Lori Stokes seems so sad now : (

Lori does look sad. Her bud is gone. They had great chemistry. With Bill too. That Joe Torres is way too serious for what I'm used to on that morning show. I'm sad too. I miss Steve!

I miss Steve already. I am quite shocked and think this really sucks. This sucks for Billy Evans, as Steve called him.Also for Lori, like she is missing a part of her. Also for Joe Nolan. These 4 were so cute togrther. Well I will be watching for him somewhere else.
Shame on you WABC. Take him back and give him one last warning. Keep the team together at the least for the sake of you ratings.

Steve and Lori made one of the best news teams in New York. I watched faithfully each morning.........Now what?? The other morning news shows can no way compare to the friendship that makes you smile each morning......I guess ABC doesn't care about ratings huh?

Lori Stokes and Steve Bartlestein were the Will and Grace of morning news. I looked forward to watching the team in the morning because they had this chemistry together that I did not see on any other channel. I hope that they could all find there way together again because they are the dream team of my morning. Besides, Lori looks ....the way I feel without Steve. SAD.

I was a big fan of Lori, Steve, Joe, and Bill. I will miss him and hope that he does show up on another New York station. They came across as such good friends, not just fake TV friends. WABC needs to re-think it all and get help if help is needed. I will miss you, Steve, and wish you the best. You are so bright and good humored. You always made my day!

okay, i am a bit slow. i kept thinking steve was on vacation. but today i woke up & didn't see steve with lori & i started to realize something was up. i am so so SAD!! my morning will never be the same. i can't watch channel 7 without steve & lori together. i can't believe channel 7 did this.

okay, steve wasn't perfect. but that is what we all loved about him! the chemistry between steve, lori, bill, & joe will NEVER be the same. NEVER!!!!!! i am really upset.

My husband and I were very disapointed when we found out that Steve was fired. That morning news show was worth waking up early for, since we are retired. I will miss him and hope that ABC will give him help and another chance if he has a drug problem.

I cant believe it....

When I tell you NOBODY makes me laugh at 5:30-6:00
AM.................until I started watching the 3 stooges of the morning news..AND I DO MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY!!!!!!!!!!
I guess Steve's antics have finally caught up to him..
I really did enjoy watching them every morning
If there is a way to get Joe Nolen to laugh a whole lot more to make up for the Steve lost I for one would be grateful
;-(

For years my hubby and I have started our a.m's with our ABC friends. We are not enjoying the last 3 weeks. Yes we love everyone still on the show, but there is a huge void without Steve's relaxed personality. Everyone makes mistakes. I agree with the others give him a warning and a chance to fix it. Lori and Bill have lost their luster without their co worker. Come on Steve, get some help and back on the right track. Feel the love from all those who are pulling for you.

Lori does look so sad it will never be the same. Joe Torres is very nice but does not have the personality that Steve had with Lori, Bill, and Joe, I do think ABC madea big mistake. Sorry Lori keep smiling.

You are never going to find a team like Lori and Steve. Together with Bill and Joe Nolan they made the best team on morning television. I also thought that Steve was on vacation. Then when I saw that they were not mentioning the fact that Joe was filling in for Steve I knew that something was wrong. Come on give Steve one more chance. I can't watch the morning news without Steve. Lori is just not herself she seems very unhappy just like she lost her best friend and she did.

Dorothy says: I programed myself to wake at 5am Mon through Fridays to start the day in a happy mood by watching the fabulous four - Steve, Lori, Billy and Joe. What wonderful charisma they had. I felt they were MY FAMILY, and I think millions of others felt the same way. I looked forward to each day and their reporting , banter, comments, joking and all round good will and friendship which came right through the screen. Something was not right . Our beautiful Lori looked sad, Bill and Joe didn't have the punch as usual when they reported on weather and traffic. You split the best of all the morning shows up. Have you checked your ratings yet? Is being gay a stigma? I don't think so. ABC you should work out an agreement with Steve, bring him back and then APOLOGISE to one and all for your unfeeling way of handling the situation. In the meantime I have stopped watching Ch 7 .

