Super Bowl Blog: Behind The Scenes With WTAE Channel 4People around the country watched the Steelers beat the Broncos -- but now all eyes are turned to Detroit.WTAE Channel 4 Action News is bringing you along for the ride. From the preparations for the big game, to game day itself, our reporters will be telling you what it is like behind the scenes.We've got your all-access pass on the road to Destination Detroit. Scroll down to read the latest blog entries.If you missed Sally, Scott and Sheldon's blog from Denver, check it out here. Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 8, 2006 @ noonSorry I have been missing. It has been a chaotic two days, and all of us are on overload. I hear The Pittsburgh Channel is fabulous, though I have not gotten to log on the last week.I will make a point today -- Chris Twomey and Liz Stephans are bright as blazes, and we are lucky to have them. Everyone check out the webcast she has been doing with Scott. (Chris and Liz: "Thanks for the shout-out!") Where should I start.I last left you at the game, when it was looking like the Seahawks could take the game away. Bless our defense, and Holmgren for trying stuff that wasn't part of their West Coast crap. Several analysts asked why they stopped using those quick outs -- good thing they did.But I believe the Steelers would have won anyway. They truly are the better team. Chris Hope was amazing, Casey Hampton knew he would have to step up and take care of those Pro Bowl O-lineman, and he did. He deserved to carry that trophy off the plane.You have heard all the game talk, so I won't bore you with reiteration.But it was so cool, though exhausting, to race across the field to get in place for our live shot after the game.ABC, which had the rights, forbid all of us from being on the field until there were only a few minutes left in their coverage. That's fair, but it made for a nail-biting couple of minutes. Our crew was totally dependant on the ABC News One folks getting us hooked up.And to get there, Andrew and I had to race all the way to the other side of the field. I was running in these goofy snow boots that I had on from the morning.A friend of mine, Susan Davies (remember, she used to work here?) said she saw me running on ESPN. I was perspiring heavily when I got there, and my hair was flat as a board, but who cares?! It's the freakin' Super Bowl.And bless Mike Clark, he got us our first player -- rookie sensation Heath Miller. His blue eyes were shining and he had one of those grins that won't stop.Speaking of stopping, I have to get to work.I will pick this up after the noon. How can I thank all of you for your devotion to this team, this city, our station, this Web site.I drove into town yesterday morning to cover the rally and as I gazed at the skyline (in a sleepless stupor, I admit) I started to cry -- not for lack of sleep, but gratitude that we were HOME!!!!!!!As Jerome said, "God Bless You!" Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 5, 2006 at 5 p.m. Can you believe it -- Jerome runs out on the field and Ford Field erupts.Jon Burton and I took almost an hour to get to our seats, because so many Steelers fans stopped to say "Hi," or take a picture.Talk about bonding!!!Love the stadium -- now I can see why they had it here, cold and all. And was it ever frigid. 18 degrees.I saw several good friends just walking around. Hey, they are playing U2 really loud. Love it!!Duce is active -- good to see him play in such an important game after his father's death.They look relaxed on the jumbotron -- who knows what goes on inside their guts... Posted by Sheldon Ingram on Feb. 5, 2006 at 1 p.m.Before kickoff, we started our day at 6:30 a.m. I bought a gallon of coffee, a big bag of yellow-orange poppy seed muffins and marble loaf cake for our crew of 12. But I’m not a big fan of dessert-type food, so my stomach has been empty all morning while we work in this cold, blustery wind.We’re doing live shots every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All of us have toe and hand warmers while we deal with the cold weather in front of Ford Field.We are constantly holding meetings about our next live hits and always updating our strategy on how we will cover the game. My plan is to be in the stands with the fans during the game. I don’t have a ticket, so I don’t have a seat. As a working journalist, I will just roam. I will get immediate reaction from the fans when the game is over. I’ll pick the best interviews and give them to our satellite operator, who’ll feed them back to Pittsburgh, and I’ll go on TV with those interviews. Hopefully they will be happy Steelers fans.See you on TV! Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 5, 2006 at 12:15 p.m.Hey guys. This is our break in between liveshots. I'm typing on my Treo.It's cold as heck, but now that it's game day -- NO ONE CARES.Everyone is so excited. I have to wear a red vest to get on the field at end of game. I'd wear a garbage bag to get there.Soooooo many Steelers fans AND player analysts went through security two hours ago. Ray Lewis and Terrell Davis were behind me. They are with the NFL Network.I was so excited.Gotta go -- time to be on TV! Posted by Chris Twomey, of thepittsburghchannel.com, on Feb. 5, 2006 at 1 a.m.Before we start, let me just say that Detroit = Pittsburgh West. Nice people, bad roads, horrible traffic gridlock, lots of Steelers fans. Looks like the North Shore on a football game day.Now, some random highlights from a CRAZY Saturday ... Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 4, 2006 at 11 p.m. THIS IS INSANE!!!!!!!! Did you see us standing in the snow for "Steelers Primetime?"What color is Seattle? I mean, as in Seahawks?Actually, it's fun to brave the elements. But I have no idea how I looked with that hood, and the wire coming out of the side of my neck. I must have resembled the Bride of Frankenstein.Oh, it lends itself to the ambience.What a whirlwind couple of days. Yesterday, I went from a national security robot to JImmy Kimmel. The day before, I stood with the media crush in front of Ben, and when I asked my question, he used my name in his answer. I have been in this business for 28 years, and something goofy like that still tickles me. Just loved Kimmel. He had be laughing so hard I thought I would split my jacket. (Who am I kidding, it was about to split anyway. Ha.) Someone said he has as reputation for being funnier in person. He was charming, engaging.Oh, my, I think I have a crush.By the way, the theatre where they are doing the show is the largest building ever moved on rubber wheels. I know my stuff, don't I! I know we are supposed to be about all things Steelers, but don't you think Shaun Alexander is articulate? And he has this soft-spoken way of expressing himself. I feel like I am listening to a shrink! Tons of Steelers fans surrounding the hotel, and they have been so kind, complimenting us, taking pictures, talking about the game.I have got to get some kind of apparel with the XL on it. I have pin, but can you believe I threw the one I had from Super Bowl XXX away. Andrew said they are worth a lot of money.Well, I'd rather have memories than money. Right!!!!.I interviewed Sally Gardocki today with her son Cole. She is a dynamo, mother, lawyer, getting her Masters in screenplay writing.Jeff Reed told me their son is a genius. He'll be on a 11.Did I tell you Chris took him to the Bettis team dinner? I am forgetting things. What a great experience for a 10 year old boy.I'll try to blog from inside the press box. Jon Burton and I are in the auxiliary press box, so we'll see where that is. Andrew is in the big press box -- but we will all be down on the field after the win.And it will BE A WIN!! Posted by Photojournalist Andy Cunningham on Feb. 4, 2006 at 10 p.m.On the eve of Super Bowl XL, the word historic has been heard spoken by sports reporters, network anchors, and certainly repeated by many in the diehard group of Steelers Nation who trekked from all over the country to Detroit. Some talk about Jerome Bettis walking off the field a champion, others hope Ben will launch a legacy.I guess that a 5th Super Bowl victory, “the one for the thumb,” is what I’ll remember years from now; but for me, historic will describe something completely different, and -- very admittedly -- less grandiose than tomorrow’s game.As a photojournalist at WTAE, I hide behind the lens and retreat from a world of color into a black and white viewfinder. That's how I like it, it’s where I belong. Of course, there are those memorable stories that stand out, but one thing that’s always been a constant is my virtual anonymity as the guy you’ll never see on TV.Then comes the Super Bowl…..Day 1: A voicemail from my hometown newspaper looking to do a story about a “local journalist.”Day 2: The discovery that doing video-blogs for WTAE personalities means attaining shout-outs for merely doin’ my thing … cool, right?Day 3: Another voice mail, this time on behalf of a hometown radio station … (What, did the paper call them, too?)Day 4: (this is the kicker) A Detroit television station successfully beckons me to allow them to interview and shoot video of me for a story they’re doing about out-of-town media.Day 5: Several Steelers players are amused as they shoot home video and take digital pictures of me, as I and other fellow Channel 4 amigos interview and talk with them.Day 6: I wrote this, blogging for the very first time, yeah, I know that’s a stretch, but we’re talking historic, right?Enjoy the game Pittsburgh! Posted by Liz Stephans on Feb. 3, 2006 @ 8:30 p.m.
Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 3, 2006 @ 8:30 p.m.Well, I'll start this on my Trio, but it's devilishly hard trying to type without keyboard. I am so sorry I have not written -- reiterating, now you guys know why my friends never get thank you notes.My intentions are good. Boy, did we hit the ground running. We felt like pioneers going west in an SUV wagon train. Gracious!I bet I am the only one who remembers Ward Bond in Wagon Train.I am desperately trying to remember what we put on the air that night. I do remember my raincoat (that folds up into a bag ) made me look like a wish.Oops. Gotta go. I have to get on television. Back soon… Posted by Scott Baker on Feb. 3, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.
Posted by Sally Wiggin on Feb. 3, 2006 at 1:30 a.m.OK, back... Sunday night, we talked about the trouble players had with family and friends fighting over tickets. A couple of days before we left, I did interviews with five players you have been seeing during our Steelers Primetime specials at 7 p.m. The specials have been so much fun..Andrew, Jon and I love having Merril Hoge with us. I have known Merril and his lovely wife, Toni, for some time now. He is the Chairman of the Board for the Caring Foundation, and I am a board member. He is such a cut-up, and very insightful when it comes to breaking down game film.Went to the Renaissance Center to get our credentials, and it began to hit us that we were in for a wild week of work, work and more work. But I don't think any of us would trade the experience for anything. There were ESPN sets everywhere and I scouted where Mike and Mike would be, since I was interviewing them Monday morning. I just love their show and watch it on TV every morning. The interview will be during our coverage Sunday. They were both concerned about how Mark Madden was. We had all heard that Mark had a heart attack over the weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.Well, there is no way I can catch up to today... Highlights: Media Day... Not as frenzied as I had expected, but stunned that after standing in front of Jerome Bettis for an hour, I heard almost no questions about football. As analysts say, Media Day is accessiblity for all the non-football reporters... Ford Field is beautiful inside and the people are so friendly. Jerome's high school coach, Bob Dozier, was a prince. Even back then, it was clear what a special student-athlete he would be.What I didn't put on TV: Jerome likes to play PUNISHING football... Remember, he loved to play middle linebacker, and played both sides of the ball all through high school. I remember that Jerome told me in an interview that one of the reasons he didn't go to the University of Michigan was he heard a rumor they would use him as a linebacker. Having gone to the U of M...and being a huge fan, I would have loved to see him there... but then you Notre Dame fans would have lost him..I have to tell you, I am just blown away by the skill and wit with which Ben Roethlisberger handles the media, and the three straight days of interviews... I was exhausted just listening to all of the questions... couldn't imagine answering them.I have not been in the Detroit area for almost 20 years. Having been born in Kalamazoo and gone to school in Ann Arbor, I feel a connection... But I must admit, warm weather would be a welcome addition.. It's only fair, though, that Rust Belt cities get a shot at hosting such a spectacle.Well, I am not going to talk about the whole Joey Porter thing...ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!! And I told you about our meeting with Troy Polamalu and Ken Whisenhunt at the sushi place on the video blog.Will try to fill in some details about the last two days of media availabilites ... to bed I go... I am interviewing Jimmy Kimmel tomorrow. Do any of you remember "The Man Show?" My ex-boyfriend used to watch it. Kimmel was one of the hosts... they did a lot of beer-chugging on the show and said something like "oy,oy, oy" ... not particularly appealing to women, but intermittently and mildly amusing... oops, off on a tangent again.Before I sign off, want to give mucho kudos to our entire crew--Mike, Andrew, Jon, Kelly, Sheldon, Dan, Dan, Matthew, Greg, Andy, Eric, Pat and Art. They are all doing fabulous work. Posted by Scott Baker on Feb. 2, 2006 at 2 p.m.Warning. There will be discussion of groundhog urine in this post. Worse, the urine has interaction with The Terrible Towel.As you know it is Groundhog Day.This year Groundhog Day has happened to intersect with the building Steelers fever. So Gobbler's Knob today only happened in part to be about the weather. Yes Phil, or as Joe Denardo never failed to describe him -- The Rodent, did see his shadow and thus predicted six more weeks of winter.Many viewer watching it live on Channel 4 this morning observed that Phil needed to, er, relieve his furry self. This left Groundhog Handler Bill Deeley in a tough spot. Deeley is a veteran. In fact this is his last year. He's stepping down because of the pressure.Deeley had come prepared for the Black and Gold version of Groundhog Day. Phil came out of his burrow with The Terrible Towel. Deeley waved. Phil peed.Now accounts vary depending on camera angles and interpretation. But many viewers felt that the urine stream was contained by a swift move of the Towel. We are not saying if this did in fact happen. But we are calling for calm. We are sure Deeley had no intention of desecrating The Terrible Towel.The spirit of Gobbler's Knob will only add to the swirling energy that is Detroit directed.Oh, by the way, we did just have delivered to the station a new copy of the official Super Bowl edition of The Terrible Towel. Look for that on Steelers webcast later tonight. Posted by Janelle Hall on Feb. 1, 2006 at 4 p.m.Steelers Sunday.Many of you probably remember where you were the last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl that glorious Sunday in 1980. I can't say I technically remember -- but this picture is proof of where I was -- right in my dad's arms -- Terrible Towel and all.
