Dennis Richmond of KTVU was known for his steady, non-chit-chat approach. It worked well for him, (and millions of other Bay Area TV news viewers); Frank Somerville has tried to maintain the Richmond-style approach, although he talks a bit more.
The late Dave McElhatton was quite the opposite. More of a conversationalist. And too, Pete Wilson. Both were extremely popular.
Van Amburg was also one to deliver the news straight but was passionate about the content. Which reminds me, a question for you all: what type of news anchor, (male or female), do you like? A straight-forward approach, simple and steady or do like more personality and conversation?
I realize the nature of the story being read dictates the delivery. You're not going to find most anchors chortling over a shooting or some terrorist incident obviously; I'm talking about general news and delivery.
Give me your thoughts
Passion, listening to what they (or their co-anchors are reading. I sometimes see the 2nd anchor almost chop off the tail end of the 1st anchor--small fries perhaps but it means a lot to deliver the news with passion. I have no problem with light talk, but it need's to be in the right places.
ReplyDeleteAnother peeve I have is the stations (all of them) insisting on live video even if there is no need. I've seen morning crews at the side of a road broadcasting live discussing an accident that happened the previous evening. Back in the Van Amburg days, he'd simply sit at the desk and make the comments.
Ken Bastida,the man's man type. He could be paired with older woman,younger or ethnic..still a fit. Why KPIX pays him not to work is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteBob Jimenez was along the same lines...then gone. He went from bay area near icon to invisible.
James Bonds would have made a great local anchor. Do the news in a tux. Great risque chit chat with the hot female weatherwoman. I can hear the double entendre's now...
NBC Bay Area seems to be the worst. Jessica Aguirre seems to comment a lot on stories. Just give the story. I don't need you to comment.
ReplyDeleteI think KPIX is the worst with Bastida and his unscripted comments. He's the dumbest pretty boy in broadcasting. I wouldn't trust him to ad-lib his way through a one-alarm fire.
DeleteA Ken Wayne type.
ReplyDeleteKen is a good type but works for the wrong station.
DeleteExample: I migrated from 5 to 2 a week or so ago because 5 went to mobile weather with gonzolas...bye bye. So 2 was doing a story about legislation for mattress disposal, apparently they want to conrtol dumping. Gasia says " disposal will be free of charge". WHAT? There's no free anything! Either you're pre-paying or the tax payers are pre-paying. Which idiot is approving the text at 2?
I'd rather watch a clown read the news and honk his clown horn all the while providing the content isn't slanted.
I rarely watch Network News these days, but when I do, I get the impression that most networks do not want or expect the public becoming too face-loyal to any one particular anchor. There are a few exceptions, where someone's delivery or on air chemistry works and attracts viewers like honey. However, I get the feeling that most networks think broadcasting success is the result of a group effort, and usually not the individual. I give you one example of this new teamwork approach. For the example, I must bring up a name I'm sick of hearing, a name overused, over-analyzed and over-pondered on this website. I give
ReplyDeleteyou Gary Radnich! There, I said it. I thought it....odd or perplexing that on the morning Chanel 4 broadcast, there will be a well known anchor woman. She's a bit over 30, long brown hair, tanned, great wardrobe tailored for her small frame, pleasant and real-acting. She would make a good neighbor. No, I cannot recall her name at the moment. Often, during her morning channel 4 broadcast, there will be a topic switch to chatty issues of the day, sometimes sports too. That is when they will show her standing there live, talking to Gary over the telephone. Gary's huge face pic is plastered in the back. I have always wondered, is she OK with this? Does Gary get a second check for his phoned in John Madden style commentary? I would expect to. The is but one example of the local networks approach to popularity. Individual egos must occasionally be squashed for the overall benefit of the station. The station or network is 'the star' as an entity, less dependent on ever-changing personnel.
> Network News these days, but when I do, I get the
Delete> impression that most networks do not want or expect
> the public becoming too face-loyal to any one
> particular anchor.
You say this and then you start talking about all local (non-network) people. Do you even know what network news is?
The networks do indeed want you to become at least somewhat loyal to their faces. The LOCALS don't, because they don't want to have to pay talent lots of money which they'll have to do if they acquire a big following.
This has been the formula now for ten years.
> Individual egos must occasionally be squashed for the
> overall benefit of the station. The station or network
> is 'the star' as an entity, less dependent on ever-changing > personnel.
