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Channel 2 News Changes Look, Tries to be Less Crappy
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
I've been subjecting myself to Channel 2's late newscast for the past couple weeks in an attempt to get a feel for why they just can't seem to get many people to watch them. What I saw was a completely adequate, unremarkable newscast.
Very little personality, very little attitude, nothing that jumps out and distinguishes itself from other newscasts (Pam Zekman could be the exception here, except that her profile is way too low when you consider how long she's been in the market and the high quality of her work. There must be some reason why her profile doesn't just jump out at you, but I can't tell).
David Kerley and Tracy Townsend are fine.
That's just it--fine. They don't seem to have much chemistry together, so they put out a straight-forward, technically proficient newscast. The kind of newscast that would probably get big ratings in mid-sized TV markets like Milwaukee or Kansas City. Unfortunately, they chose to put the newscast on in Chicago, where the viewers want distinctive newscasts, hard-nosed reporting and journalists of seemingly mythic proportions.
The Channel 2 news is like cotton candy--there one minute, gone the next and the memory quickly fades.
I can't imagine the current incarnation is a finished product, but I get the distinct feeling that someone at the network is calling the shots-someone who just doesn't get that Chicago isn't like any other news market. Channel 2's News Director came from a cable news channel in Orlando, but also worked in Los Angeles-both for Tribune Broadcasting. As I watched the Channel 2 late news, it felt like WGN's newscast felt like-five years ago. It felt safe, uncomplicated, bland & comfy. It felt "Beige."
The mood is set by the low-key, indistinct music package the station now uses. I am stunned at how boring it is. If channel 2 wanted to really make a push to connect with the Chicago news viewer, the first thing they need to do is resurrect the most distinct news theme in Chicago - the WBBM news theme from the late 70's - early 80's Jacobson/Kurtis era. Check it out at the Chicago TV News Themes page at: http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/7612/chicago.html and tell me if I'm wrong. When those prominent 10-notes blare, you know you're in for a strong newscast. CBS owns the copyright to the music package, so the only reason I can figure it hasn't resurfaced is that too many people making decisions don't understand the history of Chicago TV news.
The graphics package is okay. They have a new logo and color scheme that seems fine. The only problem with the logo is that their mic flags are gigantic! I bet the reporters need to do dumbbell curls on a daily basis in order to keep their strength so they can hold those microphones and massive logo flags with one hand. Kudos to Channel 2's V.P. of arm strength and conditioning!
Animated graphics now tell us that we are watching the "Top Story" or that what we will see next is "Live". This begs the question-will there be animated graphics to tell us that we are watching the "Fluff Story" or that what we will see next is a "Video Press Release"? Only time will tell...
Their new slogan "CBS2 Works for You" is another trite saying that says to me, "We are telling you that we work for you instead of showing you".
I took a look at the September 11-14 ratings and found that Channel 2 was in a distant 3rd place-with less than 1/2 the audience of 2nd place Channel 5. On Tuesday the 11th, Channel 2 finished in 4th place behind channel 9 and just slightly ahead of Channel 32. If they were smart, channel 2 would put a couple of grizzled veteran reporters behind the desk (Mike Parker and Mike Flannery for example), copy the old "newsroom" set from the 70's, bring back the old theme and re-launch "THE 10 O'Clock News".
Da-da-da-da-daaaaa...da-da-da-da-da!
Who Writes Those News Briefs?
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
I read the "Metro Briefs" in last Wednesday's Sun-Times and had to ask: who writes those little paragraphs and how much does that internship pay?
The story "Ald. Allen considers run for Congress" talked about 38th ward Alderman Tom Allen exploring the possibility of running for Rod Blagojevich's Congressional seat. The article says "Allen is known as an outspoken, no-nonsense Transportation Committee chairman who's been a point man in the drive to improve taxicab service in Chicago."
I lived in the 38th ward until last year and I've always pegged Tom Allen as a Richie Daley cronie with virtually no opinions of his own and a personality to match. I do believe that Allen was originally appointed Alderman by Daley when Tom Cullerton died after holding the ward office for what seemed like an eternity. While working an election a couple years ago, I was told that the person who pulls the strings is actually Cullerton's daughter, who herself had the baton passed to her by her mother.
Yeah, machine politics is a thing of the past...
The taxicab crusade is obviously a Daley issue handed to Allen. The most vocal person in the taxicab crusade is Caroline Schoenberger, who constantly gets the press while Allen may get a mention once out of 10 times. Oh, and that year I worked the election, the Transportation Committee chairman saw to it that our alleys got resurfaced. We had horrid streets, but I guess that was the year our Ward got the shaft on Street resurfacing. Instead, I watched money wasted resurfacing alleys. Yeah, no-nonsense.
