Komo Names Elisa Jaffe `Northwest Afternoon' Host

Elisa Jaffe has been named a co-host of "Northwest Afternoon," the talk-and-entertainment show which airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on KOMO-TV 4. She will join Dick Foley and Cindi Rinehart as hosts beginning Monday.

Jaffe joined the station in January 1987, as a general-assignment news reporter for newscasts, and anchor for the station's "Morning Express" newscast. As co-host for "Northwest Afternoon," she replaces Dana Middleton, who left the show last May.

Mark Stendal, executive producer in charge of local programming, said, "Elisa brings with her a warm, upbeat personality and excellent journalistic credentials."

Jaffe, who filled in as a host for eight days this summer, says, "At first, I didn't envision myself as a host. But from Day 1, Dick and Cindi made me feel very comfortable. In fact, Cindi was the one who encouraged me to try out. It's the type of opportunity that doesn't come along often in this business and you can't pass it up."

She will continue to anchor "Morning Express" until a successor or temporary replacement is selected.

Before joining KOMO, Jaffe worked for stations in Knoxville, Tenn.; Columbia, Mo.; Buffalo and Plattsburgh, N.Y.