CBS 2′s Chris Wragge Joins Erica Hill As New Anchors Of ‘The Early Show’

CBS 2′s Wragge To Anchor ‘Early Show’

November 30, 2010 5:08 PM

Chris Wragge (CBS 2)

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NEW YORK (CBS) – Big changes are coming to “The Early Show” next year.

Starting Jan. 3, Erica Hill and CBS 2′s Chris Wragge will be the new co-anchors of CBS News’ morning program. Jeff Glor will serve as the broadcast’s news anchor.

Marysol Castro, formerly of ABC’s “Good Morning America” weekend edition, will join the team as the weather anchor.

The appointments were announced Tuesday by Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, and David Friedman, “Early Show” executive producer.

“‘The Early Show’ is an important element of CBS News,” McManus said in a statement. “We constantly focus on how to improve the broadcast, and we think we have a terrific combination in Erica, Chris, Jeff and Marysol. In the year since David has taken the helm, he has produced some outstanding programming and shown a deep, thoughtful understanding of morning television. This new team brings vibrancy, intelligence and warmth that I think America will grow to love.”

Wragge has been the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. news anchor for WCBS-TV since November 2006.

“Erica, Chris, Jeff and Marysol are four accomplished broadcasters who already have proven track records and loyal followings. Together, they’re going to be even stronger,” Friedman added. “This group is the perfect combination of intelligence and personality for morning television, and I’m excited to give viewers the opportunity to welcome them into their homes each morning.”

Hill and Wragge have co-anchored the Saturday edition of “The Early Show” since 2008. Hill also has been news anchor for “The Early Show” since January of this year.

Glor has anchored the Saturday edition of the “CBS Evening News” and been a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts since 2009. He has also been a substitute anchor for the “CBS Evening News” since March 2007.

The current cast of “The Early Show” – Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price – will remain at the network in new roles, according to the statement.

Smith will become the primary substitute anchor on the “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation” and “Sunday Morning,” while continuing to report major stories for all CBS News broadcasts.

The network is discussing ongoing roles for Rodriguez and Price.

“We appreciate Harry, Maggie and Dave’s countless contributions to ‘The Early Show’ and are looking forward to the contributions they each will continue to make at CBS News,” McManus said.

SHIRLEY

THIS IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE, YOU HAD IT ALL & THREW IT AWAY. YOU ARE SO STUPID..
John

We live Innisfil Ontario Canada and can’t believe they are making these changes , We faithfully watch this show every morning or tape it and see it at supper. Without Harry, Maggie and Dave no more.
rita

i will be very happy to see chris wragge every mornig….loved him on 5 and 11 news….good luck chris!
Mary

You will be loosing viewers! Loosers.
John Rondllo

Another example of talented professionals being done dirty by the corporate suits of America! Best of everything to Harry, Dave and Maggie – they will find great opportunities with a competitor shortly down the road. Appreciation for loyal, dedicated and professional service died a long time ago – I know – I’ve been there myself. Time to find another morning show!
Sandy

I will miss Harry, Maggie, and Dave very much. They are the very best. Good luck to all of you. CBS you are very stupid to do this.
Tony

I hope Dave goes to Fox new where he will be watched by many. Harry and Maggie should go to MSNBC where no one will see them. Good luck Dave!!
Rita

I am already missing Chris Wragge in his regular spot at 5:00 pm with Christine. He has such a wonderful personality and together with Christine make a wonderful news team. Now I will not be able to watch him any longer and I think he will be greatly missed. Wish he weren’t leaving!
Kathy

Are you people out of your minds. Leave the cast alone. I can’t imagine not seeing Harry Smith and especially Dave Price every morning. We enjoy these people so much. Very disappointed in your decisions.
Cindy Brackett

Dave Price, Go to Fox News it’s the BEST place to be!!
Margarita

Very depressing!!! Time to change channels! I do not agree with this decision at all
Bob D’Agostino

My wife likes Dave Price so don’t remove him .
My wife says” he likes dogs”.that’s enuff 4 her.
Nancy

How tight can the women’s clothes get? How much more cleavage can they show? Maybe they will just wear bra and panties like the woman going through the checkpoint at the airport. Better looking, younger men? What about personality. After wonderful, okay is not good enough.

ruth

EH has no personaility. She comes across as not nice, but cutthroat. Not someone I connect with.
Kathy

I just turned the tv on and I can’t tell who is who. They all look alike on the morning news. The moneywatch girl, erica hill, chris, jeff, the weather girl all look alike; like clones or androids. They all sound alike, they dress alike, they all laugh at the same time…too perfect makes for boring news. Now i just watch to laugh at how ridiculous they look. Sorry, but it’s just all very uninteresting.

Nancy

I still miss Hanna and Russ. I will miss The Early Show, because it will be OVAH on December 31. I certainly hope this opens better doors for Harry, Dave, and Maggie. I still follow the careers of Hannah and Russ. You cannot promote loyalty, and then throw them out the door. Time to explore other stations on January 1. Bring it on!!! I will continue to follow the three some.
Pamela Shapiro

The replacement of Harry, Maggie and especially Dave Price left me in shock. While I like Chris, this move is a waste of exceptional talent. The team as it is always brightened my day and although management said they will be utilized elsewhere, we know that means they will soon be gone. I will definitely follow Dave as I did when he left Fox 5. Bad decision.
Elaine

The Early show was just fine. The mix of Harry Maggie and Dave was perfect !! Leave it to CBS to muck up a good thing!! TIme to change channels.

Gail

Why mess with a GOOD thing!! I miss Harry, Dave.and Maggie!! I have now turned to a different channel. The new team does not work!!!

Deb

As much as I like Chris Wragge, I will miss Harry, Maggie and the best weatherman Dave Price……I have followed Dave from Fox 5 to CBS and enjoy his wit and fun attitude. I cannot say that change is always good. But we hope for an entertaining show. Good luck to Harry, Maggie and most of Dave….Hope that exciting things are in your future.
Jean Cain

I’LL MISS THE CREW OF HARRY AND DAVE! I SWITCHED TO CBS WHEN DAVE LEFT FOX 5 TO COME TO CBS! CHANGE IS GOD SOMETIMES, BUT NOT IN THIS CASE! DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY’RE DOING, I HOPE I CAN CONTINUE TO SEE THEM! LOVE
Shirley

No Harry!?! No Dave to toss checking “the weather in your area” to the local station!?! No Maggie? Harry is such a good sounding board and grounding for the show. I will miss the faces, wit, comments, viewpoints, and humor of all three folks who have contributed so much to the show. I wish you all the best in the future. See you in different time slots, Harry!l Sometimes change isn’t so neat.
puresoapdrama

This is great news. Wherever Chris Wragge is, I will follow. Have loved his work since he was in Houston. Congrats to all and especially to Chris Wragge!
Chris

Originally from NY and now I live in NC and Harry, Maggie and Dave always make me feel I was back home. I will miss seeing them every morning.
Andrea

I am very disappointed in this news about the Early Show. Although I enjoy Chris, Erica & Jeff. I really will miss Harry & Dave, I switched from Ch 5 to the Early Show when Dave Price moved there. I wish the new team the best, but will really miss Harry & Dave
Karen

One of the reasons we watched this newscast religiously is Harry! We enjoy Erica very much too, and like Chris and Jeff, as well – but no Harry?!?!? Leaving Harry out is NOT a good change!
Kathryn Murdoch

I am very, very dissapointed about this move. I watch this program every morning while I get ready for school and tape it every day. What I don’t get to see before school I watch later. I think both Harry and Maggie are terrific. I wish them both the very best and will follow them.
Dean

This is really depressing