WEEKLY ENDS THREE-DECADE RELATIONSHIP WITH VANDERPOOL
Tim Vanderpool started writing articles for the Tucson Weekly in 1985. But that ended in October when the Weekly severed his role with the paper. And while neither party wanted to get into specifics, it’s clear the split was not particularly amicable.
“Obviously, I am very disappointed in how this was handled,” Vanderpool said via email. “But I’m busy working on a book, and writing for national publications including Preservation magazine, US Airways, The Progressive and, potentially The Christian Science Monitor where I’ve been a frequent contributor in the past.”
Among his accolades, Vanderpool received first- and second-place reporting awards from the Arizona Newspapers Association for a story focusing on child-molestation prosecutions, a first-place honor in 2009 from the Arizona Press Club for immigration reporting, and a second place short-form award from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies for his reports on Border Patrol agent Ephraim Cruz.
“Tim Vanderpool is a freelancer and doesn’t have an employment contract with the Weekly,” Tucson Weekly editor Dan Gibson said via email. “While his work isn’t currently scheduled to appear in the paper, like any freelancer, that could change in the future.”
RIVERA NAMED HOST OF ARIZONA WEEK
Southern Arizona native Lorraine Rivera has been pegged by Arizona Public Media to host Arizona Week, the Friday evening current-events television show launched by Michael Chihak, who was promoted to news director in October.
“AZPM jumped on the opportunity to bring Rivera on board as producer and host of Arizona Week,” said AZPM general manager Jack Gibson in a press release. “She is a highly respected journalist and newscaster and will bring a fresh viewpoint to the public affairs conversation, with the focus on engaging and informing our audience on statewide issues.”
Rivera’s broadcast career spans the better part of the last decade, much of it with KVOA Channel 4. Rivera handled a variety of reporting and anchoring responsibilities for the station.
Arizona Week airs at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday on KUAT Channel 6. It also airs in Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. Friday on KAET Channel 8.
AND TONIGHT’S COLOR COMMENTATOR IS …
If you’re a consistent listener to UA men’s basketball radio broadcasts, you may have noticed a couple of recurring themes. Top-ranked Arizona continues to win, and there seems to be a new color commentator alongside Brian Jeffries on a game-by-game basis.
Arizona’s radio broadcasts, aired locally on KCUB 1290 AM and KHYT 107.5 FM, featured three different color commentators over the first five games.
And that trend is going to continue. The reason? The Pac-12 Networks and other television opportunities.
Matt Muehlebach, hired a couple of years ago to handle color commentary on radio broadcasts, has become something of a hot commodity for the fledgling television operation. Last season he assisted with analyst duties on a handful of UA and ASU games. This year that role has been expanded to include Utah basketball broadcasts.
“Muehlebach is very good and has excelled at television just as he has on radio,” said Brian Jeffries, the UA’s director of broadcasting and radio play-by-play commentator.
So a fallback option is Corey Williams. Well, except when Williams has his own television responsibilities, highlighted by ESPNU basketball broadcasts beginning in early January sprinkled in with the occasional game on FoxSports1. Williams sat alongside Jeffries for the San Diego State matchup and the NIT games in New York City.
When Muehlebach and Williams are otherwise occupied, Jeffries can fall back on Ryan Hansen, who generally acts as network pregame show host for IMG‘s radio broadcasts. At the moment, Hansen is scheduled to handle color for 14 games this season, which is two more than Muehlebach. That accounts for most of the slate, although there are a couple of scheduling uncertainties for road games in February and March.
The three-headed analyst is two less than last year, when former color commentator Joe Nehls or former UA assistant coach Jim Rosborough stepped in when Jeffries was in a pinch.
“I stole the idea from UCLA,” Jeffries said. “Don McLean and Tracy Murray rotate as the Bruins radio analysts due to McLean’s television work with the Pac-12. It has worked well for the Bruins Radio Network and so far it’s been ideal for us.”
KORPELA GOES POOF
Jack Korpela‘s time in Tucson was short. We all remember Jack Korpela, right? Weekend sports dude, KVOA Channel 4? Yes, that Jack Korpela.
Well, Korpela is no longer the weekend sports dude at KVOA, which makes his stint at KVOA quite short. He started in May.
Korpela worked in Pittsburgh and spent some time with the WWE prior to his tenure with the local NBC affiliate.
Citing employee confidentiality, KVOA would not comment. Korpela did not respond to requests for comment.
KVOI ADJUSTS TO HUCKABEE DEPARTURE
Former Arkansas governor and GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee closes shop on his nationally syndicated radio show on Friday, Dec. 13. The show dissolved largely due to contract issues with Cumulus Media. It’s the latest example of increasing volatility among hosts and syndicators over how to split dwindling revenues.
KVOI 1030 AM has a short-term answer: Dennis Miller. Miller will lock down Huckabee’s former slot from 8 to 10 a.m., but that will just be a brief holiday thing. At the onset of the new year, the station will push Miller back to late night, add syndicated host Mike Gallagher and another hour of local talk featuring Chris DeSimone.
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2013.
First item: the Pot calling the Kettle black.
Really, guys.
