WNBC Has Proper Simmons Send-Off
UPDATED: The shrinking ranks of local TV talent giants loses another member, as Sue Simmons, the longtime anchor at WNBC New York, prepares for her final day on the air. The tributes started this morning with Today in New York and go throughout the day on all of WNBC newscasts–noon, 5 p.m. and 6.
“Every newscast on News 4 New York on June 15th will feature moments with Sue over the years,” says a spokesperson.
Sue-palooza wraps at 11 p.m. with a look back at the anchor’s career. Longtime co-anchor Chuck Scarborough worked with a team of producers to create what NBC calls “a memorable video presentation for Sue.”
Through a spokesperson, Simmons declined to speak with B&C.
Simmons has been with WNBC since 1980. She had co-anchored both the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, but WNBC took the 6 p.m. of her plate in January.
In March, NBC confirmed that there would not be a new contract for Simmons.
I’m not seeing any mention of Simmons on the NBC New York website Friday morning.
And the New York Post says WNBC isn’t quite giving Sue her due.
Reports the Post:
Sue Simmons signs off from Ch. 4 tonight after 32 years - a departure that’s been so low-key you’d think station officials were trying to hide the biggest goodbye of a local icon in years.
Ch. 4 has been strangely silent about Simmons since The Post’s Cindy Adams broke the story of her departure in early March.
“Endings like this are never easy,” says one industry insider. “There’s nothing harder than letting go when you’re at the top rung of the ladder.”
Drt commented:
This is my final foray into Bill Simmons who completes his long deilnce from innovative and interesting sports writer to celebrity wannabe with this piece of dreck disguised as a book.Endless footnotes (The reason books have pages in order is so that one doesn't have to flip back and forth seven times for every page), his banal opinions on a sport that he thinks he's an expert in (despite being wrong in so many predictions, you'd be hard pressed to wonder why he gets paid to write about the sport)I used to look forward to every Friday column, and now (somewhat) sadly have decided to move on after reading this monstrosity of a book .
Ted Faraone commented:
There are TV personalities, and there is Sue Simmons. I briefly worked with her in the heyday of "Live at Five." She is without question one of the greatest talents ever to grace the small screen. And her wit and sense of humor were gifts to all of us who worked with her.
Eric commented:
WNBC has yet to name a replacement/successor. Names of NYC TV news talents I could picture being in the running to anchor 6PM & 11PM news... WNBC morning anchor Darlene Rodriguez... former WPIX morning anchor Lynne White... and maybe WPIX weekend anchor Kaity Tong. I'm very much aware of Noon & 5PM anchor Shiba Russell making the short list too. I would perfer that WNBC go with a talent that viewers know and trust. We'll miss you, Sue.
Eric commented:
Some had hoped that WNBC would have kept Sue on a little while longer... allowing Sue to retire when she felt the time was right, instead of forcing her out.
mitch commented:
scott clarkm, sports anchor, retired on wabc to bigger publicity