Susan Barnett out at CBS3

PHILADELPHIA – CBS 3(KYW-TV) and CW Philly (WPSG-TV) News anchor Susan Barnett will not be renewing her contract with the stations, Barnett and the stations announced today. Barnett’s contract expired at the end of March.

Barnett, who has been with the Philadelphia stations since 2006, said: “I have decided to not renew my contract with the stations at this time. I am incredibly thankful for having been a part of the CBS Philly family, but I feel that this is the right decision at this time.”

Jon Hitchcock, President and General Manager of CBS 3/CW Philly, said: “Susan has been a valued member of our team. While we would have liked to have her continue in her current role, we respect her decision and wish her the very best. Moving forward, Eyewitness News, the area’s most honored team of television journalists, will continue to provide the Delaware Valley with the most complete news coverage in the tradition of the first name in local news.”

CBS3 scores big with Super Bowl

More than 2.8 million local viewers tuned into  CBS 3 last night to watch the New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

The program drew a 48.6 household rating/65.7 share, which translates to  more than 2.8 million viewers in the Philadelphia market, according to  Nielsen. The audience increased 5 percent over last year’s Super Bowl  telecast.

CBS 3’s Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. with Susan Barnett, Chris May, Kathy Orr  and Beasley Reece also drew numbers to cheer about, a 13.6 rating/25.8  share to dominate among late newscasts.   Sports Zone, hosted by Reece and   Don Bell, earned one of its highest ratings ever with a 6.4 rating/15.3  share following the newscast.

Vick show premieres on BET next month

BET will premiere The Michael Vick Project on Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. (et), an eight-part series about his comeback.

Danielson is best broadcaster?

At least according to The Sporting News and Sports Business Daily. Here's the Top 25:

1. Gary Danielson 14. Jon Gruden
2. Cris Collinsworth 15. Daryl Johnston
3. Al Michaels 16. Ron Jaworski
4. Phil Simms 17. Greg Gumbel
5. Kirk Herbstreit 18. Sean McDonough
6. Troy Aikman 19. Todd Blackledge
7. Ron Franklin 20. Dan Fouts
8. Verne Lundquist 21. Bob Papa
9. Joe Buck 22. Mike Patrick
10. Jim Nantz 23. Chris Fowler
11. Mike Tirico 24. Gus Johnson
12. Brad Nessler 25. Dick Enberg
13. Brent Musburger

Brown in town on Thursday

CBS Sports' James Brown will be discussing his new book, ”Role of a Lifetime: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Significant Living” at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church on Cheltenham Avenue on Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The event is free to the public.

For more information, call 215-878-BOOK.

Kimbo is still a ratings draw

I'm not sure why but Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson is fascinating to the viewing public.

The world's most overrated MMA fighter helped Wednesday's Ultimate Fighter debut with a 2.9 rating and 4.1 million viewers, shattering the show's previous high-water mark of 2.8 million viewers. The broadcast was also the highest-rated debut for an original series in Spike TV history.

Eagles score 22 rating

The Eagles season opener vs. the Panthers scored a 22 rating/47 share for Fox29, meaning nearky 50 percent of the local viewing public was watching the Birds. Each rating point represents 29,000 viewers.

Murphy gets full-time gig at CSN

Gregg Murphy has been hire full-time by Comcast SportsNet. Murphy had been freelancing since CN8 turned into the Comcast Network last year and dropped Out of Bounds.

A Worldwide Schism

By John McMullen

Philadelphia, PA (The Phan) - Jay Glazer is sort of like the national version of Howard Eskin. He kisses ass but he breaks stories.

That isn't going over well with The Worldwide Leader.

ESPN digs deep into its seemingly limitless pockets to hire every "big time NFL insider" not named Glazer, but still are beaten to the punch time and time again by Jay.

Of course, that doesn't stop the Mothership from taking undeserved credit. Often you will see the phrase "Chris Mortensen reports such and such" on ESPN's bottomline long after Glazer or Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio first broke the story.

It seems like Mortensen and his compatriots like John Clayton, Sal Pal and Adam Schefter are under some serious pressure.

So, why not make up some news?

Schefter is the new kid on the block, having moved over from the NFL Network. Clearly he needed to earn his bones and "broke" the Brett Favre "schism" story earlier this week.

In case, you missed it, little more than a week after Favre ended his latest retirement, Schefter posted a story on ESPN's Web site Wednesday afternoon, citing the ever present anonymous source, saying there was a "schism" in the Vikings' locker room over who should start at quarterback and that Favre has "little support" among his new teammates.

