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More Morning Changes
By Michael Page | January 7, 2010
I can now confirm reports regarding Doug Meehan of FOX 25. The station has decided not to renew his contract, and eliminate his position altogether. Doug may be used to freelance in the future, however.
This change was likely foreseen by most FOX 25 viewers, as Doug was taken out of the air when WBZ/WFXT joined into a chopper sharing program last year.
Topics: WFXT (Channel 25) | 61 Comments »
January 7th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Best of luck to Doug
January 7th, 2010 at 9:40 am
I don’t know how easily he’ll slide into another TV gig; his rather slovenly appearance won’t endear him to any other station. He’ll probably do what they all do: slide over to some rather impotent radio gig.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Talentless hack stealing money.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:13 am
At least he’s still a civil human being; talk about kicking a guy when he’s down.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
The ego on Doug Meehan is second only to “Ego” Ed Harding. Good riddance!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
lol You guys are tough!!!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I certainly don’t mind people having an opinion about those who put themselves out there for public consumption, but I know Doug visits sites like these (it’s how we came to know each other), and while he may not read this, he’s in a less-than-satisfactory state right now. Imagine losing your job in this horrendous economy (whatever it is that you do) only to then come home and add insult to injury by reading about how much you supposedly sucked at the job you just lost.
Not pleasant, is it?
January 7th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Best of luck to Doug Meehan we will miss seeing him on FOX 25 doing the traffic. Could former WBZ-TV Traffic Reporter Rich Kirkland join the FOX 25 Morning News Team?
January 7th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
i was always jealous of doug. comes in early, looks like he’s having fun, gets out early…how many of us can say that about our job? not me, that much i know. best of luck doug-ee!
January 7th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
No – as both Mike and I have reported, the position has been eliminated altogether.
January 7th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
> Could former WBZ-TV Traffic Reporter Rich Kirkland join the FOX 25 Morning News Team? <
Anything is possible. But Channel 25 is shrinking, not expanding. They are looking to reduce staff at each opportunity.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
i wonder if fox 25 would cut the morning news down to 2 hours
January 7th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Best of Luck to Doug Meehan. I am going to miss his sense of humor, attitude and great personality.
I have had the pleasure of meeting him and he is a great guy. Very outgoing and friendly with his viewers. I wish him the nothing but the best. I hope he finds much success in the future.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
I quit watching Fox Morning News sometime ago, and switched over to WBZ, mostly because VB was getting too annoying for me to watch. But I did like Doug Meehan, ugly shirts/sweaters and all. I wish him the best of luck in whatever he does in the future.
At least WBZ is getting their money’s worth out of Kerry Connolly, I noticed that she filled in as anchor when David and Paula took time off over the holidays. I hope her job will be safe!
January 7th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
They’re starting to fall to bare minimums now and it’s sad to see WFXT be the shell of its strong former self. Best of luck to Doug, he’ll definitely get a job somewhere with his resume, but as for the rest of Fox25, where the hell are they going to go next?
January 7th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
As for Rich Kirkland, he works for a traffic reporting company that WBZ used to contract with. I read it right her on this blog. But then they chose not to renew said contract, which led to the hiring of Kerry to do traffic on their AM news. So, as far as I know, Rich still has a job.
But since Fox eliminated the position, I guess it’ll just be Gene or Kim talking about traffic. Oh well.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
doug will land somewhere ,He seems like a good guy. I remember before he started with fox ,I could be wrong but I think He was with 5 ,He was doing a story in Winchester and he was in a small bakery buying breakfast for his crew.He has a good heart.As far as Kerry Connolly at BZ,dont worry about her ,she doesnt need the money,SHE DOES IT FOR THE FUN.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Rich was doing traffic on 7 the other day. Best of luck to Doug, perhaps someone will buy MyTV and hire him and Al.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:08 am
I’ve also heard Rich doing traffic on WBZ-AM.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:46 am
Best of luck to Doug! I will miss him. Now if VB were leaving ….
January 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Of the times I watched the morning news on Fox, I’ve really liked Doug Mehan. I think he should move over to 5 which is by far the best morning news show possible. Doug could be a good fit there to pump up their traffic situation.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:07 am
> Doug could be a good fit there to pump up their traffic situation. Now if VB were leaving … <
It is in the DNA of Fox broadcast outlets to have a Republican/conservative commentator. I think WFXT would cut the jobs of other employees before eliminating the position currently held by Doug "V. B." Goudie.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:09 am
> Doug could be a good fit there to pump up their traffic situation. <
I don't think Channel 5 is interested in adding staff, either. If I'm not mistaken, traffic reports on WCVB come from an outside company.
Doug Meehan appears to be a nice guy. I wish him well.
January 9th, 2010 at 9:39 am
a complete waste of a salary. great move fox. it is about time.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I absolutely hate fox morning show
the two anchors r really annoying and somewhat know it alls.
