KTTV’s ‘Good Day LA’ Co-Anchor Dorothy Lucey To Exit, Jillian Reynolds To Freelance

UPDATE: A spokesperson for KTTV has confirmed our report, including Dorothy Lucey’s departure. Her last day will be Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Good Day LA co-anchor Dorothy Lucey will be leaving the morning program of Los Angeles’ Fox-owned station KTTV. I hear Lucey’s contract was not renewed and her last day will be later this week, possibly on Friday. Additionally, Lucey’s co-anchor Jillian Reynolds will switch from a full-time KTTV employee to freelance status. She will continue in her current duties on Good Morning LA but not always five days a week. The move is mutually beneficial for the station, as Reynolds commands a big salary, and for Reynolds, as she can pursue freely her extracurricular activities such as sponsorship deals and events. Good Day LA‘s third co-anchor, veteran Steve Edwards, is locked into a long-term contract. A KTTV spokesperson could not reached for comment.

Good Day LA has been hosted by Edwards, Lucey and Reynolds (form. Barberie) since the show’s 1995 revamp — two years after it was originally launched. I hear the show will hold on-air tryouts for Lucey’s position in the mold of the syndicated Live With Kelly. In addition to being a cost-saving measure (Lucey’s paycheck also is substantial after 17 years at the station), the changes are aimed at providing a jolt to the veteran morning program, which has not been doing well in the ratings lately after once dominating Los Angeles’ morning TV race. Before joining KTTV, Lucey was co-host of the CBS primetime series How’d They Do That with Pat O’Brien.

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