-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
- Thread starter newscool
- Start date
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
Hey, the lady has to make a living and if she can get work doing commercials, she's not the first former news-type to do so. I can name two others right off the bat.
Mary McCombs, who I've known for years, did car commercials before landing a part-time anchor job at R-News. Then there was Wanda Miller, former 8 and 13 reporter/anchor, also was featured on commercials.
newscool said:It was some type of home equity or architech commercial. I was shocked, because I was watching channel 10 news, and I thought she was linked to WHEC somehow
Hey, the lady has to make a living and if she can get work doing commercials, she's not the first former news-type to do so. I can name two others right off the bat.
Mary McCombs, who I've known for years, did car commercials before landing a part-time anchor job at R-News. Then there was Wanda Miller, former 8 and 13 reporter/anchor, also was featured on commercials.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
What's that smell? Ahhhhhhh, desperation. What a joke. After pimping herself out, there's no chance any reasonable News Director would ever hire her for on-air work again. At least with commercials she can guarantee viewership, unlike the shows she used to anchor.
What's that smell? Ahhhhhhh, desperation. What a joke. After pimping herself out, there's no chance any reasonable News Director would ever hire her for on-air work again. At least with commercials she can guarantee viewership, unlike the shows she used to anchor.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel
???
Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
Rochwatcher said:What's that smell? Ahhhhhhh, desperation. What a joke. After pimping herself out, there's no chance any reasonable News Director would ever hire her for on-air work again. At least with commercials she can guarantee viewership, unlike the shows she used to anchor.
???
Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel
Quote:
??? Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
I just think it is ridiculous that a few weeks ago we were supposed to take her seriously as a "journalist", and now this. Rochester deserves better than people like this on our airwaves.
Quote:
??? Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
I just think it is ridiculous that a few weeks ago we were supposed to take her seriously as a "journalist", and now this. Rochester deserves better than people like this on our airwaves.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel
Have you ever worked in broadcasting and lost your job? Well I have and believe me its tough on a person both financially and emotionally. One of the first concerns when unemployed is finding a new job in order to take care of your family. In this case it appears that Ms. Barnas was offered the opportunity to make some money so she took it.
Let’s take a look at this from her side for just a moment shall we? First she's hired at WUHF 31 where she ends up at the anchor desk. Then Channel 8 takes over 31's news operation and she's replaced as evening anchor by someone with less experience than herself. She works for a news director who tells others that he never wanted, as part of the deal to acquire 31, their on-air staff. Right there that has to be a morale-killer. Then the management at 8 decides to perform a "Little Big Horn" and the entire morning team finds other employment either in the private sector, or at other broadcasting operations across the county. So Barnas is given the chance to host a program that has little ratings, but more importantly, little support from the front office.
So we fast-forward to a few months ago when her contract expired and she's out of a job. Now, without a regular paycheck and the chances of landing another TV gig are slim to none, she finds employment doing commercials. I say "big deal." Tell me if you were unemployed and someone offered you money to do a commercial you would say no because of journalistic integrity?
The days of so-called journalistic integrity went out the door my friend when local news started to incorporate 'entertainment/gossip' into their broadcasts. Or as some call it "Happy Talk."
The issue here is putting food on the table, taking care of one’s family and paying the bills.
I don’t know the lady in question, and to be honest never really watched her that much on 8 or 31…..but I’ve walked in her shoes before and know what it’s like working for managers who made it clear that they don’t appreciate your work, or you always had a Sword of Damocles hanging over your head wondering if this is the day you get called into the front office and are handed a “pick slip.”
So if Barnas can find gainful employment doing commercials, good for her! At least she’s out there trying.
Rochwatcher said:Quote:
??? Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
I just think it is ridiculous that a few weeks ago we were supposed to take her seriously as a "journalist", and now this. Rochester deserves better than people like this on our airwaves.
