Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!


According to the lastest February ratings, Channel 4 Action News this Morning is once again Western PA's favorite way to wake up! All of us here on the morning crew are excited, but we also want to thank the biggest reason for our succes - you! Whether you tell us on-line, or you just make the choice to click on WTAE in the mornings, we really appreciate the fact that so many of you make us a part of your day.


While we do our jobs for a variety of reasons, we are also a business in competition with other stations for your viewership. It's a competition we like - and every day, we battle to win that coveted top spot in the ratings. It's a battle that gets tougher every year.


Once again, from Melanie, Kelly, Demetrius, Ashley, Ari, Marcie, the many working behind the scenes daily that you don't get to see - and yours truly - thanks once again for allowing us to maintain Pittsburgh's top spot in the mornings.


Have a great weekend! See you on Monday ... and have that cup of Joe ready to watch us.

This website is full of tributes, memories and moments -- all about the late Myron Cope. There's no doubt that just reading the viewer e-mails and seeing the video tributes that Myron was more than a broadcaster to the people of Pittsburgh. He was the Steelers. He created the image, the trademarks and the traditions that have become part of Pittsburgh's football identity.

More than a few people have asked me what my favorite TV show is. The truth is when you work the hours I do - and that means sleeping between 7p-1a - you just don't get to watch a lot of prime-time TV. I'm also not someone who TiVo's a program only to watch it later. I just don't have the time.

So what do I watch? I'm glad we actually re-broadcast Channel 4 Action News at 11 so that I can see what I missed from the evening before and be prepared when I arrive at work at 3:30am. Still, I just don't get out of bed and watch the news. I'm a slow riser, so here's a sneak peak at what I was saw as I flipped through the channels and tried to force myself out of bed at 1:30am.

1:30am: ESPN News
It's my one chance to catch all the game hilights from the night before.

1:40am: CNN/Fox News/MSNBC
I just could not stay up for the Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate

1:50am: The History Channel
Look, I'm a sucker for a well-done modern documentary.

1:55am: Sci-Fi Channel
I have always been a big "Twilight Zone" fan and there's nothing better than the conclusion on an episode. It's like having dessert while skipping dinner.

2:00am: Encore, HBO
My two pay movie channels and - occassionally - they will actually show a movie I haven't seen.

2:05am: On Demand
Gives me a chance to watch the lastest episodes of my one guilty pleasure - "InTreatment".

Yes, it really does take me 35 minutes of channel surfing before I get my lazy butt out of bed.
Then, it's off to the shower and time to get ready for work. I'm usually grabbing some orange or tomato juice while watching our late news re-broadcast at 2:35am before heading off to work.

And who says there's nothing good on late night TV?

It's been quite a week for the New York Times. From the reach of a story suggesting a romantic relationship between Senator John McCain and a lobbyist who graduated from IUP to another piece hinting that more and more Americans are giving up golf ( if that is true, why aren't the greens fees going down as well ). Monday, another story that at least initially looked to me like it was trying to spark fear and create a story where there was none.




The piece, entitled In Memories of a Painful Past, Hushed Worry About Obama, essentially says given the proximity Senator Barack Obama is to clinching the Democratic nomination that suddenly has made him a target for assassination. The comparison is made to a couple of young charismatic leaders like Obama who were gunned down 40 years ago: Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Obama - to his credit - says he's not worried citing the fact that neither King nor Kennedy enjoyed the Secret Service protection he has had since last May.



However, upon reading the article, there was some substance behind it. It spoke to the fact that some in African-American community would not vote for Obama out of fear for his safety. That is something I have heard from my elders and those around during the 1960's. Also, I realize there is hatred everywhere and it's no surprise this fear is now coming to light in the press as the candidates campaign in Ohio - which according to the Anti-Defamation League - has the highest amount of hate group activity in the country currently.


While I do not fear for Obama's safety, I'm not a Pollyanna in the ways of the world. Yes, the threat is there and the threat is greater for Obama than Hillary. That's not sexism, that's being honest. Rarely does a woman's grab at power on a national level incite the kind of violence we have seen when African-Americans make a run at office.


At the same time, I think we cannot let that fear dictate our lives. Obama faces the same challenge that the civil rights leaders of the past faced: trying to push for a change in an atmosphere where there are those who want to protect the status quo. Despite Obama's popularity, he is still seen as black by many Americans and the worlds of Governor Ed Rendell, though not popular, do hold true. There are those who simply will not vote for a black man for the Presidency.


But never should we let fear take control our lives, whether we are fighting to become President of the United States or standing up to injustice in our own neighborhood.

photo courtesy: Associated Press

Friday night, I attended one of the five best events I have been to in my life -- and that takes into account a lot of events over the years. I bought a ticket to the celebrity roast honoring Jim Krenn on his 20 years on WDVE.


