Fox 11's Jillian Reynolds: Time to grow up?
Jillian (Barberie) Reynolds of Fox's "Good Day LA" is one of the most recognizable faces in local news. She's also one of the most outspoken, as evidenced by a recent appearance on Howard Stern's Sirius satellite radio show.
Reynolds spoke candidly about not only her colleagues (calling KTTV co-host Dorothy Lucey "very Christian and Bible-thumpy"), but also about her romantic past and present (memorably recalling fantasy play with her husband, Grant Reynolds, including one occurrence when he held a gun to her head).
It's perhaps the most outlandish, but hardly the first, time Reynolds has spoken up about topics her Fox bosses might prefer she avoid. She's previously mentioned her desire to pose nude for Playboy magazine.
In James Rainey's latest column, he wonders if -- especially in the light of a recent layoff in which about one-quarter of Reynolds' colleagues were told they'd lose their jobs and the on-air revelation that is expecting her second child -- it's time for the bad girl of local news to grow up a little. What do you think? Share your thoughts here.
Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Why is it time for her to "grow up"? She's delivering ratings. It's what they want. Personally she is the only reason I watch. She's very entertaining. Throughout the years it seems as if she has even rubbed off on Steve. He seems to be lighter and more entertaining as well. I say she shouldn't change, or "grow up" as you say.
Posted by: Amanda | July 10, 2009 at 12:40 PM
What a joke this morning show and Jillian have become. Jillian ia not a news person on any level.....Even a weather personl would try to dress appropriately to gain some respect on air. I'm no prude but in the morning or any "News" program, I expect the women on screen not to be falling out of their tops.....I mean... is this a Night Club or a news show. The GM says we know she upholds our standards on FOX 11......shame on him for allowing this tasteless approach on air and he (and she,JR) should apoligize to all real and respected female journalists!
Posted by: HanksNews | July 10, 2009 at 01:09 PM
In my not to humble opinion, i find Jillian a waste of effort to listen to. she appears to be the stupid co worker who fools around all day and let the others do the real work. How can anyone think she even earns her pay check. And I agree she mostly dresses like a street walker. But texting and reading the Enquirer on camera! oh please! Only surpassed by Dorothy who is laughing while talking and too hard to get what she says.
Posted by: Moreno | July 10, 2009 at 01:31 PM
JILLIAN DOES NEED TO GROW UP, I MEAN, "HELLO" SHE IS IN HER 40'S AND IS PREGO AGAIN. SHE NEEDS TO RE-THINK HER WARDROBE, IT IS TO RISQUE FOR MORNING TV. ALL THE OTHER FEMALE NEWS WOMEN DRESS WITH DIGNITY AND TASTE. AS FOR THE TEXTING AND MAGAZINE READING, SHE REMINDS ME OF MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER !!!! SO IMMATURE. HER CUTESY, TOOTSEY, I THING I AM STILL IN MY '20'S PERSONALLY IS VERY SICKENING !!!!! AND SHE LOOKS OLDER THAT HER AGE, SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE IS 49 !!!! I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE YOUNGER AND MORE AMBITIOUS REPORTERS, INSTEAD OF KEEPING AN OVERPAID, HIPPIE LOOKING CHICK, NO BRAINS, CHICK.
Posted by: GINNY | July 10, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Who cares if she grows up or not. I normally wouldn't comment on something as inane as this but I'm in a wierd mood today. Mr. Rainey obviously has issues in his own life he needs to deal with. With everything going on in the world today, our soldiers dying for forgotten causes, the economy in the toilet, or any number of more important topics. He chooses to rail about a weather girl on some local TV station. GET A CLUE. I haven't watched mainstream media for years, but if Fox chooses to parade her around to boost ratings so be it. If she offends your delicate senses, here's a thought DON'T WATCH HER and eventually they will pull her from the air. This article and those like it are the main reason I stopped watching the mainstream media channels in the first place.
Get over the petty jealousy issues you have and report on some real news.
Posted by: scott | July 10, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Jillian Reynolds is a joke. It's actually an insult to all journalists to even mention her name in the same sentence. She has no talent and she's not even attractive. She's on air because she's willing to hike her skirt up an inch higher and lower her top an inch lower than others. That's it. Plain and simple. Times are tough, downsizing is necessary, and so what does Fox 11 do? They fire all the legitimate reporters and keep Jillian Reynolds? So... I guess they're just abandoning all real credible news reporting from now on then? It's no wonder Fox 11 is having diffiiculties... who's making these decisions?
Posted by: John | July 10, 2009 at 01:53 PM
You go girl. You're as old as you feel. Your writer needs to lighten up.
Posted by: Eve | July 10, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Go do some real journalism and leave Jillian alone!
Posted by: Chirimikas | July 10, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Jillian is by her own account expecting to pose nude in playboy, be invited to host "The View", and start a recording career. She is a climbing star and her Fox news gig is just in the way. I say, let her realize those fantasies! Such talent needs to be spread around, us in LA are just being selfish. I think a fundraiser for a one way ticket to NY is the best way to proceed here (Vegas is too close).
