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Out of Context: Revisiting Boston Television with Frank Mallicoat

Published by admin on January 26, 2012. 0 Comments


The California chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recently conducted a very insightful question and answer session with former 56/Fox25er Frank Mallicoat.  Among the discussed topics are his climb up the ladder from New Hampshire to Boston, as well as a nice look at the transition from his tenure on The Ten O’Clock News to Fox25.

In the interview, a comparison of both Boston and San Francisco markets is conducted, and the answer is very compelling.  The Q&A, seen on EmmySF.tv, can be found here.

As you may know, Frank Mallicoat left Fox25 in January 2011 to accept the position as morning anchor for WBZ sister station KPIX in San Francisco.

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Out of Context: WHDH Past and Present

Published by admin on February 5, 2011. 1 Comment

Screenshot from a promo for "Local10 News" featuring WHDH past and present: Matt Lorch and Laurie Jennings. Click to watch the video.

Since it’s debut in 1994, WHDH’s 7 News format has been mostly successful.  However, a key piece of the formula is the “revolving door” effect when it comes to talent.  As a result, 7 News alumni are scattered throughout the country.  One such example is Miami’s WPLG, which also has been home to some current 7 News personalities.

The video today is from May 2005.  WPLG, Miami’s channel 10, is a strong number two to WHDH-sister station WSVN.  While WSVN is somewhat of a “farm system” for our adaptation of 7 News, WPLG also has a number of familiar faces.  Current 7-anchor Matt Lorch was at ‘PLG for the better part of the naughties, and former-7 News morning anchor Laurie Jennings is a current anchor at the station.

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Posted in Boston, Editorials, Out of Context and WHDH (7NBC). Tags: , , , , , .

Out of Context: Who is Mike Wankum?

Published by admin on January 24, 2011. 1 Comment

Screenshot from WTVR-TV's 1992 ad entitled "Who is Mike Wankum?" Click the image to watch the Youtube video.

Out of Context is the first of many new segments to come out of the revamped btvn. Out of Context primarily involves familiar on-air talent shown in unfamiliar situations. Examples of such unfamiliar situations would be movie cameos, cable programs, non-news related advertisements, and in this case, vintage ads from former markets. Today’s Out of Context focuses on a 1992 advertisement from Virginia’s WTVR-TV that asked “Who is Mike Wankum?”

While most of you know Mike Wankum as the effervescent meteorologist over on Channel 5, many viewers remember Mike Wankum as the chief meteorologist at WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia.

Mike Wankum joined WTVR in 1990, where he served as the chief meteorologist until his departure for WLVI in 1993.  During his tenure at WTVR, the station made a large expansion to their building that allowed the weather department to operate in one cohesive area.  It was at this time that the station began to promote Wankum, airing various spots which include the video on which this article is based.

Continue reading ‘Out of Context: Who is Mike Wankum?’

Posted in Boston, Editorials and Out of Context. Tags: , , , , , , , , , .