Marianne Murciano joined FOX Chicago in 1993. She most recently anchored "FOX News at Noon," with Robin Robinson. 

Before heading to Chicago, Marianne anchored a morning news show for WTVJ-TV (NBC) in Miami. Prior to that she worked at WSVN-TV in Miami, anchoring the number one rated morning show, "Today in Florida." 

In 1979, Marianne got her start in Miami as a reporter for WNWS news radio. In 1980, she began working in television as a reporter for WCIZ. She also worked behind the scenes as a writer and producer for educational programming at WLRN. 

Murciano was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Miami in 1961. She graduated from Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University with a degree in communications/broadcast journalism. 

When she's not spending time with her children and husband, former morning show co-host, Bob Sirott, she enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating food so hot and spicy most mortals would keel over and die. 

Marrianne and Bob Sirott were married in June of 1999, and at last report Bob was still learning how to eat black beans and rice.

"It has been a fantastic eight years for me," Murciano said. " `Fox Thing' was the most creative work I've ever done in television, and I hope to work with Bob again. . . . I feel humbled and amazed by the loyalty and intelligence of the viewers who watched our show."

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One more thing...

For the third time in his broadcasting career, Bob Sirott is going to work for WMAQ-Channel 5 -- but in a considerably bigger role this time than when he first joined as an NBC page.

On Thursday, Sirott signed a multiyear deal to anchor weekend newscasts and develop programming for the NBC-owned station, effective Dec. 27. Terms of the agreement, negotiated by his representative, media mogul Jimmy deCastro, were not disclosed.

"This is a great add to our team," said Larry Wert, president and general manager of Channel 5. "Bob brings a unique package of market equity, talent and experience. I am confident he will contribute content to our news organization in many ways."

In addition to anchoring Channel 5's 5 and 10 p.m. weekend newscasts with Anna Davlantes, Sirott will serve as supervising producer/program development, working on special reports for the news and developing content for the station's on-air and digital platforms.

Sirott, 56, a lifelong Chicagoan and Columbia College graduate, began his career as a page at Channel 5 in 1966. He rejoined the station in 1989 and anchored "First Thing in the Morning" with Allison Rosati. "When Larry Wert first called, I thought it was about not returning my page uniform back in 1967," Sirott quipped.

Asked about speculation that Sirott could be in line to succeed Warner Saunders as Channel 5's top anchor alongside Rosati, Wert said: "Warner is remarkable. He may outlast all of us. That said, we have several possibilities for when that day comes -- and the addition of Bob certainly adds to them."

Thursday also marked Sirott's farewell as host and managing editor of WTTW-Channel 11's "Chicago Tonight." After 3-1/2 years at the public television station, he was not renewed.

"At times this show for me has felt like an ongoing dialogue between friends, and that's a great feeling for a broadcaster," Sirott said in his final on-air essay. "I got to do much of what I wanted to here and hoped to try out a few more ideas, but the station's budgetary decisions have led to this change.

"I can't get too upset with the management though, because they've always allowed me to say and do practically everything I wanted to. And that's a rarity today. As the new TV screens get larger, many of this industry's ideas seem to be getting smaller. The picture is high definition, but the programs are sometimes lower quality.

"WTTW has a history of programming that's a cut above the rest. And that's why it's important that you continue to support what goes on here, including the new chapter of 'Chicago Tonight' hosted by Phil Ponce that will now begin. . . . See you in the new year on Channel 5." 

Sirott's wife, Marianne Murciano, has just joined the Chicago office of Hill & Knowlton as a senior consultant for media training.

Murciano anchored "Fox Thing in the Morning" with Sirott during her seven-year stint at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.