CHANNEL SURFING
Bolaris latches on with CBS in New York
He'll be joining WCBS-TV in New York City as the 4:30, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. weather anchor effective Dec. 9.

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times

WCAU meteorologist John Bolaris was out of a job for around five minutes. He'll be joining WCBS-TV in New York City as the 4:30, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. weather anchor effective Dec. 9. Two weeks ago, WCAU and Bolaris announced they were parting ways, mostly because Bolaris wanted to return to New York.

His last day here is Nov. 27. He previously worked as the weekend weatherman for WCBS for three years before he joined WCAU in 1990.


A.M. JOLT OF CROCE

WTXF feels great because one of Philly's biggest celebrities, Pat Croce, will be co-hosting "Good Day Philadelphia" through November sweeps. He'll join Kerri Lee Halkett until the station names a permanent replacement for Mike Jerrick, who now is on the weekend edition of "Fox and Friends" on the Fox News Channel.

Though he's best known as the former physical therapist for the Sixers who went on to become president of the team, Croce has previous broadcasting experience. He spent 10 years dispensing fitness tips on WMMR 93.3 FM and hosted a show for four years on WIP 610-AM. Croce also did segments for KYW television and spent last season as part of NBC's NBA team.

Though Croce wasn't approached to be part of the new ESPN/ABC NBA package, don't feel bad that he's on the sidelines. The longtime successful motivational speaker does an average of four to five speaking engagements a month for big corporations at $30,000 - $40,000 a pop.

He's definitely making less than that as the host of "Good Day," but Croce, who's never turned down a new opportunity, said he's doing it for the experience. "I have an interest in TV shows, and don't want to stay in just sports. I'd love to have a talk show someday that would be an Oprah meets MTV."

Refreshingly, not the typical buttoned-down anchor, goateed, with arms flailing, Croce didn't wear a suit and tie on his first broadcast and doesn't plan to in the future. "I told Roger (WTXF general manager Roger LaMay) that I wouldn't wear a tie."

Allen Iverson would be proud.

Croce should help WTXF hold on to its lead over KYW, which is airing the umpteenth version of the CBS morning show and newcomer "KYW Newsradio on TV" on UPN 57. "Good Morning America" leads in Philadelphia on WPVI.


IDOL CHAT

Enjoy the fun of "American Idol" without that nasty Simon with "Philadelphia Idol." WTXF will sponsor a local version of the talent contest tomorrow at Franklin Mills Mall. Doors open at 7 a.m. Contestants must be between 16 and 24 years old. The celebrity judges include Lauren Hart and one of the "boyz" from "Boyz II Men."

Hart will also be part of the WPVI Thanksgiving parade. The others scheduled to participate are Sister Sledge, Alex Trebek and Deborah (don't call me Debbie) Gibson.


THE CAREY TREATMENT

WPVI may want to reconsider its decision to put "Wayne Brady" in the 10 a.m. timeslot. Ratings are down almost 25 percent from last year when "Rosie O'Donnell" aired in that time. It could be the "Drew Carey" effect. It seems like anything that has to do with Carey is struggling this season - "The Drew Carey Show," "Who's Line is It Anyway" and "Brady." Maybe it's time to give "Caroline Rhea," who is buried at 12:35 a.m., a chance.


TIFFANY'S A 10

WCAU's morning anchor and "10" co-host Tiffany McElroy has a fan in WBCB 1490-AM's morning show sidekick Dave Collins. "I think she's the best," he gushed. Since they both work the early shift, maybe they can do lunch.


REN MOVES AGAIN

Sources at KYW are saying that former weekend anchor Ren Scott has already quit his job at MSNBC because they promised him an anchor slot, but then only wanted him to report.Smart move by KYW...Pat Ciarrocchi is doing promos for the KYW news on the upstart "KYW Newsradio on TV" on WPGS.

Reach Laura Nachman at [email protected].

October 31, 2002