To wit: (not necessarily in order)
*Frank Somerville, KTVU: There were many naysayers who insisted that Somerville was no Dennis Richmond and that Channel 2's news franchise would suffer. It hasn't. Yeah, Somerville isn't Richmond, but he's managed to keep things intact as KTVU's lead anchor. Like Richmond, Somerville gives a steady diet of no-nonsense delivery devoid of any unnecessary chit-chat. Solid and reliable. (Nice dresser too)
*Dana King: KPIX: Graceful, steady pro with a nice delivery and yes, sue me, she's gorgeous. Hard to believe that King has tenured at the CBS o and o for well over a decade. She brings class to the PIX news desk and is a respected industry leader. One of the best.
*Tom Sinkovitz, NBC Bay Area/KNTV: I'm still a bit befuddled why the upper news people in the SouthBay have lessened Sinkovitz' role. He's as good as ever. The numbers don't back that up and thus, the Raj Mathai shake-up took place, but I'm convinced Sinkovitz has a home here, maybe not necessarily at KNTV.
*Raj Mathai, NBC Bay Area: It isn't Mathai's fault that he looks like a GQ model. Take the exterior pretty-boy appearance away and what you get is a hard-working, spirited, passionate, and very good news anchor that is a great interviewer to boot. How do I know? Because I watch and I know.
Rita Williams, KTVU: Hands down, the BEST TV reporter in the Bay Area. End of story. Williams is relentless, tough-minded, passionate and yes, fair. She's also been her forever which helps and has the utmost respect and admiration from her peers. In today's TV business climate, that's remarkable. So is Rita Williams.
*Lawrence Karnow, KPIX Weather: One of the most underrated talents in the Bay Area. Karnow's weather guessing is sincere, focused, steady and yes, entertaining. And his delivery, with a little smidgen of humor helps too.
*Roberta Gonzales, KPIX Weather: I know there's a ton of people in the biz who are going to skewer me for haveing the nerve to say I like PIX's high priestess of weather, but here's the deal: Gonzales isn't a PBS news commentator, she predicts weather. She isn't curing cancer. And she's hot and looks and sounds as if she's having a ball. Get it? I do.
*Pam Moore, KRON: Moore is one of the only reasons why I catch KRON every now and then. Having to perform under less than admirable conditions, Moore's continued class is a credit to her. Catherine Heenan too.
*Stanley Roberts, KRON: His "People Behaving Badly" bit is still one of the funniest routines on local TV news. Roberts, we should note, was attacked recently by some lunatic, (he's OK) so his camera/vj position can attract some potential goofballs. I like Roberts shtick voice persona as he navigates the Bay Area roads, freeways and exits searching for traffic gadflys all the while with a twinkle in his eye. Funny and quirky? You bet.
*Dan Ashley, KGO-TV: For years, Ashley has been a solid performer with good, concise delivery points--I really like the guy. Just wish he'd stop the hair thing and understand that we don't care he might have a wig. (Yo, Ash, it's OK. Stick with the current doo, it'll do.)
*Mark Ibanez, KTVU Sports: Always get a lot of flack here for my admiration of Ibanez. Truth is, Mark is good because he writes his own copy. Among other things, he also managed to earn his stripes working with the late Gary Park, which wasn't too easy. Mark is not for everybody with his signature "That's the 'Sporting Life" line but for me, he works. And 33 years at one station means he's doing something right.
*Ken Wayne, KTVU: A solid, straight-forward performer on the weekend that is underrated with a capital "U".
*Carolyn Johnson, KGO-TV: She's enormously hard-working, good, tenacious and tough-- a top-notch news reader, and again, I'm sorry, no offense, but is spectacularly beautiful. I asked one of her KGO colleagues if she was as nice off camera as it appears and he said yes, a real cool person in the newsroom.
*Wayne Freedman, KGO-TV: Freedman has about 6000 Emmys and here's why: funny, great reporter, terrific interviewer, and has immense Bay Area roots all the way from his KRON days.
*Diane Dwyer, NBC Bay Area: Classy, well-liked and solid to the core, Dwyer gives an honest, steady read day in and day out.
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Big bravo for your mention of Sommerville and Ibanez. Sommerville deserves a big round of applause for taking over the legendary Dennis Richmond without missing a beat. No easy feat. I am reminded of when Gil Gross took over Pete Wilson under unfortunate circumstances. Gil also did very well in taking over another legendary figure in local news.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Sommerville’stlye. He delivers the news straight, he comes across as no nonsense, honest and a truly good guy.
