Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > July > 18
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
7/18: ABC News Atlanta, Boortz items
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to several broadcast news web sites, including subscription-only www.newsblues.com, the ABC News bureau has been downsized.
The bureau chief, two photogs, an editor, a soundman/sat truck operator, two people in the business office, and the entire NewsOne (affiliate feed) operation were cut. A correspondent, a producer, a desk person, and a tech manager survived.
Meanwhile, WSB-AM’s Neal Boortz has been nominated for syndicated personality of the year for the third time vying for a Marconi Award, a prestigious honor from the National Associaton of Broadcasters. He has yet to win. He’s up against Delilah (heard locally on B98.5); Kidd Kraddock (he’s based out of Dallas and does a top 40 show which Bert Weiss used to be a part of many moons ago.); former WGSTer and current WSB-AM talker Sean Hannity and TV star and standup comic Steve Harvey (heard locally on Grown Folks radio 102.5). Winners will be announced in September.
And folks who are wondering where Ms. Mary the Sports Diva has gone on 790/The Zone’s 2 Live Stews show, she’s also the Stews behind-the-scenes manager and she decided to focus on that rather than the glory of mike time.
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7/18: Engvall opens big
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The Bill Engvall Show” on Atlanta’s TBS opened big last night, at least big by basic cable standards, bringing in 3.9 million viewers. That’s not quite as big as “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” a few weeks ago, which started at 5.5 million but has since fallen sharply, averaging 2.3 million last Wednesday.
TBS, after failing with insufferably bad reality fare (“The Real Gilligan’s Island,” “Outback Jack”), has begun doing its own scripted sitcom fare. Last year’s so-so “My Boys” did just okay, opening at about 1.8 million. The other semi-scripted show “10 Items or Less” didn’t do particularly well but got a second season of 8 episodes. That’s expected to come back early next year.
Engvall actually did better than I had expected. I think if he settles around 3 million viewers a week, TBS will guarantee him more episodes beyond the eight that have been taped. If he drops to 2 million viewers next week, TBS would have reason to be worried but if he loses 20 percent or less, the network will likely give him a quick green light.
In other ratings news, NBC’s “The Singing Bee” dropped about 20 percent its second week, finishing last night at about 11 million viewers. That’s not atypical for a new show but among 18 to 49 year olds, it fell nearly 30 percent. NBC can’t be too thrilled with that.
And only 5 million people bothered to check out the one-hour special Monday following Victoria (yawn) Beckham around.
And “Heroes” fans, Masi Oka, who plays Hiro, told critics at the Television Critics Association press tour I’m not at that he will remain in feudal Japan for at least eight episodes and meet his childhood samurai hero as well as a princess. More here. Mark your calendar: “Heroes” returns Sept. 24.
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7/18: Chuck Smith is out at the Zone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former NFL player Chuck Smith is out as mid-day host at 790/The Zone, according to Neal Maziar, the station director. He left Friday after two years at the station.
To many Zone listeners, the mid-day show never quite gelled with Smith and Matt Chernoff. In fact, the Zone recently added back Chuck Oliver to the mix.
The timing of Smith’s departure coming so soon after Oliver’s return fueled speculation that the two didn’t get along. Maziar said that wasn’t the case. “I don’t think there was bad blood between the two guys,” he said. In the end, Maziar said the split with the station was amicable and “he had a nice run.”
Smith, Maziar said, will continue to run his defensive lineman university camp and a separate camp for high school students.
I haven’t been able to get a hold of Smith yet but if I do, I will update this entry.
His bio is no longer on 790/The Zone but it’s cached on google. Here’s that bio, verbatim:
While attending Clarke Central High School in Athens, GA, Chuck’s abilities on the playing field pushed him to the forefront of the high school level and awarded him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. His willingness to play hard and make big plays allowed him to be honored as an All American and All Southeastern Conference. Chuck played in the Sugar and Fiesta Bowls during his college career and in his senior year he was selected to play in the College Senior Bowl, his awesome performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player.
After entering the NFL draft in 1991, Chuck was selected in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons where he played for eight years. As team captain of the 1998-1999 Atlanta Falcons, Chuck helped lead them to Super Bowl XXXIII, their first in team history. In 2000, Chuck became a free agent and moved to the Carolina Panthers where he retired. Chuck’s athleticism earned him numerous awards and honors during his professional football career including being voted “Best Defensive Lineman in Team History” by the Atlanta Falcon Fans, NFL Quarterback Award, NFL Unsung Hero Award (1998), Howie Long Tough Guy Award, 4 Time Pro Bowl Defensive End (Alternate), Sporting News Football Digest All Pro Team (1997) and 1998 Super Bowl XXXIII Captain. Chuck retired from the NFL in 2001 to pursue a career in broadcast journalism but will always remains a part of Falcons history as the #1 player in fumbles recovered and the #2 player in sacks with 581/2.
