“They treated us like s–t at the end.”
That’s how former “Good Day L.A.” star Jillian Barberie summed up her time at FOX11 years after the station dismantled one of Los Angeles’ most popular morning TV teams.
“Good Day LA” show anchors, from left, Jillian Barberie, Steve Edwards and Dorothy Lucey are seen onstage during the 2005 Macy’s Passport Gala at Barker Hanger. Getty Images
Now, more than a decade after the shocking shake-up, Barberie has reunited with former co-hosts Steve Edwards and Dorothy Lucey for the weekly podcast “So Unanchored,” reviving the fast-paced chemistry that once made them local TV stars.
“We have not missed a beat,” Edwards told The Los Angeles Times. “It’s the most effortless thing. It makes us very happy when we get together. There’s an endorphin thing going on.”
“And we like each other more,” Lucey told The Times.
The show, which usually drops Fridays and will tape a live episode Wednesday at 11 a.m., brings back the trio that spent nearly 20 years atop the fiercely competitive LA morning TV race, at times beating network morning shows and rival “The KTLA Morning News.”
Good Day LA news host Jillian Barberie arrives at the 2005 Macy’s Passport Gala. Getty Images
Edwards was the veteran newsman, Lucey the upbeat co-host and Barberie the outspoken weather personality known for outrageous comments, including declaring, “my breasts are real.”
Off camera, however, Lucey and Barberie barely hid their dislike for one another.
Barberie once called Lucey “very Christian and Bible-thumpy” on Howard Stern’s radio show, while Lucey often described Barberie as “mean.”
Dorothy Lucey attends the Good News Foundation’s Feel Good event. Tiffany Rose
The team unraveled in 2012 when Lucey was fired during a revamp and Barberie left months later after refusing a demotion.
Edwards stayed until his unexplained 2017 exit following allegations of sexual harassment.
The departures sparked protests from viewers and celebrities including Suzanne Somers, Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell.
Long-time Los Angeles television broadcaster Steve Edwards. Getty Images
Dorothy Lucey, Steve Edwards, and Jillian Barberie. WireImage
Barberie’s life quickly unraveled afterward.“I lost my job, got divorced and got cancer all at the same time,” Barberie told The Times. “The fact that these two were a constant in my life during those 12 years when I was going through all those things is everything. I’m so grateful.”
Ironically, the hardships helped heal the duo’s long-running feud.
“Dorothy and I love each other now,” Barberie said on the podcast.
“We do,” Lucey replied. “Because the last time you saw us, we really didn’t like each other.”
Barberie also made it clear she hasn’t forgiven FOX11.
“I don’t want anything associated with that show,” she said. “Let’s start fresh, man. They used us and they treated us like s— at the end. Who needs them? Goodbye!”
