Anne Marie Mediwake Has Quit

[artudo123]

So as some of you may know Anne Marie Mediwake left yesterday to focus more on her family. But do people think there could be more to this story?

[lostjon]

This is news to me obviously. It's possible there may be more to this story. That all depends on how the announcement was made. Given the topic of your thread, the word "quit" could imply numerous things.

[artudo123]

This is news to me obviously. It's possible there may be more to this story. That all depends on how the announcement was made. Given the topic of your thread, the word "quit" could imply numerous things.

I use the word quit because that's essentially what it is. Sure you could use the word "resign" or "leaving for personal reasons". However they announced it on the newscast last night. It wasn't like Dave Devall of CTV where they did a countdown. She said she was leaving to focus on her family. I realize triplets are a handful but I can't imagine her handing up this spot had she'd been with a more financially stable network. Canwest is likely to be looking for any kind of savings possible. I think it's been proven that Leslie is more than capable of handling a 1-hour newscast alone. So though I don't know anything I assume talks went on behind the scenes that guaranteed Mediwake some cash but that the company would save a tad.

[lostjon]

I use the word quit because that's essentially what it is. Sure you could use the word "resign" or "leaving for personal reasons". However they announced it on the newscast last night. It wasn't like Dave Devall of CTV where they did a countdown. She said she was leaving to focus on her family. I realize triplets are a handful but I can't imagine her handing up this spot had she'd been with a more financially stable network. Canwest is likely to be looking for any kind of savings possible. I think it's been proven that Leslie is more than capable of handling a 1-hour newscast alone. So though I don't know anything I assume talks went on behind the scenes that guaranteed Mediwake some cash but that the company would save a tad.

I would more or less go with what you've posted, even though I didn't know anything about her departure to begin with. But for sure, more than anything at this point, it would appear that Canwest is continuing to find ways to cut costs.

[TVViewer]

Anne-Marie Mediwake is leaving to spend time with her baby triplets, which is understandable and very common, lots of mothers want to stay home and watch their children grow up. Job security is not why she left (her husband still works at Global) and Canwst didn't make her leave to cut costs (Leslie will be getting a replacement co-anchor)

If she wanted to continue anchoring and didn't feel that her job was safe at Global (even though it was) or Global wanted her to leave she would have found a job at another station, that's not the case, she's staying home to watch her kids grow up, and it's not saving Global any money as they plan to hire a replacement.

[vanessab]

I will say, I was nothing short of stunned when I heard about Anne Marie's departure. I enjoyed seeing her grow and develop over the years. If you recall, she initially joined Leslie on the 5:30 and 6:00 pm news casts hosting her "In sight" segment and anchoring Global News at Noon. She was not forced out - she was what made the News Hour different (look at her equivalents - Anne Mroczkowski, Christine Bentley and Diana Swain).

I do wonder who will replace her - I hope it is not Carolyn MacKenzie ... Carolyn does better anchoring solo, then co-anchoring.

Global should get back Robin Gill or even locate Sarika Sehgal out of her hibernation.

[anonymous]

Actually, there IS more to this story.
Anne Marie WAS let go partly for cost reasons, and she was offered a reporter job...Anne Marie refused.
However, don't despair AM fans - she'll be seen on the CBC later this fall (after the revamp takes place).

[vanessab]

Anne-Marie Mediwake is leaving to spend time with her baby triplets, which is understandable and very common, lots of mothers want to stay home and watch their children grow up. Job security is not why she left (her husband still works at Global) and Canwst didn't make her leave to cut costs (Leslie will be getting a replacement co-anchor)

If she wanted to continue anchoring and didn't feel that her job was safe at Global (even though it was) or Global wanted her to leave she would have found a job at another station, that's not the case, she's staying home to watch her kids grow up, and it's not saving Global any money as they plan to hire a replacement.

My own 2 cents on the matter - Anne Marie's departure is not a good thing for Global ... she was a big part of what made the News Hour 'different' from the other evening newscasts.

I suggest Global return Robin Gill to Toronto to fill this spot or locate Sarika Sehgal.

[artudo123]

Actually, there IS more to this story.
Anne Marie WAS let go partly for cost reasons, and she was offered a reporter job...Anne Marie refused.
However, don't despair AM fans - she'll be seen on the CBC later this fall (after the revamp takes place).

OK if that's the truth than I too would have refused. If I were demoted for cost reasons I would snap. I could understand if you royally screwed up. I also agree Anne-Marie was different. But she also couldn't disappear without the rumour mill going around so she had to do it in a way where viewers could understand while not ruining her reputation. If she appears in 3 months than people will most likely think she lost her sanity staying at home with triplets.

[Everfresh]

A similar situation occurred a few years back involving Jacqueline Milczarek . She used to anchor the 11pm News for Global Ontario. At the time they brought in Carolyn Mackenzie to do the late news and offered Milczarek reporting duties. She declined, and ended up leaving. She's now on CTV News Channel.

[artudo123]

A similar situation occurred a few years back involving Jacqueline Milczarek . She used to anchor the 11pm News for Global Ontario. At the time they brought in Carolyn Mackenzie to do the late news and offered Milczarek reporting duties. She declined, and ended up leaving. She's now on CTV News Channel.

