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Anna Allen says she is trying to keep a positive attitude about facing unemployment and about her sudden, unexpected termination from WTSP, Channel 10.
“I wasn’t prepared for it so I don’t have any plans,” she says. “I’m going to put myself out there on the job market and see what happens.”
It’s a tough world out there for all media. Former WFLA meteorolgist Mace Michaels, who was terminated earlier this month, is still looking.
The 43-year-old meteorologist was recruited by WTSP in 2003 as a rising star on the station’s morning newscast which has long struggled in the ratings.
“I left a good job in Dallas to come here,” she says.
Allen came back to Florida partly because she had relatives in the area, having grown up in Bradenton.
Allen came on board and added a cheerful, upbeat presence. The morning shift at Channel 10 continued to be influx. Co-anchor Mario Diaz (now working for the John McCain campaign) came and went as did Gemma Gaudette (now a consumer reporter in Idaho). The station also changed news directors. Meanwhile, the morning news race continues to be a two-horse affair between WTVT, Channel 13, and WFLA, Channel 8.
Currently, Allen shares the shift with anchor Ginger Gadsden and traffic reporter Meredyth Censullo. But Allen’s days are numbered. She says her contract runs through 2009 but the station called her in and exercised an option to cancel it. This was done without explanation, she says. “I don’t why,” she says. “I am trying to be positive about it.”
She doesn’t know if its a case of downsizing because some stations are cutting staffs or if an overhaul of the morning show is in the works.
Station officials won’t comment. Allen leaves Sept. 5. Reportedly, Censullo’s days are numbered, too.
Dropping a meteorologist during hurricane season without a back-up doesn’t seem like a wise move. The station has yet to replace the late Dick Fletcher, who died in February following a stroke. He was missed during the recent threat of Tropical Storm Fay.
As word of Allen’s departure has spread through the Bay area, she has been getting condolences from viewers. “That’s gratifying and I appreciate it,” she says.
“There’s been so many, I wonder why they didn’t show up in the ratings.”
She says she is going to miss her friends in the Tampa Bay area and will especially miss the foster children at a children’s shelter in Thonotosassa where she volunteers her time and support.
Posted by Nancy, Tampa on 11/05 at 09:16 AM
I loved Anna and still cannot believe she has left the 10 News family! She was a true professional. Since her departure, I have switched to another news channel. Frankly, I find Ginger in the morning to be intolerable. She makes ridiculous statements and turns serious news into fluff and banter.
Please channel 10, find a new morning anchor!!
Posted by Gloria Fisher, Clearwater on 10/16 at 02:15 PM
First of all, Sherry Ray is still at Channel 10. She is an excellent meteorologist. After all, she was trained by the best - Dick Fletcher. I wonder how much longer she will be permitted to remain at WTSP. Sherry is a wonderful person, too. Secondly, Jane, you raise an issue I had not thought of before reading your comment. If two women were replaced by one man, is there possibly some gender bias going on at WTSP? I wonder how much more he is being paid over the pay scale Anna was receiving?
Have a fantastic weekend. My beloved PHILLIES have earned a place in the World Series. Now we go to Ferg’s and wait for the Rays to join them! I honestly don’t care which team wins. They’re BOTH winners in my book!
Posted by Jane, New Port Richey on 10/16 at 10:28 AM
Do I have this correct; You needed to let two women go to hire one man???? OK, Now we understand!!!!!!
What a shame and a hugh mistake to let Anna go. What in the world are the “Powers That Be” Thinking!! Do you really believe Tampa Bay will tolerate this? She is the best meteorologist on television. Did you ever hear of “Come-up-ins” You have them coming! I will not be tuning back in!
Posted by Joe DeLashmit, Bushnell on 10/09 at 09:25 PM
I am not satisfied with you letting Anna go from Channel 10. I WILL NOT watch Channel 10 news again until Anna returns and will advise all of my friends to do the same.
Maybe if we quit buying the products advertised on your show you would realize your customers have a voice.
Anna - If you’re reading any of these, we’d love to hear where you’ve gone.
