 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

off topic but wcpos web site is verrrryyyyyyy ssssllloooowww for sure and who is the new sports guy on 19

 
at 3/15/2007 12:54 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Morning:
Lomax and Cooney
Handley for wx

Noon:
Burchell & O'Rourke
Green for wx

5, 5:30 & 6
Dave Wagner & Dierking
Hedrick for wx
Popo for sports

11:00
Braun & Sheree
Hedrick for wx
Broo for Sports

 
at 3/15/2007 2:51 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

My dream team:

News: Rob Braun & Lisa Cooney
Weather: Tim Hedrick
Sports: Ken Broo

To anon @2:55p

I don't think you'll ever see a team like Springer, Rashid, Barry & Broo anytime soon. Look at the choices now. The news anchors are robotic. The two women on 5 seem to be afraid of saying anything that isn't on their script. They don't seem comfortable with each other which makes them uncomfortable to watch.

The 5 team in the 80's and early 90's seemed to have and edge you don't see anymore on any station. They all seemed to like each other and you felt like you knew them.
They all had their distinct personalities. But they were personalities. The anchors in Cincinnati today seem lifeless, at least to me.

 
at 3/15/2007 7:27 AM Blogger A Simple Christian Man said...

Best Final 4
News: Clyde Gray / Dayna Eubanks
Sports: George Vogel
Weather: Jeff Creighton


Worst Final 4

News: Jack Atherton (Borrrrring!!) Regina Russo ( She needs to be off the air RRRRRRRight Now!!!)

Weather: Michelle Boutillette

Sports: Ken Broo

 
at 3/15/2007 10:22 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This thread looks fun Kiese. I'm sure you'll get plenty more responses. Here's my 2 cents...

True Talent Team (not a lot of depth here)
Anchors: Clyde Gray & Lisa Cooney becuase Lisa is a local girl who I think really cares about the community and Clyde is a stand up guy and very good.

Weather: Tim Hedrick because he's been around the longest and he's level headed unlike some of these other bozos on the air like Steve Raleigh

Sports: Ken Broo because he reports with a little bit of fun and personality. If only 5 would let him cover more than the Reds and Bengals.

The Razzies Team (big pool to choose from here)
Anchors: David Rose and Regina Russo (kind of a pseudoanchor). he seems to oversensationalize everything, and she just isn't good

Weather: Steve Raleigh, too much drama about some simple rain showers.

Sports: Tara Pachmeyer. For me, about as good as Regina Russo, but to be fair, I think she will improve in time.

 
at 3/15/2007 10:31 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to know who has been filling in for Bob Herzog?!

 
at 3/15/2007 10:48 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cool blog posting!

Mornings:
David Rose and Lisa Cooney - anchors
Randi Rico - weather

Evenings:
Dave Wagner and Carol Williams
(although I like the Clyde Gray/Lisa Cooney angle, too)
Derek Beasley for weather
George Vogel for sports

Weekends:
Pete Scalia and Anna Townshend (why not? he anchors on the web)
John Bateman for weather
Popovich for sports

If only there were more live, local television shows in town. Not just news - something to keep people tuned in to local stations instead of flipping over to any one of hundreds of other stations!

 
at 3/15/2007 11:23 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

If we're bringing Norma Rashid out of retirement, how about pairing her with David Rose as co-anchor and Paul Horton for weather.

 
at 3/15/2007 11:26 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

We all have opinions, here is mine:

I don't understand the appeal of Cammy Dierking & Lisa Cooney. Cammy is saccharin - too sugary & fake. Lisa is less annoying, but her skills aren't that great. Ever seen her try to anchor live , breaking news. Embarrassing.

That said, here is who I like:

Clyde Gray & Sandra Ali
Tim Hedrick
Georege Vogel
with John London & Jeff Hirsh reporting

Honorable Mentions
Kathrine Nero (bad hair & all), Dave Burchell, Anna Townsend, Dave Wagner, Tricia Macke
Steve Hostmeyer
Ken Broo, John Popovich

Just my 2 cents
JB

 
at 3/15/2007 12:41 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Final 4:

News: Tricia Macke & Clyde Gray
Weather: Tim Hedrick (by far the best in town)
Sports: Ken Broo (by far the best in town)

Braun, Popo, Vogel? I would use them to put me to sleep...ugh

 
at 3/15/2007 12:55 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John, please excuse me from going off topic here but do you have any inkling how The Black Donnelly's are doing? Are they going to be renewed?

 
at 3/15/2007 1:54 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it's Barbara Cain, not Caine. But no biggie. She is still on the air in Cincinnati, just not TV. She is on in the mornings on WAKW (93.3). It's too bad she's not on TV anymore, I always liked watching her. Maybe someone will bring her back. At least we can still listen.

Clyde
Hedrick
Vogel

Bring back Barbara and match her with Clyde.

 
at 3/15/2007 2:46 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about an "All Talent Newsbabe Team" They've got the looks and (some) talent...maybe more than others.
Anchors: Sandra and Sheree (For me, just pretty faces, average anchor skills. They read the teleprompter very well!)
Weather: Michelle Boutilette (I like her delivery. She's believable)
Sports: Lisa Cornwell (She is cute, has a little fire to her)

Reporters: Emily Longnecker (WOW!), Candice Hunter, Tanya O'Rourke, Laura Berkerich. These gals are hot! Ms. Longnecker, easily with the most skills on this team!

Thanks Kiese...cool topic!

 
at 3/15/2007 4:15 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The black donnelys is getting hammered in the ratings. I dont see it sticking around for a 2nd season.

 
at 3/15/2007 4:31 PM Blogger John Kiesewetter said...