And now she's seen nationally. I am currently a journalism student and something I have learned is the longer you are with a broadcaster the less sinority you have. We saw that over at CTV earlier this year. A couple anchors with the company longer than my life were let go. You can always, always be replaced by somebody younger who can do the same job as you but at a cheaper rate. For the first decade of my career that'll benefit me but not as I start to age.

[vanessab]

I remember the shake up in 2006 - Jacqueline's departure/Carolyn's promotion and the arrival of Zuraidah Alman to replace Anne Marie on the Morning News so she (Anne Marie) could pursue the 6pm News Hour Anchor spot ... not sure some of those moves made sense then (i.e.: Jacqueline was a much better anchor than Carolyn!) and not sure the recent decision to displace Anne Marie makes sense either. In any event, Global's loss is the CBC's gain ...

[artudo123]

I remember the shake up in 2006 - Jacqueline's departure/Carolyn's promotion and the arrival of Zuraidah Alman to replace Anne Marie on the Morning News so she (Anne Marie) could pursue the 6pm News Hour Anchor spot ... not sure some of those moves made sense then (i.e.: Jacqueline was a much better anchor than Carolyn!) and not sure the recent decision to displace Anne Marie makes sense either. In any event, Global's loss is the CBC's gain ...

I felt bad for Zuridah. I am sure she was very excited about the anchor spot instead of always field reporting on Citytv and then she got lured away to anchor on Global and now shes field reporting for CTV News.

Now Anne Marie was offered the spot of a field reporter. Pam Seatle of Citytv went from weekend anchor to full-time field reporter and anchored CP24 for time being. Could a similar situation have happened at City where she had to give up anchor duties on weekends to work Monday-Friday field reporting?

[vanessab]

Zuraidah never should have been put into the Morning News Anchor role - she was in over her head ... Robin Gill was parachuted in too late to try to repair the damage. Pam Seattle was awful as Weekend Anchor on City (she took over when Laura Di Battista went to the Noon News) - Pam is still a mediocre reporter - but a fixture at City nonetheless. When Anne Marie returns, she will do great ...

[marvian]

Ann Marie is WAAAY better off. Canwest/Global News is a sinking ship. The amount of reporters/journalists I've seen leave only to end up on rival stations is insane. It seems like every month another person leaves Global. There must be a reason. With CTV, CBC and CITY TV bigger & better than ever does Global really think they can stay competitive? Global is not a good fit for upcoming journalists.

A thought about Leslie Roberts. Why is this guy still the lead anchor @ 6pm? I've never EVER seen an anchor make as many errors and verbal mistakes as he does on a CONSISTENT basis. You can always count on Leslie to fumble or muttled his words at some point in the news cast. Mistakes happen to every on-camera journalist obviously but c'mon... I personally think they should have demoted Leslie to reporter and keep Ann Marie as Anchor. That is a much better "cost cutting" move IMO.

Any guesses on who will be the next one to get fired/let go or leave Global News?

PS - Where is Alan Carter?

[vanessab]

Alan Carter is still with Global - but in an off-air Management role. I always thought Alan and Carolyn make a good anchor combo (they would do well anchoring News Hour Final together).

I agree ... Leslie isn't that great. I would suspect removing him would not be easy - he comes with a bit of baggage (used to be News Director at Global Montreal ...).

Since Anne Marie has left, I have not tuned into the News Hour @ 6 ... I've been watching CTV News at 6.

[artudo123]

I always remember Global feeling like one of the "big bad wolves". I always felt they were always trying to go head to head with CTV. Now it seems like Global isn't the choice station any longer. I really do feel like Citytv is picking up speed. I would think part of it is the enourmous amount of press over their debt. Plus just general restructuring in general.

And I'll be honest I too have thought about booting Leslie but he's not somebody that can be let go easily. He's a very powerful man with very powerful connections.

[vanessab]

Global Ontario was in its 'hay-day' when Beverly Thomson was the Chief Anchor (1997 - 2003) - to be honest, it really has not bounced back since she left. They started to pick up some momentum with the News Hour when Anne Marie joined the 6pm broadcast ...

As for Roberts - totally agree with arturdo ... like I said, he has "baggage" - booting him wouldn't be easy ...

[anonymous]

Hmmm...can anyone elaborate on how/why Leslie is so "powerful"? Is he connected to the Asper family or something?

As for Global Toronto, I agree it's a sagging, directionless newscast. Bev Thomson was definitely one of their most prized possessions, and I doubt they can recapture that magic. CityNews has definitely gained some traction as of late, and CTV News is a strong leader....oh, and the CBC is definitely a lost cause (at least for local news).

[marvian]

I always remember Global feeling like one of the "big bad wolves". I always felt they were always trying to go head to head with CTV. Now it seems like Global isn't the choice station any longer. I really do feel like Citytv is picking up speed. I would think part of it is the enourmous amount of press over their debt. Plus just general restructuring in general.

And I'll be honest I too have thought about booting Leslie but he's not somebody that can be let go easily. He's a very powerful man with very powerful connections.

I guess that's the reason he's still around when far better journalists have been let go or left. I knew there had to be a reason why his job was always safe even though he is CLEARLY not the best person for the anchor position. If the big wigs at Canwest would only grow a set of...you know what...and boot who they SHOULD boot, they may have a fighting chance of competing with the other stations.

In the meantime, Leslie seems to be sitting pretty -- must be nice to have that kind of influence.