Apr 7, 2008

HOW GOOD IS SHE?



FLASH...more NEW letters!!!
YOU KIDS ARE SO INTO TV NEWS!
They are at the TOP of the list..check them out
and KEEP UM COMING!!





Answer is simple...the new morning anchor
on WBIR is already one of the best in
the city.






Lisa Cornwell has been on the air
how long now? If you are just coming
home from a two year religious pilgrimage you might
say she has been here, for well two years.

In a very short time not only has the woman instantly owned
the morning news she is more
comfortable on the air than all of her
cross town rivals. Her confidence and
forward reporting coupled with flawless
pronunciations of the local "oddities"
such as VONore and Oak Ridge have
transformed the shifting WBIR morning news
desk into a stable and very viewable product.

Another aspect of her talent jumped
off the LCD when the suits at WBIR
started using her in the sports
department. Her packages from the
basketball tournaments were as flawless
as her morning anchoring and her player
interviews far surpassed anything the Heart
station has had on the air in years.

Down side is this kind of talent never
stays very long, up side is she is here now
so lets enjoy her while we can!

As always YOUR opinions are welcome
as long as they agree with mine. KIDDING
this is NOT knoxviews.com. Really
whata think of Ms Cornwell?


WVLT isn't the only
place canning staff. Their
network CBS is trying to
cut corners big time

and YOU KNOW WHO

is
crying fifteen million Crock Drops over it! LOL

BOYHOWDY last week
more that a few had their claws out
concerning the wholesale firings
at WVLT. The letters not only
questioned the reasoning behind
them but one answered where
a few of the folks were now headed.

MAD folk always get the first
seat on the bus at this blog!



NEW THIS WEEK!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Lisa is very good. Obviously she does her research.

Glad to hear that Craig has found a new gig. I wish him and his wife the best.

Mike

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 5:38:00 AM EST
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do stations hide after the fire people? Why didn't 8 just release something about the reason?

If WATE had fired that many at once they would have said something but not a word out of 8?

Are they ashamed that they can make enough money to suport their staff or is it they just don't believe in admitting they hired to
many people in the first place?

Good that some of them who were fired and going to find work, they all should still be on Knoxville TV.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:18:00 AM EST
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The station itself makes money off the billing of CBS programming. The Gray company and the WVLT newscasts themselves... well... that is another story.

They can't even start their morning newscast at the same time as the other stations.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:25:00 AM EST
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous says,
Thanks, Walker, for keeping the blog alive and letting us rant.

You're right on about Lisa Cornwell's sports reporting. Excellent. She is better than the guys!

Rambling observations about Knoxville TV. The 8 talent never seemed to work as a group on air and it's no surprise the collection is being thinned. I quit watching Channel 6 with politico Gene and the botox queen a long time ago. That leaves the big dogs on the hill behind the Burger King. Channel 10 is blessed with shows that are packaged, unexciting, and sometimes driven by hyped up nothings as lead stories. Todd Howell seems to be a great guy but he could use a few more words in his vocabulary. Recently he said "good soaking rains" or words to that effect 3 times in about 30 seconds. Gully washer, downpour, drought breaker, good sleeping weather, or raining cats and dogs would have been more interesting choices.

Most days, Beth Haynes is calling it in from somewhere. Her out of town report from Atlanta, I think, was incredibly bad and lackluster. Kudos to the women on Style (Michelle and Moira) for getting it right. LeSaundra Brown is way under utilized on Channel 10 and Yvette Martinez is an up and coming star. It would be nice to see more of these exciting reporter/anchors instead of the boring white bread cut outs Channel 10 so highly values.

Watching predictable local news is passe. Get local news on the Internet in less than 5 minutes without hype and car commercials. The best broadcast is Brian Williams at 6:30pm on Channel 10.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 12:47:00 PM EST
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous says,
Thanks, Walker, for keeping the blog alive and letting us rant.

You're right on about Lisa Cornwell's sports reporting. Excellent. She is better than the guys!

