Harford County (December 10, 2002) -- During the last year or so, there's been a veritable "media musical chairs" going on in Baltimore television. Let's see if I can remember all the moves. First Chris Ely got the boot at WJZ (13), found a new home at WBAL (11), only to get his walking papers there some months later. Then Stan Stovall was let go at WMAR (2), as part of a housecleaning that included Mary Bubala, Mark Vernarelli, and John Rosson. News anchor Deborah Weiner's contract at WBFF (45) was not renewed, and the sportscaster everyone loved to hate, John Buren, was shown the door at WJZ (13). Also weather forecasters Tony Pagnotti (2) and Mary Ellen Pann (45) disappeared from their respective stations. Well, in the weeks that have passed, Weiner has landed at 11, while Pagnotti and Vernarelli recently showed up on 45. Former WBAL sportscaster Mark Viviano returned to Baltimore, taking over for Buren at 13. And Mary Ellen Pann returned to her old digs, WPMT (43) in York. No word yet on the professional fate of the others.

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It seems former WBFF sportscaster Steve Davis is already in hot water at his new home, DC's WUSA-TV (9). Insiders say Davis got into a profane shouting match with a news producer following a recent technical problem where he reportedly walked off the set. The incident, which occurred in November, was serious enough that Channel 9 brass are reported to have suspended him for a couple of weeks. Davis left WBFF for WUSA earlier this year, and reports are few if any were sorry to see him go.

Local public radio station WHFC-FM (91.1) recently received the first award in their 20-year history. The station snagged The Communicator Award of Distinction for "The Ronnie Dove Show," a weekly program of music and talk produced and hosted by the popular singer, and co-hosted by yours truly. At 67, Ronnie Dove's singing voice is as good as ever, and his inside stories about the music business never fail to amaze and entertain. In addition to the radio show, Ronnie still performs regularly and, at this writing, is off to Canada for a concert there. He's also working with Bel Air officials on a major oldies concert to be held here next May. More on that in the weeks ahead.

And finally, oh, the power of the Internet. In the August 29th installment of this column, I wrote, "Meanwhile, former 98Rock overnight host Megan Gunning of Fallston recently appeared on Entertainment Television's "Wild On Wants You," a search for a new host for E's "Wild On" series, which takes viewers to hip places around the globe. Although not selected, Megan did appear briefly in a scene taped at Lulu's Mardi Gras Club in DC. Since leaving 98Rock, she's been modeling and recently appeared on the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Network in a documentary entitled "The History of Cleavage," which forces me to pose the question, who thinks up these shows? No doubt the same pea brain that came up with "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire?"

Well, a few days ago I received the following email. "I'm the apparent pea brain that came up with this documentary (to be exact, I'm the writer/producer of it, which now goes by the title 'Cleavage'). I wanted to inform you that I don't even know who Megan Gunning is, and unless she is wearing some sort of disguise, she does not appear in the documentary I produced. Thought you'd like to set the record straight. And no, I didn't come up with "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire?" That guy's rich. All the best, David Story, World of Wonder, Hollywood, CA."

So, with my face rightly adorned with hen fruit, I humbly apologize for the error and for calling David a pea brain. Just wish I could remember my source for that item, so I could call him a pea brain. Of course, when I penned those words, never did I suspect that--on this planet of six billion souls--the pea brain would actually see and read it. While sarcasm makes for entertaining copy, it doesn't exactly endear you to its targets. Luckily no offense was taken, and David and I have since exchanged some lighthearted emails. He now has a nickname for me. We'll just leave it at that. By the way, "Cleavage" aired December 10th on A&E.

Have a question or comment about this column or local media? Email this pea brain at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

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