FACE OF THE STATION--or faces of the station. The TEAM. At KGO-TV, it's Dan Ashley and Ama Daetz. The two have been working along side one another for over a year now and it's no coincidence that KGO dominates the evening news ratings and even more so at 11 PM.
I've grown to really like Ashley and Daetz, more to the point I like their all-important chemistry. The two look so natural and well-paired together you'd think they'd been working together for years.
Especially impressive is the fact that after the sudden departure of Carolyn Johnson to LA, many industry types predicted KGO would tank after losing one of its most popular and respected news anchors.
In fact, the transition has been smooth and orderly and the two have developed a genuine bond; something viewers have grown accustomed to and come to appreciate. The numbers don't lie.
If nothing else, Ashley, (who recently re-upped) and Daetz are recognizable as KGO's face. There's no revolving door of different people other than the off-hour newscasts. That's an important asset in local TV News.
The same situation exists at KTVU with Frank Somerville and Julie Haener on the still-vaunted "10 O'clock News," KTVU's most valued franchise and the heart and soul of its nighttime content. Certainly when you think Channel 2 (excuse me, FOX2) you think Somerville and Haener. They've been at it multiple years. And while early on, the new, Fox-infused happy talk has been front and center, KTVU continues to shine at 10 PM and a good reason why is Somerville and Haener guiding the ship. Smooth sailing.
Familiarity and identity make up key ingredients to viewer loyalty. While other stations tweak this and that; have revolving-door anchors; create confusion and offer up mixed personnel, KTVU and KGO stay the course. That seems to work well for the long term.
*That exclusive jailhouse interview scooped up by KGO's Cornell Barnard has been the talk of the town among news execs and industry people in the city. Most common question: How'd he get it? The answer is remarkably simple, according to one of my KGO spies: "He simply went to the HOJ (Hall of Justice) press office and asked if he could interview the inmate and the inmate said, "OK." Imagine that, good, hard-working journalism in action. Or like in sales, if you never ask for the sale you won't get the business.
*Most overrated anchor ever, hands down: Wendy Tokuda.
*Most underrated anchor ever, hands down: Anna Chavez.
*OK, I'm taking off the gloves: I know FOX2 has a brand to sell, I get it, but the ridiculous "WeatherAUTHORITY" logo looks stupid and reeks of gimmick-central. The FOX people should know that the Bay Area market doesn't exactly warm to visual misfits like that, get rid of it immediately.
*Yeah, it's not just you: Rosemary Orozco has been getting a lot of face time at 10 PM and it's not only because Bill Martin takes days off and vacation. Pretty simple: Orozco is prettier than Martin.*Dear Gregg Kelley, GM, KTVU: You got a real bad union issue with your photographers. Fix it. And, oh, by the way, notice the excess amount of glitches on newscasts lately? Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.
*Lyanne Melendez: A little too smart. That's from a few of your co-workers. Frankly, I don't give a damn.
*The new weather chick at KRON has begun to receive the nightly wrath of Raddy and isn't exactly warming up to the shit which partly explains why KRON goes through weather women like I go through the lamb shanks at Tommy's Joynt.
*Speaking of STUPID: "GAAAAAAME ONNNN!"--Oh please, shut the hell up.
*And to the main sports guy at PIX: if you're going to take her (not your wife) for a drink it might be best to go to a place off the beaten path --your wife aside, how dumb can you be. GAAAAAME OFFF!
*Dear VLDC: Please, enough with the hair! Find a constant, girl, and stick with it. TRENDING!!
*Follow me on Twitter and please, if you like reading 415 Media, make a donation to this site (click on PayPal icon below) and ensure you can read the information and inside dope you won't read anywhere else. And yes, a $25 donation gets you lunch on me at Tommy's Joynt. Huzzah!
Somebody should remind Greg Kelly about the ABC/NABET lockout in 1999/2000.
ReplyDeleteThe disruption of live shots was the norm at all the O&O's. NABET found ways to jam the microwave signals from the trucks by placing rented portable microwave transmitters in-line to the receive sites.
I'm sure IBEW will do the same.
As far as jailhouse interviews....
Reporters at other California stations have been doing that for years. All you do is ask the inmate if they will visit you. The institution cannot say no if the inmate is allowed regular visitors. This does NOT apply to state prisons unless you get special permission from the state DOC. Federal prisons do allow some interviews.
That's why you have not seen any Charles Manson , Scott Peterson or Sirhan Sirhan interviews in 20 years.
