A TV firing, radio, and other short takes
Who cares about local media?: I’ve been following the aftermath
of the firing of Mark Mester from the KTLA Morning News. He went off script a few
weekends ago, chastising his employer for not allowing his departing weekend co-anchor,
Lynette Romero, to offer viewers a “proper farewell.” Social media has been burning
with comments about how KTLA managed (mismanaged?) Romero’s farewell, with the
hashtag #boycottktla seen repeatedly.
The Los Angeles Times has written several detailed stories
about Mester’s dismissal to Romero’s hiring at KNBC because apparently there’s
great interest in the story. It has even been mentioned in People magazine and NBC's Today show.
We’re told repeatedly no one cares for local media,
particularly the traditional platforms of TV and radio. If I extrapolate what
happened at KTLA, there’s still great interest in local talent and the local airwaves. With radio, the current mantra is the audience doesn’t care where a personality is working
from, justifying hubs and tracking. Maybe, just maybe, the audience does really
care who’s on their local dial. But does radio still care?
WAVEing farewell: There was quite the gathering for Pat Prescott, hanging up her headphones
after 21 years on 94.7 The WAVE (KTWV). During a live broadcast on her last
day, September 30, many called in with tributes, including Stevie Wonder, who
checked in to offer a live rendition of his song “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”
Prescott’s former co-host, Dave Koz,
posted on social media his tribute to his former morning co-host:
Bittersweet for sure,
cus we ALL love waking up to her voice…but after over 20 years on @947thewave the amazing
@prescott947 (Pat Prescott) has her final day on the air tmrw (Fri). I love and
adore this woman. Not only was she an incredible radio partner for 6yrs, but I
learned everything I know from her, and she has become my beloved sister. And
now, Pat can finally hit the snooze button and get some real rest!! Haha.
Congrats, PP on an EPIC radio run (NYC and LA) and here’s to your future! I
love you, DK.
After graduating from Northwestern University, Prescott left
a career as a middle school teacher and headed to New Orleans to work at WNOE.
Before long, she landed in New York City spinning jazz records at WRVR. Prescott
would later join legendary talent Frankie
Crocker at WBLS-FM, then becoming public affairs director and news anchor
at WLIB. She was heard nationally on The National Black News Network while
doing mornings at jazz CD 101.9 (WQCD). The multitalented Prescott performed in
the off-Broadway production of Vy Higginsen’s “Mama, I Want to Sing.” She also
was the voice of “Night Flight,” a late-night weekend show about music, culture,
and arts offered on the USA Network.
In 2001, then WAVE morning host Koz convinced Prescott to move from snowy New York to sunny SoCal,
co-hosting with the saxophonist for six years. After Koz, Prescott was teamed
up with singer and songwriter Brian McKnight before
she eventually became the solo morning host.
Prescott also used her background in news and public affairs
to produce and host “Making Waves,” the annual tribute to Black History Month
on The WAVE. She also created a 20-part series entitled “Justice Now,” in response
to the death of George Floyd. Prescott is still on the air in the New York
market as she also hosts "Favorite Things" on public radio station
WBGO-Newark (New Jersey) and can be heard locally via the station’s stream.
WAVEing to a new neighborhood:
Succeeding Pat Prescott will be former Power 106 (KPWR) morning team member
Liz Hernandez for the 6 a.m. to noon
shift on the WAVE. Audacy provided the following announcement:
Audacy welcomes Liz
Hernandez as morning show host for 94.7 The Wave (KTWV-FM) in Los Angeles.
Beginning October 3rd, Hernandez will be heard weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. PT.
“Liz’s familiarity and
history with Southern California make her a perfect fit to take the reins of
The Wave’s morning drive,” said Jeff
Federman, Regional President, Audacy Southern California. “We’re certain
she will deliver a fresh, dynamic morning show that resonates with the Wave’s
community.”
“This truly is a
homecoming to my first love, radio, and what better way than with a morning
show at The Wave,” said Hernandez. “I am incredibly proud to be a Latina in
this space and to represent my culture and community, and grateful for the
opportunity to be a voice for the beautiful people of Los Angeles. I am excited
to bring my energy and years of experience and to continue to celebrate this
amazing city.”
Hernandez is a Mexican
American Emmy-nominated television personality, broadcaster, and journalist. As
a SoCal native, Hernandez started her entertainment career as a radio host on
the Power 106 FM nationally syndicated show, “Big Boy’s Neighborhood.” After
hosting for 10 years, she moved on to television entertainment news as a host
and correspondent for Access Hollywood, E! News, and MTV. Her career has been
built on storytelling and the power of words.
She continues to
connect with community as the Founder and Creator of WORDAFUL, a video and live
event series that focuses on the importance of how we communicate with others
and ourselves.
Then known as “Luscious Liz,” Hernandez provided news headlines
for Power 106’s morning show, then led by
Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander. She later co-hosted mornings at 104.3 MyFM (KBIG)
in 2013 while adding her TV duties.
And baby makes…ten?: Speaking of Power 106, their midday host Nick Cannon announced the birth of his tenth child, Rise Messiah Cannon. This is his third child with model Brittany Bell. Two weeks earlier, Cannon welcomed his ninth child with model Lanisha Cole, a daughter named Onyx. Canon offered the following on Instagram: "All I can do is thank God and continue to ask the Most High to order my steps. He has given me stewardship and dominion over a family dynamic that to some is unimaginable."
Pujols, baseball, and a broadcast tradition: When I had the privilege of interviewing the late (sigh) Vin Scully a few years ago, he was primarily broadcasting games on Spectrum TV. He nonetheless described he still had great affection for “painting a picture” of the game on the radio.
A few weeks ago, St. Louis Cardinal infielder Albert Pujols became
only the fourth player to hit 700 home runs. Dan McLaughlin, who normally calls
the games on TV’s Bally Sports Midwest, had the day off as the game was
broadcast nationally on Apple TV. KMOX radio invited McLaughlin into the radio
booth. Pujols was sitting on 699 home runs. It was McLaughlin’s turn in the
fourth inning to take over the mic, yet McLaughlin deferred to the team’s longtime radio
play-by-play announcer John Rooney, well known to baseball fans from his work
with CBS Radio. It was the right thing to do. It also reminded me of how wonderful baseball is on the radio. Read about and hear the call here,
courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Coming up: Dick Helton is
retiring later this month after 24 years at KNX. We’ve scheduled an interview
with the station’s morning anchor and political reporter. Stay tuned.
We’re happy to let you know when we update the blog. Send
your email address to ayodaradio@gmail.com.
Your information will be kept confidential and never sold. Which is why I won’t
be retiring anytime soon.
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