The Pete 'n' Dale sideshow -- had enough or lovin' it?
05/01/09 12:37 PM
By ED BARK
Maybe you've heard by now. WFAA8 is the official station of "Rumble in the Plaza," pitting sports anchor Dale Hansen and weathercaster Pete Delkus in a series of five competitions to be shown in part on next week's 10 p.m. newscasts.
Let's just say that station management doesn't much like TV critics popping off about how this might run the risk of cheapening the station's award-winning news brand. But that's a private matter. Hansen always speaks his mind, though. And he has some comments on the impending games of putting, ping-pong, BB-gun shooting, H.O.R.S.E. and a fifth sport to be named later, most likely Guitar Hero.
"Edward R. Murrow is dead," Hansen says via email in response to previous remarks in these spaces. "I do think making people laugh a little at the end of a dreary day in news harms no one. I'm not sold on next week's charity event either. But if and when we don't cover a news story because of Delkus and Hansen messing around, I'll be the first one to scream the loudest."
As previously noted, Hansen's playing for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Delkus for Childen's Medical Center. Sponsor either of them for $20 or more and you'll get a T-shirt with the images pictured above. The competitions are scheduled to be taped at 7 p.m. nightly in Victory Plaza, beginning Monday.
Delkus and Hansen have been sparring on the air for quite some time now, and there's nothing wrong with a little banter on any self-respecting newscast. Sometimes they go a little nuts, though, leaving news anchor John McCaa looking like he'd rather be hosting a Tupperware party.
What do you think, though? I'm going to throw out a few talking points about "Rumble in the Plaza" and the Hansen-Delkus sideshow in general. Your comments are welcome.
A. Ease up. They're doing it for charity and it'll be fun. We could use a break from swine flu, the recession and other assorted gloom/doom. Who says a newscast has to be done in a chapel? Besides it's only a few minutes near the end of the show.
B. No one minds a little fun, but since when did a newscast have to include a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants? WFAA8 has a long history of winning major awards and carrying itself with dignity. Stuff like this should be reserved for Good Morning Texas.
C. I look forward to the nightly Pete 'n' Dale byplay. It's a welcome alternative to the stiffs on those other stations.
D. The Pete 'n' Dale show within a show has grown tired, redundant and childish. It's an invitation to look elsewhere.
Whaddya think?