THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
WHAT NEXT, Gary Stokes?
In the three months since Stokes, 37, arrived in Portsmouth from Houston to become WAVY's news director, he's started a 5:30 p.m. newscast and played a chess game with two anchors named Lisa - Joyner and Parker.
What next, Gary Stokes?
Should the people in Channel 10's newsroom fasten their seat belts because it's going to be a bumpy ride? Or is the movin' and shakin' over for now?
Before Stokes took over as the boss of WAVY's newsroom, some of the station's blue chip talent, including Terry Zahn, LeAnne Rains and John Castleberry, left. Other reporters took a hike, too Was Stokes returned to WAVY - he was an executive producer on the news team from 1989 through 1991 - to put down a mutiny? Improve morale? Save WAVY News?
None of the above, said Stokes, a button-downed smoothie with a degree in criminal justice.
``I wasn't brought back to Portsmouth to fix any long-standing problems in the newsroom, because I don't think there are any problems that need fixing,'' he said.
So why did WAVY general manager Lyle Banks reach to KTRK in Houston for Stokes? He was the assistant news director at KTRK.
``Because I know this shop, because I know this market, because I'm a professional who knows what he is doing and can contribute to this organization,'' Stokes said.
He has started fast.
When he came back to WAVY, he saw that WVEC had given up its 5:30 p.m. newscast for 30 minutes of local news at 5 showcasing Zahn. Stokes looked at the schedule and saw a news hole at 5:30.
He plugged it by giving the Les Smith-Alveta Ewell anchor team the hour from 5:30 until 6:30.
Stokes recently announced that he was moving Joyner from the weekend anchor team to be Carolyn Castleberry's partner on the 5 p.m. early news. Lisa Parker now works elbow to elbow with Kelly Wright on the weekends.
``What are the chances of something else major developing here? Who knows? I can't say today that I'm not going to make any more changes. Nor can I say that I'll come in tomorrow and revamp everything. I am not a big believer in making change for the sake of changes,'' Stokes said. ``I am extremely happy with my anchor people.''
When he took over in September, Stokes didn't have to be introduced to the Hampton Roads market or to his competition.
In a broadcasting career that began as a reporter in Dayton 14 years ago, he has crossed paths in Iowa and Texas with his competitors - Barbara L. Hamm, WTKR news director, and David Cassidy, who runs the WVEC newsroom. He tossed bouquets to both, saying:
``They are bright, articulate, innovative people who are good managers and know the news business well. I realize that I am in one of the most competitive television news markets in the country, a market where nobody rolls over and plays dead when it comes to doing the news. I am extremely interested in what my competitors are doing, and I'm sure they are extremely interested in what I am doing.''
The competition over at Channel 3 recently shook up its newscasts, from installing a hurry-up style of delivering the news to painting the sets in offbeat shades. What has Stokes to say about all of that?
``Is it working? I don't know.''
The answer will be in the result of the November ratings sweeps.
Stokes said he will continue the theme friendly to viewers, the idea that Channel 10 is on your side - the consumer's best friend.
``That philosophy will stay in place,'' said Stokes. ``Anyone in our business can do the basic, generic news story. What we strive for is to show how the stories affect our viewers. If they have a problem, we'll say to them, `Here's what we'll do to help solve it.' ''
Evil landlords of the world, beware. Gary Stokes' eyes are upon you. by CNB