Amy Robach's Exclusive Interview With Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

Amy Robach snagged the first interview with troubled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The governor is scheduled to appear Monday on 'Good Morning America' and "The View'. THAT was billed as exclusive. But Robach snagged the interview Saturday... with pieces airing on "Today," "Meet the Press" and "NBC Nightly News Sunday." The full interview will air on "Today" Monday... I'm sure opposite the live "GMA" interview. Here's a clip.

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This from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Blagojevich, wearing a blue ivy league shirt, told NBC's Amy Robach that he has not prepared mentally for possibly going to prison. The impeachment was triggered by Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest on criminal charges, including trying to auction off President Obama's vacant senate seat.
As Dec. 9 unfolded, Blagojevich told NBC, "I thought about Mandela, Dr. King and Gandhi and tried to put some perspective to all this and that is what I am doing now."
Blagojevich is not going to participate in his defense because he says the rules are rigged against him. He will not be in Springfield for his trial; instead he will be doing nationally televised interviews.
The governor told NBC that the state Senate trial will be so unfair, he could bring in "15 angels and 20 saints led by Mother Theresa" to testify on his behalf and "it wouldn't matter."

It's a bit of a comeback for NBC News... after Matt Lauer lost his touted exclusive with the pilot of that US Air flight that crashed into the Hudson River. That interview went to Katie Couric and CBS News.

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Jenna Wolfe, NBC Weekend Today: Is She….

It was last Thanksgiving that I first blogged about Jenna Wolfe on NBC’s weekend edition of “Today.” That review wasn’t all that flattering. Here’s part of it:
First, Jenna Wolfe (who’s name is now tracked on the show open) screams at the camera (and me as a viewer). In an interview this morning, she was more distracted by a beeping clothes dryer than passing along information from a potentially good consumer segment. In segment after segment, her tone attitude and comments are just inappropriate and quite annoying. READ THE COMPLETE POST

I blogged many times since about the Saturday-Sunday volley between Amy Robach and Wolfe. Robach seemed polished on the surface. Wolfe was less so, bringing a completely different personality to the show on Sunday AM. Poor Lester, I wrote. To be fair, I blogged numerous times that Wolfe just needed time to grow in the role. Drop any of us into a great job like “Today” and we would need that time. So, to be fair in reassessing my criticism of her, I wanted to come back to the show this weekend… one year after that first blog. I wondered… what has changed? Has she improved? Is Jenna Wolfe better on this show now than a year ago?

The simple answer: YES. This morning’s hour was tremendously more watchable than many of the weekend shows I watched 10-11-12 months ago. True to the plea… she needed time to grow. Wolfe still brings a bit of edgy personality to the show. One of my early complaints about her anchoring was that she made the show about her… not the content. That happens many times when local or networks anchors believe the show is about them. It really is about the content. Personality and style are great appeals… but neither is a replacement for quality of content presented to the user. Today, Wolfe managed to work in her personality while still focusing on the content. A minor example happened in a “green” segment when Wolfe made some quick comment to the interviewee about herself… but then quickly said “let’s move on”… not letting those personal moments about linger. That’s a great balance. Let us see the unique, sometimes quirky, style you bring… but always stay focused on the content of the show. Not that my little blog or my little opinion matters to Wolfe or anyone else for that matter… but I would congratulate Wolfe. She has come a long way in this role in a year.

As a side now, I have blogged often about NBC News and “Today”. I am perhaps a rare breed of viewer these days. I grew up watching NBC and “Today”. I often drift and sample other products. The final year of “Good Morning America” with Charlie Gibson and Diana Sawyer was among their best. Great writing and great content made the duo very appealing. But… I always come back to home – NBC, “NBC Nightly News” and “Today”. (A big note: notice that I did not say MSNBC. I don’t like partisan, opinion-focused news content that much of cable news has become. Just give me the news, dammitt LOL) Now... it’s an ongoing challenge to keep us loyal viewers in place.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR PREVIOUS POSTS
Amy Robach Selected Hottest News Anchor
Robach Signs New Deal With NBC
Jenna Wolfe: Is OK Enough?
Endless Fascination With Wolfe, Robach
MOST COMMENTED POST: Robach Back, Wolfe On Anchor Desk
What Has Happened To "Today"
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Today's Amy Robach Selected TV's Hottest Anchor

Maxim Magazine has selected NBC Weekend Today anchor Amy Robach as the Hottest TV anchor. Maxim.com has the complete list. Roback is a popular topic on this blog. The blog really started after NBC started splitting weekend anchor duties between Robach and Jenna Wolfe. Both are paired with Lester Holt on alternating days... guy is comfortable one day and on guard another. Here's what Maxim says about Robach, "All the recent wailing about America´s unemployment rate overlooks some of its benefits, namely the additional time it affords you with the hottest host in Today Show history. Her fill-in work at the news desk and on the NBC Nightly News has been par excellence, a term we know only because it´s a synonym for "nifty" on Webster.com." (The image is from her anchoring days at MSNBC.)

Here's the rest of the list:

2. Megan Kelly, FOX News

3. Erin Burnett, CNBC

4. Betty Nguyen, CNN

5. Jenna Lee, Fox Business News

6. Deidre Bolton, Bloomberg

7. Julie Banderas, FOX News

8. Margaret Brennan, CNBC

9. Courtney Friel, FOX News

10. Rebecca Jarvis, CNBC

OK boys and girls... what do we learn from this list? Here are some thoughts:

--If you're not hot, don't hold out much hope of working for FOX News. (3 of 10 are FOX News anchors)

--They have to hire some hotties to anchor business news anywhere... maybe to keep people awake. (5 of 10 are business anchors)

--Sad... Betty Nguyen is the only one holding the CNN flag.

