Trick or Treat

 TRICK OR TREATS

Trick: Larry Beil

Treat: Dan Ashley

Trick: Dennis O'Donnell

Treat: Carolyn Johnson

Trick: Paul Deanno

Treat: Roberta Gonzales

Trick: Jacqueline Bennett

Treat: Christina Loren

Trick: Cheryl Jennings

Treat: Carolyn Tyler

Trick: Allen Martin

Treat: Ken Bastida

Trick: Dave Clark

Treat: Frank Somerville

Trick: Joe Fonzi

Treat: Mark Ibanez

Trick: Tom Vacar

Treat: Anne Macovec

Trick: Ryan Scott

Treat: Pat Thurston

Trick: Steve Bitker

Treat: Rich Walcoff

Trick: Katie Green

Treat: Kiffany Wistrom

Trick: Brian Copeland

Treat: Stanley Roberts, (with or without the camera).

Trick: Ronn Owens

Treat: Jack Kulp

Trick: Fred Inglis

Treat: Vernon Glenn

Trick: Jon Carroll

Treat: Peter Hartlaub

Trick: Gil Gross

Treat: John Rothmann

Trick: Claudine Wong

Treat: Janelle Wang

Trick: Jon Bristow

Treat: Kim Foster

Trick: Tony Kovaleski

Treat: Diane Dwyer

Trick: Armstrong and Getty

Treat: Ray Woodson

Trick: Eric Byrnes

Treat: Larry Krueger

Trick: Jan Wahl

Treat: Jeannie Lynch

Trick: Frosty Stillwell

Treat: Tom Benner, (Officer Vic)

Trick: Maureen Langon

Treat: Randy Hahn

Trick: Scott Reiss

Treat: Ken Korach

Trick: Amy G

Treat: Jim Barnett

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What is KGO/Cumulus December 1, 2011?



 

image, courtesy: indybay.org



Wednesday Questions Because I Know You Like this So Go Ahead And Fire Away

October SF Radio Ratings

KCBS holds serve. Ditto KNBR.

The Game shows a little light. (About time, although it's a small party.)

"Talk 910", (KKSF) limps along. So much for two beige-wallpaper guys talking mish-mash.

Here's the full numbers

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Breaking: Cumulus Layoffs at KGO Radio/KSFO; Fowkes and Rockwell Out; APD and Owens Producer Jared Hart Quits; Angst at 55 Hawthorne

 CUMULUS LOWERS THE BOOM ON KGO


Layoffs galore at the 55 Hawthorne Cluster housing KGO Radio which has seen a number of layoffs in the last few days and more coming as Cumulus cuts ties at its "all-news" outlet.

GONE:

*News and Traffic anchor/reporter, Dave Fowkes, (who also subbed at sister-station KSFO.

*Traffic anchor, Steve Rockwell.

*RONN OWENS/APD--KGO/KSFO PRODUCER QUITS:

Jared Hart, KGO's "Doogie Howser" producer for Ronn Owens and the Assistant PD at KGO and KSFO has left the station and has taken a new job. Good thing since it was widely rumored Hart was on his way out the door anyway.

Sources at the station expect a new round of layoffs--not if but when. Union reps were to meet later today and in the coming week.

*Developing...

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Friday Questions From The Readers

FRIDAY QUESTIONS

What's on your mind?

Try to keep it short and simple and I'll do my best to answer.

Fire away.

The Lost Art of Simple TV Anchor Conversation: Remember That Age-Old Relic?

 A few weeks ago I was watching the local news--can't remember the station nor the particular story but it was compelling enough that the anchors did something unusual--at least unusual in 21st Century TV news--they actually spoke to one another. WAIT, I mean they went beyond innocuous insincere chit-chat--they conversed! It was telling because in today's news template an actual conversation is tantamount to a really revolutionary idea.

I'm making a big deal about this because when's the last time you saw a TV anchor offer up a few questions back to the reporter doing a live shot? And I'm not talking your garden-variety verbal who-what-where; more to the point concise, specific actual dialogue--remember that age-old relic? It's become a commodity, a rare glimpse of human interaction as opposed to the banal back-and-forth between anchor and reporter.

Matter of fact, when's the last time an anchor had a legitimate conversation between his or her partner on a subject matter? You don't see a lot of it--my feeling is that, A. the consultants don't like it and B. It's embarrassing but in today's younger, newbie environment the anchors simply don't know how to talk to one another and even if they tried it would come off looking foolish and contrived. Imagine that: you have a big news story or some off-the-radar material-- (like the kid with the replica AK-47 who was shot dead by the Santa Rosa cops who thought it was real). In my mind if I were a viewer watching a story like that, the idea of anchors simply discussing the sheer tragic nature of that story would bring out an utter human emotion. Keep in mind that I'm not talking about a long, drawn-out back and forth, merely a few moments of reflection; of actual verbal content and not a phony, "Thanks Bob for that report, giggle, giggle."

