TURKEY PICKS

Happy Thanksgiving. Here are some of my turkeys and other notable memories from the past year.

Tabloid Television. WCAU was the home to reported battles between on-air personalities Sharon Reed and Alicia Taylor, and John Bolaris and Howard Eskin. It also endured the surprising defection of weekend weather anchor Kathy Orr to Channel 3 and legal action by Tim Lake to allow him to move to KYW.

The Big Story on Action News. After 21 years together as a team, the 5 p.m. hour on WPVI spontaneously combusted with the shocking departure of Marc Howard to KYW, the illness of Lisa Thomas-Laury, and Cecily Tynan replacing Dave Roberts at 5:30. Scott Palmer's head must be spinning.

Babies R Us. Babies were born to WPVI's Anita Brikman and Sally Ann Mosey and WCAU's Kathy Orr. WPHL's Toni Yates is expecting this month, and CN8's Connie Colla is expecting in March.

Best Dressed. WPVI's Rick Williams and CN8's Lynn Doyle.

Worst Fashion Accessory. WCAU's Steve Levy's cowboy boots

Best Hair. WTXF's Dorothy Krysiuk

Best Makeup. WCAU's Larry Mendte

Best New Show. "KYW Newsradio on TV." The midas touch of KYW Newsradio has translated to television on UPN 57. I wouldn't be surprised if it surpasses the KYW-3 newscast in the ratings soon.

Best little-seen anchor. WPHL's Karen Jordan

Maybe Sharon Reed was Right. WCAU's Alicia Taylor reported that it was "life or death" for Ira Einhorn, when the death penalty wasn't an option.

Power Couples. WCAU's Renee Chenault-Fattah and U.S. congressman Chaka Fattah, WCAU's Larry Mendte and WTXF's Dawn Stensland, WTXF's Christian Farr and WPHL's Karen Jordan, WCAU's Monique Braxton and mayoral aide Shawn Fordham, KYW's Robin Rieger and Sixers radio announcer Tom McGinnis, WTXF's Sue Serio and Bill Vargus, WTXF's Sharon Crowley and WCAU's Mike Strug.

The Bachelor. Since John Bolaris is leaving town, WTXF's Don Tollefson.

Fear Factor. Former news anchor Rich Noonan files a complaint against WTXF alleging racial discrimination.

Weatherflop. KYW's Chris Dunn. Almost immediately after taking over the 11 p.m. weather anchor job at the beginning of the year, it seems KYW has been looking for somebody else. WCAU's Kathy Orr will be getting the job in January.

Hellos. Kerri Lee Halkett, Tiffany McElroy, Sarah Bloomquist, Aditi Roy, Tom Negovan, Dave Huddleston, practically the entire KYW reporting crew.

Goodbyes. Bill Wine, Molly Mayock, Ren Scott, Brad Sattin, Mike Missanelli, Rose Tibayan, Christine Perez, Sharon Reed, John Alston, Don Lemon, Rich Noonan, Mike Jerrick, and John Bolaris.

Laura Nachman can be reached at [email protected].

November 28, 2002