The shakedown occurred last week before the 11 AM morning news. It lasted 10-15 minutes and shocked even hardened veterans. Goldberger is the ABC O and O's 4, 5, and 6 PM news Executive Producer.
"It was very loud and animated--she basically acted like 'I'm in charge here--don't -uck with me.", a Channel 7 staffer who witnessed the dust-up first-hand. The staffer requested anonymity due to the nature of the story.
What was it that drew the ire of Watkowski? According to the staffer, the ND was angry over a story run in one of KGO's newscasts referring to Hayward Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi as a "convicted criminal." Indeed, in January, Hayashi pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor shoplifting charge. Legally, a plea of no contest is essentially the same as a guilty plea. (While you enter a plea of no contest the court makes a finding of guilt.)
After the story ran, Hayashi's office called Channel 7 and asked for an on-air retraction. They later backed off that request, according to the source.
Watkowski was angry that Goldberger went through the station's legal analyst for advice rather than taking the matter to Disney legal people. Even after the fact Hayashi's reps backed off the retraction road didn't stop Watkowski's outburst.
"It was a matter that should have been dealt with behind closed doors. It wasn't something that should have been handled the way it was in front of the entire newsroom--not very professional and just not right, "said the source.
Watkowski did not return a call seeking comment.
*RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE
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Between Mary and Nadia,the eastbay Dems have taken a beating. I say,bring back Gail Steele..best rep we ever had. Even I didn't make her blink..too often..lol
ReplyDelete"S"
It's one of the fundamentals of good management that one gives "praise in public, and scorn in private."
ReplyDeleteNice management skills!!
Boy, the nerve of Hayashi. An elected official who lives off the taxpayers but not enough to afford Nieman Marcus so she steals! She is lucky not to be in prison yet her staff is upset. "Convicted criminal" are probably the lightest words of many that could and should be directed against her. If she had any shame, moral compass, etc. she would have resigned. Shame on her for even contacting KGO to start with. What has happened to us?
ReplyDeleteReally....and this crook wants to fill Nadia Lockyer's seat as an Alameda County Supervisor?
DeleteMary Hayashi is a theif.
ReplyDeleteMary Hayashi is ultra sexy. She is innocent.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect? This kind of behavior goes on in a lot of
ReplyDeletenewsrooms in both TV and radio. It is not the norm, but it is not uncommon. I've witnessed it a few times myself at other places.
You've got big egos, frayed nerves, people on edge worried about their jobs, deadlines, no one using even 60 seconds to stop...and take a deep breath....Everyone seems to be jazzed up about the next deadline. The writing, producing and on-air work may be fun but working in the the media is not a place for the faint of heart!
big egos, frayed nerves, people on edge worried about their jobs, deadlines, no one using even 60 seconds to stop...and take a deep breath....Everyone seems to be jazzed up about the next deadline....poor babies....just like everyone else out there....welcome to the Globalization / New World Order. Now get your ass back to work.
DeleteIf it aired on the 11 am newscast, why was the early-evening EP under fire? I wasn't there for TW's tantrum, but when I had that EP job, I was constantly required to oversee the 11am show so it's EP could plan for the next morning's show. It sucked 10 years ago and it looks like it still does.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Tracey Watkowski is taking management cues from Aaron Pero and Stacey Baier. Belittling your hard working staff in front of others to save your own ass (i.e. Ms Watkowski wanted all to know she was not responsible should Ms Hyashi go further to sue the station).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she was screaming for some Pay Pal money to her account
ReplyDeleteRich, quit looking for dirt on our new news director.
ReplyDeleteAin't none.
None.
ABC7er
I love how Rich is calling these people out and making the statement, "She did not return a call seeking comment". Keep after them Rich...not just this lady but also those that come along in the future. Letting them know the story is out there might take them down off their high horses and maybe give a little embarrassment where embarrassment is due.
ReplyDeleteIt's Milt Weiss II. May God have mercy on your souls.
ReplyDeleteArrrggghh!!!
DeleteMary 'Duh Hayward Ho' Hayashi!
ReplyDeleteCorporate America with the curtains opened wide... I love it.
ReplyDeleteWhere do these jerks come from? I guess you add in a $800,000 mortgage, lots of testosterone, $200 dinners, expense accounts, et al and what you get is pressure, pressure, PRESSURE! Eh?
Pretty sad they can't act like decent human beings.
Wow. It sounds to me like this Goldberg fellow just should have said, "Okay. I'll do it," when his boss told him to go through the Disney attorneys instead of simply asking the analyst, who isn't being paid to make such determinations. I'll guess the EP was probably passed over for promotion there and is somewhat miffed that a young woman is now his superior. While blowups like this can sometimes lead to understanding, I'd say the majority of the time they lead to someone losing a job. Here are the Vegas odds on which one it might be: Watkowski 100-1; Goldberg 2-5. P.S. Putzy EP's are a dime a dozen-- and most would still be producing weekends if they hadn't sucked up to some news director. I guess the suck-up train has left the station this time. :)
ReplyDeletewhat is it a judge says right after you plee no contest........."I accept your no contest plee and enter a judgement of guilty to.......
ReplyDeleteyou are found "guilty" makeing you by definition a criminal.....she should take some law lessons from her husband a judge.....
I've worked with Tracey when she was the assistant news director at KGO. I didn't care for her management style...cold, not friendly and a know-it-all.
ReplyDeleteThat is John and Ken material.
ReplyDeleteShe has no people skills, even less Mgt. skills just ask the people down in Fresno
ReplyDeleteWorked with Bob G for two years and Tracy for five. She's scared "s-less" because Bob is respected. No surprise about the dust-up...more storm clouds ahead, along with sinking ratings. Bob ran KNTV, so he's a threat. When Belo considered hiring Tracy for News Director in Phoenix here's what I told the agent: Knows her stuff, but can't get along with people, and not respected. To Belo's credit, she didn't get the job and got KGO only because she's a protege to Kevin Keeshan...who's also sinking fast. Where have gone Milt, Ed, and Joe?
ReplyDeleteAny pics of Tracy? I can be more understanding if she's purty..
ReplyDeleteGoogle her pic its found as roadkill
ReplyDelete