Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Ask Rich Lieberman

 Lots on the front and back burner.


ASK AWAY.


You have questions about Bay Area TV/Radio and such--I will try to answer your inquiries.








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56 comments:

  1. Hey Rich: The whole thing with KGO and the "ruse" pulled by the idiots over there left me a little confused. Was there any truth at all to a revamping of the programming over there and bringing back people like Len Tillem? Or are they sticking with the flaming pile of dog crap they have now? (I'm assuming that the hiring of "Pig Vomit" obviously factors into this.) Thanks in advance for the update. Tillem needs to be back on the bay area airwaves.

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    1. The "imaging" voice on WJR Detroit is the same one used at KGO. The only difference, WJR uses a WLS Chicago instrumental "jingle" in its imaging an in local news, weather, traffic and business news, as well as show opens. KGO / KSFO desperately needs new imaging. What they have now (and for the last four years) sucks major big time. I hope they shitcan Bloomsberg all night. I'd take Red Eye Radio, even, and that's not saying much.

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  2. Metheny, (Pig Virus), new Opps MGR will captain the new hybrid format of news and yes, talk. Don't know all the specifics yet but should know soon. Pig Vomit has a checkered past; frankly, he'll probably last six months, like the rest, but expect a full roster of local, syndicated talk and "entertainment" whatever that is...
    Tillem should be hired back but I don't know the variables of what's on the drawing boards, We shall see.

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    1. If you want to know specifics, listen to WJR 760 online. It is rated 6th in the Detroit market with a 50kw Class A signal. Not the top news / talker in the market by a long shot. Metheny is a known horse;s ass who destoys radio stations everywhere he lands. The Clear Channel cluster in Cleveland,, KFRC AM / FM here, WGN Chicago (under his pal Randy Michaels) and, now, WJR. WNBC, for sure and many others.

      "Pig Virus" is the known ax man for the Dickey's at Cumulus. He's only been in Detrot for a year and a half and hasn't moved the needle at all. He is a "slice and dice" guy -- do it his way, or else. "Build audience or your gone." There will be maor cuts at KGO and sooner than later, but not all at once.

      Rumor has it that pressure is on Ronn Owens to pack it in, and has six months or so left on his "less than" contract from before, with a one year option. So far, ratings indicate that he's getting killed. A 2.1 share, down from a high 4 share will do that.

      He is not local news focused, and we may see a talk show / news hybrid in the mornings and, maybe, in the afternoon. (A guess, but proven correct in the past.)

      Metheny does what he's told and that means syndication. He only has three live personalities on WJR - so, look for syndication from the Cumulus show mill to show up. Savage to KGO? I would, personally, think not, as Savage is tanking already in markets who move him to nights and he's dropping in the two hour format. Stations don't want the pre-recorded third hour. Political talk is not as effective anymore or listenable from either side.

      Don't look for KGO to go "left & liberal" The format is not happening and lib talk is dying everyday. Look for a more localized, general, lots of topics, talk and probably a little left of center, with some conservative talk. A Gene Burns would fit perfectly, but, we don't have a Gene Burns anymore, sadly.

      Tillem? He'd be a draw for KGO, but he'd have a tough time handling Metheny and there would be ego clashes. A Karel? I'd say he'll be gone quickly as too extreme and, well, nuts. Pat Thurston could be the lib star on one end of the afternoon, with Owens, for now, holding down the mid-morning as a moderate conservative. Chef Ryan Scott will be gone. Metheny couldn't save that show. Weintraub? A possibility, but Pig Virus will "work" with him as "talent development" or -- he'll be gone. Weintraub will possibly stay, but any ego clashes, and he's gone. Bartholomew? A New Jersey remote talker won't make it here. Langan, will be a star, with coaching. She's already fill-in on WABC in New York for Cumulus and doesn't sound half bad in a "real" radio station and daypart.

      Put a fork in Bloomsburg Radio all-nite. Not even local time checks, but a straight New York feed Awful. Craft? Maybe, on a part-time basis. The best female voice with a way left hold, but surely useable over what is there now. Copeland? I'd say he'll stay, as an EEO requirement if nothing else. The mid-day weekend guy? He's passable and will probably stay. Finney? He'll stay.

      Sussman and Katie? They're through. Look for Imus in the Morning on KSFO, in my opinion. News from Dallas will continue. Less "Traffic on the Fives" possibly. Will be ABC at the top and bottom of the hour.

