May 24th, 2009 
joel The Press and Tower readers spent the week reeling from the news of layoffs resulting from the WSEE/WICU merger. We learned this week that conversations about the merger began last summer.
Meanwhile, we come to realize that a use of new media may have been the deciding factor in the change of the administration of Erie County. The Buzz Andrezewski YouTube’s didn’t get Mark DiVecchio in trouble in the first place, but the videos’ content may have been just enough to drive down his (and Buzz’s) negatives, leaving Democrats to vote for Barry Grossman.
All this to say that if you miss a day of The Press and Tower, you might have to play major “catch-up”.
You have the agenda when it comes to this open comment forum. You can always private message me at joel@nataliemedia.com or direct message me on Twitter @pressandtower.
Embrace the chaos!
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Anyone see a problem in the sports section in Sundays paper ??
Erie Seawolves are playing Akron..but the headlines and quick recap score says Harrisburgh Senators.. and story starts out saying Akron—
I can understand miss spelling a players name but having the wrong City of the team they are playing.
Sounds like someone didnt’ do their job
It’s the times…what do you expect?
Did anybody realize that the Windsor Spitfires (OHL champion) won the CHL’s Memorial Cup tournament (involving champions from all 3 junior leagues + the host team)? Not even a mention in the Times or even a score on the bottom line scroll from either Channels 12 or 24.
Thank goodness I don’t get ALL of my information from the local media.
Apparently Erie media outlets (print, radio & TV) believe that hockey season ends when the Otters are eliminated from the OHL playoffs (if they make it at all).
there was a small article on the CHL Memorial Cup. it was mentioned on one of the side columns
I turned on my TV 6:30 this morning and did not see WSEE’s Mornings Live on the air. I hope the show will be back on June 1st with the original set.
Here’s some Facebook wall posts about the change to the different set that was used for the past month.
Viewer: “Just wondering what the deal with the new set is? I gave it a little time to soak in, but I think I like the old set better.”
Rachael: “We definitely love the old set much better. The change to the set is permanent for now. We lost all the lights to our nice set. They had to be moved up the street to light the new set at WICU honestly. So, we are making do with what we have. Sorry guys – but thanks for staying with us.”
Raychel: “When they constructed their new set they had to light it before taking the lights from their temporary set. Since we are merging June 1, which was printed in the paper, so I’m not leaking any secrets here, we will be sharing a news studio apparently – so i guess they wanted to save money and do it this way. I don’t know…i don’t make the decisions. Obviously.”
If you haven’t visited wsee.tv recently, you’ll find that the website has been redone. Also, WSEE, WICU, and the CW have been heavily promoting a new website, theeriemarketplace.com.
Finally, Jacqueline Policastro did an interesting story on one-man-band reporting last night at 11 when she presented interviews and information gathered during her trip to Washington D.C.
That’s all for now.
I have my doubts that WSEE will have a morning show. NBC’s Today show draws higher ratings than the other networks, so I think that SJL will stick with the ICU crew and their lead-in to Today. Rachael is probably still believing the propaganda that B. Lilly has been pumping to the 35 folks. She needs to wake up and see the hand-writing on the wall. 35 news is DOA.
PR is right. I think WSEE News is DOA. As for believing SJL propaganda? Scott Bremner has been extremely quiet since his declaration 2 or 3 months ago in which he emphatically stated: “NO employees of WSEE will lose their jobs as a result of this merger despite what the erroneous rumors have reported.” (that was paraphrased for clarity)
It should be interesting to see how Lilly Broadcasting/SJL/WSEE handle the Public Relations and Promotions of moving their newscasts to 7pm. If I were running Channel 35 (OR is it Channel 16 since Analog is bye-bye?) I would be promoting the hell out of a 7pm newscast a couple of times an hour every day. Maybe Brian Lilly is going for the low-key approach? Perhaps he is thinking people will turn in for “Wheel” and when they find it has moved they will stay on Channel 16 and watch the “Hotline Newswatch?”
Definitely no way to run a TV Station. Perhaps he could promote “Hotline Newswatch” the way he in promoting Erie Marketplace???
Is WSEE going to mention that Friday’s 6pm newscast is going to be the last 6pm newscast on Channel 35? Is there any special retrospective planned? Is Channel 35 going to thank their viewers for supporting them over the years? Or is WSEE going to act like nothing is happening and give the viewers one nasty little surprise come Monday June 1st?
I think we all know the answers to the above questions!
What in heaven’s name is accomplished by being snarky & bashing Scott, Raychel, etc. from WSEE ?
It strikes me as petty and vindictive.
If you have a constructive observation to make or something of value to contribute to the discussion, then by all means do it.
