Mark Hayes leaving Fox 5’s ‘Good Day Atlanta’
Loading ...Mark Hayes, a fixture on Fox 5’s “Good Day Atlanta” since 2002, is voluntarily leaving the show, according to a Fox 5 spokeswoman. Friday is his final day.
The station would have liked him to have stayed on if he had chosen to.
He will make his official announcement Friday morning during the 7 a.m. hour.
UPDATE: At 8:55 a.m. Friday morning, Fox 5 played a tribute video of light-hearted moments from Hayes’ ten years with the show, laughing with a lizard, the Rock, Ryan Seacrest and Terry Bradshaw. He’s seen singing K.C. & the Sunshine Band, dancing Irish Riverdance and cleaning a barbecue.
“This has been an incredibly fast ten years,” Hayes said. “I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by. It’s been an honor and privilege to work with all you guys because you guys are the best in the business. I’m going to miss you guys truly. You guys are friends and family. We’ve done graduations together… My guys were babies when we got here. Now they’re grown and gone. Kenny’s in the Navy and Malcolm is just about grown up. He’s graduating high school in a couple of years. Where does the time go?”
“I leave with a heavy heart but I leave with no regrets, no complaints. This was not an easy decision,” he added. He did not indicate what his future plans are.
Hayes was co-anchor with Suchita Vadlamani for much of that time until she left in late 2010 after some management shifts. (Vadlamani has not returned to TV.). Last year, Hayes was moved to the 5 to 7 a.m. anchoring hours and does reporting from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Buck Lanford took his place from 7 to 9 a.m., with Vadlamani’s replacement Gurvir Dhindsa.
“He brought a lot of energy to the mornings,” said Jan Hickel, who was the guest coordinator for several years and left last year. “They had great chemistry. They had fun on air together.”
Brett Martin, the former Fox 5 “Road Warrior” and a friend of Hayes, said he thinks Hayes wants to branch out and do other things. “He wants to grow,” Martin said.
The most recent “Road Warrior” who was let go last year, Stacey Elgin wrote to me that she loved working with him: “Mark was very professional on air and had a huge fan base. He will be missed by so many in the community!”
Bill Schneider, the Fox 5 general manager, released this statement:
“We have enjoyed working with Mark over the past 10 years. He has always demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm for his work and it has resonated well with our viewers. We will miss Mark’s passion and wish him the best of luck in his future.”
Ratings have generally been on the upswing for “Good Day Atlanta,” which battles “The Today Show” for the No. 2 slot in the mornings.
Hayes did not respond to a call and text.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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240 comments Add your comment
Sad Viewer
April 5th, 2012
6:11 pm
Noooooooo!!!! He was the reason I watched! Loved his great attitude. Funny guy. I’ll be watching in the morning with Kleenex in hand.
JAJAQ
April 5th, 2012
6:14 pm
I am so glad he is leaving, he truly got on my nerves. I did not watch after a while when he was on.
Alvetta Freeman
April 5th, 2012
6:16 pm
I hate that. I will miss him. He added so much to the morning show. Serious, warm and knowledgeable at the same time. Loved when he went to the schools. Students were always so receptive.
Team Mark Hayes
April 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
FOX 5 won’t be the same…He will be missed.
Daynna
April 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
I will miss him. He was a really funny guy and made me enjoy waking up. I wish him the best of luck on all of endeavors.
Sad Viewer
April 5th, 2012
6:20 pm
And by all means PLEASE DO NOT move Lisa Rayam in his spot!! Ugh she irks my nerves. Ever notice how she makes those emotional moans in her mic? All that “mmmm” and “mmm mmm” just grates my nerves. “HELLO! You’re wearing a live mic Lisa! How ’bout keeping your emotions in your head where it’s not kicked up on mic?!?!”
Sad Viewer
April 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
**picked** up on mic
Arthur Bouie
April 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
Very professional and yet very humorous, he showed that you can “smile” and not be so serious in the mornings like so many other male anchors………….. I know that his buddy, Lauren Simonetti will miss him !!
frank
April 5th, 2012
6:25 pm
The real reason why he is leaving is cause he wasn’t been treated right just like Suchita wasn’t treated right. They didn’t want him they wanted him gone just like they wanted Suchita gone but now I’m sure he’s finally noticing it.
