Never mind the flamboyant ex-mayor of this town failing to return phone calls to the paper that publishes the column he writes; what about the ethics of the man-about-town, directly intertwined in the cities' politics and an almost front man, (figuratively speaking), for Mayor Ed Lee, who just announced he's running in November?
Forget the ethics/conflict-of-interest questions, Willie Brown, Sunday columnist, as I have said too numerous times, doesn't have the general, across-the-board interest from those outside the SF/Pacific Heights political and social world. Even at that, most of his pieces have only drawn marginal intrigue and, negatively speaking, suburban polarization for a lot of Chronicle readers.
In other words, Herb Caen, he ain't.
Where Caen was able to become one of the industry giants in his day, (and even after, including his celebrated restaurant pit stops), Brown's attempt to replicate the mighty H has been nothing short of awkward and more importantly, business wise, a non-hit with readers. What's chic at Le Central doesn't necessarily play well in the households of Lafayette and Burlingame.
Caen built up a decades-long mutual admiration society because first and foremost, he could write. And knock out a thousand words six days a week. Sure, by and large, it was a different era, (little Internet and no 500 channels), but for thousands of both native and current San Franciscans, Caen was first and must-read in the paper.
Brown is not Caen. He was once a political king and character, not only drawing cachet in Sacramento, Washington, and SF, but across the country, hence the multiple appearances on Maher's HBO show and other cable outlets-- local TV and radio too, where Brown's political acumen and analysis are still relevant.
As an ardent news glutton, I read Brown's column and while some of his material is mostly passe 415 social minutiae, it still holds me. I can't say it's the first thing I read, but eventually I'll get to it.
I get the feeling I'm not alone and, in fact, one of the few people outside the inner circle that actually reads it. Well, apparently the Chron's upper brass like it--its their call. Well, maybe not.
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I never thought Willie was supposed to be another Herb. I figured he offered a rare take in this world-a black liberal and wealthy politician who trys to be old school Roosevelt while enjoying his caviar. But,I would pass on much of what he wrote because it was so much of the good life of Willie. I dont think he ever wrote a single piece from his heart of sadness or of being helpless. Its not his image. The one sided fluff gets dull to read. Herb could go pathos...Willie?..If he ever did..he must have hit delete,delete,delete...
ReplyDeleteI love KRON 4.
ReplyDeleteWillie's columns are very entertaining - take them for what they are worth. I would pay $1 per week for his take.
ReplyDeleteWillie wants $12 too? Fuck me.
ReplyDeleteWow! That "willie Brown" topic went over like a lead balloon, didn't it?
ReplyDeleteI don't beleive 612 for a second.
ReplyDelete931 is just some proof of why.
Herb Caen was an arrogant nasty cheap prick - who could write. His hold on the City was his squad of finks who gave him the ammunition to destroy.
ReplyDeleteThe misplaced admiration is from those who only knew the fantasy he created about himself daily.
True San Francisans hated - but read him.
Willie Brown's column is horrible. Other than promoting his cronies (his only talent), it is filled with nonsense.
ReplyDeleteBrown's column makes Larry King's old USA Column look like War and Peace.