Ibanez is solid. Unlike his colleague over at KRON he doesn’t need schtick and doesn’t seek attention to himself. A cool guy also with great sense of style. I’m glad he finally stopped dying his hair and let go of the mustache. I’d easily pick him as the best sports anchor in the Bay Area today. I wish he had a bit more exposure, we’re all sick and tired of that other buffoon at KRON/KNBR.
No mention of Sal Castaneda? He's solid and "no frills." I agree with your article and the people you mention.
ReplyDelete--Gary Travaglio
Another under the radar is weather man Steve Paulson at ch2. Just like an ordinary smart guy. No affectations,nada pretentiousness.
ReplyDeleteBut,I do remember when he started at ch2 he looked like he just got out of High School..suits were too big too. He ain't passing for that now.. he's done many years at ch2.
and in weather????
ReplyDeleteExcellent choices of Carolyn Johnson, Diane Dwyer, and Tom Sinkovitz. I watched NBC Bay Area for Sinkovitz and Dwyer alone, until I couldn't stand it any longer. Now I am a KGO watcher. If Sinkovitz and Dwyer would move over to channel 7, all would be right with the Bay Area news world.
ReplyDeleteIf you find Roberta Gonzalez "hot" then maybe you should pay attention to those laser eye surgery informercials.
ReplyDeleteTo Be perfectly honest with you everybody on this list are good SOLID MEDIA PERSONALITIES. But I will single out a few of them...
ReplyDeleteMy mainstays when I view the news on a daily basis are, KTVU ch.2, KPIX ch.5, and KGO ch.7. So I am very familiar with all of the above TV Anchors. I very rarely view NBC Bay Area ch.3, but on occasions when I do, it is usually on Saturdays.
Pam Moore - An absolute proffessional, my only wish is that she would join a Legitimate Media Outlet. I personally always thought she would be a great fit for KTVU ch.2
Diane Dwyer - Loved her when she was on KTVU ch.2, but for some reason she just does not seem to fit the NBC Bay Area Perspective...Diane, come back up to the North Bay Media Outlets.
Raj Mathai - Just comes across as Smug to me. Raj fits in well with NBC Bay Area.
Mark Ibanez - For my money IS the best Sports Anchor in the whole Bay Area. I remember in 1992 when Joe Montana was being forced out of the 49er Organization for Steve Young, Mark spoke up, in an independent voice and said basically, "let Montana finish his career with SF." Mark is still that independent voice out there, but I wish he would have been more vocal on the decision as to should the 49ers move to Santa Clara...Mark remained silent on that issue, as did all of our local Sports Media, and I believe that Mark had a point of view on that issue that should have been expressed.
Sal Castandneda - Expressed his point of view on the 49ers move like this..."As long as they remain the San Francisco 49ers I'm ok with the move." Tsk, tsk, tsk...other than that, Sal is "ok."
Tom Sinkovitz - Is another News Anchor that needs to come back to the SF/Oakland News Outlets. His talents are too good to be wasted at NBC Bay Area.
Dave Clark - Nice guy, but just DOES NOT FIT THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CULTURE. KTVU usually gets it right, but in this case, they did not. KTVU ch.2's next Mornings on 2 Anchor should be Kraig Debro...
Belva Davis, Spencer Michaels.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at ch 11 and Diane Dwyer was anything but well-liked! Total freaking beeyotch is more like it. I am still laughing from your write up. Wonder who your "source" is... Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha... well-liked!! More like "universally loathed"
ReplyDeleteSecond (or third) for Sal Castaneda. All three of 2's weather dudes are cool... Paulson looks like the golden haired bully/quarterback from the 80's 9and it comes across to in the morning sometimes). Bill Martin knows his stuff... and we've watched Tamayo grow from (seemingly) having that one suit back on KRON to a respected weather prognosticator. Used to NEVER watch channel 7 unless I was at some older persons house as that's all they seem to watch- but since I'm getting "old" now and like to be in bed before 10:30, I watch the simulcast on 20 and UI must say Dan Ashley does a nice newscast. Spencer Christian is good- not spectacularly noticeable but good as is Sandya Patel. Pam Moore needs a real news station to go to. Soemrville and Moore at 10 would have been cool. Someone mentioned Debro as the Morning anchor... Cool as the feature story reporter not as much on the desk. mark Curtis should be on the right side of the anchor desk in the mornings on two. How come Anna Duckworth hasn't ascended ? Poor Vern Glenn...If I watched KRON, I would watch more Gary. I know, I know, I know but it is funny schtick. Do they still do the Gary and Alica bit on Fridays ? Good stuff. What about Priya David(-Clemons)-- solid reporter and solid anchor... my $.04
ReplyDeleteI moved to LA from the BA over six years ago and so obviously have not watched BA TV at all. Just about all of these names are the same ones you would have mentioned in 2004 - no new talent??
ReplyDelete