Channel 2’s Adam Benigni sounded like a Buffalo Bill or a Buffalo Sabre trying to make a good impression during training camp when asked Thursday about how he feels about becoming the 11 p.m. sports anchor.
“I’m excited about it,” said Benigni, who will replace veteran Ed Kilgore on the Sunday through Thursday 11 p.m. schedule as early as this Monday. “It’s a real good opportunity. Having been here as long as I have, it’s a new challenge. And it is a challenge replacing Ed. Having worked with Ed, stepping in his shoes, a guy who is so established, that’s a challenge.”
Kilgore, who has been at Channel 2 almost as long as the Sabres have been in the National Hockey League, will remain the sports director and anchor the 6 p.m. sports.
Benigni, who joined Channel 2 in 1997, has been incredibly patient waiting for th 64-year-old Kilgore to reduce his role. But the 42-year-old Syracuse University graduate said it was relatively easy to be patient because of the way Channel 2 handles big sports stories.
“The approach we take is we kind of treat big sports stories like news stories,” explained Benigni.
“My plate has been full for a long time because of how we handle sports. I haven’t felt like I was chomping on the bit.”
He said Kilgore told him several weeks ago about the planned move, which Benigni believes was Kilgore’s idea.
The anchor switch at 11 p.m. will also be a contrast in styles, as Benigni has had stronger opinions than Kilgore, whose popularity is likely due to his longevity and easy-going manner.
“I’ve always been of the opinion or instructed in my classes at Syracuse to kind of be who you are,” said Benigni. “I like to throw in some opinion but I don’t want it to overshadow the facts of the story. I like to tell what I think in the right way.”
Benigni praised Kilgore, who was named to the 2010 Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
“Ed’s been great,” said Benigni. “He’s a first-class mentor. At the same time, he let’s you be you.”
With Benigni moved to a Sunday through Thursday schedule and Kilgore expected to work the 6 p.m. shift from Monday through Friday, sports backups Ben Hayes and Stu Boyar are expected to work 11 p.m. Friday and the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday shifts.
KILGORE GIVES STRONG OPINION ABOUT STILLTALKINTV
At this point, you may be wondering what Kilgore had to say when called by yours truly.
Let’s just say he wasn’t happy to hear from me.
Upon answering his Channel 2 phone Thursday night, he paused and then asked why I would  expect him to talk with me after I had been so unfair to him over the years as a critic.
Though I’ve never been one of Kilgore’s biggest fans, I didn’t recall being unfair to him. He brought up a Buffalo News column I probably wrote decades ago in which I rated local sportscasters. He said I wrote something unfair about him. I remember I didn’t rate him highly. However, I no longer have access to the News library so I don’t recall what I wrote and certainly don’t recall being unfair in an opinion piece.
When he asked me why I would even call him, I asked if he ever asked a question to someone he criticized.
Upon further review, it was probably a dumb question because I can’t remember Kilgore ever criticizing anyone.
I answered I was just doing my job, which led to this response from Kilgore: “Do your job better.”
You might not believe this, but it was nice to hear Kilgore criticize someone so passionately even if I don’t agree with the criticism.
Having said that, it was a challenge not to laugh before the conversation ended.
My point is if you are looking for an article or blog glorifying Kilgore’s career or explaining how he feels about reducing his role, you’ll have to read it somewhere where the writer is willing to be controlled.
pergament@msn.com

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