The Real meaning of Halloween and College Football Saturday

Happy Halloween to all the student athletes.

Bridge closure hurts SF Halloween biz; Castro folks happy

You'd think the news that the Bay Bridge closure at least through Sunday, and more than likely into Monday, would be met with gloom with a lot of SF businesses. Think again.

While downtown and some neighborhood restaurants are indeed going to suffer temporary loss of business, borderline elation was evident in the Castro district and North Beach.

Davey Solomon, who owns a local clothing store in the Castro, is relieved. "I know this is sacrilegious to say, 'but I'm kind of glad. Even though there's no formal Halloween celebration, I'm just relieved that the bridge and tunnel kids won't be coming. They just look for trouble. They do."

Much of the sentiment was the same in North Beach. Pete Kellerer, who tends bar at a Broadway club, said a lot of the recent trouble was "the 'gang bangers from the suburbs--I don't think they want to hassle with BART. We can relax a little."

Bay Bridge Update: NBC Bay Area: Working Weekend for Caltrans

FROM NBC BAY AREA:

Caltrans workers will not be ready to open the Bay Bridge by the Friday evening commute. Word came Friday afternoon that crews will be working into the weekend to get the span ready for traffic.

There's no estimated to for reopening the bridge. "There's still a lot of work going on," Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney said.

Engineers have been trying to repair the bridge so that the 280,000 commuters who use it each day would not have to spend a third day without the vital connection between Oakland and San Francisco.

The emergency work comes after a 5,000-pound piece of steel plummeted onto the span during rush hour traffic on Tuesday

Your 2009 SF 49ers; How much do they make?

The 49ERS salaries for 2009. Why? Because its my duty to inform, that's why.

Player (pos.) Total Salary Cap # Base Salary Sign Bonus Bonus
Alex Smith(QB) $0 $9,916,262 $0 $0 $0
Donald Strickland(CB) $0 $7,767,500 $0 $0 $0
Jonas Jennings(OL) $0 $5,842,000 $0 $0 $0
Nate Clements(CB) $0 $5,550,000 $0 $0 $0
Frank Gore(RB) $0 $4,795,000 $0 $0 $0
Patrick Willis(LB) $0 $4,081,000 $0 $0 $0
Michael Lewis(S) $0 $4,005,000 $0 $0 $0
Shawntae Spencer(CB) $0 $3,698,800 $0 $0 $0
Isaac Bruce(WR) $0 $3,500,000 $0 $0 $0
Vernon Davis(TE) $0 $3,340,000 $0 $0 $0
Tully Banta-Cain(LB) $0 $3,266,666 $0 $0 $0
Justin Smith(DE) $0 $3,083,333 $0 $0 $0
Jeff Ulbrich(LB) $0 $2,281,000 $0 $0 $0
Ashley Lelie(WR) $0 $2,100,000 $0 $0 $0
Arnaz Battle(WR) $0 $2,070,000 $0 $0 $0
Walt Harris(CB) $0 $2,068,346 $0 $0 $0
Bryant Johnson(WR) $0 $2,000,000 $0 $0 $0
DeShaun Foster(RB) $0 $1,905,520 $0 $0 $0
Eric Heitmann(OL) $0 $1,896,000 $0 $0 $0
Isaako Sopoaga(DT) $0 $1,855,000 $0 $0 $0
Adam Snyder(OL) $0 $1,800,000 $0 $0 $0
Aubrayo Franklin(DT) $0 $1,733,333 $0 $0 $0
Shaun Hill(QB) $0 $1,700,000 $0 $0 $0
Emanuel 'Manny' Lawson(LB) $0 $1,690,000 $0 $0 $0
Joe Nedney(K) $0 $1,635,520 $0 $0 $0
Brandon Moore(LB) $0 $1,570,000 $0 $0 $0
Mark Roman(S) $0 $1,325,000 $0 $0 $0
Joe Staley(OL) $0 $1,226,000 $0 $0 $0
David Baas(OL) $0 $1,164,125 $0 $0 $0
Moran Norris(RB) $0 $1,045,000 $0 $0 $0
Keith Lewis(S) $0 $1,041,666 $0 $0 $0
Andy Lee(K) $0 $997,666 $0 $0 $0
Billy Bejema(TE) $0 $933,000 $0 $0 $0
Brian Jennings(TE) $0 $915,013 $0 $0 $0
Dontarrious Thomas(LB) $0 $866,720 $0 $0 $0
Michael Robinson(RB) $0 $808,812 $0 $0 $0
Tony Wragge(OL) $0 $697,220 $0 $0 $0
Roderick Green(DE) $0 $620,040 $0 $0 $0
Ronald Fields(DT) $0 $573,250 $0 $0 $0
Jason Hill(WR) $0 $564,454 $0 $0 $0
Jeb Terry(OL) $0 $530,520 $0 $0 $0
Damane Duckett(DT) $0 $526,000 $0 $0 $0
Qasim Mitchell(OL) $0 $526,000 $0 $0 $0
Atiyyah Ellison(DT) $0 $526,000 $0 $0 $0
Ray McDonald(DE) $0 $523,645 $0 $0 $0
Parys Haralson(DE) $0 $495,000 $0 $0 $0
John T 'J.T.' O'Sullivan(QB) $0 $491,000 $0 $0 $0
Allen Rossum(CB) $0 $491,000 $0 $0 $0
Dashon Goldson(S) $0 $479,219 $0 $0 $0
Delanie Walker(WR) $0 $476,500 $0 $0 $0
Marcus Hudson(S) $0 $472,666 $0 $0 $0
Melvin Oliver(DE) $0 $472,320 $0 $0 $0
Dennis Haley(LB) $0 $451,000 $0 $0 $0
Zak Keasey(LB) $0 $450,520 $0 $0 $0
Jay Moore(DE) $0 $421,000 $0 $0 $0
Tarell Brown(CB) $0 $420,250 $0 $0 $0
Joe Cohen(DT) $0 $394,250 $0 $0 $0
Markus Curry(CB) $0 $376,000 $0 $0 $0
Cooper Wallace(TE) $0 $376,000 $0 $0 $0
Walter Curry(DE) $0 $307,250 $0 $0 $0
Dominique Zeigler(WR) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
Ricky Schmitt(K) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
Thomas Clayton(RB) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
Drew Olson(QB) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
C.J. Brewer(WR) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
Jerard Rabb(WR) $0 $301,000 $0 $0 $0
Totals() $0 $108,940,386 $0 $0 $0
Source: CNNSI() $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Some players missing() $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

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Bay Bridge "reporting" dreadful; sheep mentality invades SF media

For the better part of three days, we DO know this: the Bay Bridge is down; traffic is a bitch; BART is really busy; and the Bay Bridge is still not open. Kind of reminiscent of Generalissimo Francisco Franco: he's still dead.

You might want to say the same for the Bay Area media, whose coverage on this topic-A story has been nothing short of miserable. Or, would you call otherwise normal-looking reporters who act as if they were a part of the Cal Trans PR dept. competent?

There's no denying the importance of letting the public know when the Bay Bridge is going to open; it is the single biggest traffic center in the Bay Area and involves hundreds of thousands of people's lives and livelihoods. We get it.

But in these three days of Bart Ney and Trent Cross, (the Cal Trans PR guy and the peripatetic CHP officer/spokesman) you'd have thunk that some honest-to-goodness REPORTING would have taken place...like, oh, I don't know: what the hell happened? Who were the inspectors that ok'ed the infamous eyebar work that was supposedly given the thumbs up?

Need more? That 5000 lb glob of cable that fell on the pavement? Is the pavement safe, Cal Trans? Could there have been damage to that road? I haven't seen nor heard any of those questions, but I have received about 18,000 "updates" on when the bridge would open from Bart Ney, whose received more face time on Bay Area TV than an American Idol episode.

The days of in depth reporting are long gone. No one seems interested in finding out the STORY behind the story. The focus seems to be more on taking every bit of information pamphlets and sound bites from Cal Trans as opposed to ASKING some very bottom line questions.

