It’s anchor’s aweigh for Channel 5’s Chandra Bill
Tags: Chandra Bill, Chick-fil-A, Dean Tendrich, Jim Sackett, Shannon Cake, Tim Malloy, West Palm Beach, WPEC, WPTV
| Thursday 10 September 2009 4:31 pm
Bill
Chandra Bill, a favorite on local TV screens for 23 years, says she’s through with the news biz.
The 51-year-old mom of two teens tells Page2Live this afternoon she’ll scale down her on-air load at WPTV-Channel 5, then leave for good when her contract’s up next May.
Until then, she’ll continue presenting the noon news. But she’s leaving the seat that’s been hers next to Shannon Cake at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to pretty up-and-comer Jay Cashmere.
Bill will also produce special projects that her schedule hasn’t allowed her to pursue.
“I’m going to exit this career gracefully,” the soft-spoken Bill told me. “I’m very excited about my next career.”
And that couldn’t be further from television’s flash-and-dash. She’s going to help hubby Robert Rabenecker manage his Chick-fil-A franchise at The Mall at Wellington Green, and expand their venture. The church-going Bill says she’s been impressed by the chicken joints’ bible-based corporate governance.
The Japanese-American Bill arrived in the West Palm Beach/Treasure Coast market in 1986. Helped by a flawless delivery, good looks and reliable demeanor, she quickly took over one of the main anchor’s desks at WPEC-Channel 12. After a no-compete year off in 2002, she switched to the top-rated WPTV, the NBC affiliate.
Bill was paired with a slew of co-anchors, including Steve Wolford, Tim Malloy, Jim Sackett and John Favole. She said she has special connections with Favole, for his sense of humor, and Kelley Dunn, for her kindred spirit.
More on Chandra below, or by clicking
“I can’t really pick a favorite,” the ever-diplomatic tube fixture said. “They all brought me something.”
Bill said the current media decay, and tightening of the purse at PTV, didn’t factor into her decision to join in the food industry former Channel 5 morning weatherman Dean Tendrich. Tendrich quit last year and ended up buying the Hurricane Grill & Wings chain.
“What I’ll remember about television,” Bill said, “is how exciting it was to learn something new every day.
“I’ll miss some aspects of it. But since my husband and I made the decision, I’ve felt a sense of relief and freedom.”
Then Bill signed off immitating the Chick-fil-A advertising cows: “Please, eat more chicken!”
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Palm Beach Post and MDLawrence. Palm Beach Post said: Chandra Bill, one of the top TV anchors in town for 26 years, is quitting. http://bit.ly/ICqRJ [...]
I blame Jim Sackett and The Love Doctors at 94.3 WZZR for this.
Jay Cashmere sucks. its like watching a little boy next to shannon cake
translation: “Chandra your contract will not be renewed in May, we will let you make the announcement that you have ‘decided’ to get out of the broadcast biz.” WPTV Management.
Who cares? Channel 5’s news started going downhill when Jim Sackett threw away his hairpiece
I always liked Laurel,when they let her go I stopped watching channel 5.
Who cares. How would you all feel if I said I was leaving my current job for a new one? We have other things to worry about
What a shame. Not only is she absolutely beautiful - even more so in person I must say, but she was as classy as anyone in the news business. I am not a big fan of TV news, which is why I am reading news here, but she was one of the ones I respected. I wish her best of luck at Chick-Fil-A, but I hope she returns to local news on another channel soon.
Chandra will be missed. She has graced the TV screen with style, poise and a wonderful demeanor. Good luck, Chandra, and God bless you and your family always!
They lost all credibility when Kojak exploited the cancer cluster story in an obvious ratings sweep attempt. “Cancer exploding?” … compared to where?
Way to go Chandra! Get away before thay totally implode like The Palm Beach Post already has. The Post lost all their top talent in the layoff, … err I mean early retirement last year.
Hey Jose,Jay Cashmere may be an up and comer but I dont think he is pretty as you state..but then again we may have different tastes.I agree that Laurel S. got shafted over at Channel 5 if they let her go because she was getting a little older what the hell does that make Jim Sackett.
Good luck Chandra. I met the founder of Chic-Fil-a in the late ’60’s in Atlanta. You are exactly the type person he would be proud to have in the organization. Many will miss you on the news. I know I will.
Tony,
If you think Laurel’s replacement (Kelly) is much younger think again… They are both in their 50’s and only a couple of years apart and both “FL Gators” I believe.
Jay is a cutie but it’s a shame he is a ‘top’, ever seen him scuba?
Chandra is a class act! We ran into them at The Breakers on their honeymoon– as genuine as can be!
Ariele
kelley isn’t in her 50s! She’s 40-something
All the best in the future! I am sure opening some new Chik-fil-As will make lots of money. There are always long lines there!
Is it Jim Favole or John Favole?
channel 5 has been losing viewership for several years, the main reason being that they are so srrogant–always blowing their horn–how great they are–
chandra was one of the few class acts that they had. now if they could retire jim and roxanne, maybe they could regain respectability.
[...] (from Page2Live.com) - Chandra Bill, a favorite on local TV screens for 23 years, says she’s through with the news biz. The 51-year-old mom of two teens tells Page2Live this afternoon she’ll scale down her on-air load at WPTV, then leave for good when her contract’s up next May. Until then, she’ll continue presenting the noon news. But she’s leaving the seat that’s been hers next to Shannon Cake at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to pretty up-and-comer Jay Cashmere. Bill will also produce special projects that her schedule hasn’t allowed her to pursue….Cont…. Tags: Chandra Bill, wptv [...]
News 5 should go and steal Suzanne Boyd from News 12… with News 12’s parent company filing for chapter 11… whatever contract she has with News 12 is probably null and void now due the chapter 11 filing… would be a great pick-up.
Cashmere is not an everyday anchor
Great now we can see more of Kornblue!!
Peter Rohgar (sp?) is the one who needs to go. Laurel Sauer was well regarded for years. Roxanne Stein is not close to being in Sauer’s league. Now, Chandra Bill. Youth may “win” viewers but it won’t keep them. It’s a short term gamble. With cable and the internet, it’s a very risky proposition.
Best of luck to Chandra Bill and Laurel Sauer.
Its a shame about Chandra Bill. PLEASSSE dont go after Suzanne Boyd she is really annoying and fake!
Ms. Bill has added a touch of class to local news for many years. She will be missed. I wish her the best.
Let them eat Cake!
I preferred Cake and Khan.
Bring back Rob Blowpickola! Cakes’ head is like a beachball!
Shannon Cake is hot as hell. never turn the channel if she’s on. she’s a nice person 2.
Boyd is very attractive… and seems to take her job seriously but not over the top serious. i bet her ratings indicate a strong and loyal following.
Jim Sackett is the one who needs to go. In our family we call him “THE MAN IN GRAY”…he wears grey and LOOKS grey. He is an old fogie, and I can say that, since I am a senior citizen myself…. time to go, Jim. Sav the station some bucks, and let some new blood flow.
sackett isn’t grey. He is ORANGE!
[...] Lambiet from Page2Live has the scoop on WPTV anchor Chandra Bill who’s quitting the TV news biz for good when her contract with [...]
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[...] the day after he was ignored for a bigger job in a staff shuffling sparked by the 23-year veteran Chandra Bill announcement that she, too, is [...]
jay is cute, top or bottom!!! it’s a nice change, Sad to see Jamie go.