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Mary's last newscast



Mary Nam signed off for the final time on KOMO on the 31st, bringing her 23-year career to an end.  She's been honored here with several posts.

It was a very nice video tribute, marred, in my opinion, by two appearances by News Director Mark Neerman, who joined KOMO 15 months ago and praises Mary like he's known her forever. 

https://komonews.com/news/local/komo-news-anchor-mary-nam-last-day-final-broadcast-seattle-television-reporter-western-washington-23-year-tv-career-newscast-march-31-2026

Disingenuous 

Now why would he do that?  Ego?  Covering for not wanting to renew her or offering a pay cut?   I don't know, but the cynic in me says, leave the good byes to the people who've known her over the decades, not some interloper who wants to back in her glory.  I have bid farewell to many anchors in my time as News Director, but I didn't need to be in the video goodbyes, or near the top and bottom of one.  IMHO.    I bet the troops don't care for his intrusion.  

Post script:  What has this ND done since arriving as a post-Christmas lump of coal on 12/31/24?  He tried a double box anchor/b-roll gimmick ('I want to see my talent all the time,' to paraphrase) and that lasted less time than a Covid booster.  Waste Watch?  Promos claiming to hold the powerful accountable?    Haven't seen much of that.  Empty promises.  Not to mention there has been a mass exodus of talent since he arrived.  A new friend inside the station tells me he wants to keep the status quo ('Don't rock the boat,' to paraphrase).  So good luck with that in a volatile time.  

Just observations and opinion.

Comments

  1. IDC9March 31, 2026 at 5:38 PM

    Neerman having one appearence in the video praising Mary in a way that reflects that he has only been at KOMO for 15 months and what trait(s) he has grown to appreciate about Mary in that time might have been fine, if only to show that her superiors liked her. But two appearences gushing about her like he has known her forever? Thats just rude and tacky! Dan Lewis, Eric Johnson, and Shannon O'Donnell can get away with that as they all have known her for many years and worked with her directly far more than any news director could ever have (hours of working live on the air together do add up), but not Neerman!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wayne LMarch 31, 2026 at 5:58 PM

    Two appearances actually, two too many

    ReplyDelete
  3. MARTIN HOWELLMarch 31, 2026 at 7:43 PM

    I just clicked on the provided link and found that it now goes nowhere. I wonder what that is all about but there is clearly a duck walking and talking and acting like a duck here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wayne LMarch 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM

      Try this, sorry. https://komonews.com/news/local/komo-news-anchor-mary-nam-last-day-final-broadcast-seattle-television-reporter-western-washington-23-year-tv-career-newscast-march-31-2026

      Delete
  4. MartinMarch 31, 2026 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks Wayne. You are appreciated for all you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wayne LApril 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM

      Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate you reading and taking even more time to comment.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousApril 1, 2026 at 11:17 AM

    Ditto, Wayne, thank you for this forum
    Rich

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wayne LApril 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM

      Your contribution to the site is great. Thanks for your kind words.

      Delete

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