Forecaster Shattuck off mornings at ABC Action News, Channel 10's Roberts in

         

Tampa ABC affiliate WFTS-Ch. 28 has beefed up its morning newscast with two folks who once appeared on the competition: former WTSP-Ch. 10 fill-in weather forecaster Stephanie Roberts (far left) and WTSP's former traffic reporter Meredyth Censullo.

Roberts and Censullo officially start Monday (though the traffic reporter made an appearance in this morning's newscast), joining news anchors Deiah Riley and Dan Shaffer. Station officials say their arrival is part of WFTS's effort to add some resources to its morning show, currently earning third-place ratings behind WFLA-Ch. 8 and WTVT-Ch. 13.

But the change also pushes aside two WFTS veterans, moving current morning forecaster Wayne Shattuck (pictured below) to the station's weekend evening newscasts and weekend forecaster Linda Gialanella to fill-in work, appearances on the station's digital weather channel and online.

Shattuck, 60, has worked at WFTS since 1994. Gialanella joined WFTS in 2003; previously, she had worked as a forecaster at WTSP for eight years until 2001. But WFTS general manager Rich Pegram downplayed the notion that two older staffers were seeing their roles reduced to make room for younger new hires.

"I couldn't tell you how old any of the people are (in these changes)," said Pegram, who came to WFTS in May from Indianapolis. "Age to me is irrelevant to how successful someone can be and what the audience thinks about a person. It had nothing to do with my decision." 

Roberts, who once worked for WFTS owner Scripps Networks in Cleveland, has been working as a freelance forecaster in the Tampa Bay area for the last two years -- first, at WFTS and later at WTSP. She doesn't yet have a seal from the American Meteorological Society -- Pegram says she should have one in a couple of months -- but does have a certification from the National Weather Association.

"I was (WTSP's) Band-Aid when (longtime chief meteorologist) Dick Fletcher passed away earlier this year," she said. "Often, when you take a new job, you don't know what is waiting for you. But I've worked at (WFTS) so I knew exactly what I was signing up for . . . And when so many TV companies are cutting back resources, Channel 28 is adding them."

Pegram came to WFTS early this summer, replacing a general manager who resigned six months after an arrest for burglary and battery following a hit-and-run accident (charges were never filed against the official, who negotiated a resolution too late to save his job).

Bearing a reputation for boosting ratings at local TV stations, Pegram has already hired former anchor Lisette Campos as community affairs director and offers hints that his changes are far from finished.

"Weather is an important part of what we do," he said, noting the station now has a four-person weather department. "You put your resources where the audience wants to see them."

Roberts, a thirtysomething mother of two children, ages 8 and 4, is looking forward to a schedule that  still allows her to make soccer games and pick up kids after school. "For me, this is about the right job at the right time," she said. "I think they wanted a bit more energy injected into the show. And I'm glad to be a part of it."

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Comments

[Trish]

I miss Linda G. I am an viewer from Philadelphis, It was nice to see a familar face here in St. Pete.

[ed]

wayne is the best. linda can go. whats with philips can't he afford a jacket??? roberts voice is not good. wayne should try ch. 8

[Marcia]

I don't have anything against Stephanie, but I liked Wayne Shattuck a lot better. I think this change is a mistake.

[Cat]

I get the emotional sense of loss when a face and voice we've become accustomed to is seemingly given the boot. I preferred WSTP Channel 10 for years and the mass upheaval there was tough - I still don't get why Sherri Ray kept her job and Anna Allen did not. But folks, give Stephanie Roberts a chance. She seems friendly and REAL, and her forecasts are delivered smoothly. If you want to criticise wardrobe, check out Leigh Spann or Sherri Ray - even Linda Gellinella seems frumpy to me. The AMS seal is not the be-all and end-all, these stations all have access to the same meteorological data and tools - she seems extremely credible to me. Watching Tammie Sousa, with all of her credentials, is not an improvement over Stephanie for me. The Tampa Bay Area still misses Dick Fletcher, whom we all felt was the benchmark - the stations will shuffle and re-shuffle until someone comes along to make a similar connection with us. Meanwhile, ease up on the attacks folks.

[Deborah]

Wow. No Wayne. This group of people has showed there is no loyalty to either the employees like Shattuck or viewers like my family. Well, we now tune in to Steve Jerves. See ya later Channel 10 news, you suck!

[Morning Show Fan]

I also must say the CLASS left your morning show when you added the new weather girl and traffic reporter. I work in tampa and depended on your traffic team and now I have no idea which bridge will be congested. Dan, Deiah and Wayne all work well together as a team. I trusted them as well as Captin Al and Joe Demay. My favorite weather man was Dick Fletcher, but always watch both until Dick died and then my only hope was Wayne. I have live here all my life and can go way back, but Mr. Pegram if your knew more about this area you would know that experienced and age have always been a longtime quality in the Tampa Bay Area.

[Bigmistake]

This is truly a big, big, huge mistake...I have been watching channel 28 news forever...Dan, Deiah, and Wayne have been a perfect team...their chemistry worked on TV...honestly, I do not mean to be rude...but, I really do not like watching Stephanie while she is forecasting the weather...her bobbling up and down truly makes me feel queasy...she is too loud and her arm and leg movements look ridiculous...Wayne was a professional, right along with Dan and Deiah...The three of them were a perfect team and all complimented each other. This recent decision was not a boost for your station...it will backfire as a devastating mistake for your ratings. I, as a viewer liked the consistency of Dan, Deiah, and Wayne...their team worked with all generation of viewers...you need to reconsider this decision immediately.

