Thursday, March 28, 2024

New York Local TV News Upheaval: Lori Stokes, Ex-Eyewitness News, May Be Heading to Fox 5 with Rosanna Scotto…and Greg Kelly?

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Lori+Stokes+Jackie+Robinson+Foundation+Annual+fWmigVVmntKlNormally, I don’t cover local TV news anchors. They all work hard, and they sometimes change stations. Last week, though, I was very surprised when it was announced very quietly that popular stalwart Lori Stokes, who’d been with WABC’s Eyewitness News for 17 years, was suddenly out the door.

Even more surprising: WABC placed an ad on mediabistro.com looking for an anchor. Whatttt???

Now I’m told by two different insiders who don’t even know each other that Stokes may be heading to Channel 5 aka Fox5’s “Good Day New York.” This is the fun show hosted by Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly every morning starting at 7am. At various times over the last twenty years “Good Day New York” — under a variety of anchors– has done better than the network shows seen at that hour.

It’s unclear what role Stokes will play. Scotto and Kelly are both on vacation right now. They are also two people I like very much and see often outside of work. Who knows what’s going on? Kelly, son of former police commissioner Ray Kelly, has had his ups and downs at Fox 5. But I hope everyone will come out a winner in what is always a volatile world. (In the old days, everyone would just head to Elaine’s and settle it. John Roland, where are you now that I need you?)

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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