Steve was part of my morning wake up for all the years he co-anchored the ABC morning show. The raport between everyone on that show was in large measure due to the overwhelming chemistry between every broadcaster on it. However, it was Steve Bartlestein's humor and playfulness that brought the show up and kept it there. He made it feel as if everyone of his co-broadcasters were friends and family to me. ABC made a huge mistake firing him. People are not perfect, and from what I have reead here and there Steve has problems that need addressing. We don't turn our backs on those who need help and especially when like ABC we can afford to do it. I stopped watching the show after hearing Steve had been fired and consequently seeing Lori Stokes' sad, mournful face. I will not return until Steve does.

I noticed something was not right when Joe Torres, Lisa Coligrassi and Michelle Charlesworth introduced themselves without saying that they were "in" for Steve Bartelstein. I immediately did a search and found out the disappointing news. I am as sad as Lori. They were definitely a great team. They have what most news stations don't have...a sense of humor and a genuine friendship. When I turn my T.V. on in the morning, because I have cable the channel automatically comes on channel 2. I try to see if I could watch them but... NO CAN DO! I immediately change to my eyewitness news family and see what's doing with them. I don't think it will be the same without Steve. I wish you all the best Steve and I'll be looking out for you on another network.

I am so sorry to hear about the hard time Steve is going through. I knew this man many years ago, and it looks like he is still thought of as a wonderful, funny man, by all of the nice things his fans have written. Keep your head up Steve and be well. You are always in my prayers.

L Train

Like all of you, I miss Steve, too. WABC should reconsider and bring him back. Heck, I may as well watch Ch. 2 or 4 now.

I am glad Steve is gone. He was the worst thing about that show. He thought he was so funny, when he was always inches away froma sexual harrassment lawsuit (seemingly). I thought he was an ego maniac,and I'm glad to see him gone. I watched that channel hoping he would be out sick or on vacation. Good bye and good riddance, Stevie.

Totally disapointed to finally read the truth. I thought it was just an extended vacation. My morning wake-up was always before 5Am to watch Lori, Steve, Bill and Joe and whoever else showed up!. Sad to see this happen. Hopebhe truth comes out and we can get the Grimsby and Buetell ofd early morning back...

I am shocked, I had no idea Steve was in such a mess. I don't know what to say except I hope he cleans up his act.

I'm sad that Steve is gone. He really was fun to watch and I think he and Lori made the BEST morning team. But Steve was in hot water on several occasions and he refused to clean up his act. I guess he forced ABC's hand. I do hope they can reconcile, but I'm not holding my breath. Lori truly does not look happy and she seems "off" without Steve. I used to be a daily viewer but I stopped after the first week without Steve. If he shows up on another morning show in the NY area, I'll be sure to tune in over there. But I don't think he'll be as good without Lori Stokes as his co-anchor. The two of them need to be picked up by another NY station for a new morning show. I think ABC is going to regret their decision to let him go.

Now that he is gone I realize that he was THE main ingredient. He was the true anchor of the show and it now has the wrong chemistry. ABC better make changes fast or stands to loose most of this audience. Hey, we all make mistakes - Steve and ABC included. ABC has the resources to fix theirs - let's see if they can act quick enough to save the show. The people loved this guy and the atmosphere he created every morning. Some ABC execs should be in hot water over this screw-up. People liked Steve because he was a good guy - trust your gut on this. Anything that ABC cares to say to the contrary will be percieved as sour-grapes and ABC remaining silent will be just as arrogant and harming. I always thought ABC News was the gold-standard - I am shocked and disappointed.

just found out why steve isn't on the morning news...i wondered for weeks where he was...i waked up to watch steve,lori,bill and joe.....they worked well togeather and made the morning go by a little faster and make me wake up with my coffee time....please bring back steve...abc... we all need him.....they made the morning news togeather....barbara

I had to try and find out somewhere where is Steve. I was hoping it was vacation time but it proved to be something else. I miss the chemistry of the whole eyewitness team in the early morning hours. You can definitely feel that Steve's presence is being missed both by his news team and the viewers. Lisa, Michelle and Joe do a good job but Steve did a GREAT job. He needs to come back to ABC - everyone needs another chance.