But to poke “fun” at these folks during what must be a personally worrisome and tumultuous time is downright nasty.
I’d hope for better behavior from (albeit former) members of our esteemed profession, but unfortunately a couple of you disgruntled guys that are supposedly so ‘concerned’ never fail to disappoint.
Way past time to move on, and just let it go.
Thank you Erie BlogWatch for once again pointing out my many shortcomings. It must be wonderful to be so moral and pious. I am sure you have never spoekn ill of another human in your life – except for your comments towards me, of course.
I guess I will once again apologize for not doing what it is you claim I have done. You know what Mr. Erie BlogWatch? This is getting pretty old. At least I am using my REAL name (Tim) what do you do? Hide behind “Erie BlogWatch?” Why don’t YOU put your name behind YOUR criticisms and see if YOU get criticized by others.
I guess my First Amendment rights don’t matter here? Let’s see…another topic I can’t talk about. First the NABET Union and now this? Wow!
Do you have any suggestions about what I can talk about, Mr. Erie BlogWatch?
By the way…I am not a “disgruntled” FORMER member of our profession. I am a freelance photographer/videographer who earns enough money to happily raise 4 wonderful daughters and I have been lucky enough to be married to the sweetheart of my youth for the past 14 years. Oh, I also pay more than my fair share of local, state and federal taxes. So I am living the dream and not being disgruntled about what is currently happening in Erie TV.
I’m letting it go, ErieBlogWatch. Perhaps it is time for you to let it go also and stop feeling like you need to police my comments?
Wait a minute…Ya’ll are talking like Ch 35 is about to sign off the air and never do news again. So they move a newscast or two…what the heck. Everything’s going to be okay.
Brian Lilly promised in the newspaper that no on-air people were going to lose their jobs. And Scott Bremner confirmed it here. Lilly is an honest man, right? He wouldn’t dupe anyone, would he? Scott knows what he’s talking about, doesn’t he? Heck, he’s a news anchor.
I’m sure everyone who works for him at 12/35 can sleep easy at night, knowing that his word is his bond, right?
I’m sure if anything is different than what Mr Lilly said it would be, the Erie Times News will hold him accountable. Don’t ya think?
The word from a WSEE reporter who is losing their job is that ONLY Stephanie Schelkun will stay on with the combined newsroom. All other WSEE on-air talent under will take buyout checks and be sent on their way, while those who are not under contract will do the same but without a large severance check to fall back on. Of the departing group, some are going to grad school, some looking to move into teaching in local schools, and some will apply for other TV news jobs in markets near and far fom Erie.
Max, I pray that you’ve been misinformed…but the sad truth is that your source is probably correct.
The difficulty here is that many of the very people effected by the pending layoffs can not publically comment for fear of losing what little severance package has been offered. My prediction is that once all the checks are cashed, we will hear details of just how shady this whole deal was from start to finish.
B. Lilly does not fit the term “honorable”, other wise those who are losing their jobs would not be in this situation. SJL has raped 12 & 35 all for $$$!
Max you are incorrect!
OK Rachael…tell us what show you will be doing and on which channel. Since the 12 studio can’t handle 2 shows at once, where are you guys going to be broadcasting from…the front yard? Did BL put this in writing? I wouldn’t trust his word.
Tim, don’t sign off – I really enjoy our banter.
Great post TV News Fan, sadly, it holds water in many places outside of Erie as well.
Legend, Thank You! (I’m glad someone enjoys and isn’t offended by my commentary!) I also enjoy our banter. All the best to you!
I’ve been in TV for way too long to take anything personally or have much surprise me about the industry. I just like debating different points and ideas. I think that’s a big part of how we learn.
Tim,
I enjoy the banter too, and saw no ill will presented to media folks in your observations. In fact, I saw the opposite. You appealed to a retrospective, or memorial or look back at what was. I think that would be good for the WSEE folks and the community.
legend is correct that you not leave because Erie BlogWatch chooses you as his latest target of narcisisstic put down.
EBW lashed at Emma on Eriepressible and Eden on her blog. And myself at Global Erie and anywhere I comment. He has learned some folks lash back.
You put a proper perspective in your original comment. And your reply to EBW was for more understanding of his sociopathic bent, that he deserved.
This is an open discussion area of Press and Tower, not a particular blog piece. Anything goes under Joel’s system in this quarter.
And if anyone should be Watching Blogs, that would be the duty of the blog owner, not some Freehold, NJ **edit** with too much sanctimony and time on his hands.
Having destroyed his own blog, it is now open season on bringing down all other blogs, Erie related, by the ever-so-correct-on-all-possible-commentary-legend-in-his-own-mind, EBW.