Posted by: Alex | July 10, 2009 at 02:09 PM
she should be allowed to be real, why would we want some fake news person; growing up doesn't mean giving up who you really are
Posted by: sir jorge | July 10, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Jillian is the only reason to watch the lamest station in LA
Posted by: tms | July 10, 2009 at 02:24 PM
I have been off work since March. And since then I've tried getting my news from Steve and Dorothy. But when I see and hear Jillian on FOX News I get irritated.and switch channels. She is a 'name-dropper.' She ignores and rudely interrupts when the others are sharing. Or even worst, she acts like she's above the discussion they're having.
She needs to grow up. She's been insinuating that she wouldn't mind leaving; well what are they waiting for? She can't even get through the weather. I find it so rude that she's texting and then has no idea what the others are talking about but goes ahead and makes a comment.
Posted by: Switching Back to KTLA | July 10, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I tuned out years ago she is annoying to listen to. Yes time to grow and to cover up that inappropriate on air wardrobe.
Posted by: Sara | July 10, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Since she had a kid, she's become nearly as obnoxious and annoying as Dorothy. I no longer watch the show.
Posted by: thecanimalshusband | July 10, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Jillian rocks! Maybe you need to lighten up!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 10, 2009 at 02:29 PM
What an idiot! She is the prime example of infro-news. Look "Good Day L.A." is an entertianment show, not a news show. It should rebrand itself towards that. Where KTLA is a news show with entertianment, "Good Day' is an entertianment show with news. It's cringe worthy to watch someone with diginity like Steve Edwards deal with this garbage. Even "The Soup" on E! acknowledges this with its "What's pissing off Steve Edwards" segement.
Overall, much of KTTV's news is very embarassing. With all the cuts going on there, why do they have TWO weather anchors on in the morning, when every other station has one. Wouldn't it be wise to let go one of them and maybe save a few jobs., or has eye candy become much more important than news?
My friends joke about Fox 11, calling their news programs "Cougar News." They seem to have women in their news department that are in their 40's who still try to act 21 or 25. It's a shame that attitude and looks and their "So Brash" attiude is ruining a decent news department with professionals like Christine Devine and Carlos Amezuca.
Posted by: Bluerincon | July 10, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Jillian is a happy person, beautifull insise & out. If she kept this job for 15 yrs its because people likes the way she is in a live tv news room. she is different of all the other weather girls she is unique. LOVE Jillian, when im getting ready for work the first thing i do,i turn on the tv for she could make me laugh & have a great day @ work also, Steve & Dorthy get me up too. O onother thing because the way she is. Jillian is out there. I dont see other anchor host weather girls having a carrer beside doing the weather.
LEAVE JILLIAN ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Miriam sanchez | July 10, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Her behavior is merely symptomatic of her age. With her looks and body rapidly succumbing to time, she has to resort to outrageousness to keep our
eyes and attention from wandering over the the twenty-somethings on TV and in town.
Posted by: A lert | July 10, 2009 at 02:43 PM
If you want "entertainment", watch the faux news circus on Channel 5; the rest of us want honest news coverage for Southern California! I am sick of the unprofessional behavior by Ms. Reynolds and Dorothy Lucey, both of which think interrupting each other and Steve Edwards is the height of journalism! If I want to watch overpriced fashions, C list entertainers and Fox News apologists, I would put it on Fox. If I want some decent and accurate reporting, I wait for Channel 9 or Channel 2 to come on. Channel 11 can't have it both ways, either show some journalistic integrity or stop calling it morning "news".
Posted by: jtbwriter | July 10, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Jillian has informed her adoring LA fans that she will be posing nude for Playboy, then going on to host "The View" in between a stint on Broadway. Who knew! Apparently she's holding back her talent for the big bucks coming her way any day now. Fundraiser for a 1 way ticket to NY anyone?
Then the layoff issue will be moot. (She wont understand that word, no worries).
Only Jillian in LA makes the OC life look tasteful, my thanks to her in that regard.
Posted by: suzanne in OC | July 10, 2009 at 03:04 PM
I can understand the need for ratings, but I've gotta admit it's a bit much for me. It seems news personalities forget them are supposed to deliver or present the news, not BE the news. Jillian isn't the only one at fault here, you've got to include her employer. If they REALLY wanted her to stop, she would. I wouldn't be surprised if she was told to push the envelope a bit, or at the very least, not reeled in when she revealed too much. She is a resonably attractive woman, so there will never be too many complaints (at least from guys), so those who aren't happy will just have to live with it.
Posted by: Dennis | July 10, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Ha! She's a perpetual highschool third rate Homecoming Queen.
Posted by: Mel | July 10, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Bravo! She is gross.
Posted by: mimi | July 10, 2009 at 03:30 PM
I am a 39 year old mom and I love Jillian and all her goofiness. I can relate to her because I am wacky and goofy too - plus I love her work and involvement with local animal rescue groups. If you want serious news, watch CNN or MSNBC, etc. Besides Jillian, I like Steve and enjoy the local news. It's so boring to be so serious 24/7 - life is too short.
Posted by: Nicole, Los Angeles | July 10, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I CAN'T STAND her. I do not take her seriously, I don't think she's funny and she's a dumb as a stump. She's the reason I DON'T watch.
Posted by: Loren | July 10, 2009 at 03:40 PM