The late Pete Wilson, (KRON/KGO-TV), was a master at this formula. Wilson was engaging and focused on certain stories; matter of fact, at times he almost overdid it, but it wasn't phony nor disingenuous--Wilson was as passionate a news reader as there was and it was that element, that personal touch that resonated with viewers. Wilson would have eaten up the tragic Santa Rosa cop-kid tragedy. Most of today's anchors would have simply read the notes and moved on. Ad-libbing is a virtue today. Relevant conversation is a commodity. The times they are a changin'.

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Up and Comer: NBC Bay Area's Marla Tellez Brightens The Morning; Thursday Starter

 Marla Tellez is KNTV's (NBC Bay Area) morning 11 AM anchor and host of its morning news show, "Today in the Bay." I've been watching Tellez for quite some time and wondered aloud why she hasn't become a star. Not that Tellez needs evening primetime to legitimize her journalistic TV wares but she's sort of under the radar.

When you show a lot of local TV news vigor you tend to catch the eye of the network honchos and word on the street is Tellez certainly more than capable to report on the national scene. Tellez  is a two-time Emmy award winner.  Her first came in 2006 for "Outstanding Achievement, Education Program" for a 30-minute show she produced on alternative fuels.  She earned her second Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement, Arts/Entertainment Program" for "Six Degrees of Love," a true Bay Area love story.

Beyond body of work, Tellez has a personality too. That's good. Often times ego has a way of permeating the entire human TV torso--Tellez is a sure-fire winner for the San Jose NBC O and O. If you haven't seen her, take a look. I promise you quality viewing time, seriously I do.

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415 MEDIA WELCOMES TRI-VALLEY TAX AND FINANCIAL SERVICES AS A NEW ADVERTISER!




 

Tolbert's Apology to the World on KNBR; Nervous Nellies at KGO-TV; Janice Gin, Ex-KTVU Assis. ND to KRON; NBC Bay Area Jon Kelley Headed Back to Chicago; SF Media Players 'Worst' Tippers Says Big Bartender; Wednesday Nuggets

 **Wednesday Nuggets**

KNBR's Tom Tolbert apologized to just about everybody on the planet last night. Tolbert isn't one to say "I'm sorry" that many times which means what he said, (or what he allowed a guest to say numerous times), was sort of toxic. This might roll under the radar or it may not. Wait a day or two.

*Jon Kelley, morning anchor at KNTV, (NBC Bay Area), is headed back to Chicago, according to Robert Feder.

*At KGO-TV there exists a new round of paranoia thanks to rumors of Disney mulling plans to sell a good chuck of it's O and O's, (including SF). Those inside 900 Front already have been under siege with a challenging ND and intimidating work environment to begin with before news of the Disney would-be move. Senior staffers are convinced that if KGO gets in the hands of someone, (like Sinclair), other than the mothership, a load of layoffs are on the horizon.

*In spite of his temporary reprieve from the Asiana affair, a good source at KTVU tells me that ND, Lee Rosenthal is still teetering on removal simply because staffers have no confidence in him and that he may ultimately be a convenient fall guy if the mood stays sour in Jack London Square.

*Speaking of KTVU, their ex-assistant ND Janice Gin, has moved to KRON. I don't know Gin but she elicits a lot of negative feedback. Probably due to the fact she was the union rep at Channel 2. It's a tough job but someone has to do it.

*Yes, of course you were right to determine that the coverage of the BART Strike was decidedly pro-management. How many times did we see and read accounts from pissed-off, (legitimately), commuters ready to raise hell with the rank and file. Of course, god forbid any of our local tonsils and scribblers did any form of journalism to explain to the public that those dammed great benefits were courtesy of a, yes, UNION. Imagine, a union working hard to get the very best benefits and wages for its paying members! By the way, $65 grand a year living in the Bay Area is no big deal.

*Sal the bartender at a popular place near the Battery Media gulch, (Broadway/Battery) tells me the Bay Area broadcast group are "the worst tippers" he's ever seen. Sal is a Boston native and tells it like it is; probably due to the mass of newbies that have hit the area in recent years and since most of 'em have banker/husbands/boyfriends they wouldn't know how to tip well if they're life depended on it.

*I was listening to the history of mattresses and the Ronn Owens show broke out.

*Cumulus doesn't need to hire company shills that spout the line about how wonderful they are and how the workers are treated with such great respect--all they need do is to hire a certain in-house KGO Radio brown nose reporter/producer who's so full of shit his mouth stinks.

*Tom Raponi, GM at KTVU: The next time I give an on-the-record comment is when John McCain becomes president. By the way, Raponi is supposed to be a "good guy" which is great because I'd hate to see what he'd be like if he were a bad guy.

*The STORY that has made the rounds in the city that REFUSES to go away: many years ago a weather woman at KGO-TV was driving on the GG Bridge when she was tragically involved in a fatal accident. When the coroner arrived, so goes the story, the "woman" was actually a man.

I've heard people in the biz here who swear the story is true and those who insist it was nothing more than an old wife's tale. My own thoughts are I have no thoughts other than this was, (and still is), one bizarre story whether it's true or false.

