WPLG’s managing editor Alyssa Merlot quit abruptly yesterday (Tuesday 4/24) and is now at WFOR. According to tipsters she had a big argument with WPLG’s news director and just left – 2 days before May sweeps and with no advance notice. Alyssa Merlot was an assignment editor at WFOR before going to WPLG in 1999 so she’s got lots of experiences in the market.
Her first day with WFOR is April 30th.
One tipster pointed out that managing editors are the brains behind the news and lead the assignment desk, remains to be seen if it impacts WPLG, but it’s sort of a nice coup for WFOR to get someone local and experienced who knows the market.
Please join me in welcoming our new Managing Editor, Alissa Merlo.
Many of you know Alissa. She was an assignments editor here for four
years before going to WPLG.
There she’s been the Managing Editor since 1999.
Alissa brings experience, strong market knowledge and sources, and a
passion for excellence in journalism. She has a passion for winning.She graduated from Barry University in 1992. She lives in Coral Gables
with her two sons.Alissa is extremely excited about joining our team.
She told us, “I look forward to working with such a wonderful group of
people. I have worked with some of you in the past, and I look forward to
seeing, working, and meeting all of you. Together we will make a great team.”She starts Monday, April 30th
A lot of people respected her at PLG. She will be missed. Without her, who knows what will happen.
Well, Pohovey can hire Bill Kamal when his term is up!
That’s not going to happen for Kamal. Part of his parole says that he can’t work around children.
not good for PLG. However, BP thinks anyone can be replaced. They should have tried to make her happy. It was not a money move.
Who did she replace?
If it wasn’t about money, then what was it about?
BobbieB, great line!
Having worked with Pahovey years ago and knowing what a confrontational ass he is, I’m shocked more people don’t leave. The guy wouldn’t know news if it bit him in the ass…oh wait, that position has already been filled,
Is Chris Gilks still at WPLG?
Alissa is a class act. Wfor is lucky to have her!
Hopefully, the back stabbing, cruel producers and writers at WFOR will stop gossiping and bashing people.
Hopefully, they realize, there is a new Sheriff (new management) in town who plans to set the news room straight!
Who are you kidding? WFOR is not the only shop in town with dysfunctional management. If you only knew the crap thats been going on with some high ups at PLG.
Lucky WFOR to have such a valuable employee!
Her loss can already be seen. PLG reported on the suspended deputy story today without even bothering to mention that the woman was doing 63 in a 35 and actually ran from the police and resisted arrest. The entire focus of the story was about what a tragedy it was that a woman just visiting her father in the hospital could be arrested. They didn’t even mention that the deputy was actually suspended for excessive force. So much for reporting the news.
Just what exactly would Alissa Merlo have had to do with a VOSOT from Tampa? Is that the best you can do, Pat? Please, get a life. Listen, Alissa is a fantastic news manager. She will be great at WFOR, but somehow, I think we’ll survive here at the one and only. By the way, VOSOT stand for voice-over-sound-on-tape, since you clearly know nothing about a newsroom.
Good point Pat.
Johnny,
You didn’t address Pat’s point that “the one and only” got the story wrong. The viewer Pat seems to know more facts about the story than “the one and only” either knew or cared to report.
Did you report the whole story or just the half story? Did you just take info from a Tampa affilaite that no one at your station bothered to check? You sound like you know a newsroom, but you clearly know nothing about reporting.
And by the way, just because it was a vosot means that you don’t need to tell the whole story and a fair story? Sort of strange that you brought that up.
It’s true I don’t know much about a newsroom. My experience is limited to a minor in journalism, two years on a newspaper staff and one year as an intern at CNN in Atlanta. I’ve never worn pancake makeup, stood before a blue screen, or tried to read words passing over a teleprompter. My smile is tragically marred by poor dentistry in my early years, and my hair is usually a mess.
You’re right, I really don’t know much about a modern newsroom.
I went back and watched the story again on Tivo, and noticed that I was mistaken about one thing. Calvin Hughes did mention that the woman “drove away” — as if a stoplight turned green, not at all like running from police! The 63 in a 35 speed was not mentioned. The resisting arrest was not mentioned. The reason for the deputy’s suspension was not mentioned.
The story was headlined as “the shocking story of a woman who was arrested while trying to visit her sick father in the hospital”. Hughes emoted dramatically on screen about it.
That’s why people resent the media. It’s not the “perceived left-wing agenda” nonsense, it’s the *sensationalism*. How are police supposed to operate when we constantly pull the rug out from under them like this?