American Journal

American Journal, also known as AJ and retitled American Journal: Coast to Coast for its last season, was a syndicated TV newsmagazine that aired from 1993 to 1998. Distributed by King World Productions, it launched in fall 1993 with host Nancy Glass, who remained until 1997. For its final year, siblings Michele Dabney Perez and Charles Perez—the latter a former newscaster turned talk show host—took over as co-hosts. The program’s tagline was "Stories Worth Watching." King World created the show as a companion to Inside Edition, debuting it on September 6, 1993. In early 1996, an attempt to attract viewers aged 18–34 with an "Off the Hook" segment was tried and quickly abandoned. Later, during the fourth season, the show introduced "Team A.J." coverage strands, led by Karen Duffy and Steve Santagati. By 1996, American Journal was cleared on 124 stations, reaching 86 percent of U.S. households. King World often bundled the series with its other magazine, Inside Edition, which continues to air today. The theme music, used throughout the run, was an arrangement by Rick Krizman of the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts." In its final season, the show earned a 4.1 rating and 11 share (as of February 1998). Low ratings were blamed on a crowded field of similar programs—like the since-canceled A Current Affair and Hard Copy (which ended after the 1998–99 season due to poor time slots)—as well as expanding local news, especially in the 5 p.m. hour, which reduced available evening slots. The show also typically aired opposite King World’s own ratings powerhouses Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!. Although King World had commitments from stations covering 62 percent of the country to carry American Journal into fall 1998, 11 Belo-owned stations had already picked up Hollywood Squares for that fall, threatening to push AJ into overnight slots. Faced with falling ratings and the loss of prime viewing slots, King World canceled the show after five years. On-air staff included anchors Nancy Glass (1993–1997) and co-anchors Michele Dabney-Perez and Charles Perez (1997–1998). Correspondents were Les Trent (New York), Stacey Gualandi (Los Angeles), Rhonda Guess (Los Angeles), Kit Hoover (New York), Jonathan Karsh (Los Angeles), and Bob Gilmartin (New York).