WNEP news director heading to Harrisburg
Several tipsters report WNEP news director Dennis Fisher is leaving the station for the news director's job at Harrisburg ABC affiliate WHTM. Perhaps he doesn't want to stick around and wait to see what happens to WNEP under its new owners?(If you have a copy of the memo announcing Fisher's departure, please forward it to me.)
posted by Howard Beale at 9:33 PM
26 Comments:
Save some money: why bother to replace him? How hard can it be to say, "Let's do it exactly the way it's been done here for the last thirty years"?
That's how long it's been since "Newswatch 16" last showed any real innovation.
My prediction: Carl Abraham will be named ND, Ex Producer Dave Krisanda will either stay where he is or be moved to the Asst.ND position. If that doesn't happen with DK then there will be another push by long time employees to apply for the Asst. ND position.
Anyone want to guess at who would apply?
I predict a promotion of Bob Reynolds, which will allow for a new hire which lends itself to more tittering
They have a thread on Talkback 16 called "farewell Dennis"
What's Dennis Fisher like as a News Director?
Carl Abraham, Dave Krisanda, Bob Reynolds: Status Quo, Status Quo-er, and Omigod.
Outlasting everyone else has its rewards, I guess.
This could be Brandy Meng's next big break!
HA! I entered a talkback entry as mentioned above to see if it would be posted, which in no way I expected: "Congratulations and good luck in Harrisburg Mr. Fisher. WNEP will miss you, I hope WNEP keeps up the great job."
Apparently, Mark posted it, so WNEP isn't too tight-lipped about this move.
I thought for sure he'd land a job at Wikipedia.
Carl Abraham is an assignment editor (scanner monitor/crew dispatcher). Bob Reynolds-I don't think so. He is just not aggressive. Point in case: his delivery. Exciting as a wet fart. The trickle down effect would not be beneficial. Me says...
I've heard the guy is very shady, and should not be trusted. He's prbably going to be worse when he takes over at the Albritton station.
Did Dennis ever hire an official replacement for Kim Supon?
Did Dennis ever hire an official replacement for Kim Supon?
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Dennis has been looking at tapes and the job has been posted in the newsroom.
To the poster who mentioned Brandy as ND, God help us all, she can barely report unless it comes to the puff/fluff easy stories.
What ever became of the horribly unappealing Stephanie Thornton?
To the poster who mentioned Brandy as ND, God help us all, she can barely report unless it comes to the puff/fluff easy stories.
5:08 PM
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I've always stood in ahh of Brandy's talents. (Sorry, that's an inside joke.)
But she was a blonde, and that was good enough for Absher.
Fisher hired Brandie Meng. If I recall correctly, Absher was in charge before Fisher arrived and passed when Brandie applied for a job. Julie Sidoni was hired for the opening. So much for the blonde theory.
There's something strange about this thread. A News Director at the top rated station is leaving after four or five years and not much is said about him. Many of the comments deal with other people at WNEP. Has Dennis Fisher had no impact on Newswatch 16, good or bad? C'mon 16 people, what do you think?
Congrats to Dennis Fisher. There's something to be said for being the local ND with the lowest profile. They can't put the crosshairs on your forehead if they don't know who you are.
I say the thinking has come to be that WNEP pretty much runs itself, or in spite of itself, so it doesn't matter who the ND is. He/she will not make or break the place, their time here isn't a major factor, regardless of how well or crappy they do the job.
But now Dennis will have to actually do work. ABC 27 is the #2 station in that market. For most of the newscasts it's a distant #2. WGAL is as big, if not a bigger powerhouse in that market as 16 is in this one. Putting the news department on cruise control won't cut it there. And don't think he can do the same crappy stories/angels/gimics there that he and 16 get away with here. You've got to bring your "A" game if you want to even think about knocking off News 8 from their top spot they've held for over 30 years.
I just saw an ad for Fisher's replacement. The person must have ND experience. That rules out all the people mentioned here. Can anyone tell us who's been interviewed? Any chance Paul Stueber will get a third chance?
Here's my idea: bring Scott Schaffer in as ND. He'll need the extra money since he's getting married in April...we'll see.
You think Steph was "horribly unappealing"? Obviously you don't know her. She is one of the greatest around. Sounds like you have a personal problem with her.
Any chance Paul Stueber will get a third chance?
10:06 PM
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Third time's the charm? That may have worked for Joe Zone, but it wouldn't work for me: I don't have enough support under the blue roof.
But thanks for thinking of me, and thanks for spelling my name right.
I'm not going back to WNEP, I'm headed back to WBRE.
And I'm bringing Vince, Keith and Jim with me.
Paul,
Good to hear from you. What is the latest with you?
A former co-worker wants to know...
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