Readers' survey says: Vai's the guy on television Here are the results of our readers' poll: Favorite weekday sportscaster 1. Vai Sikahema, WCAU 2. Scott Palmer, WPVI 3. Lou Tilley, CN8 WCAU's Vai is the top guy among the readers. In a mild upset, Palmer, who splits time between news and sports, beat his boss, Gary Papa, of WPVI. Tilley edged Don Tollefson for third place. One reader said Tollefson "should be a used car salesman." Another wrote: "My vote for Don is in remembrance of his glory days with Channel 6 news." Another chose Tilley over Tolley in a "battle of unintentional humor." Favorite weekend sportscaster 1. John Clark, WCAU 2. Phil Andrews, WPVI 2. Howard Eskin, WCAU It's a sweep for the Channel 10 sports anchors. Clark, the weekend sports anchor, earned almost twice as many votes as his nearest competitors, Andrews and Eskin. One reader said of Eskin: "Most intelligent of the bunch, but I hate him on radio." Favorite sports reporter 1. John Clark, WCAU 2. Jack Brayboy, WPVI 3. Heather Mitts, WCAU What does that say when Mitts, who has been on the job for about five minutes, beats several experienced reporters? One reader said: "She's attractive. Enough said. None of these other guys are breaking earth-shattering stories, so how much real 'reporting' is going on here? If she is entertaining during her time on air, that's enough." Another said that hiring Mitts is no different than hiring an attractive woman to do the weather. Favorite weekday WIP personality 1. Anthony Gargano 2. Angelo Cataldi 3. Rhea Hughes In a huge upset, "The Cous" beat AM star Cataldi and PM star Howard Eskin. One wrote of Eskin: "I wouldn't p-- on him if he was on fire." One reader voted for Hughes because "she keeps Cataldi from going completely schizoid on the air." However, another called her "an expensive laugh track." Another reader said: "Hey, WIP, how about you get another host under the age of 70 to work on the station. Remember what "Opie and Anthony" did for WYSP? Get two guys like that on WIP who know a little about Philly sports, and 610's young male demos will be through the roof." Favorite part-time WIP host 1. Ray Didinger 2. Rob Charry 3. Steve Fredericks Didinger got more than twice as many votes as his competitors. One reader called Fredericks the "king of pointing out the obvious." Another said of Fredericks: "He probably knows more about sports than anyone else on these lists." Favorite WIP newscaster 1. Rhea Hughes 2. Jan Gorham Hughes won this category in a landslide. Nighttime warrior Jan Gorham snuck into second place. One reader said: "I find it hysterical when Gorham tries to break big stories late at night. You've got to give her credit for trying to do something beside reading scores during her one minute of airtime each hour." Favorite play-by-play announcer 1. Harry Kalas 2. Tom McGinnis 3. Merrill Reese Hall of Fame announcer Harry Kalas was first, but Tom McGinnis was a strong second. Merrill Reese was a distant third. One reader wrote: "Harry Kalas is by far the best all-around announcer, but he's losing his touch at play-by-play." Another complained that Reese was a "homer." It looks like McGinnis could turn into one of this town's all-time favorites. Favorite analyst 1. Steve Coates 1. Mike Quick 3. Larry Anderson 3. John Kruk One reader said he's been a fan of Steve Mix since his days with Neil Funk on Channel 17. Another praised Chris Wheeler for his knowledge of baseball. Favorite CSN personality 1. Michael Barkann 2. Leslie Gudel 3. Derrick Gunn Barkann earned more than twice as many votes as runner-up Gudel, who also had her detractors. One reader asked if he could specifically vote for Gudel as least favorite personality. Another chose Gunn, but "only because the others are awful, especially Yallof." Favorite CSN "Post Game Live" analyst 1. Ray Didinger 2. Gov. Ed Rendell 3. Keith Jones Here's one election that Rendell didn't win. Didinger easily won his second category of this poll. Favorite Sunday night sports show 1. Sports Final, WCAU 2. Sports Sunday, WTXF 3. Sports Rap/Eagles Total Access, KYW The three-headed attack of Sikahema, Eskin and Clark easily won this category. Favorite weekday sports show 1. Daily News Live, CSN 1. Lou Tilley's Sports Connection, CN8 1. Eagles Post Game Live, CSN 4. SportsNite, CSN Favorite Eagles show 1. Eagles Post Game Live, CSN Best radio broadcast (pro teams) 1. Eagles, WYSP 2. Phillies, WPEN 3. Sixers, WIP One reader wrote: "Except for Scott Graham, the Phils guys are as good as it gets." A couple of readers said Mike Quick should be taken off the air. Laura Nachman can be reached at bradyresident@aol.com. December 12, 2003 7:33 AM