Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ, MacMullan out at Globe

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1084409&srvc=home&position=0

’BZ dial$ down, ending Lobel’s TV tenure
By Jessica Heslam
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Updated 19m ago

Marking the end of an era in broadcast news in Boston, WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) sports icon Bob Lobel is being cast to the sidelines in a stunning budget cutback that will bring his three-decade dominance to a close while sending shock waves through Hub living rooms and the local TV landscape.

“I can’t look into that camera and say, ‘Hey thanks. I’ve had a great time. I hope you have and I’ll see you later.’ I can’t do that. I’ll probably end up crying,” a saddened Lobel, 64, told the Herald yesterday after the station moved to buy out his contract. “It’s been such a personal relationship.”

Following Lobel out the door are longtime entertainment reporter Joyce Kulhawik and station veteran Scott Wahle, the Herald has learned.

Like Lobel, Kulhawik and Wahle have been approached about a contract buyout, which, once they come to terms, will mark the end of their tenure on WBZ, sources said yesterday.

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Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Wow. Does that mean a new host for 5th quarter?

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

I enjoyed watching Bob thru the years but I think 4sports could use a new face and so could the 5th quarter....it will be interesting to see who gets the new job.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

The Friends of Felger are dropping like rocks. Sara was let go by WBZ a couple of weeks ago. Gresh lost his day job in RI. Lobel was pretty much the driving force behind Felger's becoming a household name, and he introduced him to Sara. And ESPN Boston is kinda clinging by it's fingernails...

I assume Burton will just take over the top spot at Channel 4. He's OK although at times a little slow on the uptake. He does get some level of access as a player friendly type, college player and son of a former player. Drove Ty to the airport the day he left...and he has that bizarre relationship with Canseco. His younger brother was subbing for Dale with Holley last week.

But it was getting increasingly difficult to watch Lobie's at times tortured performances. Not sure if Bob still drinks or just got so marinated over the years it always seemed as if he was... He survived some pretty embarassing on and off air behavior in recent years. Carved out quite the media career here for a guy with no journalism background.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Tough break for Bob. I sat next to him on the Green Monster in 06, and he was drinking something other than alchohol. Good guy, and it will be a little wierd not seeing him on the Patriots 5th Quarter. He did seem to be slipping a little over the past couple years...like he just wasn't into it anymore.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

The last few years it has pained me to watch Bob Lobel. Sorry to see him lose his job over cost cutting moves. This is the way of the world now. Get rid of the old high paid staff and bring in newer cheaper ones.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

I'll miss Lobel, I always liked his irreverent style. The man has a great sense of humor, and always made me laugh. He's pretty unique.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Just saw over on BSMW that the Globe has bought out Jackie MacMullen too... Unfortunately Shank and Ryan have survived this cut back go round. It's too bad a lot of promising young talent was forced to leave this market to get ahead over the last several years because the likes of Borges, Jackie, Shank, Cafardo, Mannix, and Felger got to hang around clogging the pipeline because the old boy network rallied around or adopted them. Now the old boy network is taking some hits.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

While he is not dead...we might as well eulogize him anyhway....

Anyone remember one of the first talk shows that actually spent a lot of time on the Patriots??

Bell & Bell - Bob Lobell & Upton Bell ( Bert Bell's son and former Patriot GM)??

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Lobel could easily start-up a new Pats post-game show (unless prevented by WBZ buyout) at any other Boston station and have it be popular.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

That's a little bit shocking. Frankly in the competitive sports talk field I think he'd lost a little bit of his edge and advantage - but a lot of that has to do with more sources of information and cable tv stations devoted to only sports.

I'm not sure who or how they plan on replacing him. This strikes me as a white flag move by WBZ - they might not be happy with their current market share but I have a tough time imaging it going up no matter who they bring in. A former player perhaps? Maybe Lou Merloni's acclaimed stint on WEEI makes him an option?

Still, when you have a sports reporting institution like Bob Lobel I think you keep him until he's ready to hang them up - you don't treat him like that.