I consider Jimmy a friend and one of the nicest people on the planet. True, he never answers his cell phone and I don't think I have ever seen him drive himself to anything, but deep in his heart, he is a caring and concerned individual whose dedication to his wife and pets is commendable.


I wondered how this "roast" at the Lexus Club at PNC Park would go. I mean, how do you roast somebody who everyone likes? More to the point, how do a group of celebrity roasters rip on Jim when they themselves have no experience in actually "roasting" someone?

Channel 4 Action News Sports Anchor Jon Burton "roasting" WDVE's Jim Krenn


Much to my amazement, it was not only a fun time, it was laugh out loud funny. Part of the reason I was doubled over in laughter most of the night was because this thing got raunchy in a hurry. Nothing was out of bounds and if you did not know George Carlin's legendary "7 words you can't say on television", you certainly knew them by heart at the end of the evening.


While it would be both impossible to remember and unwise to repeat what was said, I can tell you there more than a few great lines from those on the dais: DVE sports guy Mike Prisuta, the PG's Gene Collier, DVE DJ Sean McDowell and comedian Billy Gardell just to name a few.


Jon Burton managed to poke fun at everyone -- including myself -- without saying one naughty word. Sally Wiggin did the same, though you could tell she was walking on eggshells. Perhaps the funniest bits of the night were on tape: Joe DeNardo and DVE newswoman Val Porter were showed no mercy in skewering Mr. Krenn.


But perhaps nothing caught me by surprise quite like the performance by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Not known for his humor and often monotone in his daily delivery, the mayor put on a show for the ages. While his script was likely written in advance by someone else, his delivery was so good -- and his willingness to joke about his own missteps so shocking -- that the mayor may have won himself some street cred.


Overall, it was truly a night I wish you all could have been there. It also reminds me that I doubt I'll be roasted when I hit my 20 years of service to WTAE. While I'm sure people could find plenty of ways to tease me, I doubt I will be as beloved as Jim Krenn.


Happy 20th Jimmy!

Before my lastest entry into the blogosphere, I have to give a big thanks to a guy named Bill who e-mailed me this morning. He noticed by blogs have been taking on a more serious tone lately. I had not noticed - and sometimes the issues of the day dictate a more serious look. Still, I'm a pretty easy-going person so let me lighten up a little bit.

I apologize.

It's one of the more unusual practices in this country. The apology. While Americans are quick to villify those who make mistakes and miscues ( i.e. New England Bill Belichick, Senator Larry Craig, etc ), we somehow have always been swayed by apologies. While this may sound like an exaggeration, it seems to hold true: You can do anything short of murder in this country and be forgiven if you apologize.

But recently, apologies are not what they used to be. Take a look at the apology below.

I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend anyone and I'm so sorry for all the pain that I have caused my friends and family. Please forgive me.

This is not an apology from any one person, but rather a summation of some of the recent please for forgiveness I have heard from public figures. What's wrong with it? Take another look. Notice the apology lacks one crucial ingredient: The act that led to the confession of guilt. There is not one indication of what the person did to warrant the apology in the first place.

That's my point. People make mistakes or say the wrong thing. That's going to happen. That's life. The problem is when the apologize, they hardly confess to their sins. They say they are sorry for putting their friends and families through so much pain and public humilaition, but they never actually apologize for the act itself.

I'm so done with apologies, unless they are done right. Look, if you have done something wrong, confess to it and be specific and be done with it.

Once again, I'm sorry if I misled anyone or any on my statetments were misconstrued.

I do not want to hear the politically-safe response to your sins. Just own up to it and be honest. However, I trust our next major public apology ( Michelle Obama's is probably on the way for her admission that she is "proud of America for the first time in her life" ) is going to be another non-apology apology.

Sorry for bending your ear and venting.

There was a time where public figures could get away with saying something controversial and there were few - if any - repercussions. A time before every statement was run through the political correctness prism to see if it would offended any group or demographic.

So much to talk about before I head off to Winterfest for the weekend, so let me kind of send you a list of stuff that's on my mind before I call it a week.

SI Swimsuit
I have been overwhelmed by the number of e-mails I received regarding my comments about the SI Issue. Many of you think I'm right about the swimsuit issue, while many others believe that I have joined the ranks of the cavemen .. and this difference of opinion is spilt along gender lines.


Let me just say this: I understand those who are offended and I agree with you to some extent and perhaps I should take a different look at what this issue is really portraying. As for me being a caveman, I'll let those of you who wonder how I feel about women take a look at my bio on this website. Then, you will be able to see where I fall on issues related to women.