I woulda spiked that first item. Yep.
“First item: the Pot calling the Kettle black.
Really, guys.”
Huh?
Sounds like Vanderpool wasn’t doing basic fact-checking AGAIN! Next stop… the Dandy Dime!
Re: KVOI.. Mike Huckabee was on from 10a-noon. Dennis Prager is now back in his previous late morning slot. Dennis Miller came back to mornings 8-10 when the Andrea Tantaros syndication deal also blew up.
I’d much rather see the local talkers fill in the daytime slots. Lacking enough talent for that option, Dennis Miller adds a lot to the morning radio scene with his mix of political and non-political guests, and the occasional rant, too.
Too bad Vanderpool wasn’t charged for his crimes. The story should have been edited to remove any reference to the clown.
Nothing will save KUAT. Chihak put everyone to sleep.No loss there. Thank God Huckabee is gone.
Good for Lorraine! With her deep roots here, that slot is a terrific fit for her. I hope she makes it shine.
Sounds like Tim Vanderpool has ruffled a few feathers. Guess he was doing his job.
Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.
I liked Jack Korpela. He is certainly better than that other obnoxious guy they have. He is too full of himself. KVOA has the market on the hot reporters too. Quite frankly, if I am going to hear bad news, I want to hear it from hot women reporters. I can’t stand that Samantha Ptashkin though.
Tim Vanderpool is the best — a great investigative reporter who clearly pissed off the powers that be at the cowardly Weekly. Your talents were wasted here, Tim. I’m glad you’ve moved on to outlets that appreciate your work and remunerate you well for it (or at least a helluva lot better than what you doubtless got at the Weekly).
Tim is a thorough, ethical journalist. Shame that The Weekly doesn’t want a real journalist, one who rocks the boat. Our loss.
Tim Vanderpool’s Current column was one of the two reasons I read the Weekly. He wasn’t afraid to cover and expose the nitty gritty of what’s happening in Tucson. I don’t see anyone else covering those topics since his absence. Personally, I want to thank him for educating the masses about the horrific “sport” call greyhound racing. He was doggedly reported about the many ills and injustices at Tucson Greyhound Park.
Also what happened to Dave Devine? I don’t see him in Currents any more either?
Edie/Karyn/Save/et al: As you might imagine, the situation is far more complicated than I’m able to discuss, and there’s no particular winning scenario in trying to defend the decision, but I can assure you we didn’t make the choice based on a cowardly or kneejerk reaction.
Always nice when people who were ostensibly cordial to your face say terrible things about you online, however. Charming.
Actually, Dan, you have never been particularly cordial to me. The only time I met you, you were not very inclusive in the conversation. If you will recall, I got up and spoke to the restaurant manager after a few minutes of being ignored. But your rudeness or politeness to me personally is neither here nor there; I’m just putting the truth on the record so you can’t mislead about what happened. And ever since the Weekly got rid of its staff writers and turned them into poorly paid freelancers — which occurred before your time — I have never been a fan. I can’t stand so called progressive publications that are hypocritical in their own labor practices. Nevertheless, Tim stuck with you and turned out terrific articles. So my comment wasn’t personal to you but to the politics of The Weekly in general. And yes, I am a friend of Tim’s. I don’t know the details of what happened but I trust his integrity.
It’s unfortunate that Dan Gibson is so defensive and nasty in his responses to readers. I miss reading The Weekly edited by someone who welcomed controversial articles and comments, and who was actually a journalist.
Regina: If I didn’t welcome “controversial” comments, this website would very different, I promise.
But, hey, if you don’t enjoy the Weekly lately, I apologize. Feel free to email me with constructive criticism, if you’d like.
Hey Kevin Johnson… Having worked with Samantha Ptashkin for nearly five years I can say she is unequivocally the best multi-media journalist in Tucson. She’s the whole package: smart, good judgement, a great writer and (maybe) the best photographer in the market. IF you had half her brains, talent and class you wouldn’t be posting such drivel. But then given your past posts and clear regressive political leanings it’s clear television isn’t a source of news for you but rather a source for masterbatory material.
It is so funny how this is the same column that constantly bashes the azds.
ZING EDIE! Hard to believe Vanderpool, probably the most accomplished writer at the Weekly besides ol’ Leo Banks and Margaret Regan, didn’t leave because of something concerning the new upstart “Editor” who’s getting a reputation all around town as a completely unprofessional hack. Stem the blood loss, Tom Lee, and realize a real paper needs real managers.
Chuckie: Generally our policy is to remove comments from bogus email addresses, but gosh, I’ll leave yours just because I found it comical.
For what it’s worth, most people tend to take comments like yours more seriously when the person leaving them has at least the conviction to stand behind them with their name.
Chuckie: Interesting comment. “Concerning the new upstart “Editor” who’s getting a reputation all around town as a completely unprofessional hack.”
I happen to work in the media business. Your opinion of Dan is certainly your opinion, but not fact. Fact is you are the ONLY person who I’ve heard such comments from.
I liked Jack Korpela too, and wondered what happened. I total didn’t like Paul Cicala….he just didn’t have the charisma that Jack had. I am sorry Jack is no longer there.