CNN's Thomas Roberts' not so prime-time shifts...

The first time I laid eyes on CNN Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts, it wasn't on a television screen. It was poolside at the Lowes Hotel in Miami Beach. I was reading my New York Times and trying to get a little sun between sessions at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association connvention last September. I just looked over and thought, "That guy is HOT!" As handsome as he appears on television, he's even better looking poolside in swimming trunks.
But I digress.
The next day, I was among the people sitting in on a panel of newscasters who were discussing being a gay on-air personality. The guy from the pool, Thomas Roberts, was on that panel. He was very articulate and honest and we were all v ery impressed. He was out at CNN but this panel, attended by dozens of journalists, made news because many of us went back and posted blog items about it (see related posts below).
At the time of the convention, Roberts had the plum slot of anchoring an afternoon broadcast. I wanted to interview him for The Advocate and we traded emails after the convention. In the end, CNN nixed it. The afternoon broadcast was cancelled soon after (apparently not due to Roberts' public disclosure) and he has not been as high profile since. The terrific Website GayBeacon.com points out this week that if you want to see this handsome and appealing anchor, you must do so in the wee hours or on weekends.
I wonder what gives...
Related Posts:
CNN Anchor Thomas Roberts Speaks Out Against Priest
Gay CNN Anchor Thomas Roberts Clears the Air
Out on the airwaves