      Metheny is a dolt and his boss, Randall Bloomquist, isn't far behind. The reality is, they can't build a "Young Demo" KGO, like they can't in Detroit -- though they do give away Ringo Starr tickets on WJR and a Beatles cover band tickets, too.

      Look for more sports weekends on KGO. Raiders? Maybe. Cal? Yes. Lots of sports "news" -- maybe even a PM sports talk show for two hours

      There. That's my answer. Can do it right for half the cost of Pig Vomit.

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    2. Build an audience or you are gone, of course talk radio needs an audience, an audience is their customers, no business can survive without customers. However, to be a viable business you need to sell something that the public wants. Build an audience or you are gone, well who are you giving us. Montemayor, he is gone, that they even put him on was a mystery to me. Sussman, Bearman, I could name other from other stations, that are about as boring as they come. However, I'm probably not your typical listeners, I loved Gene Burns, John Rothmann, never ever warmed up to Rush, Hannity, Levin or Savage. Do like Pat Thurston, Tom Sullivan and John Bachelor (last two mostly conservatives). If you want an audience in the Bay Area, put on intelligent, entertaining hosts, and not just some idiot that is either talking to himself, or reciting republican talking points.

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    3. Joel and Corey are probably two nice guys, but listening to them talking about their personal lives and opinions is boring as hell.
      Perhaps if you are a Kate Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Paul McCartney or Winston Churchill you can pull is off, but those two?
      Not even close. I remember Larry King saying the focus has to be on the guests, not on you, he was right. I know he did TV, but he use to do radio, and it comes down to, focus on your audience not on you, that seem to be an old and tried rule, a rule that 910 seem to totally have forgotten, or does not care about. Pity.

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    4. Agreed. Cory is the Programming head so he put himself in the spot with Joel. What piffle! Too sad for words. Get off the air and let some fresh air in!

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    5. Will KTVU show the news ticker and the time instead of not showing it at all on the noon (12:00 - 12:30 p.m.), KICU newscast (7:00 - 7:30 p.m.) and the daily (5:00 - 6:30 p.m. and the 10:00 - 11:00 p.m.) newscasts as well?

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  3. Why is Kristen Sze getting passed over for Ama Daetz at KGO? It would seem to me that Kristen might resent this decision given the amount of time she has been at the station? Ama has been at KGO for a very short time and she's already ascending to the primary female anchor role? Wow!

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    1. The consensus at KGO is that Sze doesn't have the "star" presence to anchor at night. I tend to agree although I don't dislike Kristen, but she seems better off in the morning.

      Ama Daetz reads the teleprompter well and has a very unusual, exotic and beautiful look--and she pairs well with Dan Ashley. Doesn't mean she's gonna get the job but she has the early lead.

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    2. Rich, was I dreaming or did I hear you on KSCO yesterday? Maybe MZ came to his senses and shit canned "The Traffic Lackey". Any news? You back in radio Big Vinny?

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    3. I really see nothing wrong with her. I watched her back at WPVI 6 ABC in Philadelphia. I don't get it

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  4. Regarding previous "KTVU's News Graphically Challenged..." post, why has "Pubic Intoxication" (10 O'clock News, May 18, 2014) graphic disappeared? Even here, it remained just temporarily. Someone must have captured a screen print, but search does not produce cached image anywhere online. If possible, please provide.

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    1. Yeah, I have it. I sent it to Rich (twice! the first time he claimed he couldn't open the file), but to the best of my knowledge he's never posted it.

      I am not impressed with Rich's honesty.

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    2. Ask KTVU.
      I have nothing.
      But I' know what you're referring too.

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  5. Be honest: If KGO offered you a 3 hour show M-F, would you take it?

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    1. Well, first off, they wouldn't and won't.
      And based on what I know and how they run their operation, I wouldn't last long. Because they'd fuck with me and I don't like that.
      Pretty simple.

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  6. Hey Rich, what is the status of Diane Dwyer? I know you mentioned that she teaches at UC Berkeley but any chance of her being offered to do weekend anchoring?

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    1. Diane told me she's going to do special projects for KNTV periodically while teaching at Berkeley so you will see her every now and then.

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  7. I read that Jim Barnett is coming back full-time as Warriors color analyst. Do you know how many years he signed for? Also you really think he came back because Mark Jackson was ousted?

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    1. Heard recent interview with Barnett. In his interview, Barnett said he didn't know Jackson any better the day he left as coach as the day he became coach. He said that was fairly strange in his experience but I doubt very much that a stranger was any factor. Maybe it was, but it didn't sound like it from the interview.

