A Big Night for Fake News at the Emmys

While the Emmys broadcast was the perfect sleeping pill for FTVLive, it was a big night for fake news. 

ACN's (fake network) Will McAvoy (fake anchor) took home the Emmy for best actor in a drama. McAvoy's is of course the role played by Jeff Daniels on HBO’s “Newsroom.”

Also winning an Emmy, "The Colbert Report.” The show won twice, outstanding variety series and outstanding writing for variety series.

Those awards had been owned by "The Daily Show" over the last decade.  It was good to see Colbert and his team get some props. 

Former Houston Met to Seattle

Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Mary Lee broke the news to her Tweeter followers last week that she has a new gig in Seattle.

"I'm so excited to join the amazing KING 5 team in Seattle as their newest meteorologist," Lee told mikemcguff.com. "My parents now live in the Seattle area, so I'm really happy to finally live closer to my family."

Her first day at KING 5 is September 30th.

Expanding the News in Springfield

Well Homer Simpson should be happy. 

Changes are on the way in the Springfield, IL TV news scene, with new staffers to be hired and an increase in programming.

Tim Mathis, general manager of WICS-TV and WRSP-TV in Springfield and WBUI-TV, a CW affiliate licensed to Decatur, said the public will be better served by having more hours of news generated locally.

A 30-minute newscast at 9 p.m. weekdays on WRSP will be expanded to an hour as of Oct. 7, Mathis said. And Katie McManus Faye, executive news director said a new reporter, producer and director will be hired for the show. The WRSP news originates from the WICS studio in Springfield.

An open anchor position, with the departure of Marianne Manko, who is now with WAND-TV in Decatur, also will be filled, McManus Faye said. That person will accompany WICS anchor Vince DeMentri on WICS newscasts at 5 and 6 p.m., McManus Faye said. The new person also will anchor the 9 p.m. news on WRSP.

H/T State Journal Register  

The Top 5 Most Popular Stories on FTVLive This Week

FTVLive wraps up another week of record traffic to the site. It's that time of the week, where we like to look back and see which stories you guys clicked on the most. 

Here are the Top 5 most popular stories for the week. 

No. 5 -  CRYSTAL EGGER TO RESURFACE AT KNBC

No. 4 - EVERYONE IS A WINNER AT FOX NEWS

No. 3 -  BUYING THE IPHONE 5S LIVE BLOG

No. 2 -  CAR CHASE ENDS IN HORRIFIC CRASH LIVE ON THE AIR

And the No. 1 most popular story this week was: IT'S NOT THE PICTURE YOU WANT THE NEWS DIRECTOR TO SEE

Miami Met Injured in Redbull Flugtag Accident

Redbull held a number of Flugtag events around the country yesterday, including one in Miami. 

The Flugtag is where people make homemade "airplanes" and then jump off a cliff and see how far they will fly. 

WFOR meteorologist Craig Setzer participated in the Miami Flugtag event and it didn't go quite as planned.

He Tweeted a picture of his team's contraption complete with the Channel 4 tail.

The next picture shows him in a next brace on a stretcher with the caption "Well it didn't go as well as I had hoped" (Ya think?)

He ended the night with this tweet. No word on how long he has to wear the helmet.

Speculation Begins in SoFlo

Today is Dave Boylan's last day as V.P and General Manager of WPLG TV in Miami. Employees are going to gather at 2:30 to say good bye and pay tribute with cake (there's always cake)

"It's a very sad day. Boylan was always fair, honest and his door was always open. He took this TV station to the next level. He's the man behind this beautiful all digital facility. He was a very hands on G.M.," said one staffer to FTVLive.

 Speculation is flying through the building on who will be named new G.M.

 Sources say Bob Ellis, V.P. and General Manager of WJXT in Jacksonville is the top choice, but his family may not want to leave the 'first coast."

Other names that have popped up, WPLG Business Manager Jaime Leon, WPLG News Director Bill Pohovey (God help the station if that happens) and former Weather Channel V.P. Helen Swensen. 

Let the rampant rumors and speculation begin.  

Short Retirement

Back in March, FTVLive told you that WWL (New Orleans) Anchor Angela Hill was retiring. Well she must be bored with retirement already, because she is returning to work.

This time, it's on the radio.  

WWL Talk Radio says that starting September 30, Hill will be doing the 1-4pm slot on the station. 

"It doesn’t get any bigger than this," ENTERCOM NEW ORLEANS VP/GM CHRIS CLAUS said.  “Not only is ANGELA a household name, she’s one of the most respected, popular and beloved personalities in NEW ORLEANS and the GULF SOUTH."

HILL, who retired from WWL TV earlier this year, said, "I am sure people are asking, ‘what happened to retirement?’ I always said I was looking for the next chapter of my life.  This is a natural fit, it’s in the city I love and talking with the people I love.  I’ll have the opportunity to get to know my community better, and they’ll get to know me better,

"Radio allows you to connect with and engage people on a more personal level," she continued. "When you add the power and reach of WWL radio, we can do great things. My show will be engaging, fun and attract big time guests that will keep the DEEP SOUTH talking.  The sky’s the limit.”  

