Stephen Clark Reports on CBS 2!

It's been almost two months since Stephen Clark had to leave CBS 2, and he's been working at CBS Newspath since early last month. He hasn't appeared on Channel 2 since his departure, but it appears as if CBS 2's news director Joel Cheatwood changed his mind. Today Stephen Clark reported the top story from Washington, D.C. on "The News at 5:00"! Will we see more of Stephen in the future? Stay tuned!

Newest CBS New York Columnist: Angela Rae

Yesterday at CBS 2's website, cbsnewyork.com, anchor Angela Rae because their newest columnist. Her columns are called "Angela's Take On It", and in her first one, she talks about what it's like to be in New York City after living in Texas and Florida for much of her life. CBS 2's first online columnist was Stephen Clark and "Technology Bytes", then Cindy Hsu's "Cindy In The City", and Dana Tyler's Behind The Scenes.

NY Post: "Clark leaves mark on Ch. 2 viewers"

"The Starr Report" today in the New York Post reports the following:

Stephen Clark left behind many fans when he departed Ch. 2 late last month after three years. Many of those fans have been calling and e-mailing, asking where Clark is headed next. There's no word on that yet, but Clark has been anchoring segments for CBS Newspath, which feeds newscasts to CBS affiliates nationwide. Stay tuned.

(Thanks to Brian for sending me this article!)

CBS 2 Update - Storm Watch, Lisa Hill, and more!

While I was on a vacation for about a week, and while this website was down for over a week, a lot happened regarding CBS 2! I would like to thank David, Teddy, Michael, Brian, and Kevin for keeping me updated while I was away!

CBS 2 Storm Watch Coverage
The biggest storm since the Blizzard of '96 hit the tri-state area all day Saturday. And CBS 2 had expanded team coverage to keep viewers informed. Here's what happened:
Friday, 7:00-8:00pm: Todd McDermott and Angela Rae anchored a one-hour special edition of CBS 2 from Studio 59A. David Rogers had weather. Mostly coverage of the snow storm that was headed directly towards New York City, but also some news, not related to weather, was included.
Saturday, 8:00-9:00am: Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill (she went on maternity leave in August 2000 - this was the first time she was back on WCBS since she left). David Rogers also had weather on the rooftop of the CBS Broadcast Center (not the Fifth Avenue studio). Tony Pann was in the studio (59B) with more weather. The first hour of The Saturday Early Show continued at its normal WCBS time, 9:00am, but the second hour did not air.
Saturday, 10:00am-12:??pm: Michael and Lisa had more coverage, which lasted over two hours.
Saturday, 1:00pm: Michael and Lisa had a few more minutes with Storm Watch updates.
Saturday, 2:00-4:30pm: another over-2 hour Storm Watch report with Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill, and Metro Traffic reports from Debbie DuHaime (traffic updates from Debbie were all day long).
Saturday, 6:00-6:30pm: Todd McDermott, Angela Rae, and meteorologist Craig Allen had more Storm Watch coverage.
Saturday, 7:00-8:00pm: Todd McDermott, Angela Rae, and meteorologist Craig Allen with another CBS 2 Storm Watch report.
Saturday, 11:00-11:35pm The News at 11:00 with Todd McDermott, Angela Rae, and meteorologist Craig Allen.
Sunday, 8:00-9:00am: Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill back with another special weekend morning newscast. Tony Pann with weather, and Carrie Lee with traffic.
Sunday, 6:30-7:00pm: Todd McDermott and Angela Rae with The Weekend News at 6:30.

CBS 2's New Year's Eve Coverage (12/31/00)
Todd McDermott and Angela Rae anchored The News at 11:00 for just over an hour (coverage ended at 12:05am). Tony Pann had weather, and Gary Apple had sports. Live coverage of the famous ball dropping at midnight!

Stephen Clark, CBS News reporter?
David tells me that Stephen Clark, who left CBS 2 on December 22nd, will become a freelance reporter for CBS Newspath for a while, starting tomorrow (Tuesday, January 2nd). He may cover the Presidential Inauguration on January 20th. Will we see Stephen on CBS 2 doing national reports for all CBS affiliates? We will find out soon!

