The Return of Stephanie Edwards: A Tournament of Roses Parade Recap

Yup, she’s back: Longtime TV host Stephanie Edwards, who had handled the Tournament of Roses Parade alongside Bob Eubanks for years, was shoved aside a few years ago in favor of KTLA morning host Michaela Pereira. After two years of viewer complaints, Stephanie was back on the KTLA show beside Bob this year, while Pereira was the one stuck in the stands.

The telecast began with Edwards addressing talk that the two actually hate each other: “People write in all the time and ask if we like each other,” he said. “The answer is no… we love each other!”

Oh, gag. I’m not buyin’ it.

As for the return of Stephanie… well, two years out of the booth, and she was a bit rusty.

Honda’s “Asimo” robot kicked off the show. Sitting in our Glendale HQ, I waited and waited for the fighter jets that normally kick off the parade. I got Evan all excited — in years past, the jets have buzzed right over our home on the way to Pasadena. But this year, nothing. The 4-year-old figured I was full of crap.

This year’s theme: “Hats Off To Entertainment.” There’s something strangely pure and wholesome about the Tournament of Roses Parade; in this cynical age, it’s almost hard to accept its sunny ethos. But what the hell, it’s the start of a new year.

There’s Michaela, who tried to put the best face on her demotion. “I got the best seats in the house,” she kept telling us. Sorry, we didn’t believe Stephanie when she tried to tell viewers the same thing two years ago.

Stephanie Edwards Accepts KTLA’s Rose

Good news for Stephanie Edwards fans: According to the L.A. Times, the host will be back alongside Bob Eubanks on next year’s coverage of the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Edwards, of course, was demoted in 2006 and replaced by “KTLA Morning News” anchor Michaela Pereira. The paper writes:

“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 2006 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.

Check out past Stephanie Edwards posts here.

Retro Friday: Stephanie Edwards and "Monty Python"

Before “Good Morning America,” there was “A.M. America,” ABC’s short-lived morning show hosted by Bill Beutel and Stephanie Edwards. In this 1975 clip, Beutel is out, but the cast of “Monty Python” joins Edwards to co-host on the set. If that’s not surreal enough for you (and trust me, it’s surreal), the mayhem is contrasted by a somber Peter Jennings, who anchors the morning show’s newscast — and reports the impending collapse of Saigon.

Retro Friday: Stephanie Edwards and "Monty Python"

Before “Good Morning America,” there was “A.M. America,” ABC’s short-lived morning show hosted by Bill Beutel and Stephanie Edwards. In this 1975 clip, Beutel is out, but the cast of “Monty Python” joins Edwards to co-host on the set. If that’s not surreal enough for you (and trust me, it’s surreal), the mayhem is contrasted by a somber Peter Jennings, who anchors the morning show’s newscast — and reports the impending collapse of Saigon.

Retro Friday: Lucky Trade School Kids, Lucky Supermarket

Oh, if only Stephanie Edwards could still assist us in grocery store selection. Here’s a Lucky ad from 1987, referencing several other defunct supermarkets (such as Alpha Beta) as well. Meanwhile, as you remember we wrote last year, Lucky isn’t quite dead — a few stores with the Lucky name have reopened in the past year or two. But the brand as we once knew it is still pretty much gone.