Hmmmmm...makes you wonder if that TV retirement was more like a push? 

H/T AllAccess 

Happy Birthday Robin

One year ago Today, Robin Roberts was not worried about getting her hands on the new iPhone.

The Good Morning America Anchor was undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Today GMA celebrated her "birthday" in style.

Roberts has been a true inspiration to many in the past year.  

Fox News Channel's No Pants Rule

Did Gretchen Carlson say a little bit more than she should have on Brian Kilmeade’s radio show.

 The former Fox and Friend's anchor was on Kilmeade's show on Thursday and she was wearing jeans.

Carlson said her former gig as a co-host of the network’s popular morning show had a strict dress code, as “pants were not allowed on Fox & Friends.”

“Guess who just walked in? If you’re watching, if you have the podcast, Gretchen Carlson’s in, dressed casual kind of. Very nice,” Kilmeade said.

“Wait a minute,” Carlson said. “Nobody’s going to recognize me because not only am I dressed casually, I have on pants.”

Carlson then added, “now, pants were not allowed on Fox & Friends, remember?”

Fox News has not commented on Carlson's comments about a dress code.  

Maybe that's why Shepard Smith no longer is going to anchor a show at 7PM? 

H/T Politico

Buying the IPhone 5S Live Blog

You might  want to sit down for this one. I'm sitting in line waiting to buy an Apple iPhone 5s. I will be live blogging the  nail biting excitement right here.  To read the live blog, start at the bottom and work your way up. 

Here we go: 

9:36am: I'm the proud Dad of a new iPhone 5S! Heading back to the FTVLive World HQ. updates will be made when I get back.  

9:09am: I'm 6 people away from adopting my new baby! I hope it's a girl. Ill name her siri!

8:47am: Photog from Action News just jumped the line! He's now getting an iPhone without waiting in line! I will never watch that station again.  

8:41am: I'm inside the store!  Woo hoo! 

 8:30am: WJXT reporter is done with her shot and got in her car and left. Photog is stuck breaking down everything.  Fucking Reporters! 

8:26am: WJXT reporter has lost her phone. While covering the iPhone event. Oh... The irony.  

8:22am: WJXT reporter is going to interview the guy in front of me. She told him  pretend I'm just going to walk up on you. What?! Staging the news are we? 

8:19am: As the sun has come up I can't see my screen. I'm blind!!! 

8:17am: Someone e-mailed me and asked how I'm doing updates? I'm on an iPad Mini posting updates while standing and walking half a mile an hour. Good thing I'm not chewing gum as well. 

8:13am One of the news photographers is bitching about  standing with the camera. Dude... Back in my day I was slinging a TK76 and a deck. Google it kids.  

8:11am: The Line is moving faster than I thought. I might get in the store before dinner.  

8:04am My aching back!  

8:00am:  The store is open! I might see the front door in a hour or two. 

7:55am: Reporter is strutting around with his IFB hanging out of his ear. Oooooo! 

7:48am: Guys are comparing the size of their phones. The girls are telling the guys that size doesn't matter. I think they are still talking about phones.  

7:44am: I was told that my black phone will be "space gray"...my bad

7:32am: Store opens in half an hour. I'm sure I'm like still 2 or 3 hours from getting in.  

7::22am: Some guy just tried to cut in line. You never seen nerds get this pissed since the Harry Potter movie premier.  

7:12am: Well..... not getting the gold  iPhone. Guy from the Apple store just came out and said they only have 20. Damn.... Going with the black one.  

7:08am  : Jacksonville's Action News live news truck just showed up. Fucking media!!!

7:05am The homeless  guy is talking to his imaginary friend. I wonder why he needs a phone?  

7:03am: The sun is up, just figured out stinky is a girl.  

6:56am: Mall security is here!!! We're all safe now. 

6:48am: Damn! Stinky is also a smoker!  

6:45am: You haven't lived until you see  the sun rise over the Dick's sporting goods store.  

6:40am: If I have to pee, I'm going to have to ask stinky to save my spot. I knew ice tea was a bad choice.  

6:36am: Some guy from a local radio station wanted to interview me inline. I said "no thanks". Fucking Media ! 

6:32am:  Want to see my office for the next few hours. Check my Twitter at www.twitter.com/ftvlive 

6:26am: I think the last time the guy next to me took a shower was during the Nixon administration. Hell the homeless guy smelled better.  

6:16am: A homeless  guy just asked why people are standing inline for apples. We explain to him it's for a phone. He ask "is everyone in line getting a free phone?" We say yep... He takes a spot at the end of the line.  

 5:59am: I am in line and standing behind about 100 people. Oh boy! 

 

I'm in Line for the new iPhone 5S

A quick programming note for all the awesome FTVLive visitors.

You're not seeing very much new material this morning, because I am standing in line at the Apple Store trying to get my hands on the new iPhone 5S. 

I woke up very early this morning to make the 45 minute trek to the Apple Store to wait in line.

Once I get to the store I will will live blog the event using my iPad. If you don't see a live blog above this post, then something didn't quite work out the way I planned. My iPad app will not let me post pictures to FTVLive remotely, but I will be doing that on the FTVLive Twitter Feed. 

