Yes, you read that right. Beeeeeeeeeeeerrrrt Case is going to WAPT. There will be no players to be named later. No draft choices in exchange. The old warhouse still has some horsepower in him as he pushes back the sun to perform for yet another day. WAPT issued the following statement on its website:
Having one of Mississippi’s finest journalists join 16 WAPT News means we will serve our viewers better than ever. I’ve known Bert for more than 30 years and I’m so excited that he is now on our team. He will not only make us a better news organization, he will be an inspiration to his fellow 16 WAPT journalists," said 16 WAPT General Manager Stuart Kellogg.
Cases' work at 16 WAPT will be highly visible, with investigative reports that air in all newscasts, including an emphasis on the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. weeknight newscasts. The investigative reports will focus on finding who's accountable in high-profile local stories, while also serving as a consumer advocate.
The move represents a full-circle journey for Case, who originally started his career at 16 WAPT as a news director in 1970, before his legendary run as an anchor across town.
"I’m coming home. I'm coming back to something I started all these years ago," Case said.
Case owns just about every professional journalism accolade possible, and is already a Hall of Fame inductee of the Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
Good luck to Mr. Case. This is welcome news after the passing of Orley Hood and Epicurious.
20 comments:
I built Burt's news set at WAPT years ago (out of 2X4's) After that, I was his first cameraman. This was in the early days of TV technology before electronic scrolls. We got around it by making a 4' metal drum on which we attached magnetic letters. WAPT was the first station in Mississippi with chromakey capabilities, putting a picture electronically behind the news and weather set. Burt and I are probably the only guys left who remember what WAPT stands for- "American Public Life Insurance Company". Is his wife Mary Weiden going to WAPT with him?
What a guy.
Awesome for Bert. Just awesome. You better believe he will bring legions with him.
Go Bert! If I'm not mistaken this is the same path Mrs Bell-Flynt took to WAPT.
WLBT has long had this strange death-wish.
PS: Leave Mary in the helicopter.
What a acquirement. Great to see the icon going a real news station! With Megan West Allen (great pout)and Keegan Foxx (good looks)WAPT is going to take all the market shares. What happen to Darrin Dedo????
you must be kidding? The last time I saw him he looked as though he was on the verge of rolling out of his chair and hitting the floor!(and not getting up) heck, why do I care..I don't watch the local news anyway.
Hey 4:02, I worked at WAPT as a production assistant back in the early 80's (when Mary Weiden) was the evening anchor, btw). We all thought "WAPT" stood for White Amateurs Playing Television. : )
Yea Bert! Looks like WAPT is going to take TONS of market share from WLBT. What a line up, Bert, Megan West Allen (cute pout), Keegan Foxx (nice looks) and old crusty Bert. Hey, what happened to Darrin Dedo?
WDAM Hattiesburg-Laurel was doing full screen chromakeys in the mid-60s.
Bert didn't start his career at WAPT. He was on WJTV Ch 12 before starting the news department at Ch 16. Good to have him back.
Berts a Honey. He tickles the hell out of me. I laugh everytime I think about Fordice trying to tangle with him. Bert probably woulda' whupped his ass. ;)
WLBT is starting to be like the Clarion Ledger. Getting rid of the good ones and going down hill.
Even Barbie is hard to find anymore.
Pops
I want to see Bert do a face-to-face TV interview with Dr. Arnold Smith...provided he's not "suicidal," stripped naked,prescription medication confiscated, and forced to lie on a concrete slab with lights blaring 24/7, as was done to my friend Byron Weeks of Columbus, Mississippi.
Bert puts more journalistic skill into the WAPT newsroom than all the other staff combined.
Good move by WAPT management.
Stupid move by WLBT.
Ol' Bert is *sui generis*, all right. I can hear the "grating roar" of legions of viewers, practically pulverizing the buttons on their remote controls, as they switch from WLBT to WAPT!
Can some kind soul loosen Pug's tin foil hat before it kills him?
Taking away his keyboard would also work.....
Only been here 15 years but did not know Chopper Mary was Bert's wife!
I also wonder what happens to Darren or Darrin D? Anyone?
He has gone to Des Moines on a "better deal".
Let's hope that Bert and Chopper Mary don't fly over David Thompson's house for a "scoop."
Please leave Chopper Mary where she is. She's the evening equal to that nutty broad on LBT's morning news. Both need meds.
@February 21, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Cool comment. thanks for sharing.
Wonder if Berrrt will end up in the anchor chair next to Stephanie Maxwell. That'll drive ratings. Simmons needs to stay put on the weekends.
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