--NBC's only win... the one that counts.. Robach in first place.

--Can you imagine the sad faces at ABC News and CBS News... put of the "No Hotties Work Here" sign

--So just where is Maria Bartiromo, the original 'Money Honey'?

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Jenna Wolfe and Amy Robach on 'Weekend Today'

OK..It's time that I fess up. Last Thanksgiving weekend, I blogged for the first time about Jenna Wolfe and Amy Robach on 'Weekend Today'. It was a simple post. I had no intention of continuing to follow the saga of Wolfe's growth into the NBC position and the ongoing decision by NBC to split Saturday and Sunday AM anchoring duties. But thanks to search engines, users started finding my posts... over and over again. The differing styles of Wolfe and Robach are polarizing it seems. You "love them" one or both.... or you don't, there's no middle ground it seems.

I know several people who have commented on previous posts believe that I have given Wolfe an unfair shot. I'll say it again (and have in many posts), she is growing into the position. I congratulate her on her ability to not only achieve the position at NBC... but to keep it. She is obviously doing many things right. She deserves that credit. So... no matter what the sometimes week by week posts read about Wolfe's unique style, give her credit for having a lot of people talking.... and searching via Google, Yahoo and AOL for her name.

We all have our opinions about what we like in our news anchors. As my granny reminded me often, opinions are a 'dime a dozen'. The blogosphere allows every single one of us to voice our opinions. BUT I continue to be amazed at the interest in the 'Weekend Today' -Jenna Wolfe - Amy Robach... and by default, Lester Holt, saga.
CHECK OUT THE FIRST POST HERE.
CHECK OUT THE MOST READ POST: HERE.

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Amy Robach Signs New Deal With NBC

Amy Robach has apparently signed a new deal with NBC News, according to TV Newser. She will apparently do many of the same duties she's been doing for months: anchor the Saturday edition of 'Today" as well as provide national correspondent reports for 'Night News' and 'Today'. TVNewser is also careful to point out that Jenna Wolfe will continue to anchor the Sunday editions of 'Today'. Wolfe and Robach have "filled in' on those shows since Campbell Brown left last year.

Weekend Today Ratings - Who Wins? Jenna Wolfe or Amy Robach

So, there's a lot of talk on this blog about "Weekend Today" with Lester Holt and Amy Robach on Saturday... then Holt and Jenna Wolfe on Sunday. Everyone turns to ratings first to point out success or failure. In the most recent ratings, May sweeps, the Saturday and Sunday shows had about the same number of total viewers -- 160,000 difference.
Saturday:• Total viewers:NBC — 3,770,000 / ABC — 2,580,000 / CBS — 1,570,000
Sunday:• Total viewers:CBS — 4,450,000 / NBC — 3,610,000 / ABC — 2,320,000
That's not bad considering the shows have very different feels with two very different anchors. But again, in fairness, the ratings are about the same, And for those of you who love to say it's all about the key demos. That too was about the same.
Saturday • A25-54:NBC — 1,510,000 / ABC — 1,160,000 / CBS — 660,000
Sunday:• A25-54:CBS — 1,710,000 / NBC — 1,480,000 / ABC — 960,000
So, there you have it. At least from an overall viewership standpoint, there's not much difference.
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Well, time for some shameless promotion of another fun blog I just launched. Hey, we all need to get away from this mad media world on occasion right? Check out Meerkat Mania: LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS. Yes, I love those cute little critters that scurry across the Kalahari every Friday night on Animal Planet. I've watched previous seasons on DVR on rainy or sick days. It's easy-watching TV! "Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation" starts Friday at 9pm. Enjoy the show.. and add comments on the blog anytime! GET YOUR MEERKAT RINGTONES AT: Meerkat Mania LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS!

Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach of Weekend Today -- What You Think

It's been a while since I aggregated some of the comments about Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach and Lester Holt of 'Weekend Today'. There are several comments with this theme from people who really like Wolfe on the Sunday edition of 'Today'.
"I'm glad that you're coming around to liking Jenna Wolfe. Her quirky style is entertaining, at least compared to the dry delivery of other news deliverers. Rememeber, the today show is as much about the personalities as it is about the story itself. This isn't headline news. "
First, I do like Wolfe in some ways. She is a very talented on-air person... in her own right. I have blogged before about the specifics of what I like about both Wolfe and Robach.... and what I don't like. My posts are more about the chemistry on the show and how easy it is to watch. Sometimes talented people are miscast.

What follows is a few of the best comments to blog posts. You can find all posts about Wolfe, Robach and Holt by entering their name in the search corner in the upper left corner of the page. Add your comments at the bottom of this and any story. Thanks for taking part!
Anonymous said...
I agree with you Jeff. Robach and Holt have a very good, natural chemistry from their days at MSNBC, and it has translated over nicely to Weekend Today. Sunday, not so much. It has been how many months since Wolfe started doing Sundays, and Holt still looks like he would rather eat nails than sit there with her. I have no idea how one can find watching such an uncomfortable Lester Holt enjoyable.

Anonymous said...
I don't see Lester uncomfortable. What I see is an unpredictable Wolfe sometimes surprising him with her comments. I think this is what is making the show different than Saturdays, but equally as good. Wolfe and Robach are different personalities but both good in their own style and delivery

Ralph from Jersey said...
Jenna Wolfe will be a star! She has presence, candor, wit and a genuine sincerity that is sometimes lacking on network TV. She was an excellent reporter and anchor person in the New York metro area and has now taken her skills to The Today Show. She is the kind of person whom you root for as she is more "one of us" than "one of them".
Her interviews are better now than when she first started on air, and that is a natural progression. She is just a fun person to watch, very creative and someone that really draws you in. I am confident that she will stay in this gig for as long as she likes. People like to wake up with someone comfortable, yet credible. Jenna is like that.

