My early mornings just aren't the same. Y'see, I'm usually up by 5:30 AM to get ready for my workday. I'm out the door before 6:30. And, more importantly, I'm not really a morning person. Oh, yeah...I like to see the sunrise at times. But, more often than not, I like to see my bed.
The past three years or so, I've been an addict of the local CBS affiliate's early early morning news show. I've mentioned it before on the blog. The CBS 2 News Crew in its prime featured Dave Price (weather and craziness), Shon Gables, Mario Bosquez, Vanessa Alfano (traffic reports), and Duke Castiglione (sports and the infamous Stump Duke t-shirt giveaways). They made me smile; sometimes I even guffawed early in the morning. Yes, they delivered the news, but it was more than that. The chemistry between the folks on the show, the zaniness of Price Gone Amok, the music choices from Scooter and Dave, the Dance Fridays ... all gone. One by one, the cast has been vanishing.
First I noticed Duke was mysteriously gone. Of course, I miss a bit of the show. Perhaps there was an announcement, but I didn't hear one. Duke, the NYC transplant, whose father was the voice of the Red Sox radio reporting, was always fun to watch in the "Stump Duke" segments where folks would e-mail or call in sports questions. Quite often, he got stumped and the caller would receive a t-shirt. Sometimes celebrities called in. I never did. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy watching the segment, though.
Then, one day, I heard Vanessa Alfano say something about not being there next week in regard to something going on with Dave Price. I assumed she would be on vacation. She and Dave had a flirty fun thing going on — Dave acted like it was a case of unrequited love, while in reality it looked like just a good friendship hammed up for the cameras. Alas, she never got her Muppet and poof ... gone. I know anyone can do traffic; it doesn't require a lot of personality or anything. But I enjoyed her.
I've had my secret crush (okay, not so secret I guess) on Mario Bosquez for a while. He just seems like such a nice guy. He has a pleasant announcer's voice and comes across as an intriguing intelligent man. Although he's off the early morning show, he's apparently staying in some capacity at the station. In the past, he's often filled in on anchor slots when folks are away. I'll be looking for him! Well, not literally stalking or anything. I'll be looking for his appearances on newscasts.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mary Mowbray
I just wanted to agree and support Jackie's comments regarding the Early Show cast changes. The powers-that-be should take into consideration their viewing audience prior to making such drastic makeovers!!!! My husband and I started every weekday morning with Dave, Shon, Mario, V, Jim and Duke. It was like sitting down with old friends in the morning and now they are oh! so sadly gone. The show is not the same and we have switched channels. I'm sorry...you had the perfect group together and blew it.
2 - Jackie
Why, thank you Mary! I just knew that others out there had to feel the same way I do about the changes. Now it doesn't really matter to me what station I have on, if any, early in the morning. The changes make it like any other early newscast team. I miss my WCBS 2 News Crew!
3 - Maggie Hughes
I was so upset this week when I turned on the morning news to find that the crew I grew to love and looked forward to every morning was gone. I truly miss the CBS 2 news crew! Whose idea was this? The crew made me laugh while I was getting ready for work. I have changed my new channel to ..whatever. They all seem the same.The morning crew had something special. You don't find that chemistry all the time.I received the news and was entertained as well.I guess all GOOD things must come to an end!
4 - Marta
Hey Jackie. Just wanted to chime in and agree with you on this one. I am a "TV" person working behind the scenes at a station in another market and I absolutely loved the former morning crew at CBS2. I was fortunate enough to see the show every morning via sattelite for the last couple of years. I found it refreshing and different. Like you said, if we wanted the straight news, there's plenty of other choices.
This show gave you the news, but also kept it light enough so that you could start your day on a positive, fun note despite all the bad things that happen in the world. I loved Dave, Shon, Mario and came to be quite fond of Jim. I wasn't sure about him at first, but I think adding him worked out well.
I don't know if I'll keep watching...I love NY and this show gave me a way to stay in touch with what's happening in the city. So, I'll probably watch on and off now, but not with the same anticipation and anxiousness to see what the crew is up to. No more Dave, or dance friday or fun music.....just won't be the same!
5 - Jackie
Thanks for the comments, Maggie and Marta. I just knew others had to feel the same way I did. A Daily News news beat reporter lauded the "actual newscast" this week instead of the "talk show" with the ex-crew. Hey, perhaps the audience wanted a talk show with news. After all, we have the entire realm of stations for straight newscasting at that hour. One is just like the other now. What would keep us watching WCBS over the others?
