- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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Geoff Dunn (left) and Dave Vieser
in the Morning Newswatch studio
Vieser and Dunn are enthusiastic about the show, keeping the basic format the same, but making it more flexible and immediate. "We both have the same goal for where we want to take the station and where we want to take Morning Newswatch," says Dunn. "We each know what the other's thinking. It's almost like second nature to us." Their history makes for good on-air chemistry. "It makes the transition a lot easier," says Vieser. "I'll be honest with you, I was nervous (on his first show) yesterday."
Both Dunn and Vieser say it's important to keep their views out of the show as they present the news and talk about the community. "I realize a lot of the programming on our station is conservative," Vieser . We understand that, but the morning show is for all. It's a community show first, not a political show." Dunn says there will be some analysis, but they won't go overboard. "I think we've clearly defined where the news ends and where the commentary, talk and opinion begins. It's really about creating a dialog within the community over issues."
Vieser studied meteorology in college, planning to be an on-air weather man. He worked at the Weather Channel and helped NBC create their cable weather station, and had many jobs in television and radio news and talk, which in hindsight he says he prefers. He still refers to himself as a 'weather geek.' "I still have a passion for it," he says. "It was somewhat ironic that my first morning (hosting the show) we had those Thunderstorms roll through." That became the top news story on a slow news day.
"I think the key is flexibility," says Dunn. "We're going to be able to respond more effectively to breaking news and things that people are talking about on that particular day." Some of that will be made possible by the station's new equipment. When Saga Communications bought Eagle Broadcasting a year ago they began an upgrade of the stations' equipment, including studio, computer and phone systems. "The big difference has been our upgrade of the phone system," Dunn says. "You can just pick up the phone and call somebody and get their thoughts and comments without imposing on them to change their schedule for an in-studio interview."
He notes the better sound quality makes it hard to tell guests are not in the studio, and that it will make scheduling easier for guests who may not have time to come into the Dryden studio. Another difference in the show will be covering community events with live reporting. "We want to try to do more out in the communities, more things that we haven't done in the past," he says, adding that the morning show will be more connected to newscasts throughout the day. "Some of the things that happen in the mornings we're going to carry through the day as part of our news coverage."
Vieser says phone interviews will keep guests in a one-segment piece, noting that many people listen for 15 minutes getting ready in the morning or on their way to work. "We're busy people in the morning," he says. If we keep it in that one segment you're not going to feel like you missed the first part." Dunn says it will make the interviews more focussed. "Knowing you've only got seven, eight, nine minutes, you need to get certain questions in there," he says.
That doesn't mean they are abandoning in-studio interviews. "We're going to have a beautiful new studio here," Vieser says. Construction is slated to begin soon on a significant addition to the building. "It's going to be great to have people here." In the old studio the host is on a level above the guests, looking down at them. "That's not what you want when you're doing a good interview. You want to be at eye level." He says interviews in the new studio will be like sitting around a dinner table.
Hosting a morning show is a family tradition for Vieser. His father was a radio personality on WGBB in Hempstead, Long Island in the 1960s and '70s. Known as "The Vieser," he took his three year old son into the studio on Saturdays and holidays to help push buttons, sing "Happy Birthday" and announce the weather. "I loved that. It was a thrill," Vieser says.
When he told his dad he'd be hosting Morning Newswatch the elder Vieser was elated. "You want to talk about a proud papa!" Vieser says. "He was ecstatic. Believe it or not a lot of his former listeners live in this area now. They call me and say, 'you sound like your Dad, you take me back to Long Island 30 years ago.' He wants to come up and do a father and son show." Dunn says he'd like to see that happen.
"This is a long term commitment on both our parts," says Dunn. "I came back to the area specifically to be here. My future is here. I know Dave wants to build the show and leave his mark on the Morning Newswatch just as his predecessors have done before." Vieser concurs. He says when the opportunity came to return he said, "Ooh Ithaca. Those were good days for me. I want to come back. This is a magical community."
And he says he is proud of what WHCU has accomplished and both men say they love the radio medium. "I sometimes forget how many people listen to this station," Vieser says. "We have a piece on the air that says, 'This is where the news makers turn.' Well they really do. That's something I want to make sure we continue."
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