Anonymous said...
Sundays are just uncomfortable. It is like inviting over the crazy uncle for the Holiday's and being continuously nervous about what might come out of his mouth. That is the same feeling I get with Jenna Wolfe.

Anonymous said...
Jenna's voice is not soothing. She did a piece on a taser party and refrained from her most annoying humor. However, her piece on the "what I learned from women who dumped me" was dull. Also, she kept interrupting the guests with stupid mumblings.
She soaked up Ann Curry advertising Jenna's dating status.

Anonymous said...
Rather than focus on how bad Jenna Wolfe is, I would like to throw a new name for consideration for the job. I suggest the underutilized Melissa Francis of CNBC.

Anonymous said...
Well said. Jenna hasn't been doing any fluff segments lately. Come to think of it I haven't seen her at all during peak times. Her style fits with midday stay at home somebodies who don't get out of the house. She is rough around the edges and self consumed.

Anonymous said...
I would like to see Amy Robach on the Weekend Today show both days. I don't enjoy watching Jenna. I agree she is 'rough around the edges' and I don't think her 'humor' is funny. Let us have Amy Saturday & Sunday

Anonymous said...
Lester Holt is a real gentleman... how does he remain so composed when he has to co-host with Jenna Wolfe? She is constantly trying to steal the spotlight away from him and back onto herself... it is embarrassing to see. I don't watch the show on Sunday anymore because I don't want to be annoyed by her unprofessional behavior. I haven't read one nice comment about her yet. Why do you keep her on? You are losing viewers!

eastcoastfan said...
I am a big Today show fan and love Lester Holt on the weekends. He is articulate, charming and entertaining, but the powers that be at the Today show need to know how obnoxious Jenna Wolfe is!!! Her "attempts" at trying to be hip, cool and funny are nothing but annoying. Today is going to lose a lot of loyal fans if they continue to put Jenna on the air. With all of the talent in NY, Jenna is the "best" that you can do? Viewers say: "Put Amy Robach on as permanent weekend co-anchor"
----
Well, time for some shameless promotion of another fun blog I just launched. Hey, we all need to get away from this mad media world on ocassion right? Check out Meerkat Mania: LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS. Yes, I love those cute little critters that scurry across the Kalahari every Friday night on Animal Planet. I've watched previous seasons on DVR on rainy or sick days. It's easy-watching TV! "Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation" starts Friday at 9pm. Enjoy the show.. and add comments on the blog anytime! GET YOUR MEERKAT RINGTONES AT: Meerkat Mania LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS!

Jenna Wolfe and Amy Robach Switcheroo on Today

Sunday 'Today' seemed much like Saturday. Amy Robach filled in for Jenna Wolfe.... who filled in for her Saturday. Weekend viewers who are accustomed to seeing two very different styles in anchors for Saturday and Sunday... got a chance to see the other this weekend. Robach and Lester Holt explained at the top of the Sunday show that Robach was flying back from her late-week adventure with "Where In The World Is Matt Lauer". So, Wolfe pulled Saturday duties... and Robach on Sunday for this week. It's just an easy start to the show.... here's to hoping.

CHECK OUT THIS LAST WOLFE - ROBACH POST

WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

Jenna Wolfe and Lester Holt on 'Weekend Today' Show

There were more high jinks this AM on the Sunday edition of 'Today' with Jenna Wolfe and Lester Holt. This morning, Wolfe seemed to return to 'how I'm related to the news". I think she has made a lot of progress in this position... but still too often slips back into self-inclusion in the news or self-depricating actions.

• This morning, at the top of the show, Wolfe got into some back and forth with Holt about a word. I believe she was taliing about "schismatizing". Holt didn't realize what she was talking about (neither did I)... and told her. She mentioned that her mother would be happy about the discussion... and something about her 'big new job here.' It was awkward for Holt. I really like him and hate to see the rhythm of the show disrupted for him.
• Later, as Wolfe read a story about Pres. Bush's remarks last night at a Washington media event, she pulled herself into the story. Bush was joking about John McCain distancing himself from Bush. The President added that 'Jenna is moving out.' Wolfe joked about herself (Jenna) not knowing she was moving out. We (viewers) all know the President was talking about his daughter. Awkward.
• Finally, in several later segments, Wolfe made reference to the drizzle on the plaza and that she was out in. She finally even slapped herself around a bit by saying she needed to just stop talking about the rain. How about complaining to the executive producer about the segments in the rain instead of mentioning it so often to viewers.

If you've followed my posts about Wolfe, Amy Robach and Holt, you'll know that I was tough on Wolfe when she came to this position. I have been, and still am, an NBC News watcher. But, I think she has grown a lot. It's sad though when she slips back into old habits. By they way, there's a new string of comments about Wolfe on TVSpy.com. And... the TodayShow.com page focused on Weekend Today still only features Holt. There's no presence for Wolfe or Robach.

SEARCH FOR ALL WOLFE AND ROBACH POSTS BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Wolfe and Robach Co-Anchor Sunday 'Today'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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Amy Robach And Jenna Wolfe Anchor NBC's "Today' Together Sunday

What a surprise this Sunday morning to see Amy Robach and Jenna Wolfe anchoring the ‘Today’ show together. Lester Holt is apparently off today. Early in the show, the duo talked about the all-female team at the show this morning (Tamsen Fadel read the news and Janice Huff pulled weather duties).

The 8:30 half hour opened with LIVE coverage of the Pope's arrival at Ground Zero. Robach clearly has the edge carrying coverage like this because of her work on MSNBC. NBC dumped out of the Pope's arrival before he actually arrived. Robach tried to transition to singers on the plaza. It was a bit awkward.. along with the solemn and serious look on Wolfe's face as she glanced over toward Robach. It seemed to be Robach's show. She handled the first segment after news and weather in the first half hour. She handled the first segment after the Pope coverage and weather in the second half hour. There wasn't a lot else unique or different about the show.