Have you ever worked in broadcasting and lost your job? Well I have and believe me its tough on a person both financially and emotionally. One of the first concerns when unemployed is finding a new job in order to take care of your family. In this case it appears that Ms. Barnas was offered the opportunity to make some money so she took it.
Let’s take a look at this from her side for just a moment shall we? First she's hired at WUHF 31 where she ends up at the anchor desk. Then Channel 8 takes over 31's news operation and she's replaced as evening anchor by someone with less experience than herself. She works for a news director who tells others that he never wanted, as part of the deal to acquire 31, their on-air staff. Right there that has to be a morale-killer. Then the management at 8 decides to perform a "Little Big Horn" and the entire morning team finds other employment either in the private sector, or at other broadcasting operations across the county. So Barnas is given the chance to host a program that has little ratings, but more importantly, little support from the front office.
So we fast-forward to a few months ago when her contract expired and she's out of a job. Now, without a regular paycheck and the chances of landing another TV gig are slim to none, she finds employment doing commercials. I say "big deal." Tell me if you were unemployed and someone offered you money to do a commercial you would say no because of journalistic integrity?
The days of so-called journalistic integrity went out the door my friend when local news started to incorporate 'entertainment/gossip' into their broadcasts. Or as some call it "Happy Talk."
The issue here is putting food on the table, taking care of one’s family and paying the bills.
I don’t know the lady in question, and to be honest never really watched her that much on 8 or 31…..but I’ve walked in her shoes before and know what it’s like working for managers who made it clear that they don’t appreciate your work, or you always had a Sword of Damocles hanging over your head wondering if this is the day you get called into the front office and are handed a “pick slip.”
So if Barnas can find gainful employment doing commercials, good for her! At least she’s out there trying.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel
Mark--A few points that I think you are missing:
First, there are a lot of journalists still working in the industry who would argue that journalist integrity has NOT "gone out the door" as you say. Far from it. Working journalists however are not helped by the likes of Melanie fresh off the anchor desk pitching some business or Wanda's fake news reports to sell cars. They blur the news side from the business side and give the entire tv news industry a bad name. Perhaps your viewpoint would be different if you were still working in broadcasting or had worked in TV? Just a thought.
Second, spare me the whole "she has to make a living" routine. What you failed to mention is that Melanie was one of the lucky ones at FOX 31 in that she was given a job at 8. There were many talented people who were not offered jobs there in the transition. What about them making a living? Melanie got a paycheck for a few more years than those other guys. In addition, it's not like she didn't know the culture at Ch. 8. Should she have not seen the possibility that her contract would not be renewed (like so many others at eight ) and maybe had another plan if she was let go? Yes she was replaced by someone younger than her...is that a crime? The fact is neither of the shows she anchored did well in the ratings. It is called "the business"!
Third, I hardly think Ms. Barnas was living paycheck to paycheck. She was an anchor--I don't think being out of work for a few weeks would mean she would not be able to provide for her family as you suggest. If that is the case, her financial planner should be fired.
Fourth--If I was Ch. 8, I would be embarrased, and upset. Here you have a person that recently worked for your station who is now selling products largely based on her being recognizable from the platform your station provided. Hard to believe her contract with 8 would allow such a thing so close to her termination. I am sure the account executives at Ch. 10 are laughing--not only do you make money on running the ads, but you remind viewers that Ch. 8 is a revolving door every time her spot comes on. Imagine the few viewers that 8 still has seeing the commercial---"wow honey, the anchor we used to watch is now selling X, makes you wonder how qualified they were to begin with when she was an anchor".
Mark we obviously aren't going to agree on this issue. Melanie can obviously do whatever she wants for a living. But in MY mind this is just another black eye for Channel 8 and for the tv news industry as a whole.
Mark_Giardina said:Rochwatcher said:Quote:
??? Is there any particular reason for the hostility?
I just think it is ridiculous that a few weeks ago we were supposed to take her seriously as a "journalist", and now this. Rochester deserves better than people like this on our airwaves.
