Igoe May Exit Channel 2

Channel 2 consumer reporter Mike Igoe has accepted a buyout being offered companywide by the station's owner, Gannett, to employees 55 and over who have worked for it for 10 years and don't have a personal services contract.

Now, Channel 2 General Manager Jim Toellner has two days to decide whether to accept Igoe's decision or to keep the veteran reporter on the payroll.

Igoe would celebrate his 20th anniversary at the station in February and has been active in the community. However, his longevity means he's probably one of Channel 2's higher paid reporters and consumer reporters have become an endangered species in tough economic times in broadcasting.

Do you think Igoe would be missed and Channel 2 should try to keep him? Or do you think it should let him go?

-- Alan Pergament

Comments

[BobbyCat]

I have my opinions but
it's unfair to critique one reporter and not the others.

Suppose the question were reversed as follows: "Do you think Pergament would be missed and the NEWS should try to keep him? Or do you think it should let him go?"

You'd scream: "Yeah, but what about the other hundreds of employees!".

Better to compile a list of all the high profile TV talent out there, then ask for critiques.

But to single-out a single reporter for criticism is patently unfair.

[Mark]

Didn't he have the personal health scare of cancer, maybe that is one of the reasons he would like to do other things and enjoy them.

[Will]

Mike Igoe is one WNY's most recognizable and cherished journalists. His work on the telethon alone makes him a valuable player and asset to Ch. 2, and should make Jim Toellner think long and hard, which I'm sure he's doing, as to whether to let such a great TV journalist and community leader slip from his team, very possibly to a competitor.

[Wing63]

If channel 2 manager Tollner let Mike Igoe go, I'll be voting with my remote and switching to channel 4.

[BigT]

I cannot believe that some idot at channel 2 is thinking about this. Mike is a outstanding reporter and resident of Buffalo. He would be missed greatly. Hopefully, channel 2 will come to their senses and fire the fool who let Mike go.

[Shirley Varner]

I can't believe Channel 2 can get away with such blatant age discrimination.Mike Igoe deserves better. I guess Channel 2 really isn't "on our side".

[TVGuide]

How can you take Mike Igoe off the air? Channel 2 is making a mistake. Goodbye channel 2, hello channel 4 and 7.

[Irate Viewer]

Who is this fool who wants to take Mike off the air? He does not know anything about TV in the Buffalo area. I believe that the Station Manager should go back to cleaning out the restrooms because he knows nothing about TV.

[Scoots]

Channel 2 is making a big mistake. Mike is one reporter that could always be trusted. Channel 2 is going to regrete this. I hope another channel picks up Mike and everyone turns off channel 2.

[Glendale]

I cannot believe that anyone would think about taking Mike off the air. Channel 2 is not thinking about their loyal viewers when they talk about this.

I seems to me that the pimple on my butt knows more about TV then the Station Manager at Channel 2.

[AJCC]

Taking Mike off the air is a big mistake. Channel 2 should change their name to LOSER.

[BigTex]

Mike is a class act, Channel 2 isn't. If they do this, I think that we should all vote with our remotes. Let's hurt Channel 2 where it counts, in their ratings.

If you go, Buffalo will miss you Mike. God bless you.

[Chris Klaich]

I am shocked and dismayed that Channel 2 is taking Mike Igoe off the air. He is an asset to WGRZ and speaks for those who need the influence and assistance that he so well provides. It sounds like age discrimination. Quiet honestly, it refreshing and reassuring to see a mature person stepping up to help those who need it. He gets the job done. Please, don't make us turn to the "other" channels.

[martyb]

First Chesley McNeil announces he's leaving and now they want to push Mike Igoe out the door. Looks like Channel 2 is headed back to number 3 in the ratings!

[luke]

That Gannett Corporation really has the Christmas spirit don't they?

[Lori]

As a previous poster noted, welcome to the wonderful world of Gannett. Buyouts and layoffs are happening at GCI newspapers and TV stations nationwide this week.

Best of luck, Mike, and thanks for your years of quality journalism.

[frankie]

I just read on a broadcasting web page that even though he took a pay cut, Gannett CEO Craig DubBow will still makes 7.5 million dollars from bonuses and other incentives. Guess Gannett needs Mike Igoe's salary to ensure DuBow gets paid.

[Elaine O]

Mike Igoe provides an invaluable service that Western New York desperately needs. If Channel 2 terminates him, in good conscience I could no longer watch their newscasts.

[Southernsam]

Channel 2 may save a few dollars without Mike Igoe's salary but they'll lose a lot more in goodwill and credibility.

[NewScotland]

I have a new idea for channel 2 that could help them in their ratings. Call themselves the Circus channel because when they are done letting good people go, they will only have clowns at their station.

[Luigi]

This makes no sense to me at all. Mike has been with the station for almost 20 years so he has done a good job for them.

They must be looking to hire someone out of high school at minimum wage.

The viewers, what they will have left will suffer.

[FlaminA]

What I do not understand is why they were looking for employees age 55 and over. With the way the economy is going, people are going to have to work longer so I think the age should be 65.

It does not matter if the age is 55, 65 or 75, this looks like age discrimination to me. Where is AARP on this matter!

My advice to Mike is to sue channel 2.

Mike if this happens, thanks from the people you helped over the years.

[Katie Ann]

Something sounds backwards about this deal. Gannett/Toellner offer a buy out, Mike accepted it, now they will get back to him?! So what, will JT say "oh nevermind, you can stay"? Please. Mike is one of WNY's most popular journalists and his contribution to the community is invaluable. Ratings on Channel 2 will drop for sure.

[Peppermint Patty]

Mike Igoe has helped thousands of people in the Western New York area by giving them a voice they never would have had. And let's not forget about his incredible contributions to the Kids Escaping Drugs telethon, where he alwys goes above and beyond. Mike Igoe is a guy who goes out and does an exemplary job and even accepted the new concept of "backback journalism" by shooting his own stories. If Gannett was smart and cared about anything other than their bottom line and paying ridiculous bonuses to the higher ups, they would negotiate with Mike who is one of the finest journalists in the area. Jim Toellner is really only a puppet for Gannett corporate and doesn't have the smarts to suggest such a plan. With the Buffalo market so tight with 3 stations really going after the ratings, letting Mike Igoe leave the station is a big mistake. What I don't understand is the fact that Toellner will get back to him about whether or not he accepts Mike's buyout. So if Toellner/Gannett doesn't accept the buyout, then what, they keep Mike on for a few months and then fire him with nothing? How kosher is that. I think Toellner is still mad about the wonderful write-up Mike had with his daughter several months back. Toellner only seems to get bad press....gee, wonder why when Gannett seems to pull his strings.....

[Aaron]

What other on-air staffers were offered buyouts?