Steroid Hearings and "Spygate"
Second only to the swimsuit issue, I was deluged with e-mails about those Congressional Steroid Hearings. I should send these e-mails to Washington because there are a lot of upset people out there. The waste of time and money over an internal baseball matter is ridiculous and hardly helps the millions of Americans dealing with "real" issues crucial to their survival.


The only thing more offensive that the hearings was Senator Arlen Spector's pursuit of "Spygate". Now, he's saying the Steelers were spyed upon and insinuating that Pittsburgh's AFC title game defeats may have been influenced by pre-game videotaping. I think this smacks of playing to your constituents and, once again, wastes valuable time and resources on what I believe is not an issue affecting American life and a past that cannot be changed.


Older Women Behaving Badly

I know 60 is the new 40, but what is going on with these mature actresses? First, it was Diane Keaton dropping the "F-bomb" on "Good Morning America". Now, it's Jane Fonda's turn. On "The Today Show", she uttered perhaps the worst of them all. The one word that if a man said it to any woman, would instantly guarantee his death right there on the spot. In light of these offensive comments, suddenly the SI swimsuit issue looks wholesome.

Campus Shooting at NIU

Once again, America is going through an all-too common practice today. The mourning of college students killed in a senseless shooting. The candlelight vigils have already begun as we once again are left to wonder why someone would kill five people for no apparent reason. Once again, we are going to wonder if our campuses are safe and we are going to put these places of academic freedom under temporary lockdown. We know the drill ... a drill that has become all too familiar.


This week has been filled with talk of steroids in baseball, spying during a football game and whether scantilly-clad models are good or bad for the image of women in this country. Leave it to a tragedy like this to remind us what is truly important and what out lawmakers should really be focusing on. This is what really matters.

You have heard our title of "Pittsburgh's Official Winter Weather Station". We take that title very seriously and that's why we extend our coverage when the weather turns. There is nothing more important and more serious than when severe weather hits.

Sounds like the Hollywood writers strike is finally coming to an end. The two sides have tentatively agreed on a deal to make sure the writers get their cut of the lucrative DVD and Internet sales market. While, of course, I'm always happy to see the "little" guy get his fair share of the pie, I'm somewhat saddened the strike appears set to end. Saddened for two very distinct reasons.




photo courtesy: AP Photo

I have always found Pittsburgh to very different from most cities in America. Of course, its people separate it from the rest of the country, but also its quirks. None more so than the way natives give directions. Here's an example. The Pittsburgh Chop House ( which I featured in "Check It Out" ) opened last fall. When they began advertising, they gave the location in what I call a "Pittsburgh" way. On the TV spot, it says it's located at the site of the Old Red Bull Inn.

Now this may be a small thing, but I find the Chop House is not alone when it comes to identifying what used to be there to indicate where something is. I did a story about two more restaurants weeks ago located at the new Piatt Place building downtown. Someone asked me where it was and even after giving them the address, it did not register. Finally, I said they are located in the old Lazarus building. The light bulb came on after that.

I'm not sure why - as Pittsburgh residents - often identifying where things are by talking about what used to be there. It's kind of like that on-going joke where someone gives directions and uses the nearest Sheetz as their starting point.

Some would say we do this because we don't want to let go of the past. I think we often refer to the past because, for the majority, this is where we have spent our lives and putting a new business in an old location does not take away what was there - at least in our minds. This is what makes our town so special: The fact that we have not forgotten about our past, even when something new takes its place.

I call it a "brain cloud".

That feeling you have early in the morning when you work the hours I do and never quite goes away until you see the sun.

Rising at 2am is not something you ever get used to, but I figured my biggest problem would be lack of sleep and an excessive case of yawning on this shift. Well, sleep is an issue -- and I do find myself yawning when off-camera. But there is somthing else - this "brain cloud" as I call it - and caffiene is can only do so much to relieve this temporary condition.

It's that feeling that you are just not there when you are at work. It's like you are reading the story on camera but instead of you reading it, it's like I'm a third person in the room watching myself reading the story. Maybe you don't see it at home, unless those times when I flub reading a story.

I find what gets me through these "cloudy" mornings is excessive banter with my co-horts. Whether it's on camera with Kelly, Mel and Demetrius ... or off camera with our floor director. Still, no matter how much sleep you get the "brain cloud" will still be there. Maybe not all the time, but occassionally.

I'm not complaining or seeking sympathy. Just thought I would let you inside the morning show and who knows, maybe I will get a call from Pitt or some other medical group which maybe studying this condition.

I'm a pack rat ... and I admit it.

