Longtime WNBC news anchor Sue Simmons said on one of the station’s lifestyle shows last week that she used to drink before doing the news in the 1980s, reports the Huffington Post.
During a segment on lifestyle show LX New York, which replaced the “Live at Five” newscast on the New York station, Simmons told Bravo executive Andy Cohen, also a guest, that she used to drink between the early and late newscasts, at a time when it was acceptable to do so.
Simmons said she stopped in the “mid ’80s, late ’80s,” because, “I looked in the mirror before–when I was about ready to go on the air–and my eyes were red." She added, “I mean, I didn’t feel loaded or anything, but my eyes were red and that was enough to say, ‘That’s it.’"
–Elizabeth Jensen
Drink or no drink…New York loves Sue Simmons. A news icon, a New York City institution and the legendary beautiful face of WNBC since 1980.
Why would WNBC even think of replacing Sue Simmons at 5:00 p.m. with the absolutely awful “LX New York”? Sue Simmons is now approaching her 30th year at WNBC and is the most beloved news icon in New York television history. One wonders what top management at WNBC is doing lately — besides destroying their reputation as the former media crown jewel of news in New York City — the largest television market in America. If it were not for Chuck Scarborough, Sue Simmons and Janice Huff, what would really be left of WNBC? For over 35 years, WNBC has been the home to the top news talent in New York City, yet in recent years WNBC has completely failed to promote their legendary world class news team. Instead, WNBC has chosen to force feed New York City with the supposedly trendy lifestyle program “LX New York” in a timeslot that for almost 30 years was the home to “Live at Five”, one of the most successful news/entertainment programs in the history of modern day television.
I strongly encourage WNBC to bring Sue Simmons back to television at 5:00 p.m. where she belongs with “Live at Five” back in its original news/entertainment format. Sue Simmons has less then 1.25 years remaining on her contract with WNBC at which time she will most likely retire after spending close to 34 uninterrupted years in local news with NBC-Universal.
I appeal to all fans of Sue Simmons to immediately contact VICKIE BURNS, Vice President of Content and Audience Development at WNBC (VICKIE.BURNS@NBCUNI.COM) and strongly request that WNBC return Sue Simmons back to the air at 5:00 p.m. where she created the iconic “Live at Five” back in 1980. There is only one Sue Simmons — the premier female local news anchor in America. Although “LX New York” was a horrible mistake, it is not too late to reverse the error and bring “Live at Five” back at 5:00 p.m. for the duration of Sue Simmons tenure with WNBC. There is plenty of slot openings for “LX New York” after 2:00 a.m. where this type of fluff belongs.
/NGS
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