What does Bebe really do read e mails and the promter that the producers give him
Cindy always gets the weather wrong
fox 25 Really didn’t need doug
January 9th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
i don’t think wcvb will be dumping cindy campbell or jeff larson from smart routes anytime soon
January 9th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
I am not surprised with the decision by Fox. The anchors have been more than adequate at handling the traffic reports when Doug has been out. I often wonder why any station needs an on air traffic reporter. I do feel bad for Doug and wish him the best. I like the FOX morning show because of it’s local flavor and the personalities of the on air talent (although it can be a bit over the top at times). I would like to see a swap out of Maria for Kim. I think Maria’s personality would be great for the morning show and I think Kim’s personality would fit well in an evening/nightly news cast…just my thoughts.
January 10th, 2010 at 2:47 am
You definetely knew the writing was on the wall when they entered into an agreement with WBZ for the traffic coverage. Hopefully, DM will find something soon. Actually, he would make a better evening anchor then that boring stiff Mark Ockerbloom. Doug “Virgin Boy” Goodie is as annoying as his former boss, Howie Carr. They shoulda fired him.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Ive never wamed up to the Fox Morning News. Ive always been a ch 4 fan. Love you Paula Ebben. I just hate that “BZ uses Kerry Connolly for traffic after the same station dumoer has news anchor years ago.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
PS should be dumped lol.
January 10th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
BOSTONBILL(EBBEN) IWORKED AT bZ WHEN KERRY WAS ANCHOR AND SHE WAS THE BEST.IT WAS THE LAST TIME THEY CAME IN FIRST IN THE RATINGS.LOOK AT THE RATINGS AT bz SINCE SHE STARTEDin August.she could have Paulas job after the baby if she wanted it. She doesnt.she left on her own terms with a very nice buyout.
January 11th, 2010 at 6:15 am
it would be a mistake if wbz dumped paula
January 11th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
They should make Paula a consumer reporter.I think the reports that air in the evenings are great.She is better suited toward solo gigs .
January 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I will miss Doug. I hope the best for him. I met him at a firehouse friday once, he is a genuinely good guy. Best of luck to him.
I enjoy watching Fox News. They dont cater to the PC people, which is refreshing.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:28 am
doug was just an added expense that the morning news did not need.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
BYE bye doug sorry to say i will not miss him i find him annoying and Useless
January 20th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Scott Fybush at NE Radio Watch reported 1/11 that it was to be Doug’s last week, but I still see him on air this week. A repreive? I generally tune away for the traffic reports on all the am newsers, but his big personality seemed a good fit with Ch 25. They’re all big hams anyway, but it seems to work for them & Doug was game for any hijinks or gags they’d cook up.
Someone mentioned VB. I was against him from his first time on 25 when he (pot ccalling the kettle black) refered to the now late sen kennedy as “Fat Boy”. No need for his right-wing politics but I like the diner segments. Those, at least, are non partisan.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
As I mentioned in the post above, you may still see Doug on from time to time as a freelancer.
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:47 am
The chemistry between the anchors on Fox is the best I’ve ever seen. I love heading east just to watch this team in action. I will miss Doug and are you kidding me with the negative VB comments….that guy is the biggest asset on the team. I keep waiting for him to get picked up by another network and move up in the ranks.
Good Luck Doug!
January 27th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Sorry to say, but between Dougie’s constant swaying to and fro while reporting traffic (obviously full of himself), his seemingly jealous-fueled snippy comments at AJ, and his cooler-than-thou attitude, I will not miss him. He began irritating me more and more.
Whoever compared DM’s ego to the equally irritating Ed Harding’s was right on the money.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:40 am
I spotted Doug on Fox this AM. When is his last day?
Maybe he could do the BZ weekends? Just kidding
Seriously, I think Fox did the best job on traffic in the am. How will that be handled going forward?
February 1st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Doug will still be on FOX 25 as a freelancer going forward.
This was a cost savings measure, so I wouldn’t expect anything grand for traffic going forward…
February 7th, 2010 at 11:59 am
well the Fox morning show has “jumped the shark”. Gene has told one hundred thousand too many awful jokes and rotten impressions and Kim… well lets say she should have stayed retired.
It’s time for some new faces.
Remember anchors don’t “report” the news anymore, they just read it off a screen, anyone who can read can do the job. the real work is in the field when you have to think on the fly. When was the last time Gene did any reporting? oh ya, back on channel 7 when he was on T.V. for 35 seconds at a time as a sports guy.
Fox has let alot of great talent leave over the years, the reason for the morning anchors still here are – nobody else wants them!
February 7th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
J.r. you are so wrong.People want personality in the morning not news readers.This is why 4 is doing so badly with Paula Ebben. She is a news reader.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:52 am
Stevo
there is nothing wrong with a little personality, in fact I am in full agreement with you. My point was Fox just has the wrong two trying to do it… Fox doesn’t have to hire outside I think they have plenty of personality from within.
Just my opinion – Gene is a clown and Kim should just stay home.
How about adding Maria to the morning mix? she seems to have plenty of personality and seems like she would be a great fit.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
J.R
Why would Maria leave a number 1 evening show to getup at 3am and do 4 straight hours?
