Channel Surfing
By Laura Nachman
[email protected]
June 1, 2001
West Chester Daily Local
Here are my awards for the 2000-2001 local television season.
Best News Anchors: Marc Howard (6ABC) and Renee Chenault-Fattah (NBC10) -
Jim Gardner may be the “man” at “Action News,” but dependable Marc Howard gets my vote. He also gets extra points for putting up with Irv Homer all these years on “Inside Story.” Renee Chenault-Fattah is pretty (that’s no big deal, it’s a pre-requisite for the job) and smart (we know that because NBC10 tells us all the time that she’s a lawyer). The newlywed has enjoyed a successful marriage with Philadelphia for a decade.
Best Sports Anchors: Leslie Gudel and Derrick Gunn (CSN) - It’s impossible for the local stations’ three-minute sportscasts to compete with Comcast SportsNet, and they can’t. G&G – Leslie Gudel and Derrick Gunn are actual broadcasters, not transplanted radio hosts or former professional football players.
Best Weather Anchors: Cecily Tynan (6ABC) and Sue Serio (Fox-Philadelphia) - Tynan is one of the most popular personalities in town, and most of her fans don’t know or care if the forecasts are accurate. The most pleasant weather anchor is Sue Serio, who truly seems to enjoy her job and interacting with the people she meets on her live shots. It’s great to see a woman on TV who isn’t 98 pounds.
Best Reporters: Dave Schratweiser (Fox-Philadelphia) and Marge Pala (KYW-3) - Dave Schratweiser is the toughest reporter in town. He’s not afraid of the mob. And remember when he put the lid on the corrupt trash men? Marge Pala for showing “girl power” during the South Street melee.
Separated at Birth - KYW-3's Paul Moriarty and The Food Network's Emeril Lagasse
Best Wacky Anchor: Mike Jerrick (Fox-Philadelphia) - Since Mike Jerrick is on “Good Day Philadelphia,” from 7-9 AM, he can get away with more than the nighttime anchors, but he pulls it off. He’s flat out funny.
Best Hat: Michele McCormack’s furry hat worn on live shots in the winter
Tom/Nicole Award: Don Tollefson and Jenna Wolfe – wonder if she still thinks he’s a “good guy?”
Best Wedding: Renee Chenault and Rep. Chaka Fattah
Romeo and Juliet Award: Fox-Philadelphia’s Christian Farr and WB17’s Karen Jordan (engaged to be married this summer)
Blunder of the Decade: NBC10’s “Blizzard of the Decade.”
Stephen King Award: Larry Kane’s book “Larry Kane’s Philadelphia.”
Breakthrough Anchor: Sharon Reed of NBC10
Best Belly Button Ring: Cecily Tynan of 6ABC
Lemon Law: NBC10’s Dom Lemon files law suit after being harassed by Center City Tower Records security for thinking he shoplifted a CD.
War of the Roses Award: WB17’s Toni Yates competes against ex-husband Arthur Fennell of CN8 at 10 PM.
Best Name for Television: Part-timer Blaine Applegate of WB17
Worst Name for Television: Jim Sinkovitz of WB17
The Calgon Take Me Away Award: Cherie Bank, whose house burned down, then was mugged within the same month.
The Larry Brown or Channel Hopper Award: Beth McDonough, who has worked for KYW-3, Fox-Philadelphia, and NBC-10 this year.
Best (and only) Movie Reviewer – Bill Wine (Fox-Philadelphia)
Power Couple #1 – Renee Chenault-Fattah and Congressman Chakah Fattah
Power Couple #2 – Monique Braxton and Shawn Fordham, Aide to Mayor John Street
Power Couple #3 – Larry Mendte and Dawn Stensland
Power Couple #4 – Monica Malpass and Real Estate Developer David Cutler
Power Couple #5 – John Bolaris and Chanteuse Lauren Hart
MIA: Dave Frankel – No he didn’t leave TV, he works at Channel 3.
If you have your own nominees, please email me at [email protected]
Laura Nachman can be reached at her web site, “Brady Residence,” at www.geocities.com/bradylady.
Laura Nachman will be hosting a talk show about entertainment on WPHT 1210-AM on Saturday, June 2 from 5-6:30 PM.