From the helmet I wore during my high school football days to every t-shirt that has ever been given to me at every event, I have this habit of holding onto things I don't use. Sharon has gotten on me about this for years -- and deservedly so. At one point, I had 150 t-shirts in my closet which I had never worn. As you might notice on the morning news, I tend to wear the same things over and over again while other ties, shirts and suits sit in my closet unused.

But we also have another tradition in my household - the purge. Everytime Sharon and I prepare to move - and this will be the fourth time since we got married seven years ago ( Our friends have our address in pencil in their address books ) - we clean out the closets and basements. Our rule is pretty much like many of yours -- if you don't use it inside of two years, get rid of it.

So we spent the weekend combing through our "stuff" and wound up having more than a carload of collectibles to get rid of. Clothes, books, dishes, travel bags and various other items. However, instead of throwing it all away, we also choose to donate. We usually take our things to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or some other organization which can take these things and give them to families that truly need them. It's a great feeling to know that your hands-me-downs are going to help others.

Of course, not everything goes to charitable organizations. I had a stereo I haven't used in years and a golf bag which was collecting dust in the basement. So I donated that to Demetrius figuring he could use the stereo -- and he is an aspiring golfer.

I also had crystal vases and trays that I wanted to get rid of so I brought them to the station hoping Melanie Taylor might want them,. Turns out the Mikasa crystal matches a set that Kelly had -- and you have never seen someone so excited about getting someone's cast-offs. At least I now know all my discarded items have new homes which will appreciate them.

Sharon and I are now purged - until the next move.

"I love you."

Three words I plan to call and say to my dad when he wakes up later this morning. Three words no son can say enough to his father. A painful lesson I learned once again this week.

Mark Ross is a very good friend of mine from Beaver county. As a son, he had an extremely close relationship with his father Richard Ross. Known to everyone as "Butch", Richard made his mark on the sporting world as the football coach at Hopewell High School. Back in the mid 70's, he saw the potential in an undersized player, moving him from defense to offense. That player went onto success in high school, a Heisman Trophy and a national championship in college and a Super Bowl championship his rookie year in the NFL.

His name: Tony Dorsett.

But Butch's real impact was much closer to home. Not so much as a coach, but as an example to his son, Mark. He was a father who was there for his son. A father who shared his time and his life lessons with his only son. In return, Mark made his father more than just a man he visited on holidays and weekends. In my time with the Ross family, I have seen the two working together to raise money for scholarhsips for Beaver County athletes, supporting athletic events in the county all while showing what a father and son work together as partners as well as family members.

Butch Ross will be laid to rest Thursday. The viewing is today in Aliquippa. I will go and pay my respects to this man in two ways. I will express my condolences and the funeral home to the family ... and I will call my father. I will simply say to him "I love him".

Three simple words.

Three simple words that express so much.

Three words I cannot say often enough and need to do so because I never know when that day will come when I will be unable to say those words to him.

A local blogger known simply as "Rachel", author of thatnight.net , is up for a "Bloggie". For those of you not following the latest cyberspace happenings a "bloggie" is the blogosphere's verion of an academy award. She's up against competition from across the country -- and here story is told by our own Ashley DiParlo here on our website.


I have met Rachel and interviewed her as part of a story that I did last fall on local bloggers. What suprised me when both my story - and Ashley's piece - went on-line and on-air was the reaction from blog readers. Here's just a sample from thatnight.net:

"I'm glad Pittsburgh is trying to be hip to new media. It should. Why this is a great city to live in".

"I think WTAE is the only local station to actually take a chance on reporting blogging."

"I'm glad they did a nice interview and weren't like "what's this weird thing you do online?""

I'm not doing this to toot WTAE's horn as the only local station covering the on-line universe. Quite the contrary. The point I hope to make here is something I discussed with a friend of mine the other day who also works in TV. The total disconnect between the old media and new media.

Old media ( TV, radio, newspaper ) and new media ( internet, blogging ) are different ends of the same spectrum, but listening to people on both sides you would think there would no way we were even located in the same universe much less the same business. There are many in old media who see new media as taking a cut of their action and trying to force them out. New media sees the old as "the establishment" and are distrustful of the messages they send. It's true, old media does use a filter but that's only because we broadcast to a larger audience. Of course, new media is so narrowly-focused, they can say just about anything they want to do and don't have to worry about repercussions .. for the most part.

I guess I was just stunned how a TV report which attempted to give a fair and unbiased view of new media was received as both a shock by those in the blogopshere. Of course, there are those who are going to be suspicious of why a TV station would promote their direct competition. The answer is that - at least in my mind - we are not competition. We are just looking at similar areas of concern from different vantage points. I believe the new media is the best way to take the temperature of a town or community. That's why I read them with regularity and - I don't mind saying - get some of my best story ideas from them.

After all new media members, I am now one of you.