Nobody is immune here from normally solid KCBS radio to even KTVU. I'd love to see Rita Williams, for example, go after the dude that was responsible for the Labor Day work that signed off on this problem. Was he/she rushed so the trucks and commerce that make it over that bridge could get back to work? Would have been nice for Bob Melrose or Barbara Taylor, (some of the best street reporters for KCBS) to inquire more meat and potatoes as opposed to the mundane 44Th press briefing at Cal Trans hdqrs. in Oakland.

Even on the Internet, there seemed to be a lot of the same old tired info which amounted to more sweet little nothings.

Think about what would have happened if that entire bridge collapsed? A prominent UC structural engineer said the Sept. work amounted to a "band-aid" and that the old bridge needed major re-enforcements. It would be nice if some reporter were to lob that question to Mr. Ney and all the inspectors, but at last check, all Mr. Ney was doing was informing the sheep about whether the bridge would be open in time for Halloween in the city.

Trick or Treat? You be the judge.

UPDATE: 10: 18 PST:

Take a look at this; Brock Keeling on SFist.
I rest my case:

Bay Bridge Might Reopen Sometime Soon at Some Point In the FututeYep. It's still closed.

What are people saying about the third consecutive day without a Bay Bridge? Well, ABC7 reports "Caltrans has officially said the Bay Bridge will not reopen Friday morning. There is some hope that will reopen by this afternoon."

SF Appeal says, "Caltrans crews are working to reopen the Bay Bridge as quickly as possible, with a goal of reopening the span sometime on Friday."

At KRON 4, Darya Folsom seems to be losing her well-sustained pep over the bridge closure. Her hair, however, remains luxurious and nothing short of perfection.

SFGate reports, "Repair crews were still on the bridge at 6:30 a.m. fitting and cutting steel" and "electric devices that monitor vibration and structural movement will be affixed to the repair to warn of failure." Modern!

SF Weekly injects some much needed but not-so timeless Twitter fail whale humor into the situation.

KTVU illuminates, "Dale Bonner, secretary of the state Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, was also cautious to not give commuters false hope when he told a packed news conference that 'it's very difficult to say when' the span will reopen."

By Brock Keeling in News on October 30, 2009 10:04 AM

Bye Bye Golden Gate Fields; Albany Track to be auctioned

An end of an era in Bay Area horse racing.

Golden Gate Fields will be auctioned off in February.

So much for any local $2 exacta.

Just what is in store for that precious bay front property along the East shore freeway is any one's guess, but I smell luxury condos and office space. Just what we need, right?

RLReport.
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BULLETIN: Jury orders Entercom to pay $16 million.

BREAKING NEWS:

The seven-man, five-woman Sacramento Superior Court jury has ordered Entercom to pay the family of the women who died after taking part in a Sacramento water-drinking contest more than $16 million. The “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” contest was sponsored by CHR “The End” KDND (107.9).

Is Keith Olbermann 'Hurting America?; KNBR's Bruce strikes again, Radnich too

Bill George, author, former Medtronic CEO, Harvard Business School professor, blogger, thinks Keith Olbermann is hurting America.
**KNBR's ace strikes again; Warriors post-mortem...

While the Warriors lost a very winnable opening game last night in Oakland by a single point to Houston, after the game, KNBR post game host Damon Bruce grilled coach Don Nelson and systematically opined that as long as Nelson guided the ship, the Dubs were going nowhere. He was also very pointed about Stephen Jackson, the $32 million bitter man. "I don't want to hear any highlights about Jackson."

A little early cynicism? Yes, but Bruce had plenty of ammo to deal with. Earlier in the morning, Gary Radnich said Nelson looked as if "I don't want really be here." Again, its only one game, but the ripping was warranted.

It beats the 12-3PM guy, "Flunkster dude", (aka: Bob Fitzgerald) To paraphrase: "Hey, the Warriors outplayed the Rockets three out of four quarters!...Monta, (Ellis) looked great...the Warriors are 'young"---blah, blah, blah... another words, the same old shit from "Fitz" who'll never be accused of biting the hand that feeds him, only its getting more nauseated by the moment.

By the way, YES, Stephen Curry is going to be a star.

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When Baseball was great in Oakland; 1971 memories

As the WORLD SERIES unfolds...here's a look back at poignant times at the Oakland Coliseum, circa 1971...when Charlie Finley was about to be King and a sweet look at the A's Vida Blue; MVP, Cy Young winner and who made the cover of Time magazine.

By the way, yes, that is Pat Paulsen in picture two. Look closely.

(photos courtesy of Walter Fields)

Bay Area Football oddity; No teams home this weekend

For the first time ever, (at least in my unscientific research) there will be NO football, pro or college, in the Bay Area this weekend.

On the NFL side, the Raiders will be in San Diego and the 49Er's go to Indy to play the mighty Colts.

Cal will be in Arizona on Saturday and Stanford has a bye.

So, no football. Call your wife or girlfriend. Girls, call your buds. Make love. Get a turkey sandwich at Tommys joynt and think of the good old days when Kenny Stabler or Joe Montana were heaving TD passes to Cliff Branch and Jerry Rice.

Better yet, watch me sing karaoke on Halloween night at Egberts.

CNN.com shows wrong side of Bay Bridge

CNN.com can't tell the difference between SF and Oakland. At least when it comes to bridges. Take a look at the picture to the left. See anything, uh, we'll, wrong?

While filing a story about the Bay Bridge closure, CNN used a picture of the Western span. Huh?

Oakland gets screwed again. What else is new?

UPDATE: I guess the power of moi is immense. CNN.com has now changed the picture, still: got ya!

En Vogue comes back to Oakland; 'Hold on to your love' invades Yoshi's

En Vogue, which was a kick-ass HOT girl band in the 90's, with enough sass and frass to fill the Village Vanguard, comes back to Oakland tonight in a reunion concert at Yoshi's.

Facts and figures: En Vogue
Today, Wednesday, Oct 28 8:00p Tickets: (510) 238-9200
at Yoshi's at Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
En Vogue; Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones and Cindy Herron-Braggs. The name rings more than a bell. It invokes memories of a long line of red-hot R&B and pop smashes recorded in the 1990s. Songs like "Hold On," "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)," "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," "Free Your Mind," and “Whatta Man” featuring Salt-N-Pepa, are just a sampling of the mega hits made famous by the Pop/R&B super group.

Wednesday/Thursday tix still available

Friday show-- SOLD OUT.

Bay Area media meltdown over Bridge closure; KTVU, KCBS ok; everyone else, yuck

As always, thank god for KTVU news and KCBS too. And to be fair, KRON4 for a change.

Other than those outlets, the local media did its usual MIA/el stupendo in coverage of the Bay Bridge closure. A series of breathless reporting with Bart Ney of Caltrans acting as supreme leader seemed to be the going theme of the radio/TVers.

And CHP officer Trent Cross, who seems to have a 24/7 outpost on the Bay Bridge was also a heavy-duty player. Cross, to his credit, seems competent and looks as if he knows what he's doing; too bad the TV numskulls interviewing him can't ask legitimate questions.

A little credit to CBS5, (KPIX) anchor Dana King. At the outset of this major news event, King, with aid from an overhead copter, did a fair job of trying hard to get to Ney to find out just what the hell happened on the bridge. Ney did a lot of talking and essentially said nothing other then he didn't know what happened; thanks Mr. Ney.

KRON4, which exists only as a news outlet, did a better-than-average job. Anchor Heather Donald provided decent coverage,as the independent broke into the Dr. Phil show, but instead of staying with the story, went back to to the doctor. Once KRON did go direct to the bridge story an hour later, reporter Dan Kerman, who was on the bridge looked and acted as if he were backstage at a U2 concert. He was excited, very excited and animated too. OK, so it was windy on the bridge, but Kerman, a local TV veteran, was clearly affected by the elements. At a time when information was vital, Kerman was awestruck by the goings-on. He did try his best, but was seriously lacking. Again, to KRON's credit, at least they provided the most comprehensive updates.

