Mark Mester, a news anchor for KTLA, has been suspended from the station for making inappropriate statements about his former co-host Lynette Romero’s unexpected departure. According to TV Spy, the network’s expert on entertainment, Sam Rubin, announced on-air on September 14 that Romero had abruptly left the channel after 24 years, likely for another job opportunity.
Our buddy, Lynette Romero, has decided to retire after nearly 24 years as our Saturday morning news anchor.
KTLA management had hoped Lynette would remain with the station for the remainder of her career, and the station worked diligently to make that happen. Nevertheless, Lynette has decided to pursue another opportunity elsewhere.
Since 1998, Romero has worked in several roles with KTLA. She co-anchored the station’s nighttime broadcast alongside veteran journalist Hal Fischman before becoming a general assignment reporter and taking over as co-host of the KTLA Morning News on the weekend.
She also introduced the Sunday “positive news part” titled “Link Up with Lynette.” Romero previously stated that her mother passed away earlier this year from Alzheimer’s disease and that she has joined the Alzheimer’s Association of California Southland.
Mark Mester apologized to viewers for Lynette Romero’s unexpected departure.
Mark Mester, co-host of Weekend Morning News on KTLA with Romero, apologized for Lynette’s absence during a five-minute piece on September 18’s morning news broadcast, describing the episode as “cruel” and “mean.”
We apologize for the inadequacy of the conduct. I would also like to apologize to Lynette Romero, who I adore and regard as my best friend. Wednesday’s unfortunate events were not your fault.
Mark Mester complimented the station’s general manager, Janene Drafts, for enabling Romero to go for another job, but criticized Sam Rubin’s script, which initially reported her departure.
“It was unfortunate. It was inappropriate, and we apologize, as they were entitled to a proper farewell. I do not know who wrote the script. I am uncertain as to who presented it to Sam Rubin. In any case, this was an error. You are owed an explanation.”
The internet popularity of Mark Mester’s remarks led to their removal from the FTV Live website for copyright reasons. Mark posted a video of an airplane flying over the studio with a tribute message for Romero on his social media account on the same day.
Mark was reportedly suspended from the channel owing to his behavior, as reported by The Desk. Drafs reinforced her position by visiting the studio on September 19 and asserting that Romero’s decision to leave the station for a new job opportunity was her decision.
Twitter reactions to the Mark Mester-Lynette Romero scandal
Twitter erupted when news came that Mark Mester had been suspended for his words. After Mester accepted Romero’s viewpoint, users blasted the station, with some threatening to stop watching KTLA.
At the time of writing, it is unknown what Lynette Romero’s next step will be. But, on September 15, she advised her admirers to “stay tuned” till her comeback through Twitter.
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