**415 MEDIA WELCOMES TRI-VALLEY TAX SERVICE AS OUR NEWEST ADVERTISER!!

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More Breaking News Abusers Of No Breaking News; KTVU and KGO-TV Worst of the Bunch

 KTVU and KGO are hands-down the worst abuser of the "Breaking News" conundrum with Channel 2 the pack leader. It got so ridiculous last week during the BART negotiations that 2 ran a moronic "Breaking" at the top of the 11 PM hour only to see an empty lectern with a bank of microphones --NO breaking anything but we're used to this and it's become Channel 2 stock and an unfortunate one at that.

KGO is right behind 2 but it hasn't reached the top level. Both local newsies can be proud: they aren't alone in the biz but they have earned top honors here.

Nationally, CNN and Fox are so bad in this dept. that any legit "breaking news" has been unintentionally muddled with the rest of the slop. Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer should be poster children of the growing phenomenon. What a shame: a vaunted brand destroyed by TV juggernauts. Breaking News: There is NO breaking news. Again.

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KGO-TV Part of Potential ABC Sale of Big Market O and O's

 Disney is strongly considering selling its massively lucrative O and O'
s, (owned and operated stations), in major markets including KGO-TV here in SF. The sale could generate a BILLION dollar payoff --with Sinclair Broadcast the rumored potential suitor.

So far, mum's the word at 900 Front, but staff is nervous as you could imagine.

Here's the original story from the NY Post.



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In The Midst of BART Tragedy KGO Radio Presented Cooking Show; KCBS Top Dog on Scene in Walnut Creek

 Saturday afternoon was chock full of news dominated by the BART tragedy in Walnut Creek where two people were killed after being struck by a train.

In addition, the strike presented traffic nightmares all over the Bay Area as freeways became congested particularly near the MacArthur maze near the Bay Bridge. Not surprising.

But the big news was the accident in Walnut Creek.

KCBS, as usual, was the go-to platform on radio with reporter, Anna Duckworth on the scene with the breaking news from the scene of the accident.

Later updates included especially pointed reports from Phil Matier, who on short notice provided early analysis on how the accident might get the unions and BART management back to the bargaining table and accelerate a settlement.

What was KGO, your "news and information" station up to? How about consumer shows and cooking with Ryan Scott. KGO managed to provide updates but all it amounted to was innocuous tidbits from its affiliates. In other words, unless you liked hearing a grown guy chortling over tapas and burgers, you didn't want to be listening to the KGOne albatross. That is, if you wanted to know about the on-going developments in Walnut Creek.

Utter clueless. You'd figure someone in the news dept. would have called the boss and said  we might want to get an anchor down or reporter, but why bother with basic intelligence. Even by KGO's byzantine standards, Saturday's circus was beyond the scope.

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Game Changer

 A local media frenzy:

1. Who, what, where.

2. Follow Matier.

3. Union and management spin cycles up the ying-yang...after a few cooling-off days.

4. Potentially one of the most explosive local stories with a boatload of sidebars. Potentially.

5. How will SF media treat this? (I mean, there's a lot to chew on, right?)

6. Both sides come to reason, meet, and settle --with the tragedy an unintentional game changer.

Tribute: Bill King Passing Eight Years Ago Today; The Greatest Ever; Holy Toledo

 I'm reminded it was eight years ago Friday of the passing of longtime Bay Area broadcaster, Bill King.

More than just the greatest broadcaster in Bay Area history, King was classy; the consummate professional; a master wordsmith who transcended sports and was a part of the Bay Area cultural landscape--oh, and a very nice gentleman too.

Miss you Bill King.

Holy Toledo!




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Your Top 10 BART/Strike Observations Day One From the Car Pool Lane On The Maze

 1. Ah, what do you know, people are inconvenienced. Stunning. (zzzz).

2. The buses are crowded at "busy" Walnut Creek, (destination of choice by demo-driven news managers--again, just shocking!--at least there were no shots of the fountain).

3. The Bay Bridge is backed up "well past the maze!"--Amazing.

4. The usual assortment of happier-than-hell reporters who sound and look as if they just finished off about 10 cans of Red Bull.

5. The proverbial MOS interview of Connie Pittsburg and Rory Ziggmeister at carpool lane: "How do you like this so far?" "Uh, well, you know, it sucks but, uh..." (What the hell are they supposed to say, dummies?)

6. Way, way, way happy anchors: KCBS' Stan Bunger did a 5: 12 AM phono in his car on the Bay Bridge en route to the city with enough zesto and pesto to fill Candlestick Park. Stan was one happy dude.

7. Yeah, you saw it right: On KGO-TV's otherwise decent 6 PM newscast on Thursday, Larry Beil continuously broadcast only pro-BART Mtg, tweets. Not one union tweet. I have no dog in this fight, (although I tend to lean pro-union), but not reading just one union tweet was conspicuous --Wait, ABC7 is owned by Disney--one of the biggest anti-union companies in USA. Coincidence? Perhaps. You be the judge.