WOW!!!! I too just realized that Steve was not on vacation. What a BIG mistake ABC is making. Maybe all those that voiced their opinion here should do so at the ABC website as well. Hey you never know. In the meantime the AM news show has lost it's luster and most likely me.

Well, another news anchor disappears. For the past year or so I have been channel surfing as one after another of my news anchor fave disappears for whatever reasons. Oftentimes I don't think the tv station considers there viewers. I thought that I had finally found a group that I enjoyed waking up to and recently missed Steve from the spot. Of course, silly me I thought he was on vacation but then days turned into weeks and no mention of him finally gave in to the truth Steve is gone. I don't condone his action but get him help if it was not done before and then bring him back. We miss him! The morning news is definitely not the same. So I will wait, I am running out of stations to watch the news, guess I will have to settle for reading the morning paper.

If I didn't know better, I'd say all of these comments were written by the same individual. No one cares this much about some morning news anchor - Katie Couric's jump to anchor on the CBS Evening News didn't even generate this much of a reaction! On the off-chance that the above comments are real, the above commenters should be aware that Steve is also being taken to court by an ex-boyfriend for domestic abuse in addition to losing his spot on the news. The bottom line is he's not getting hired back by ABC or any network - no matter how many comments you post.

Like previously stated, I must be a little slow. Until today when I decided to investigate further, I was thinking Steve was on vacation. I'm so sorry he's not there with Lori and Bill and traffic guy anymore. I liked the chemistry between all on Channel 7's early morning news ; now I have to rethink what I will watch in the morning. Again, loss of Steve saddens me.
Roxanne W

I just found out what was going on .....oh my god!I can't believe they let him go.....he and Lori and the gang were great in the morning......this SUCKS can I just say that?LOL......why not just get him rehab and hire him back?Jesus...even Britney gets a second chance why not an extremely popular newscaster that made ABC a morning success with his collegues Lori,Bill,Joe and Johnny D(as Steve always called him)
Debi

The morning news with Steve & Lori was the only reason to watch the news in the am.
ABC signed him to a new contract in June, duh - they must have known about a possible drug problem and if he suppossedly stalked the guy in Chicago I would bet they had an idea of that too.

He made people want to watch !!

ComeonABC- are you saying no one else is gay or does drugs on any of the other networks??????????

Don't make me laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I too am very sad about Steve being fired. He, Lori, Bill and Joe made the broadcast. I never wanted to watch another station when they were on. I have watched ABC news since they went on the air, and I never saw such great chemestry. I miss it, and will now channel surf for my morning news. ABC should reconsider their decision. If Steve has a drug problem, get him help. Everyone desirves a second chance. Isn't this what Donald Trump said? Shame on you ABC, you are no longer my station of choice. You are inconsiderate of your viewers, and the rest of the News Team. What is next? Will you fire Bill, Lori and Joe? Good bye to my morning news program. Can't bear to see it without Steve in the mix.

ABC, you need to bring back Steve. The show is not the
same. I haven't even been watching it. They were a family and you shouldn't have broken them up. You will
never get the same chemistry going again. Steve and Lori were a real team.

JUST LIKE THE MANY OTHER COMMENTS I SEE POSTED I TOO THOUGHT STEVE WAS ON VACATION. THIS IS AWFUL. I THINK HE AND LORI MAKE THE MORNING NEWS. (Bill Evans is wayyyyy to CORNY) Steve was always so thoughtful bringing gifts from sporting events to Joe Nolan and he was also generous w/Lori. I can't believe I will not be watching him. As for a stalking issue? I had no clue he was/is gay and if so WHO CARES? The bottom line for ABC ( JUST LIKE ON THE SOAPS) should be ratings and I am sure the morning show will lose the # news spot b/c he is cone

I also thought Steve was on vacation. Mornings are just not the same. Lori and Steve were an incredible match, the chemistry between them will be hard to find again. I am saddedned to hear of Steve's troubles and hope things improve for him soon. In the mean time Joe Torres needs to lighten up!