That makes literally no sense. How would squashing individuals benefit the overall station. The station's news is identifiable to the viewer *by* the individual anchors. What do you think people tune in for, the theme music?
Mr Rad(u)nich has been phoning in his tired material for years on KNBR. Why should he not phone in an early morning routine on KRON?
DeleteHe needs to supply the phony laughter following an amusing (in his mind) remark. How sad.
Why do anchors feel the need to "thank" reporters in the field who are just doing there job. It is especially awkward on KTVU, where Julie Haener often says, "Ken, thank you," when the reporter has just broadcast from the seen of a murder or a fatal bus crash. "Thank you" for what???? Bringing us the news of tragedy and death??? Yikes!!!
ReplyDeletePartly it started in the days of the 70s live truck as a way of distinguishing between it and a taped report being played back. When you see the reporter nod and acknowledge the thank-you you know it was LIVE. Yes, this is antiquated now, but TV news and its bosses can't seem to let go of the 70s mentality, which is partly why TV news is where it is today.
Delete@1:37 anchors sometimes thank reporters in the field to transition to the next story, and as a way to not look quiet and akward in the double box when they don't have a question. But I agree, it's something they reaaaally should stop doing.
DeleteI like Darya when shes feeling competition from another female. Ever since that blond has left mornings Darya has started dressing more conservatively.
ReplyDelete"Ron Burgundy: "For just one night let's not be Co-workers. Let's be Co-people."
ReplyDeleteDave McElhatton--what a really nice guy he was.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY like Anny Hong on KRON at 4am. For the first hour, she is co-anchor, but then, when Darya has gotten her "beauty sleep", she comes in at 5am and Anny is relegated to filling in for Darya when she goes to the bathroom. Anny Hong though, is top notch, and she has the most perfect eyebrows I have ever seen! As for a great FORMER anchor team, I really think that the John Kessler/Sydnie Kohara former morning team at KPIX was really great. Sydnie seems somewhat stuck on herself, but when she and John were there together, John really brought out her personality and they really had the [pardon the cliche] chemistry. Whenever one or the other was not there, the difference was noticeable.
ReplyDeleteHi Rich,
ReplyDeleteThis is off-topic. Yet, listening to KSFO this morning with Katie Green gone is so much better.
What a difference it makes and if only this situation was permanent!
Ms. Green is a bright and talented girl, but she tends to bring out the 11y/o arcane science- bodily function joke- nerd-type qualities in Brian. Melanie encourages Brian to report and analyze what's going on vs, just sling out opinions. I often wondered why Melanie doesn't host her own show, but it could be that some aspects of AM radio remain provincial, meaning, the belief is the Morning Anchor works best if it is a man in that position. I don't say that is wrong, but I just know Lee Rodger's spiritual daughter (Mel) is quite capable of hosting a show herself. Maybe the host position is very behind the scenes demanding, and she at this stage in career doesn't want to be 'married and bound' to her radio show demands. I can understand that. I don't listen as often as I used to, but will say I respect Brian as a hard worker who has almost re-invented himself.
DeleteI worked for a radio station that had a morning news reporter who would file reports from a news car parked in front of the station. She always signed-off, "reporting live ...," without mentioning WHERE she was live, to make it sound as if she were reporting from the scene of the story she was covering.
ReplyDeleteI mostly prefer straightforward reporting of the "darker" stories, but when they air one of the more "comedic" stories I don't mind the anchors or reporters chatting a bit to liven things up. You don't have to be an automaton when presenting the news; in the morning I like some banter. Reminds us that they (and us) are human). I like the Kristen Sze/Eric Thomas combo in the mornings on 7. Would like to see John Kessler back on the air.
ReplyDeleteI only watch local news as presented by one person - - meaning that I'm absolutely "face-loyal" to Julie Haener. And IF Julie's not reporting it - - it perhaps didn't happen. This poses some serious problems for me on weekends. It's an extra plus if Julie can report the news wearing pink leather again. I honestly believe that this is an ideal example of what McLuhan was anticipating when he coined the term "hot news"...
ReplyDeletePink Leather News Woman? Really! Casual fit or noticably tight?
ReplyDeleteNext to Dennis Richmond & Van Amburg: Evan White . . . need I say more?
ReplyDeleteVan Amburg is All Time Fave. The old Channel 7 News Team seemed so above the others. Could be just my nostalgic memories!
ReplyDeleteVan Amburg is All Time Fave. The old Channel 7 News Team seemed so above the others. Could be just my nostalgic memories!
ReplyDelete