25 AUG 05: THREE AND OUT
A disclaimer may be in order first: This blog was not set up to throw stones at any person or business in particular. If it seems that way, maybe it's because a business keeps setting itself up for jokes - and I can do pretty well at playing T-ball.
Blaine Stewart declared Wednesday he'll leave WRBL within a month. It's not clear from Stewart's statement if this was completely his decision. But if he doesn't appear on News 3 This Morning today, we might have a definite answer....
It's routine in the television business for journalists to sign contracts with stations. Blaine Stewart's contract with WRBL apparently expires in September -- and perhaps Stewart should give a framed copy of it to his boss, on his final day.
Blaine Stewart openly has been looking for TV jobs in other cities. His statement Wednesday admitted he's "stressed" by the fact that he has no job lined up at this point. Can anyone help Stewart here - do the day laborers still gather every morning on 15th Street?
Only last week, Blaine Stewart said goodbye to "News 3 at 5:00" anchor partner Jessica Clark. Now he's leaving that newscast as well - so this could be the big moment for Amy Giuliano and Dave Marshall to make a triumphant return.
If you think about it, WRBL now has several anchor positions to fill. Blaine Stewart has been anchoring the morning news since Amy Giuliano left in May. With this many missing anchors, a WRBL report from West Point Lake could be dangerous....
(Would WRBL's bosses dare go all the way, and change the 6:00 p.m. anchors as well? After all, I'm still waiting for the "Bring Back Brad Means" protest line to form outside the building.)
So who should fill these open anchor chairs at WRBL? Someone suggested to me the other day Candace Cook might be a good candidate. And as longtime blog readers know, we've proven she was one important ingredient for the job - the hair.
For all the pokes I've made at Blaine Stewart over the years, he truly has shown ability and talent at WRBL. I've felt for a long time he was ready for bigger and better things outside Columbus. Hopefully that won't mean delivering Fed-Ex packages in Memphis.
While we wait for Blaine Stewart's "Situations Wanted" ad to appear in the newspaper, let's check other big events from Wednesday:
+ A natural gas leak led to the evacuation of Carver High School, and no classes for the day. Officials blamed the leak on some vandalism by students - which happened years ago! So which members of the Class of '99 scored D's in science?
(The natural gas leak was uncovered one day after the evening news reported Carver High School has 35 broken air conditioning units. I suggest at its next meeting, the Muscogee County School Board take bids for heat pumps.)
+ A parked and shut-off Ford Expedition caught fire in Phenix City. In fact, it happened inside Phenix City Fire Station #1 on Crawford Road! [True/WRBL] At least this time, critics can't write the "Citizen-News" complaining about slow response times.
+ The Base Realignment and Closure review commission approved the transfer of about 4,000 soldiers from Fort Knox, Kentucky to Fort Benning. If those soldiers can smuggle gold from Fort Knox down with them, south Columbus might get some revenge on the north side.
(But the BRAC review panel upheld the closing of Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem in Atlanta. Fort McPherson has at least 20 listed historic buildings - and imagine how they'll look after big-money rap stars buy them.)
+ Auburn University researchers announced they've developed a genetic "super-catfish," that's larger than normal varieties. NOW you tell us this -- the Columbus baseball season is almost over.
+ Instant Message to whomever left a Coca-Cola "Look Under" cap on the Riverwalk: Thank you very much! I've won a small popcorn with the purchase of bottled water at Carmike Cinemas. Hopefully the staff won't mind if I walk out, without buying a movie ticket.
BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Fishing along the Columbus Riverwalk at 11th Street (one man caught 13 fish there Wednesday).... 20-ounce sodas for 39 cents with a Walgreens coupon.... gas for $2.49 a gallon at Spectrum on 4th Street (well, maybe before 10:00 a.m.?!)....
Your PayPal donations can keep this blog ad-free and independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post a reply.
If you quote from this in public somewhere, please be polite enough to let me know.
© 2003-05 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.