8. Ferry boats: You mean we have a ferry? Yeah, they navigate on water and you can get from Oakland to the city in 20 minutes. I hear they have excellent coffee and pastries too.

9. Kim Wonderly was also just a tad too happy and Tim Ryan spent about 90 hours on how to casually carpool. (Que the editor's desk.)

10. Chris Filippi of KCBS finally left his home after 97 hours hanging out at the BART negotiations building at Caltrans in Oakland.

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BART Strike Nearing Friday; All Local Outlets Offering Expanded Coverage

Several local outlets will be on the air at 4 AM ...with the usual reports from traffic hotspots including the Bay Bridge, SF near the Mission/Howard-Transbay Terminal. Of course, yes too, the ferry buildings in SF and Oakland too.

Expect extra traffic reports with enhanced coverage.

KPIX, KTVU, KNTV, and KGO-TV and Radio plan extended coverage. Ditto KCBS and KGO; KQED Radio will run expanded news in its local news blocks.

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The Right to (Media) Privacy--Really? In The Real World, Not Really

 Right to Privacy--really?

I hate to break it to you all but when you take a public job--especially a public job where people are watching you, listening to you; if, for example, you're a radio personality and prominent member of a morning news team, you then lose, sort of, your right to privacy. It's not the gospel but in practical terms, it's the truth.

I'm not going to mention the name of the individual a lot of you took me to task for mentioning out of "privacy"-concerns. Some of you--the same people who were wondering what the status was of this particular person because she's been off the air then came back only to disappear again.

High-profile media people, whether we like it or not, become a part of our lives--that is, assuming we watch and listen to them. They tend to be more on TV and less on radio but because we embed them into our daily ritual, like, for example, waking up in the morning to watch Matt Lauer or listen to Stan Bunger broadcast the news...they are, in essence, part of our life. We notice their looks; why their voice sounds cranky; we wonder out loud if they've been gone. If there's no big deal, which is usually the case it'll be announced that they're "under the weather" or "on assignment".

But when they suddenly leave and there's no rhyme or reason and we're left to wonder what's going on, then we all collectively want to know. So then by extension the right to privacy goes out the door whether we like it or not--really, whether they like it or not and that's the reality of having a high-profile job but it comes with the territory. They know it when they take the job.

The situation here was pretty much accelerated by readers who repeatedly asked me about the status of the morning radio announcer. I had no intention of even asking around but I didn't anticipate all the e-mails inquiring if "she was OK.", as if her absence was necessarily medical-related, but nevertheless people were concerned and wanted to know. She apparently has a following.

I don't know her status. And the radio station isn't talking and her colleagues merely say she's away and yes, it's a personal matter but since she's very prominently in the public arena some people are concerned. Which is perfectly normal. She's not a clerk at Macys--she's got a radio gig in SF.

The right to privacy sounds good on paper and it's one of our basic rights but truly this is a different world. Even to those who choose to take a public path of putting food on the table. If you doubt that, you're either in denial or delusional. Reality check.

Gossip? No, not really. And if interpreted that way, we're sorry because we weren't going to go that way even if we were privy to what was going on and we haven't any ideas other than to say we hope this cleared the matter up.

And as for the right to privacy, again, No , not in this world, the real world.

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Dogs and Cats; Tattoos Too on Lieberman Live Today From 2-4 PM on KSCO

 I'll be on today, from, 2-4 PM on KSCO, (as we fine tune the technical gadgets for future M-F show,) to discuss the fall of civilization, in large part due to tattoos and dogs and cats.

You can listen LIVE or later on, the podcast by clicking here and clicking on the streaming audio link.



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BART Strike Coverage; No News is No News; Jana Katsuyama; Darya Folsom; KTVU Silence of the Lambs; Jennifer Jones-Lee; Ken Wayne; KPIX Tickets; KSCO Update; Wednesday Media Nosh

 There really is no "Breaking News"--the only true breaking news in the continuing BART threatened- strike saga is that the trains are still running and negotiations continue.

I took a stroll past the media gathering outside the Caltrans building in Downtown Oakland Tuesday night and a throng of reporters hunkered down outside and most were texting or gazing at their IPhones.

The podium where a bank of microphones were placed was empty. Although their existed a sea of activity nothing of substance was taking place. The only constant seemed to be where one could get some decent food.

Later in the evening, a Bart union head, Antoinette Bryant, (who's received enough face time she should be given an AFTRA card), made a benign statement regarding some rumor and didn't take any questions from the outside gathering, which was just as well since nothing of substance had taken place.

I realize this is a big story. The public at large, especially the thousands of people and commuters who rely on BART want information. They want updates and the latest but when there is truly NO news to report, is there a need for the constant "live shots" when all they amount to, essentially, is filling time?

*My post regarding the mysterious status of KGO anchor Jennifer Jones-Lee was prompted by several e-mails from readers who were concerned about her. Although I'm not a fan of Ms. Jones, she has enough of a following for people who are mystified about her return on Monday and subsequent absence since then.

