WFLA-AM Morning newscast, 8:30am 1/21/2011 -What Happened?

[tampalistener]

Would that be the same Bill Vitka that worked as a newscaster for CBS Radio? A more mellow delivery than most but very easy on the ears.

Same guy, same great delivery. That said, there's a couple of clips out there on the Interwebs of him utterly confused during a live TOH read from a year ago or so. Apparently, he misplaced his script and couldn't find it when it was air time.

A rough transcript from the opening: "Fox News Radio, I'm Bill Vitka. (Five seconds of dead air.) We do have a newscast, please bear with me. (More dead air.) This is Fox News Radio. (Dead air.) Turning to news from the world of culture, um ... (Dead air. Finds script. Begins the originally planned newscast.)"

And I don't know if it was from the same newscast, but there's another clip with him delivering this tag: "Fox News Radio ... (three seconds of dead air) you decide ... (two seconds of dead air, resuming with weak voice) we choose."

Hey, it happens to us all.

 

[radioguy555]

I believe Martin has been off the air for a month now. I am hoping he is doing well and will be back, but I seriously wonder when.

 

[iimutt]

[EDIT]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media...er-air-health-scare-and-three-months-recovery


[EDIT-Citation exceeds amount of permissible content under Fair Use and has been truncated.]

 

[DToTheJ]

"I don't feel slowed down by [the Jan. 21 incident]. This doesn't bother me at all."

Martin Giles = true pro. God bless him.

 

[Frank Ferreri]

For young guys new or getting started....look up professional...you'll see a picture of Martin Giles.

 

[iimutt]

It was nice to hear him back on air when I tuned into 970 today. I haven't had a chance to hear him on MJ so I don't know if MJ has gone back to interrupting him yet.

 

[radioguy555]

I almost hate to bring this up, but I think it is a fair subject. I was listening to Martin do the newscast on MJ's show Monday morning and clearly he was struggling. He made several mistakes and was giving out inaccurate information. It was very uncomfortable to hear this as a listener. I feel terrible for him and know how long he's been around in this market. I just wonder if CC will let him continue working on-air if he is still making mistakes. I am sure it is a very difficult situation for everyone involved and I hope it doesn't end too uncomfortably.

 

[docrobbins]

I almost hate to bring this up, but I think it is a fair subject. I was listening to Martin do the newscast on MJ's show Monday morning and clearly he was struggling. He made several mistakes and was giving out inaccurate information. It was very uncomfortable to hear this as a listener. I feel terrible for him and know how long he's been around in this market. I just wonder if CC will let him continue working on-air if he is still making mistakes. I am sure it is a very difficult situation for everyone involved and I hope it doesn't end too uncomfortably.

I've heard him regularly since his return on WFLA (don't listen to MJ's show). When he returned he sounded rested and refreshed. Yes, I've heard a few slip-ups, but really no worse than just about any other newsreader on the air today. Heck, the other day Shawn McGuire said the Rays had won their last 11 out of 10 games. I think Martin Giles is doing well enough, and he has great delivery. Hope to hear him many more years, or as long as he wants to.

 

[DToTheJ]

Shawn can be forgiven, because no radio sports slip-up can be more dumbfounding than this one.