Anchor Changes, Begins Tuesday, January 2nd!
Beginning tomorrow, most CBS 2 newscasts will have anchor changes. Here's a look at what will probably happen:
5:00-7:00am, Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill
12:00-12:30pm, Michael Pomeranz and Cindy Hsu
4:00-5:00pm, Cindy Hsu/Todd McDermott and Dana Tyler
5:00-6:00pm, Todd McDermott and Angela Rae
6:00-6:30pm, Ernie Anastos and Dana Tyler
11:00-11:35pm, Ernie Anastos and Angela Rae

Stephen Clark Leaves CBS 2

Last night at 11:00, Dana Tyler said goodbye to Stephen Clark. And Stephen Clark said goodbye to Dana Tyler, who will be leaving the 11:00 news. Earlier today on the CBSNEWYORK.COM Message Board, Stephen Clark posted a message for everyone:

To all my friends and viewers: I want to thank you most sincerely for the support you've shown me on these pages. It certainly warms my heart to know so many of you care about me and the general well being of CBS2. Like you, I agree with the concensus that Channel 2 is making a big mistake by letting me go, and by moving Dana off the 11, and in a lot of the others moves the station has made lately. I agree, as you all have made abundantly clear, that the station needs to stop making changes and let viewers get used to the station for a change. But, having said that, as a veteran broadcaster I understand Joel Cheatwood's rationale as to why he thinks he needs to make these changes...although for obvious reasons I don't think it will work. It would also be easy for me to agree with you that you should stop watching Channel 2 immediately. But before you do that I want you to think about all the good people still there...Dana and Ira and Warner and all the great people behind the scenes working against great odds to put on news shows. Your boycott would certainly get your point across, but it would also hurt a lot of good people. Having said that, I am not at all opposed to your continued letters and emails of support sent to Tony Pettitti, WCBS General Manager...I think it's important he understands what viewers think of the changes. I also support your calls and letters on my behalf to other stations in New York. I certainly intend to stay in the city and hope to be working elsewhere as soon as possible. In the meantime, all of you please have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. If you'd like to contact me...I'm on America OnLine at I'd love to hear from you. Stephen Clark

Stephen Clark's e-mail address is SClarkWCBS@aol.com.

Emotional Goodbye To Stephen Clark

If you saw the special holiday edition of "New York Live!" today, you know what I mean by saying it was an emotional show. The last 15-20 minutes of the show were holiday memories with the anchors. Ira Joe Fisher read a poem to a bunch of kids in the studio, and then all of the 4:00 anchors were at a table talking about their Christmas memories. Tony Tantillo ("The Fresh Grocer"), Robyn Carter (entertainment reporter), Todd McDermott (news anchor), Ira Joe Fisher (weather man), Dana Tyler (4, 6, and 11:00 anchor), and Stephen Clark (4, 6, and 11:00 anchor) were all there.

At the end, they mentioned it was Stephen's last day at CBS 2. Dana couldn't finish talking, so Ira Joe quickly helped out. Stephen was obviously very sad about this too, as his eyes became very red, and he didn't say much at all, only smiled. Then at the very end, he played his guitar and sang a song to end the show.

Tonight is Stephen Clark's last newscast, at 11:00. It will also be Dana Tyler's last newscast at 11:00 as she has next week off, and Angela Rae takes her place the week of January 1st.

Stephen Clark Leaving Next Week?

Justin from PrincetonWeather.com tells me that he talked with Stephen Clark yesterday. He was told that Friday, December 22nd (one week from tomorrow) is Stephen Clark's last day as news anchor on CBS 2 (at 4:00, 6:00, and 11:00pm). He will soon be flying to San Fransisco for a job offer at KPIX-TV, a CBS affiliate. Stephen Clark's contract is supposedly up on January 2nd, the same day Ernie Anastos joins CBS 2. FOX 5 New York is also said to be looking to get Stephen Clark if John Roland retires, which may be soon. If we find anything else out, we will have it as soon as possible!

