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Major Change at 7
By Michael Page | February 8, 2009
February 8, 2009 Update: Here is the message Randy sent to staffers at 7 early Sunday morning:
“Before I go, I just wanted to say to you how blessed I feel to have had this fantastic journey for 12 years here. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with so many wonderfully nice, thoughtful and talented people… and, the opportunity to have served the viewers of New England and so many public service organizations and causes.
Ours is a “unique” working environment you have to admit! But we’ve produced a lot of remarkable news coverage along the way of which we should all be proud … and we’ve had a lot of fun! So thank you for everything. You’ve helped me in doing the best job I could.
All good chapters come to a close … and this is the close on one of my best. So goodbye, my best to you always … ”
February 7, 2009 Update: Sources close to 7, along with the Boston Globe, report that Randy’s decision to leave came after a meeting with Sunbeam owner Ed Ansin. Station insiders also say that there has been an increasing struggle between some staff members and management over the content and direction of the newscasts.
Also today, a brief mention of Randy was made on the 6 PM news. The story said that Randy had “retired”, and a short statement from Ansin was shown. The piece was only a few seconds long, and was nestled right before a break.
February 6, 2009: Major changes are coming to channel 7, according to sources inside channel 7. Just before 9 PM this evening those sources reported that Randy Price, lead male anchor at WHDH, has left in a mutual agreement with the station. There are no more details at this point, but I will post them as soon as any become available.
Topics: WHDH (Channel 7) | 86 Comments »
February 7th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Sorry to hear that Randy Price is leaving. Channel 7 is not my cup of tea but I enjoyed watching him and was a fan when he was on Channel 4.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:47 am
i am very shocked that randy was let go by whdh
February 7th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Randy Price is someone I enjoyed seeing deliver the news. I will miss him. If he pops up on another station I will follow.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:55 am
This could be quite a problem for WHDH, as he is their only real “legacy” anchor.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
who will take his spot–adam, matt, or brandon?
February 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I would expect one of the first two names…
February 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
“adam, matt, or brandon?”
Hopefully none of the above. They need to go out and find a real journalist to take that spot. When Chris May left, WBZ went out and hired a smart, polished journalist in Jonathan Elias.. I suppose that kind of thing is asking too much of 7 though.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
“A real journalist to take that spot?” The first real journalist they need is the one in the back office.
February 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
This is horrible news. Has Kim Khazei been doing the 6PM newscast the past two days? Perhaps WHDH can have the all female team as the A team.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Heh – I called this on this very board way back when they brought in Matt Lorch. Not that Lorch is going to replace Randy now, but it was a definite sign that the youth-obsessed WHDH was interested in trying out younger male anchors.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
This is very sad, I considered Randy one of the few people you could trust on 7. I’m sure another station in Boston will be happy to hire him, although it will probably mean a big pay cut.
I bet WHDH will be stubborn and move Kim Khazei into Randy’s spot. Be sure to see the next ratings period for 7 to plummet.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I am sorry to hear that Randy Price is leaving Channel 7. Does this open the door for Scott Whale to join Channel 7?
February 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I am very surprised and sad that Randy left, but my god, never thought in a million years the things i said a couple of months ago could be true.
I really think they will either hire a new anchor, or they will promote Brandon. Matt is just bad and Kim is doing too much anchoring already. Hope they find a new guy that’s amazing.
Wonder how 7 changing this whole thing goes.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
im sorry to be the bad guy here but i have never warmed up to Randy I wish him well though and hope he does Find Emplyoment elsewhere soon
February 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
One wonders whether Price got fed up with the tabloid/Entertainment Tonight style of sensationalist broadcast that WHDH wants. Anyone with a shred of true journalistic integrity would not want to work there for long.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Frustration certainly has been mounting among many staffers about the route WHDH has been taking in its news coverage…
February 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
i really doubt whdh will go after scott whale at all. i am picking that matt or adam becomes the new lead male anchor at 6 & 11 pm
February 7th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I agree, Scott does not exactly seem like the talent WHDH is searching for right now. Keep in mind that sweeps period this year happens in March, so we should be able to see how Randy’s departure impacts 7’s ratings.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
ADAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
February 7th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
WOW…I am shocked. I can’t believe that 7 would allow such talent to leave. Then again, it seems they have been trying to go for a more “younger” and “flashier” look lately. Even still…Randy was a great anchor and will be missed.