KTVU's Ten O'clock News once again provided ample evidence why they are still the best. Channel 2 had four reporters on the scene. Sal Castenada conducted the best on-scene report with Cross near the quagmire. He brushed past CHP officer Cross' attempt to play traffic reporter and asked pointed questions. Same for Ken Wayne on YBI. While the other outlets seemed gleeful and breathless, KTVU reporters searched for information.

John Fowler was at the top of his game and actually made news. Fowler, in studio, talked to a UC Berkeley engineer who said point blank that Cal Trans screwed up the initial Labor day work on the bridge. The engineer said that the work amounted to a "band-aid" and that what took place Tuesday night was serious enough to warrant closing and inspecting the bridge for many days. Flash! Sounds like news to me.

All the other TV stations stuck to the usual formula. Lots of Bart Ney, pissed-off drivers on the bridge, (duh!) and more Trent Cross and yes, another two minutes of Bart Ney. The helicopter folks were busy and the obligatory "you better take public transit because its gonna be gridlock tomorrow" ruled the night. We know that, thanks.

KCBS was solid, as was KGO. In situations like this, the immediate information is vital. Nobody got seriously hurt when the massive cable fell on the bridge, other than some cars. A couple from Vancouver on vacation to SF, (good timing) whose car was poleaxed by the loose cable, seemed stunned and shaken, but were otherwise OK.

All in all, local media was OK, but not spectacular in its coverage of the incident. We'd all be happy if there was a little more actuality and attempted REPORTING, as opposed to too much Bart Ney and Trent Cross. Both are fine men, I'm sure, but facts are always helpful, like, for example, what the hell caused this and who the hell is responsible? And is Cal Trans asleep at the wheel? Who's in charge? Geez, it would be nice to hear that from reporters as opposed to asking Bart Ney questions he never seems to know and acknowledging Trent Cross' repeated warnings that traffic is gonna be a bitch. We know that.

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Bay Bridge closes; cable lets loose on eastern span before 'S curve; Traffic backed up miles

THE SF-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE IS A MESS.

AP: Bridge expected to be closed for 'at least 24 hours."

A cable associated with the i-bar that was damaged during the Labor day shutdown, fell onto the westbound direction at 5: 30 local time, damaging two cars. No serious injury was reported, but the cable accident caused a massive traffic mess, stretching miles in both directions.

Caltrans has now decided to CLOSE THE BRIDGE. There have been reports that the bridge will be closed well into the night and according to the AP, for at least 24 hours...

Developing story...

Photo on bridge via SFist

A's turn back Oakland push; aiming for San Jose; Papa dilemma with Raiders broadcast

The A's organization has formally set their sights on San Jose as a permanent home for the future. How much so? To the point where they have refused overtures from high-ranking city officials interested in working with the MLB franchise to remain in Oakland.

"They're talking to San Jose," said one city official to me. "They have no interest in Oakland."

Within the past few weeks, the A's and front man Lew Wolff, (who owns about 10% of the team) have been in talks with San Jose city officials, including Mayor Chuck Reed and several members of the San Jose city council. The talks have been held behind closed doors and have not been made public. Discussions about a 32,000-seat baseball-only stadium in Downtown near the HP Pavilion are the focal point of the talks.

Several roadblocks in the A's plans are in existence, including the main hurdle of getting past the SF Giants and MLB's "territorial rights" granted to the Giants in 2000 as a means to protect them from any attempt, (the A's, obviously) to build a stadium in the heart of Silicon Valley. The Giants new managing partner Bill Neukom has maintained that they will fight any potential battle to protect those rights.

In spite of that stand, and in essence, telling Oakland officials "we're not interested", the A's talks with San Jose have not only taken place, but in fact have intensified.

Two independent sources close to the team have told me that the "focus is on San Jose, and San Jose only." Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the subject.

The high-ranking Oakland official who spoke to me refused to go on the record, but did indicate the city was miffed at A's officials refusal to even sit down and try to work out a deal in the Eastbay city. The A's are on a year-to-year lease at the Oakland Coliseum. They have been in Oakland for 41 years.

Possible roadblocks exist along with the territorial rights issue with the Giants. Two key Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Barbara Boxer, (who has a home in Oakland's Jack London Square) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee said recently they might advance legislation taking away MLB's anti-trust exemption. Boxer's son, Doug, an Oakland developer, is the head of a blue-ribbon committee that is working to keep the team in the Eastbay's biggest city.

Wolff's pursuit of San Jose could be interesting for MLB Commish Bud Selig. Selig is a good buddy of Wolff and has openly stated that the A's need to get a new stadium. But Selig, and most all of the baseball owners, are sympathetic to the Giants protection of their corporate interests and sponsors in the Southbay.

EXCLUSIVE
RichLiebermanReport
10-27-2009 8: 54 PST

**Talk about a certifiable catch-22: How can an established broadcaster retain his credibility while describing the Oakland Raiders? Greg Papa, the team's play-by-play man has been ripped on the sports talk shows locally for his over-the-top excitement, in spite of the Raiders efforts this year.

In particular, Papa got heat for his enthusiastic tonsils during Oakland's routs from the hands of the NY Giants 44-7, and Sunday's 38-0 thrashing from the NY Jets. Papa works for the team and hosts the Raiders in-house weekly highlight show.

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Comcast/Willie Brown experiment doesn't play well in suburbs; ESPN/Steve Phillips; Bay Area media Monday

Gary Radnich congratulated himself, (again) this morning for the brilliance of Willie Brown on the post game Sunday Comcast show following 49Er's games. If only Mr. Brown were as popular in the burbs as he is in Pacific Heights.

Comcast had a vision back in late summer that a Radnich-Brown highlight show would "move the meter" and capture the non-sports fan that was looking for more than highlights and X's and o's football minutiae.

Not a bad idea to try alternative programming, but the problem with the Brown/Radnich production is first and foremost, Willie Brown is NOT particularly liked in places beyond the SF corridor. He may be funny, worldly and chic inside the 415 beltway, but his slick/politician/lawyer image is viewer taboo in locales like Walnut Creek, Burlingame, Palo Alto and Modesto.

On his KNBR show, Radnich explained to listeners that the traditional after-game shows were tiring and boring; little did he expect many callers to extol that they turned the channel when Brown appeared. A few callers managed to voice support for the ex-SF mayor, but they were outnumbered by the critical observers.

It's hard enough to beat KTVU/FOX2's Mark Ibanez following the 49Er's game for a variety of reasons. For one, most fans viewing the game on FOX are naturally inclined to stay with the local station because they want to see highlights and post game analysis. Sure, the boredom/minutiae factor can set in and the same old formula shows do indeed seem repetitive, but nevertheless, Brown's polarizing presence, combined with Radnich' same old shtick is no day at the sports beach either.

KTVU's show is beating the Comcast experiment decidedly. Nobody can fault the idea of creativity, but again, what may sound great and work well in Downtown SF doesn't play well in the patios of suburbia.

**Speaking of KNBR and post game shows, nice that Radnich took his version of a shot, (actually a series) at Damon Bruce' after game show, which emanates from a local restaurant. Maybe the reality is setting in, (draw your own conclusion, #149)

**Funny line from Letterman comic, Larry "Bubbles" Brown on my KGO piece yesterday: "KGOLD?"

**Wonder why you haven't seen many written words on the ESPN/Steve Phillips deal? Easy. Most writers that APPEAR on ESPN don't want to rip the world wide leader otherwise they don't make in on the Sports reporters. Simple....by the way, see anything remotely critical of Comcast Sports Bay Area? I rest my case. (Hey look, you gotta feed the family--there's a recession going on)

**Yes, I allegedly appeared on "Chron Live" a few times, but have been sent to electronic purgatory following my rant about KNBR. Independence is a bitch, but it didn't prevent me from squaring gigs on KTVU and MsNBC.

**ESPN finally lowered the boom on Phillips. Like they had a chance, hello Harold Reynolds. Phillips had more chances to screw up a career than Steve Howe.