Rambling observations about Knoxville TV. The 8 talent never seemed to work as a group on air and it's no surprise the collection is being thinned. I quit watching Channel 6 with politico Gene and the botox queen a long time ago. That leaves the big dogs on the hill behind the Burger King. Channel 10 is blessed with shows that are packaged, unexciting, and sometimes driven by hyped up nothings as lead stories. Todd Howell seems to be a great guy but he could use a few more words in his vocabulary. Recently he said "good soaking rains" or words to that effect 3 times in about 30 seconds. Gully washer, downpour, drought breaker, good sleeping weather, or raining cats and dogs would have been more interesting choices.

Most days, Beth Haynes is calling it in from somewhere. Her out of town report from Atlanta, I think, was incredibly bad and lackluster. Kudos to the women on Style (Michelle and Moira) for getting it right. LeSaundra Brown is way under utilized on Channel 10 and Yvette Martinez is an up and coming star. It would be nice to see more of these exciting reporter/anchors instead of the boring white bread cut outs Channel 10 so highly values.

Watching predictable local news is passe. Get local news on the Internet in less than 5 minutes without hype and car commercials. The best broadcast is Brian Williams at 6:30pm on Channel 10.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 12:47:00 PM EST




Here are the posts from
last week THANKS and keep them
coming!



Anonymous said...
Walker, I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your mother (judging from the picture) and offer full condolences. You only have one mother in life.

I understand the grieving process, but you should have let us know what was going on. I thought perhaps you had passed or had been hospitalized. I like this blog but I really thought it was destined for cyberdeath.

Whatever you can discover about Knoxville media and pass along to us is appreciated. Here are some questions:

Can you find out more about the Channel 8 massacre?

Is Six going to cut more people or separate itself from 43?

How has the overall management at 10 changed over the last few years, and why are they doubling up shifts for their talent? Do they pay their hosts that badly?

Heard anything about one of the for-profit FM stations in town switching to a Christian format?

Your thoughts on the talent available anymore and how Knoxville radio has changed for the good or bad for new talent.

Keep us updated on the gossip, and update your blog more often. We can't stir up trouble if you don't visit yourself.

Thursday, April 3, 2008 11:56:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
It is sad when someone of Craig's caliber is let go. He was genuinely a nice guy, and was very good on air.

His only drawback, apparently, is that he is not a cute blond.

Headscratchin'...

Friday, April 4, 2008 5:13:00 AM EST


Anonymous said...
WVLT was just over staffed. Problem is they fired the wrong ones.

That weekend goon...gordon something or other would have been the first to hit the door followed by the odd sports guy who has a broken jaw?


I remember Liz and thought it was wonderful she came back. I guess I will just go back to WBIR now.

Friday, April 4, 2008 11:04:00 AM EST


Anonymous said...
Went over to that WBIR thing and they were doing a contest on who was the best woman anchor. They only had their women listed.

I voted for the blond on 8.

Saturday, April 5, 2008 8:54:00 AM EST


Anonymous said...
And then there's that VERY YOUNG reporter for WVLT that sounds like a woman. With a little makeup and a nice wig, he'd probably look like one as well.

Saturday, April 5, 2008 5:50:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
Wow, Anon 11:04 --

What did I, or one of my sports co-workers, EVER do to you?

Suffice it to say, we're all hurting. We lost good people and friends. Craig and I have been friends since before some of our co-workers were even born.

We could ask what confluence of events determined who would be cut, when -- but what's done is done.

Dwell on hypotheticals, and they'll
eat you alive.

There but for grace, as they say,
it could have been any of us.

Jessa, Kim, Steve and Craig all are
good people. All will land quickly (Craig already has), and I hope, for the sake of our business, that all STAY in the business.

This business isn't what it was when I got in it 24 years ago.
It's not what it was even 5 years ago. It's tough to envision where you want your newsroom to be in five years when your stockholders and creditors demand answers for the next quarter.