I too must admit it took me a while to realize something was wrong. Thought being on Vacation for this long was strange. come to find out ABC fires a guy like Steve B but keep that IDIOT Rosie O'Donnell on the air waves???????
ABC you should be ashamed of yourselves.

To quickly turn on Ch 7 at 5a.m. just no longer matters.
The laughs and fun and "glad to alive this morning" is just
gone. Sure news is serious stuff, but this team had the
unique ability to poke fun at each other and laugh at
themselves, but at the same time getting all the news
happening on the table and out front. With all that serious stuff coming at us this trio had the right combination to lighten up our mornings. Making us glad
we could be there with them and brighten up the day ahead. Wake up ABC! You've got trouble in the Big Apple!

I think ABC made a BIG mistake in letting him go. The morning team has such chemistry. They need to bring him back. Lori Stokes looks so sad.. ABC bite the bullet and bring him back no one is perfect...

I am soooooooo sad!!! I love Steve! I can not believe that ABC can be so stupid to fire just a great achor! The only reason I would watch ABC in the morning was because of Steve and the "gang". Lori looks really sad and this really sucks! I hope they work this out and bring him back. I see no need to watch channel 7 anymore. The gang is just not the same. They don't make me laugh without Steve.

I'm really sorry that Steve is no longer with the station. I thought he was a great anchor - since his depature the 5AM broadcast is mediocore. I hope that Steve is able to rebound from this - - get the help he needs - - if all these stories are true, and comeback to a stellar career. Others have done it, I hope he will too.

For the person that thought he was on vacay - so did I and it took me until TODAY to google the situation. What a shame. I miss the banter of Joe, Bill, Lori and Steve. Lori does seem sad - but liking them all - how much did they have to shoulder or cover for if Steve was such a f--k up? What a shame!! I love Lori, so I'll still watch.

My husband and I look forward to watching Steve, Lori, Bill & Joe in the mornings. We miss very much and don't think ABC will find someone with the chemistry they all had! SO WHAT HE FELL ASLEEP! Look at what DON IMUS did, and only got 2 weeks suspension!

I thought that Steve was out during the March Madness but soon realized that it was something more. The morning news IS important to some of us, and starting the day with a positive group of people is always a good way to start the day. The comraderie that this morning team shared will be missed. It is probably unrealistic to think that we will ever see Steve & Laurie do news together again, and this is a loss for the viewers. Good luck, Steve, keep your fans posted on where we will see your talent again. Lori , Bill Joe- best to you all and your new teammate.

I too watched the show every morning with Steve, Lori,
Bill and Joe. They all complimented each other and were
enjoyable to watch. One thing that I didn't like about
Steve was that he mumbled and slurred his words - very
hard to understand everything he was saying.
I am sure he was not fired because of being gay - he has
been gay for years I am sure, and he has worked for ABC
for years. What haunted him was the sexual harassment
suit and the stalking. What haunted him was his
alleged drug abuse , and sleeping on the job. A conglom-
erate such as ABC (think I read that he was given a
chance at least once, with ABC providing rehab for him),
doesn't have to tolerate behavior like this.
I surely hope he gets the help he needs and is successful
at getting his life together and we are all praying for him.
BUT, folks get a life and remember ANYONE can be
replaced.

I was wondering what had happened to Steve. I thought he was on vacation until I decided to do a search on him on Google and found out about him being fired.

He was such an icon on the morning news. He and Lori Stokes seem that they have a genuine friendship and their chemistry on the show demonstrated it.

I hope ABC reconsiders and hires him back. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance and this seems to be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are all humans and do make mistakes every now and then.

Please bring Steve back!

Thank you.

GP

Um, Jacqueline...Don Imus lost all of his sponsors and was fired twice - once by NBC and again two days later by CBS. To the rest of you whiners, suck it up and read a paper in the morning instead.

