Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

Viewers who’ve grown accustomed to having WPMI chief meteorologist David Glen guide them through hurricane landfalls and summer showers may be saddened to know he has accepted a job in Chattanooga.

Glen has accepted the chief meteorologist’s position with WTVC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga. It will be Glen’s second stint in the city, as he started his career there at WRCB in 1991. Glen and his wife are originally from the area, and he said he is happy to be heading home, even though he will miss the Bay area.

“Chattanooga is my hometown, and both my family and my wife’s family are from there. So, it’s a perfect fit, and a rare opportunity to move ‘home,’” Glen explained. “I am very excited about the job, but as you can imagine, it’s also a sad occasion leaving my colleagues at WPMI. I am so proud of how far we have come during my eight years here. I have been able to work with a tremendous group of people that works tirelessly in providing a quality news product. Peter, Drexel, Pat and I have been teamed together for over six years, and it’s going to be tough leaving the team. I have such a long list of people I will miss and of course the beautiful surroundings of the coast. With that said though, I am excited about this next step in my career.”

Glen’s last day on the air in Mobile is Dec. 13 and he starts at WTVC Dec. 18. WPMI news director Joe Raia said the station is currently looking for Glen’s replacement.

Sealls checking seals

Keeping with the weather theme, WKRG chief meteorologist Alan Sealls was recently appointed to the Board of Broadcast Meteorology by the American Meteorological Society. The society is a national governing and scientific organization located in Boston, that was founded in 1919.

Sealls will serve a three-year term on the administrative board, which evaluates other applicants seeking the AMS or CBM TV Seal.

“We grade the applicants in categories like meteorological knowledge, presentation skills, and ability to communicate tough science in an easy way. In that process we give feedback and suggestions for improvement to the applicants. We also vote on changes to the process of applying for an AMS Seal,” Sealls said.

He says he’s been an AMS member for 20 years and an AMS Seal holder for 18 and earned the CBM “upgrade” earlier this year.

“In joining the Board I hope to help keep the standards up for weather broadcasting. We are becoming a much more weather-dependent society and the public deserves the best weather presenters they can get,” Sealls added.

Sealls also serves in a similar position with the National Weather Association’s Seal Committee and the National Weather Association’s Seal subcommittee.

Live radio lives

In early December, you’ll be able to hear the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” like you’ve probably never heard it before, as a local group will perform live radio recreations of the movie.

The play is being produced by Radio Classics Live, in cooperation with Spring Hill College and Catt Sirten’s Radio Avalon, which is heard nightly on WHIL. Nancy Pierce and her husband Barry Silverman will head up the production, which will be performed Dec. 8, 9 & 10 at the Arlene Mitchell Theater at Spring Hill College. The group has done other old time radio shows, such as “The Lone Ranger” and “The Shadow.”

The production will employ techniques used during radio’s heyday.

“The elements of these old time radio productions that audiences seem to enjoy most are the live sound effects. We use the same techniques they used during the golden age of radio. Everything is live. Nothing is recorded,” Silverman said.

Reservations for watching the productions can be made beginning Dec. 4 by calling 479-3331.

Clear Channel sale coming

Many in the market are a bit nervous over the recently announced $26.7 billion sale of Clear Channel to a consortium of investors. The sale reportedly will have the company spinning off and selling many of its radio and television stations.

That means eight radio stations in the Mobile/Pensacola market could change ownership, as well as WPMI TV-15, the local NBC affiliate.

No word yet on who will end up with what, but we’ll keep watching.

Toys for Tots

It’s that time of year again, and starting this week, WABB radio will have staffers traveling from Wal-Mart to Wal-Mart in their “Toys-ebago” collecting Toys for Tots. The station has been an annual sponsor of the program.

Chinese TV comes to town

The world’s largest television network will be coming to the Port City Nov. 25 to film a documentary on the Shaolin Legacy Kung Fu Show taking place at the Civic Center.

The show will be filmed and broadcasted as a documentary by China Central Television (CCTV), which claims more than 300 million viewers. Approximately 100 cast members from several countries will appear on stage during the one of the largest Shaolin Kung Fu demonstrations ever.

Press party reminder

Just another reminder, the Press Club of Mobile will have its Christmas Party high atop the Lafayette Plaza Hotel in the Skyview Lounge Thursday Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m. Be there or be square.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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