I'm sensitive to her privacy and have not written anything, (nor would), even if I had firm proof of the reason she's been gone. Again, we wish her well.

*During Sunday evening's tense negotiations late into the evening when it appeared BART workers would indeed strike, KCBS was out in full force with reporters at the scene providing much-needed updates. (Notably, Chris Filippi, who spent 14 hours at the scene)...on KGO, a weekend woman talk host was talking about Kanye West. Sound programming.

*If you were at the Old Ship the other day you would have witnessed a loud-mouth reporter from the 1001 Van Ness building shouting rather obnoxious demands at one of the bartenders. Again, had the putz left a decent tip he probably would have been extended another round but was told to get the hell out.

*Underrated and a bit under the radar: KTVU's Jana Katsuyama. Tenacious, tough, a bit of a personality and not afraid to get into someone's face with mild criticism. Believe me, I know

*CNN and Justine Waldman: There is still plenty of interest from Atlanta, but Waldman appears set to stay in SF. Unless of course CNN is going to show a lot more coin.

*Unintentional hilarious moment of the night on Monday...KGO-TV had a live stream of the outside lectern at the Oakland -BART negotiations and for about 10 minutes, viewers had a eye of KTVU lead tonsil, Frank Somerville.

*"Frosty" on Talk 910: Who needs ambien.

*When their own reporters make fun, (off air), of the NBC Bay Area, (KNTV), "Investigative Unit", you know there's an issue. That won't stop the money pit.

*Gil Gross on Talk 910: See above Frosty item.

*A KPIX van parked on Battery last week contained several, I mean, several parking tickets...probably enough of a fine to hire another manager.

*Latest trend among the local TV News live shots that is both annoying and quite stupid: the Blair-Witch-moving camera.  First off, herky-jerky camera is only useful in movies, (most of the time)--using it as a local news technique amounts to gimmicks and viewer irritation. Stop it.

*Ken Wayne's new look is not that eye-catching and in spite of the he-had-plastic surgery rumors, he did but I know 100% that he didn't do it to improve his looks even though the end result is he looks better.

*KTVU GM and ND continue to practice the SILENCE of the lambs which is about as expedient as reading wrong names on a teleprompter.

*Darya Folsom is to the point where she's becoming KRON's most popular personality. As such, the word she's looking to hire an agent is perfectly normal and understandable.

*On The Radio Front: Yours Truly had a whole bunch of electronic gadgets installed at the pad so the radio show will come back ---LIVE and well-connected, soon, from 2-4 PM on KSCO any day now. Reports of my impending broadcast demise are greatly exaggerated, sorry to ruin your day.

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KGO Radio's Jones-Lee Returns to Airwaves After Lengthy Absence, Then Is Gone Again; Mystery at 55 Hawthorne

 Mystery...

KGO Radio Morning anchor, Jennifer Jones-Lee, returned to the airwaves on Monday after a lengthy medical leave.

On Tuesday, Jones-Lee was again absent from the anchor desk.

My sources at KGO have been tight-lipped about JL's situation and frankly, medical issues are private. I heard one account, from a second-hand insider that caused me concern.

I will not report and never have any personal/medical issues.

My only concern regarding Jones-Lee is that after only one day back after missing nearly a month, she's gone again.

*Developing...

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BART Coverage Brings Out Best And Worst; KCBS' Filippi Stands Out; KTVU 'Breaking News' Fetish

 In a mostly feast-or-famine environment, reporter Chris Filippi of KCBS has been steady and solid on the possible BART strike story.

Filippi's been on the scene since day one of the back-and-forth negotiations which have taken on a life of their own. But give him credit: unlike a lot of other breathless members of the local glee club, Filippi's methodical approach of providing information without sounding as if he was reporting the second coming was welcome and appreciated.

Granted, this is a difficult story to report because of the gag order both sides have stuck to; there's really been no official information or feel of how the negotiations were going until late Monday when the talks went past yet another BART union deadline--in fact, just plain common sense indicated that there was movement because both sides had much to lose in the event of a strike.

*As a reader pointed out, the "Breaking News"-fetish that permeates KTVU was evident with a "story" that was not a story at all Monday night...2, complete with sounder and graphic galore splashed a "Breaking... across its screen only for the viewer to see in fact that "Breaking" was no-breaking after all but a bank of microphones in front of an empty lectern. There was no breaking news.

*KCBS did a very good job as I pointed out. But their relentless plugging to listeners to send a text to the station to get back a text if the labor situation changed was over the top. I get it that it's important and a community service for commuters, especially, to have access to the latest info but KCBS went above and beyond in promoting its text deal after each and EVERY report.

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BART: To Deal Or Not To Deal? I Say Deal

 Beep Beep...

We're close to a deal ...just chill. Better yet, we got an agreement and if we didn't we deserve each other.

Who has coffee?

SF/Oakland Bay Area TV/Radio Traffic Reporters Having Quiet Orgasm As BART/AC Transit Strike Beckons

 As BART and its unions meet tirelessly in Oakland to avert a strike deadline early Tuesday, this bit of news might have given the rank and file more leverage: AC Transit workers have just issued their own strike threat.

