HERE'S THE DEAL (I sound like Ross Perot) --a KGO-TV informant tells me that a lot of people turned down that weekend anchor gig because ABC was offering little money, like a pittance. The bare union minimum. Which further explains that San-Crane-Cisco is still the envy of lots of anchors, even those in lovely San Diego.*Dana King isn't yesterday; she's smart, sexy, a damn great reporter and news journalist who is difficult only because she demands hard work and dedication, imagine that! No, she wouldn't bring KPIX up to the mountain top but she most certainly would provide a much-needed JOLT! to a news operation in desperation for identity, relevance and VIEWERS!, remember them? In addition, HR/CBS, Dana King has crossover demo favorability among whites, blacks, Hispanics, gay, the whole shebang. If the same circumstances were in NY, she'd have been signed back in a big apple second.
And get this: Dana King would love to come back. She wasn't fired nor did she quit. The business got to her and she needed a sabbatical--we all have moments like that in life, granted King, unlike a lot of us, had the luxury to walk away under her own terms and now she feels enlightened, invigorated, hallelujah, get her butt back to the news desk, Bruno, Dan. She's instantaneous buzz meter!
I'm not shilling for King--I received an innocuous tip that led to another tip from someone at PIX, not affiliated with management who would know a thing or two about juicy little things like this. For the record, yes, I like King. Many people love her too. Some think she's overrated and yesterday because she's 55 even though she looks great and has enough energy, power and spirit befitting a 30-something. Dana, and I'm not speaking for her; but I believe Dana has mellowed and got the rest she needed and is ITCHING to get back into the job she left much too soon. Sure, she's probably not going to make the $500K she was making when she split but if it's only money that is preventing a return then money is negotiable.
Dana has STAR power, Bruno and Dan! Ask the boys in NY. She also has Bay Area cred so you know what? She'd make for an immediate hammer attack and move the needle. You guys could use her. Get at it.
It's a not a knock at the current staff at PIX most of you that know me and love me and hate me understand that I'm completely in awe of you (pause) and that for the most part you all do a decent job, except:
VDLC: Veronica, it all started out well. What the hell happened? Is it all about the hair? No, you're better than that. You can read a teleprompter and perform the basics but too many extemporaneous things--maybe by you being forced to anchor that crappy 10 PM show, you became infected with PIX poo. I don't know but out of nowhere you lost your mojo. You became infatuated with your smart-ass phone and Twitter. "GAAAAME ON" destroyed your inner sanctum and "TRENDING" tore into your upper abbs. I still dig you, dear, and I know you work hard. You and Martin working the 5 would be just fine. And the 10? Your game, VDLC, but tell the boys enough of the side shit, just make it a regular newscast and go home, good night, breakfast in the morning.
ALLEN MARTIN: Al, I've praised you more than my 4th wife, Sheila Cornicopia, whom I met years ago at the Emeryville Dennys. Yo, Allen? You musn't think that you're curing cancer every day! Relax. Laugh. I know you still can't stand Liz but she's a new mom and actually getting better on the air. Go to lunch with her. Mellow out, dude, too --life is too short. It could be worse: you could be on the Night Beat.
*ROBERTA GONZALES: Who was it that said you're the greatest thing since sliced bread? Me. Who was it that had your back when the big guy relentlessly went after you? Me. Roberta, take it easy, you're set for life there if you want it--he can't touch you unless you pour lighter fluid into Mike Sugarman's coffee and you're not going to do that, so, hey? Détente --we Jews and Mexicans must stick together otherwise, who know, we may end up waking up in the middle of the night yelling, "GAAAAAME ONNNNN!"
*JULIETTE GOODRICH: Ms. Goodrich, I have a question: Why are you considered "smart and arrogant" over there on Battery? Staffer on weekend: "Juliette is the best anchor in this building but she takes herself too seriously--maybe it has to do with her 'proving herself again." Huh? Proving herself? I like Jules. She is gorgeous, not her fault, and she reads well and would be in LA now on KTLA anchoring on the primetime weekday news if not for family matters. Jules, just keep doing what you're doing and to hell with what the others (including me) say. Yes, you are good.
* A few quick hits...
*KGO Radio news dept: Be in the lunchroom this Friday and pack some Ketel One for later.