Posted by angelo palumbo, on 10/09 at 03:28 PM
very unhappy when mario left.
station gave no reason
now anna gone ch. 10 is off my list
shows are borning now in am. i’m
up everymorning at 4:30
lost my vote gone to ch 13
Posted by Fred Harkness, Lakeland on 10/08 at 07:57 PM
We miss Anna, We now watch another network since she has been let go. We loved watching 10 when she was there. Good luck
Posted by Fred Harkness, Lakeland on 10/08 at 07:53 PM
We always watched the weather when presented by Anna. She was the best at what she did. Since she has been let go we have turned to another network. No one on WTSP can take her place. We miss Anna.
Posted by Gloria Fisher, Clearwater, FL on 09/25 at 09:47 AM
We’ve done the same thing in our home and have grown to like Channel 8 very much. I’m even back to watching the Today Show! Wouldn’t it be awesome if we suddenly found our favorite personalities from Channel 10 on Channel 8? LOL That probably wouldn’t happen, though, since the head honchos at Channel 10 couldn’t stand the competition. I’m sure they have to sign some sort of non-compete when they sign their contracts. Has anybody else contacted the advertisers to let them know that they won’t be supporting them?
Posted by Diana R. LeVan, Bradenton Florida 34207 on 09/24 at 11:11 PM
Channel 10 has lost my viewership. I loved Anna Allen but channel 10 has been changing staff so much I have just changed to channel 8.
Posted by Mike Lyons, Tampa, Florida on 09/13 at 09:10 PM
Anybody know where Anna is? What station… city, state? URL: Her phone number
Posted by Raymond Dantuono, holiday fl on 09/13 at 10:44 AM
wow! I was wondering what happened to Anna. First thing I do in the am is put on my coffee and 10 news, and see some guy Iv never seen before. It is a shame and now Randy is going too? Oh well . I do enjoy Ginger however I thought Anna and Ginger complimented each other well. Sherry is probably next.
hello FOX 13 goodbye 10 news
Posted by Jeff, Hillsborough County on 09/13 at 09:01 AM
page 2, I contacted Gannett which is WTSP’s parent company and expressed to them how I felt. (Remember though in writing them to be civil in your text as you will be dealing with coporate execs.) I even contacted the new girl at her station in Chicago, but for all I know she might have been involved in Anna’s termination also. We need to keep complaining, keep posting and not go away. I for one will never watch the news on WTSP again no matter who they bring onboard. I really don’t think Rosenwasser and Richards care as the decision is already made and I’m sure they feel their job is quite secure. It would be nice to change that.
Posted by Jeff, Hillsborough County on 09/13 at 08:58 AM
I think that WTSP is hoping that as time passes the people complaining will just fade away. The email that I got from Rosenwasser was quite contradictory, he opened by saying “I still have enormous respect for her as a professional and as a person”, he stated that he shared most of my views and opinions of Anna but not all. So I guess he either didn’t think her on air persona was up to par, or that she was a good meteorologist, or that she was very involved in community affairs, or that she was a company person despite working every shift possible, many in the same week. We have an old saying in New England and that is “The Fish Stinks From The Head.” I think thats a pretty good analogy as far as WTSP’s decision makers go.
Posted by Gloria Fisher, Clearwater, FL on 09/11 at 03:12 PM
After reading the article in today’s St Pete Times about the new chief meteorologist being appointed at WTSP, it looks like the big shots over on Gandy Blvd have gone back to “business as usual.” Anna (and soon Randy, too) will just be casualties of their misjudgement. What a shame. I still maintain that we need to contact the advertisers on Channel 10 and convey to them our utter disgust with these decisions. What do y’all say about that?
Posted by Jeff, Hillsborough county on 09/11 at 01:16 PM
Funny, I sent Rosenwasser an email regarding Anna and he responded to me also. He stated that he couldn’t comment on why she was discharged (I believe leagally he is obligated not to discuss the specifics) but he did say “I assure you this was not a last minute decision nor one based on ratings. There was a lot of discussion, and a few sleepless nights, before making the final decision.” Strange considering that in the news articles Anna states she was caught completely off guard and unprepared for her termination.
Posted by Gloria Fisher, Clearwater, FL on 09/10 at 09:01 AM
I sent Sam Rosenwasser an email the other evening. Within 15 minutes, I received a phone call from him. Unfortunately, my hands were in a sink full of water and I missed the call. He asked me to call him back which I plan to do today. I am also going to email a link for this forum to him so that he can see what others are saying. I told him in my email that I plan to contact the advertisers on his station to tell them that I will no longer patronize them. Sad to say, money (not character) talks and I truly believe that is what got his attention. Hopefully it will get the attention of the advertisers, too. Pass the word along to others. Maybe we can do something positive & bring Channel 10 back into our living rooms, etc.
