The bigger desk in the UTV Live studio was put to use tonight with Alex Maskey and Peter Weir as studio guests talking about Hugh Orde's resignation - sat on the same side of the desk! - so we got to see more nooks and crannies of the set.
And hasn't Seamus Mallon got old?
I wonder if Logie has accepted the Thursday to Sunday job he was offered to save his career at UTV? There was no sight nor sound of him on the u.tv version of UTV Live on Tuesday and yesterday.
Ever the actor, he didn't even crack a smile after the report on a dog festival.
And did anything happen outside of the Greater Belfast area in the past 24 hours? 'Cos that's where all the stories came from on today's UTV Live bulletin. The bulletin didn't even mention the death of an Irish guy in Bolivia which BBCi and have led with all day - strangely, u.tv have it as their top story.
With the local news being relegated to 10:25pm tonight could we be seeing Julian step into the newsreading role again? It would make sense rather than ask whoever was on duty this afternoon (probably Aidan) to hang around all evening.
You could tell she isn't used to reading news on TV, really; but it could have been the nerves and stress of being thrown in at the deep end, I guess. Wouldn't there have been a senior reporter on duty in the newsroom who may have been more suited or experienced at stepping in?
Couldn't they even have called someone in; preferably Gillian or Robin, but as they've most likely been on holiday this fortnight, at a push, Marc or even Aidan Browne again? Or couldn't Simmons just stop being a old queen for once and read a seven-and-a-half minute news bulletin?!? If he did it two years ago and when he started out at Havoc House, he can bloody well do it now, it wouldn't kill him.
Audra must have been on duty earlier, she did the weather voiceover.
Interesting situation on UTV Live; no sports presenter in the studio tonight to introduce Neil Brittain's report on the British Lions squad announcement in London. No sign of Logie, and no likes of Siobhan McGarry drafted in to cover.
In light of the rumours about Logie's future at UTV, I wonder if this means they'll start copying the Newsline trend of the main anchors introducing sports reports if a presenter is not available?
A nice plasma graphic used for UTV's Budget coverage:
...as well as unflattering shots of Jamie Delargy's Merc estate outside Havelock House, this time without the number plate obscured!
Also tonight, the first report in ages from...
...Tracey Magee. Anyone know if she is still UTV staff or has she gone freelance?
New trailer airing for UTV Live Tonight, starting on Monday 27th April. The trailer features a short segment filmed in the ITV News studio with Mark Austin promoting News at Ten:
So it's Paul Clark hosting, then. And from the looks of it, there's also going to be features with Jim Dougal and a "Business Brief" section. Quite like the purple colour scheme too, I wonder if this will be reflected in the set and graphics?
But also, could this mean, with no news bulletin to read, continuity announcers who aren't called Julian Simmons could do in-vision on weeknights?
One of the most well-known faces on Northern Ireland television Adrian Logan has left UTV and hit out at being “poorly treated” by bosses.
After 24 years at the station the popular presenter has confirmed he will no longer be seen on UTV screens introducing local sport.
The shock departure comes following sweeping changes introduced to the station over the past months.
Adrian — known to viewers as Logie — is the latest UTV employee to be affected by a severance scheme, which has already seen names like Jeannie Johnston, Ivan Little and Fearghal McKinney leave the station. The huge changes are part of a massive cost-cutting cull at UTV in Belfast.
Mr Logan joined UTV in 1985 and eventually climbed to the rank of sports editor.
It is understood the long-standing presenter’s position will be officially made redundant today.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph he confirmed that he has now left the station.
“I think I’ve been poorly treated and it is now in the hands of my lawyers,” he said.
A UTV spokeswoman said: “It is UTV policy never to comment on staff matters.”
With Paul Clark now on UTV Live Tonight duty, today's Lunchtime News was read by...
Rita McNulty, who doesn't appear to have had any news presenter training since her last bulletin. Surely the likes of Pamela (if she's still at UTV?), Alison or Marc would be a better choice?
Dear God, she did a sign-off towards the end of the bulletin... and then trailed an item which was coming up on the 6 o'clock bulletin.
Hi, it's Paul Clark here. This is my first Clark Mail. I'll be using this to keep you up to date with our brand new programme, UTV Live Tonight, which starts this evening at 10.30pm. You'll catch it each evening, Monday to Thursday, at this time. I hope you'll be watching, and that you'll make it part of your regular viewing.
You can also sign up for this newsletter which you'll receive Monday to Thursday telling you what to expect on each night's programme.
In the programme we'll be asking how strong the dissident republicans are and do they have the strength to wage a sustained campaign.
It might be a campaign which would take them into the political realm. There have been rumours that Colin Duffy, who's on remand, charged with murdering two soldiers at Massereene Barracks, might stand as a candidate in the European elections.
Nominations open tomorrow, and close on May 7th. Watch this space...
DISSIDENT REPUBLICANS:
Sharon O'Neill has spoken to the sister and friends of Sapper Mark Quinsey, one of the young soldiers murdered at Massereene Barracks last month. We'll also talk live in the studio to Suzanne Breen, Northern Editor of the Sunday Tribune and our political commentator, Jim Dougal.
SWINE FLU:
About 103 people in Mexico are thought to have died after contracting swine flu, but there have been no deaths elsewhere, for now. However, tourists have been warned against travel to areas with the virus by the EU Health Commissioner. But what are the risks of it spreading here? We'll have the latest from government health adviser, Hugh Pennington.
Plus, we'll bring you all the day's news from our top reporting team.
If you want to get in touch with the programme then visit our website where you'll find all the information you need.
BUSINESS:
At the time of sending the FTSE-100 index was: 4151.23 The US dollar to sterling was: 1.4552
The euro to sterling was: 1.1163
WEATHER:
TONIGHT:
The northern part of the weather front will cross us tonight, bringing some longer spells of rain. There'll be clear spells for a time but then the cloud will increase again with more showery outbreaks of rain moving in from the north.
TUESDAY:
The last of the overnight rain will soon clear from the southeast in the morning. Skies will still be quite cloudy for a time but there will be the odd sunny spell. There'll be a lot of cloud around in the afternoon, a few sunny spells, and a scattering of showers.
You can watch the latest weather forecast at u.tv.
Well that's enough for me for tonight, remember you can subscribe to this newsletter from our website and have it delievered to your email inbox daily.