As a resident of the 38th ward, I knew Allen as a Daley puppet who stayed in the background and toed the line. I don't know this no-nonsense guy the Sun-Times wrote about.
Studs and Steve Neal
By A READER NAMED CHUCK
So, you don't think Steve Neal's diatribe has anything to do with professional jealousy? Are you new in town?
Neal calls Terkel "a noted tape recordist". Obviously, that's intended as an insult but comes off as embarrassing.
What Steve means is "Pulitzer Prize winning oral historian whose books are favorably reviewed in the world's top publications and which have sold a gazillion more copies than mine."
Did you happen to notice last weekend Steve Neal wrote blurbs and a review of his own book (about Ike and Truman) disguised as a column? I guess that, unlike Studs, getting endorsements of his work from people who will actually help him sell books isn't easy. I wonder why?
Apparently, the fact that Studs is seen (for all his eccentricities and rambling interviewee style) as a Chicago treasure bothers Neal. After all, Steve (according to his column) does "research" while Studs is "a tape recordist." Petty and absurd.
And what is the reference to Stalin in Neal's column about? Is Neal resurrecting the "Studs is a red" story? Someone wake Neal up and tell him that HUAC has been disbanded, so he'll have to get rid of Studs some other way.
I heard Studs on the radio the other morning and, yes, he tends to ramble, but I got his point and it wasn't "America is terrible" at all. Studs sees the USA as a great nation of great people and, therefore, he expects great things at all times. When America's leaders take the country in the wrong direction, in his opinion, he's disappointed. He still loves his country and to imply otherwise is a cheap shot.
When Studs was finished, despite the ramblings, I said to my wife "I would like to be that sharp when I'm his age." She said, "Not much chance of that. You're not that sharp now."
My God, the man's in his mid-80s, and still has a lot of energy. Yes, his ideas are delivered in a stream of consciousness but, so what? At least he has energy and ideas. What's Neal's excuse?
I like the idea of the Chicago Media Examiner. I look forward to the next edition.
Letters, I get letters...
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
I got a lot of e-mails about the last issue, which shocked me because I've actually written more controversial things than that.
Anyway.
I got a note from a Walter Jacobson supporter, defending his status as the Chicago anchor that actually gets out and does reporting once in a while. That is true, but my problem with the promo spot was that it portrays him as pounding the streets as a reporter when he's primarily an anchor, commentator and then a reporter. Let's get a spot on the air highlighting his biting commentary!
Lots of feedback about my slam of Studs Terkel. Apparently there's a little background between him and Steve Neal (see Michael Minor's Hot Type at: http://www.chireader.com/hottype/2001/010928_1.html for more information). Note the letter I received above that defended Studs. I got a few more in his defense, but the same amount of letters who agreed with me that this fascination with Terkel is perplexing. No one tried to explain to me why this guy is considered such a Chicago treasure.
A few people agreed with me about Peter Jennings and the perceived biases from ABC News. Some of those perceptions have been shot down (like the alleged slamming of President Bush) but some that have not are troubling. Doesn't matter to me...I've lost all respect for the man.
I got a few comments about my perceived far-right wing beliefs and supposed conservative leanings. In response, I'll say what I've been saying for years now-I'm neither Liberal nor Conservative-I'm a pragmatist. A friend tipped me off to The World's Smallest Political Quiz on the Libertarian Party web site ( http://www.lp.org ). I've been looking for a way to gauge where I fit in the geopolitical spectrum, and until I find a better way, this test seems fairly accurate...
I'm a moderate, though I lean closer to the right than the left.
A Personal Note:
It's been almost three weeks since the last issue, and I apologize for the delay.
I only received the one submission in that time, and it's taken me a long time to get back into the swing of things writing-wise after September 11th. I wrote a "Reality Check" column ( http://jfkrush.tripod.com/reality.htm ) on the 19th in the hope of jump-starting my brain but the truth is, since 9-11 I've not been able to organize my thoughts very well. I have a couple more essays about terrorism in my head, but the birthing process for those ideas has become very tough. I guess I'm blocked.
As always, I appreciate any submissions to the Examiner.
If anyone is interested in experiencing some of my comedy writing, My Second City Training Center class has put together a show that will run at 10pm on Friday Oct 12, 19 & 26th in Donny's Skybox Theater at Second City. If you enjoy the crap that SNL has been putting out, you won't be disappointed with our effort. For more information, check out our show flyer at: http://jfkrush.tripod.com/poster2.jpg
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Take a look at the previous issue: Monday, September 24
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Published weekly...or so--usually on Friday.
If you'd like to contribute, e-mail your article to the editor
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