Friday, September 16, 2011

Baer/Giants play SF media like toys; Vets likely to split KGO; KTVU reporters resent 'high energy'; Friday Media Notes

*Larry Baer, Bill Neukom and the Giants hierarchy held a dog and pony press conference Thursday, explaining the ouster of Neukom as Managing General partner. Most of the assembled masses bought it, hook, line, and sinker. What a farce.

The official line was that Neukom was about to retire anyway, (sure, after Mark Purdy of the Merc broke the story that essentially said Neukom was told to take a hike by the other investors). And you know, yeah, I'm sure the Neuk guy wants to "retire" just after his team wins a World Series.

Classic Larry Baer. A guy who once worked for CBS chairman, Larry Tisch. The consummate politician--hell, there was even talk years back that Baer might run for SF mayor. Baer is slick. Good slick, if you're a Giants fan. It was Baer, after all, that was the key figure in getting the new ballpark built, give him that. He's a great company man and knows how to play the game.

He's also a crafty technician and plays the local sports scribes like Pearlman plays the violin. I wish someone would try to call him out and put him on the grill. Even the Amici's soul on Knibber has chided his good friend for his other side. But Amici's man will never step to the plate because he doesn't want that coveted AT&T yard parking pass revoked.

Bottom line is Baer as CEO will probably mean very little change on the field. The Giants will continue to make globs of money and Knibber and Comcast will continue their financially-glorious incestuous relationship. That is, until beer costs $20 and the Giants battle for fourth place sometime in the near future.

*KGO Radio as Cumulus property officially took place Thursday. The immediate situation? Nothing the casual listener will notice. Lots of rumors swirling. Ray Taliaferro, approaching age 72 about to leave. Ronn Owens, January 2013, (when his personal services contract expires--he makes a shade over a million bucks), retires, or decides to take a buyout.

One thing for sure. There will be a dramatic shift in programming, particularly in weekend programming. As stated here, expect a plethora of syndicated and re-run weekend programming. The news dept. will be slashed. Cumulus CEO, Lew Dickey, (Tricky Dickey) has already begun to look at implementing mass de-emphasis of local content. That's not only mean and lean. It's pure Dickey brothers SOP and it will never, ever be more apparent at KGO Radio.

*Word at KTVU is that veteran reporters are put off by the new "high-pitch, high-energy" style of the recent newbie hires. Management wants more up-tempo and flair. Sounds fairly reasonable but why mess with the system if it ain't broken? KTVU News doesn't have the dominance in the early evening, but still rules at 10 PM. Even at that, the Cox-owned Oakland Fox aff makes millions of dollars even in a depressed economy.

*The all-star trifecta of SF streets reporters: KTVU's Rita Williams, KCBS' Barbara Taylor and Bob Melrose.

*Growing on me: KCBS' financial reporter, Jason Brooks.

*Overrated 101A: KQED's pretentious foodie phony, "Check Please." Good intentions? Sure. But the "regular folks" fawning faint praise over local restaurants smacks of sheer commercialism. (And future KQED donors--OK, call me a cynic.)

*Ray Ratto on radio. Just as bad as Ray Ratto on cable. And the doom and gloom shtick jumped the shark many moons ago.

*Interesting. The "Insiders" on Comcast and 95.7 FM didn't have a clue on the Neukom story and got punched in the gut by a mere local columnist, Mark Purdy. Yeah, "Insiders", my tuchas.

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TIPS/Inter-office memos/E-mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com (All confidentiality assured)

14 comments:

  1. Krueger can't stop being himself. What Latin Giants player isn't worth a big contract because he's a slob,says Larry? Pablo..the team's best player and homegrown. Larry did also get in a kick to Beltran "We need BJ Upton". Radnich,like Bruce last month, had to stop Larry's Pablo rant in mid sentence.
    Only Lee Hammer would bring him back to confirm he's a bigot and always has 2005 looming on his brain..the man does get angry-anger management problems,huh Larry?- and his co host has to be like daddy to calm him down.
    Radnich is looking like Mother Teresa compared to Kreugerrat.
    What a hilarious joke that Larry-who shouldnt have been given a one day contract by KNBR-Is judging Pablo beloved by Giant fans and kids. Larry is evil.