**About time KRON added another weather girl for the morning show.

**Is there anyone even remotely as dull as Fox's Chris Myers? Oy vey.

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KGO Radio tries to go 'young'--haven't you heard?

For the past thirty-plus years, KGO radio has been the most highly-rated radio station in the Bay Area. Although the dominant SF talkie has had a few hiccups along the way, thanks to KCBS' aggressive push toward 24/7 news, KGO still boasts #1 status in the overall ratings.

Underline the word "overall." Its a term KGO ad execs hate to acknowledge because in the radio biz, overalls don't mean anything other than lofty in-house boasting and occasional industry awards.

Radio advertisers, like their TV counterparts, look for one thing when buying time: the all-encompassing, all-important key demographic called the "A25-54 demo. Translated roughly, ad buyers covet young people or the "younger demo." In that dept., KGO is perceived as "old", as in "older demos" and we'll, the type of folks that don't go to movies much, don't drink beer, and wouldn't know an I-pod from a pea pod.

KNBR was seventh in the last overall ratings period, but held serve in the all-important adult male25-54 demo, KNBR's breadbasket. Ditto all-news KCBS, which has a decidedly younger listener base than KGO.

This is nothing new. In fact, KGO has long been regarded as "the 'CBS of the Bay Area", in reference to CBS' reputation as the network which traditionally caters to older viewers with programs like 60 Minutes.

KGO has tried for years to "young up", from promotional events that were overt from subtle styles within their very own broadcast ledger. Its own morning man king, Ronn Owens, has a knack for being very short with elderly callers. Seriously, give a listen to Owens when he takes a call from an older person. The cut-button is quick. And distinguish that with a younger woman, from, say Walnut Creek who sounds like she's in her 30's. No knock on Owens, but having listened to him for many years, and having talked about this minor phenomena with many broadcast scribes, it's pretty apparent what he's doing and its not so subtle.

The station itself seems to be hellbent on going after generation y, x too. Just the other day, KGO held a rather cheesy "Girls night out" at a southbay hotel with some of its female on-air staffers. The event was heavily promoted for several weeks and was no doubt aimed at younger female listeners. In fact, several of the attendees posted the event on their Facebook page, no doubt to KGO's delight.

The newstalk outlet even added a lengthy feature on its afternoon news called the "afternoon funnies", in which a comic appearing at a local comedy club, did a five-seven minute routine with anchors Rosie Allen and Bret Burkhart. The idea: you guessed it: younger listeners.

So far, nothing significant has transpired and KGO's recent hires doesn't exactly cater to the American Idol crowd, (which may not be that bad.) Talk host John Rothmann was formally given the 10PM to 1AM weeknight slot, (as I recommended.) That move drew a terse, if slightly politically-incorrect line from local Examiner media writer, Brad Kava: "KGO now has 'three middle-aged 'Jewish men in their prime talk lineup, (Owens, Rothmann and Gil Gross.)

**Sports note: In my praise of the San Jose Sharks broadcast teams of Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda on TV and Dan Rusanowsky on radio, I inadvertently left out radio analyst Jamie Baker. Shame on moi. Baker, an ex-NHL player, has a very keen eye on plays, breaks down numerous hockey contests with wit, knowledge and a terrific sense of humor. My bad for omitting him.

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Hahn and Remenda: Best broadcast crew in Bay Area

I don't know a lot about hockey. It's fast and cold and the players seem to be quite cool themselves, but the gist of the game remains foreign to me, but its grown on me and I'm a certified San Jose Sharks fanatic. Can you imagine that? Of course you can.

Part of my unbridled fascination and interest in the game involves the Sharks dynamic TV broadcast duo of Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda. This just in: Hahn is good, very good. And Remenda, with a distinctive Howie Mandel bald top, is straight out of the "where the hell did this guy come from? dept."After the 05-06 season, Remenda left for a job with CBC's hockey night in Canada, and the departure was tough for San Jose fans. But they needed to stop worrying, as their broadcaster would return to his old job after only one season away from his buddy Randy.

Remenda has wit, grace, presence, and the amazing, innate ability to talk at great length and make you stop and listen, even though he's speaking about something I, (and thousands of other Bay Areans frankly) haven't a clue.

While hockey remains a virtual mystery in many Bay Area locales, it is numero uno in San Jose and parts south. The Sharks have a rabid fan base and routinely sell out 17,000plus HP Pavillion. Although the team is having an early-season hiccup, the Sharks are still considered among the elite in the NHL and will probably make the playoffs. (Which given past results bodes well that the San Josers are not at the top of the list)

Hahn, (who is, by the way, married to CBS5 weather hottie, Roberta Gonzalez) is a no-nonsense, immensely professional to the P play-by-play man with a great set of tonsils and gives you the game without the slightest bit of homerism. Oh sure, Hahn revs up a home goal big time if the situation merits, (as he should) but its credible and quite exciting. Just go on the Internet and give a listen. Case closed.

Remenda does one better. He provides a distinct, clear commentary of the game at hand and will explain and provide the crucial element of just how so and so set up this play and made the goal possible. Remenda is knowledgeable and has a knack for self-depracating humor in his performance. Better yet, if the Sharkies play like crap, he's not afraid to criticize the home team. In fact, when the Sharks looked and played like guppies in their opening round loss last year to eight-seeded Anaheim, Remenda was spot on in his pointed put down of the #1-seeded SJ team. It was refreshing and quite lucid.

Remenda is so good and likable, he often can be seen chatting with fans inside the arena and has his picture taken regularly. I've never met Remenda, but given his worldly NHL status and girth of knowledge, on other things, I'm sure he'd be a blast.

Hahn and Remenda, plus radio play-by-play man Dan Rusanowsky are terrific. Rusanowsky on radio, (98.5 FM) reminds me of the late, great Bill King doing Warriors basketball. His pinpoint, descriptive analysis is A-grade and listening to him describe the action is akin to being right there on center ice.

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Raiders Cable cleared in Napa assault case; DA passes; Breaking news

TOM CABLE CLEARED...NAPA DA PASSES

Breaking News...

Tom Cable, the embattled Oakland Raiders head coach, who has been under legal scrutiny the past ten weeks, can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Napa county DA, Gary Lieberstein, has decided not to press charges against Cable for his alleged assault against ex-Raiders assistant coach, Randy Hansen. After an altercation at team training camp headquarters back on August 5Th, Hansen alleged Cable broke his jaw in a fistfight and threatened to "kill me."

The DA, according to my sources, simply did not have sufficient evidence to pursue the case, let alone try it in a court of law, which helps explain why its taken so long to resolve.

My best guess is that Hansen, who is not a particular favorite in Raiders circles, may try to pursue his case in a civil court. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Cable has a football game Sunday to map pout and his players and presumably he, will concentrate on beating the NY Jets.

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If ESPN can do it, so can Bay Area, right? Wanted: Good sexcapades story

IT FINALLY DAWNED ON ME.

The Bay Area media needs a good 'sexscapade story sort of like the ESPN/Steve Phillips story. Think of the possibilities. Hell, just take a look at the NY Post! Can you imagine the PR gold?!

Oh sure, there'd be a temporary hit, but long term, we're talking PR bonanza. And judging from the stories I've heard and frankly know about, there's a bevy of stories out there in our vast 415-408-510 TV/radio media wasteland involving high line station execs, cute, girly, preppy interns and "staff assistants"--so I'm betting all we need is one good, albeit verified story and account.

Like I said, everyone benefits. "Friend with benefits?" Yeah, sure. But even more, lots of PUB and potential appearance on The View. You may even be considered for Larry King Live on CNN. Whoa Nellie!

Here's what I propose. If you know of a friend, say, an intern that's been banging the company boss at any given outlet, (media only please) send me the info. I'll be discreet, as should you. Be specific. If its you that's doing the banging, then do provide all the juicy details and I'll try to investigate. That's why I'm ME and that's why you be you. We're all in this together, right? The juicier the better.

Fringe benefits? Take a look at that headline above the mast?!! You can't even get that pub if you win a Nobel peace prize!

