The media should share the blame for the financial mess.

I pretty much blame the media for the loss of consumer confidence.

In the fall of 2008 when the financial markets started to crumble the media jumped all over the story. It was the lead in story for almost all the networks and local affiliates. As usual the media hyped the hell out of the story.

I sat in my living room and didn't quite understand the panic. Everyone I knew still had a job and it was business as usual. If I didn't watch the news I would have thought everything was normal.

However after relentless coverage and a constant reminder on how bad things were guess what happened? Consumer confidence plummeted. How could it not?

Don't get me wrong there are real problems with the economy. Businesses and consumers were living outside their means.

I have noticed that the Whitehouse and the media outlets have recently tried to perform damage control and restore consumer confidence. Letls hope it's not too late.

American Idol is now "news"?

I don't understand why the media is reporting events that happen on "Americal Idol" as news. A few weeks ago a contestant said to the judges after his audition "Take care and be careful." In addition to online I have also seen this mentioned on television shows like "Entertainment Tonight" and "Extra". I'm almost sure I saw this mentioned on local news broadcasts during the entertainment segments as well.

These tryouts segments were taped weeks ago. If American Idol was in the live portion of the program I could almost deal with breaking news from the show. "Paula is in tears after Simon lashes out"

What's next? "Jack Bauer uncovers an assassination plot!"

Drivers of SUVs are back to being smug.

The owners of 4WD vehicles act a little smug again. In their minds two inches of snow is all the justification they need for their overpriced gas guzzling vehicles. I have been driving for close to 30 years in New England. I can only remember ONE time when the only way to get around was with a four wheel drive vehicle. I have always done quite well in my front wheel drive sedans and mini-vans.

SUV owners were knocked down a few notches when gas rocketed to $4+ per gallon. At this time the owners of hybrids were all smug.

So to all you SUV and 4WD drivers who drive like assholes in the winter. Enjoy your moment believing you need that 4WD. And remember you may be able to take off faster than me but your brakes are as effective as any other 2WD car.

Teresa LaBarbera in a Tight Shirt Alert

Chaz and AJ of WPLR issued another tight shirt alert for Teresa LaBarbera. Their pics suck so here are some much better quality caps.

Teresa LaBarbera Tight Shirt Alert

I noticed a traffic spike to this site for people searching for Teresa LaBarbera. Turns out there was a tight shirt alert issued by Chaz and AJ from WPLR.

I happened to catch LaBarbera that morning and I have to concur with the alert, as sophomoric as it is.

I just crowned Sonia Baghdady as CT's hottest news personality. I have to admit that on certain mornings Terasa LaBarbara gives Sonia a run for her money.

Sonia Baghdady of WTNH is Connecticuts Hottest Newscaster

Overtime I have been somewhat smitten with various CT newscasters. Janet Peckinpaugh, Rachel Lutzker and Kara Sundlun have been favorites in the past.

However without question the hottest newscaster of the year is Sonia Baghdady. For anybody that stumbles onto this site and lives outside CT I have included some pictures of our pride and joy. Baghdady seems to get hotter every year.

Sonia Baghdady's blog
Photos by Steve DePino Photography

CT is on the sidelines for this election

Much to the chagrin of the local news stations Connecticut is sitting on the sidelines of this presidential election. Sure we have some local elections but they are lacking any drama.

I suppose all the local stations can do at this point is wait for the first snowstorm so we can all go into a wild panic.

Teresa LaBarbera WFSB Traffic Reporter

When Rachel Lutzker left WFSB was quick to replace her with Teresa LaBarbera.
It's been kind of fund to watch Teresa's transformation. When she started out she was a little unsure of herself and struggled a bit with style.

Lately it looks like LaBarbera has found her groove and viewers have noticed.

Go Teresa !

Rachel Lutzker leaves WFSB

Apparently Rachel Lutzker has left WFSB.

Starting a few weeks ago people started to e-mail me about Rachel's absence from the airwaves. Scott Haney had was off the air a bit as well to handle the WFSB Christmas show. I thought Rachel was taking some vacation time as well. However when there was no Rachel Lutzker on the air this Monday I grew suspicious.

I searched the web and found the real scoop from Linda

Apparently Rachel will be moving over to Fox 61 in the spring. WTIC also snagged Garett Argianas from WVIT. He has been promoted to chief meteorologist at the station. Garett's a good guy and I'm sure he'll do great.

