Nellie Andreeva

UPDATE: A spokesperson for KTTV has confirmed our report, including Dorothy Lucey’s departure. Her last day will be Friday. Additionally, Lucey received support from Simon Cowell. “I love Good Day LA. But cannot imagine it without Dorothy,” he tweeted on Thursday. “I wish they would change their minds. I really, really like her.”Dorothy Lucey Good Morning LA

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.

Jillian Barberie Good Morning LAGood 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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