Have you ever worked in broadcasting and lost your job? Well I have and believe me its tough on a person both financially and emotionally. One of the first concerns when unemployed is finding a new job in order to take care of your family. In this case it appears that Ms. Barnas was offered the opportunity to make some money so she took it.
Let’s take a look at this from her side for just a moment shall we? First she's hired at WUHF 31 where she ends up at the anchor desk. Then Channel 8 takes over 31's news operation and she's replaced as evening anchor by someone with less experience than herself. She works for a news director who tells others that he never wanted, as part of the deal to acquire 31, their on-air staff. Right there that has to be a morale-killer. Then the management at 8 decides to perform a "Little Big Horn" and the entire morning team finds other employment either in the private sector, or at other broadcasting operations across the county. So Barnas is given the chance to host a program that has little ratings, but more importantly, little support from the front office.
So we fast-forward to a few months ago when her contract expired and she's out of a job. Now, without a regular paycheck and the chances of landing another TV gig are slim to none, she finds employment doing commercials. I say "big deal." Tell me if you were unemployed and someone offered you money to do a commercial you would say no because of journalistic integrity?
The days of so-called journalistic integrity went out the door my friend when local news started to incorporate 'entertainment/gossip' into their broadcasts. Or as some call it "Happy Talk."
The issue here is putting food on the table, taking care of one’s family and paying the bills.
I don’t know the lady in question, and to be honest never really watched her that much on 8 or 31…..but I’ve walked in her shoes before and know what it’s like working for managers who made it clear that they don’t appreciate your work, or you always had a Sword of Damocles hanging over your head wondering if this is the day you get called into the front office and are handed a “pick slip.”
So if Barnas can find gainful employment doing commercials, good for her! At least she’s out there trying.
Mark--A few points that I think you are missing:
First, there are a lot of journalists still working in the industry who would argue that journalist integrity has NOT "gone out the door" as you say. Far from it. Working journalists however are not helped by the likes of Melanie fresh off the anchor desk pitching some business or Wanda's fake news reports to sell cars. They blur the news side from the business side and give the entire tv news industry a bad name. Perhaps your viewpoint would be different if you were still working in broadcasting or had worked in TV? Just a thought.
Second, spare me the whole "she has to make a living" routine. What you failed to mention is that Melanie was one of the lucky ones at FOX 31 in that she was given a job at 8. There were many talented people who were not offered jobs there in the transition. What about them making a living? Melanie got a paycheck for a few more years than those other guys. In addition, it's not like she didn't know the culture at Ch. 8. Should she have not seen the possibility that her contract would not be renewed (like so many others at eight ) and maybe had another plan if she was let go? Yes she was replaced by someone younger than her...is that a crime? The fact is neither of the shows she anchored did well in the ratings. It is called "the business"!
Third, I hardly think Ms. Barnas was living paycheck to paycheck. She was an anchor--I don't think being out of work for a few weeks would mean she would not be able to provide for her family as you suggest. If that is the case, her financial planner should be fired.
Fourth--If I was Ch. 8, I would be embarrased, and upset. Here you have a person that recently worked for your station who is now selling products largely based on her being recognizable from the platform your station provided. Hard to believe her contract with 8 would allow such a thing so close to her termination. I am sure the account executives at Ch. 10 are laughing--not only do you make money on running the ads, but you remind viewers that Ch. 8 is a revolving door every time her spot comes on. Imagine the few viewers that 8 still has seeing the commercial---"wow honey, the anchor we used to watch is now selling X, makes you wonder how qualified they were to begin with when she was an anchor".
Mark we obviously aren't going to agree on this issue. Melanie can obviously do whatever she wants for a living. But in MY mind this is just another black eye for Channel 8 and for the tv news industry as a whole.
U
unverviking
Guest
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel
Not sure if anyone else heard it, but she was also covering for Steve Hausmann on the BEE for the better part of a week doing the news. Steve was out for surgery on his face, I think. Also in July, Christine Crafts was covering for Steve while he was on vacation. Of the 2, I thought that Christine fit in much better.
