Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban was scheduled to go into effect tomorrow, meaning no more “gulps” larger than 16 ounces, or two-liters with a pizza. But a judge has invalidated the ban of sugary, super-sized drinks.

WPIX reporter Greg Mocker made his first CNN appearance yesterday to discuss the latest attempt by Bloomberg to get, if not force, the city to be healthy.

‘I just always talk from my point of view as a guy who lives in the city, is amazed by it, and confused by it at times.” Mocker tells FishbowlNY.

His connection to the cable news network is the weekend executive producer, who had been producing Dr. Steve on WPIX and other Tribune stations.

“Maybe I can do some more of those,” Mocker says. ”I think anytime we can talk about New York City is good.”

During the week, of course, viewers can find Mocker on the PIX News at Ten, tracking down an MTA official, or perhaps getting to the bottom of potholes.

“We have momentum at Channel 11,” Mocker says. “I like what we’re doing. There is a sense there that people are turning to us.”

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Quietly reporter Ann Mercogliano exited WCBS and sister station WLNY last month. A two-time winner of the FishbowlNY year-end “Barmash Award” would prove her talent by immediately finding work. She landed at WPIX/Channel 11 beginning with last night’s 10 p.m. newscast.

Mercogliano, who has done her share of lighter pieces, was thrust into a hard news story. A Queens cab company, filling up the parking spots on the streets, including at the nearby church, is causing problems for parishioners getting to Mass.

She showcased the PIX and Greg Mocker style on the ”track of something different.” Mergoliano was seen chasing after a taxi driver, who rushed into his car and took off. Going to the source, she walked into the taxi company asking, “Are the drivers parking next to the church?”

Mercogliano, an Emmy nominated reporter for WNBC’s coverage of the Royal Wedding in 2011, also called the taxi owner a couple of times, “I want to get your side in, Sir.”

Anchor Tamsen Fadal slightly altered the multi-syllabic reporter’s surname.

A WPIX spokesperson tells FishbowlNY that Mercogliano has been hired on a freelance basis for the morning and evening, where needed.

Jodi Applegate and Michael Kay are preparing to welcome their first child. Applegate delivered her final newscast for WPIX last night at 10. The station announced last month that her focus was on being a mommy and she would not return to Channel 11 after the maternity leave. She and the YES Network sportscaster are expecting a daughter via gestational carrier next month.

As Applegate was about to hit her mark for the last time at PIX, Kay shedded some light on his wife’s departure.

Kay using his @RealMichaelKay handle on Twitter wrote, “@jodiapplekay is leaving because she wanted to do just one show in order to care for the baby on the way. PIX said it was both or none.”

Kay also tweeted moments later, “Parting amicable but she wants to work in due time in a position that is more mom friendly. Tough call for her giving up NY anchor position.”

Applegate addressed it indirectly as she left the air last night.

“This shift just wasn’t compatible with motherhood right now in my life.”

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The ghouls, goblins and world famous costumes will be on display as WPIX/Channel 11 is the home of the Village Halloween Parade October 31.

PIX Morning News anchors Sukanya Krishnan and Tamsen Fadal host the event, which runs along 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street. Greg Mocker and Dan Mannarino work the parade from street level.

Ricki Lake, who returned to daytime TV with a new syndicated show airing on WPIX, guest hosts.

The Village Halloween Parade, now its 39th year, first aired on Channel 11 in 2010.  The city’s only night time parade features an audience of over 2 million spectators with 60,000 costumed marchers, hundreds Halloween characters, including giant masks and puppets. In addition, dozens of marching bands playing music from around the world, stilt walkers, jugglers, and break dancers will participate.

The Halloween night “treat” runs from 7:30 to 10.

Calling aspiring comedians: this year’s “New York’s Funniest Reporter” contest has been scheduled for August 19.

The competition, now in its seventh year, calls on New York reporters to do five minutes of stand-up comedy at the Comic Strip Live Comedy Club on the Upper East Side. All the contestants will be assigned a professional comedy “mentor” to help them prepare.

Last years’ competitors included WPIX’s Greg Mocker, HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell, FNC’s Courtney Friel and FBN’s Adam Shapiro. HLN producer Marlaina Schiavo was the 2011 winner.

A helicopter crashed and sank yesterday afternoon in the East River near 34th Street. Our sister site TVSpy reports WCBS/Channel 2 anchor Maurice DuBois was first on the air. As the station’s coverage continued, Chris Wragge was joined live from the scene.

Channel 2, according to the on-screen graphic, had exclusive rescue video.

In a bizarre moment, with anchors Liz Cho and David Navarro on the air, WABC/Channel 7 put a Twitter photo on the screen from WPIX/Channel 11 reporter Greg Mocker (as shown above).

“I posted it to Twitter,” Mocker tells FishbowlNY. “They must follow @gregmocker.” 

Mocker is referred to as an “eyewitness at the scene.”  

TVSpy has details on of how other stations handled the story.

Update: Mocker gave a mention to FishbowlNY during the WPIX 5 p.m. newscast on Wednesday.

To paraphrase Joe Pesci from Goodfellas, “How are they so funny?”

Greg Mocker, is the WPIX/Channel 11 reporter, most associated with his MTA run-ins. But can the high-energy Channel 11 street reporter tell a funny story?

We’ll find out this weekend, as Mocker and several others vie for the title of New York ’s Funniest Reporter.

The 6th Annual New York’s Funniest Reporter Show takes place on Saturday at 5:30 pm at Comic Strip Live (1568 Second Avenue) . Each of the seven media professionals will do five minutes of stand up comedy. Mocker and News 12 Long Island anchor Lauren Sivan are the only local reporters. Sivan, though, the 2010 champ will participate, but can not win.

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