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WTSP Meteorologist, Recruited As Rising Star, Still Unclear About Reason For Termination

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By WALT BELCHER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 22, 2008

It was a forecast that Anna Allen couldn't make. The 43-year-old meteorologist says she was surprised by a sudden, unexpected termination from WTSP, Channel 10.

"I wasn't prepared for it, so I don't have any plans," she says. "I'm going to put myself out there on the job market and see what happens."

Allen's last day at Channel 10 is Sept. 5. She says her contract ran through 2009 but the station management called her in and exercised an option to cancel it.

This was done without explanation, she says. "I don't why," she adds. "And I am trying to keep a positive attitude and look ahead to better things."

WTSP officials declined to comment on Allen or other pending changes at the station, including reports of a reduced role for forecaster Randy Rauch when the station names a new chief meteorologist to replace the late Dick Fletcher. Fletcher died earlier this year following a stroke.

Allen says she doesn't know if her situation is a case of downsizing because of the economy or if an overhaul of the morning show is in the works.
Morning traffic reporter Meredyth Censullo is leaving in October. Her contract also is not being renewed.

It's a tough world out there for all displaced media types. Former WFLA, Channel 8, meteorologist Mace Michaels, who was terminated earlier this month, is still looking.

Allen was recruited by WTSP in 2003 as a rising star on Tampa Bay 10's morning newscast, which has long struggled in the ratings. "I left a good job in Dallas to come here," she says.

Allen came back to Florida partly because she had relatives in the area, having grown up in Bradenton.

She added a cheerful, upbeat presence to the morning shift, which has proven to be a revolving door for talent. Co-anchor Mario Diaz (now working for the John McCain campaign) came and went, as did Gemma Gaudette (now a consumer reporter in Idaho).

Now Ginger Gadsen and meteorologist Sherry Ray will be co-anchors on the morning show. Meanwhile, the morning news race continues to be mostly a two-horse affair between WTVT, Channel 13, and WFLA, Channel 8.

Dropping a meteorologist during hurricane season without a backup doesn't seem like a wise move, especially without a replacement for Fletcher, whose expertise was missed during the recent threat of Tropical Storm Fay.

As word of Allen's departure has spread through the Tampa Bay area, she has been getting condolences from viewers. "That's gratifying, and I appreciate it," she says.

"There's been so many, I wonder why they didn't show up in the ratings."

She says she is going to miss her friends in the area and will especially miss the foster children at a shelter in Thonotosassa where she volunteers time and support.

SCI-FI RAYS: Amanda Tapping, star and executive producer of the new Sci-Fi Channel drama "Sanctuary," is expected to toss out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Rays Sci-Fi night Aug. 30.

Tapping, best known to Sci-Fi Channel viewers as Col. Samantha Carter from the "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis" series, and her co-star Robin Dunne will be at the game along with Damian Kindler, "Sanctuary's" creator and executive producer.

Debuting in October, "Sanctuary" follows the adventures of an enigmatic scientist, Helen Magnus (Tapping), who tracks down and offers shelter to alien creatures and other-worldly beings. Dunne plays her assistant, a forensic psychiatrist.

VID-BITS: Valerie Bertinelli, who has newfound fame thanks to diet commercials, has been signed to star in a TBS sitcom about a single mom with two children who is trying to run a business.

TUNE IN TONIGHT

The Cheetah Girls: One World, 8 p.m., Disney Channel

Three of the Cheetah Girls travel to India to make a Bollywood musical and find romance.

Monk, 9 p.m., USA

Monk finds romance, too, with a woman who becomes a murder suspect.

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