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Channel Surfing
It looks like the honeymoon is over between KYW weekday 11 p.m.
news anchor Marc Howard and his new co-workers after his comments about
the station appeared in the March issue of “Philadelphia” magazine.
Howard, who joined KYW for a high six-figure salary at the
beginning of the year, after spending 25 years at WPVI made many harsh
statements in the article “Broken News” written by Richard Rys.
According to a KYW newsroom employee, one statement that angered many at
the station was Howard’s explanation why he didn’t take the
low-rated 6 p.m. show. In the article, Howard said, “Their six is in
such a hole. I might as
well stay home and read news to the wall.
So take a second shift just to be on TV?”
I don’t need that. This
is not a hobby. This is my job. This
is a business.”
A KYW newsroom employee said,” What
a jackass thing to say, ripping your own station (the one paying you
$800,000 a year to work a couple of hours a day). I don't know what the
managers have to say about it, but a lot of the employees are steamed.
What a jerk.”
The 65-year-old anchor sent an email to the newsroom shortly
after the article hit newsstands: “Please accept my apology for the intemperate quotes attributed to me
in the current issue of Philadelphia Magazine. My comments were
unkind at best, stupid at worst, and unfairly critical of many
hardworking people. After 2 months on the job, I have very high regard
for all the people who put all the Eyewitness newscasts on the air. But
I cannot unprint the magazine article. I can only apologize for my
smart-ass remarks.”
In the article, Howard also probably didn’t endear himself to
his former boss at WPVI, general manager Dave Davis.
“News guys like Davis are tougher managers to work for because
they’re always looking over your shoulder.
There’s also a bit of envy.
Davis was a reporter. I
don’t know any other business where managers make less than the people
who work for them. I once had a manager say to me, “I would change jobs with
you in a minute. You make
more money than me. Everybody
likes you.” And he’s my
boss! You think he’s going to be nice?
No! He lives to
break my balls.”
A former WPVI co-worker of Howard’s said of the article.
When Howard left us, he said KYW would no longer be the third
rated station. He was
right!” (KYW placed fourth in the February sweeps behind WPVI,
WCAU, and WTXF.) When reached for comment, Howard said of “Philadelphia” magazine,
“Never argue with anybody that buys ink by the barrel.”
Then he added, “I think I’ve already said quite enough on the
subject.”
Howard also managed to take a shot at Philadelphia television
viewers. “I blame the
news audience for everything. We
hold a mirror up to you and show you what you want to see.
Somebody asked what I would change the most on TV news. I’d
change the audience. I’d
get an audience who loved politics and hated breaking news, who never
wanted to see a fire truck again.”
Wonder if Howard will be able to email the city of Philadelphia?
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