Bay Area commuters have an impending carmageddon.

Traffic reporters won't dare admit this in public but they're having an orgasm right now.

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49ers PBP Broadcaster Ted Robinson Goes off on Candlestick Crowd For Doing Wave While Injured Zona Player Lay Motionless on Field

  In Sunday's 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game, the Cards' Calais Campbell was injured in the fourth quarter and a stretcher was on the field. After experiencing "extreme numbness", according to some of his fellow players, Campbell was able to move all of his lower extremities. He was taken to a local hospital. (He's OK).

As Campbell lay on the field motionless several in the crowd began doing the wave.

On KNBR radio, 49ers play-by-play broadcaster, Ted Robinson, was outraged. Robinson emotionally called out the SF fans and was adamant, "Hey, people STOP IT--stop doing the wave!"

It was honest and forthright. It was also something extraordinarily appropriate in a day when this type of behavior might have been ignored by the local radio crew.

Robinson did the right thing calling out thousands of oblivious numbskulls who appeared to be brain-dead at the moment. He wasn't alone. Several 49ers players motioned for the crowd to stop the wave shenanigans.

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Gary Radnich and Pam Moore Talking About The 'People Behaving Badly' Guy

 Sometimes the funniest bits are local.

Stanley Roberts, KRON 'People Behaving Badly' guy, gets in-house illustration from Pam Moore and Gary Radnich.

The New Tosca

 The new Tosca.

They even left the old jukebox in the same place. Glad they didn't screw it up.

I'm meeting my future ex-wife there on Monday. Monday is good. It's about time we talked again.

Cumulus Seeks Major Cost-Cutting at KGO Radio; Up to 30-40% Salary Slashes; Strike Threatened

  STRIKE THREATENED !


Cumulus has been in cost-cutting mode centering on some of its small-market stations with eye-popping staff reductions and salary slashes.

That behavior is nothing new--only now it's hit SF at KGO, still the only union shop left in its Hawthorne cluster. The local AFTRA shop has begun a war of sorts with the Cloud Company.

The reasons are that Cumulus has been demanding KGO news staffers take anywhere from a 30-40% pay cut. Needless to say staffers are outraged and nervous too. Beyond that, one major-name talk host at KSFO is about to see their salary slashed an astounding 50%! The union is more concerned with the news division but their leverage seems to be limited. What can they do? We'll have to wait and see.

Right now everyone is still living and working in the abyss. Just another serene period at 55 Hawthorne Cluster.

*Developing...

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Sports Fans Take Web Radio Into The Stands

From Inside Radio

About My City and My Team--A Shout For Oakland and The A's

 We don't have an inferiority complex over in Oakland but we do like to take time out every now and then to describe our great and gritty town, the 510 express; its gritty baseball team, the Athletics, who will fight the fight against the vaunted Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS Thursday Night at the Coliseum.

Yeah, that Coliseum. It doesn't have majestic views or splash hits; it lacks the lavish waterfront palace on the other side of the bay, but it's
 HOME--our home. The home to 4 World Series Titles; a 3-time Super Bowl winner and Mick Jagger's 35th birthday back on July 26, 1978.

The historic edifice just off the Nimitz Freeway --what the late NBC Sports broadcaster, Curt Gowdy called the "House of Thrills" and the place that was home away from home for one of the greatest broadcasters in the sports biz: Bill King.  Go A's!  And...

Holy Toledo!

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10 Ways To Be a Legitimate Right-Wing Talk-Radio Host

 1. Repeated use of the word, "patriot."

2. Tell every second caller "you're a great American."

3. Inform your base we're in a "tyranny" every 10 minutes.

4. Of course that Obama guy is a "socialist."

5. After repeated socialist mentions, go to the really, really, bread and butter, "communist."

6. When the press is against you, get the sharpie out and have this ready for standby: "MAIN-STREAM MEDIA."

7. Be immersed with the word: "Liberal."

8. Invoke the name, "Ronald Reagan"every show, (even though by today's GOP standards, Ronald Reagan would be a liberal).

9. At the end of your program, give a brave salute to, "OUR Great Armed Forces!--the Army, the Navy, Marines, the Air Force and the Coast Guard." A little Ray Charles "America" underneath helps too.

10. Say "lefties" a lot. It inspires confidence and emphasizes you really mean what you say.

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KSCO, 'Lieberman Live'--The Latest; Hemming and Hawing, (Again) at KGO Radio Over Cumulus Cost-Cutting; Jennifer Jones-Lee Status

 Wednesday Wire...

I'm delighted a number of you are wondering what the hell has happened --the truth is nothing has happened. Wait, some things have transpired.

Change is a big deal. Especially when it involves a radical change that involves me and a different brand of radio talk at a station that has its own identity albeit one whose owner seeks a different path.

After much talk with the owner, MZ, ( Michael Zwerling), he wanted me to do a Monday-Friday show from 2-4 PM. It would be radically different from the current KSCO formula which looks, according to Zwerling, to want to broaden its base, maybe shake it up a bit.

