Weighing in
A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news
Billboards, publicity stunts, charity events, folksy commercials … broadcast companies work hard to make sure viewers and listeners form an emotional attachment with their on-air personalities. And it works.
Some Spokane residents who never met Peter Colford wept when the KREM weatherman died of cancer in 1993. And some were so outraged last year when KREM dropped Nadine Woodward from its lineup that they vowed never again to watch the station.
Now, KXLY, which won some fans by picking up Woodward, is in the hot seat after announcing last week that it is dropping the contracts of Rick and Teresa Lukens.
But not everyone commenting at spokesman.com is sympathetic to the couple, who have been on the air even longer than Woodward.
Madscientist: Finally! This should have been done years ago!
Mikewsu: Have to agree with madscientist on this one. They were tolerable about 5 or 10 years ago … not so much anymore.
Eddie Torreal: Nice move to notify them while they were on vacation. Stay classy, KXLY.
Spokada: Just a lesson to all that loyalty is a one-way street. Do what is best for yourself and your family.
Exshooter: If you have 2 people that have been loyal employees for you for more than half of their lives they certainly deserve to be shown a great deal more dignity and consideration than was shown here. Shame on KXLY!
Spoketucky: If the Lukenses were as talented as some of the posters on here would like us to believe, she would be a producer on “Good Morning America” and he’d be hosting “SportsCenter.” But they aren’t, and it’s not because of management decisions at KXLY.
Mark Mohr: With the continuing erosion of the immediacy and importance of TV news, and the transient nature of local stations’ newest (and youngest) viewers, you would think that station management would rely on the older, more habitual viewers, now more than ever. They’re the ones who are deeply attached to the longtime anchors and the ones stunned by news of their departure.
Ron White: KXLY has now lost me. Call me corny or old-fashioned, but I like the banter between Rick and Teresa as it exhibited their healthy relationship. I will look for them wherever they land in our community.