ESPN and ESPN.com ignore Phillips story

All day long the Internet has been abuzz with the revelations of ESPN baseball color analyst Steve Phillips and his acknowledged boinkings of a 22 year-old staffer who texted letters to Phillips wife.

Phillips has taken a leave of absence at ESPN. Uh, that may be wise. His wife might be on a leave herself, but that's another story.

More telling? ESPN TV and its affiliated web site have ignored the story. Nothing. Nada. No "staff report." Not even a innocuous acknowledgement story read by an anchor on ESPN News. Curious.

Granted, this is not the type of story that merits any more coverage, but it IS news, and Phillips, who has a history of caddy behavior, (he was suspended for hitting on a NY Mets female staffer in 2000)is a high-profile commentator at the major sports cable outlet.

Even more interesting: ESPN is the same net that fired ex-player and Baseball tonight commentator Harold Reynolds on similar grounds. Wonder how Reynolds feels?

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KGO Radio gets five-minute plug on KCBS? Go figure; Bay Area media notes

In terms of big picture broadcasting, it won't go down as that big a deal, but it demonstrates how marginalized local broadcast media has become.

David Lazarus is the star business columnist for the LA Times and also hosts a weekend talk show on KGO radio.

Lazarus was interviewed for over five minutes on Tuesday afternoon by KCBS afternoon anchors Jeff Bell and Patty Reising.

Lazarus isn't the only print/broadcast journalist, but his prominent interview on a rival station in the Bay Area market had to be quite a chuckle for KGO's GM Michael Luckoff. You can bet the world that this cute little nugget gets to the desk of KCBS head cheese Doug Harvill. Humn...

**Speaking of a similar subject, KCBS/metro traffic reporter, Kate Scott, also co-hosts the CAL football pre and post game show on, yes, KGO radio. When I think of college football sports, I think of Kate Scott. OK, so Ms. Scott is a CAL alum; I guess that qualifies her to team up with Lee Grosscup. Kate Scott? Guess the Citadel bottom liners were in on this one. (Citadel owns KGO and is in financial purgatory)

**Dan Schulman of ESPN radio on KNBR: "I think Manny Ramirez is a 'disgrace. He's disrespected the game." Schulman was reacting to reports the slightly goofy, but great, Dodger fielder who was reportedly showering when the LAers got beat in Game 4 of the NLCS by the Phillies.

**Chronicle editor at large Phil Bronstein wrote an intriguing piece on the NY Times debut in the SF Bay Area market the other day on SFGate. Worth reading? You betcha.

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Heavy Rain in SF floods Comcast Bay Area studios

The heavy rain in SF has invaded the Comcast Sports studios on Third street.

Comcast "Chronicle Live" sports booker, Bruce Macgowan says the scene is unreal.

"We had a major backup in our water system..and several of our rooms in the first floor of our facility are under an inch of water after the monsoon rains outside. Unreal!!"

Just make sure Greg Papa's hair is OK and get out the radar.

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Photo courtesy of (timone), via SFist

Might KRON be doing this?

I'd rather watch this than the unwatchable Henry Tannenbaum.

http://www.adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=139747

Coming soon, the 'Dead Pool' and news at 5.

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Breaking News! Chron/SF Gate go ga-ga on Oakland, but KTVU sticks to murder theme

STOP THE PRESSES!

The SF Chronicle and its web site, SFGate gave Oakland, more importantly, Oakland restaurants, a chamber of commerce front page piece about the emergence of restaurants opening and flourishing in the Eastbay's biggest city. Other than referring to Broadway as "Broadway avenue" and Park blvd. as "Park avenue", the mega piece was spot on in its positive picture of a city that doesn't get much journalistic love from Bay Area media.

Sure, the Chron may have noticed what the East Bay Express published a few weeks back, (another glowing piece on the Oakland restaurant scene) but give the Chron credit; they finally acknowledged what every other foodie knows already: damn, that fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's is a killer and darn, is it true that Ozumo and Pican are rocking the world on Broadway?! Oakland has a pulse? Katy, bar the door! Next thing you know, Herb Caen will emerge from heaven and heave culinary praise on Chinatown and the mortadella sandwich at Genoa.

Fact is, Oakland has always been every local media's whipping boy, from, yes, the Chronicle, to, yes, Oakland-based KTVU. In fact, KTVU doesn't hide its rather anti-510 image. When doing live interviews with split-screen viewing, the station uses "KTVU" as the locale as opposed to "Oakland." And KTVU has a homicide fetish. They like to open almost every newscast with the latest Oakland murder, which indeed merits coverage, but at what point do the stories become almost repetitive?

Just the other night, Saturday, to be exact, KTVU news led with a homicide in Richmond. OK, technically, not Oakland, but balloon boy hoax was pretty much the top news story, (granted, el stupidmendo, but it was topic A) and KTVU leads off with a Richmond homicide. Tragic? Ofcourse, but worthy of lead-story category? No.

Keep in mind that I love KTVU news and have written as much in this space, and while I don't have the actual number of Oakland murder stories they report, I do know they seem to highlight a lot. Check out YouTube to see for yourself. Ditto the Chron and SF Gate.

This is not to suggest that the homicide rate in Oakland isn't major news, but I pretty much think we all get that every day in the papers. Sad to say, but at what point does it become mundane and repetitive?

One local columnist who used to write for the old Robert Maynard Trib, told me his morning routine included looking for the "Henry Lee 'homicide post in SFGate." Henry Lee is the Chron's/Gate's Eastbay correspondent. His byline frequently is seen on SFGate involving Oakland murders.

KTVU and the Chronicle are not alone. NBC Bay Area and CBS5 are also prone to Oakland bashing, but KTVU is tops for sure. Ever notice how many live shots take place in that lovely water fountain in Walnut Creek? Alot. KTVU and KPIX love Walnut Creek. Lots of very pretty people and ratings nirvana, particularly the coveted A25-54 demo which is much tastier than the fried-chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's.

**
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Gawker Exclu: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax--Boy in the balloon

Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax

UPDATE: 9: 39: 52 EST: BREAKING: Criminal charges will be filed in incident of boy believed to be trapped in helium balloon in Colorado. Go to wcbstv.com for more.
5 minutes ago from web

http://www.gawker.com/5383858/exclusive-i-helped-richard-heene-plan-a-balloon-hoax

Uh, I think this pretty much confirms what I said the minute they found balloon boy.

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The Balloon 'Schmoon; CNN, MsNBC, FNC held hostage; KSFO's Rodgers affirms Birther bit

How to hold a nation hostage and pull off major publicity stunt? Take your six year-old kid and concoct the mother of all spectacles, complete with flying saucer-like balloon chase and couple who were once on a reality-TV show.

Only problem: don't allow kid to be interviewed for an exclu by CNN's Wolf Blitzer later on. Hell, everything was going so smooth until that.

**

KSFO grumpy old guy Lee Rodgers, who likes to spice up the right-wing "hot talk" format with repeated usage of the word, "bleepin", (count the # of times Rodgers uses that phrase every show) has officially signed on the insane birther movement; this morning while sidekick "Officer Vic" listened on, Rodgers referred to an obscure African newspaper detailing "Kenyan-born" Barack Obama. "Did you hear that?,"extolled Lee. Sure did Lee. We'll get right on it.

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Radnich and Bruno defend Rush Limbaugh; KNBR does a little 'KGO

KNBR went a 'little KGO this morning, as Gary Radnich and Tony Bruno did the ultimate tap dance in defending Rush Limbaugh's attempt to purchase the St. Louis Rams.
Radnich, who admitted he wasn't "educated enough", (duh!) to make a pithy comment about Limbaugh's well-known racist and race-baited statements in the past, was made to look foolish by his own sidekick, Dan Dibley. Dibley even went so as far to produce Limbaugh's "top 10 racist statements", for which Radnich conveniently ignored. What else is new?

In 2006, Limbaugh, while working for ESPN, stated, among other things, that Philadelphia Eagles QB, Donovan McNabb, was being trumped up to perform well, "because he's a 'black QB."

While Raddy did his usual "He's, (Limbaugh) just a performer" crappola, Bruno did one better.

