'Good Day Chicago' Producer Reprimanded For Telling Reporters Not To Wear Hats In Cold

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Jan 6, 2016 8:12PM

The new executive producer of Fox 32's Good Day Chicago kicked off his first winter in Chicago by emailing reporters that they would "look a lot better without hats" in outside shots unless "it's 20 below." Ouch.

Media critic Rober Feder, who reported on the email sent out by the show's executive producer Dan Salamone, said it wasn't too early to call Salamone the "dumbest TV executive of the year."

The station doesn't sound happy with him, either. General manager Dennis Welsh told Chicagoist that the "unapproved email" does not represent the station's policy and that Salamone will be facing disciplinary action for the "poorly worded" email. He said, "It's kind of ridiculous."

Welsh said reporters doing live outdoor shots in the brutal months ahead will be wearing hats: "It's Chicago, it's cold, everyone wears hats."

He said the email was meant to make sure all the reporters look their best on camera, but failed at that. He said the station's policy now is, "Everyone can wear hats, but not ugly ones."

In case you were wondering, the hat reporter Natalie Bomke is wearing above makes the cut. Both he and Bomke discussed the hat, since Feder used it in his post, and they agreed that it looks nice on camera.

Welsh disputed the charge made in Feder's story that the email was aimed at only female reporters. He says the email was sent to its three morning reporters, who just happen to all be female.

Feder was tipped off by Jessica D'Onofrio, who works for ABC7's morning show:

We firmly believe people on TV should wear whatever clothing they feel is appropriate for the elements, whether that means they need a waterproof jacket like this reporter or no shirt at all like the man he is interviewing.