Chicago is No. 1 when it comes to the TV fame-drain, the movement of restless, ambitious, risk-taking citizens into positions of power in both news and entertainment.
In this incomplete sample, each category begins with the highest-ranking Chicagoan; the rest are in alphabetical order. The first title is the job the person currently holds. The second is the position once held in Chicago.
NBC
1. Brandon Tartikoff–President of NBC Entertainment. Assistant advertising manager, WLS-TV.
2. John Chancellor–Commentator, ”NBC Nightly News.” Reporter, WMAQ-radio and NBC Chicago bureau.
3. Steve Friedman–Executive producer, ”Today” show. News writer, WBBM- radio.
4. Bob Jamieson–News correspondent. News anchor, WBBM-TV.
5. Al Jerome–President, NBC-owned TV stations. Station manager, WMAQ-TV. 6. Emery King–News correspondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
7. John Lane–Executive vice-president, daily news, NBC News. News producer, WBBM-TV.
8. Rick Ludwin–Vice-president, specials and variety. Producer, WLS-TV.
9. George Paul–Director, the ”Today” show. Director, WLS-TV.
10. Jane Pauley–Co-host, the ”Today” show. News anchor, WMAQ-TV.
11. Ed Planer–Vice-president, daily news coverage and programs. News director, WMAQ-TV.
12. Marty Ryan–Senior producer, the ”Today” show. News producer, WMAQ-TV.
13. Chris Wallace–News corespondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
14. Robert Walsh–Group executive vice-president, NBC, Inc. Station manager, WMAQ-TV.
15. Kevin Wendell–Manager of dramatic development at NBC. News producer, WLS-TV.
ABC
1. Mark Mandala–President, ABC Television. General sales manager, WLS-TV.
2. Steve Bell–”World News This Morning” and ”Good Morning America”
news anchor. Reporter, sportswriter, WGN radio and TV.
3. Phil Boyer–Vice-president, international development, ABC Video Enterprises Inc. General manager, WLS-TV.
4. Jim Duffy–President of communications/ABC Broadcast Group. Press manager, WLS-TV.
5. Al Dale–News correspondent. Weekend anchor-reporter, WBBM-TV.
6. Hugh Downs–Host, ”20/20.” Reporter, WNBQ.
7. Lew Erlicht–President, ABC Entertainment. General manager, WLS-TV.
8. Roger Goodman–Director of production development, ABC News and Sports; and Director, ABC Sports. Production assistant, WLS-TV.
9. Rick Kaplan–Executive producer, ”Nightline.” Producer, WBBM-TV.
10. Bill Knowles–ABC Los Angeles bureau chief. Producer, WLS-TV.
11. Phyllis McGrady–Executive producer, ”Good Morning America.”
Associate producer, WGN-TV.
12. Pat O`Neil–Producer, ”Weekend News.” Producer-newswriter, WLS-TV.
13. Roger Peterson–News correspondent. Reporter-producer, WBBM-TV.
14. John Quinones–News correspondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
15. Squire Rushnell–Vice-president, long-range planning and children`s television, ABC Entertainment. Program director, WLS-TV.