"I don't like to talk about politics. I don't even listen to my friend Keith Olbermann." Oh really? Which would be interesting to Bruno's "friends" on Facebook, where he routinely brings up political items almost on a daily basis. Bruno claims to be above the political fray; "I only talk about sports." Sure Tony.

UPDATE: Just got this note from a very savvy reader:

Rich,
What's even more disgraceful for the so called Radnick's, (sic) ignorance of Limbaugh's racial statements (which I don't buy), he is married to an African American.
He has no balls and is afraid he will lose all those right wing white jock snifters.

Andy M.

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Bay Area media goes heavy on 20th anniv. of Loma Prieta; haven't you heard/seen?

It's the 20Th anniversary of the Loma Prieta quake? Have you heard the news? Of course you have because if you haven't, the SF Bay Area news outlets are all hellbent on letting all of us know. Just listen to your radio on KCBS and KGO, or if you watch the local TV news, and by golly I know you peek occasionally, check out KGO, KPIX, KRON4, (Channel 4 goes orgasmic on this type of stuff) and KTVU and NBC Bay Area too.

There's no denying the impact of the '89 quake; it was caught literally by the world, as the World Series game 3 was about to commence at Candlestick Park. It was surreal and definitely a singular moment in Bay Area history, but the overload of "special reports" is completely out of whack. What else is new.

There's nothing infinitely wrong about going back twenty years to highlight a significant story in the Bay Area's news history, but then again why are we being inundated about the "little 'big one" if the "BIG ONE" still hasn't hit? (How many times have you seen a geek seismic guy talk about the real big one on the Hayward and/or San Andreus fault, as if Loma Prieta was chopped liver?)

Both radio news outlets are going heavy here; Doug Sovern of KCBS, in particular, has a huge six-part "special report" on the '89 quake. That's a lot of time for the little big one. KGO too, but thern again, KGO is KRON4 in that department; they love this type of "community reminder" material. I bet Ronn Owens is gearing up for October 20th, (gotta be tough to discuss health care when Gavin Newsom presumably will be schmoozing in the marina that day)

News directors quietly love this anniversary because it gives them a reason to concentrate on "history" stories, as opposed to real news of the day. OK, its a cheap shot, granted, but I know I'm right because several in the biz have told me so.

NEWS, NOTES and COMMENTS: The Comcast Sports Bay Area 49ers post-game show featuring KNBR/KRON4 tonsil Gary Radnich and Willie Brown is getting trounced in the ratings by KTVU's post game show with Mark Ibanez, (as predicted here) It's not so much that most people stay with the local station following the end of a 49ers contest, its also because many suburban viewers have complete disdain for Willie Brown. What may play well in SF doesn't necessarily "move the meter" in Pleasanton...Speaking of post game shows, KNBR, the alleged "sports leader" chooses to run its after-game show from a local sports bar. Gotta get that revenue in...A refreshing show in a minefield of dreck: Patrick Mauro on "Sports Overnight Weekend", (heard locally on XTRA Sports) ...Most underrated radio anchor in Bay Area: KCBS' Steve Little is an A-grade newsman and it helps that his delivery is straight-forward and to the point. A delight to listen to.



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MLB Fall Classic; Coors Field style

Baseball, Coors Field-style in October.

All we need now is some Burl Ives.


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The 'Presidents Cup' in a nutshell; Am I the only one?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

(But I hear the freebie food for the press is great. OK, save me some of the shrimp)














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Rating the Bay Area TV Sports anchors; Ibanez, Mathei, tops; Radnich and Beil? Feh

The Bay Area is a hotbed for sports, from the 49ers to the Raiders, (OK, even if the latter is struggling, they still garner attention) to the Giants, A's, Warriors and yes, even the SJ Sharks.

Don't forget college football, even though Jeff Tedford's CAL Bears are having an early-season hiccup and Stanford somehow leads the PC-10 in football victories. (How can this be happening?)

With that in mind, let us unscientifically rate the Bay Area TV Sports anchors. Keep in mind that this is purely subjective and no, not a one bought me a free lunch at Tommys joynt, but I'd be happy to wined and dined at Tadich if you care.

**MARK IBANEZ, KTVU/FOX 2: There's a reason why the veteran Channel 2 sports personality has managed to make it here for over 30 years: Ibanez is solid, steady, uber-professional and can neatly and nicely wrap a thoroughly entertaining and informative sportscast into two minutes. It's a shame KTVU has cut Ibanez' time, but that's another story all together. GRADE: A-




**RAJ MATTHEI, NBC/BAYAREA: Mathei has grown on me. At first, he came across as slick and ultra-sleek, but the GQ look is not his fault. It IS after all, TV. He is smooth, provides all the necessary info and has developed into a pretty good interviewer, not afraid to ask a tough question, even to Barry Bonds. Mathei's post-game show following NBC Sunday night football has become a quality sports wrap-up, and better than most of your garden variety sports shows. GRADE: B

GARY RADNICH, KRON4: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Radnich is still widely recognized as the top sports TV tonsil on Bay Area TV, but his overly schlocky, occasionally over-the-top sports reports have become the TV version of a train wreck that you rubberneckers want to just give a peek as to what's going on. Gary is still compelling enough to hunker down and allot five minutes of your night to see if he'll actually give and A's score every now and then, without the obligatory inside-biz bit with Pam Moore. It's not that we don't want it, but every night? All in all, he's still got it, albeit the "bit-o-matic" "Ask Gary" segment is as cheesy and pretentious as ever. When you can squeeze Paula Abdul into the studio, OK, maybe then, we'll give a damn. GRADE: B-

DENNIS O'DONNELL, CBS5/KPIX: Dennis is good and dresses like a modern-day Gordon Gecko. The only thing missing is hair gel, and a Gavin Newsom endorsement. O'Donnell's problem is not that he's turned from solid sports deliverer to gimmicky sports host, its that he's projecting he's more important than the sports story. At least that's the impression. Worse yet, the increasingly banal banter between him and co-anchors Ken Basdtida and Dana King is useless and utterly pretentious. Yo Den, we love you guy, we do, but leave the inside-anchor shtick to Radnich, who in spite of his lower-case gravitas and impending year-end bye-bye at KRON is better in that department. GRADE: C+

LARRY BEIL, ABC7/KGO: Mr. "with-authority!" still thinks he's back in Bristol, home of ESPN, where Beil used to tonsil. Years ago, he was solid, steady and unassuming at KTVU in the 90's, before moving back east to presumably hone his career as the proverbial "Hey, don't I LOOK like I'm a sports anchor?" You do, Larry, and that's the problem. There's no denying Beil can provide a simple, straight-forward three-four minute sportscast, yet the overly-used WITH AUTHORITY! audio logo wears thin after said highlight needs nothing more than a slight raise of the voice. Besides, there's the other guy who used to provide a SIT DOWN, which was tepid enough. Remember, this ain't Des Moines, its the Bay Area. GRADE: C

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Joe Fonzi, Vern Glenn, Fred Inglis. All solid veterans on the weekend staff. (Glenn works weekdays and is primarily reporter and back-up to Radnich as KRON has erased sports on the weekend to pay for the company XMAS party across the street at Tommys Joynt)

****

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Cambridge cancels out Michael Savage; another blow for SF radio host

It's been a tough few months for Michael Savage.

The controversial radio host, who was unceremoniously given the boot from KNEW, ( 910 AM-SF station; in one of his biggest markets) has now been '86ed from the prestigious Cambridge Union in a scheduled debate.

Just one week before Savage was scheduled to debate via video link at the Cambridge Union in England, the co-presidents of the two-century-old society informed the top-rated radio host they have canceled the event.

In an e-mail today to Savage producer Beowulf Rochlen, Cambridge Union leaders Julien Domercq and Jonathan Laurence wrote, "It is with great regret to inform you of the difficult decision we have taken to cancel the event."

Cambridge officials cited legal issues as a major reason why the debate was cancelled, and insiders told me security issues were also a source for concern.