Wow, a narcissist like Favre isn't liked by all 80 of his teammates...stop the presses!

Pick two of your friends and then gather 80 people that know both. Then ask all 80 who they like best and what do you think the outcome will be?

Do you have a schism in your circle of acquaintances?

I hate to pick on Adam put that report was the most ridiculous piece of journalism I've ever seen.

At practice on Thursday, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe took a not-so-veiled dig at Schefter's report saying there was a "schism in the camera crew" as various photographers stumbled around.

Few remember when ESPN launched in 1979, the letters were actually an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Yep, the fledgling ESPN actually ran movies, business shows and exercise videos in between SportsCenter.

Needless to say it wasn't a great mix and the station slowly evolved into the juggernaut it is now. Today, however, they are closer than ever to their original acronym.

Schefter's report was pure entertainment, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Real world news outlets may be even worse. Last night, FOXNews' Glenn Beck had over three million viewers, second only to Bill O’Reilly for the night despite airing during the afternoon. And, Beck actually had more viewers in the all important 25-54 age bracket than O’Reilly (888K to 876K), a stunning accomplishment for a 5 p.m. (et) program.

More entertainer than political pundit, Beck at least has the courtesy to call his show a "fusion of entertainment and enlightenment."

I can't wait for ESPN to admit they have sold out and gone strictly entertainment.

They can put all the "insiders" on an island. We can have challenges and immunity on the way to the big prize...

A spot on the bottomline, stealing one of Glazer's stories.

Changes at Comcast SportsNet

Comcast SportsNet is changing its daily lineup.

Beginning Monday, September 8, Daily News Live will be cut from 90 minutes to an hour, airing from 5 - 6 p.m., SportsNite will air at 6 p.m., and a pregame show will air at 6:30 p.m. for 7 p.m. Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers games.

There will be no talent changes. Michael Barkann will continue to host Daily News Live and Neil Hartman and Leslie Gudel will be the primary anchors for SportsNite. Post Game Live will also continue to air after games.

The feeling is since games are by far the highest rated shows on the network and DNL is...well DNL, expanded coverage of actual events will help. Of course, the difference between DNL and a pre-game show will likely mean changing sets and being more focused on one topic.

In other words there is no real change since DNL served as a sort of de facto pre-game show anyway. But, management types need to prove their worth, especially in this economy.

Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations

The nominations for the Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards were released Wednesday. Here are the nominees among sports reporters and analysts:

Reporter - Sports
Brian Unangst - Blue Ridge Communications
John Boruk - Comcast SportsNet
Jason Bristol - WHP
Joe Staszak - Fox29
Alby Oxenreiter - WPXI
Jaime Fettrow - WHP

Sports Analyst/Play by Play
Jim Jackson - Comcast SportsNet
Marc Zumoff - Comcast SportsNet
Steve Coates - Comcast SportsNet

The Mid-Atlantic Emmys cover television markets in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. Ceremonies take place at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, September 26.

Papa replacement?

Phily media guru Laura Nachman says two in-house news people at 6ABC who might be considered as possible replacements for the widely popular Gary Papa, reporter Chad Pradelli and weekend news anchor Walter Perez.

In the past, both have filled in when the sports department was short-handed.

Papa memorial service info

Gary Papa's memorial service is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 8 at the National Constitution Center and will not be open to public.

It will, however, stream on 6abc.com.

Baldinger out at FOX

Former Eagle lineman Brian Baldinger will no longer be a football analyst for Fox. Baldinger, who was with Fox for 11 years, was replaced by former Bucs and Broncos Pro Bowl safety John Lynch.

“My contract was up and they decided not re-sign me after 12 awesome years," Baldinger said in an e-mail to Laura Nachman. "A lot financially was involved. In addition to hosting playbook for NFL Network and working for Comcast locally and with Sporting News Magazine/Radio. I took a job with upstart Compass Media doing NFL games on radio. First game is Dallas v. Tampa Bay on September 13.”

RIP Gary Papa

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of 6ABC sports anchor Gary Papa, who passed away today.

"It is with deep sadness that the Channel 6 family says goodbye to our friend and colleague Gary Papa," 6ABC said in a news release. "Gary ended his five year battle with cancer today, with his family by his side.