Gannett, Young, et. al. all face
variations of the same challenges.

All you can do, is make sure you give it your best every day, embrace change (before it boa-constricts you) and keep your eyes and ears open.

Gordon Boyd

Sunday, April 6, 2008 11:54:00 AM EST


Anonymous said...
Local tv news has gone to the shitpot, especially on the weekends. And what's Channel 10's infatuation with female sports chicks? Our town's tv news is headed to Hoosierville apparently.

Sunday, April 6, 2008 5:26:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
Gordon,

Sorry to see your co-workers let go, but it's management's style these days to fire higher paid employees and replace them with young, inexperienced CHEAP talent. 'Cause after all, the bottom line is all that counts to them. People don't matter.

BTW, where did Craig get a new gig, if you don't mind to tell us?

Monday, April 7, 2008 4:43:00 AM EST


Anonymous said...
Gordon,

You are not very good but you do try and that is all anyone can ask at 8.

My question is after all the work they have tried to do and now that they are beating WATE why did the fire those who had such a big part in it?

People say WATE just beat themselves but WVLT did work hard and is doing much better than in the past. So again why fire those five who were all very good?

Former WVLT news viewer

Monday, April 7, 2008 12:03:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
If the contract isn't signed, it's close.

Craig's joining WZTV (Fox) in Nashville as weather anchor for its
new (or expanded, I'm not sure) morning show.

It'll be a reunion: Nick Paranjape
(Fox 43's original sports anchor) will be one of the co-anchors.

Craig and Liz are two of the classiest people I've ever met, period.

I'll miss them.
But hey, at least I'll have a place
to stay if I go over for a Predators game.

Gordon

Monday, April 7, 2008 12:16:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
Gordon I have no idea who is
mad at you but personally I will say you are one of if not the best anchor on 8 and they have some good ones now.

The guy on 10 started off bad and never got better, the two on WATE look very old and now that the afternoon guy is on in the morning on BIR their station is really in a slump.

Good luck to all those who 8 fired and best of luck to you!

Monday, April 7, 2008 12:47:00 PM EST


Anonymous said...
The new morning achor on 10 is great on sports. She is already the best in town!

Monday, April 7, 2008 6:51:00 PM EST


sammy said...
bring back sam brown's drunk ass!

Editor...HOLD ON! OK at times Sam
may have been an ASS but I never
knew him to imbibe!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

She is great and real!! Unlike Abby Ham-Sandwich.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Lisa is very good. Obviously she does her research.

Glad to hear that Craig has found a new gig. I wish him and his wife the best.

Mike

Anonymous said...

Why do stations hide after the fire people? Why didn't 8 just release something about the reason?

If WATE had fired that many at once they would have said something but not a word out of 8?

Are they ashamed that they can make enough money to suport their staff or is it they just don't believe in admitting they hired to
many people in the first place?

Good that some of them who were fired and going to find work, they all should still be on Knoxville TV.

Anonymous said...

The station itself makes money off the billing of CBS programming. The Gray company and the WVLT newscasts themselves... well... that is another story.

They can't even start their morning newscast at the same time as the other stations.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous says,
Thanks, Walker, for keeping the blog alive and letting us rant.

You're right on about Lisa Cornwell's sports reporting. Excellent. She is better than the guys!

Rambling observations about Knoxville TV. The 8 talent never seemed to work as a group on air and it's no surprise the collection is being thinned. I quit watching Channel 6 with politico Gene and the botox queen a long time ago. That leaves the big dogs on the hill behind the Burger King. Channel 10 is blessed with shows that are packaged, unexciting, and sometimes driven by hyped up nothings as lead stories. Todd Howell seems to be a great guy but he could use a few more words in his vocabulary. Recently he said "good soaking rains" or words to that effect 3 times in about 30 seconds. Gully washer, downpour, drought breaker, good sleeping weather, or raining cats and dogs would have been more interesting choices.