There are some clear differences in style for each. Robach is the more traditional news anchor of the two. Some people think that may be a bad thing. Wolfe is a little more casual. But sometimes she is too casual which becomes annoying to some viewers. On Saturdays, Robach seems to have a more natural chemistry with Holt. Sundays, Wolfe appears to catch him off guard sometimes... making it an awkward experience.

A footnote: it will be interesting to see if Robach gets the fill-in duties tonight on ‘NBC Nightly News’.

SEARCH FOR ALL WOLFE AND ROBACH POSTS BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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Jenna Wolfe of 'Weekend Today'... and the Bully Segment

It's been a few weeks since I have had a chance to watch the Sunday edition of 'Today' with Jenna Wolfe and Lester Holt. This morning as I watched, I realized little has changed.

Wolfe, who when I watched last, seemed to have moved beyond making the news more about her and how the content affects her... than about the viewer. This morning she seemed to fall back into old habits with quick quips and comments about stories and segments. It's kind of laughable. When I heard a segment being teased about adult bullies, I began to wonder. Would Wolfe do this segment? Would it be silly? Finally about 45 minutes into the show, the segment came on with Wolfe admitting that she had frizzy hair as a child and that students picked on her. It seems trivial in this writing. But, watching the segment and Wolfe's introduction reminded me of her performance months ago that irritated so many people (and endeared her to some others).

I still wish all involved the best (and I am a lifelong viewer of NBC News). We as viewers get a better product with success. But, engaging viewers for an anchor goes far beyond self-involvement in the content or self-deprecating comments. Add you comments to this post... and about Jenna Wolfe/Amy Roback/Lester Holt in the comments field below.

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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Amy Robach on NBC’s Weekend ‘Today’: What I DO Like… and What I DON’T

I’ve blogged often about Amy Robach and Jenna Wolfe anchoring opposite weekend days on ‘Today’ show. Lester Holt stands guard as the co-anchor on both Saturday and Sunday. I admit I’ve been critical of Wolfe for her self-serving anchor style. I also blogged recently about what I DID like about Wolfe on Sunday. So, I thought it only fair to blog about what I DO like about Robach… and because I have criticized Wolfe so often, I must admit a few things I don’t like about Robach on the show.

First, what I do like.
Robach seems natural and focused. She’s not scattered and bouncing around. She’s more of a traditional news anchor who’s there to do the news.
She avoids making the news about her. It’s often a very “light’ show… so the opportunities are plentiful. But, she successfully focuses on the content and not her opinions.
There seems to be a natural fit between Holt and Robach. It’s a comfortable show to watch. Some readers of other posts think the show is too bland with Robach and Holt. I admit that it is more traditional show. I believe it’s still very watchable.
Robach seems to have more “life experiences” similar to viewers who are watching. She may have been a happy-go-lucky, bouncy, giggly, single party girl at one time. Heck, she may still be much of that. (She’s married with kids) But on-air she appears much more connected to content because of her maturity level.

Now a few things I don’t like.
Ocasionally, Robach gets a little too cheesy in the cross-talk with Holt or other anchors. I’ve never noticed it with guests. But sometimes the happy talk is annoying. It’s a far different crosstalk scenario than Holt has with Wolfe.
And, sometimes Robach dresses a little too ‘frumpy”. I’ve seen this more during her anchor shifts on MSNBC than on “Today”. I noticed it today (Friday) when she wore some thick, clunky, brown “jacket”. Robach may be married with kids and love to hang out at home on her off days. But still, she’s a network news anchor. Give me the sharp suits and truly professional news anchor look.

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMYROBACH, 'TODAY'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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Weekend Today With Lester Holt and Amy Robach: A Solid Template

Today's Saturday edition of "Today" with Lester Holt and Amy Robach is a great template of how solid the show can be on a day to day basis. The first half hour included a 23 minute segment that was filled with solid information. There was a good assessment of today's political landscape (Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain). There was a look at the winter storm in the northeast and preps for a big storm on the West Coast. Plus, there was a look at the new flu strain that's part of a nationwide epidemic. Dr. Nancy Snyderman also talked about heart attack problems. The content bridged a wide range of topics. Lester Holt and Amy Robach anchored. And yes, Jenna Wolfe was at the news desk. She did a good job.. and avoided making the news about her. It was very watchable today.

This was one of the most solid half hours of a weekend edition of 'Today' that I've seen for a while. This wasn't about breaking news. It was just a "normal" day with content to match. NBC execs MUST recognize the stark difference between this half hour and the often awkward and uncomfortable half hours on other days. Even the second half hour was watchable. The lead was about Britney Spears... a story I personally hate but professionally realize is part of popular culture.

On a side note, I watch 'Today' in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market (yes it's cold here!). I watch NBC affiliate KARE 11 which has one of the best news storytellers in TV (Boyd Hooper) and a pretty good news product. But, it annoys the heck out of me when local stations do not take advantage in any way of the local cutaway/avails here. I'm not suggesting you simply repeat last night's headlines. Consider producing a segment (live or taped) that targets the local audience watching at this hour. It's a shame these days to miss any opportunity to expand the reach and message of a local TV station to the audience. Every minute missed is an opportunity you'll never get back. Enough about that rant!

