The hits keep on coming.

I’ve been at this for about seven months now, primarily building stilltalkintv through word-of-mouth, Facebook and periodic radio appearances.

The page loads, unique and first time visitors have been gradually building each week and month.

One of the attractions is the fact that my former employer, the Buffalo News, has had minimal interest in covering local (and national TV for that matter) since I left. For a brief time, the paper appeared to be trying to pass off a Washington Post reviewer as one of its own. I’m glad that deceptive practice apparently has been stopped.

Since people have been joining the blog at different times over the seven months, they’ve missed some of the comings and goings of local TV news personnel that haven’t gotten much attention in the local paper.

So as what you might consider to be a minor year-end review blog, here is an update for all those recent visitors to stilltalkintv who have asked me about several people who have left the airwaves in recent months.

Mary Friona, Channel 2: The “Daybreak” reporter, who may be best known for the feature that samples products advertised on TV, has been off the air for several months because of a family issue. The station now says that she is expected back in early or mid-January.

Erika Brason, Channel 2: The former Saturday morning anchor and reporter left the station by what has been termed mutual agreement.

Bridget Blythe, Channel 7: She was shockingly let go as the co-anchor of the station’s early morning news program. It is hard to believe the station would blame her for the program’s low ratings when it is clear that it is vastly understaffed compared to the morning shows on Channel 2 and Channel 4. There have been unconfirmed rumors (bloggers can print them) that Blythe is headed for a job in Albany, where her mother used to be a top anchor.

Lia Lando, Channel 4: The temporary substitute for Lisa Flynn as Channel 4’s anchor at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on sister station WNLO-TV turned down an offer to stay full-time to become a lead anchor in Rochester.  Rochester is her home and the station there reportedly offered her money than Channel 4. Channel 4 also saved money when Lando left since it is now using anchors Don Postles and Jacquie Walker on her anchor shifts.

Lisa Flynn, Channel 4: She’s the partial inspiration for this blog, having led a Facebook debate on last season’s finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” – she loved it, I hated it – that prompted me to keep talking about TV. Judging by her frequent Facebook status updates and pictures, Flynn is enjoying life now after leaving her anchor chair to concentrate on raising her young son Thomas with her husband.

Hope this keeps all you new stilltalkintv visitors up-to-date. Now please pass the word on about the blog.

pergament@msn.com

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