Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times

April 13, 2004

Don’t count on reporter Beth McDonough returning to the air for WCAU.  According to a newsroom source, when station management told her recently that her contract wouldn’t be renewed in six months, she asked if she could end her tenure at Channel 10 immediately instead of being a “lame duck” reporter.  Management told her she would be required to work the 4 a.m. – noon shift, and according to the newsroom source, McDonough responded by stating she wouldn’t work a minute past 12 p.m.  McDonough hasn’t been seen on the air since.

As of now, a station spokesperson would only confirm that McDonough is no longer on the air.  McDonough did not return a call left on her voice mail at the station.   McDonough, along with reporter Ted Greenberg were suspended a few weeks ago for reporting that a North Philadelphia boy was killed in a shooting, when at the time the child was alive.  Though Greenberg went on the air with the information, McDonough was also held accountable for being the “senior reporter on the scene.”

Finally, adding insult to injury, McDonough, who was one of the few personalities not to boycott last year’s station event “Fit Fest,” because of a dispute between the union AFTRA and station management, after McDonough learned her contract wouldn’t be renewed, she was given her “Fit Fest” T-Shirt to wear for this year’s event. 

Monique Braxton will no longer be the weekend evening anchor on WCAU.   A station spokesperson confirmed that Braxton will become a full-time reporter and that either newcomers Harry Hairston or Lauren Cohn will take over the anchor position.  Cohn will also be taking over Cherie Bank’s medical reports while Bank recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

There will be a “Back our Hack” rally at City Hall on April 24 at noon.  “Hack,” starring David Morse, which is set and filmed in Philadelphia, is in jeopardy of not being renewed by CBS.

Sadly, “The Hollywood Squares” won’t return in the fall. The latest version of the game show lasted six years, but this season missed Whoopi Goldberg, who left to star in her own sitcom on NBC, which ironically probably won’t return next year. 

It was interesting to see the behind-the-scenes problems with the syndicated show “Sharon” through Sharon Osbourne's perspecitve on the season premiere of “The Osbournes” on MTV Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.   If Sharon could’ve convinced Ozzy to co-host her show it probably wouldn’t have gotten canceled.   

Here are some readers' favorite television shows currently on the air.

Brooke Sidkoff of Bensalem, PA wrote, "While I do watch some of the shows you listed I have to admit that "The O.C.", "The Apprentice", and "American Idol" go under my guilty pleasure category.  Those shows are fun to watch but I wouldn't categorize them as quality.  Every week I watch Fox's "Arrested Development" and Bravo's "Significant Others" and I wonder if I'm one of the few Americans laughing at them.  You never hear these brilliantly written and acted shows mentioned maybe because no one is watching?  Maybe you could cite them in your column and wrangle these excellent shows some new fans." 

Eagles play-by-play man Merrill Reese enjoys "American Dreams," "The Sopranos," The Golf Channel, "JAG," "Inside the NFL," and "Law and Order."

WIP 610-AM personality Glen Macnow wrote, "You know my favorite show (other than Sopranos)? It's called "The Residents," and it's a year in the life of medical residents. That is reality TV."

Leslie Fowler of Conshohoken, PA wrote, "The Sopranos" - even though they didn't wack Christopher, "Law & Order, "Law & Order SVU," "Two & 1/2 Men," "South Park," "The Chappelle Show," and "The Daily Show."

Beasley Reece of KYW listed "The Shield" on FX.

Former WTXF news anchor Jill Chernekoff voted for "The West Wing," "The Sopranos" and "Law and Order."

E! movie expert Molly Mayock wrote, "One of my favorite shows is EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.  It is so awesome that they re-do the homes of incredibly deserving people.  I bawl my eyes out every week."

Gary Guadagno of Limerick, PA wrote, "All my favorites are the same as yours with the exception of "The OC" and the addition of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica", what about "Curb Your Enthusiasm?"

Atlanta radio personality John Kincade, formerly of Philadelphia wrote, "The Kincade family loves the under-publicized "Worlds Apart" on National Geographic Channel. They take a family from America (usually spolied with all the trappings) and drop them in the rural life of a family somewhere across the globe. Now that is reality TV! No reward challenges, no American food, etc. We also think "It's All Relative" on ABC is the best new comedy of the year."

Public relations executive Rebecca Ayars wrote, "Fav shows...
Yes on "The Sopranos," recently discovered "Curb Your Enthusiasm."  Liked "Seinfeld" too much to appreciate it at first. But, Larry David is great as himself (Jason Alexander was excellent too! playing him in Seinfeld...)

"Out of Order" on Showtime (Eric Stoltz, a conflicted married screenwirter, is the central character is his own movie) was really different, hoping it comes back.
"NYPD Blue" still good....

Traffic reporter Mary Cantell wrote, "Anyway, my favorite show of all is "King of Queens."  Can't miss a word of it let alone an episode!  Also a closet "American Idol" watcher!"

And Hedda Jacobs of Haddonfield, NJ wrote, "In answer to your question, some of my favorite shows currently on TV are:  "Without a Trace," "The West Wing," "Survivor," "CSI-Crime Scene Investigation," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Cold Case," "American Idol," "House Hunters," and  "Judging Amy."