The local Fox News at 9 will soon be fully staffed in front of the camera once again.
KSTU-Ch. 13 has hired a replacement for the departed Libby Weaver. Hope Woodside will join the Fox team at the end of the month.Woodside has spent the past three years as the main morning anchor of Chicago Cableland News, the 24-hour news service provided by the Tribune Corp. (The owners of both WGN and the Chicago Tribune.)
Before that, she anchored the news in Toledo, Ohio, and Midland, Texas.
"Hope Woodside brings to Fox the energy, charisma and strong news presence that people have come to expect from our anchor team," said KSTU vice president and general manager Steve Carlston. "We're excited to have her."
Ch. 13 has been searching for a new female anchor since Weaver left the station in early August for a gig as a reporter and weekend anchor of the syndicated entertainment news half-hour "Extra."
Shortly thereafter, the station announced it would not renew the contract of anchorman Brad Giffen. Carlston hired Bob Evans, the former KUTV-Ch. 2 anchorman, to take his place.
The search for a new anchorwoman was conducted both locally and nationally. KSTU management looked at more than 300 candidates before selecting Woodside.
And Woodside had to sort through offers from stations in San Francicsco, Detroit, Phoenix and Dayton, Ohio, before deciding to go to work for Ch. 13.
"She chose Fox," Carlston said. "The opportunity to come to Fox and go to work for a network (owned and operated) station is what brought her here."
Woodside is scheduled to make her local debut on Monday, Oct. 30.
EXPANDED COVERAGE: With their prime-time anchor team now settled, the folks at Fox are again looking at adding a newscast or two.
The previously announced weekday half-hour, which was postponed from a tentative debut date this fall, is now projected for early 1996. The 11:30 a.m. show will mix news and features.
KSTU is currently searching for a producer for the show, as well as anchorpeople, a weathercaster and various behind-the-scenes staffers.
Also on the drawing boards for 1996 is an early morning show, which is still in the planning stages.
Stay tuned . . .
EVALUATING EVANS: In his brief tenure as the lead male anchor on the Fox News at 9, Bob Evans is already distinguishing himself.
His performance on Tuesday night - in the wake of the verdict at the O.J. Simpson trial - was smooth, cool and professional.
Evans is an asset to Fox. And it's good to have him back on the air.
WATCH FOR WISHBONE: Who's Wishbone?
He's a Jack Russell Terrier. He's also the star of a new PBS children's series titled, appropriately enough, "Wishbone."
And if you're the parent of a child between the ages of 6 and 11, you ought to get your kids acquainted with him.
This new show, which debuts Monday, is designed to introduce children to classic literature and encourage them to read - worthy goals indeed. And this cleverly made program just might do it.
(Again, it is aimed at 6-11-year olds - younger kids may get bored.)
An episode of this live-action series screened for critics cleverly combined Don Quixote - with Wishbone as Sancho Panza - with an adventure involving his "real-life owner," a 12-year-old boy. (The regular cast includes that owner - Joe (Jordan Wall) - as well as Joe's friends, parents and teachers.)
Other adaptations include Cyrano de Begerac, Faust, Ivanhoe, The Odyssey and Oliver Twist.
The half-hour familiarizes its audience with the classic story while providing examples of how important it is to follow your dreams.
And, throughout, there's Wishbone - who keeps up a running commentary (with a voice provided by Larry Brantley).
"Wishbone" is very well produced. It's cute. It's clever. It might make your kids think.
You can't ask for much more than that.
Beginning Monday, "Wishbone" will be seen weekdays at 4 p.m. on KBYU-Ch. 11 and 4:30 p.m. on KUED-Ch. 7.