ATL buckhead
April 5th, 2012
6:28 pm
Will miss him for sure. He was a funny guy, and yes he won’t be able to flirt with Simonetti anymore. Hopefully his next gig is in atlanta during the morning.
Eastside
April 5th, 2012
6:37 pm
Good luck Mark, you made my day, even when they replaced you in the 7a 9a slot. Hope you resurface some where close.
Mark fan
April 5th, 2012
6:37 pm
I guess I’ll go back to GMA!
Atl Lithonia
April 5th, 2012
6:38 pm
He will be missed. This is not good , he added flavor to the morning show. He kept it real with his jokes and great smile. No more wating for me. I’m sorry. They should have re-thought this one.
Susan
April 5th, 2012
6:43 pm
OH NO! Mark please don’t go. I don’t think i will be able to watch Good Day Atlanta anymore. Your humor and smile will be totally missed. However, I do wish you all the best for you and your family.
Well! that’s it for local channels.
Myron
April 5th, 2012
6:43 pm
I will miss him. He was a funny and friendly host. But I will still continue to watch Good Day Atlanta. I love that show.
Hayes Fan
April 5th, 2012
6:46 pm
Nooooo! Mark is the heart of the show. I have watched him every morning for the last 10 years. He will be missed. Good luck in all your future endeavors! The show will no longer have any humor with the likes of Buck and GoodDear.
A Lost Viewer
April 5th, 2012
6:46 pm
I enjoyed Mark & Suchita as a team. However, I liked Gurvir in the past when she anchored the show. But once she returned I never really got into her anchoring the show & I have truly missed Suchita & Mark on the 7-9a show. Iam prayerful that Mark & Suchita end up somewhere they are both appreciated. I won’t be getting up early to watch the show anymore now that Mark is gone.
Vetta
April 5th, 2012
6:49 pm
All of my favorites from the morning crew are now gone–Mark, Brett, Suchita, and Jeff (I know he’s still there).
Cilver
April 5th, 2012
6:51 pm
I will miss him. He was professional yet down to earth. Had a great attitude..Guess I’ll be watching another show
Just Cooling
April 5th, 2012
6:52 pm
Mark I’m glad to see this forced change. There are so many better places to show case you talents. You should be doing your own show. Looking forward to seeing more good things from ya…..
casper09
April 5th, 2012
6:57 pm
like most have said we will miss you mark you made the morning a whole lot brigther now that;s coming from a guy whe realized a long time ago i am not a morning person we will all missed that great big smile brutha goodl luck mark and thans for all the joy yu have given us all
huffster
April 5th, 2012
7:00 pm
Mark, go on to bigger and better, and I know you will! Suchita, you too! I love Gurvir but I worry about how thin she looks. Isn’t it funny how we feel like they’re all family?!
Mark Fan
April 5th, 2012
7:01 pm
I am so done with Good Day! They have managed to destroy what was once an enjoyable morning program. Gurvir makes me yawn and could definitely benefit from Botox injections. Buck is okay, but I enjoyed him more as a sports reporter. What is wrong with the management team at Fox5? Mark brought energy and a genuine sense of humor to the show. smh
Tex Gfield
April 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
Maybe the mayors brother can get the gig? Oh, he may be in jail? Wait, what, am I crazy? The mayors brother in jail? No way!
Tex Gfield
April 5th, 2012
7:06 pm
Hey Seattle you better get used to it. That describes about 95% of the people breathing air in this here town.
K-Factor
April 5th, 2012
7:11 pm
Man, I am surely going to miss you, Mark. I really wish they would’ve kept you, Suchita, and Jeff together because you all made that show run like no other group can or ever will. I don’t think I will be interested in watching Gurvir playing with her cell phone on the air.
DAVYG
April 5th, 2012
7:13 pm
Good luck bro!
DAVYG
April 5th, 2012
7:14 pm
OMEGA BRO THAT IS!
MARCUS
April 5th, 2012
7:18 pm
H.U.!!!!!!!!
hdhd
April 5th, 2012
7:19 pm
That is too bad. I really enjoy most of the people on Good Day Atlanta, but it seems that they are all leaving. And I agree that Mark, Suchita, and Mark….they had a great thing going. Now, Gurvir is the absolute worst. Horrible. I can’t watch her. I like Buck and Karen.