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CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
CHECK OUT OTHER POPULAR POSTS
CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control'
PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond?
Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst"
WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

Jenna Wolfe on NBC’s Weekend Today: What I DO Like

SEARCH FOR ALL WOLFE AND ROBACH POSTS BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE

Jenna Wolfe on NBC’s weekend ‘Today’ (Sunday) has been a frequent topic of this blog since Thanksgiving. If you’ve read any posts, you know as a viewer I appreciate more serious and experienced journalists as anchors than quirky, self-defacing ones. But, a comment posted on my last blog entry reminded me of a few things. First, the comment:

"In disagreement with you, I think Jenna Wolfe has a unique personality and the more of her I see, the more I like her. Sometimes her comments are not professional, but on the other hand, I have seen a lot of professionals that are quite boring to watch. This is why as I think Amy Robach is great on Saturdays, I think Jenna Wolfe is perfect for the Sunday host job. Sunday mornings are cluttered with all the political, hard hitting shows, and to me the Sunday show should be a light start to the day. Plus it looks like she has calmed down quite a bit. She is young, but she will get there. Until then I am going to enjoy Amy Robach on Saturdays, and enjoy Jenna Wolfe on Sundays. I am going to enjoy the excitement that Jenna Wolfe brings. She is starting to grow on me."

The user hit on several great points. Wolfe is young. She will get better. Some of her comments are inappropriate. An earlier post questioned whether she is really ready for a ‘Today’ spot. (Read more of those posts below.) There are some things that I do like or appreciate about Wolfe here though. Whether I or anyone thinks she’s ready, Wolfe HAS the job when many others would love it. She plotted her career path and it has apparently paid off. I also like that she has us talking. It’s easy to stir negative comments but the reality is that many of us still watch and still talk about the ‘Today’. She doesn’t appear to have driven too many people away. My series of posts about Wolfe (and others) really points to a broader decline in the experience and respect of TV news anchors. She happens to be an easy target as a new anchor on Sunday ‘Today’ because she embodies a shift from journalists who anchor the news to perky, sometimes annoying, “talent” for news as entertainment.

By the way, here was my response to the user who posted.
“I completely appreciate and respect your opinions. I also have posted several times that I appreciate and respect Jenna for her career position. No matter whether you like to watch her on Sundays, she's at a great spot in her career. I do respect that. Few if any rising on-air talent would turn down a job like that. I wish her luck. That said, I personally don't like it when Jenna, or any anchor for that matter, makes the news broadcast and the news segments about them. I hold out hope that there is still some real "news" approaches out there that have not become all entertainment.”
I encourage you to add your comments below. Again, Jenna has helped us continue a dialogue about who should anchor our favorite newscasts that has been popular over the last few years. Read more of the posts below. Vote in the ‘user opinion survey’ below… plus in my poll on the right column.

ADD YOUR COMMENT BELOW ABOUT THE AMY ROBACH - JENNA WOLFE ISSUE ON 'TODAY'
Comment List 1
Comment List 2
READER OPINION SURVEY - SLANTLY.COM


CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMYROBACH, 'TODAY'
Amy Robach (and Tamron Hall) on MSNBC
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
CHECK OUT OTHER POPULAR POSTS
CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control'
PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond?
Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst"
>-----
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Amy Robach Of NBC’s Weekend Today on MSNBC Daytime

SEARCH FOR ALL WOLFE AND ROBACH POSTS BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE

I rarely get a chance to catch much of MSNBC daytime programming. This week though, because of some breaking news, I had the volume turned up just enough to hear the latest developments. I’ve been posting a alot about Amy Robach on Weekend Today (Saturday) and whether NBC’s decision to have Jenna Wolfe anchor Sunday is appealing to viewers. This week, it was nice to see Robach fly solo on MSNBC daytime. She’s even more striking on that set that on the ‘Today’ set. I also believe its great training for her to handle repeated breaking news event coverage during the day. She’s has a good grasp of what she’s doing.. and is only going to be better. The hard news experience gives her more depth for the often soft and feature content of ‘Today”. By the way, here's a mildly interesting comment from the NY Post last year about Robach.

As I watched this week though, I also saw Tamron Hall once again. I blogged about her recent fill-in position as newsreader on ‘Today’. She has an even greater and more positive presence during the mid-morning shift on MSNBC than I recall on ‘Today’. She’s in control. She appears to know the news. She’s engaging. She looks very sharp with one exception. I don’t understand why some women on TV insist on wearing large hoop earrings. They may be fine in the office… but they’re distracting on TV. That aside, Hall and Robach have been a pleasure to during breaking news this week.

I haven't had a chance to really see much of the many hours of 'Today' this week. That's where Wolfe gets a lot of exposure doing feature stories. Robach and Wolfe have different strengths. But in the end, viewers of the weekend editions of 'Today' want to find comfort and re-assurance when they tune in for the morning news. Instead, there always seems to be an uneasiness on Sunday mornings's when Wolfe anchors. More reviews coming this weekend here at MediaAnswers.

ADD YOUR COMMENT BELOW ABOUT THE AMY ROBACH - JENNA WOLFE ISSUE ON 'TODAY'
Comment List 1
Comment List 2
HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS FROM THE LAST POST ABOUT 'TODAY' ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.
"Here are some comments from the last post about Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach and 'Today'.
I really enjoyed the Sunday show today. It is those unpredictable comments that make it fun. Great show Saturday, great show today."
"If you enjoy Lester Holt squirming with confusion and confoundment as to what his role is when his co-host keeps trying to dominate the show, then the show was about as enjoyable as it can get."
"Sundays are just uncomfortable. It is like inviting over the crazy uncle for the Holiday's and being continuosly nervous about what might come out of his mouth. That is the same feeling I get with Jenna Wolfe."
"Jenna's voice is not soothing. She did a piece on a taser party and refrained from her most annoying humor. Howver, her piece on the "what I learned from women who dumped me" was dull. Also, she kept interrupting the guests with stupid mumblings.She soaked up ann curry advertising jenna's dating status."