[Susan]

I have been watching channel 28 news for a number of years & I have to say that replacing Wayne with Stephanie is a huge mistake. I agree with the others that she looks like a frump. Linda brought alot of class to the station as did Wayne. I will be changing the tv to channel 13 from now on. Love u Wayne & Linda.

[Madame X]

When I first moved to this area, a couple of years ago, I found my morning station because of Wayne Shattuck. I thought Wayne was on vacation, when I hadn't seen him for several days. Then I saw the new "team" coverage consisted of Stephanie and the others and realized Wayne was GONE. I don't why you think Stephanie would increase ratings, because her appearance is very disheveled and she looks like a frump! I have not watched your station since. Good luck on your ratings because it certainly won't increase with what you have now.

[Fan of Wayne & Linda]

The chemistry between Wayne, Dan and Deiah was the glue that held this morning newscast together. He brought credibility to the weather reports. Now we have an uncredentialed cookie-cutter blond in ill-fitted suits. And what's up with the awful orange backgrounds? It all adds up to a very angry, unprofessional mess.

[JK]

I'm thinking the brain trust who made this move will change his tune real quick next July when the Hurricane Season is upon us. I'm thinking they should video his face when the bullseye is on the Tampa Bay area and "his" weather team has only 1 Tropical Weather Specialist. Land locked experience is useless here, for Managers and Weather Reporters! You put your viewers in danger with this move. We have no choice but to change stations.

[debi]

I have no idea who this Pegram person is and quite frankly do not care. Weather is NOT a ratings game in Florida. We don't have the luxury of on the job training and educating. You have got to be kidding....not a meterologist and certainly not a Tropical Weather expert!!!! In Florida our lives and treasure depend on experienced, well educated, well trained professionals. Your ratings are low because Pinellas residents have to view other stations to get the News for our county. You already report TOO little real news now you add that useless traffic segment. The only reason I had not switched completely was your excellent Weather Team and some of the real News Stories that managed to sneak in. I'm guessing you'll change reporters next.....well I won't be watching to notice.

[Longtime viewer]

In terms of overall poise and professional presentation, it seemed that Wayne Shattuck was not only one of the best weather people currently on the air in the Tampa Bay area, but also one of the best on-air personalities.
Curious move by WFTS.

[Dawn Wortham]

My husband and I cannot believe you took the one weather man that we really like and trust and put him basically "out to pasture". What is going on. Please bring Wayne Shattuck back. We miss him alot.

[Jimmy Delach]

I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement. Linda Gialanella got screwed when Channel 10 fired her back in 2001 and now she's getting screwed again. Interestingly Ch. 28 still has Linda Gialanella's bio posted on their web site but not that other woman (I refuse to mention her name). I don't even get Ch. 28's 24-hour weather channel so I don't know if Linda has even appeared on that channel since news of her demotion. I saw Bill Logan subbing for Denis Phillips on Monday night. If Linda is still in good graces with the station, then she should've been the one doing the forecasts. Now it's unlikely I'll ever see her on TV again and just like in 2001 after Channel 10 dumped her, I never got the opportunity to say goodbye. To quote Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones' song "Mother's Little Helper", "What a drag it is getting old."

[Lamont Gordon]

I don't want to go negative but it is clear the only reason the change was made was for beauty and youth. Wayne was one of the best parts of the morning. I'm sorry but I'll watch another channel or nothing at all.

[formerly loyal watcher]

The changes you've made are making me change. I'm watching Fox now.

[beltwaybandit]

These stations are #3 and #4 for a reason.

[Newz A Roo]

So, let me get this straight. The #3 station snatched the talent of the #4 station to bolster ratings. Hmmmm...

[NewsKnight]

No more weather drawings?

[Common Sense]

What a travesty. WFTS management again proves how incompetent they are. Wayne Shattuck is the best on-air meteorologist in this market and was the primary reason to watch the morning show. Linda G. was a perfect fit on the weekend.

Way to go, WFTS. You just hired the blonde bimbo version of Sarah Palin to do weather. As if the Titanic ratings couldn't sink any lower....

[ThisIsCrazy]

Replacing Wayne with Stephanie is ridiculous. Both Wayne & Linda are established, credible Meteorologists. If WFTS wants to win the ratings because of their weather department, they should stick with talent that the community trusts. All Stephanie has proven is that she can bounce up and down and do weather at the same time. Wayne & Linda.... you are too good for that loser station, anyway.

[jeanne ormond]

THIS IS THE LAST STRAW...I WILL NEVER WATCH YOUR MORNING SHOW AGAIN. I ONLY WATCHED BECAUSE OF WAYNE AND NOW I WILL WATCH CHANNEL 13..

[Gal Pal]

I can't believe that they are giving Wayne the shaft again. He is fun to watch and informative. I don't know why they keep demoting him.

[RagsTTIger]

I first saw Stephanie Roberts doing a weather fill-in a little over a year ago. I remember turning around in my chair, having heard a nice, friendly and informative voice presenting the weather. A quick peak at the screen yielded an immediate Wow, who is that? Her smile caught my attention immediately. To be successful in TV you need that immediate visual effect. She got a check mark in my book. I am glad she landed a full time gig. Good luck to her.