The Year in Review  - 2004

By Laura Nachman

Bucks County Courier Times

January 4, 2005

Weather, Weather, Weather – Whether You Like It Or Not – WCAU used two weather anchors for its 11 p.m. newscast and gave a month-long forecast for December.  WTXF dubbed itself “Philadelphia’s Official Winter Weather Station.”  KYW held two “Kidcaster” contests. WPVI’s meteorologist Cecily Tynan appeared in everything from parades to the set of “Desperate Housewives.”

Aw-Phil – “Dr. Phil” “counseled” KYW personalities Alycia Lane and Kathy Orr during sweeps periods.  Evidently, it worked for Lane, who got engaged last week.

Hello – Jamie Smith (KYW), Jim Donovan (KYW), Jessica Borg (WPVI), Lauren Hart (WCAU), Karen Scullin (KYW), Chad Pradelli (WPVI), Anne Marie Green (KYW), Melissa Sander (WTXF), Robert Lyles (WCAU), Stacy Weaver (WCAU)

Goodbye – Janet Zappala (WTXF), Amber Rupinta (WCAU), Denise Saunders (KYW), Colette Cassidy (KYW), Beth McDonough (WCAU), Wally Kennedy (WPVI), Carla Eboh (WTXF)

Babies – Laura Jones (CN8), Leslie Gudel (Comcast SportsNet), Dawn Stensland (WTXF), Sally Ann Mosey (WPVI), Lisa Kelly (WCAU)

Intern-gate – WCAU’s Joe Vazquez was fired after allegedly acting inappropriately in front of an intern.

Pedophile-gate - Newtown Square, PA was incensed over WCAU’s “Investigators’” piece that used a local house to lure pedophiles.

Pat and Vanna Forever – “The Wheel of Fortune” filmed three weeks worth of shows here over the summer.

We’ll Miss You Lisa – After almost two years, WPVI officially announced the departure of Lisa Thomas Laury due to medical problems.

I’m Coming Out - WCAU traffic reporter John Ogden becomes the first Philadelphia television personality to announce his homosexuality.

The Naked Truth - Former WCAU anchor Sharon Reed made national news with her sweeps story in the nude.

Favorite Music Station – WHYY aired concerts of Fleetwood Mac, Cyndi Lauper, and Sheryl Crow, as well as plenty of disco extravaganzas!

Reality Roundup – Delaware Valley residents participated in “The Assistant,” “Average Joe,” “The Rebel Billionaire,” “The Apprentice,” “Last Comic Standing,” “For Love and Money,” “Dream Job,” “The Next Great Champ,” and “The Littlest Groom.”

We Fought Like Crazy For This?  – Philadelphia is the host for a lackluster season of “The Real World.”