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    2. I don't think there's a contract. I think it's very casual, probably year-to-year. The Warriors obviously miscalculated JB's popularity and decided to do the right thing and bring him back b/c he's good.

      Mark Jackson ouster had zero to do with Barnett coming back.

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  8. Will Dan Dibley get another bay area radio job?

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    1. I hope Dan Dibley gets a job. (not in the bay area) That said he was unlistenable. Got way to big for his britches at KNBR thought he had star power when he was lucky to ride Gary's coat tails

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  9. Rich, Good News for KTVU-Maureen Naylor back from Maternity Leave, Rob Roth back from Vacation. Along with Debra Viallon, Amber Lee, Eric Rasmussen, Ken Wayne, Tara Moriarty and Ken Pritchard constitute Solid, Veteran News Corps. Besides Inane Management & Frequent Inept Studio/ Graphic Miscues in my opinion a Continuing Weak Sore Link is San Francisco Based Reporter David Stevenson. Even though he's been there since 2005, every time he's on the air live he inevitably appears Stiff, Nervous and Uncomfortable frequently Stumbling over his own words during each of his live news reports. You would think after 9 years Stevenson would be more of a Smooth ,Polished Product but even some of the newer KTVU reporters Ann Rubin, Cara Liu & Paul Chambers sound seamlessly better than Stevenson. Just yesterday he twice fumbled his words when reporting on the air regarding the SOMA Arson Suspect. Am I being too Harsh On Poor David Stevenson? At one time KTVU was even grooming him to be the Next Dennis Richmond. Any thoughts? Keep up the Great Work Rich!

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  10. Rich,
    How can we reach KGO to give them our input?
    During the heyday, they had THE 'KGO COMMENT LINE'.
    Could you ask KGO if there is a specific number we can call.
    Please....

    Also, please get back to the 'numbers' for posting.
    At least we can read numbers easily...not distorted words.

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    1. It will be meaningless to try. Cumulus is known to not care about listeners, only about revenues. They won't give you the time of day at KGO. Call Gues Services at KGO Radio. The number is online and in the phone book.

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    2. 1:06. The "posted" numbers, as has been noted here dozens of times, are "beauty contest" rankings for public consumption only. The "real" numbers are unavailable to the public by license. The dayparts, cume, time spent listening rankings in specific demographic "targets" are what count and not ages 6+ or 12+ are meaningles, as advertising agencies do not buy from those numbers, only specifics. That data costs many thousands of dollars a month and are top secret.

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    3. Why don't YOU call KGO and waste your time? They'll give you the comment number at the front desk of from the business line.

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  11. Any word on who may replace Drew Remenda on the Sharks telecasts?

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  12. Who were the individuals who duped you into the KGO format change?
    Any idea who the mastermind was behind this.

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    1. First off, I was never "duped." One rogue woman producer who has some mental issues tried to but was unsuccessful. Even so she LIED and told some of her friends at KGO that she succeeded, and "WHYNOT" try to succeed --it can't hurt.

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  13. So who gets hired to do graphics for newscasts? Who's responsible for the crawl at the bottom of the screen and the story graphics? What types of imbeciles are disgracing the business?

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    1. People inside the TV stations are responsible for those endeavors and they aren't doing a very good job now.

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    2. The crawl is usually a producer/writer. Story graphics are usually made my a graphics department, but selected from a library and labeled by someone in the news department.

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    3. Local news graphics departments are an endangered species. At the L.A. station where i work, the entire graphics department was fired more than two years ago, and writers and producers now make their own graphics at their own desks.

      The images we use come from AP Graphics Bank, from a network "hub" which provides graphics packages for big national stories such as elections, or from our own freeze-frames and local sources such as police departments for mug shots etc.

      Writer/producers also order their own chyrons and they go straight to air with no double-check by a chyron operator in the control booth any longer. (That position was also eliminated.)

      Combine this with writer/producers now doing preliminary edits on all the video they use means they do lots more now in less time. This translates into lots more errors making air than ever before.

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  14. Rich, what is up with Brian Sussman and Katie Green often being gone with no excuse and together? Are they suspended or in a contract negotiation? Will they be fired any day? Are they not allowed to talk about why they are gone so often? Also, Karel is so bad now he should not even be on air anywhere. It makes me so mad that in S. Cal where he lives he cannot get any gig anywhere but forces himself on the Bay Area. He is so hated here. Go back to your own turf, you mean fat, lazy no talent Karel. There are plenty of people gay or not to take your place on the weekends.

