17 Seeks A Winning Morning Formula...

[Trophyhead]

I admit to paying little attention to FOX 17 Morning News lately, beyond checking their weather.

They have announced that Rockford's native son Elliot Grandia will now be co-anchoring from 6 to 9 a.m., rather than his 4:30 to 6a shift, previously held. He will be paired with Tessa DiTirro in that new slot.

I remember seeing promos with Grandia and Ruta Ulcinaite as recently as late spring, happy chatter stuff about her unusual name, etc.

Looks like long-time Cadillac anchor Michelle Dunaway and Ulcinaite will be either taking up the wake up desk role, or something else is up there.

Maybe Grandia is intended to reduce some of WOOD TV's "young hip guy" momentum with Donovan Long as Teresa Weakley's co-anchor.

[teetoppz28]

Michelle Dunaway announced this morning she is staying at Fox 17 as their Community Outreach coordinator (or something like that). She'll also be co-hosting the Morning Mix @ 9am with Todd Chance.

Food for thought: maybe it's Tessa that's the issue with the hosting formula? They seem to cycle through staff that co-host with her.

[Trophyhead]

As to Dunaway, hers is the role that Casey Jones moved to, rather than be a morning anchor at 8. (Beyond the thrill ride of joining Chance for "Pay to Play TV" at 9) I appreciate the information!

[MWmetalhead]

Hey Fox 17 - YOU BLEW IT by letting Mike Avery and others walk out the door.

[statmanmi]

Michelle Dunaway has successfully done a “Pay to Play” TV show before.

WWTV’s “the four”, as shown in this clip:

https://youtu.be/Idiokza_kcM

Bonus thought: Co-hosting in the above clip is Charlie Tinker, who then was still with WWTV—and after a couple of other stops, recently started in the GR market at WZZM 13.

Cheers! ~~ Statmanmi