US News Joins The CBS 2 Information Network

Today on The News at 6:00, Stephen Clark said that US News & World Report has become a new CBS 2 Information Network partner. This evening, US News and CBS 2 did a CBS 2 Reports together. The logo linking to the USnews.com website is now on the CBS 2 page on the cbsnewyork.com website.

CBS Broadcast Plaza Closer To Being Completed

In the summer of 1999, the CBS Broadcast Plaza was beginning to be constructed for CBS's new morning program, "The Early Show" (the show celebrated their one year anniversary last Wednesday, November 1st). For over a year, construction appeared to be taking place by the plaza. Today on CBS 2's 4:00pm show, "New York Live!", Ira Joe Fisher, Stephen Clark, and Dana Tyler said that the CBS Broadcast Plaza was closer to being finished. Much of the construction has been completed, and opened up. The new area now includes a few more steps leading up to a platform, which could make room for more "Early Show" concert performances. There also appears to be a fountain.

Campaign 2000 Coverage on CBS 2

Tuesday, November 7th is Election Day 2000! This morning, CBS 2 put their plans for Campaign 2000 coverage on their website. "Count on CBS for the most comprehensive on-air and on-line election night coverage anywhere." Every 90 seconds, the cbsnewyork.com website will report election results, right down to your county!

On television, the CBS 2 Information Network kicks off with The News This Morning and continues throughout the day. CBS News coverage begins at 7 pm, with CBS 2 providing local updates throughout the night, concluding with a special edition of The News at 11, anchored by Stephen Clark and Dana Tyler. CBS 2 will remain on the air until all major area races are decided. We'll call all of the presidential, Senate and key House races, as well as votes on key referenda.

(Thanks to David for sending in this information!)

Evening News Update

Today on "New York Live", the opening was different than the other openings. It looked similar to some of the promos for the show, which started airing on Thursday. After the open, Todd McDermott had a preview of the news, and Ira Joe Fisher had a preview of the weather. After, Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark had a much longer chat than usual, and it appears to be part of the new 4:00 format. Todd McDermott had the news headlines three times (around 4:05, then at 4:31, and at 4:45). Traffic with Heather O'Rourke was twice, at the usual 4:32 and 4:55. Robyn Carter had the "CBS 2 Hollywood.com Entertainment Report" after Ira's weather (the CBS 2 Information Network animation came before the Hollywood.com animation).

At 4:39, a few minutes later than it used to be, "Tomorrow's Daily News Today in New York" segment (the CBS 2 Information Network animation also came before the Daily News animation). The music for the show is the same as used in the commercials, and the graphics are the same, except for the "New York Live!" logo on the left.

On "The News at 5:00", Todd McDermott did a report about the CBS 2 Information Network (same report as the one shown this morning) and there was a "The News at 5:30" opening also. On "The News at 6:00", Michael Pomeranz filled in for Stephen Clark, although Stephen was there for "New York Live!"

World Series Parade

Now that the New York Yankees beat the New York Mets, 4 games to 1, in the World Series, the parade will be held on Monday. CBS 2 coverage of the parade starts at 11:00am, which means there will be no noon news. Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark are likely to be the anchors for the coverage, because they did it for the 1998 and 1999 parades.

CBS 2 Update

This afternoon at 4:00, the animated monitor in the Metro Traffic Center, which used to alternate between "NEWS 2" and "TRAFFIC", now has "CBS 2" and "TRAFFIC". Also at during News 2 at 4:00, Dana Tyler, Stephen Clark, Ira Joe Fisher, and Todd McDermott talked for around a minute about the "CBS 2 Information Network" and "New York Live!", both are starting Monday. They said Todd McDermott will do the news for the show.

