Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > May > 13 > Entry
5/14: WXIA’s Clarence Reynolds leaves, CBS cancels “Moonlight,” “Shark,” saves “Old Christine,” “Rules of Engagement”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clarence Reynolds, an anchor at WXIA-TV for three years, has left the building.
His last day was last Thursday. Reynolds was the morning news anchor with Jill Becker from October, 2005 until January 2008 but switched to weekends earlier this year while Karyn Greer took his morning spot. He said Karyn wanted more time with her kids on weekends and he had no problem not having to wake up at 2 a.m. anymore. But alas, after two and a half years as an anchor, Reynolds wasn’t really enjoying the job and decided to leave on his own. Though his contract isn’t up until October, he was able to get out of it.
At age 44, Reynolds said he has a new game plan for himself and has a choice of two unidentified jobs outside broadcast television to choose from. He eventually wants to start his own business again. (He ran a bakery earlier in his life.) He’ll update me on his future once he decides. In the past, Reynolds has hosted a Fox morning show in Indianapolis, done executive production work at BET and hosted public affairs programming at PBS affiliates in Indianapolis and Orlando before coming to Atlanta in 2005.
Since WXIA-TV added several more hours of news programming, mostly on weekends and on WATL-TV, without adding much staff, existing employees have expressed various levels of burnout. And some on-air and off-air staff have been leaving, with some positions being left unfilled. Among recent departures besides Reynolds: meteorologist Flip Spiceland (who briefly worked in PR at Facility Group) and reporters Blair Meeks (now in PR) and Elaine Reyes (still job hunting).
-Despite a rabid following, Friday night freshman vampire drama “Moonlight” has bitten the dust. And CBS also slayed James Woods’ “Shark.” Both were getting passable, if not spectacular, ratings in their respective time slots. (Those “Moonlight” fans might end up sending vials of blood to CBS in protest or perhaps big wooden stakes.)
But all the sitcoms that have aired on Monday nights will be back (“Big Bang Theory,” “Rules of Engagement, “Two & a Half Men,” “New Adventures of Old Christine” and “How I Met Your Mother.”)
-In other renewal news, ABC has given “Boston Legal” a final 13 episodes. David E. Kelley will write all of them.
-And surprisingly, Oprah decided not to do another “Oprah’s Big Give.” Ratings were borderline disappointing but ABC had been willing to give it another shot, according to Hollywood Reporter.
-Plus, MTV”s “The Real World” has passed on Atlanta again for its 21st incarnation, opting for Brooklyn. And instead of 26 half-hour episodes, they will instead do 13 one-hour episodes.
-And yes, that second appearance by Britney Spears Monday night on “How I Met Your Mother” felt a bit forced and while mildly amusing at points, felt glommed onto the rest of the plotlines. The ratings bump the second time was more modest, too, as the show hit 9 million viewers compared to 10.6 million the first time she showed up. Let’s just say that’s the end of that. Or we can only hope so.
Comments
By David
May 13, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Talk about quick, I just happened to be looking at the Bios for Channel 11 and noticed Clarence’s bio was missing and was going to email you.
By Jon Dough
May 14, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Good Clearance, I enjoyed watching you work.
By jct
May 14, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe CBS is canceling Moonlight. Everybody at my job watches and we discuss on Monday. This is total cr&p.
By LH
May 14, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Another Moonlight fan here as well. Of course, I was also a Jericho fan, so CBS has made several mistakes in my opinion.
By TPM
May 14, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
11Alive Management screwed up when they let Ken Watts go. He was a professional and steady anchor. Clarence was a stumbling fool.
By Monica
May 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
11 Alive News has lost another viewer. I like Clarence and Flip and they will be missed.
By Tom
May 16, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
I stopped watching WXIA in the mornings when Clarence stopped appearing. I enjoyed his personality which came across less forced than a lot of the early morning anchors. I wish him the best.
By Paul
May 16, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Enjoyed the professional and cheerful presentation of the news by Clarence and Flip. Already switched to another news channel.
By Mr. F Wesley
May 20, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
I think that Clarence is a wonderful guy with much potential. I am sure he will do great wherever he decide to make that career change.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Orlando, Florida
By War EAgle
May 27, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Is this the last yr for Boston Legal? final 13 episodes? Spock-Do something. Dr. McCoy-write, this show is in need of a script writer. “Dammit Jim, I’m a doctor, not a screenplay writer.”