Pushed Out in Chicago
WMAQ has parted ways with Wayne Johnson, their twice-weekly lifestyle segment contributor. Johnson had been with the station for nine years.
Johnson first gained notoriety in April 2004. That year, NBC Television's "Today" show held a national contest to find "Today's Domestic Diva." Over 3,000 women sent in videos of themselves working in the kitchen and around the house, trying to win the contest. However, it was Johnson, the lone male contestant, that won.
He parlayed that into a longtime gig at WMAQ but the station has now dumped him.
He broke the news on Facebook:
"Today marks the 11 year anniversary of my Today Show experience and, sadly, my departure from WMAQ NBC 5. Got a call yesterday from the news director saying they are moving in a different direction and my segments wouldn't be needed anymore in their current form. Bittersweet day."