Posted by Scott Baker on Jan. 31, 2006 at 1:30 p.m.Let me say for the record that Pittsburgh was not founded in 1762 by a band of seven howler monkeys.Nice try Tacoma guy. Is that all you got? Is that your trash talk game? Ha. Funny. You made a crack about mullets. Foxworthy called -- he wants his jokes back.So C.R. Roberts, of the News Tribune, the one so readily available at 253-597-8535 or at c.r.roberts@thenewstribune.com, be glad that I am walking away from this one. It would not be a fair fight. I might have to explore how Tacoma...you know...actually I can't conjure any thought, impression, or insight about Tacoma. Nothing at all comes to mind. Absolutely nothing.I don't have time for this. My lunch is waiting. Mmmmm. Mud eel chowder.Oh, also, apparently the folks at cracked.com (which I won't directly link for family friendly reasons) have stumbled onto something big:Detroit Native Jerome "From Detroit" Bettis to Play Super Bowl in Detroit (His Hometown)In a story that SPN's writers are calling the biggest Super Bowl scoop ever, SPN reports that veteran Steelers RB Jerome Bettis is a native of Detroit. That’s right – the same city that’s hosting Super Bowl XL. The very same Super Bowl in which Bettis is playing!And for the person who wrote upset because I threw a Big Ben T-shirt off the News Set during the 6 p.m. news last night. It was not during the 6 p.m. It was during the 11 p.m. And it was to keep it away from the T-shirt vultures on our production staff. I still lost it. Posted by Scott Baker on Jan. 31, 2006 at 9 a.m. This would be the part where one section of the Web site refers to another section of the Web site. But it's not just a plug. It's an invitation. Okay, it's also a plug. But it won't hurt.Last night we put up a little thing called Destination Detroit: Steelers Webcast. You can find it in the video section. Many of you already have. Apparently you couldn't sleep last night or something.Now, here is the explainer. You know how there are podcasts? And we have video blogs. Plus there is streaming video of live events. We also livestream some of the newscasts. And the nightly 7 p.m. show from Detroit -- "Steelers Primetime." Don't forget the video links to stories you have watched on WTAE-TV.
Posted by Scott Baker on Jan. 30, 2006 at 3:15 p.m. The people in Detroit are sending a very important message: Welcome to Bettisburgh! Posted by Sheldon Ingram on Jan. 30, 2006 at 1 p.m.Hello to all. The Channel 4 Action News Super Bowl Team is in place in Detroit. We're well into our second day here and we're all in high gear.Let's start with Detroit. My impression of a Super Bowl city is that the city is attractive, has a nice climate, and has a lot of places to go, even if they aren't Super Bowl related. Detroit? I'm not feeling it at all.This isn't a "bash Detroit" moment, but when a local columnist has to defend the city on the front page of the morning paper, well that might be telling you something.That said, the people here are extremely friendly and accommodating. The city certainly has its own unique attractions. I'm staying at the official NFL hotel and media headquarters, the Marriott Renaissance hotel. It's HUGE !!! I was lost at least three times Sunday. Today, I'm a little better. ESPN, the NFL Network, 95 radio stations and a ton of journalists are all working out of this hotel. It's really more than a hotel, it's a mini downtown, HUGE!!! Did I mention that this place is HUGE???