16. Stu Schwartz–Senior broadcast producer, ”World News Tonight.” WLS- radio.
17. John Severino–Senior vice-president, ABC-owned TV stations. General manager, WLS-TV.
18. Steve Shepard–News correspondent. Weekend anchor-reporter, WBBM-TV.
19. Carole Simpson–News correspondent. Reporter, WMAQ-TV.
20. Jack Smith–News correspondent. Reporter-producer, WLS-TV.
21. Dennis Swanson–President, ABC-owned TV stations. General manager, WLS-TV.
22. Sue Treiman–Producer, ”Good Morning America.” Producer, WBBM-TV.
CBS
1. Van Gordon Sauter–Executive vice-president, CBS Broadcast Group. News director, WBBM-TV.
2. Jacqueline Adams–News correspondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
3. Russ Bensley–Producer, CBS News. Writer-producer, WBBM-TV.
4. Tom Bradford–Senior foreign producer, CBS News. Producer, WBBM-TV.
5. Frank Currier–News correspondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
6. Neil Derrough–President, CBS-owned TV stations. General manager, WBBM-TV.
7. Bob Epstein–Producer, ”CBS Morning News.” Producer, WBBM-TV.
8. Renee Ferguson–News correspondent. Reporter, WBBM-TV.
9. Ed Joyce–President, CBS News. General manager, WBBM-TV.
10. Peter Lund–President, CBS Sports. General manager, WBBM-TV.
11. Brent Musburger–CBS Sports, host, ”NFL Today.” Sports anchor, WBBM-TV.
12. Eric Ober–Vice-president, public affairs broadcasts. General manager, WBBM-TV.
13. Pat O`Brien–Reporter, CBS Sports. Reporter, WMAQ-TV.
14. Bill Plante–White House correspondent. CBS News, Chicago.
15. Johnathan Rodgers–Executive producer, ”CBS Weekend News.”
Assistant news director, WBBM-TV.
16. Ray Solley–Director, development and creative affairs for CBS-owned TV stations. Producer, WTTW-TV.
17. Ira Sutow–Producer, ”CBS Morning News.” Producer, WMAQ-TV and WBBM-TV.
18. Lane Venardos–Executive producer, ”CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.” Assistant news director, WBBM-TV.
19. Margo Wain–Associate director, daytime programs. Producer, WBBM-TV.
EXECUTIVES
1. Tom Alderman–Vice-president, creative affairs, Embassy Television. Weatherman, WBBM-TV.
2. Phil Bondelli–TV director. Director, WBBM-TV.
3. Don Cornelious–Executive producer, ”Soul Train.” Producer, WCIU-TV.
4. Larry Einhorn–TV producer. Director, WLS-TV.
5. Ken Ehrlich–Supervising producer, ”Fame.” Producer, WTTW-TV.
6. Jay Feldman–Vice-president of programming, development and production, Telepictures Corp. News director, WBBM-TV.
7. Mike Filerman–Executive producer, ”Falcon Crest,” ”Knots Landing.” Daytime programmer, WGN.
8. Greg Garrison–TV producer. Director, WGN-TV.
9. Michael Hirsch–TV producer. Producer, WTTW-TV.
10. Greg Hoblit–Co-executive producer, ”Hill Street Blues.” Producer, WLS-TV.
11. Stefanie Staffin Kowal–Producer, Universal, ”Four Seasons,” ”Code Name: Foxfire.” Producer, WLS-TV.
12. Jerry Kupcinet–TV director, ”The Richard Simmons Show.” Director, WLS-TV.
13. Dave McGrail–Director, ”Donahue.” Director, WBBM-TV.
14. John McMahon–President, (Johnny) Carson Production Group. Sales manager, WLS-TV.
15. Mike Piller–Executive story producer, ”Simon and Simon.” Assistant news director, WBBM-TV.
16. Fred Silverman–President, Intermedia, Inc. Programmer, WGN-TV.
17. Sherry Singer–Vice-president of dramatic development, Embassy Television. Producer, ”Donahue.”
CABLE
1. Sandi Freeman–Host, CNN`s ”Freeman Reports.” Host, ”A.M. Chicago,” WLS-TV.
2. Jeremy Levin–CNN Beirut bureau chief. Producer, ”Kup`s Show,” WBBM- TV.
3. Ira Miskin–Executive producer, WTBS` ”Portraits of America.”
Producer, WTTW-TV.
4. Robert Pittman–Executive vice-president, chief operating officer, MTV. Programmer, WKQX and WMAQ radio.
5. Bernie Shaw–CNN News Anchor. Reporter, WNUS.
6. Robert Wussler–Executive vice-president, Turner Broadcasting Co. General manager, WBBM-TV.
AND OTHERS
1. Les Crystal–Executive producer, ”MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.”
Producer, WMAQ-TV.
2. Steve Edwards–TV host, ”Hollywood Closeup.” Co-host, ”AM Chicago,” WLS-TV.
3. Bob Newhart–TV star, ”The Bob Newhart Show.” ”Man on the Street” interviewer, WLS-TV.
4. Melody Rogers–TV host. Weekend weather reporter, WBBM-TV.
5. Pat Sajak–TV host, ”Wheel of Fortune.” Newscaster, WEDC-radio.
6. Robb Weller–Co-host, ”Entertainment Tonight.” Host, ”AM Chicago,” WLS-TV.
IN A CLASS
BY HIMSELF
Bill Kurtis–Departing anchor, ”CBS Morning News.” Anchor, WBBM-TV. And soon . . . .