I am sad to see Steve gone. No offense, but I thought he brought the most professionalism to the show. He never bumbled any of his words, whereas it is totally obvious that Lori has no idea half the time what she is "reading" about. She is just too silly at times. Sometimes you had to watch for 10 minutes to get any news. And, I'm a little tired of all of them calling Joe Nolan fat. PLEASE, knock off that every 7 minute crap, every 12 or 15 minutes is just fine. I don't think we'll be watching much longer, unless they find a really good male replacement. Steve is handsome and suave. Either that or put Lisa C. there permanently. There's no way I can watch with Lori on her own. She needs a sidekick desparately.

My morning will never be the same!! Every morning I would grudginly wake up at 5:00 am. The only thing that got me going was watching Steve, Lori and the gang. The chemistry between Steve, Lori, Bill and Joe was great - something the other stations were missing. I first thought Steve was on vacation but when he didn't return after a week and no mention was made of him I knew something was wrong. Now I am so disappointed! The show is boring. I find myself flipping through the channels looking for something to entertain me as they once did. I don't know if I will ever find it but I do know that I will not be watching channel 7 at 5 am unless Steve returns.

Just heard the sad news about "Steve Bartelqueen". I will greatly miss him but understand that there is a "meth" behind the madness to ABC firing him.

Hopefully the Jolly Joe Nolan will replace him to boost up the ratings!

I agree with most of you. Steve was an integral part of the newscast. Just not the same without him. I have faithfully tuned in at 5 AM for years.

With Steve's problems, let's not forget that ABC is owned by Mickey Mouse (Disney).

Need I say more?

I am such a big fan of the news, I especially love it in the day time. I think Steve and Lori have so much chemistry. I miss him. Somehow the show is not the same. If he has a problem then you should try and get him help. Now he may be worse than before. I wish I can write to him. He needs our prayers.

I moved to Pa. and love watching N.Y. news. It is the only thing that keeps me going. I love to get up for work and put on the news. Steve, Lori, and Bill have so much chemistry. He is really missed. When he was on at least I was able to smile once in awhile. Lori looks different. It is not too late to get him back. LOVE YOU STEVE.

I have been wondering where Steve was. I too thought he was on an extended vacay. Finally today I checked it out on the internet and found out he was fired. That team was great together and truly gave me a good laugh in the morning. I like Lori but she definitely does not seem "whole" since Steve is gone. Bring him back ABC, you made a huge mistake. THe show is not the same.

Okay, I am slow. I, too, thought Steve was on a rather long vacation. I wondered why Lori looked rather down. They did have wonderful chemistry. Joe is a bit "extra" for me and a bit humourless too. I knew about Steve's 'problems', but, he didn't bring them on camera. He brought some good energy and personality to the begining of a day. ABC, another chance for Steve?......

I will not ever watch channel 7, I had left to Kentucky for about 4 years then back to Pa and now? now that I got a house in NJ and Steve's gone? come on!!!!! bring him back PLEASE!!!!
I miss getting up @ 5 am and turning on the news, I LOVE STEVE BARTLESTEIN!!! bring him back or your ratings will go down, and I mean it, shit 6 1/2 years I didnt see him and now I find my way back to New Jersey and he's gone?? GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE, PLEASE, I AM SO VERY FOND OF HIM AND I DO HOPE YOUR FREAKING RATINGS GO DOWN.

My husband and I are soooo disappointed in the morning news show since Steve is no longer on with Lori. Even the most disturbing news being broadcast, when announced by Steve and Lori, was watched. They were a great team that I'm sure most viewers enjoyed and will miss; it has made a difference to us since Steve is no longer part of the team.

I miss Steve in the morning. I looked forward in watching Lori and Steve together. Lori is not the same happy person she used to be. The show is not the same since Steve is not there. I miss the jokes, it was a family and now it has been broken up.