Posted by Scott Baker on Jan. 30, 2006 at 8 a.m.I met the woman who plays The Terrible Kazoo.It was that kind of night at Heinz Field Friday.Plus the guy who says he's famous for his giant Steelers cowboy hat. Pretty big hat. Not huge really. But sizable.Also talked to some kids from the high school class famous for pelting a Broncos fan with wads of paper and blistering insults. They did not pelt me with anything. Of course, I was wearing a Steelers sweater.In preparation for the Heinz Field rallypalooza, I loaded up on a bunch of Steelers bling. You know, it's very hard to find a Polamalu jersey these days. Unless you are tiny. I happen to have a tiny person hanging around the house who is only three weeks old. So, she now does have her own #43 outfit. And a Steelers pacifier.Going in, we expected the night to be wild and fun. Of course, it exceeded expectations. Michelle and I spent almost four hours on the field watching the fans and the faces and feeling the building surge of excitement.The combination of the music, the highlights, and the traffic made it crazy. If you watched it you know. If you didn't, you missed it.I'll add a few random observations.Sharpies really don't work very well signing Terrible Towels when you are doing it on the stadium cement.Michelle's son is really crazy about Jeff Reed.The Povertyneck Hillbillies are going to get even bigger -- the new single is terrific.Even with those funky stadium headset microphones it is hard to hear when the band is playing a few yards away.If you stand of the field for four hours in dress shoes your feet get really cold.More observations: Michelle's son will freak out if Jeff Reed marches across the field to be interviewed on live TV by his mom.One of the great pleasures of my life came as I interviewed Dan Rooney live surrounded by 30,000 screaming Steelers fans.Note: Someday Michelle will be able to explain to her son how gracious a man Jeff Reed is that if, say, you ask if he is worried about the wind on game day that he will very delicately remind you on live television that the game is going to be indoors.One of the best things about Friday night was the number of kids and families in the stands.This was more than just Steelers fans getting a chance to applaud their team that played all their playoff games on the road. This was more than Jerome Bettis getting to say thank you ahead of time. This was one of the great Pittsburgh moments. Made possible by a team and a town and what seems to be perfect timing. Posted by Sally Wiggin on Jan. 28, 2006 at 2:30 p.m.What a great pep rally! (  Watch Video) Scott and Michelle did a super job communicating the spirit and affection that the stadium was radiating. I have never seen Pat Rooney so excited.And to Jan in Crafton: You are right..."WE" is perfectly appropriate, even necessary. Those guys need to know they are fighting for more than themselves and each other. Talk to them, listen to them. You can tell that the fans are an important part of the equation. If you want to be cynical and believe it's their PR, you can. But I think the vast majority of players care about -- and are inspired by -- the fans. Call me naive, but I truly believe that.
Posted by Sally Wiggin on Jan. 27, 2006 at 11:30 a.m.Bad blog, bad blog. Get it? Like bad dog, bad dog. Now you know why everyone I know and love never gets a thank-you note until a year later.Let's see ... Denver -- a lifetime ago, but what a lifetime for players and fans.Some quick observations.1) Watching that almost-intercepted ball pop up in the air and come down into Hines' hands -- WOW!!!!! I talked to him about it yesterday. Fascinating what goes through their minds when something like that happens, with Hines knowing that safety John Lynch (in all his good-looking glory) was barrelling toward him. But can't tell you until the piece runs. Uh-oh. That means you have to watch our coverage 'round the clock. Just kidding. I will try to give you guys a heads up when that portion of the interview airs.
Posted by Sheldon Ingram on Jan. 26, 2006 at 2:30 p.m.Oooooooo WEEE!!!!! I just came out of our Channel 4 Action News Super Bowl strategy meeting for Detroit.After that meeting, I'm already tired and we haven't even left yet. Our coverage is going to be THAT good. It's going to be better than good. With our Super Bowl coverage, we are poised to make the other stations look like Pop Warner competition, I promise.
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