READER OPINION SURVEY - SLANTLY.COM

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMYROBACH, 'TODAY'
'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
CHECK OUT OTHER POPULAR POSTS
CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control'
PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond?
Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst"

WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

Jenna Wolfe On Weekend Today & Super Bowl Sunday

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I kind of worried about how silly Super Bowl Sunday coverage would be on Sunday’s ‘Today’ show if Jenna Wolfe was co-anchoring. I wondered if NBC would send Wolfe to Arizona because of her sports anchoring background. That did not happen. But the tone was set at the top of the show. Wolfe referenced her childhood memories of Super Bowl as “Stupid Bowl Sunday”. Like the rest of us, Lester Holt looked confused.

Coverage of the historic game was centered around the cook-off between Holt and Wolfe. It was teased at the top of the show and then again to start the second half hour. At one point, Holt jokingly said to Wolfe, “You’re taking this pretty seriously.” Before they moved to the cook-off, Wolfe tossed to a question and answer with Tiki Barber. It was for the sports-minded viewers that Barber and Wolfe talked about the historic nature of the game. But at the end of this interview, the self-awareness jokes returned for Wolfe. She joked that Barber attended the Playboy party and hoped Barber had told Hugh Hefner that she was absent from the party because she had to work. The actual cook-off that ended the show was pretty funny and enjoyable. There was enough content around Wolfe that even her jokes seemed appropriate in this segment.

Some other notes: Wolfe’s live interview with Republican Mike Huckabee was pretty good until the very end when she stumbled about what was next. Wolfe focused on whether Huckabee is the third man in a two-man Republican race and finished with the obligatory question about a vice-presidential spot.
Tamron Hall handled news desk duties and was very easy and pleasant to watch.
And, I’m so glad to see Janice Huff on the show. She too is easy and pleasant to watch.
READ OPINION SURVEY - Slantly.com


CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
CHECK OUT OTHER POPULAR POSTS
CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control'
PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond?
Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst"

WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

Weekend Today, Jenna Wolfe, Lester Holt: What An Awkward Ending

If you caught the ‘Today’ show Sunday morning, you saw another ‘split edition’ of the show with Jenna Wolfe in New York and Lester Holt in Columbia, South Carolina. That was a good place to be this morning with Barack Obama running away with the South Carolina election Saturday. Wolfe handled almost all other segments of the show… including a very awkward ending. ((ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW))

In the final segment of the show, producers tried to squeeze in a quick Q&A to promote a CNBC special (‘Touchdown: The Patriots and the Business of Winning"). The interview obviously went a little long. Wolfe and Holt were to close the show right after the interview. Wolfe promoted the special one final time and then went into a tease for tomorrow’s show.
WOLFE ON A DOUBLE BOX CLOSING THE SHOW: “Coming up tomorrow on ‘Today’, why fighting is good for your marriage. Lester.” FADE TO BLACK. Ooopps. We’ve all had it happen when time just runs out. Still, it doesn’t make it any less awkward.

Wolfe’s microphone was also left open for the banter to top the second half hour. Holt thought she had finished in New York and was turning to talk to a ‘very excited woman” in the crowd with him in South Carolina when Wolfe said “O.K. who’s more excited than she is”. It was Wolfe’s audio on top of the interview in South Carolina. It’s a small thing. But anchors have been caught so many times saying things they shouldn’t… that they should think their mic is always on! It this case, it wasn’t a horrible thing to say. The woman was not excited until after the interview. You could see her jumping and celebrating behind Holt.

And of course, Wolfe continued with her style of interpreting stories based on how they affect her life (hand gestures segment, etc)

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Jenna Wolfe 'Sexes it up' Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control'
PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond?
Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst"

WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

Jenna Wolfe of NBC’s ‘Weekend Today’ – More of your comments

SEARCH FOR ALL WOLFE AND ROBACH POSTS BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE

You continue to be upset with NBC’s decision to leave Jenna Wolfe on the Sunday edition of “Today’. Here is a compilation of some of the most recent comments add to posts. (FYI: Comments are never edited or changed.). Add your comments below. Check out the other posts as well.
NEWEST POST: Wolfe & Holt: What An Awkward Ending
((ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW))

Anonymous said... (ABOUT THIS POST)
Well said. Jenna hasn't been doing any fluff segments lately. Come to think of it I haven't seen her at all during peak times. Her style fits with midday stay at home somebodies who don't get out of the house. She is rough around the edges and self consumed.

Anonymous said... (ABOUT THIS POST)
Actually I would say that they are trying to make it to the C-team. They fill in for the fill-ins if you get what I'm trying to say. I understand what you are saying too though. They're in a good position to try and have longevitiy at the network. I still think it's absurd that NBC has not named a replacement for Campbell Brown and its been at least 6 months since she left. I think that says a lot about the talent level at NBC News right now. They used to be good at bringing up talent from MSNBC but after Lester Holt, Natalie Morales, and John Seigenthaler, that seems to have abruptly stopped. I definitely do not like Jenna Wolfe and I certainly would not tab her to be the co-anchor of anything. Her skills are best suited for doing the "fun/fluff" pieces that you occassionally see. Having said that Amy has her problems too. There isn't really anything about her that stands out. She's too robotic and when I say that it doesn't mean that she doesn't have a personality. Yesterday I was watching her and I see that she still has the same manner when doing stories. She treats every story with the same tone. Whether she was talking about the economy with the White House Press Secretary or whether she was talking about some latest gadget or something completely different her tone was the same and IMO it shouldn't be that way. I think she is good enough to be on Weekend Today when you consider the talent level that they have but I don't think she could make it farther than that.