Another reason? A broadcast insider privately speculated that Savage's much-publicized, UK-ban story was "heavily 'milked" by the radio host and that the issue has pretty much died down.

Developing Story...

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Sporting News Top 200 Sports Cities; San Jose#24, Oakland#33, SF#46? You betcha

Sporting News has a list of what it calls the Top 200, (It's actually 500, but 200 is enough) Sports Cities, and amazingly enough, SF is ranked #46, behind San Jose(#24), (of all places) and Oakland too(#33) See, the splash hits are great and AT&T Park may be deemed gorgeous, but Candlestick still sucks and despite garlic fries and cha-cha bowls, Sporting News could care less about the 415. Maybe Barry Bonds should re-apply to the Giants; that would get the fans off their cell phones, right? Pittsburgh received the coveted #1 status, but what else is there to do in Pittsburgh besides watch sports? It's Pittsburgh for gawds sake.

Here's the actual list: ( take a look at #32? Huh? Oy!)

1. Pittsburgh
2. Philadelphia
3. Boston
4. Chicago + Evanston
5. Los Angeles
6. New York
7. Phoenix + Tempe
8. Miami
9. Dallas-Fort Worth
10. Detroit + Ann Arbor + Ypsilanti
11. Houston
12. Nashville
13. Atlanta
14. Washington
15. Tampa-St. Petersburg
16. Minneapolis-St. Paul
17. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.
18. Denver + Boulder
19. Salt Lake City + Provo
20. Indianapolis
21. Anaheim
22. Cleveland
23. Charlotte
24. San Jose + Palo Alto + Santa Clara
25. New Orleans
26. Milwaukee
27. Orlando
28. Baltimore
29. Cincinnati
30. St. Louis
31. San Diego
32. Portland
33. Oakland + Berkeley
34. Columbus
35. San Antonio
36. Toronto
37. Oklahoma City + Norman
38. Austin, Texas
39. Vancouver
40. Buffalo
41. Gainesville, Fla.
42. Calgary
43. Storrs, Conn.
44. East Lansing, Mich.
45. Montreal
46. San Francisco
47. Memphis
48. State College, Pa.
49. Kansas City
50. Jacksonville
51. Green Bay
52. Seattle
53. Edmonton
54. Ottawa
55. Sacramento
56. Columbia, Mo.
57. Tuscaloosa, Ala.
58. Blacksburg, Va.
59. Tucson, Ariz.
60. Stillwater, Okla.
61. Lawrence, Kan.
62. Morgantown, W.Va.
63. Lubbock, Texas
64. College Park, Md.
65. Oxford, Miss.
66. Clemson, S.C.
67. Louisville, Ky.
68. Eugene, Ore.
69. Boise, Idaho
70. Iowa City, Iowa
71. Corvallis, Ore.
72. Lincoln, Neb.
73. West Lafayette, Ind.
74. Tallahassee, Fla.
75. Madison, Wis.
76. South Bend, Ind.
77. Athens, Ga.
78. Lexington, Ky.
79. Baton Rouge, La.
80. Knoxville, Tenn.
81. Columbia, S.C.
82. Tulsa, Okla.
83. Winston-Salem, N.C.
84. Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
85. Waco, Texas
86. College Station, Texas
87. Piscataway, N.J.
88. Auburn, Ala.
89. Charlottesville, Va.
90. Syracuse, N.Y.
91. Manhattan, Kan.
92. Albuquerque, N.M.
93. Reno, Nev.
94. Fayetteville, Ark.
95. Starkville, Miss.
96. Las Vegas
97. Hattiesburg, Miss.
98. El Paso, Texas
99. Annapolis, Md.
100. Greenville, N.C.
101. Logan, Utah
102. Spokane, Wash.
103. Akron, Ohio
104. Troy, Ala.
105. Fort Collins, Colo.
106. Colorado Springs, Colo.
107. Moraga, Calif.
108. Ruston, La.
109. Bowling Green, Ohio
110. Fresno, Calif.
111. Omaha, Neb.
112. Muncie, Ind.
113. Pullman, Wash.
114. Ames, Iowa
115. Murfreesboro, Tenn.
116. Honolulu
117. Kingston, R.I.
118. Huntington, W.Va.
119. Bowling Green, Ky.
120. Laramie, Wyo.
121. Dayton, Ohio
122. Birmingham, Ala.
123. Oxford, Ohio
124. Kent, Ohio
125. Las Cruces, N.M.
126. Kalamazoo, Mich.
127. Athens, Ohio
128. Moscow, Idaho
129. Bloomington, Ind.
130. Mount Pleasant, Mich.
131. Jonesboro, Ark.
132. Denton, Texas
133. Lafayette, La.
134. DeKalb, Ill.
135. West Point, N.Y.
136. Toledo, Ohio
137. Monroe, La.
138. Richmond, Va.
139. Normal, Ill.
140. Albany, N.Y.
141. Niagara, N.Y.
142. Ithaca, N.Y.
143. Fargo, N.D.
144. Cedar Falls, Iowa
145. Burlington, Vt.
146. Peoria, Ill.
147. Nacogdoches, Texas
148. Des Moines, Iowa
149. Stockton, Calif.
150. Little Rock, Ark.
151. Ogden, Utah
152. Mobile, Ala.
153. Johnson City, Tenn.
154. Wichita, Kan.
155. Evansville, Ind.
156. Harrisonburg, Va.
157. Emmitsburg, Md.
158. Martin, Tenn.
159. Hempstead, N.Y.
160. Murray, Ky.
161. Binghamton, N.Y.
162. Huntsville, Texas
163. Amherst, Mass.
164. Norfolk, Va.
165. Clarksville, Tenn.
166. Lexington, Va.
167. Carbondale, Ill.
168. Corpus Christi, Texas
169. Lawrenceville, N.J.
170. Santa Barbara, Calif.
171. Missoula, Mont.
172. Radford, Va.
173. Morehead, Ky.
174. Lynchburg, Va.
175. Thibodaux, La.
176. Olean, N.Y.
177. Richmond, Ky.
178. Fairfield, Conn.
179. Worcester, Mass.
180. Springfield, Mo.
181. Pocatello, Idaho
182. Providence, R.I.
183. Orem, Utah
184. Riverside, Calif.
185. Chattanooga, Tenn.
186. Terre Haute, Ind.
187. Charleston, S.C.
188. Vermillion, S.D.
189. Stony Brook, N.Y.
190. Bozeman, Mont.
191. Macon, Ga.
192. Newark, Del.
193. Beaumont, Texas
194. Greeley, Colo.
195. Youngstown, Ohio
196. Fort Wayne, Ind.
197. Davis, Calif.
198. Montgomery, Ala.
199. Cullowhee, N.C.
200. Valparaiso, Ind.

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Top CBS brass 'concerned' over Letterman fallout; meet behind closed doors at Black Rock

Top CBS Network execs, including Chairman Sumner Redstone and President Les Moonves, are quietly meeting inside Blackrock to delve into the long-term effects of David Letterman's ongoing extortion-case imbroglio involving past female staff working at Late Show.

Publicly, CBS has offered support for the iconic 62 year-old Late show host, but as new details emerge over Letterman's sexual flings, including an alleged "secret bedroom" above the Ed Sullivan Theatre, officials are concerned that more lurid details and accounts of Letterman's sexual forays could become cumbersome for both Letterman and the network itself.

Letterman's contract runs until August of 2010, but the network has been negotiating with him for an extension through 2013. Those talks have been temporarily put on hold.

CBS officials were banking on the story to "sort of 'go away'", as did Letterman himself last weekend, but in fact the story has picked him steam, as some of the women who worked for Letterman acknowledged sexual affairs. On in particular, Stephanie Birkett, revealed romantic flings with Letterman as late as June 2008.

In addition, Gerald Shargell, a high-powered NY attorney representing the alleged extortionist, Joe Halderman, made the rounds of all the morning talk shows talking boldly about the chance to cross-examine Letterman. He called the host "manipulative" and said his client has been maligned by the DA in this case.