"While Gary’s job was to cover sports teams, he was always a most valuable player, and for the past five years, Gary has been an inspiration and symbol of hope to so many. Through treatments…through surgeries…through every painful medical procedure, Gary showed extraordinary courage and strength and a continued concern for those around him. "

“The Channel 6 family has suffered a great loss today,” says Bernie Prazenica, President and General Manager - 6abc. “Gary was such a unique and universally loved individual. Words cannot describe the deep sadness within the 6abc family. Our hearts go our to Gary’s wife,
Kathleen, his two sons, Nathaniel and Tucker, and to the entire Papa family.”

Action News anchor Jim Gardner added, “Needless to say, all of us who have worked with Gary and who loved Gary are devastated tonight. Most of us knew this day would have to come eventually, but there’s no way to really prepare. There is an enormous hole in our hearts, almost as enormous as was Gary’s spirit, his devotion to his work, and to all of you. Our thoughts are with Gary’s wife Kathleen, and his two sons, Nathaniel and Tucker. It will never be quite the same around here, but we have a job to do, and we will do it just as well as Gary would expect
and demand. We often refer to the Action News family. Tonight, that family encompasses the entire tri-state area as we mourn the loss of a loved one.”

Papa joined Action News on April 15, 1981, as the weekend sportscaster, and weekday sports reporter. On December 1, 1983, he became host of “Prime Time,” the magazine format program that aired on 6abc until 2008.

Gary was born in Buffalo, New York, and is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Political Science. He also is a graduate of University of Buffalo Law School. Prior to joining WPVI-TV, Gary served as Weekend Sports anchor with WGR-TV (now WRGZ-TV) in Buffalo, New York, and as a news anchor with WSTV-TV, Steubenville, Ohio.

In 2007, Gary Papa was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s “Hall of Fame.”

Reaction:

Jeffrey Lurie: “On behalf of the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization, I am deeply saddened to learn of Gary’s passing today. Gary Papa was a centerpiece of sports coverage in the Philadelphia area for many years. I will always remember him for the energy and passion he brought to his profession, especially during some of the toughest times of his battle with cancer. WPVI and the entire Philadelphia region lost an icon today. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kathleen, his two sons, and his entire family at WPVI.”

Ed Snider: “We are all deeply deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of one of our good friends, Gary Papa. He was a long-time broadcaster who always spoke positively of our organization and brought our teams' highlights into the homes of millions of our fans. Gary was a fighter, he gave it his all. He was one of the good guys. We will always remember him for his passion for sports and his dedication to the sports scene in Philadelphia. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kathleen, his two sons, and his entire family at Action News.”

Lange pitches a shutout vs. Buck

Comedian Artie Lange destroyed the overmatched Joe Buck on the premiere of Buck's show on HBO last night.

"The King of Nepotism" is as haughty and smarmy as it gets and comically tried to match wits with Lange of The Howard Stern Show.

It was a train wreck and a lot of people were uncomfortable watching. Personally, I was thrilled to see Buck put in his place. HBO Sports chief Ross Greenburg made a big mistake giving this ass clown a show.

ABC's Erin O'Hearn is Philly's hottest news babe

Erin received 30 percent of your votes edging FOX20's Kerri-Lee Halkett, who received 25 percent.

Fellow FOX Nefertiti Jacquez came in third with 16 percent. Rounding out things from there were CBS' Susan Barnett with eight percent, NBC weather gal Maria LaRosa with seven percent and ex-ABCer Jessica Borg with six percent. Inexplicably, CBS' Valerie Levesque only had four percent.

My only question is have you people ever seen Nefertiti? She should have run away with things.

Bradley takes over 6ABC's Football Frenzy

Stewart Bradley was named the co-host of Football Frenzy on 6ABC this fall.

He replaces Omar Gaither, who co-hosted the show last season, has since been benched.

No word if Gary Papa, who is battling prostate cancer, will be involved.

Thompson out in Atlantic City

Pete Thompson, the sports director of WMGM, NBC-40 in Atlantic City, was one of several staffers released from the station Friday, according to Laura Nachman.

Thompson, a graduate of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and Temple, worked at the station for almost five years.

Salmi out as Sixers color analyst

Bob Salmi will not be back as the Sixers color analyst.

"At the conclusion of the Sixers' 2008-09 season, we evaluated all areas of the Sixers telecast,:ComcastSportsnet director of communications Maureen Quilter said. "With this, Comcast SportsNet has decided not to renew the contract of broadcaster Bob Salmi. We thank Bob for his contributions to the network."