KMBC-TV's relationship with some of its female talent has gone from awkward to amicable, as the gender and age discrimination suit that Kelly Eckerman, Peggy Breit and Maria Antonia filed in 2008 has been settled.
The plaintiffs complained that they lost anchor-desk gigs to younger women and said the station humiliated and degraded women over 40. The station makes it sound as though their concerns were addressed at a brown-bag lunch, stating in a press release that the resolution came "after some open and frank conversation."
Eckerman, Breit and Antonia continued to work at the station as they pursued their claim, which surely made for some delicate encounters in the break room with station manager Wayne Godsey.
The settlement comes at a time when the ABC affiliate is adding another show. On September 14, sister station KCWE will begin airing a 9 p.m. newscast, providing a new anchor opportunity for the men and women who work in the building. (Since Veronica Corningstone came on the scene, no broadcast is complete without one of each.)
Historically, the culture of TV news allows men to grow old on the air while women anchors are expected to vacate their seats for younger, prettier things and do health reporting until the demotion becomes unbearable. The real test of the KMBC settlement may be the endurance of Lara Moritz, the station's lead anchor on the distaff side. If she's anchoring the 10 p.m. news at Larry Moore's current age, she will have beaten the odds.
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Time for the fat old cows to step aside for something younger.
I have watched this station since before Larry came back for a second time. I feel like I know all of your women reporters and am saddened by what I percive to be happened.
It appears to me that the pressure being put on then have changed them for the worst. I also think that your so called "reporting" has deteriorated to the depths of another station that shall remain unnamed. How about trying to restore a little dignity for the women and give them the respect they deserve for their years ofquailty service.
I'm not a sexist ass%*&! or anything like that, but... I'd have sex with any one of them. .... Lately, Katie Horner hasn't been wearing her wedding ring. Hmmm. Opportunity knocks.
It's all about appreciation of the finer things. I'm reasonably sure I'm not the only one.
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