New York Now with Susan Arbetter

For the last 20 years, Marianne Potter’s face, name and hair have been completely identified with WMHT. Yes, she’s the woman with the crazy red (or is it blond?) hair…but what I bet you didn’t know (smartypants) was that her last day at the station was Monday.

This is my Aunt Marilyn at a friend’s home in Los Angeles yesterday, the day before her 80th birthday.

“Set your phasers on stunning” (Galaxy Quest)

Mary produced & wrote and Paul shot & edited the WMHT documentary about World War II in Troy, No Ordinary Lives. It was spectacular. Their award from the New York State Broadcasters Association on Tuesday night at the Sagamore came as no surprise. What *is* surprising is that Mary, who has years of experience in radio, produced such fabulous work during this, her first stint, in public television. YEAH MARY!

According to Chris Weink, the PD here at Exit 97.7  WEXT (and the guy who works about 10 feet down the hall from me), our new station is one of the 6 possible Stations of the Year in the category Noncommercial stations in markets 50+.

The results will be announced at Radio & Records’ Triple A Summit in Boulder, CO (8/6-9).

Congratulations to Chris & Dave & Joyce & Aja and Eileen and all the other music enthusiasts here at WMHT!

Here are a few things I have heard around the Capitol over the last few days about new Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who is generally unknown outside of Long Island:

“He’s no Joe Bruno”.

“He’s different from Bruno, but will be an effective leader”

“No comment. And that should tell you something”.

“Libous would have been the better choice, but it’s Dean’s turn”.

“He’s a yeller.”

“He eats sweetbreads”.

“He’s been like Prince Charles, always waiting for his chance.”

“I like his tan.”

“He’s got to do something about the tan.”

The shrinking of the local television news landscape has made me nostalgic for the past. While this is my first TV gig, I consider myself a veteran radio broadcaster. Unfortunately radio is changing just as drastically, which is why I want to mention one of jewels of Capital Region radio broadcasting.

John Gabriel of WTRY.

Today, as I was driving down I-90 past the giant American flag, I had the luck to hear Gabriel during a Sunday afternoon shift. He has been at work behind the mic since the 1960’s (in highschool, I believe) and there’s a level of music knowledge & friendly confidence in his delivery that is only enhanced by his big God-like baritone.

WMHT laid off 10 people this week.

It was gut-wrenching, especially when some of the people have small children, and limited resources. It was necessary for the life of the institution, but it’s still horrendous to watch: Among the group were several very good friends of mine. Honestly, the group as a whole was fabulous. Not a loser in the bunch, and they will all be missed.

This morning, as those who were let-go cleaned out their offices (Look, there’s Mary’s “10 Year Anniversary of Mystery” lithograph. Look, there’s Dave’s CD collection featuring Donny Iris!) — the people who remain here at the station were red-eyed from crying.

In 1982, I was just entering 10th grade at Hempfield Area Senior High in Greensburg, PA.

One of the first boys to catch my adolescent eye was a senior by the name of Rocco Mediate. He was ‘write-a-note-to-my-best-friend-Kathy’ adorable: a curly mop of brown hair, lanky, a mischievous smile, plus he lettered in golf. And finally, the hyphenation of our names would be memorable. Susan Arbetter-Mediate. Now THAT’s a name that could land me a spot on Charley’s Angels, if only Shelly Hack would retire.

In my heart I knew we would be happy living in the suburbs of Pittsburgh drinking Rolling Rock down by the crick with a gaggle of little Roccos talking about bogeys around my famous tuna noodle hotdish casserole.

Ladies & Gents, there’s life after 70.   I know, because I saw it with my own eyes.   

My mom was up from Florida for my cousin Tracy’s wedding in Brooklyn.  On Thursday she decided to extend her stay by renting a sporty white Hyundai, and tootling up the Thruway to Altamont.  When I saw her, I almost asked if she’d had plastic surgery because she looks so great — she was glowing.   But of course I would never be that forward.

Right.

I asked, and she said absolutely not.  She told me, ”I’m simply doing my thing”.  And I have to say it’s working for her:  though my mother is going to be 70 in January, she looks 15 years younger. 

She has returned to Babe-dom. 

Governor Paterson just dropped by the set of New York Now for a one-on-one interview.

He was upbeat, and not-at-all interested in fueling media speculation about a falling-out between himself & Sheldon Silver.

A few notable moments during the interview (which will air in its entirety this weekend, statewide):

* Governor Paterson spoke with his predecessor this week. During a phone call, Eliot Spitzer was supportive of his former Lieutenant and reminded Paterson that he chose him for some very good reasons, like he was someone who could work effectively in state government. According to Paterson, Spitzer said to him, “I told you so”.