“In the end, they treated us terribly.”
Former “Good Day L.A.” host Jillian Barberie didn’t mince words when reflecting on her exit from FOX11, years after the station broke apart one of Los Angeles’ beloved morning crews.
More than ten years following that unexpected departure, Barberie has teamed up with her former co-hosts Steve Edwards and Dorothy Lucey for their new podcast, “So Unanchored.” The trio is rekindling the dynamic energy that originally turned them into local television icons.
“Our chemistry is as strong as ever,” Edwards shared with The Los Angeles Times. “It’s a natural experience, and reconnecting brings us so much joy. There’s definitely an endorphin rush when we’re together.”
“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.”
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.”
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.
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!”