6 - Laura
I totally agree with your assessment of the changes. I so adored the interchanges between Jim, Mario and Dave, just as they did on Channel 5. I've taken up now with Channel 7 morning news with Lori Stokes and Steve Bartelstein. They have a good repartee going on and Bill Evans has quite a sexy voice in the A.M.
7 - pearl
i thought i turned on the wrong station on monday. my husband and i were so upset. i need to laugh in the morning. its now so boring i turn any station on just to get the weather.
i will not watch that news anymore.
8 - Terri
My mornings will NEVER be the same. Shon, loved her. Her smile, laughter, professionalism was so refreshing, and she never went wrong with her attire. Mario, loved seeing a Latino brother at the chair. Jim, what can I say, you and Dave will be missed and the music!!! I will also miss Duke and his "Stump Duke" segment. I really don't know what is happening at Channel 2 but, you definitely didn't set things right. Maurice, lighten/loosen up just a little, okay? For now, I guess its back to NY1.
9 - LYDIA CURTIS
CBS HAS LOST A FAITHFUL MORNING VIEWER. THE TEAM OF SHON GABLES, MARIO BOSQUEZ AND DAVE PRICE MADE MY DAY. THE NEW TEAM IS BORING AND NO DIFFERENT FORM ANY OTHER STATION. CBS HAS MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.
10 - Lisa
I agree the 2crew was the best. CBS has lost a faithful viewer. Getting rid of the 2crew was unprofessional in my opinion. I enjoyed their fun side and respected their serious side when reporting the news. They will be truly missed.
11 - gloria
Hi Jackie! I am heartbroken! I was away on vacation visiting family in Chicago last week. Monday I started back to work resumung my daily ritual of putting on CBS early morning news. Where were my buddies? I love going off to work (I'm a junior high teacher) with a big laugh or two under my belly but there was none! Is there anything we can do to encourage the big muckymucks at CBS to bring back this wonderful CBS News Crew? Sad, very sad. I will not watch channel 2 morning news any more.
12 - kathy
Hi Jackie - - I more than agree with you. The CBS2 crew made my mornings, and they always had a great variety of interesting segments / features. What happened - did Fox take over CBS??! Now, it's looking like News 12 (NJ) is way more interesting than CBS2. The genius programmers at CBS have lost another loyal viewer.
13 - Jackie
Thank you everyone for the comments! Between here and where I posted the article on my personal blog, not one commenter is happy with the change. The only positive report I saw came from the news man at the NY Daily News. Delving into things a bit, I found out a new news director (or such), perhaps manager, took over in the late fall. The last boss who was a part of bringing the team we enjoyed so much together was let go a week or two back.
Supposedly, the shake up was due to the 11 PM news ratings. They wanted Roz Abrams off and Dana Tyler on. Now, I agree with that change. She's probably a very nice person, but Roz Abrams annoys me. She tends to make big doe eyes and flutter her eyelashes at male anchors. I read Dave Price was intending on leaving. I can't really blame him although I miss him. He was burning the candle at both ends; the national exposure on 'The Early Show' is best for his career.
But why oh why no Shon Gables? No Mario Bosquez? They could have left us with them - those two work great together! Maurice and Kate are okay, for a run-of-the-mill nothing to see here, move along newscast.
I suppose folks could let WCBS know. Their website should have a feedback area. I doubt it will do much good as contracts have been signed and such.
14 - Anetta Queens
I couldn't believe that WCBS TV morning crew is gone. I loved that morning news and now i just have taken up with channel 7 morning news. I miss the whole crew so much, of course i was the biggest fun of Dave Price who made me laugh every day, and Vanessa Alfano- the sweetest traffic reporter ever. And Shon that lovely anchor, with the warming smile on her face, and Mario gone!
Why? Who dared to make such a huge changes? Didn't they think of all those viewers who just loved that morning News with Shon, Mario, Jim, Dave and Vanessa?! That was a HUGE MISTAKE!!! i hope they will loose all the viewers they ever had and will be left all alone.......
15 - Mel
I cannot believe that I won't be seeing Dave, Shon, Mario and Jim in the am. I will never be watching Channel 2 again. It has since become very boring. I will never, ever again watch in the am, like I did every morning. Where did Dave, Shon and Mario and Jim go? Especially Dave Price, he was great. Maurice and Kay are ok, but just not the same in the am. Not even a warning! What a shame. Don't fix what isn't broken.