I caught a few minutes of the "banter" on the BEE, she (Melanie) made the comment to 1 of the other folks that she was once a respected journalist in this town... To which after the commercial break, Tom George poked major fun at that comment... She didn't seem to take it really well. But it did seem that Tom was merely poking fun, and not serious, because he did their traffic reports on 8 while she was there.
In any event, I do wish her well, like in any business, the competition in fierce in Rochester. Hopefully she has something that she can fall back on if there isn't much of a future for her broadcasting career in Rochester...
Not sure if anyone else heard it, but she was also covering for Steve Hausmann on the BEE for the better part of a week doing the news. Steve was out for surgery on his face, I think. Also in July, Christine Crafts was covering for Steve while he was on vacation. Of the 2, I thought that Christine fit in much better.
I caught a few minutes of the "banter" on the BEE, she (Melanie) made the comment to 1 of the other folks that she was once a respected journalist in this town... To which after the commercial break, Tom George poked major fun at that comment... She didn't seem to take it really well. But it did seem that Tom was merely poking fun, and not serious, because he did their traffic reports on 8 while she was there.
In any event, I do wish her well, like in any business, the competition in fierce in Rochester. Hopefully she has something that she can fall back on if there isn't much of a future for her broadcasting career in Rochester...
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
First, there are a lot of journalists still working in the industry who would argue that journalist integrity has NOT "gone out the door" as you say. Far from it. Working journalists however are not helped by the likes of Melanie fresh off the anchor desk pitching some business or Wanda's fake news reports to sell cars. They blur the news side from the business side and give the entire tv news industry a bad name. Perhaps your viewpoint would be different if you were still working in broadcasting or had worked in TV? Just a thought.
I did work in TV as a matter of fact, public television. Let me ask you, if you are concerned about this woman appearing in a commercial, then how would you feel about reporters and anchors at another TV station appearing in a segment showing them preparing to dance as part of a gimmick to promote a network program aired over that station? You call that journalist integrity?
Second, spare me the whole "she has to make a living" routine. What you failed to mention is that Melanie was one of the lucky ones at FOX 31 in that she was given a job at 8. There were many talented people who were not offered jobs there in the transition. What about them making a living? Melanie got a paycheck for a few more years than those other guys. In addition, it's not like she didn't know the culture at Ch. 8. Should she have not seen the possibility that her contract would not be renewed (like so many others at eight ) and maybe had another plan if she was let go? Yes she was replaced by someone younger than her...is that a crime? The fact is neither of the shows she anchored did well in the ratings. It is called "the business"!
Granted that while a lot of people at 31 ended up being let go during the take over by 8, the decision was made to keep two on-air staff and Barnas was one of them. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, a person who worked at the station told me that the former news director mentioned numerous times that he wished he did not have to work with these individuals. If the morning show was doing well in the ratings, then pray tell why was her contract not renewed? As for her salary, I highly doubt she was pulling down big bucks at Channel 8. That station is notorious for watching the bottom line.
Third, I hardly think Ms. Barnas was living paycheck to paycheck. She was an anchor--I don't think being out of work for a few weeks would mean she would not be able to provide for her family as you suggest. If that is the case, her financial planner should be fired.
Even if Barnas was making decent bucks anchoring, that doesn't make up for the loss of a salary compared to what she is getting on unemployment, which by the way lasts for only 26 weeks. I have no idea what her financial situation is at home, however 8 is notorious for trying to cut salaries when contract negotiation time nears. If you don't believe me, then believe some of the people who went through the ordeal of either having to accept less money or not having their contracts renewed.
Fourth--If I was Ch. 8, I would be embarrased, and upset. Here you have a person that recently worked for your station who is now selling products largely based on her being recognizable from the platform your station provided. Hard to believe her contract with 8 would allow such a thing so close to her termination. I am sure the account executives at Ch. 10 are laughing--not only do you make money on running the ads, but you remind viewers that Ch. 8 is a revolving door every time her spot comes on. Imagine the few viewers that 8 still has seeing the commercial---"wow honey, the anchor we used to watch is now selling X, makes you wonder how qualified they were to begin with when she was an anchor".
