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Bay Area Receives 54 Local Emmy Nods

By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

With 54 nominations, the Tampa Bay area will be well represented at the upcoming Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards in Orlando on Dec. 6.

Among those nominated for outstanding work during the past year are some familiar television anchors and reporters, including Keith Cate, Steve Andrews and Steve Jerve of WFLA, Channel 8; Kathy Fountain of WTVT, Channel 13; Mike Deeson of WTSP, Channel 10; and Linda Hurtado of WFTS, Channel 28.

Among those with multiple nominations are Deeson (four), WTSP reporter Kathryn Bursch (three), WTSP reporter Preston Rudie (three), Cate (two), Hurtado (two), WTVT investigative reporter Doug Smith (two), WFTS consumer reporter Jackie Callaway (two) and WFTS anchor Walt Maciborski (two).

Also earning nominations are WFTS reporter Sarina Fazan, WFLA reporter Samara Sodos, and WTSP reporters Tammie Fields, Craig Patrick and Janie Porter.

PBS outlet WEDU, Channel 3, has 13 nominations for locally produced programs including, "A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins" and "Smart Health" hosted by Angie Moreschi (four nominations) and the Larry Elliston-produced documentary "The Florida Dream."

WTSP leads the nominations with 15, WTVT and WFTS have seven each, WFLA has six and Bay News 9 has three.

WFLA, Channel 8, is owned by Media General Inc., owner of The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com.

For a complete list of the nominations, see Walt TV on TBOextra.com.

Dr. Hahn Leaving 'Grey's'

Callie and Erica's burgeoning romance on "Grey's Anatomy" is coming to an abrupt end, and so is Brooke Smith's role as Dr. Erica Hahn.

Smith's final appearance as Dr. Callie Torres' flame comes in this Thursday's episode of ABC's medical drama, the network said Monday.

The move was a creative decision and unrelated to the sexual orientation of Smith's character, said series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

"Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue, as we have a lesbian character on the show - Calliope Torres," Rhimes said in a statement Monday.

Sara Ramirez, who plays Callie, is an "incredible" actress and the goal is "to play up her magic," Rhimes said. "Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."

The breakup's effect on Callie will be reflected in upcoming episodes, Rhimes said.

Today's Birthdays

Singer Art Garfunkel is 67. Actor-playwright Sam Shepard is 65. Actress-comedian Mo Gaffney is 50. Actor Robert Patrick is 50. Singer Bryan Adams is 49. Actress Tilda Swinton is 48. Actress Tatum O'Neal is 45. Actor Sam Rockwell is 40. Country singer-musician Ryan Adams is 34. Actor Sam Page is 32. Rock musician Kevin Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 21.