Friday NewsBytes

- "Weathercaster" John Elliott appeared on the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts last night. He reported on the above-average temperatures from a miniature golf course in Wayne, NJ. John Bolaris (or "Inside John," as Elliott said in a tease, as opposed to "Outside John") tossed to him in each of the three weather segments during the broadcasts. Elliott was joined by an ice sculptor who created "CBS" and CBS 2 logos out of blocks of ice.

- Speaking of Elliott, he appears in five-second IDs for the station. In one, the announcer says, "CBS 2 welcomes weathercaster John Elliott." Another says, "CBS 2's John Elliott. He makes weather fun."

- There are many variations of those new anchor promos. The new ones seem to attempt to draw a more personal connection between viewers and the anchors: Jim Rosenfield talks about growing up watching "Channel 2 News;" Dana Tyler on earning viewers' trust; Kristine Johnson explains the importance of broadcast journalism; Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan joke about having to wake up early; and the anchors talk about what happens when news breaks where Tyler says, "Breaking news is our bread and butter." There's also a spot where Johnson talks about Wragge and then Wragge interrupts. As some of you have noticed, I've posted a bunch of these promos on YouTube:







Feel free to comment on these posts or the videos and tell me what you think so far and what you'd like to see in the future.