Roses for KTLA's Stephanie Edwards

There’ll be no rain on the upcoming Tournament of Roses Parade for former KTLA-TV host Stephanie Edwards -- at least, not figuratively.

Edwards, the veteran broadcaster who was removed from the station’s coverage of the New Year’s Day event two years ago after co-hosting for more than 25 years, will return to her familiar role on Jan. 1, 2009, station executives announced Tuesday.

“The people at the station thought it was a great idea, and Stephanie thought it was a great idea,” said station spokesman Paul Nichols.

She will be reunited with co-host Bob Eubanks for the parade.

KTLA was heavily criticized in 2005 when the then-63-year-old Edwards was replaced in the broadcast booth by KTLA Morning News co-anchor Michaela Pereira, who was much younger. Edwards was confined to a sideline role interviewing crowd members.

The controversy increased when she was soaked by rain during the parade. Edwards has not appeared on the broadcast since 2006.

Pereira will also participate in the broadcast in a yet-to-be-determined capacity, executives said.

-- Greg Braxton

KTLA's Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks / KTLA

Comments

[Laura]

Stephanie - you are doing a great job! We love your enthusiasm and appreciate your professionalism. Thank you!

[Ron]

Now we can return to KTLA's HD coverage. Stephanie is the main reason for the season! With HGTV-HD and others competing for viewership, is was wise to get her back. If people know that she is back, viewership will be up 50%. I know for certainty that many dropped KTLA when she was taken off. Go Stephanie!!! Your perfect enunciation and sparkle makes it happen!

[Joan]

The Rose Parade broadcast is not the same without Stephanie Edwards in the broadcast booth. It was wonderful seeing her with Bob Eubanks this year. I even watched channel 5 instead of another channel since you got her back. Michaela Pereira is a great newswoman, but she's not Stephanie and the show works better with her in the stands.

[Joslyn]

So happy to see Stephanie back at the Rose Parade this year - it was not the same without her in '08. The sound of her voice and her jovial spirit are synonymous with the parade to me. I truly enjoyed the parade so much more this year simply because of her presence. Thank you for coming back Stephanie!! And thank you KTLA for finally making the right decision.

[Al Banks Jr]

i love stephanie edwards, im glad she came back this year. im a 26 year old fan and i find her quite sexy.

[DIANE]

A little late, but better late then never, as they say. I like Michaela Pereira. She's pretty, witty and wise, as I see it, on the news. But I wondered about the strange happening's going on when Stephanie was sitting, not singing, in the rain instead of up there with Bob. I always liked him a lot, but wondered, why was he in a shelter and out of the rain, while his co-host was getting soaked in the rain. And why was Michaela Pereira there with him? Now i finally found out. Shame on all of them that did that to Stephanie. And thank God she is back now. It wasn't the same without the two of them.

[Orcaman]

Peanut butter and jelly. Milk and cookies. Stephanie and Bob. It's just that simple.

[Tom & Carolyn]

When we saw Stephanie & Bobs smiling faces we felt like two good friends were personally wishing us Happy New Year & inviting us to watch the parade with them. Without her we didn't bother. Stephanie & Bob compliment each other so much with their endless supply of information about what we are seeing that it is foolish to upset that perfect balance. Thanks for correcting a HUGE scheduling error.

[Gayle Grant]

Thank You for Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks. I am from LA originally and Stephanie makes the parade better.