Once I have my iPhone I will be making updates to FTVLive.  

Right now....TGIIFSF!!

Thank God it's IPhone 5S Friday!

Former ABC Correspondent Guilty of Vehicular Homicide

Former longtime ABC News correspondent Robert Zelnick was found guilty of negligent vehicular homicide and sentenced to three years of probation this week, according to the Plymouth District Attorney’s office.

Boston.com writes that on the afternoon of Oct. 7, 2011, Zelnick, 73, of Brookline, turned his sport utility vehicle at the intersection of Route 3 and Clark Road in Plymouth into the path of a motorcycle driven by Brendan M. Kennedy, 26, of Plymouth, who was unable to stop before crashing into the vehicle and died from his injuries, authorities have said.

Zelnick was found guilty in Plymouth District Court on Tuesday of the misdemeanor vehicular homicide charge and was found responsible for the civil infraction of failing to yield, assistant district attorney Bridget Norton Middleton said.

In addition to the probation sentence, a judge also ordered Zelnick not to drive and to write an apology letter to Kennedy’s family, according to Zelnick’s lawyer, Raffi Yessayan.

Zelnick, a regular at the Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, knew Kennedy, who worked at the Easy Bay Grille, a restaurant at the golf club, Yessayan said.

When the accident occurred, Zelnick was just leaving the restaurant, which he visited after playing a round of golf at the course. Kennedy was on his way to work at the restaurant.

“The whole thing was just tragic,” Yessayan said. “For Mr. Zelnick and his family, it’s really destroyed them, but it’s nothing in comparison to what happened to the Kennedy family. The Zelnick family’s hearts go out to the Kennedy family. They hope that someday they will be able to go on.”

Yessayan said that Zelnick, who is in declining health and who had his license revoked immediately after being charged, has not driven since the incident and will not drive again.

The attorney said that Zelnick was not speeding or under the influence of any substances at the time of the accident, but was found to be negligent because, “given his health condition at the time, he should not have been operating a vehicle.”

Yessayan declined to comment on Zelnick’s condition.

In a prior interview with the Globe, Zelnick acknowledged he has Parkinson’s disease, but said it “absolutely in no way’’ impairs his driving ability.

TV News Pet Peeves

The Milwaukee Journal's TV Critic Duane Dudek has a number of pet peeves when his watching the newscasts.

Dudek writes that an increasingly common one arose this week in coverage of the shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., when local and national reporters repeatedly called the gunman "the shooter." I get it: He shot, therefore he is a shooter. But doesn't a word that can be used to describe a throw of the dice in Las Vegas or a basketball player in this context make a tragic crime scene sound like a video-game scenario? If he is the shooter, are the victims just targets?

I'm just getting started. Here are some other ear-of-the-beholder, news-I-can't-use peeves, suitable for petting.

Pump Patrol: Let me see if I understand this correctly — I should waste gas driving across town to save a few pennies when I buy more gas?

Traffic reports: Thanks, but if I'm watching, I'm already home.

Handoffs: Scripted back-and-forth transitions in which one studio anchor reads one sentence and another studio anchor reads the next sentence, and so on. This dramatic device gives the impression of a performance being given.

Using a newscast I'm watching to tease a story in an upcoming newscast I won't be watching. If there's time to promote it, there's time to report it.

"Breaking news" ad nauseam: If everything is breaking news, nothing is.

Body language: Anchors tripping the news fantastic with a fluttering of fingers, bobbing of heads, shrugging of shoulders and raised eyebrows. This newscast is brought to you by Busby Berkeley.

Music in news stories: Filmmakers use music to manipulate your emotions. Music serves a similar purpose in feature news stories and doesn't belong there. Too, music in stories, kinetic promos, bumpers and introductions: Just make anchors in the studio sound flat and dull, and other news less urgent by comparison.

Self-promotion when reporting: "(Station's call letters) was there when..."

Saying "reached out" instead of called, asked or tried to contact.

Using the word "cop," whose definition reads: See police officer. There is never a grammarian around when you need one.

Casual use of the word "history": Aaron Rodgers did not make history last week when he threw for 480 yards. The Civil War is history.

It could have been worse

We told you about BBC anchor Simon McCoy was introducing a story about privately run drunk tanks while holding what appeared to be a heavy ream of photocopier paper (picture above). 

The network said that the anchor meant to grab his iPad, but ended up with the package of paper instead.  

Thanks to the Photoshop talents of people, we see it could have been so much worse:

CBS to Pull Plug on 60 Minutes

CBS is going to pull the plug on 60 minutes...ok it's only for this week, but it's still a rare happening. 

The network announced this morning it is going to pre-empt 60 Minutes this Sunday for NFL football and the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.

CBS figures that dumping the news magazine will give the network its best chance for starting the Emmy broadcast on time.

The late NFL games now have a 4:25PM start time and CBS felt there is no way they could fit 60 Minutes between the football and the Emmys.  

The Emmy's might come out of this as the big winner. It's more than likely the NFL will give the awards show a huge lead in number.

Which of course it will lose very quickly.