Good Luck and much success to Randy in the future.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
On the 6pm news tonight, there was a 10 second or so story that said Randy was retiring. Does this mean he won’t be working for a length of time before he leaves? When someone normally announces retirement, a date is set when they will stop working. If this is the announcement, and there he isn’t on air anymore it says a lot about the relationship he has with the stations management.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Good point, Darcy.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I talked about that mention in the update to the post above…your points are right on. Randy is done…no more on air appearances.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I think Frances Rivera better watch her back…I think she is a big factor in the ratings drop…Channel 7 needs to get back to real jouralism with a smarter format and real jouralists at the helm of their 6pm and 11pm newscasts…Channel 7 can no longer rely on the strength of NBC primetime programming as a platform to remain number…Time to wake up and make some intelligent choices.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I agree with Jake!
February 8th, 2009 at 12:22 am
It’s gotta be a ‘Catch-22′ for Boston stations: We trust the ‘legacy’ anchors but the stations can’t afford their salaries. And when it is proven that a high-priced anchor cannot deliver eyeballs, then it’s time to simply agree that the supposed ‘cost-benefit’ was a mirage all along. I can’t believe that ANY agent (or anchor) would ‘demand’ a big salary by suggesting that they could ‘deliver viewers.’ That paradigm held water in the 1980s, but certainly not since.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Scott Wahle (poor guy gets called ‘Whale’ all the time) has two options in my opinion: NECN or a Broadway musical career. He can belt out a show tune, but he’s annoying as can be as a news anchor (IMO).
February 8th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Perhaps Mr. Price will pop up on channel 25. That is where many out-of-work Boston news people seem to go.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:26 am
If Randy do go to fox, it will all end. His level of journalism is almost to heaven and him going to fox 25 is like him going on the Scream [six flags] and just dropping to the ground. (can’t think of a better one right now but you get the idea =P). If anything, he should go to WCVB. =].
I really think he’s retiring from anchoring. [just praise im wrong]
February 8th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I so agree with Jake’s comment – stopped watching Channel 7 when Frances was assigned to that position – the news team of late simply has no class – so I have long given up on that news option!! Would love to see a Morning Joe type broadcast in the Boston area.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I think that Randy would be great to replace the aging Jack Ellis on NECN! Randy’s a serious newsman, has New England in his blood and would bring even more viewers to NECN. Plus, most everyone in New England could see him.
BTW…what’s so bad about Frances? All this talk about Adam as an anchor? Puleeze!! Someone needs to tell him that when you have a baby face, you need a more serious hairsytle!
February 8th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
ringleader1: its TOM Ellis not Jack. I agree, Randy would be great for NECN. Adam would be the perfect choice, leave him alone!
February 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Yes, the get of rid of Randy but keep Jonathan Hall with his investigative reporting on the obvious such as hot dog carts are filthy in downtown crossing; to soccor nets are not properly secured for high school matches…Jeez, what happened to real jouralism???
February 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
channel 7 has officially lost a viewer. broadcast journalism, for however weak its gotten these past few years, has just gotten even more weaker. i’m going to miss randy price very much.
also, if price went to fox 25, perhaps that channel would get a little more respect. i don’t understand the hatred towards that channel, they bring a lot more local news lately than 7 has lately. their morning show is proof of that.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Does anyone know what Channel 7’s former weather channel is all about now? “This Boston” It’s like playing all hippie movies now.
It’s channel 297 on comcast.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
It will be Matt, guaranteed. Love him or hate him, he’s got great rapport with all of the anchors, he’s well-liked within the shop, has a fantastic delivery style and he’s come a long way since “The Lorchcast” that everyone likes to keep mentioning. Now if they would only demote Frances back to the 4pm and bring Kim up to the lead slot, we’d be in good shape.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
This apparently is a new movie channel….
February 8th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
More on This TV for those interested: http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/viewers_discovering_this_tv.php
February 8th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
randy is removed from the website and banner logo.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
As was noted above, the WHDH website has been fully scrubbed of any and all references to Randy Price. It’s one of the unique ways that TV news exposes itself as such a farce: we pretend to be your “TV family” until corporate bosses decide somebody’s gotta go, then forget the 12 years they’ve been the leader of the “family,” within minutes, the pictures are gone, the history books are re-written, and Randy never existed.
Full rant on my blog at http://www.localtvnews.wordpress.com. Sorry to go on–this part of the biz just drives me nuts.
Mark
February 9th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Mark….way to go promoting your blog on someone elses….bonehead
February 9th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Something is a little incongruous. If this was an amicable split, why not do it with more class and a little less haste? Why not give Randy a proper send-off? This was rushed, including the elimination of his bio and information on the station web site. NECN might seem like a ’soft landing spot’ for a displaced anchor, but it comes with a certain ’stigma’ that Randy might not want to attach himself to.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Chris….I’m wondering if there isn’t more to the story….remember the trouble he had with BZ’?