Posted by Michelle Raymer, Holiday on 09/10 at 07:27 AM
My husband & I are very disappointed at the firing of Anna Allen, Meredith and demotion of Randy. We listened EVERY morning and they always managed to wake us up and put a smile on our faces to start the day. I think the “Powers that Be” have made a hugh mistake and we, like many others, will be getting our weather and traffic elsewhere.
Posted by Gloria Fisher, Clearwater, FL on 09/08 at 04:48 PM
To contact the GM at Channel 10 and let him know of your feelings, email him at SRosenwasser@tampabays10.com
I have just sent him an email telling him that I am no longer supporting his pathetic decisions. I also plan to contact the advertisers who support Channel 10 and let them know that I will not be spending my money at their establishments. Money talks. It’s about time this guy finds out that the viewing public pays him, not some talking heads who barricade themselves behind an office door.
Posted by brent, Tampa on 09/06 at 12:28 PM
Channel 10, Anna Allen is the best weather person in Tampa, and you let her go?
Posted by Jeff, Hillsboro County on 09/06 at 11:13 AM
It is hard to imagine that someone who worked as many hours and different shifts as Anna Allen did would be rewarded in such a way. I can’t believe that she might have been a bad employee considering she worked the morning, mid-day, afternoon, evening and late night shifts many in the same week. Sam Rosenwasser, Gannett and Darren Richards should be ashamed of themselves for this stupid move.
If you really want to let the execs at Gannett (WTSP’s parent company) how you feel about Anna’s, Angies and Meredyth’s terminations, send an email to the Vice President of Coporate Communications Tara Connell at this email addy.
Tara Connell
Vice President of Corporate Communications
(703) 854-6049
tjconnel@gannett.com
Posted by Becky Dawn, Tampa, FL on 09/06 at 07:12 AM
Meredith and Anna—remember that everything happens for a reason - always....
Channel 10 Leaders, You pride yourselves on communicating to your viewers and bringing news to us first, then left me, as a devoted viewer wondering where in the world my favorite cast of the morning show went! When Anna cand Meredith came on board, I felt like they were “real”. I missed them the moment they were no longer on the air.I turned on the Channel 10 news at 5am every day specifically for Anna and Meredith.I have now switched from Ch 10 because, while Ginger’s good, without Anna and Meredith, something is missing-the heart of the morning show is gone.
Posted by esther jones, n.p.r. on 09/05 at 07:36 AM
Anna has done a wonderful JOB. I have tuned in every morning @ 6:00am from the early 80’s.Ginger is wonderful. The men you have on for replacement do not compare to Anna. Fletch was and will always be the best.As a vewer I do not have a clue what happens behind closed doors,I watch for the team work . The show is very boring now.
Posted by Lisa Ledbetter, Palm Harbor, FL on 09/04 at 07:05 AM
I am very sorry to see that Anna Allen is no longer with Channel 10 - I think that is a big mistake on their part! I have been a devoted viewer for years, but with Dick Fletcher’s passing and now Anna’s termination, I will be getting my news elsewhere. Good luck Anna - we’ll miss you!
Posted by Maryanne Bandini, Holiday, Fl on 09/02 at 05:22 AM
CHANNEL 10 MORNING NEWS--BORING!!!!!!!
ANNA ALLEN GONE, WHERE’S MERIDITH? GINGER IS GREAT BUT SHEWITH TWO BORING MEN SHE DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.
WAKE UP CHANNEL 10. DON’T YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR VIEWERS? OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON’T CARE.
BEST OF LUCK TO ANNA ALLEN. I REALLLY MISS HER.
HELLO BAY NEWS 9 AND CHANNEL 8
Posted by eunice cook, homosassa fl on 11/16 at 05:26 PM
i was so shocked when they got rid of the best ((anna & meredyth))who ever running the show there better take a better look at whats going on,your rating going to just keep falling. i halven’t watch since they left and i have watch far over 15 years, but no more