Frank Somerville shot back at my report involving the lackadaisical numbers involving KTVU's new 4 PM newscast that debuted a little more than a month ago. In the report, I quoted anonymous station sources who attributed much of the blame (early on) to anchors Mike Mibach and recent Fox2 hire, Keba Arnold.
The sources ripped both Mibach and Arnold:
(Arnold) a Sacramento 'lightweight." In other words? "She doesn't know the market here." Just 30days in? Rough.
Same source on Mibach: "He's just coasting in here--This isn't Mornings on Two--you really have to work here --it's a newscast."
Somerville reacted to the quotes direct to 415 Media:
"I sit right next to Mike and Keba. And I really like both of them. I can tell you for a fact that they work very hard. I see it every day. I can also tell you that they care about the stories their covering. They care about the people they’re interviewing. They care about getting it right. And they’re not in this business just to see themselves on TV. Those are all qualities that I value and look for in coworkers."
I pointed out to Somerville that the sources never said anything about Arnold and Mibach not "getting it right"--just that they're obviously critical of the new duo's performance so far.
To which Somerville countered:
"Look, they called Keba a lightweight... and they implied that Mike was coasting and wasn't working hard... I'm saying I respect both of them.. and I like their work... and I listed the reasons why."
I pointed out so far, early on, I too have not had a favorable opinion of KTVU's 4 PM presentation --granted, it's way too early to gauge what's to become of its fate but results so far (by station internals) are not promising. The newscast has a very ordinary look and offers nothing of substance which, who knows, may be KTVU's intention given its FOX-owned infusion.
We'll wait and see. With AUTHORITY.
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I think back in the pre 1980s era of TV news it was more about reporting but today it's totally about self recognition including you Frank Somerville. Anyone who says they're not in TV to be seen is a liar and their nose should grow like Pinocchio!
ReplyDeleteCertain newscasters need to shut their fucken hole & have no business posting on a blog. Stick to what you're allegedly good at, ok? Shit or get off the pot, asshole!
DeleteWow Media Critic. Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
DeleteYou are one mad SOB. Calm down before you stroke out.
@7:44
Delete"Certain newscasters need to shut their fucken hole & have no business posting on a blog."
Obviously, reading comprehension isn't one of your strengths.
She's no Rebecca Corningstone.
ReplyDeleteShe's no Christine Craft.
DeleteIn other news Hulk Hogans career will be over later this morning.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you want to use your name after the recent scandal news the last few weeks? The 4PM criticism pales compared to the hundreds of allegations exposed in court papers toward the most famous Temple Owl to grace TV. Even dwarfs Hogan & McMahon's second fallout.
DeleteLet it go Frankie...let it go.
ReplyDeleteDoes the criticism come from those in a focus group?
ReplyDeleteOr is his just "insider" gossip?
The sourcing on this is just way to vague.
Come on Rich, you need to be more specific on this. You can protect the source and still be credible, however if it's not ratings or the focus group then it's just unscientific gossip and garbage info.
I haven't seen the new 4 PM newscast, but when I tune in to watch the 5 PM news my TV is already on KTVU from having watched MO2, earlier.
ReplyDeleteKTVU should consider that prior to Ms. Arnold and Mr. Milbach taking over that time slot, the station was offering TMZ's gossip drivel ... and snake oil salesman Dr. Oz, before THAT.
Viewers of that kind of crap cannot, possibly, have IQs above that of a jar of mayonnaise. Suddenly, you gave them a newscast. What are they going to do with a newscast?! Of course, they went away in droves. How could you have expected anything else??
Moreover, watchers of 4 O'clock news have had KGO, for years.
KTVU, the fault is yours. Get off the anchors' backs, and give the time slot a chance to develop.
Trolls that suck up to Rich and like to trash the name and reputation of those on camera, perhaps because the "talent" raised their voice, or looked at the troll awkwardly...
ReplyDeletePetty bullshit.
Frank is right…Keba and Mike work their tails off. It's all gossip from bitter sources who we're passed over for Keba & Mike
ReplyDeleteGood for Frank for standing up for them
ReplyDeleteWWDRS?
ReplyDelete(What Would Dennis Richmond Say)
I think Frank is correct ...
ReplyDeleteGood for Frank. Nice to see a fellow news guy stand up for his co-workers.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Frank is allowed to speak publicly about this. The GM "OK'ed" the comments, or has Frank "gone off the reservation" ?
ReplyDeleteMy problem with 4pm is not the talent it's the production. KTVU has changed format and i don't like it. And i no longer watch.
ReplyDelete"Adam 12" at 4PM. Could everyone please drive carefully?
ReplyDeleteQuit chasing kids around your neighborhood and you won't get punched.
DeleteI forget KTVU launched a 4:00 p.m. newscast. I automatically flip to KGO at 4:00 p.m. I'll have to give them a shot..
ReplyDeleteI realize Frank's comments were edited but he's always come off with a "let them eat cake" attitude to me. He needs to understand that the viewers are under no obligation to believe him or accept his perspectives. Dana King had the same bad habit. News nerds like them are why I gave up on routinely watching news programs.
ReplyDeleteDennis Richmond never exhibited a sanctimonious tone...he read the facts and let the viewers shape their own perspectives and decide how much thought they wanted to invest in a story/issue.
4 PM? Everyone is watching Judge Judy!
ReplyDeleteI think it's cool that Frank defended his colleagues like that. In this era of corporate management where everybody is afraid to say anything, it's refreshing to see that he would respond. Too bad the GM or ND didn't speak up. That's their job.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the 4 p.m. needs work. It looks like any other newscast. That's not the anchors' fault, it's the producers. How about some creativity? Like when Jim Steinle testified before congress, they should have played his entire statement, which ran 5 minutes. It was riveting. I doubt many would have tuned out when he described what happened on Pier 14 that night.
-- How about live interviews by the anchors of newsmakers, the old split screen concept?
-- How about the occasional package on an in-depth story running longer than 1:30? Tom Vacar did a great job of explaining how complex stories, like PUC rate hearings, would affect consumers.
-- What about a roundtable of analysts commenting on stories moderated by an anchor, the way Bret Baier does it at the end of his Washington-focused news show? But the analysts could all be talking about local stories.
-- What about bringing reporters in to have a conversation about what they've covered? Not a scripted Q&A, but real give and take. A reporter could come in and talk about the big story they're going to have at 5, and give viewers the backstory?
-- What about a regular commentator, a 2015 version of Wayne Shannon or a younger Quentin Kopp, who was on Mornings on 2 for years?
-- How about some lighter people-oriented pieces like the late Bob MacKenzie did? Or funny stories like Mike Sugerman knows how to find.
Nobody in management should expect big numbers right now from the 4 p.m., especially opposite Judge Judy. It will be a long, hard slog. So it's a good place to try some interesting stuff and see if it will draw an audience.
You are right 8:44 your suggestions would make for a great program. But, I don't think Mibach and Arnold have the talent to make it happen. Management needs to hire from outside. We need fresh talented people at 4 pm.
ReplyDelete> Management needs to hire from the outside...
DeleteAnd what was Keba?
My biggest problem with Keba is it sounds like she just learned how to read, and she doesn't get the meaning of everything she reads. Granted SHE'S. NOT. AS. BAD. AS. JEFF. BUSH. OVER. ON. KRON. 4, but she's not great.
ReplyDeleteKeba was on with Frank last night on the 10:00 newscast - wonder if that was on purpose or did Julie just happen to be off -- strange coincidence. This is the first time I have seen her -- not great, but not as bad as some of the other second tier anchors on other stations. She may have potential if given a chance.
ReplyDelete