Details on the Raddy/Partygirl feud? I can't watch, she's so homely.
ReplyDeleteRosemary Orozco on the other hand… more please!
Haener is great, I've enjoyed her presenting news for over a decade.
I agree 100% that Wendy Tokuda is the most overrated anchor ever. You won't see her selling fireworks in Chinatown any time soon...
ReplyDeleteSylvia Chase was the most overrated anchor in the history of the world.
DeleteHoly shit...Nice post today. ABC7's team is solid. They actually make watching television news palatable. It's not gimmicky like "Weather Authority" or "Traffic Authority." Who the hell bestowed that bullshit title on them? Obviously, Fox doesn't think highly of its viewers, so it has to have these bells and whistles. However, the Gasia TV ads are kinda cute. Wendy Tokuda is a fraud. So phony and forced. The fake smile and enthusiasm. Radnich is a tool. When is he going to leave the airwaves? He has zero substance. Get in your Bentley and take a hike.
ReplyDeleteMany yrs ago, KRON had a weather guy named Sam Allred, who was as cornball as they come. It sure didn't help one nite when the newscast finished a story about some local tragedy and you could see Sam smiling as he chatted with the other anchors as the newscast signed off. His act prolly was great in the Rockes or the Midwest but not in California. It's not just FOX that's clueless about Bay Area TV weather anchors.
ReplyDeleteBernard "asked for the order" Let that be a lesson GENTLEMEN...
ReplyDeleteThe jail cannot order the inmate to speak. There is also no "court order" involved.
DeleteI still don't understand why this inmate was even permitted to speak to reporters at this stage of the investigation. Had he even lawyered up yet? A good defense lawyer could look for ways to nullify the case against the accused because of all these spontaneous missteps. Why? Why was this simply allowed with a silent nod of the head? Who agreed to this? Notice there was no representative of Kate's family there, so they would have been unable to interrupt the obvious COACHING and hinting from the reporter. "Don't you want to say you're sorry? Are you really, really sure?" It was disgraceful!!
ReplyDeleteABC 7 is the only local news that I watch on a regular basis. I wish Ms Daetz would quit looking all gaga eyed at Dan Ashley. She looks at him like a puppy waiting for approval.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Carolyn Johnson had a stupid, puppy-ish expression on her face whenever she was waiting for her cue while Dan Ashley did the plug for the KOFY 9 o'clock newscast. Daetz doesn't have that problem.
DeleteSo if Dana King comes back who goes VDLC or Liz? I can't imagine Daddy Disney will let it be Liz. How long is VDLC signed up for?
ReplyDeleteI like the headline "Sunday Media Nuggets"; reminds me of peanuts & corn. I wonder how Christine is doing today...
ReplyDeleteCorrecting spelling, punctuation, and grammar on someone's texts or posts, I'm sure...
DeleteI think I just bm'd; thanks, Christine.
DeleteThat new sports guy at 740, Kevin the Whatever, has a really annoying habit of giving his obnoxious opinion after a story or two during his segments. It's really tiring. Bring back Hal.
ReplyDeleteHeavens to Betsy, someone gives an opinion on KCBS! How horrible for the listening audience.
DeleteIt is Sunday night and I think I am watching the two most attractive (and beautiful) anchors in the Bay.....Peggy Bunker (on Nbc11) and Heather Holmes (on Fox2).
ReplyDeleteAfter that....Kira Klapper in the morning (on Nbc11). I definitely miss all the ones that went to LA. Marla Tellez mostly and Evelyn Taft.
It is definately the weekend hotties with brains. I am always mesmorized when I see Juliette Goodrich on KPIX. That voice and those eyes ! Just sayin. My prediction she will be the main anchor when they boot the others. please !
ReplyDeleteI"ve always wondered about Goodrich. I see her in mornings and nights too. They seem to mover her all over. Where did Bunker come from originally? I'm am not sold on Bunker but she has potential.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree Ama Daetz has grown into the position - better than I thought she would have - but they need to do something about Katie Marzullo - she is ok as a reporter - but not as an anchor - she stumbled over her words twice this weekend and had to apologize each time. It is painful to watch.
ReplyDeleteStand by as there will be news on that front shortly.
DeleteSpeaking of ex Bay Area broadcasters, I just went and took a look to see if Janice Huff was still doing the weather at the NBC affiliate in NYC. She's still going strong, it looks like.
ReplyDeleteI'll give my two cents to Sumerville. Very solid.
ReplyDelete