TV Q&A: Where has WTAE-TV’s Shannon Perrine been during sweeps?

Q: I was wondering where Shannon Perrine of WTAE-TV is? I know it is sweeps so I doubt she is on vacation. We haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks.

– Evelyn via email

Rob: Evelyn is correct: It is indeed unusual for a main anchor to be off during a sweeps month, which November is. But these are unusual times.

Perrine, while vaccinated, contracted a breakthrough covid case.

“On the day I was scheduled to get my covid-19 booster shot, I tested positive for the virus,” Perrine explained via email. “My symptoms have been mild: headaches, fatigue. I just don’t feel great. I miss my co-workers; I miss my work.”

Perrine said WTAE and corporate parent Hearst have been supportive and gracious in giving her as much time off as she needs to quarantine and recover. She also notes this month marks the start of her 23rd year at the station.

“Pittsburgh and WTAE are my home and are precious to me,” Perrine said. “I am feeling better every day and am eager to get back to 400 Ardmore Blvd. and anchoring the 5 p.m. newscast with my friends Andrew Stockey and Mike Harvey soon. I’m also eager to get back in the field with our talented photographers and start telling stories again. My doctor says I can now get my booster shot in about 90 days. I am putting that on my calendar.”

Perrine expects to fill in for Ryan Recker Saturday night and return to anchor the 5 p.m. weekday broadcast Monday , though she’s scheduled to be off on Nov. 25 and 26.

Q: I notice Joe Arena has been on with Susan Koppen for WPXI’s 4 p.m. news. Wonder why they thought one person would work at 4 when the other stations have two anchors. I like Joe as an anchor and reporter; it just seems like they bounce him around so much.

– Michelle, Penn Hills

Rob: I noticed that, too, and wondered if Arena has been added as a permanent fixture at 4 p.m. or if that’s just for November’s sweeps month. I asked Channel 11’s news director about it but didn’t really get a definitive answer.

Q: Can you give us any info on what is going on with talk show host Wendy Williams? She hasn’t been on her own show in months.

– Elsie via email

Rob: Back in September representatives for the show posted to social media that Williams is “dealing with some ongoing health issues” and more recently that her condition is related Graves’ disease and a thyroid condition.

Williams said earlier this month that she’s making progress in her recovery. Meanwhile, guest hosts have filled in for Williams.

Q: Great article on the “American Rust” season finale. Your questions were my questions. I’m a little frustrated they would have only nine episodes and not tie up loose ends if they weren’t sure if there will be a season two.

I respect [showrunner] Dan [Futterman] and his writing and I love cliffhangers, but it will be really careless if there isn’t a season two. I can’t get those nine hours back.

– Angie via email

Rob: What’s that saying? “The future is never promised”? That goes for TV shows, too.

It’s rare for a network to put a series on the air with a guarantee of anything beyond a first season. That’s not how the TV business works – now or ever in the medium’s history – so viewers should have no expectation that any series will definitely continue even if it has a serialized storyline. Showtime has yet to announce a decision on whether “American Rust” will or will not have a second season.

Q: I watched “All Creatures Great Small” on PBS and really enjoyed all the storylines and characters. My question: When will season 2 begin?

– Sandy via email

Rob: Just as season one of “All Creatures” premiered on PBS’s “Masterpiece” in January 2021, season two will begin airing on WQED-TV in January 2022, specifically at 9 p.m. Jan. 9.