16 - Jackie
Mel - Dave Price is still on the nationally aired CBS 'The Early Show.' Unfortunately for me, I'm out the door before that airs. In his case, I think he might have been getting tired of double duty. He was the crazy one who made me laugh, but I personally think Mario and Shon could have carried the newscast. At least us viewers wouldn't go into the total culture shock this wipe-out has caused!
17 - Suzette
I'm so glad I found this blog. I woke up today determined to find some answers as to what the heck happened to my favorite morning show. So I googled "price bosquez gables ryan changes" and found you Jackie =-). This decision CBS made is truly upsetting. Its true that Bosquez and Gables could have carried the show, and Ryan wasn't necessary. But darn it I LOVE ME SOME JIM RYAN. He's got to be the sexiest white haired anchorman ever! Jim could roll his r's and pronounce those Hispanic surnames as well as Mario did, and for that alone I loved him so. The chemistry on that team was enviable. There was no reason to channel surf in the morning. I'm joining those of you with channel 7 (abc) they too have a balance of playfulness and professionalism that is necessary to put you in the right frame of mind before heading to work.
Thanks for the blog Jackie!
18 - Jackie
It looks like I'm going to have to check out Channel 7 (WABC) tomorrow morning. Generally, I like Maurice DuBois, but not in this setting. I really prefer a lighter touch on the news at that hour in the morning. I always though DuBois was fine for the early evening news, but he's just too prim and proper for me at 6 in the morning!
19 - Joey
My mornings have been terrible since the 2 crew went off the air on CBS 2. Every morning I have to wake up a little before 5am since I leave early for work & the 2 crew made my day the best. On the MTA Express bus from Staten Island every morning I would take my hand held portable tv along with me with my headphones attached to it & continue watching the 2 crew & laugh on the way to work to midtown which can take a while in traffic. Now i just bring my mp3 player along to listen to the oldies. Mornings will never be the same without Dave, Shon, Jim & Mario on CBS 2. This new morning team on Channel 2 is a complete failure & always will be. No matter who they get no one can take the 2 crew's place. Like when Harry Harrison didn't do mornings anymore on CBSFM in 2003, no one was able to fill his shoes & no one was listening in the am anymore, Same thing here except it's tv. In the am i don't even bother putting on my tv anymore before i go to work. If i need the weather, I just turn on 880 or 1010 wins for it. At night, I now watch Channel 7. I will not watch the station (channel 2) that took the 2 crew off the air.
20 - CHRIS
I waited until this morning to give in to the reality that my beloved CBS2Crew are gone. I was hoping upon hope that they were just on leave to give all of us faithful viewers a chance to accept Dave's leaving the crew. Sometimes it is hard to let reality set in. I am disappointed with the powers to be at CBS for the way we were let down without warning or explaination of any kind. I had to turned to the internet to find any information on my Crew. As with the others commenting in this blog, I too will be checking out channel 7.
21 - Kerri
Thanks for the info. I thought they were on a "spring break". First Duke disappeared, then Vanessa but I found an article stating she was leaving. But now the entire crew? Weird, very strange. It was my favorite news team. Does not make sense. I thought they were great together. It's just too boring now.
22 - shawn
I miss my cup of Shon-Dave Mario-Vanessa and the Duke in the morning - your sorely missed.
Perhaps CBS hasnt learned from the Stern dabacle....
23 - Chris
I'm with y'all here. I just got back from vacation Saturday and today - yuck. No reason for me to watch channel 2 anymore. At least Price is on the national news, but that's little conciliation.
We're moving to Florida in August and this is just one more reason not to think about it again.
Channel 2, ya done screwed up this time.
I especially miss Vannesa
24 - Dave & Kathy
We lost a part of the family!Dave looks lost with out the crew.
25 - Dre
Jackie and all the other respondents are absolutely correct. We the viewing public have suffered a loss. The CBS morning crew featuring Dave Price, Shon Gables, Jim Ryan, Mario, Vanessa and Duke was just what the New York Market needed - Good News.
They did more than deliver the news, they helped us start our day with a smile, a laugh, and an uplifting feeling inside. Finally there was a news team that looked like, and acted like, the audience they were speaking to. That is until CBS decided to fix something that wasn't broke.