February 9th, 2009 at 9:47 am
A veteran broadcast journalist tossed out because of his age and looks! Very sad commentary on Boston TV news, where sexy women, some under the age of 30, are sitting in the anchor chairs with limited experience. The female channel 7 morning anchors look like the type to hang out at a bar where college seniors hookup. The new shots of the weekday weather gal on WHDH give viewers the revelaing shot of her thong panty line, all done of course to generate more male–read younger– viewers. We now have a former weather guy delviering the news on WVBT.Image, a weather nut sitting in the news anchor chair. My brother-in-law, a Boston detective, telles me about amurder he was working last year on a Soring day. Body is in the street and up walks a young, sexy female tV reporter with spike heels, mini skift, tight fitting shioft shwoing off her breasts, huge amount of makeup….she acted like a celebrity rather than a street reporter covering a murder story. and look at the youthful morning anchor and weather guy–under 30– on WBZ-TV..They both look, dress and speak alike. and then there is Randy Price…full of real world news experience, delivers the news with gravitas, looks distingused rather than wheat se see which is what you see on the daily soap operas. Very sad to seehim and the other vets pused to the side so that kids–I’m 31–with no expericne and egos like movie stars, can prace around ind esigner clothes making believe that they are network ready.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Sorry to hear Randy is leaving. He was the reason I watched 7 News in evening..I will follow where he moves..maybe they got rid of the wrong anchor???
February 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Could Ed Ansin be any cheaper? He’s just opting for the cheap way out……AGAIN. If Sunbeam was pubicly traded, he would have been out a long time ago. At this rate, high school kids will be the next anchors.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
They offered him a “fond farewell”, but he has said he would have found it trite and insincere, so it was best to make a clean break.
Now admittedly, I’ve had the benefit of speaking to him personally, and that puts me in something of a privileged position, so I can’t fault you guys for SOME speculation, but you really ought to actually read some of the articles properly. If you did, you’d see that Ansin LIED and said he was retiring, and allowed a segment to be broadcast ON-AIR on Saturday night announcing his “retirement.” It was an outright lie. They deliberately gave a false report; the FCC should be all over this. Conceivably, if not for age discrimination, he could certainly sue them for deliberately damaging his future career prospects.
And finally, Marky, how dare you! I’m deadly serious. He’s been clean for 13 years, has an unimpeachable character, and the undying respect of virtually everyone in that newsroom. Pointless, vacuous, ill-informed and possibly libellous speculation.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
RANDY RESIGNS!
RANDY RETIRES!
ANSIN AXES ANCHOR!
ANCIENT ANCHOR AXED!
PRICE PUNTED!
THE PRICE IS WRONG (no alliteration… but sometimes 7 goes “cutesy” with the headlines)
February 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Price is on Howie Carr as I type 4:15 Monday
February 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Max….lighten up. There was nothing meant by my post…sometimes on these stories you wait for the other shoe to drop.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I apologize if you feel I over-reacted, but the fact remains that yours was a tasteless and ill-founded remark. I just got off the phone with the man myself (we recorded our interview right before Howie, and if Mike lets me, I’ll post the link) and I can tell you nothing could be further from the truth.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Just click my name above and you’ll find the interview.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Randy was just on PBS’ “Greater Boston”. He told his side of the story, and his retiring was not a part of it.
They’ll be replaying the show later, check here for times and channels: http://www.wgbh.org/gb/
February 9th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I’m pissed about this. Let WHDH -TV know they were wrong and we want Randy back on the air asap.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
BTVN is reporting that Rudat is gone too…
February 9th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Not much too say about that at the moment, I would stay tuned if you catch my drift.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Hmm…Brandon would be a shocker.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I’ve listened to Randy’s interviews with Max and Howie today and I have to say that my respect for him has shot through the roof. I would like to congratulate him for standing up for integrity and for what ought to be in local TV news.
Does Randy have a website or a way to contact him directly? I have not been able to find one. I would love to send him a note expressing my thanks.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
You can send a message via facebook.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Bottom Line, Ansin and Co. were sick of Randy bitching about the dreadful content he had been forced to shill for the last 3 years. WHDH is run from Miami. The people there think New Englanders are more interested in Tabloid MOvie Star news than Local news. This trend coincides evenly with their ratings decline But the Powers that be are too stubborn and frankly bad at their jobs.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Max….I would to apologize if my posts were out of line. No harm or bashing was intended.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
The out-the-door-and-no-proper-sendoff treatment that HDH gave Randy Price has sparked a debate among TV newsers… top of the page on TVSPY today, including a link to my rant about HDH acting like Randy “never happened” on my blog.
http://www.tvspy.com/shoptalk.cfm?page=1#editor
Wanted to let you guys know he’s well-respected far from Boston and NE, and deserved a better departure.
