The TV Zone

Yes, it's blind because I haven't really got a clue what's happening at WABC/7 - Ch. 7, one of our mightiest local news outlets which has been beset by the collapsing economy, just like everyone else...

I'm hearing: There were a number of lay-offs there over the last few days. Significant lay-offs, affecting established veterans, across the board. On-air? That's not clear. I'm not sure how deep this goes, or whether there's any connect-the-dot with the network, where there have been departures in recent weeks too (including, Roger Goodman - though, by his account, the parting here was amicable...) As more details emerge, I'll post 'em here.

This business just gets tougher and tougher and ...

Dari Alexander, who's been sorta "filling in" at 10 for Rosanna Scotta, since the longtime 10 p.m. stalwart headed to the mornings, has just been named the anchor of both Ch. 5's 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts.

File under "no surprise."

Station boss Lew Leone said in the press release, “Dari has covered many major local and national news events throughout her career, most recently co-anchoring our coverage of the Presidential Inauguration and the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. Her talent, experience and deep roots in New York City made her a natural choice for this position.” She used to be with FNC and joins Ernie ... What else to tell you about Dari? Well, I'm sure she's very nice - and smart. Fancy education - double major, Mount Holyoke, returned home to NYC where she worked in the Organized Crime Unit at the New York district attorney's office and later as secretary of the Banking Board in the New York State Banking Department.

Key career stat: Started at News 12.

Here's a development I imagine will send chills through the entire TV news business - Fox and NBC owned-and-operated stations will pool their local TV news coverage in various markets, beginning with Philly in January. No word yet on NYC, but it will happen here too.

Why a chill? Because this will let stations from coast to coast combine resources, and when you see those words in conjunction, you know the next word is "layoffs." The local TV business is in desperate shape, with ad sales slumping and in the absence of political ads - which firmed up pricing - now about to slump even further.

Here's what the press release read: "The service will gather and distribute general market video coverage to the participating stations, allowing them to efficiently use resources to focus on more specialized franchise reporting. The stations will continue to operate independently in all other respects regarding their individual newsgathering operations."

So much for “Day 7” with Cherry Jones and Janeane Garofalo. In view of the current Writers Guild strike, the Fox network announced late Wednesday it’s postponing the planned January launch of “24” until it knows the entire seventh season can run “non-stop.” (Oh, well. We can watch the trailer over and over. And over.)

The first WGA-strike-prompted wholesale lineup revision also includes premiere dates for new Fox shows, along with some other shakeups: “Bones” moves to Friday at 8 on Jan. 4 to make way for “American Idol” (back Jan. 15-16), while “Prison Break” picks up on Monday, Jan. 14 at 8.

New arrivals announced include the action movie spinoff “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” which previews Sunday, Jan. 13 at 8, before moving the next night to its regular Monday 9 p.m. slot (where “24” was supposed to run).

Other shows are slated further down the line, which means their premiere dates could well shift depending on strike resolution (or lack thereof). “New Amsterdam” (due Feb. 22) is about an immortal New York homicide detective, while “The Return of Jezebel James” (March 7) is a city-shot comedy from “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose as estranged sisters.

The gritty Denis Leary-produced drama “Canterbury’s Law” (April 11) also shoots in New York, but was already delayed due to the pregnancy of Julianna Margulies, starring as a tough defense attorney.

Also slated: the single-camera comedy “Unhitched” (March 2), from the Farrelly brothers, about thirtysomethings who include Craig Bierko and Rashida Jones.

Fox’ strike-reflecting lineup loads up on game/reality/“unscripted” offerings. Mark L. Walberg hosts the lie-detecting hour “The Moment of Truth” (Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 9). “When Women Rule the World” (March 3) eavesdrops on women in charge of men in a “primitive, remote location.” Gordon Ramsay’s competition “Hell’s Kitchen” is back April 1.

Remember Steve Bartelstein? How could you not: He was one of New York's best-known local anchors, and was all over WABC/7's air for half a dozen years or so - until he got fired not too long ago, reportedly for sleeping on the gig. He's back, and fully awake. WCBS/2 just announced that it's hired him as weekend anchor. “Steve has proven to be a likeable, well recognized and successful news personality in the New York market,” said Peter Dunn, chief of the Deuce. “With his on-air experience and achievements within the industry and in the community, we are thrilled he is joining our thriving news team.” Bartelstein's quick history - he was at CNN before Ch. 7, and was substitute host of "Talkback Live."

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