Brett Haber is now the 11:00pm Sports Anchor

Last night at 11:00, Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark welcomed the newest member of the News 2 family, Brett Haber, who will be the newscast's sportscaster. Brett Haber comes to News 2 from WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C. He also used to be co-host of "SportsCenter" on ESPN. Did you watch Brett haber last night? What do you think of his sports report? Let everyone know at our Message Board!

David Rogers and Brett Haber Both Begin Tonight!

Last night at 11:00, Stephen Clark and Dana Tyler said goodbye to Craig Allen, but said he will do the weather for the weekends, and will continue his busy schedule with WCBS NewsRadio 880. Craig Allen said that David Rogers would start tonight at 5, 6, and 11.

Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark also said that it was Warner Wolf's last 11:00pm sports report. Warner Wolf will still do the 6:00pm sports report, and said that Brett Haber would start tonight at 11:00.

It now seems like, after many months, News 2 has a permanent weather anchor lineup. Tony Pann, weekday mornings. Ira Joe Fisher, noon and 4:00. David Rogers, 5, 6, and 11:00. Craig Allen, weekends.

News 2 Uses HDTV More

Today at the beginning of News 2 at 4:00, the HDTV was between anchors Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark, who were at the desk. It was only at the desk for the first few minutes of the show, but was used in other parts of the set. At 5:00, anchors Angela Rae and Todd McDermott were standing up (not behind the desk) with the HDTV between them with the top story's graphic on it! It appears as if the HDTV will be used a lot more on News 2.

Jaxson Hill

Today on News 2 at 4:00, Dana Tyler announced that Lisa Cooley Hill had her baby today, and his name is Jaxson Hill (different spelling than we reported last month). No more information was given about the baby, like the height and weight of him. If any more information is given, we'll report it to you! Today is also Stephen Clark's birthday (Happy Birthday!!)! "News 2 New York" would like to say, "Congratulations!" to Lisa Hill, and her husband, Richard Hill!

Ernie Anastos Is Coming Back To WCBS

The New York Post, the New York Daily News, and Newsday report that Ernie Anastos will be joining News 2 in either December or January, when his contract with Channel 9 expires. Ernie Anastos worked as anchor from 1989 to 1994 under a five-year contract worth a reported $7 million. Anastos has long been considered one of the city's top two or three most-trusted and best-known anchormen, and has been one of New York's highest-paid anchormen for nearly 20 years. He worked at Channel 7 from 1980 to 1989, when he was lured to Channel 2. He joined Channel 9 in 1996.

"This is a personal decision to return to CBS, where I actually started my TV career as a desk assistant at Ch. 2 when I was a young college student in New York," he said yesterday. It is not yet known which newscasts he will anchor, but it will most likely be News 2 At 6:00 and At 11:00, and it appears Stephen Clark will only do News 2 at 4:00. More news on this as it breaks. For more information on Ernie Anastos, click here.

New NEWS 2 at 4:00 Format?

This past Thursday, it appears as if NEWS 2 at 4:00 changed their format. The two main anchors don't begin at the main desk with the windows, but in the brown "library" set. The anchors preview the show, then get the weather from Ira Joe Fisher, but then turn to the main desk (now called the "news desk") were one of the 5:00 anchors (Todd McDermott or Angela Rae) has the news. It's not yet known if NEWS 2 at 4:00 will keep this format, or if it's just until Wednesday when Stephen Clark gets back (he's been out since Thursday to spend some time with his daughters before they go back to school).

NEWS 2 at 4:00's Ratings Are Higher

From Monday's "The Starr Report" by Michael Starr in the New York Post:

Good news for Ch. 2's 4 p.m. newscast, which saw its ratings jump from May to June. Ratings for the 4 p.m. broadcast, anchored by Dana Tyler and Stephen Clark, were up 22 percent in June, averaging 151,000 households. Part of the reason could do with the aforementioned "Survivor" - and interviews with contestants chucked off the island. Ch. 2 also had an impressive guest lineup including BB King, Carmen Electra and Patrick Stewart - no doubt bringing a smile to the face of Ch. 2 news honcho "Joltin' Joel" Cheatwood.