I agree. It will be gone after this spring. "The Black Donnellys" averaging 7.4 million in two weeks -- 1 million fewer viewers at 10 pm Monday than the show it replaced, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip" (8.4 million). Sorry about your show.

 
at 3/15/2007 5:38 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great topic Kiese...here's the final four: Gray/Macke/Broo/Raleigh.
Then it's Gray & Macke in the final
with Gray at the top!
Keep up the excellent blog

 
at 3/15/2007 7:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John,

I just found this blog, now I visit everyday!

I left Cincinnati in 1994 after working at WCPO for 8 years. (Back when THEY carried March Madness). I say that to make clear my bias for the folks at 9.

Anchors:
Clyde and Carol (Someone said she seemed mean, couldn't be more untrue)
Weather:
Tim Hedrick (Even when I worked for 9 I thought he was the best in the market)
Sports:
DJ (As the anchor... ever since Broo used that graphic with the boxer shorts flying out of the sports locker for his "Sports in your Shorts" segment I've had no respect for him)
Popo (Reporter, he and Joe Webb were the two best storytellers in the market, can't imagine that's changed in 13 years.)

Non-Niners who deserve honorable mention: John London, Jeff Hirsch, Kit Andrews, Lisa Cooney (The new kid when I was there) and I know she's gone but she was underrated: Norma Rashid.

I hope you are wrong about the Black Donnellys but I'll really be bummed if "Studio 60" goes. What do you see in that show's future?

 
at 3/15/2007 8:45 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, I remember Barbara Cain and she's still HOT!!! I saw her recently speaking at an XU event. She was definitely one of the best anchors in this market when she was on TV. Cincinnati Television never seems to keep good talent. My final four choices: Clyde Gray and Barbara Cain, George Vogel and Steve Raleigh. The line up needs to include a couple of reporters. My choices are John Materese and John London. Each person I listed has distinctive style, flair and personality not like most of the inexperienced stuffed shirts and skirts on Cincinnati TV today.

 
at 3/16/2007 10:42 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

It all starts and ends with Tanya O'Rourke! But if I have to pick others...

Cammie Dierking, Dan Carroll (he should really be on more on Fox 19), Steve Horstmeyer, Lisa Cornwell.

There would be no traffic reports because I don't like the cheesy pac man graphics and the two guys who really amuse themselves! But we would have space for Denise Johnson.

Ciao!

 
at 3/18/2007 12:11 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

News team: Clyde Gray & Sheila Gray
(Think of the promo: Gray and Gray will brighten your day!)

Weather: Tim Hedrick
(I guess because he's been around so long)

Sports: Ken Broo
(Always gets a laugh out of me and I thought the shorts in the locker bit was pretty funny)

Reporter: Jeff Hirsch
(Nobody better at his job)

 
at 3/18/2007 12:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

News - Paula Toti & Clyde Gray
Sports - Brad Johansen
Weather - Michelle Boutilette

 
at 3/19/2007 12:48 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This a tough one, because there are a lot of good anchors we had here at one time that I'd like to see back on the air...but for the current crop

News has to be Tricia Macke and Jack Atherton. They've worked well for a long time. Weather, I'd go with Tim Hedrick. I just trust him. Sports, I like Popo on the Saturday night high school show but on newscasts my choice is Ken Broo, direct and doesn't take himself seriously.

 
at 3/21/2007 1:18 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Best:
---News: Tricia Macke/Jack Atherton
---Weather: Derek Beasley
---Sports: John Popovich
______________
The Not so Goods:
---News: No real bad ones
---Weather: Valerie Abati--very attractive but a whiner
---Sports: Tara Pachmeyer--needs more seasoning in the minor leagues.

 
at 3/21/2007 6:33 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

"eneg" for your "Not So Goods" here goes a few honorable mentions:

Regina Russo
Anna Townsend
John Lomax
Kit Andrews
Rob Williams
Dayna Eubanks
Courtis Fuller
Tanya O'Rourke
and, Rob Braun, but he's tolerable

Sorry, I'm just not a fan of the anchors here in Cincinnati. They're either too fake, stutter too much, gasp for air too much, or are just not good.

 
at 3/22/2007 3:19 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

David Rose, Tricia Macke, Steve Horstmeyer, Dennis Janson....

 
at 3/23/2007 2:39 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The best in town: Atherton and Macke...no doubt. Vogel for sports and Hedrick for weather.

Second team: Rose and Nero. Janson sports and Horstmeyer weather.

Third team: Cammy and Clyde. Cornwell sports and Gumm or Creighton weather.

Also Good: Ali, Cooney and Dykes, Braun and Andrews.

WORST: Carol Williams: seems very cold

Paul Horton: Just not a fan of his.

The traffic dudes: (Scalia and Herzog) they seem so immature.

The rest are just ok.

 
at 3/24/2007 3:06 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's sad is that there aren't many anchors in this town who can approach what TV in Cincinnati was like even ten years ago.

I'd have to pick Dave Wagner and Sheila Gray, simply because they can read the news with some sort of believability and personality.

I'm not a huge sports fan but I switch to channel 5 for Broo. The rest of the sporties do nothing for me. Ken always says a few things each night that make me laugh.

Tim Hedrick has always been my first choice for weather.

 
at 3/27/2007 10:30 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

News: Tricia Macke and tanya O'Rourke

Weather: Michelle Boutillette

Weather Honorable mention: Valerie Abati

Sports: Vacant (perhaps Michelle could fill in)

 
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