Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 22, 2008 at 15:43:29:
Saunders readying for a final sign-off
WMAQ-Ch. 5 lead newscaster Warner Saunders, who's been part of Chicago's television landscape for 40 years, expects to leave the station he has called home since 1980, retiring at the end of May from the 10 p.m. newscast he has co-anchored for 11 1/2 years.
Although WMAQ has yet to make any formal announcement, Saunders, who turns 74 in January, said by e-mail that he signed a brief contract extension that smooths out the transition for the NBC-owned station's newscasts.
Saunders intends to move off the station's 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts with the new year, while remaining on Channel 5's marquee 10 p.m. broadcast alongside Allison Rosati for another five months. Barring something unexpected, Saunders indicated he looks to retire June 1.
Nothing is set in stone, but Channel 5 4:30 p.m. anchor Bob Sirott, the former CBS News correspondent and "Chicago Tonight" host who doubles as host of a noon show for Chicago Tribune parent Tribune Co.'s WGN-AM 720, is expected to land in Saunders' spot on the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. programs.
If all goes well with Sirott's on-air reunion alongside Rosati, with whom he long ago co-anchored WMAQ's "First Thing in the Morning," he's front-runner for the 10 p.m. program, too, once Saunders assumes his next challenge.
"I am very anxious to pursue my passion�diversity education," said Saunders, who has been conducting diversity seminars part time for years. "I expect to give it more time and energy after June."
That would bring Saunders, a one-time teacher and youth worker, full circle. As executive director of the Better Boys Foundation, Saunders became a go-to source for the media on the subject of urban youth and the problems they faced.
That led to monthly specials on Channel 5, and then a Sunday afternoon show on Channel 7, "For Blacks Only," which he co-hosted with radio star "Daddy-O" Daylie beginning in 1968. When WSNS-Ch. 44 was ramping up a news operation in 1970, Saunders was its urban affairs editor.
From there, he went to WBBM-Ch. 2, where his on-air profile as a host and reporter increased as a prelude to joining Channel 5 in 1980.
Saunders became the lead newscaster when Ron Magers, now at WLS-Ch. 7, left after Channel 5 made the mistake of bringing in Jerry Springer as commentator. The episode cost WMAQ dearly with viewers, and the abrupt anchor change didn't help.
The arrangement Saunders and Channel 5 have worked out should make this a far smoother switch and give Saunders the send-off he deserves.
(Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)