I guess this all comes back to the fact that WE are not turning to such sources for sports information anymore. We have internet sources, cable tv sources, message board sources - anything but local TV and newspapers - and the advertising dollars spent in those mediums are reflecting that - and therefore they can't afford to keep expensive names on the payroll.

There's a major evolution of ALL news sources in process - and unfortunately that's going to have an adverse impact on REAL news as well. Major newspapers aren't able to compete for the same advertising dollars as they were even 20 years ago. Which means good investigative reporters will be let go - which means the quality of news will drop.

At some point I think nearly everything will convert to electronic mediums - and with the lower overhead (i.e. production line jobs lost) maybe things will balance out and we'll still have access to quality news... but it's going to be a difficult transition for many.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

What I have found interesting about Lobel over the past few years is how terrible his sports report was on the news, and how fantastic he was when he was on the radio.
I was listening to him talk on Felger's show recently and he was classic Lobel - self derpreciating, funny, smart and seemed in touch with the pulse of the real fan around here.
But his newcasts were mumbled, jumbled messes.

I say he lands on his feet, or more accurately, his arse in the radio business.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

ESPN radio should try and grab him for this area. He would bring alot of fans there and from what I hear they could use it.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

MoLewisrocks said:

The Friends of Felger are dropping like rocks. Sara was let go by WBZ a couple of weeks ago. Gresh lost his day job in RI. Lobel was pretty much the driving force behind Felger's becoming a household name, and he introduced him to Sara. And ESPN Boston is kinda clinging by it's fingernails...

I assume Burton will just take over the top spot at Channel 4. He's OK although at times a little slow on the uptake. He does get some level of access as a player friendly type, college player and son of a former player. Drove Ty to the airport the day he left...and he has that bizarre relationship with Canseco. His younger brother was subbing for Dale with Holley last week.

But it was getting increasingly difficult to watch Lobie's at times tortured performances. Not sure if Bob still drinks or just got so marinated over the years it always seemed as if he was... He survived some pretty embarassing on and off air behavior in recent years. Carved out quite the media career here for a guy with no journalism background.

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yea it should be interesting to see who takes over for him, should be either dan roche or burton. something tells me its gonna be roche, but i'd like to see burton. its gonna be a sad day when lobel leaves. he's truly a boston tv icon.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

MoLewisrocks said:

Just saw over on BSMW that the Globe has bought out Jackie MacMullen too... Unfortunately Shank and Ryan have survived this cut back go round. It's too bad a lot of promising young talent was forced to leave this market to get ahead over the last several years because the likes of Borges, Jackie, Shank, Cafardo, Mannix, and Felger got to hang around clogging the pipeline because the old boy network rallied around or adopted them. Now the old boy network is taking some hits.

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Wow, MacMullan gets axed but CHB and Bob Ryan are still there? What a joke. Shaugnessy has cost the Globe access to the Sox and Ryan is so out of touch with the NBA right now (ie, his absurd article at the start of the season about the C's bench and benches around the NBA), how the hell these guys have jobs is beyond me. MacMullan is a pretty decent writer and still knows the game of basketball at the very least.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

"The old order changeth..."

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Bummer. The only time I watch Lobel is on Sports Final, particuarly during the football season, and I've always liked him. Always felt bummed out when Steve Burton was subbing for him. I hope he gets a radio gig or a Pats show somewhere. I will definitely tune in just to see him.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Guess being constantly drunk on the air can catch up with someone.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

I agree he's better on the radio, and as a _guest_. I though he was great the last time I heard him on radio being interviewed.

On TV, he's just so lethargic as a leader of a sportscastcast or 5th quarter, and makes the newscasts more about his reaction to news and others' opinions. Although his bemused reactions schtick is mildly amusing _at times_, more times I find myself saying at the TV "Get on with it already!"

He's better as a follower. I could easily see him as a co host of a sports talk show on radio, where he is the B guy and doesn't have to carry the show. He could make his points here and there, and pace himself.

Re: Wow: Bob Lobel out at WBZ

Is there anyone here who has had a less than positive experience with Lobel? I did years back ( while he was working - off camera). I'm just curious if it was an isolated incident or if he's been an ass to other people. Lynch was as nice as can be off camera though.