Enter me.

Before I posted the switch from KOMY to KSCO, I was given the OK from the operator. We had decided that the week of Oct. 7 was a perfect launch date but we didn't anticipate the technical issues, (i.e, --setting up the electronic infrastructure; making sure the signal and sound would be A-OK; oh, and we had some last-minute creative issues to go over).

Here's the skinny: I'm leveling with you. We want to get this right. I apologize in letting the cat out of the hat early but as I said, we didn't anticipate the high-speed wiring issues. I could go down to Santa Cruz and do the show in the studio but that's too much a personal load, (for now). And yes, some of the mangers down at the station have expressed reservations about my content. Fine. They've been there awhile and have a right to voice their concerns. Perfectly understandable.

Me? I'm ready to do the show. MZ knows that and so do the other players. We want to get this right and we need to resolve the outstanding issues which are the reason the show has not surfaced, yet.


And no, nobody has told me what I can and cannot say. And no, I haven't been held back because I talked about a few taboo subjects. Like I said, we're in a holding pattern. Some of it is my fault but there exists a lot of blame on the other side too, but we continue to talk. And we will hopefully come to a satisfying conclusion. I'm just as frustrated as you are. But I'm confident things will eventually be worked out.

That's the story, for now. Should you have any questions or comments, you can e-mail MZ himself at: mz@ksco.com

*KGO Hemming and Hawing--

This is a steady amount of anxiety over at KGO. Seems Cumulus is doing a steady amount of cost-cutting with its radio stations --this has probably accelerated the move. What's the move? The company has been instituting a 50% pay cut with some of its more high-paid talent. Included in the maneuver is significant cuts at news divisions too, including the local cluster.

A source told me the thinking was this: "We're doing it in other markets--why not do it in SF."

*Last I checked, through a source, morning anchor, Jennifer Jones-Lee had a medical issue. She has been out a number of weeks and was due back on Monday. On Wednesday, co-anchor Jon Bristow simply said Jones-Lee "is away."

If Jones-Lee status is medical related, I will defer. It's a personal affair and I respect that...if, as some have whispered it may be related to the Cumulus financial matter, I'll report that back to you.

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Savage Asks About the Mysterious DC Chase That Ended With Unarmed Dead Woman

 Savage was suspicious and so am I...

This case befuddles me. How could a swarm of DC policemen and law enforcement shoot an unarmed woman with a baby in the back seat? She was shot at least ten times. Why?

Yet the press has largely ignored all of this.

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Me and KSCO 2-4 PM M-F

 You and me alike.

Developing...

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About the Radio Show: A Note To the Readers of 415 Media

To do the type of show that is 100% professional both in content and technical purposes, we came across a number of obstacles that need more time to work out. Most have to do with making the remote host set-up compatible and without any of the "gremlins" that are an unfortunate constant in the radio biz.

We could short-term the process and the end result would sound crummy. That's not fair to you or to me and so we're going to work that out and hopefully re-launch soon. I say hopefully because when you're at the mercy of the high-speed gods, time is a commodity and they work on their pace and not yours.

Furthermore, we have some creative and time elements to work out but that's mostly the small stuff and not a big issue. The owner has told me he wants my content and I believe him. That said, we're in a holding pattern. The show and content remains the same and the intent is to give all of you the very best product put out on the air at KSCO.

In the mean time the blog will be up...as always.

And I'll give you the latest on the re-launch date and any other significant news when it becomes available. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and readership.

A Thought About Melanie Morgan And KSFO From The Radio Sage

 From a radio sage with a little more gumption than you think...

You know, if KSFO were really smart, (BIG IF), management would fire the current morning show and re-create America's Morning News, it's former lead-in as a center-right news show …John McCaslin is out of work and looking to move West…

 

Melanie Morgan is not under contract currently.

That way KSFO could get off the no-buy list.

 

But that is supposing that Cumulus really cares about ratings. Which most people agree they don't.

 

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KRON And the Raiders Sunday Night Special Makes For Compelling Sports TV in Bay Area

  KRON went big-time Sunday night and for the most part, pulled it off. Like the good old days. If you like pro football, that is.

1001 Van Ness picked up the Raiders-San Diego Chargers game, (from the NFL Network), that began at the ungodly 8: 35 PM, (11: 35 on the East Coast). Granted, it was primetime but it was also a Sunday night. Don't tell that to KRON.

They pulled out the old guard. The star weeknight players, including Pam Moore, Gary Radnich, and suddenly-emerging Justine Waldman straight from the Coliseum mosh pit. (Waldman in black--hot!).

All of this, of course, had to do with the A's playoff schedule. The Raiders game was an original 1 PM starter but the late A's contest on Saturday necessitated the 8: 35 Raiders special. How many times have you seen this?

KRON began its Sunday night newscast at 8 as a prelude to the upcoming game and although it looked and sounded kind of loopy at the start, I commend KRON for making the most of it. I mean, when you have a piece of content that is the most valuable TV commodity in the biz, you might as well take advantage of it. I'm sure this oddity was KRON's biggest-watched event in its post-NBC-affiliate history.