Mark
February 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
They’ve been doing the whole women thing in place of randy and its pretty f^^*&ing annoying. Yeahh, its cute at 10 with less viewers, but if its constantly them… ehhh. its like having 2 men all the time. remember women werent reporters? now its like a sin for 2 men but not 2 women…
February 11th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Boston Globe is reporting that Rudat is gone. The article has a bit more on how Rudat, Price and the producer has been really vocal of the direction HDH has been going…
February 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
did everyone see this?
http://www.necn.com/Boston/Arts-Entertainment/2009/02/11/Randy-Price-Im-not-of/1234400367.html
February 12th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
That’s a great link; thanks for posting it.
After listening to his interview with Howie Carr earlier this week I fired up my seldom-used Facebook account and sent him a note of thanks. About an hour later I received a very nice and extremely gracious response. This fellow is a class act. He’ll bounce back even stronger, I’m sure.
February 13th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Loren and Wally on 105.7 WROR have made a tribute song to Randy… if any of you know of them, you know they are pretty funny…. here it is: http://wror.com/upload/randypricesong021309.mp3
February 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
That is AWESOME!!
February 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hahahaha just saw that on BTVN, that’s great!!!!
February 13th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Sorry to duplicate my BTVN post, but it’s worth it…
You’re not going to believe this – but I seriously had THE EXACT SAME IDEA and spent the morning jotting down lyrics to send to them before I found out they’d done it themselves!
My suggested chorus:
And the viewers say Randy
Is a fine guy
What an anchor he could be
Now that those cheap bastards at 7
Set him free!
February 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’m glad Randy is gone as now I have absolutely no reason to watch that trash of a news station. He was only the true professional of all the news anchors on channel 7 and stood out like a sore thumb. Now they are left with ken and barbie dolls and the dual bimbo team. Channel 4 news is now the best in town.
February 14th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
WCVB Is The Best
February 14th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Kim Khazei – weekdays 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 News at 10 p.m. on CW56 (WLVI-TV), & 11 p.m.
She Took His Job Till Me If That Is Not True Any One
February 14th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
No official word has come from the station, but Kim and Frances are now featured on the banner at whdh.com.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:38 am
[...] Major Change at 7 [...]
February 17th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Anchors Aweigh…Price Predicament…Randy Redundant…Kim in Kommand…Frances Frustrated?…Six O’Clock Sayonara…Sunbeam Subterfuge…
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
February 17th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
The Herald is reporting that alliteration got canned.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
DoubleYouEffExxTee What You MEEN alliteration got canned???
February 18th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
http://bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1151674&format=&
February 19th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
So, Frances is no longer The Queen Bee ?
I think that adding another female ( Kim K ) would really diminish her as the star female anchor ?
I really loved Caterina Bandini with Randy !
Now, she’s a smart cookie – happy with her beautiful children, away from Ch. 7.
You know, Randy is a gorgeous looking man – far moreso than any/all of the females are, as women.
Let’s see Frances, Christa, Sorboni, Kim, Anne, Matt, Dylan, and the rest at 50something – scary thought !
Yet Randy looks the ultimate cover of what GQ used to be ! Classic looks, timeless, ageless, total perfection.
Oh and I agree with all of you who are saying 7 should have allowed Randy and his millions of fans/viewers enjoy a last moment together, because it is going to be serious withdrawal for me and for many many others !
February 19th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Just to be clear, Randy is the one who didn’t want a “goodbye”. He felt it would send the wrong message about why he was leaving the station.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Randy – head over to Fox! That’s where the majority of channel 7’s former viewers are. We welcome you!
February 21st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
To Michael Page -
Oh, I didn’t realize that.
Randy Price is pure gold. He actually should take Brian Williams’ place. (Brian basically is such an amateur and his arrogance shows through).
Randy’s class, professionalism, appearance, aura, voice, delivery, presence are all incredibly rare, and he is still quite young at 59.
I wish Mr. Price all the best !
February 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
chris
Im not sure what your issue with scott wahle is. He and I work out at the same gym and he is a great guy.He has given me great advice and we have have coffee once a week.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
[...] that Randy suddenly parted ways with WHDH earlier this year. It certainly seems like WCVB is trying to make it known to Boston [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
[...] that Price parted ways with WHDH earlier this year, stunning most [...]