If there was a “go/no go” pre-launch check for WICU/WSEE merger on Monday ala the Apollo 13 movie, it could have gone like this:

• “audio” – “no go”
• “video” – “no go”
• “graphics” – “no go”
• “master control” – “no go”
• “medical” – “no go”

I thought I was going to need oxygen just watching WSEE’s debut at 6:00 from 35^th and State last night. Not just in a perfect world, but in the normal world when you do major change like this, you plan each element carefully, do several dry runs, and work out the kinks before launch. Nothing at 35^th & State was normal yesterday.

It was apparent that not nearly enough planning had gone into actually producing the news products that both stations are responsible for before launch yesterday. The primary goal seems to have been to get “something” on for six and eleven, and they did. However, despite the chaos, everyone was coping with the situation, and things will get better over the coming days.

Now it’s time to work out the final schedule, figure out who will be updating the websites (as of 6 AM Tuesday, WSEE’s hasn’t been touched since Friday), and remember which logo goes on the flat screen in front of the news desk for each cast. Management of microphone flags also needs to be thrown in the mix.

Finally, if you were wondering how the stations would navigate doing two morning shows, here’s how it went at least for today: WSEE began taping at around 4:20 AM. I’m assuming that WICU dropped their first half-hour today, and went live from 5:30 to 7:00. The new Mornings Live has Stephanie Schelkun at the smaller dark desk with the newly bearded Ray Petelin. They will look better once they work on their chemistry and Ray gets a chance to express more of his humor.