Our Long Local Nightmare Is Over

For those of you who missed it, Channel 6's Wednesday night sendoff for "retiring" anchor Pat Persaud—the final installment, that is—was about as forced as one might expect, given that hardly anyone seemed to genuinely care that she was departing.The last stanza began five or ten minutes into the newscast, as had episodes one and two on Monday and Tuesday. Surprisingly, there were no tears, save

Imitation

One of the most irritating things about television news is the tendency to copy stories done elsewhere and pass them off as original. One example would be 90 percent of what gets aired at Channel Sux.Another would be Kristi Andersen's story on KETV about "staycations"—vacations spent at home rather than traveling. Andersen introduced the term as if she'd just invented it. "Call it a 'staycation!'

That Minge Thingy

We appreciate Jim Minge's recent mention of OMAnews in his City Weekly column, but we have to wonder what he and/or his editors were thinking when they decided to headline this week's story on Retro 106.9's transformation (the station is now known as "The Bob"). Was "Bob on the Knob" really the best of the options they had? Honestly, whose radio actually has knobs these days? Or did they want

Maltard Word of the Day

KAH-mer: more sedate (Example: "Theens are metch kahmer today, aren't they, Restee?")

On the Positive Side, There's Tracy

Footage near the end of Channel 6's 10 p.m. news on Monday featured the station's "all-star" softball team playing at a benefit for Children's Hospital. Among those playing were the heir to Queen Pat's throne, Tracy Madden, who played the good sport and took at least one turn at bat. While the evidence suggests that she's not much of a softball player, it seems pretty clear that she intends to

Looking

We're adding what we hope will be a regular feature: a periodic scan of who's looking to get out of Omaha, based on postings at Medialine.com.This week, KPTM's Julie Hong continues to look. She's far too talented for DuctTape 42 and neither Action 3rd nor Channel Sux seems smart enough to pick her up. Maybe KETV will have an opening (Fubar, are you listening?).Also on the lookout for a better gig

Great Caesar's Ghost! W-H Mentions Local TV

The World-Herald takes note of Pat Persaud's "tearful" announcement, within 24 hours, no less. Read all 80+ words here.

Were These People Drunk?

Choose your favorite WOWT blunder from Saturday's broadcasts. Vote by posting in Comments section.(A) Reporter Maniko Barthalemy calls horticulture expert John Fech "Jim."(B) Title super'd over Barthalemy's 10 p.m. story reads "Mission Need Donations."(C) Graphic quoting from Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning's press release says a defendant "prayed on the patriotism and emotions of Nebraska

Channel 7: WTF?!

Can someone please explain why KETV has suddenly imploded? Monday night's 10 o'clock news was stunning in its awfulness. • During a story about folks in Papillion chasing a bobcat, viewers saw this title super'd: "Bob Cat Sighted." Did someone put FUBAR Fazal in charge of this? If Bob Cat is on the loose, can Frank Leopard be far behind?• An I-Team "investigation" delivered by Carol Kloss and her

WOWT Brings in New Face for "Live at 4"

The Reader hitting stands Wendesday evening contains Sean Weide's report that WOWT has hired Sheila Brummer to fill Tracy Madden's spot as "Live at 4" anchor when Madden ascends to the top female anchor spot later this month. Brummer's bio says she's been working in TV for a decade or so, most recently as a reporter and morning anchor for KCCI in Des Moines.Brummer may be turn out to be the

Wager

Anyone willing to bet that SuxNews second-team anchor Jimmy Thiedlecki is smarter than a chicken might want to rethink things.Honest to God, this morning, his co-anchor, Maladroit Maddox reads a story saying that a shooting victim was found at 15th and Dorcas and died en route to the hospital. Jimmy then says, "Updates on the man's condition were not provided; we'll provide more information when

Excuse Us, But We Had to Step Out for a Moment

• An unexpected trip to Chicago kept us away from local TV for a few days. The pinheads running Channel 6 should really get to a major market sometime and see how to do things right. For example, how is it that WLS, which has ruled Chicago for years, can put together newscasts that don't rely on repetitive gimmickry and meaningless, overhyped phrases? How is it that their morning show can get by

John Knicely's Ron Burgundy Pronunciation of the Day

Introducing Maltard Maddox's canned "consumer" story on frozen pizza brands, J-Pa called DiGiorno "DEE-ghee-ORN-yoh."

Geez. Even Maltard got the pronumciation right on this one (although she did manage to twist Kashi into "KAW-shee").

Maybe J-Pa should sign up next time former anchor-hag Pat Persaud advertises a trip to Italy.

Maltard Word of the Day

KAWM-pin-SAY-shun: payment for employment (example: "Investors are angry about excessive kawmpinsayshun for top executives.")

Another Positive Comment (Two in One Day?!)

Has anyone seen KMTV's new reporter Molli Graham? She seems quite capable and doesn't make us want to throw a hammer at the TV, which is unusual these days. Ditto regarding KETV's Owen Lei, whose work seems miles ahead of the crap turned in by the likes of fellow recent hires Laura Liggett and Farrah "FUBAR" Fazal. Note to every station in town: Graham and Lei are the kind of talent you should be

A Lunatic Vents

From the Annals of Stupidity, we offer this little morsel, submitted by a seemingly not-so-bright reader: I stumbled onto this blog and I think this type of bashing is outrageous. Because of you (mr. or ms. blogger) I think congress ought to pass laws to get you prosecuted. These people that you write about, their rights need to be protected. Theres no law against lying, but you lie to defame