Isn't it funny how there's always a "Bimbo" weather girl in the movies yet there are currently no women weathermen on our local stations ?

Better Connecticut to debut September 10

WFSB is now promoting "Better Connecticut" which will be airing at 10:OO am weekdays starting 9/10/07. The show is going to be hosted by Scot Haney and Kara Sundlun. "Better Connecticut" seems like it is going to be a lifestyle show.

This is a bold move for WFSB. I can't think of any other local station that has attempted a show like this. It just seems so much easier to air a syndicated show.

If I remember I thought I heard Rachel Lutzker's name mentioned as Scot's co-host. I wonder what happened to that plan ?

Sonia Baghdady of WTNH

Sonia Baghdady has long been one of the favorites of Chaz and AJ on the WPLR morning show. They have frequently cited Baghdady as one of the hottest anchors on Connecticut news stations. (Frankly I think Kara Sundlun can give Sonia Baghdady a run for her money.) Baghdady has always been a good sport about this and takes the ribbings quite well.

WTNH has a special page for photo galleries. It's no surprise that Sonia Baghdady's pictures are some of the most viewed.

I have to agree with Chaz and AJ on this one. Sonia Baghdady is one fetching young lady.

Connecticut Family Killed In Fire - Home Invasion

This is sickening. TWO men in CT have broken into a home while the family was inside and set fire to the house, killing three of the family members
http://www.wfsb.com/news/13744151/detail.html

Details are sketchy at this time time it appears the two men broke into the house at 3:00 AM. Then at 9:30 the mother was taken to a bank by one of the men. The mother was able to get a message to the teller and police were sent to the house. By the time they arrived the house was on fire. The mother and two daughters were killed in the fire.
TWO men have been arrested in this case.

What kind of sick f*cks were these guys. This story would be shocking enough if there was only one person involved. BUt how the hell can TWO men act together to perform such a heinous act ?

NBC30 does hard hitting story on Mom Jeans

Persefone Contos did some hardcore investigation to find some alternatives to "mom jeans"

Farkers were there to comment!

WFSB's weather forecast is a joke !

I realize we are in a tricky weather season but really. How can they be wrong with this forecast !
They might as well add some snowflakes to cover all the bases just in case.

Eric Parker Fills in at The Sports Desk

About a week or so ago Eric Parker filled in at the sports desk in one of the weekend spots at WFSB in Hartford. He actually did a pretty nice job.

The weathermen were wrong...again

So where is all this snow that was hyped for storm Agatha ? We were promised a legendary storm that would be talked about for ages to come as the great Valantines Day storm of 2007.

It's fun to watch the various station save face. Only WTNH back down on their predictions the night before. Kudos to them for backing off the hype.

And please. We don't need the closings at the bottom of the screen turned on 12 hours before a storm arrives. A snow storm does not have the urgency that say a tornado does.

Brad Field is Beaming !

WVIT's Brad Field is beaming over the Vantines day Noreaster ! I haven't seen him smile this much since last winter. Without a doubt WVIT is the most "alarmist" staion in CT... CRISIS CRISIS...SPECIAL REPORTS...24hr BROADCASTS !

Seriously..do the stations need to start broadcasting at 4:00 am for a snow storm ? Even at a ferocious rate of 2 inches an hour we do not need the local station interrupting our "regularly scheduled broadcasts" with storm updates.

I especially love when the stations send out crews staing in the snow with a ruler in hand. Precious !

This is their chance to gather clips and sound bites so every station can tout themselves as "Connecticut's choice for storm information"

Stupid.

Dawn Hasbrouck Leaves WFSB

In what seemed like a sudden departure Dawn Hasbrouck has left WFSB. The official word is that she has left for a larger market. Rumour has it the departure was due to failed contact negotiations.

Good Luck Dawn ! You are missed by everyone I talk to about this.

Rachel Lutzker Has New Toys

WFSB has a brand new traffic system that they unveiled last week. Now Rachel stands in front of a green screen and the traffic is represented on a map much like the weather. I like the new system.

WFSB Election Wins the Election Coverage

WFSB was the clear winner of the evening compared to the other stations. Much better set and graphics package.

Here is a clip of Denise D'Ascenzo and Dennis House.