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    1. The first time I heard Karel, I couldn't believe they actually let a guy like that on the air. The lack of focus, constant out of control emotionalism...he doesn't need a radio show. He needs medication. Can you imagine putting him at morning or afternoon drive in Dallas? Someone would beat the shit out of him!

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    2. Brian and K Green were both absent yesterday and today; I was curious too and will hope to get the info on that in a future posting. In the meantime I think we'll all survive.

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    3. Correct, rootvg. He is now spewing that "Radio is such crap. The ratings don't mean anything." It's on his homepage. Funny but you live by the ratings and you die by the ratings. He knows that all too well. That's why he was fired, twice, from KFI. His "novelty" has long passed. No one will hire him for a reason.

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    4. Sussman hears the footsteps of Pig Vomit, and has run to Bakersfeld to audition for a weather gig there. Katy Green is doing the tour of Stockton saying, "You need a traffic reporter on da radio? I'm cheap!"

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    5. Ethan Bearman is sitting in for Sussman and Katie, they first day I never heard him mentioning them (I didn't listen for the whole shoe, just off and on) the second day I head him say he was sitting for Sussman and Katie. It seems to me the trend is get rid of older seasoned host and replace them with younger (and probably cheaper) host. Barbara Simpson being replaced with Bearman, just read in a blog above the would like to get rid of Ronn (most likely) I'm sure they will replace him with someone cheaper, younger and possible not as talented. Yes, I know Ronn has a lot of detractors and I'm not his biggest fan, but he is smart, knows radio, does a good interview and keeps the show flowing.

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    6. Although intermittently defaulting to "filling in for...," Ethan announced at 7:20, 7:47, and 8:08 a.m. that he was "guest hosting" for "Mr. Brian Sussman." Sherri (sp?) Brown certainly projects a fresh voice in contrast to the harsh persona of Katie Green. Trajectory to transition?

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    7. Here's Karel, the idiot, today posting on his Facebook page: Honestly -

      Karel
      2 hrs ·

      51 more followers and I hit 2500. Al mine are REAL, no bought. So, follow me @therealkarel do it now! ‪#‎karelcast‬ @GCNLive @CRNDigitalTalk

      Desperate people do desperate things. He was suppose to get 15,000 by July 1. That's not going to happen. While knows that the ax man cometh, he's more concerned about getting more "followers" (and there aren't 2500, it's only 382) than he is in wising up and saving his job. What a creep. He wonders why even gays, open or closed, can't stand him. I'd be surprised if he has 2500 views to be honest.

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  15. Hi Rich ... just curious; how does a lay person find out the actual ratings for individual shows, such as Ronn, Hannity, Radnich, etc., and the list goes on.

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    1. You'd have to have access to the Nielsen data and only radio stations and certain broadcast companies can get their hands on that.

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    2. .. and ad agency media buyers (if you know any).

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  16. Rich, answer me one question honestly.
    Why all this preoccupation with Veronica De La Cruz?

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    1. I think it's YOU that has the "preoccupation", pal.

      Veronica De La Cruz was a NY MSNBC/NBC hire by KPIX, a big hire. A name hire--as such if I deem it to be worthy of writing about it here, I will do so.

      If you don't like it, then I would suggest you don't read it.

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  17. What's the latest with Barbara Simpson? Is her lawsuit still in the works? Will she be back on the radio soon?

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    1. There is no lawsuit to my knowledge --I wrote way back then she spoke to a lawyer; it may have had nothing to do with her being dismissed by KSFO.

      As for her radio future, I'll let her comment on that--she reads this blog.

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  18. What the hell is the Corey and Joel Show on 910? Is this possibly the worst hours of radio in a major market anywhere? Wasn't Joel the producer and old boyfriend of the mighty Gene Burns? What qualifications does he have to host the dining program on weekends and to have a 5 day a week show?

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    1. It's a shitty brokered show that I heard one time and moved on.
      So should you.

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    2. Corey is the KKSF program director.

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  19. I thought Kevin Youkilis was pretty good with Tolbert last week (more entertaining in 4 hrs than Aubrey Huff in 4 months). Any chance he does more fill-in work?

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  20. I was just wondering if you knew whatever happened with John Kessler and/or Sydney Kohara. Watched a dull morning news program on KPIX this morning and was wondering.

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