Moore looked excited and carried the proceedings well. Radnich looked a bit annoyed but carried the ship. Even the weekday weather lady had a more noticeable bounce to her. My oh my.

Then there was the game --the Raiders looked so good and Terrelle Pryor so gargantuan that Twitter began begging for more Sunday night late NFL football games and the evolution of a strange alliance had its origin: the Raiders and KRON, (huh? --how unlikely and utterly giggly).

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Fox Wants KRON Badly But NBC Does Too Or Does It?; KSFO; Spencer Hughes; Katie Green; Tolbert-Warriors TV Gig; Friday Run

  Both News Corporation, (Fox corporate) and NBC officials from NY are meeting in SF later next week to take a look at KRON and presumably, fight over what could be an interesting prelude to a news content and acquisition war, Bay-Area-rooted.

Make no mistake: Fox WANTS a SF property desperately so its sports division can have control over the NFL 49ers market interest. Right now, KTVU, a Cox Media-owned company, carries all 49ers-NFC games. (If Fox bought KRON, that would solve the issue. (Duh!)

There isn't any impending transaction soon on the horizon with KTVU even though conservative-oriented Cox has never been endeared to its Oakland high top--why? Because KTVU is Cox's biggest cash cow and is in the 6th -largest market in the country.

Then again, Fox might up the ante with a blown-away offer to acquire KRON. And then KTVU could conceivably be Fox-less.

One HUUUUGE factor still to be debated down the pike: KRON's building and studios at 1001 Van Ness: Although not officially on the market, it's widely believed corporate-- (Media General-New Young), want its building to be involved in any potential transaction. Most real-estate analysts in town say KRON's building could fetch anywhere from $100-$150M. That's a conservative estimate.

And don't forget about the TV station.

*The human blowhard with the most annoying voice in town, Spencer Hughes, (it's a fake name), has been filling in for KSFO's Brian Sussman. Sussman has taken a few days off amid some smoke that says the local tuna fish dept. at 55 Hawthorne is auditioning Hughes. Not so. Yet.

*The problem with KSFO's Morning Show, as I've opined several times, is that it has severely-MISPLACED, Katie Green as part of its AM show. Green is flat-out awful. Her voice is terrible; her involvement in interviews is embarrassing--even by KSFO standards and her back and forth with Sussman, (Hughes too) simply sounds lousy, crummy, like out-of-place.

*Those betting guys that appear on KNBR do so because they PAY for the interview, pure and simple. I'd only wish KNBR would let its listeners know. The password is: disclaimer.

*Sure, Tom Tolbert would be great to take over for the retiring Jim Barnett, (next year), but Tolbert has a family too and that afternoon gig on Knibber, (3-7 PM), works well as opposed to a lot of travel. It's Tolbert's job if he wants it.

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SF Weekly Has Strong Pizza Fetish

  I enjoy SF Weekly. It has quirky stories that resonate well within the SF city limits and mostly churns out decent content. Sometimes even better than decent.

Then again, like most of your freaky alternative weekly news sites, they can become overly cute and resort to a lot of redundant material. I mean, a lot.

Take pizza for example.

Like today.

Or here, recently. And here too.

I think I get the idea that pizza images look good on computers and that pizza makes people compelled to eat a lot of pizza like me inclined to want to read on, it's a given --even for me who should know.

Then again, in the case of SF Weekly, it's gone way over the line. A medium with eight slices and pepperoni, black olives, and mushrooms would have sufficed.

SF Weekly ordered the Kitchen Sink.

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What Gary Radnich Told Ex-KGO PM Anchor Greg Jarrett on KNBR Wednesday Morning

   "Boy, did you get out in time."

Indeed.

Jarrett, by the way, is in NY tonsiling for Bloomberg News.

September 2013 SF Radio Ratings

September Ratings

There aren't a whole lot of surprises in the SF September 6+ ratings just released

KCBS is still #1; KQED has seen a steady slip and KNBR, still dragging down as per the Giants decline.

95.7 The Game is, once again, treading waters in the 1-share area in spite of the surging A's although it much ballyhooed talkers haven't moved the needle. Maybe it's time they have another contest and pick a listener to nuance John Lund.

K-101 had a good sharp up-arrow until the wallpaper fades, sorta like The Bone, (107.7 FM); I think they need more "Ta-Ta Tuesdays", (brilliant and insightful radio, guys).

Speaking of radio beige wallpaper, KSFO, (yawn) and Clearchannel's Talk 910, where you can hear the ultra-exciting Gil Gross pontificate for 4 hours were flatline central.

Oh, flatlining: KNBR 1050


Note:

Totals are Persons 6+, Mon-Sun, 6am-midnight

This profile contains an quarter hour share (AQH) rating -- the average number of persons, ages 6+, who listened during any average quarter hour from 6am to midnight, Monday through Sunday in the Metro Survey Area.

What if Jodie Foster Were Me?