John Bolaris Makes Local News More Fun

The Inquirer’s Michael Klein got a cover story in yesterday’s Inquirer about Larry Mendte, and how some people liked him, and others didn’t. Wow, it’s kinda like me, except people like him.

The article was pretty good if only because it reminded me that Mendte was the first host of Access Hollywood; perhaps he will return to a different celebrity newsmagazine (say, Extra!) to team with the guy from Sugar Ray. But the best part was John Bolaris’ quote; the Fox weatherman was one of the few people to go on the record about Mendte. (Vai Sikahema also gave a positive quote about Larry inbetween knockouts.)

In 2001, while Bolaris was catching grief for predicting a huge snowstorm that didn’t materialize, Mendte confronted him.

Mendte “calls me into a room and says, ‘How dare you destroy what I’ve created here?’ I said, ‘What you have created here?’ He said, ‘I mean we.’ ” Bolaris said Mendte later apologized.

Bolaris, one of the few local TV personalities who agreed to speak publicly about Mendte, said that if Mendte had been spying on Lane, “I hope he gets what he deserves. I also think he owes a big-time apology to Alycia Lane, the viewers, his family” and his station.

What makes this even better is Bolaris works with Mendte’s wife, Dawn Stensland. Ha ha, the 10 O’Clock News could be hilarious tonight.

Mendte could push either way [Inquirer]