Kessler is enjoying life at his home in Pacifica and told me, via e-mail, that he's mulling all sorts of things:
"Wish I could tell you something but there's nothing on the horizon just yet. I've contacted every other station. Nothing, but I'm optimistic.
I am truly humbled by the reaction. I never could imagine the response and I'm so thankful."
I am truly humbled by the reaction. I never could imagine the response and I'm so thankful."
Many people have asked me why CBS would dump the highly popular Kessler, with his irreverent, charming wise-guy personality, along with the fact that he's a very good newsman. Add to that his on-air chemistry with Kohara and what do you have?
An apparently dim-witted move by CBS corporate.
An apparently dim-witted move by CBS corporate.
Bottom line is that those marginally upper-tier talent in local TV news that make big money are suddenly being shown the door by a cost-conscious broadcast industry that have no problem hiring younger, CHEAPER, talent that will take pennies on the dollar to work in a major market like SF.
The public be damned--that's the mentality these days and CBS' top honchos have no loyalty in that dept. They are a bottom-line industry who have no loyalty and kinship to viewers accustomed to seeing their favorite morning personalities. Keep in mind too that a station like KPIX makes an immense profit--certainly not the kind of money they made a few years ago, but $25-30 million is nothing to sneeze at.
The worst is yet to come too as the revolving door of talent being let go continues to grow. Don't be surprised to see more top KPIX people being let go. It's a trend that has no end in sight.
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I am hoping that the other stations in the area will see that he can bring an audience along with him. Still finding it hard that that CBS5 made this decision. Hopefully, we will see John again and the sooner the better because my mornings just aren't the same without him.
ReplyDeleteNot only did John bring good commentary on local news, he also brought Humor into the mix.I will miss him very much.I wish the agency would re-consider him back into the news room.
ReplyDeleteThanks
TA
John's humor was helped to start my day and it's just not the same without him....
ReplyDeleteYes, I always liked Kessler too. Let us hope someone picks him up. And Kohara too. I wish them well.
ReplyDeleteSome agency that tracks Recessions over the years just declared that this Recession is over. Anyone believing that? And as we all have to work longer until retirement age, how can we when companies are hiring young and cheap?
I really miss Kessler in the mornings. He got me started and ready to take on the day with his humor and great personality. Too bad, I hope someone else picks him up. The replacement should stay in the traffic department.
ReplyDeleteI wish John the best. I also wish people would curb their wild accusations and remember they don't know the whole story!
ReplyDeleteKessler at KRON? They should re-hire him back to get some chemistry on the air again with Darya. That dry-as-toast Mark Dannon is the most boring newsman around. I would like to see John Kessler resurface truly anywhere, but at KRON it would be worth watching again. I wish Kessler the best.
ReplyDeleteWhen John was last in the Bay Area and left I was so upset. He has such a wonderful sense of humor and helped me to begin my day with a good attitude. When he popped up again on CBS it actually was what brought me to the station. He and Sydnie were a great team and the power's that be behind KPIX are making a huge mistake. You think you want to go in a "new" direction? Try NO DIRECTION...He's what brought me there and he will be what takes me away.
ReplyDeletejohn kessler is my favorite news anchor ever
ReplyDeletekpix owners are idiots
john would always put a smile on my face in the morning we need jk back !!!!!!!!!
dave nymann
Thanks for the story Rich. I am counted among those who really appreciated John (and Sydnie), and will definitely feel his absence in the morning. When he left KRON, I felt much the same way, and when he finally resurfaced at KPIX, it was really wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI will miss John, and hope that he finds something soon, in the Bay Area of course!
I will miss his blownup segments!! He was always a fun person who was also serious when it needed to be. KPIX sucks!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry for my fowl mouth, but I do feel that is necessary.
ReplyDeleteWHY THE HELL WOULD THEY DROP ALL THE BEST ANCHORS “TO SAVE MONEY”??? That’s f-ing dumb, in my opinion. I am sticking with CBS5, but if they start cutting their evening anchors too, you can kiss my ass. After hearing that Sydnie could be leaving too, this is very disturbing news.
What idiot made the decision to let John and Sydney go? They are the best team EVER in the Bay Area and I go back to the Amberg/Jensen days. If I wasn't up at 5 I would set my DVR to tape the news just to see what kind of mischief John would bring up. Can't wait to see where he and Sydney will resurface so that I can change my channel to that station.
ReplyDeleteWe are not going to watch channel five.. we are out of here... what a dumb move to save money. You are going to lose a lot more... your viewer share is going down!
ReplyDeleteThere's no longer any reason to watch CBS5/KPIX in the morning. I hope Kessler & Kohara resurface in the Bay Area soon!
ReplyDeleteKaren, Los Gatos
They are kinda lame at KPIX. They lost a loyal viewer over this. Somebody hire John Kessler.
ReplyDeleteGo and check out the Bring John Kessler back page on FaceBook
ReplyDeleteBring back John Kessler or take the vow: just say no to KPIX.
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty lame that KPIX didn't have the guts to put out some sort of announcement to the public. They have lost me as a viewer.
ReplyDeleteI will turn this news channel off for good. What a bunch of idiots! John was the best thing going in the morning news department. He will be missed. Hopefully some smart exec at another station will pick him up.
ReplyDeleteJohn Kessler, the Master ad libber, consistently entertained me for over a decade. His humor ranged into the indiscreet, but never disgusting or salacious. Always clean, a little naughty, fun. No other news person has the capacity to maintain this lightly comedic style anywhere in the nation...consistent! dependable! His friendly manner made you feel that he would shake your hand, look you in the eye, and tease you the first time you met him. I think he is a massive personality, bigger even than national or world coverage. Maybe Fox or CNN will show great intelligence and send him a speed of light contract. I thank him for many good years, and wish him the best. wl
ReplyDelete