Most days, Beth Haynes is calling it in from somewhere. Her out of town report from Atlanta, I think, was incredibly bad and lackluster. Kudos to the women on Style (Michelle and Moira) for getting it right. LeSaundra Brown is way under utilized on Channel 10 and Yvette Martinez is an up and coming star. It would be nice to see more of these exciting reporter/anchors instead of the boring white bread cut outs Channel 10 so highly values.

Watching predictable local news is passe. Get local news on the Internet in less than 5 minutes without hype and car commercials. The best broadcast is Brian Williams at 6:30pm on Channel 10.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous says,
Thanks, Walker, for keeping the blog alive and letting us rant.

You're right on about Lisa Cornwell's sports reporting. Excellent. She is better than the guys!

Rambling observations about Knoxville TV. The 8 talent never seemed to work as a group on air and it's no surprise the collection is being thinned. I quit watching Channel 6 with politico Gene and the botox queen a long time ago. That leaves the big dogs on the hill behind the Burger King. Channel 10 is blessed with shows that are packaged, unexciting, and sometimes driven by hyped up nothings as lead stories. Todd Howell seems to be a great guy but he could use a few more words in his vocabulary. Recently he said "good soaking rains" or words to that effect 3 times in about 30 seconds. Gully washer, downpour, drought breaker, good sleeping weather, or raining cats and dogs would have been more interesting choices.

Most days, Beth Haynes is calling it in from somewhere. Her out of town report from Atlanta, I think, was incredibly bad and lackluster. Kudos to the women on Style (Michelle and Moira) for getting it right. LeSaundra Brown is way under utilized on Channel 10 and Yvette Martinez is an up and coming star. It would be nice to see more of these exciting reporter/anchors instead of the boring white bread cut outs Channel 10 so highly values.

Watching predictable local news is passe. Get local news on the Internet in less than 5 minutes without hype and car commercials. The best broadcast is Brian Williams at 6:30pm on Channel 10.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous says,
Thanks, Walker, for keeping the blog alive and letting us rant.

You're right on about Lisa Cornwell's sports reporting. Excellent. She is better than the guys!

Rambling observations about Knoxville TV. The 8 talent never seemed to work as a group on air and it's no surprise the collection is being thinned. I quit watching Channel 6 with politico Gene and the botox queen a long time ago. That leaves the big dogs on the hill behind the Burger King. Channel 10 is blessed with shows that are packaged, unexciting, and sometimes driven by hyped up nothings as lead stories. Todd Howell seems to be a great guy but he could use a few more words in his vocabulary. Recently he said "good soaking rains" or words to that effect 3 times in about 30 seconds. Gully washer, downpour, drought breaker, good sleeping weather, or raining cats and dogs would have been more interesting choices.

Most days, Beth Haynes is calling it in from somewhere. Her out of town report from Atlanta, I think, was incredibly bad and lackluster. Kudos to the women on Style (Michelle and Moira) for getting it right. LeSaundra Brown is way under utilized on Channel 10 and Yvette Martinez is an up and coming star. It would be nice to see more of these exciting reporter/anchors instead of the boring white bread cut outs Channel 10 so highly values.

Watching predictable local news is passe. Get local news on the Internet in less than 5 minutes without hype and car commercials. The best broadcast is Brian Williams at 6:30pm on Channel 10.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just wanted to say that I agree that Lisa Cornwell is superb at what she does, especially in sports. As long as she's here in Knoxville, maybe she can shame some of the other slugs to get off their asses and be more professional. Of course, if the talent is missing in those individuals, whattaya gonna do? Mulltiplying by zero still gets you zero.

Anonymous said...

Walker, To whomever asked what WIVK and its sister stations did as far as covering the Lady Vols...WNOX had Phil at the arena live, as did the Sports Animal with Jimmy and Chip Kain (John was headed to a UT basketball game). WIVK carried the ceremony live, and the feed was also available to ALL of the Vol Network affiliates. Those who make smart remarks should get their facts straight before they take potshots.