One of its other major air talents, Dennis Richmond, called it quits almost five years ago.
With an asterisk.
Contrary to local industry buzz, Richmond--who retired in May, 2008, after 40 illustrious years would have gladly stayed on a few more but was never asked to do so. How do I know? Because a KTVU veteran talent, (on-air), told me directly. "Had they asked, he would have gladly stuck around--no doubt," said the staffer, who worked with Richmond and knew him well.
Sure, Richmond had some lingering health issues, (he fought and beat cancer), and was ready to hit the golf course but at 65 and in pretty good physical shape, would have gladly stayed on a year or so but management, (which is different now), didn't approach Richmond. Maybe that was on purpose.
Calls to both Richmond and then, KTVU GM, Tim McVay were not returned. And a call into current GM, Tom Raponi, for comment, was not returned.
Not that Richmond's exit, nor Williams, in the long run, will have any real punitive effect on KTVU, nor Cox Broadcasting, its corporate owner, but a station known for its quality news programs and relative stability has lost two of its biggest hitters and might portend for more transactions down the road.
Ken Wayne, veteran weekend anchor/reporter, is in the midst of contract negotiations, (his original deal is nearing completion), and although Wayne wants to stay put, it's not known if management has the same idea. Although an industry observer told me recently that he thinks Wayne will stay on.
We shall see.
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The man's been retired for about five years now.. let it go. Whether he was asked to stay or not doesn't matter anymore, he's gone, and probably enjoying life with his family...far away from this depressing tv news business.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to leave, don't say you're leaving.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Richmond did a whole farewell tour and I even recall when he appeared on with mattress man, he made it clear he wanted to spend time with his wife etc. if Richmond wanted to stay it sure did not appear that way.
DeleteThe station that employed Mr. Richmond may simple have been ready for some new, read younger and less costly on air talent. Men have it much better than women, when it comes to TV's Age-aphobia, but time catches up with us all, and does effect how we are perceived. When one's peer group in not in the high spending demographic, producers may wonder how to most effectively change that, all the while taking a gamble on showing disloyalty(?) to those who made the station great.
ReplyDeleteI think he has found some level of contentment in retirement, as he should, as he has earned. If Dennis really wished to be working on the air, aren't their a lot of cable or satellite networks around these days? The pay, location, demographic, allure, or level of professional on air co-workers may be a step or three down from in San Fransisco, but, there are other programs to work for, if you are experienced and very hungry for any on camera role. including religious.
@3:53 I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that Frank Sommerville, as Dennis Richmond's replacement, is not "new, younger, or less-costly talent."Nor was Dave Clark as Sommerville's replacement. Here's the deal: people eventually retire, it's just how it goes. Dennis Richmond had a great career but at the end of the day, he's just a guy who retired, just like the rest of us will or already have.
DeleteI'm putting the Richmond story in the "where you going with this Rich?" file : /
ReplyDeleteWayne is capable and established at 2 and deserves a square deal.
BTW ch2 bosses, if money is tight for Wayne's deal, restructure Clark's deal(in reality, he should be paying you).
Bring back Elaine Corral. She turned into a real hottie post 80's hair.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this pure gossip???
ReplyDeleteSo what, 8:55?
ReplyDeleteThis is a freakin' BLOG...not the web edition of a newspaper. Some people have chided/ragged on Rich, saying "this ain't journalism."
No, it's not. But it's pretty damn insightful and entertaining!
KTVU also forced out a lot of senior people...Randy Shandobil, Lloyd Lacquesta, Ross McGowan, Mark Curtis and Jim Vargas, just to name several. It was blatant age discrimination (and in some cases racial, too). Vacar and Fowler are next, though you are right, they fear Vacar's legal prowess. It should be noted, the station was #1 when all these people were there, and they made Cox a TON of money. You can't say they were all let go for poor ratings, because they were part of the team that made KTVU a ratings, financial and journalistic powerhouse! Maybe now that the vile McVay and Special Ed are gone, KTVU will stop the hemmoraging and start to rebound!
ReplyDeleteOutside of Richmond, all the other KTVU veterans during the 'Special Ed' era were forced out. In addition to surviving cancer, Richmond also went through severe back pain. Because of the chronically bad back, retirement was an easier decision to make for Richmond than one might think.
ReplyDeleteLoved Dennis, and for the record, I like Dave Clark! To read the many trolls who trash him here, you'd think the entire Bay Area hates him.
ReplyDeleteNot that media management always has it right, but for Godsakes, Dave must have something going on to stay on the air!!! I hope he doesn't read this blog because if it were me, my feelings would be unnecessarily hurt.