It'll be three years in May since Dennis Richmond retired from KTVU News after 40 years at the Oakland Fox affiliate.
A person familiar with the station tells me that Richmond would gladly have stayed on another year or two, but that management didn't exactly go out of their way to encourage him to stay on.
"The ratings were great, the spots were sold out and the station was humming--'Dennis was ready to leave, but he surely would have stayed had people at the top asked him--they didn't.," said the source.
"Was he essentially pushed out?, I asked the source. "You can say that, absolutely."
A few things to consider: Richmond isn't the type of man to rip his ex-bosses and company. I'm quite certain he left on his own terms, but indeed, I had heard stories that he was willing to listen to any "suggestion" that may have dealt with him staying on at KTVU for a few more years. He'd also been dealing with a serious medical issue, (which we're glad to know he seems to have beaten.)
In addition, Frank Somerville, currently the lead anchor at the outlet, was ready to assume the position once Richmond left. Perhaps the thought of Somerville leaving for somewhere else may have hastened the decision.
Either way, Richmond's departure, behind the scenes, was not a 100% fait accompli.
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It's too bad Somerville didn't leave.
ReplyDeleteIt was time...his absence, while a loss at the time, has not much hurt KTVU, and it seems like it was the right time for him to say goodbye and for Frank S. to make the move up...I think the transition has gone quite well.
ReplyDeletePlus, overall, what real competition is there from other stations? Nada, IMHO
Richmond was a classic pro. He was a class act. An outstanding anchor. Another mistake in the San Francisco media meltdown.
ReplyDeleteLOL,I dont think KTVU was so much pro Frank as contra Richmond's kingly contract. If Dennis worked cheap,KTVU would be advertising "Listen to grandpa Dennis-the man you grew up trusting!"
ReplyDeleteAnyone know the "true" naughty little secrete behind Elaine Corral's departure from KTVU?
ReplyDeleteFunny, I was JUST thinking about the beautiful and talented Elaine Corral. I really thought she wanted to pursue acting or maybe just stay at home and count her money. Miss her.
ReplyDeletearrogance on the part of much-revered for no good reason co-anchor? As if reading the news were...uh..brain surgery?rocket science?something heroic?
ReplyDeleteThe truth was Richmond was respected at KTVU but not liked for his standoff like demeanor. Just the word I got from inside, and being an anchor is much more than reading off a teleprompter. They are paid as pros for their delivery, personality, and dynamic ability to improvise and stay cool under pressure. This is not as easy as it may seem.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Rich's rumors that Heather Holmes was out at the station?
ReplyDeleteBrian..I need no tutorial on the stresses..intellectual and otherwise of t.v. news anchors..
ReplyDeleteWOW-Your readers dont know that she quit because -like with Marcia Brandwynne,she was treated like a subservient to Richmond?.Pretty much the same story of Leslie Griffith.
ReplyDeleteAll,seemed to revolve around two issues-money and 2: Richmond seemed to tell each woman the same thing,he would allow them to start the newscast first-oneday!. That egotist never did.
Maybe ch2 got tired of his office games and why Richmond was allowed to go away...
i see you opted not to publish my comment on the richmond story. figures. you are weak 'mr. media'
ReplyDeleteHere we go again. Rich, you are so fixated on the older newsies who get shown the door. Who cares? The viewers move on and so should you. This is not news. Darya tipping over from too much boob weight and electrocuting herself on the robocam would be news. Jessica Aguirre's lips exploding live on the news would be news. George Rask's belly birthing an adolescent at his traffic set would be news. This post of yours is not.
ReplyDeletedenise richmond was and remains an overrated blowhard. he was only popular because he was there for so long and ktvu is the only station on at 10pm. richmond was a big steroid user and it showed in his personality.
ReplyDelete