You honestly believe Channel 8's management is going to be, as you put it "embarrassed" that a former employee appears on commercials? They should be more embarrassed over the large turnover in staff that has taken place instead, don't you agree?
Mark we obviously aren't going to agree on this issue. Melanie can obviously do whatever she wants for a living. But in MY mind this is just another black eye for Channel 8 and for the tv news industry as a whole.
I agree with some of your points, but like I wrote, if the lady can find honest work then don't belittle her for trying. It's better than sitting home and collecting unemployment and doing nothing.
First, there are a lot of journalists still working in the industry who would argue that journalist integrity has NOT "gone out the door" as you say. Far from it. Working journalists however are not helped by the likes of Melanie fresh off the anchor desk pitching some business or Wanda's fake news reports to sell cars. They blur the news side from the business side and give the entire tv news industry a bad name. Perhaps your viewpoint would be different if you were still working in broadcasting or had worked in TV? Just a thought.
I did work in TV as a matter of fact, public television. Let me ask you, if you are concerned about this woman appearing in a commercial, then how would you feel about reporters and anchors at another TV station appearing in a segment showing them preparing to dance as part of a gimmick to promote a network program aired over that station? You call that journalist integrity?
Second, spare me the whole "she has to make a living" routine. What you failed to mention is that Melanie was one of the lucky ones at FOX 31 in that she was given a job at 8. There were many talented people who were not offered jobs there in the transition. What about them making a living? Melanie got a paycheck for a few more years than those other guys. In addition, it's not like she didn't know the culture at Ch. 8. Should she have not seen the possibility that her contract would not be renewed (like so many others at eight ) and maybe had another plan if she was let go? Yes she was replaced by someone younger than her...is that a crime? The fact is neither of the shows she anchored did well in the ratings. It is called "the business"!
Granted that while a lot of people at 31 ended up being let go during the take over by 8, the decision was made to keep two on-air staff and Barnas was one of them. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, a person who worked at the station told me that the former news director mentioned numerous times that he wished he did not have to work with these individuals. If the morning show was doing well in the ratings, then pray tell why was her contract not renewed? As for her salary, I highly doubt she was pulling down big bucks at Channel 8. That station is notorious for watching the bottom line.
Third, I hardly think Ms. Barnas was living paycheck to paycheck. She was an anchor--I don't think being out of work for a few weeks would mean she would not be able to provide for her family as you suggest. If that is the case, her financial planner should be fired.
Even if Barnas was making decent bucks anchoring, that doesn't make up for the loss of a salary compared to what she is getting on unemployment, which by the way lasts for only 26 weeks. I have no idea what her financial situation is at home, however 8 is notorious for trying to cut salaries when contract negotiation time nears. If you don't believe me, then believe some of the people who went through the ordeal of either having to accept less money or not having their contracts renewed.
Fourth--If I was Ch. 8, I would be embarrased, and upset. Here you have a person that recently worked for your station who is now selling products largely based on her being recognizable from the platform your station provided. Hard to believe her contract with 8 would allow such a thing so close to her termination. I am sure the account executives at Ch. 10 are laughing--not only do you make money on running the ads, but you remind viewers that Ch. 8 is a revolving door every time her spot comes on. Imagine the few viewers that 8 still has seeing the commercial---"wow honey, the anchor we used to watch is now selling X, makes you wonder how qualified they were to begin with when she was an anchor".
You honestly believe Channel 8's management is going to be, as you put it "embarrassed" that a former employee appears on commercials? They should be more embarrassed over the large turnover in staff that has taken place instead, don't you agree?
Mark we obviously aren't going to agree on this issue. Melanie can obviously do whatever she wants for a living. But in MY mind this is just another black eye for Channel 8 and for the tv news industry as a whole.