February 12th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Stevo
I my first thought was that the “boss” tells you when and where to work, I did not realize in “news” you told the “boss” when you will and will not work?
and I also thought Fox was in last place at both the 6 and 11PM news slots, so what does she have to lose? besides losing 5:00PM already.
being on for 4 hours straight, I don’t see that as being such a big deal… how long is her day now? I would think she has to be there a few hours before the 6 o clock news and has to stay intil the 11 o clock news is over. My thought is its a wash as far as time.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Dennis & Challahan show reported today that Doug Meehan’s last day is set for March 5th.
More interesting was the report that he is considering a run for political office in Bill Delahunt’s district, if Delahunt decides not to run. Meehan would run as a Democrat.
Also of interest, Joe Malone, another Fox contributor is considering 9perhaps already decided to run in the same district as a Republican.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Say it isn’t so!!! Doug Meehan will definitely be missed by viewers. I can’t believe they let him go! I might have to tune in to another channel now!!!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:53 am
The chemistry is great on Fox and every morning is like getting up with old friends from college. I miss Q and will miss Doug as well. Does this mean the end of Firehouse Fridays, too?
March 17th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Okay, so I just learned that Doug Meehan has been let go from FoxNews. Have been out of town for 2 weeks and come back to learn this travesty! I just have to say that it was Doug Meehan that tipped the scales for me as far as what morning channel I watched. Doug seemed like an awesome guy, happy, and the life of the party. I am so sorry to see him gone – my remote will not be tuned to FoxNews nearly as often as it had been. To Doug – the best of luck and you will be okay. You seem to live life to it’s fullest and enjoy every minute – don’t ever stop!
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:30 am
I just realized last week that I haven’t seen Doug Meehan for a long time. I miss him doing the traffic reports on the news. I thought he might be out West covering American Idol for Fox25, as he has done in the past, but noticed they had another guy doing those updates. Doing a Google search I found out that his contract was not renewed. I continue to miss your cheerful face, Doug!
March 26th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
The only reason I watched fox 25 morning news was because Doug was fun and lighthearted. Now I guess I will be on time for work since I won’t be watching! I’ll miss ya Doug and look forward to seeing you somewhere soon!!
March 30th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I will miss Doug. He was always fun to watch and I hope he finds another gig that suits his personality.
Good luck Doug!
April 6th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Best of everything to you Doug. I thought you were on vacation, but this morning I realized that it seemed like a real long time! I must have somehow missed your send off. What are the firehouses to do? Hope your next position finds you in front of a camera. I miss your shirts!
April 12th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
My husband and I miss Doug I think you made a big error in letting him go. We looked forward to all the fun in the AM and now it is not the same.
Doug … we wish you well where ever you go.. you made us smile every day. Hope to see you in front of the camera soon ….we will follow…
Good luck
Linda and David
April 19th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I think the morning Fox 25 news team is great!!!!! Down to earth, I can relate. Other networks’ anchors appear to be so “full of themselves”…the elite so to speak. It is nice to have the news reported and not interpreted. Bring on V.B. What is wrong with an opinion or observation expressed that is not the usual left media spin???? I definitely miss Doug in the morning but I am so thankful to be able to tune into Fox 25 in the AM and PM and avoid the pompous anchors on the other networks!!!!!!
April 21st, 2010 at 7:19 am
Keba Arnold = The Grim Reaper (did anyone ever draw more “Breaking News” assignments with deaths involved?)
Q = The consummate professional
Doug = Funny local guy wearing cheap clothes
Kim = The female version of Gerald Ford
Joe Malone = Is very much missed – but good luck to you!
Gene = vanilla
VB = has a great face for radio, see you there soon!
Tolman & Gray = nice segment
Harshbarger – schticky
Heavy hitters = decent opines
Options? I guess that my next choice would be NECN, and then “Morning Joe”.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:59 am
Sorry to see Dougie go…..though I love the whole morning cast, it’s just not the same without Dougie. I don’t understand why he was let go. When he was there, it was like watching family on the news together. Now it’s like something has been lost. Just another news station! So sad!!
April 30th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Doug is a middle-aged guy (45) who dressed like he thought he was 22 and acted like he was a 19 year old stud muffin instead of the dirty old man he was when it came to young pretty girls.
If Doug couldn’t act like an adult it’s better that he is gone.
Maybe he was a nice guy but he was a lousy TV personality due to his unprofessional appearance and behavior.
I hope the door doesn’t hit him in the a$$ on the way out!
July 20th, 2010 at 7:45 am
I JUST realized he was missing TODAY! What the Shrek? The reason I love FOX over all the other channels is because they all seem like friends, love the banter and Doug fit right in. I went to High School with Paula Blute-Ebben and she’s as about as fake as they come, was and still is…4,5, and 7 just can’t pull off the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that FOX has with Maria, Auc, VB, Kim and the rest. As far as the shirts go, another reason to love FOX, way less up tight! Normal people, that I’d be friends with. I wish I went to high school with them, instead of Your Highness.