I commented since day one at GlobalErie, but this **edit** with a specialty of personal attack, and then labelling YOU with his characteristics, made commentary there most unwise. Now that EBW has the floor at Global, silence ensues.
His theme is the velvet glove hand smashing you in the face as you look away. Sucker punch by **edit**.
I would think that by now, most Erie Blogs would block his IPO. Jack Tirak blocked the IPO of a specific nemesis when I privately pointed out the damage being caused by behavior like EBW.
The bloggers of Erie do NOT need a Blog Watch.
They are big boys and girls and can watch their blogs just fine.
EBW failed at watching his own blog.
Credentials to BlogWatch OTHER Erie Blogs are as phony as the commenter.
I did not read the union thread where you were again harrassed by this guy. But I know two things:
Where EBW shows up and does to others as he did to you, comments decline and audiences grow slim.
Second, the more comments on a blog, the better the overall views being dispersed, for everyone to learn what others think and why.
Most self police their sanctimony.
In the garbage state, er, I mean the Garden State, they export their trash to Erie and disguise it as a favor, called watching our blogs.
Comments strike EBW as petty and vindictive.
He hold a BS in both — and I do mean BS —
and a Masters in personal attack.
So does the spawn of satan….
just a coincidence I am sure.
Tim, legend, normal people,….write on!!!
I should have pointed out that the WSEE reporter was referring to news/sports staff, not weather — Joey Stevens will continue at the new shop, and Cheryl Scott has already been part of it since the departure of Shannon Solo.
I would hope that the “merged” 12/35 would at least keep Jacqueline Policastro? She (JP) is a fine talent with a seemingly limitless futire ahead of her. Perhaps she will continue to be Lilly Broadcasting’s man (woman) in Washington, DC?
Keeping Joey is a no-brainer. Very, very popular in the Caribbean. K.C. Kantz needs a little more “polishing” but he has definite major market potential. I also would hope that Gary Drapcho is allowed to stay around. I never had the chance to work with Gary but I met him once and he is a very nice man.
The others will end up just fine. Lou Baxter at WJET won’t have any trouble filling future vacancies.
One thing I don’t understand: “IF” Wheel and Jeopardy are moving to TV-12 for early prime (7-8pm) why hasn’t this been promoted on TV on in the newspapers? Do the powers-that-be at Lilly Broadcasting REALLY expect people to figure all the programming moves out on their own?
According to http://www.PBRTV.com Raychel Vendetti announced on today’s Newswatch at Noon that after today’s newscast she “will no longer be with WSEE.”
The hammer has dropped. It would appear Mr. Lilly has gone back on his promise of “no on air personnel layoffs???”
JET won’t hire anyone from 35….Lou already has a full crew. Besides JET hires youngsters out of college, who work cheap, not experienced folks who want more $$$.
According to multiple sources the last newscast to originate from 13th & Peach is tonight’s 11pm Nightbeat.
I wonder if there will be any mention of what is to come in the future?
For those of you that have them, set your DVR’s!
Go to http://www.WSEE.tv for more. Charles Santini is also leaving Channel 35. Scott and Jacqueline were “cryptic” in discussing future plans and who was staying or leaving. It was sad to watch – almost like being at a funeral.
On WSEE Newswatch at Six tonight, Scott Bremner and Jacqueline Policastro sat in front of the news set instead of behind the desk for the first segment of the newscast. They said that this will be the last 6 o’clock newscast from the Peach St. studio. The Newswatch Nightbeat will still air tonight and there will be no news tomorrow because it is “moving day” for WSEE as the transition occurs.
They emphasized many times throughout the broadcast that there will be news again Monday on the station. This includes a 6 o’clock newscast. There was also a mention that the newscasts may be changed up soon (no details yet, although many know what may be happening) and they will inform viewers when this happens.
We already know that Raychel Vendetti will not be part of the new adventure, but WSEE’s six o’clock newscast also indicated something else. One of the anchors indicated that some of the faces seen on the station will change. Jen Mobilia and Charles Santini appear to be among the others who will not be moving to upper State street. They were the only reporters on air tonight, signing off for the last time with “For the last time, I’m Jennifer Mobilia, WSEE Newswatch, Watching Out for You.” Jen recapped the most influential stories from her career at WSEE and Charles talked about the food that coworkers at the station would grab as they went out to report the news.
Good luck to everyone at WSEE. Let’s see what June 1st brings for Erie television.
Amen!, Doug
Monday should be interesting. I don’t see how they can do a news ast on both 12 & 35 @ 6 PM unless it is an simulcast. To all the folks who got screwed by SJL, my hopes are that you are able to move on with your lives at a better operation (any place would be better than SJL). You are all very taltented and deserve the best.