Anonymous said...
Interesting comments above...Change is never easy and certainly not for all the above. She brings a personality that may at times be a little over the top however she has already enlightened me to a couple new things since joining the show, namely the pizza tour and guitar bar. Most of you sitting on blogs making these comments would die for half the energy she brings to life, as she gains experience she will find a happy median between being fun and personable while not being over the top...

Anonymous said...
It is fine to have her gain experience, but not at an anchor position. Anchors should be established, not works in progress. I would have no problem with her bringing her energy to a feature report each week, but her "energy" as an anchor looks like an attempt to override Lester Holt instead of working together with him. He just looks so uncomfortable sometimes, I feel bad for him.

Anonymous said...
Jenna is in way over her head and the real loser in all this is the true pro here; Lester Holt. He just seems at a loss with Jenna. It is almost as if he is waiting for the next uncomfortable moment to arise. Amy has grown considerably over the last 6 months and I think in early 2008 she will be given the permanent slot. NBC execs are not idiots, they do realize that Jenna is not quite right for this job. Oh yeah, has anyone noticed the hacking of the poll on this subject? Amy will get a big lead and then all of a sudden in one day Jenna will get a 100 votes? Pretty obvious and pretty petty.

Anonymous said...
So one particular comment indicates that the individual should be ready from day one yet another comment highlights the growth Amy has experienced in the last 6 months? Interesting. Anyway, should an anchor be expected to fit a certain mold and just serve as a sidekick that is required to keep Lester comfortable? I guess, I prefer personality, and not just one, but rather a good mix that bring different perspectives. If this anchor role is meant to serve as Lesters shadow then maybe Jenna isn't the right person as she has proven in a short period of time she is her own person and quite frankly I would never discourage that behavior.

Anonymous said...
You can be ready and still grow in the role. Matt Lauer is a good example. He was ready from the start, but he has really grown into the role over the years.Lester's co-anchor doesn't have to shadow him, but Jenna often seems to try and steal the moment from him. Maybe she's trying too hard, but making the established (and permanent) co-host visibly uncomfortable on camera is not the way to establish a good mix.There's certainly a place for Jenna's personality, but it shouldn't come at the expense of Lester, who seems to command universal respect.

H. Rappaport said...
Researched ratings on the Weekend Today Show on some of the blog sites. This is what I found.......They have been rough on Jenna Wolfe.She had her debut in November.For the month of November, Saturday Today 38% over Saturday GMA.-126% over CBS Early Saturday.25-54 A demo passed Sat GMA and CBS EarlySunday Today-For November 29% more viewers than Sunday GMA. 25-54 A demo Today posted a 1.1 clearly beating Sunday GMA's 0.9As rough as the postings have been, from the Nov sweeps they should try and have her in the mix with Amy.As a benchmark:Campbell announced on 7/22, so lets use 6/23 one month beforeSat Today 3.7 to Sat GMA 2.3Sat Today 2.8 Rating to Sat GMA 1.7Sunday Today delivered 3.2 Million viewers to Sun GMA 2 millionSunday Today posted 1.1 to Sunday GMA 0.6Just found it interesting to look at the numbers rather than the opinions. Not sure but from the postings it seems Wolfe did 2 or 3 partials and 1 complete weekend in November, and 5 partials in December. In your opinion if the ratings held after Brown, dont you feel a permanent replacement would have been announced. I disagree with the assesment of the validity of summer ratings, as they are equally affected across the board. Percentages dont change, total numbers might. I just wanted to use one of Campbell's weeks as the benchmark.I am not sure that I would agree with some of the bloggers regarding changing viewing habits. They are going to be in the minority.

Jeff Parsons said...
Thanks for the numbers. It's always good to add those to all of the opinions. I think we work every day all year for a total ratings picture. Summer is summer.. but it's not really different than last summer. The best comparisons are year to year and never month to month. Good info. THANKS AS WELL TO EVERYONE FOR THE ONGOING FEEDBACK. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS... WITH STRONG OPINIONS.

Anonymous said...
Campbell Brown was arrogant and rude, and now they replaced her with Jenna Wolfe, who is arrogant and rude. NBC is falling apart, so not shocked that they keep making these kind of dumb mistakes. Feel sorry for Al, Matt and Lester. Thanks for the blog. I was hoping there were others out there that are sad to see the downfall of what used to be "must see tv". Oh yeah, Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!!

Anonymous said...
Those numbers aren't accurate though. I remember this being posted on the MSNBCTV board. The numbers being used to "support" Jenna are from the November sweeps period, a time when the networks usually get some of their highest ratings and number of viewers regardless of who is anchoring. During the summer (the July numbers that were used with Campbell Brown) the number of viewers drops significantly. It always does. Try comparing summer numbers to fall/winter numbers and you will see a dramatic difference. In some cases close to a million viewer differcence. So yeah you can spin numbers anyway you would like but they don't always tell the full story. Also, Amy Robach anchored during that time as well so it's not like only Jenna contributed to the ratings if you can really say there was a contribution.

Anonymous said...
I should add that I would like to see a comparison of the numbers from this November to those from last Novemeber. Or better yet, why not compare several months before Campbell left and after Campbell left over the same months. Just from quickly glancing it would appear that the numbers are down. Weekend Today used to average about 4 million viewers from what i can recall.

Anonymous said...
Network decisions are based on ratings. If the ratings were the same or better Post Campbell I think Amy would have been named permanently to the position. If December ratings are the same as November, and both were supported by the Robach/Wolfe split, why not continue with what is working.


CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Wolfe 'Sexes it up' Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
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Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach, NBC’s ‘Weekend Today Show’

Another Sunday Filled With Jokes!
As I started posts this morning, I wondered whether the “Weekend Today’ web page had been updated. Check it out. You’ll find a solo focus on Lester Holt with no mention of Amy Robach or Jenna Wolfe. Could it be that even the folks at NBC are not set on this split weekend schedule with Robach co-anchoring Saturday and Wolfe co-anchoring Sunday? By the way, here's a sample of one of the comments from a previous post. "I still think it's absurd that NBC has not named a replacement for Campbell Brown and its been at least 6 months since she left. I think that says a lot about the talent level at NBC News right now. They used to be good at bringing up talent from MSNBC but after Lester Holt, Natalie Morales, and John Seigenthaler, that seems to have abruptly stopped."

I happened to skip Saturday’s show but watched it on DVR just before Sunday’s show. Robach and Holt held their usual positions (Holt was in South Carolina) and Tamron Hall filled in for Wolfe at the news desk. I wondered if there would be a relief, or Robach, filling in as co-host Sunday morning. That didn’t happen.

Wolfe opened the show with Holt (who was LIVE again in South Carolina). Of course, true to her personality, Wolfe’s first on-camera lines were a joke, “Lester, can you hear that?” He looked confused. It was quiet, No noise. She proceeded, “It’s quiet here without you. Get your work done and come on home.” After all, that’s what viewers were thinking right? Lester, “forget that presidential stuff, and get back to New York.” Hardly.

After some political news, there were more signs of Wolfe’s constant inward-focus. How does the content affect here? She leads the cold weather coverage, tossing to a reporter out in New York in 20 degree weather. She tried to connect on the cold weather by joking how warm it is in studio before tossing out to the reporter in that frigid 20 degree weather (sarcasm intended). Their back and forth about the horribly cold 20-degree weather in New York, basically excluded about a fourth of the country that is seeing single digits and below zero weather today. Poor things, I can’t imagine the horror (sarcasm intended again).

Something interested happened about 47 minutes into the Sunday edition. Keep in mind it’s an hour show and Holt anchored huge chunks of political coverage from South Carolina. News-reader-de-jour Hall hosted a segment called “Dress for Less”. Where was Wolfe? There was not a ton of content for her to focus on in this split edition. After the Hall segment finished, Wolfe did a short package and Q&A about infomercials. Hall is such an irregular fill-in on ‘Today’ that it was just odd to have her host a segment like this. By the way, I think she’s pretty good and easy to watch for many of the reasons that Wolfe is not. As she closed the segment, she voiced a silly British accent, trying to play off the interviewee’s comment that British voices really work on infomercials. At about that time, someone walked into the room where I was watching the show and without prompting said in disbelief, “Who was that?”

A friend who works in TV news mentioned recently a story that Wolfe did for ‘Today’ about the return of “American Gladiators’. She chuckled that Matt Lauer said, ‘This is going to be a classic.’ Take a look at that clip from YouTube.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think that report was a ‘classic’ in a good way. But shows like ‘Today’ think they need these ‘stunt reporters.” As I have posted before, that kind of position is perhaps a more natural fit for Wolfe.

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Wolfe 'Sexes it up' Sunday
Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach

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Jenna Wolfe & Amy Robach on ‘Today’ – The Saga Continues (NEW)

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It was another weekend with Jenna Wolfe holding the torch as Sunday ‘Today’ show co-anchor with Lester Holt. Mika Brezinsky (from ‘Morning Joe’ over on MSNBC) read the news. Amy Robach pulled the usual Saturday shift. I continue to be amazed by a lot of things about this ‘Today’ saga.

First, Jenna and Amy are hot on the web. Both are popular search topics (Jenna more than Amy). Both generate a lot of buzz from bloggers. Everyone seems to have taken sides. There are a total of about 60 comments on the topic on my little blog alone. The obvious question is why? Neither Robach nor Wolfe is a major network star for NBC. They’re second string players who obviously are working hard to get to the ‘A team’. But they still get a lot of attention! Don’t get me wrong, saying they’re part of the second string is not a slam. It’s where many people who land on the ‘A team’ start. It CAN be a good thing.

The stark difference in their styles and personalities makes for an uneven feel for the weekend editions of the show. Robach is more focused on the content and engaging the people around her. Wolfe appears more self-deprecating and focused on quick one-line commentaries. Let’s give NBC a little credit though. Someone knows, or thinks they know, something that everyone out in the blogosphere does not. Perhaps NBC has some research that shows there is no audience duplication between Saturday and Sunday audiences. We often really analyze that kind of research in local news to better understand when people watch news and how often they watch another newscast. That research would give NBC a different audience of loyalists for each day. It would also allow different anchors… and even different types of shows if they wanted. I doubt that the issue is that clear though. If you read many of the discussion boards, you’ll find posts similar to this: “Today Dec.30th I am finally sick of weekend today. The show is so stunted with Jenna. Please just use Amy Robach as a co-anchor, Jenna is like nails on a chalk board and anyone watching both shows can see the Saturday team works and the Sunday team is horrible....I’m on CBS Sundays till this mess is solved.”

No doubt NBC is looking to grow talent. I’ve talked about that in previous posts. But the perception that NBC can’t make a decision on the weekend edition of ‘Today’ leaves them vulnerable. Negative perceptions are always dangerous because they can drive a loyal audience member away from the product (Yes I know you can’t please all the people all the time). One person who commented on a previous post said I loved to slam NBC and that I obviously disliked them. That’s far from the truth. I grew up watching Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley as my favorites. I’ve always watched NBC News as a first choice. But over the last few years, I have drifted to other networks, other shows and other anchors (ABC, Charlie Gibson, Diane Sawyer). I find myself always coming back to NBC though to try to find the comfort level I once had watching that network news operation.

If you find other stories and other sites about Jenna Wolfe and Amy Robach, please add them to the comments below. It seems we may be talking about this for many months to come.

CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, ROBACH, 'TODAY'
Endless Fascination With Wolfe
Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough?
Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News
What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today'
See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach
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