A couple of quick notes, the first two courtesy of Sentinel TV Guy Hal Boedeker … WRDQ-Channel 27 will provide live coverage of the Central Florida speeches by former President Bill Clinton and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama tonight. Clinton and Obama will be in Kissimme, making their first joint appearance on the campaign trail. The…
Month: October 2008
Spotlight still on Barbara West after Joe Biden interview
The spotlight continues to shine on WFTV anchor Barbara West in the wake of her much-discussed interview with Joe Biden. On Monday, West was on CNN and Bill O’Riley’s show on Fox News Channel to explain her oft-dowloaded interview with the Democrats’ vice presidential candidate. She also plans to be on more national shows Tuesday. (Here’s video…
Former WESH anchor arrested on DUI charge
Former WESH anchor John O’Connor was arrested early Sunday in Jacksonville on suspicion of driving under the influence. O’Connor, now the main anchor for Jacksonville’s CBS 47, was pulled over after police said his car stopped beyond the pavement marker at a red light. Police said O’Connor’s eyes were watery, his breath smelled of alcohol…
WFTV goes from reporting news to becoming news
In the past couple of weeks, WFTV has gone from reporting the news to becoming the news. This past weekend brought national attention to Channel 9’s Eyewitness News for its Barbara West interview of Joe Biden. The anchor’s grilling of the veep candidate was the top story on DrudgeReport.com and FoxNews.com, and it was also…
Barbara West interview with Joe Biden getting national attention
Barbara West’s interview with Joe Biden for Eyewitness News is now getting national attention. The Orlando Sentinel blog post about the controversial interview is the No. 1 link on DrudgeReport.com right now on Saturday night. The Internet is abuzz about the interview. “Barbara West” is the No. 7 most searched term on Google right now,…
WFTV’s Barbara West defends much-discussed interview with Joe Biden (with video)
WFTV anchor Barbara West is defending her questioning of Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden. “I have a great deal of respect for him. I have a great deal of respect for Sen. Obama,” West told Orlando Sentinel TV critic Hal Boedeker. “We are given four minutes of a satellite window for these interviews. Four precious…
Former WKMG anchor Jacquie Sosa joining WOFL
Jacquie Sosa, who was paired with Mark McEwen in one of the earlier (and unsuccessful) attempts to revive WKMG’s morning news, will be back on TV in the mornings starting Thursday — the first day of the November sweeps. Sosa is the newest co-anchor of the Fox 35 Morning News on WOFL. She’ll join a…
Obama campaign shuts out WFTV after West interviews Biden
Supposedly unhappy with how WFTV anchor Barbara West conducted an inteview with Democrate VP candidate Joe Biden, the Barack Obama campaign has told Channel 9 not to expect any more interviews through the duration of the presidential race. NewsBlues.com reports that what so offended the Obama campaign was when West asked Biden if “spread the…
Quick hits: WESH’s Share Your Christmas, and paying for Casey coverage
Four Friday quick hits to end the work week: With the economy being in the tank, WESH’s annual Share Your Christmas takes on added importance. The drive is already under way in its planning stages. The station has posted a list of needed items and is listing where the drop-off points will be during…
Channel 9’s Echols helping cancer patients
WFTV morning and noon anchor Vanessa Echols went through a very public battle with breast cancer four years ago. Today, she’s healthy, in remission and giving something back. She has founded the Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach, a volunteer group that helps breast-cancer patients with errands, visits to the doctor and providing the emotional support that…