WOWT Losing Rebecca Kleeman and Scott Akin
WOWT (Cox Channel 8) will be faced with the task of replacing reporter Rebecca Kleeman and weekday morning meteorologist Scott Akin, who are both leaving the station before the May ratings period begins.
Kleeman is the new public relations manager for the Qwest Center Omaha, replacing Dana Dyksterhuis, who has moved on to become the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights hockey team. Dyksterhuis, another former WOWT reporter, had been at the Qwest Center since the fall of 2004.
"I'm excited to take on new challenges," Kleeman said. "I look forward to getting in there and doing great job for them."
Kleeman's last day at the station is Thursday. She has worked at WOWT since October of 1999.
Akin is leaving Omaha with his wife, Sarah, and their nearly 13-month-old twin daughters, Alexis and Madelyn. The first meteorologist in the Omaha market to attain the title of Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) from the American Meteorological Society, Akin has worked at WOWT since October of 2000.
"We're most likely going to Indianapolis to get closer to family," he said.
Akin's last day at the station is April 25, one day before the May "sweeps" begin.
21 comments:
Always enjoyed Scott. Best of luck to you.
I will miss Scott Akin. He was the only likable weather person on Omaha television.
Was Akin forced out? He's not moving for another job and leaving a day before sweeps... a few weeks after 6 got their dismal book back.
If so, he's the least of that morning show's problem.
I agree. Scott Akin was the only thing that their terrible Daybreak show had going for it. That show will be unwatchable without him.
Forced out? Jumping ship is more like it. The impression I get as a viewer is that he was stuck behind "Squeaky" Jensen and that little Born fellow on the promotion ladder. Maybe that's wrong but if not wouldn't that make you want to give the boss the one-finger salute and head for greener pastures?
Scott,
Just a suggestion on the way out the door for that Flowers dude.
"Hey, Jim - I got your plowable snow right here, pal!"
That's all. Then simply turn around and walk out the door.
Oh, and grab his bouquet and smash in under your shoe.
Rebecca and Scott, if you read this post, I want to tell you that I will miss you both. You have both been a great addition to WOWT and you will be sorely missed. Best of luck on your new pathways. You are both class acts.
Oh wow. I always liked Scott Akin. Good luck to him!
Why would Dana or Rebecca for that matter want to come back to TV. Everything we, as the casual viewers, see it a cut throat environment.
Get a bad ratings book - you're gone.
Getting "too old" - you're gone.
Been on TV too long - you're gone.
You're Jim Neighbor's long lost brother from the sticks of Southwest Missouri - get yourself a morning anchor slot.
Scott has that nice little CBM title that he can leverage if he wants to at some point. Even Flowers doesn't have it and he's been on the station since ever.
I figured something was up. Last night they ran their morning show promo and left Scott out of it. It will be sad to see him go.
Why doesn't WOWT get rid of Dave Webber and Flowers? Webber looks about as bored as one could be on the news, and Flowers just works onto my last nerve with his cheesyness. I'm going to miss Scott, he was always classy and was the only metrologist on TV that I could tolerate. I love how all the good TV people leave good ol' market 75.
Best of luck to Scott and Rebecca on their new endeavors.
I think Channel Six has lost some great people. Courtny Gerrish (smokin' hot) and Trey Jones. When will Channel Sux learn? Rebecca and Scott will be missed.
Ouch for channel six, losing two great people. Scott did a heckofa job delivering forecasts. They were smoothly delivered, understandable and to the point. Plus, of the meteorologists, he did the best at post-forecast chit-chat. He could even fire right back at Tracy Madden-- no fake time-wasting laughter like Flowers, no "what-the-f---" deer-in-the-headlights pause like Jensen and Knicely.
Kleeman seemed to do a solid job, no matter what was thrown at her. Who's going to step up to that when she's gone?
We'll miss you, Scott and Becky!
For the people who complain about WOWT hiring young stiff talent, take a look at where Scott Aiken is now. I remember seeing him for the first time on KDLT when up in Sioux Falls. Kinda stiff. When he started at WOWT, still kinda stiff. Now he's the most watchable meteorologist at WOWT. Now if only WOWT could figure out a way to keep the better talent that it grows. *sigh*
What a bummer to lose Scott. He is a great weatherguy! I enjoyed his broadcasts. What an odd sense of humor, and very honest too. I don't see much of Kleeman anymore, but she seemed to be pretty solid. Good luck to both of you.
Editor's Note:
Some of the comments posted here made derogatory references about former TV personality Dana Dyksterhuis. She is no longer a member of the media so I have removed those comments.
Thanks for your class Sean.
Syanara, duds. Now Channel 6 will be less dull, but still dull.
Whatever will we do without Kleeman's put-me-to-sleep stories?
I lived in quite a few larger cities around the US and seen a lot of news teams. Scott...you shouldn't have any problem moving on. They lost a good one.
Rebecca was hot
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