"Closing Time for Barz"


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Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 23, 2009 at 07:40:36:

Morning co-host Barz out at Fox

Second going-away party incident alleged

July 23, 2009

LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times Media & Marketing columnist

Morning show co-host Mike Barz has been dismissed from Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. The action came after Barz's "inappropriate and offensive behavior toward a fellow employee," a source familiar with developments said.

Barz was the co-host with Jan Jeffcoat of the 7 a.m to 10 a.m. portion of the five-hour-long "Good Day Chicago." A WFLD spokeswoman would not confirm who was involved. The incident is said to have occurred at a going-away party earlier this month for former WFLD medical reporter Margaret Shortridge.

The alleged improper behavior is the second time Barz has gotten into hot water over behavior at a going-away party while at WFLD. In 2007, Barz was the focus of a complaint from another unidentified WFLD employee about an alleged "dirty dancing" incident at a nightclub, where a going-away party was under way for another employee. Two days after the launch of the morning show, Barz was taken off the air for a day while station management investigated the complaint.

Barz came to WFLD in March 2007, from ABC's "Good Morning America," where he had been a features correspondent and fill-in weatherman. Prior to "Good Morning America," Barz was a sports reporter for seven years at Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9.

A WFLD spokeswoman said Patrick Elwood will replace Barz on "Good Day Chicago" through the end of this week, when he is scheduled to go on vacation. Another fill-in host is expected to replace Elwood next week. The Barz embarrassment comes on the heels of at least a couple of rounds of significant news department layoffs at WFLD, as well as the decision to end in September the station's experiment with a half-hour 10 p.m. newscast.

David Novarro, now co-anchor of the doomed 10 p.m. newscast, could wind up with a post-Barz role on the station's morning show, where he was previously a host.


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