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KTLA news anchor Mark Mester has been suspended from work after he criticized the way the station handled the sudden departure of his former co-host, Lynette Romero, which did not sit well with the management.
As per TV Spy, the network's entertainment specialist, Sam Rubin, announced on-air on September 14 that Romero had suddenly left the channel after 24 years for, allegedly, another job opportunity.
“After nearly 24 years, our friend Lynette Romero has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news. KTLA management had hoped she would stay here her entire career and KTLA worked hard to make that happen, but Lynette has decided to move onto another opportunity elsewhere.”
Romero had been working with KTLA since 1998 in various roles. She co-anchored the station's nightly newscast with veteran journalist Hal Fischman, and then worked as a general assignment reporter until taking over as main co-host of the KTLA Morning News over the weekend. She also started Sunday's "good news segment" called "Link Up with Lynette."
Mark Mester apologized to viewers and Lynette Romero for the departure announcement
Mark Mester, who co-hosted "Weekend Morning News" on KTLA with Romero, apologized to the audience in a five-minute window on the morning news broadcast for September 18. He addressed Lynette's absence and dubbed the station's announcement as "cruel" and "rude."
“It was inappropriate and we are so sorry. I also want to say sorry to Lynette Romero, because Lynette I love you so much you really are my best friend. You did not deserve what happened to you on Wednesday.”
Mark Mester criticized Sam Rubin's script which announced her departure.
“It was unfortunate. It was inappropriate and we are so sorry about that when that deserve to say goodbye. I don’t know who wrote the script. I don’t know who handed it to Sam Rubin. Regardless this was a mistake. We owe you an apology.”
Mark Mester's comments went viral over the internet and were even posted on FTV Live website, until it was taken down due to copyright issues.
The same day, Mark uploaded a video on his social media profile of an airplane flying over the studio with a tribute message for Romero. As per The Desk, an insider reported that Mark was suspended from the channel over his actions.
Clearing her stance, the station's general manager, Janene Drafs, visited the studio on September 19 and claimed that it was Romero's decision to leave the station for another job opportunity.
Twitter reacts to Mark Mester-Lynette Romero drama
Twitter was not happy when the news of Mark Mester being suspended over his comments came to the forefront. Users called out the station for their insensitivity, stating that they will stop watching KTLA.
At the time of writing, it is not yet known what Lynette Romero's next step will be. However, on September 15, she took to her Twitter to ask her viewers to "stay tuned" till she is back.
