Early Show ----No More!

I have a hard time believing what I read in the paper this morning....

In an effort to boost ratings, CBS will have a new cast on The Early Show, January 3, 2011. You must be kidding!

No more Harry and Maggie

No more Dave and the weather



These three are the reason I watch The Early Show....
I don't like it when one of the three is on vacation or on assignment....

Three people that I admire and love to spend my morning with!!!


From the web:

Yesterday we heard that anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez, plus meteorologist Dave Price, had been axed from 'The Early Show' in a major reshuffle of CBS News on-air talent.

Now, executive producer David Friedman has been explaining the reasons behind the sweeping -- and, to many, unexpected -- changes. He told The Hollywood Reporter that although the shakeup came after a lot of careful consideration, "it feels sudden because there are multiple people and it feels like a big deal." It is a big deal to us....the viewers!

The change of hosts has allegedly been a topic of discussion at CBS News for some time, according to sources, and it reinforces the critical importance of chemistry in morning television. Announcing the new anchors -- Erica Hill and Chris Wragge -- CBS News President Sean McManus said "This new team brings vibrancy, intelligence and warmth that I think America will grow to love." Do not insult the intelligence and warmth of Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez!

Echoing that sentiment, Friedman said: "These shows are about the team ... It's about finding the right team." I don't know how you will find a team any better than Harry, Maggie and Dave!!!

Friedman has been in the job for less than a year, and under his tenure 'The Early Show' ratings have dropped to their lowest level since the 2000/01 season. He said that when he arrived he "looked at many different aspects of the show and tried to figure out what needed to be changed," adding that "obviously if things were, quote unquote, working, we wouldn't make changes."

But Friedman denied that the shuffle is just a ploy to grab higher ratings and thus higher ad revenue: "My mandate is a solid show, ... Ratings are obviously important. But as a producer I focus on the content and the quality of our broadcast. ... I'd like to say that the broadcast is going to continue to improve, and with that will come better ratings." Change the content and quality ......not the crew!!!!

So what now for Smith, Rodriguez and Price? Pink slips just in time for the holidays? In a statement released Tuesday CBS said that veteran newsman Smith will "shift his focus to hard news with an expanded role as primary substitute anchor on 'The Evening News with Katie Couric,' 'Face the Nation' and 'Sunday Morning' while continuing to report major stories for all CBS News broadcasts."

But the future's less defined for Rodriguez and Price: The statement went on to say that the CBS news division is discussing "prominent and ongoing roles" for them. "We appreciate Harry, Maggie and Dave's countless contributions to 'The Early Show' and are looking forward to the contributions they each will continue to make at CBS News."

Comment in response to this article
The Early Morning Show has just lost a loyal morning viewer! They fired them to work on your ratings well it looks like to me that it will backfire on them. I hope they have the worsest rating ever and the exc.producer who has only been there a year gets FIRED next. Karma will bite you in the rear CBS.

I agree with this comment.......I will now watch ABC, Good Morning America......

Good Luck CBS!