I COULDNT BELIEVE IT I THOUGHT STEVE WAS ON VACATION ALSO I WAS WONDERING WHY THEY WERENT USING HIS NAME. PLEASE BRING HIM BACK GOING TO ANOTHER STATION

it's just not the same without steve..i don't enjoy watching as much anymore..bring steve back!!!..sniff sniff

I was concerned about Steve I too thought he was on vacation, what a bummer!!! Syre do miss him, he and Lori had a great chemistry along with Bill & Joe. Joe Torres just doesn't cut it

I HATE the news without Steve! He & Lori were fantastic togetner. None of the other channels compared to that team. Now I'm just surfing every news channel hoping to find one worth watching.

SHAME on ABC!!!!

I Love Lori (especially since we share the same last name) but I feel sad for her and the team. They made getting up easier. I miss the my mornings with my friends. Bring Steve back to all of us.

Bring STEVE BACK!! I loved waking up to his and lori's never ending smiles. I just found out this weekend, when i saw a promo for the show without steve. So sad.

My, my, my. ABC what the heck are you thinking. This was the best morning news team to wake up to and believe me when i say i don't have that wake up and smile feeling anymore. I do think you should reconsider, after all don't you think you should give your viewers what they want???

You ALL NEED TO GET A LIFE. While I agree "STEVIE BOY" and Lori worked well together, RULES ARE RULES. Behind the scenes he was a liability to the station, bailed out time and time again. With any job position, RULES ARE RULES. TIME TO GET A LIFE AND GET OVER IT...

I MISS STEVE.....he was great, I really enjoyed waking up to him and Lori. What a BIG mistake. Need to find a new morning show.

I MISS STEVE.....he was great, I really enjoyed waking up to him and Lori. What a BIG mistake. Need to find a new morning show.

Dear Steve,
You have many "LOYAL FANS"! Stay strong during these difficult times and we'll follow you to your next "staring role"! Lori how can you stand those other co anchors! As much as I like your style I can't tolerate watching the morning news without you and Steve together! I feel for you but I will not watch you w/o Steve
Hopefully this situation will be straightened out soon!
Peaceout, Karen

I miss Steve too. I think the way that it was handled by ABC was very unprofessional. I, too, watched the show just for the relationship they had together. No one will be able to fill that space. I have only been watching the show for the last few months. I regret that I hadn't been watching it sooner. I work with people who have addictions. They need your support. God Bless you, Steve. Lori, Bill and Joe-- don't be so sad. Somethings happen for a reason.

Wah! I've been away for several weeks & when I got back, I kept hoping to see Steve. The chemistry is definitely not the same. Joe is nice, but the show is just not as good. I think I'll listen to the radio until 7 when GMA starts.
But as someone who has had my run-ins with chemicals, my heart goes out to Steve.
Steve - if you're out there & reading this, come to a CMA meeting. xxoo

The morning news is not the same without Steve. I understand rules are rules, but it seems the loyal fans are being punished. NOTHING help me start the morning like the morning news crew with Steve, Lori, Bill, and Joe. They really seemed to have a good time working together making plans for games, BBQs, concerts together. This made me feel so good it got me off to a good start of the day with a smile on my face. Steve I Miss You!

The abc morning show is not the same now I switch to another chanel, I loved looking at Steve and Lori they made me laugh..........I miss you Steve hope they bring you back or try to get on another network I'll watch out for you.

I think Steve will be back...he's just sleeping...

I thought this was too long a vacation for Steve. I had to google his name . The mornings just haven't been fun without the fab jovial 4 together. This new guy just doesn't bring out Lori 's morning radiance. well I wish him well in getting his life together and a better partner for Lori.

I have jus tone thing to say, Bring Steve Back, The show is just a dud without him, and Lori, Bill are really putting up a great act, they need him the same as ABC needs him, who else is going to keep your ratings up on early morning shows. This is the 21 century, what a person does behind close doors is their business, Steve just has to learn that everyone does not swing both ways or they just don't want to come out of the closet yet. Bring him Back Please!!!

Every day I tune in and get so disappointed when yet again Steve is not on the air. The show is really not the same without him...he is such a great uplifting personality, and I loved how he joked with Lori, Bill and Joe. No other male anchor has anywhere near the humor, charisma, lightheartedness, etc...

BRING STEVE BACK!