Less TV time for veteran meteorologist
Craig Allen
Craig Allen, a hugely popular meteorologist for decades on radio, is out as the permanent weekend weathercaster at Fox 5/WNYW. Allen, who in June 2007 started with Fox 5 in a freelance capacity, got the weekend gig for good -- or so it seemed -- in September 2008.
A WNYW spokesperson tells Examiner.com that Allen was, and remains, a part-time employee.
While Allen’s stock has plummeted at WNYW, enter meteorologist Shay Ryan. She was brought on board in 2008 as the WWOR/My9 weekend weather anchor, and quickly supplanted Allen as the top fill-in on (sister station) Fox 5.
And now Ryan takes her full-time status to Fox 5. Sources close to the situation say Ryan is the new three-day-a-week morning producer for “Good Day New York” weather anchor Mike Woods. That leaves two other days for Ryan as the new on-camera weekend meteorologist at Fox 5.
“I’m still with the station, but now I’m the floater,” Allen said in his only comment to Examiner.com.
Sources say Allen, recognized as one of the most accurate forecasters in New York, was first offered the position.
While his steady weekend shifts are gone, the spokesperson was quick to add that Allen, 53, will get more face time, thanks to Audrey Puente’s impending maternity leave.
However, sources tell Examiner.com that Allen isn’t scheduled to work at Fox 5 for the next several weeks.
Of course for Allen, this isn’t his day job. He is synonymous for weather on WCBS-AM from his 30-year career.
Back in April 2009, it was a different Allen who was thrilled to have Fox 5 as part of his resume, and his comment to Examiner.com pointed that out.
“I had never been treated so well and with such respect as I [am] at Fox 5. I’m having a terrific time there.”
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Comments
A trusted, competent meterologist supplanted by a buxom blonde weather gal? In True FoxNews Style, this is the case (and if I were a lawyer, a dang fine time to push an "age discrimination" case on WNYW). Craig Allen is a class act, but it's a bad call by Ch 5. They are going for looks and not talent! And when NY'ers want to know the weather is none better than Allen!! As far as his fans, including me, we will continue to follow Craig...on radio.
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