**Letterman's ratings have been high; his "confession" show blew away Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, but long term implications, like viewer and advertiser reaction concerns CBS officials. So far, no Late Show sponsors have pulled their ads, but what would happen if one of the women were to speak publicly?

CBS, like most big corporations, has a rigid and strict sexual harassment policy. The prospect of one of its prized TV assets being exposed as a workplace offender has the brass deeply concerned.

"This is turing into a soap opera that we hope has a good ending", said one network insider, but "if it reaches the courtroom and headlines emerge,", then "we'd be concerned."

Would CBS brass ever consider the prospect of firing Letterman? Not likely, given the extraordinary amount of money he brings into CBS' coffers. But if the story continues to gather steam and any more revelations emerge, everything is on the table, including Letterman's ouster.

Clouding the murkiness of the story? Both Redstone and Moonves have had highly publicized affairs of their own. Talk about dilemma central.

Read me daily at Examiner.com; follow me on Twitter, and listen to my commentary on XTRA Sports 860.

Amidst Letterman story, Leno 'flailing; more 'Dave turmoil?; media notes

• The 'Jay Leno Show' experiment at 10PM is flailing. The premiere attracted 18 million viewers; now it averages in the 5-6 million range. And its getting trashed by the critics, like Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker, who scathingly writes, "The forensic evidence so far indicates that a kind of death is taking place before our eyes; the only question is whether what we're witnessing is an accident or a crime scene.

*Letterman rumblings?
While CBS has publicly defended David Letterman, in the wake of an alleged extortion plot involving female staff from "Late Show", there is significant rumblings inside the Manhattan headquarters that the fallout over the well-pubbed story could ultimately hurt Letterman's image, even though initial reaction was that of sympathy for the 62 year-old host.

So far, no advertisers have pulled their spots from Late Show, but its early. Quietly, top CBS execs are troubled by the prospects of some of his female colleagues coming out publicly to talk about Letterman's exploits. Even if the sexual 'flings were consensual, the brass are concerned about long-term effect of a host who has made fun of politicians, actors and the like of their own sexual forays.

Letterman's Monday taping, (5 PM PST) is sure to be a ratings winner, but just how will the brouhaha affect the show in the long run? Stay tuned.

*SF media notes: Expect a ton of local TV news to concentrate on Fleet week, as the annual ritual begins in SF...good to see and hear the return of local NHL hockey to the Bay Area; both the SJ Sharks Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda are some of the best play-by-play and color analysts in the biz...Ken Dito will file live reports from the 'Presidents Cup beginning Thursday morning on XTRA Sports 860 AM...

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Another CAL meltdown against USC; Is Tedford 'on the clock?'

BERKELEY, CA
9: 50: 45 PST


As the CAL Bears suffered through a complete meltdown to the pro-like USC Trojans in frigid Memorial Stadium, I asked, semi- tongue-in-cheek, if CAL coach, Jeff Tedford was now "on-the clock."

A few hisses and you-gotta be kidding's, but also some notable nods from the local scribes. When you get beat by USC, it's not big news, particularly when you're a Bears team that was clearly the inferior squad. A 30-3 poleaxing by the Pete Carroll south land machine confirmed all the ugly truth.

What's more disturbing for CAL was the MANNER in which they were outplayed, out-classed and out-coached too.

Kevin Reilly is not very good, but we sort of knew that already. He tends to either overthrown, under throw and simply miss his receivers all together. To be fair to Riley, he was missing his best receiver, Nyan Booteng, to an injury, but even his addition to the game would not have helped the Bears.

USC is down this year, having lost to Washington a couple of weeks back, but true freshman QB, Matt Barkley, looked like the second coming of John Elway, throwing passes with ease and showing enough poise to make even Carroll blush. Who needs Mark Sanchez anyway?

Certainly not CAL's defense. Between Barkley and USC's obscenely terrific offensive line, the Trojans path to victory was monumentally swift and methodical. And their vaunted defense made the Bears look like utter silly puddy. The game could very well have been a shutout, save for a meaningless field goal early in the first quarter. Jeff Tedford concession point well-received in Berkeley: read BOO!!

Shocking news in Berkeley: another non-Rose Bowl year; more than likely, a 3rd-tier bowl game; (can you say Emerald or Las Vegas?)

No doubt Tedford has elevated the football program at CAL and resuscitated a dying program that was drawing flies to the stadium, but as programs elevate and expectations get higher, so do, we'll, expectations.

It's not Tedford's fault that Riley is not that good, but Jahvid Best is a play maker, isn't he? And weren't the Bears ranked #6 just a few weeks back--oops, those rankings; I forgot.

Hello Emerald Bowl.

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A message to Ross McGowan (from Sal Castanada)

Dear Ross,

It was a distinct pleasure to have you as a co-worker. It was such a thrill to work with someone that I watched for years as co-host on “People Are Talking.” As I watched you work, I saw how professional you were on the air and how laid back you were in person. Best of all you didn’t take yourself too seriously. Those of us who worked with you have learned a lot. We will miss your intelligence, your dedication, and your sense of humor.


Sal Castaneda
"Mornings on 2, KTVU"

From Rich Lieberman:

Ross, you are a total professional. I'll miss you. Stay good and healthy.

PS: Can I have your coffee mug?

Is Comcast an NBC buyer?

Report: Comcast Buying NBC for $35 Billion. Comcast: “Inaccurate”
by Peter Kafka
Posted on September 30, 2009 at 6:23 PM PT
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Here’s the big media deal everyone has been waiting for. Or at least, here’s the report: Sharon Waxman of TheWrap says cable giant Comcast (CMCSA) is buying all of NBC Universal from GE (GE) for $35 billion.

The deal was hammered out by reps at a Tuesday meeting, Waxman reports, citing “two individuals informed about the meeting”. The $35 billion price tag happens to be the value that a recent JP Morgan report assigned to the company.

Comcast, in a statement, says the story is untrue: “”While we do not normally comment on M&A rumors, the report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal is inaccurate.” NBC Univesal has no comment.

Clintonian parsers will note that Comcast’s denial has potential wiggle room: It isn’t denying, for instance, that the two companies had or are having talks. On the other hand, this is exactly the situation where corporate pr protocol calls for the “we don’t comment on market rumor and speculation” line. That way, you have the option to update your statement if the story does turn out to be true. And for what it’s worth, I can’t recall the last time I saw a big, publicly traded company respond to an M&A story with this specificity.

All that said, this is tie-up that has a first-blush logic to it: Comcast is flush with cash, and has shown an interest in branching out into content before — in 2004, it made a run at Disney (DIS). And the drumbeat for GE to dump its 80% stake in NBC U has been more or less constant, even while the industrial conglomerate insisted it had no interest in selling.

Those drumbeats get louder every year around this time, by the way. That’s because Vivendi, which owns the remaining 20% stake in NBCU, has a put option that kicks in every November, and which could theoretically force GE into buying out the stake or spinning the whole thing out to the public.

More theoretical ammunition for a deal: Comcast is one of the few potential buyers who could swallow up all of NBC U. While might be lots of people interested in NBC U’s cable properties (USA, Bravo, SciFi, etc) there aren’t many who also want the company’s flailing broadcast property.

And while Universal’s film library is potentially attractive to some buyers, many of them — like Time Warner (TWX), for instance — have no interest in the film studio, because they already have one.

If you want to play out the theoretical implications for digital, things could get very interesting. NBC is one of the founding partners at Hulu, the free Web TV portal that’s caused consternation for Comcast and other cable providers, who worry that the site is undermining the value of the TV programming they spend big money on. And Comcast and Time Warner have been trying out a “TV Everywhere” strategy that is in part a reaction to Hulu’s initial success. But let’s let the dust settle for a minute before we head in that direction.

*****

MY TAKE: While NBC is struggling and has lost major ground to the other networks, notably Fox, GE would be foolish to disband one of its greatest assets, particularly in a down market like this. $35 billion sounds like a lot of money, but remember, we're talking about NBC. Not to mention its affiliated brands, like, oh, the Olympics rights?

I'll believe it when I see it.