Lisa
April 5th, 2012
7:21 pm
Mark you represented Howard University well! God Speed!
My family will miss you, Mark. Good luck.
April 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
That’s a shame. Can’t Fox 5 keep any good people.
John Johnson
April 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
This is a bad apparent move by Fox 5. I really liked Suchita & Mark. This move was ‘pushed’ by FOX 5. I will be moving full time to GMA to see Good Morning, America.
Sheree
April 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
He will be be missed! He was an excellent broadcaster. I hope that he has his sight set on bigger and better things because he sure deserves them. Good Luck, Mark.
joe in tucker
April 5th, 2012
7:34 pm
just another reason i don’t watch the local new in the a.m. – Suchita was great, he was pretty good & Gurvir is just freakish!!
Bill
April 5th, 2012
7:37 pm
Whoa… Also why not get rid of Gurvir, also. I have never like her to be hire at Fox 5. You will be deteriating. These are Fox 5 bod moves.
Sophie Lorraine
April 5th, 2012
7:38 pm
He was the only reason I watched Fox 5. I surely will no longer be watching.
Admiral Obvious
April 5th, 2012
7:41 pm
Anything thing is better than Channel 11. The most narcissistic channel on television.
A true fox 5 fan
April 5th, 2012
7:42 pm
I somewhat knew something was about to happen with him because he has not really been on air as much. Like others have said, I really have enjoyed him as an overall anchor, especially in the morning. He had a true way to connect with the guest on the show. I no longer have a morning show worth watching once he is gone. GMA with George and Robin would have to play a somewhat okay replacement.
Jason
April 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
I cannot believe this is happening. Fox 5 will fail. This is very bad. One more day and I will leave. I cannot accept this.
Tex Gfield
April 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
Some guy wants a real black. How about a real black patriot HERMAN CAIN!!!!!!
The Voice
April 5th, 2012
7:50 pm
Rodney-
Please remove the racist comments on this blog. They are offensive and only shows the ignorance that continues to reside in some people. Unfortunately, they are unable to express their feelings in a mature and respectful manner. Even if you don’t like Mark and are happy to see him go, that is no reason to make racist remarks that show how sad, foolish and worthless you really are.
raja
April 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Mark you was casket sharp every morning.
Good Luck
Renee
April 5th, 2012
8:09 pm
I will miss Mark…I stopped watching religiously when Suchita left and Jeff was switched to nights… He was the only reason I tuned in sporadically. Now, I’m really done with Fox5!
mamaj
April 5th, 2012
8:09 pm
This is such a shock–I will miss you Mark.
Eric
April 5th, 2012
8:11 pm
I guess FOX 5 is wanting to change the direction of ‘Good Day Atlanta’. We’ve had the recent departures of Suchita Vadlamani and Stacey Elgin. I had a feeling that Mark Hayes’ time at Good Day was about to be up sooner or later. I like Gurvir Dhindsa, Joanne Feldman, Karen Graham, and Cheryl White. I don’t think Buck Lanford is news anchor material, and does better as sports anchor.
I don’t know if FOX 5 is considering changing the direction of other FOX 5 newscasts. I don’t know when Ken Cook plans to retire. I could see Jeff Hill being moved to the chief meteorlogist position… if the position isn’t given to Joanne Feldman. I could see Karen Graham in the lead sports anchor/sports director position… not sure that Ken Rodriguez will be leaving 5 anytime soon. I assume that Lisa Rayam, Amanda Davis, Tom Haynes, and Russ Spencer will be staying put.
tyrone
April 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
Good, bye bye Uncle Tom
Hilary
April 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
It’s a wrap….first Suchita….then Jeff (to another time slot) and now Mark. I’m out. Good luck Fox 5. You just dismantled the most entertaining morning news crew.
Bout time
April 5th, 2012
8:19 pm
That gasping for air was so freaking irritating. That along with his nasal tone. I complained before they moved him (hmmmm) and he actually did get better but still was too much and I would turn it off when he came on.
He saw the writing on the wall.
Toad
April 5th, 2012
8:21 pm
You guys are screwed.