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  2. More idiot philosophy from Raddy and Krueger-those front runner Giant fans who wont give a parade for a second place team. Raddy and Larry say they LOVE the sport and will watch,every game of a bad future Giant team they claim.
    I wont.
    I save that devotional love for family and friends..for millionaires to take my money and go out and lose?. Sure,in bad years I watch games..but you know,if Raddy and Larry really don't enjoy a winning team any more then watching a losing team like they say? They should keep that weirdness to themselves! or to be more accurate, that bullshit!

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  3. ironic that the only thing Rich really loves is spreading the hate....

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  4. But Amici's man will never step to the plate because he doesn't want that coveted AT&T yard parking pass revoked.

    Nahh! He won't step to the plate because he's a ridiculous poseur and frankly...and I when he tries to be the hard hitting journalist and ask the "tough" questions...I'm embarrassed for him! It's like watching someone you don't really like but don't really dislike stand up to offer a toast at a party with a great big pee stain on the front of their trousers.

    Ray Ratto on radio. Just as bad as Ray Ratto on cable. And the doom and gloom shtick jumped the shark many moons ago.

    No disagreement here! Sheckys act is pretty tired

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  5. One more of KNBRisms. When Kate Scott started,in the first couple of days she said she had a wife. Radnich did his best to stay composed."Ohhh" He said.
    Since that day,he's asked about her..
    "Partner"
    "Other half"
    "Significant other"
    "Better half"
    He hasn't gone "Life partner"..that's too close to wife.
    It will be a cold day in Hammerland when Lee Hammer allows anybody on air to ask Kate about being a husband,like she's a real equal human.

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  6. I've said it before, and I will say it again: I enjoy Check Please Bay Area. Who cares if it is scripted or "phony," however you are looking at it. I am introduced to restaurants in the Bay Area that I wouldn't know about without the show. Ease up, will you please.

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  7. Rich, what media guy bought the Giants line? Did you read Lowell Cohn or Kawakami? They knew Baer and Neukom were lying.

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  8. Tricky Dickey, Special Ed, Fitz, Sara Lee Hammer. Lieberman should be kept busy awhile. We need another Special Ed rant, especially if it includes Milbach, whose voice is starting to become more unbearable as the days go by.

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  9. Oh, KGO. Yes. I listed to that station today and all they have done all day is pitch food banks. While I agree this is a worthwhile cause, listening to it for hours on end is unbearable. As KGO has become. Ron Owens too for that matter.

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  10. Bought what?? "hook line and sinker?" ...

    Everyone get's the fact that Neukom was forced out. Why all this indignation?

    Rich always going off like he knows more than anyone else; maybe he just knows less!

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  11. Purdy broke the story. Kawakami seems to get the Warriors first story..SO why are the Mercs reporters privy?
    Kawakami seems to be playing footsy with Lacob. Obvious why he would get out info that's first-but not critical you notice. I can see why he's the go to guy...
    Purdy? Not a beat writer,or ex employee/player. I guess he's just a good reporter. Or lucked out. Thats always a possibility.

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  12. Uhhh Rich NOBODY got the Neukom story on either radio sports station insider (record now duly noted).

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  13. “Check Please” demonstrates how odd most of these foodie types are, cooing over some pretentious joint, owned by some immigrant from Bolivia who keeps harping on his love for fine food & fresh, local sustainable meat & produce, picking his own vegetables (and his nose),the truffles, & caramelized onions, ad nauseam. Or some P.C. city dweller who is all about the atmosphere and neighborhood of some god awful place. Truly, why do so many in 3rd world countries hate us? Exhibit A. As for the hostess of the show, I'd hit that, while she feeds me local sustainable strawberries & whipped cream.

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  14. lot of bitter readers really care about Radnich's take on Kate Scott being a lesbian? lol. what is he, 55 years old? who the hell cares what he thinks, grow up.

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