I agree with some of your points, but like I wrote, if the lady can find honest work then don't belittle her for trying. It's better than sitting home and collecting unemployment and doing nothing.
Worlds Oldest Profession
The lady used to work in local TV as a news anchor. She was good enough to gain some degree of recognition, which the station decided not to take advantage of.
In case you haven't noticed, journalism is a small part of local TV - even during the news shows. Most local anchors are in the business of communication, not journalism. There are a fair number who haven't really reported a story in a very long time. They're communicating the fruits of other people's journalistic labor. In fact, they don't get paid because they're great reporters. They get paid because they're great communicators.
What are her alternatives? Sit home a hope something else opens up locally? Get out of her chosen profession? Uproot her family and leave town? Or, collect a paycheck for communicating the virtues of a product that she may actually believe in?
I don't think that doing commercials while she's not employed by a local news department excludes her from the "journalistic brother/sisterhood". Viewers understand the difference between commericials and news - when that difference exists. Do you mean to tell me that a local station has NEVER covered a "Grand Opening" because there were big ad dollars up for grabs? Yeah, right.
Her business is communicating effectively on TV. She used her skills in a commercial while she had no ties to any local news department. If that's "pimping herself out", there's a lot of people who are wearing fishnets and garter belts under that business attire.
The lady used to work in local TV as a news anchor. She was good enough to gain some degree of recognition, which the station decided not to take advantage of.
In case you haven't noticed, journalism is a small part of local TV - even during the news shows. Most local anchors are in the business of communication, not journalism. There are a fair number who haven't really reported a story in a very long time. They're communicating the fruits of other people's journalistic labor. In fact, they don't get paid because they're great reporters. They get paid because they're great communicators.
What are her alternatives? Sit home a hope something else opens up locally? Get out of her chosen profession? Uproot her family and leave town? Or, collect a paycheck for communicating the virtues of a product that she may actually believe in?
I don't think that doing commercials while she's not employed by a local news department excludes her from the "journalistic brother/sisterhood". Viewers understand the difference between commericials and news - when that difference exists. Do you mean to tell me that a local station has NEVER covered a "Grand Opening" because there were big ad dollars up for grabs? Yeah, right.
Her business is communicating effectively on TV. She used her skills in a commercial while she had no ties to any local news department. If that's "pimping herself out", there's a lot of people who are wearing fishnets and garter belts under that business attire.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
I fail to see what the problem is with Barnas doing commercials. She is no longer employed as a news anchor, thus negating the journalist integrity argument. If she had few viewers on Channel 8’s morning show, as some posters on here claim, will the general viewing public really notice or care that she is hawking a product? Doing car commercials didn’t prevent Mary McCombs from returning to the anchor desk at R-News, or Buffalo’s Linda Pellegrino from doing commercials while still employed at Channel 7. (Pellegrino even has her own website promoting her commercial talent abilities.) Mark Giardina is right; if one is unemployed and needs work, why not take commercial jobs. Barnas might have a better future doing commercials then attempting to land another news job at 10 or 13.
I fail to see what the problem is with Barnas doing commercials. She is no longer employed as a news anchor, thus negating the journalist integrity argument. If she had few viewers on Channel 8’s morning show, as some posters on here claim, will the general viewing public really notice or care that she is hawking a product? Doing car commercials didn’t prevent Mary McCombs from returning to the anchor desk at R-News, or Buffalo’s Linda Pellegrino from doing commercials while still employed at Channel 7. (Pellegrino even has her own website promoting her commercial talent abilities.) Mark Giardina is right; if one is unemployed and needs work, why not take commercial jobs. Barnas might have a better future doing commercials then attempting to land another news job at 10 or 13.
Re: Former WROC/WUHF anchor Melanie Barnas appeared in a commercial on channel 10
Girl's gotta eat!
Girl's gotta eat!
- Status
- This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.