Where are they now?
Today, we feature former WYOU anchorman Rex Hodge.
After longtime anchor Derry Bird left WYOU, station management was in a bind. Who would they pair up with Penny Lindgren? Their answer was Rex Hodge, who came to Scranton from WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, Va. His career also included stops at WTLV-TV in Jacksonville, Fla. and KOMU-TV in Columbia, Mo.
Hodge jumped into the anchor chair in 2000, and things really didn't work out. Former Times-Tribune TV writer Rich Mates said Hodge "was never a good fit" and did nothing but anchor. Turning down a contract renewal, he left WYOU in 2001.
Hodge headed back to Virginia and hosted/produced "Virginia Tonight," a public affairs program on PBS affiliate WVPT-TV. The show was successful, but a lack of funding shuttered the show in 2004.
Where is he now? As best as I can tell, Hodge is no longer in broadcasting. But if you know what he's doing now, please drop me a line.
After longtime anchor Derry Bird left WYOU, station management was in a bind. Who would they pair up with Penny Lindgren? Their answer was Rex Hodge, who came to Scranton from WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, Va. His career also included stops at WTLV-TV in Jacksonville, Fla. and KOMU-TV in Columbia, Mo.Hodge jumped into the anchor chair in 2000, and things really didn't work out. Former Times-Tribune TV writer Rich Mates said Hodge "was never a good fit" and did nothing but anchor. Turning down a contract renewal, he left WYOU in 2001.
Hodge headed back to Virginia and hosted/produced "Virginia Tonight," a public affairs program on PBS affiliate WVPT-TV. The show was successful, but a lack of funding shuttered the show in 2004.
Where is he now? As best as I can tell, Hodge is no longer in broadcasting. But if you know what he's doing now, please drop me a line.
posted by Howard Beale at 2:14 PM
6 Comments:
An amazing memory of Rex. It was the morning of 9/11, he'd been called in, as were all personnel on South Franklin. The world, our world, was in utter chaos, things would never be the same again. Everyone within the building was stunned, scared, and about ready to vomit. Rex, by golly, wanted to corner anyone he could and talk about the crappy hand he'd been dealt by Zobel. My thought was; this guy has to be the very definition of self-absorbed, and in a huge way. Oh, yes, he was dealt a crappy hand, he didn't turn down a thing, he was told to beat it, as were so many other staffers, especially WYOU people.
Just wanted to say, he from WVIR in Charlottesville, VA, not N.C.
Found some old tapes that I had, that actually came from his last broadcasts on WYOU.
I made the first post here, and in all fairness wanted to say that Rex was a decent, gentle, and civil individual. The poor guy was "Zobel-ized" like so, so many others.
And probably unknown to most, he was one heck of a ballroom dancer, no kidding. I am sure his time spent in NE PA is a morbidly dark time of his life.
Correct, he didn't turn down another contract. He was told to leave, as was Derry Bird and many others. WYOU/WBRE is NOT a good place for anyone to work. Rex was a good reporter and took his job seriously and professionally.
Rex I thought the most substantial anchors WYOU has had in a long time. He has a list of credentials longer than santas christmas list and participated actively in the community. I spotted once or twice at the annual Lupus Loop, just to run, not to report. Him being an icon in the community was never his goal, like so many others around the wyoming valley. He is just a dedicated BROADCAST journalist dedicated to the art; not a celebrity
Rex hasn't left broadcasting. He left WTXL in Tallahassee, FL only about 6 months ago.
Once again, he got screwed by management.
Post a Comment
<< Home