Normally when a prominent air talent retires, they'll typically announce it much ahead of time so they can do obligatory farewells and give a last-day kiss-off.
Not so at KGO Radio.
Ex Baxter, anchor/reporter, who spent 35 year at the mike, announced his departure via a five-minute phono from vacation in Hawaii. He couldn't wait to get out. And don't think Baxter didn't want it this way. Sort of a figurative middle-finger salute to upper mtg. and Citadel.
No matter how many of KGO's current minions spin this, it was evident that Baxter planned it this way all along. He saw all the handwriting on the wall. For all his professional pitfalls at the end, (the false embrace of the newsroom going ga-ga over Facebook and Twiiter, the TMZ hijacking of the morning news and the pitch to the young demo,) Baxter remained a pro and wanted nothing to do with KGO's shameful move to the abyss.
35 years. Then, ka-boom, gone.
*While I like Jon Bristow on the air and know he'll be a more-than-adequate replacement for Baxter, some of his colleagues are not to thrilled with what they deem as an "arrogance." I've heard the same, let's wait and see.
*Hank Plante returned to the KPIX/CBS5 studios this week to do a special report on the 30th anniversary of the first report of AIDS, (which occurred June 5, 1981.)
I watched Plante's segment on Monday night as he did an amazing look-back with archived video from SF in the early 80's, with the Castro district and interviews in the background. Most especially well-done: Plante's detailed interview with community activist, Cleve Jones, (who was a big source behind "Milk".)
Another superb part: when Dana King asked Plante, (who's gay,) how difficult it was reporting on people he knew who died from AIDS complications. Plante gave a reasoned, very genuine response. It was both effective and telling. Imagine that--local TV news showing some ingenuity.
Hats off to KPIX and Plante.
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Good for PIX. Nice gesture. Too bad it will not translate to ratings like a hot looking weather babe like Jacqueline Bennett on KRON or the one you like on NBC...stop drooling Mr. Media.
ReplyDeleteAmazing looking back a few short years to the professionalism of Dunbar, Wygant, Baxter and Allen to what they have now. Even on the talk side, woke up early, the once fiery Ray T was talking about organs again. Obama rubber stamps the Bush doctrine but...ho hum... back to sleep. The repulsive Karel, OMG.... The Lion of the Left to.... Very sad.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to see Hank back on the air, but it also shows KPIX doesn't have anyone on staff with the gravitas to do a story like that. Instead it has to bring Hank out of retirement.
ReplyDeleteSo true 10:54am. Can you imagine if Kristy Siefkin got that assignment? Lawd help us.
ReplyDeleteOh, man...I worked with Hank at 'PIX. He is a pro's PRO! Yes, he was a "political bulldog"..but he like to joke around the newsroom, too. It didn't even matter if he was gay--to us "boys in the newsroom" he was just one of the guys...with a wicked sense of humor who often poked fun at being gay.
ReplyDeleteIt was obvious something was up with Ed Baxter's sudden retirement. Rosie Allen's was announced some time in advance, as were Jim Dunbar and Ted Wygant. Even Dean Edell's "retirement" was announced.
ReplyDeleteThis one seemed hokey. And in line with what apparently is going on over there.
Bristow is a pro, and an easy guy to work with. And he sounds great on the air. In my four years at that shop, I never saw anything resembling arrogance.
ReplyDeleteDespite Citadel's best efforts, KGO still has a terrific news team, one of the best in the country. I hope the Cumulus folks don't reduce the newsroom to so much radio roadkill. We'll see . . .