TV Talk: David Johnson signs off; Heather Abraham going on medical leave

After a 40-year run, including more than 30 years as one of the nation’s longest duration anchor teams alongside Peggy Finnegan who retired in 2020, Channel 11 weekday evening news anchor David Johnson called it a career Friday during WPXI’s 6 p.m. newscast.

Finnegan returned for Johnson’s farewell, appearing in a taped piece and live at the anchor desk.

“I really can’t believe I’m saying goodbye to David Johnson the anchorman at Channel 11 News,” Finnegan said. “It was wonderful being your co-anchor. I always felt comfortable at your side. You were great at your job, and you’re gonna be great at retirement.”

Johnson’s current co-anchor, Lisa Sylvester, said it was an honor and pleasure to work with Johnson and presented him with a plaque, naming the Channel 11 studio the David Johnson Main Studio.

“NBC Nightly News” anchor Lestor Holt sent a greeting, thanking Johnson for his leadership at Channel 11 and for his reporting for “Nightly News” during the Tree of Life shooting trial.

Former Steelers star Jerome Bettis called Johnson “a trusted source for information and news for the entire Pittsburgh area, so I salute you.”

The biggest departure from recent past Pittsburgh anchor retirements was the appearance by news anchors from rival stations. WTAE news anchor Mike Clark recorded congratulations, calling Johnson “a class act,” and KDKA-TV’s Ken Rice got in one last joke in his long-running faux rivalry with Johnson.

“I’ve enjoyed our friendship and our good-natured rivalry over the years, the gentle jabs back and forth, but this is real,” Rice said, winding up for the punchline. “Congratulations on all the terrific work that you’ve done at Channel 11 – behind the scenes. You know, I always thought one day they’d let you go on the air, but, anyway, good job.”

Johnson thanked his wife, Nancy Polinsky, acknowledging that “being a TV news spouse is not easy.” He thanked his Channel 11 colleagues, including editors, producers, photographers and control room operators, saying, “You’ve made me look better than I actually am.”

And he thanked viewers for tuning in for 40 years.

“It helped me keep my job,” Johnson said. “Keep watching and supporting local news. It’s important to know what’s going on in your community. Keep watching Channel 11 News. I know I will.”

Channel 11 executives have not yet named Johnson’s replacement, but morning anchor Gordon Loesch seems poised to be Johnson’s successor, though an announcement may not come until early next year.

Abraham on medical leave

KDKA-TV’s Heather Abraham posted to Instagram that she will be out on medical leave in January to have a hysterectomy. She will be off “Pittsburgh Today Live” and “Talk Pittsburgh” for about six weeks.

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More ‘Yellowstone’

Sunday’s expanded, almost 90-minute series finale for “Yellowstone” won’t be the last viewers see of the show’s characters. “Yellowstone” stars Kelly Reilly (as Beth) and Cole Hauser (as Rip) have signed on for a sequel series, per Deadline.com. Writer Taylor Sheridan is currently developing the new show for Paramount+.

More ‘Natalia Grace’

Investigation Discovery will roll out one last installment of “The Curious Case of Natalie Grace: The Final Chapter” airing over two nights, 9 to 11 p.m. Jan. 6 and 7.

In addition, ID will launch a spinoff series, “The Curious Case Of…” (10 p.m. Jan. 13), tracking bizarre cases in a weekly format.

More ‘Malcolm in the Middle’

Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek will reunite for a four-episode, Disney+ “Malcolm in the Middle” sequel series with show creator Linwood Boomer returning as showrunner.

The plot of the new episodes finds Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand Malcolm’s presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.

Children’s Emmys

The third annual “Children’s Family Emmy Award” nominations recognized several series from Pittsburgh-based Fred Rogers Productions, including “Donkey Hodie” (up for best preschool series, interactive media) and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” (nominated in interactive media, voice directing for an animated series). Awards will be announced in a Los Angeles ceremony on March 15.

Kept/canceled/revived

The CW renewed “Sullivan’s Crossing” for a third season to air in 2025.

HBO and Max will not renew “Sesame Street” for more original episodes but will air reruns through 2027. Sesame Workshop will shop new episodes of the series to other outlets.

Amazon canceled Squirrel Hill-set “Dinner with the Parents” after one season, per Deadline.com. The Amazon Freevee show was created by Squirrel Hill native Jon Beckerman (“Ed”).

That “Friday Night Lights” reboot is indeed headed for Peacock.

Channel surfing

HGTV’s “White House Christmas 2024” debuts at 6 p.m. Sunday hosted by Brian and Mike Kleinschmidt. … A new PBS “Call the Midwife” holiday special will air at 8 p.m. Dec. 25 on WQED-TV. … A four-part docu-series celebrating 50 years of “Saturday Night Live,” “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” will stream on Peacock beginning Jan. 16. … NBC’s Wednesday night “Chicago” shows will have their first three-way crossover since 2019 in episodes of “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.” airing 8 to 11 p.m. Jan. 29. … For the first time, the Oscars will stream live (on Hulu) while airing on ABC at 7 p.m. March 2. … Stand-alone streaming service CNBC+ will launch in early 2025. … Cable replacement YouTube TV hiked its monthly subscription rate $10 to $83 effective next month. … Matthew Gray Gubler will reprise his role as Dr. Spender Reid in a season three episode of Paramount+’s “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” per Deadline.com. … Netflix will debut a two-part documentary, “Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action” Jan. 7.