*Ahmed Fareed of CSNBA turned down an invite to be on Gary Radnich and Larry Kruger's KNBR Show Tuesday. I don't know what to make of that other than, shit, I'd be embarrassed for all three.
*Fareed? You're kidding, right!!
*Big News from KNBR on the Mark Ibanez front: he's dyed his hair once--back during the Carter administration.
*I've written in to Bill Berton over there at KGO-TV to consider me as a media critic since I won the "Hottest Jewish Male Blogger" back in 2000 from the Bakersfield radio station, "K-JEW, 101 on the dial, but for you? 99.95!"
*I still don't get it: Gasia Mikaelian.
*Heather Holmes: you too, speaking of Bakersfield.
*THIS JUST IN: Brian Hackney just told Bruno Cohen he is responsible for saving the world and, thus, providing peace and tranquility to every known man, woman, child, and hairdresser.
*BREAKING NEWS! Jan Wahl just semi-crushed her Sleeptrain temperpedic --good thing she didn't have burritos for dinner!
*Christine Craft: "My baloney is my first name--it's O,S,C,A,R..." (Did I gettt the spelling right?)
*Christine hates Benjamin Netanyahu: How do I know? She's said it about 62,500 times in the last month.
*Tonight on the "Dreck Radio Show" on KGO: The host and his hostess talk about women who like to cut cactus in the nude.
*Follow me on Twitter
"I've written in to Bill Berton over there at KGO-TV to consider me as a media critic since I won the "Hottest Jewish Male Blogger" back in 2000 from the Bakersfield radio station, "K-JEW, 101 on the dial, but for you? 99.95!"
ReplyDeleteOY! Vey is mir!
KPIX doesn't have any talent that viewers care about. Check their social media numbers. I also find their weather team lacking. They have 2.5 weather people? Yes, Paul is great but they need someone attractive and dare I say younger on that team doing weather in 1 of the slots. Let's not even start with their lack of African-Americans, local talent, and put-me-to-sleep morning show....
ReplyDeleteI totally get Gasia Makaelean,she's gorgeous and should be on the evening newscasts.Wouldn't be surprised if Fox moves her to the sister station in LA, KTTV with the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia itself living there.
ReplyDeleteI think she may have the largest assets in Bay Area news by far.
DeleteWhen she does those "Gasia on the street" type reports I am mesmerized. To quote Seinfeld, "They're real, and they're spectacular" !
DeleteI recall during the last election coverage Gasia wore a very tight top while interviewing the SF State political professor. I was amazed by his composure staring at those amazing assets while breaking down the winners and losers in the election.
DeleteIn LA she would have to reinvent herself to compete with with Araksya Karapetyan on Fox11 (KTTV)..a knockout in tight dresses and mini-skirts with stiletto heels, who is Armenian also.
DeleteBTW...check out our Marla Tellez on this station also. She is a knockout too...with mini-skirts and stilettos...while doing the news!
Pretty much all the hires at KRON over the past 10 years have been at union scale (lowest rate). Plus what about all the freelancers working for way less. No beni's, no sick days or vacation pay.
ReplyDeleteTons of folks at the ABC O&O's are freelancers. photogs, writers, show directors, digital producers etc.
Very few union gigs are left...and in each new contract the union loses more.
The real money is in digging tunnels for El Chapo.
"The real money is in digging tunnels for El Chapo."
Delete...or working security for Donald Trump.
Say what you want about Brian Hackney, but he's everywhere and good at what he does. Also, kudos to PIX on their drone camera. Fantastic shots of the new Presidio Parkway on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteBrian is extremely talented and SMART. That scares the crap out of management. And he's never afraid to show you he knows something. That guarantees the end of one's career in TV.
DeleteMy main objection to Brian Hackney is that he is just too full of himself - and he is not a comedian, even though he tries.
Delete4:42,
DeleteI agree; no one enjoys Brian's humor more than Brian. And some of his repeated quips are used to the point where they become, well, hackneyed.
Hmph...Jan Wahl probably did have burritos for dinner when she crushed her mattress...fuckin' lard ass. Speaking of ass, Jan Wahl & Christine Craft could be Batman & Robin, they're so much alike.
ReplyDeleteAre people referring to Christine now as "Old Fat-Butt"?
DeleteIn reference to your first item, that would be true. The San Francisco television market ranks 6th while San Diego is 28. Far fewer people in the San Diego metro region so moving to a station in SF would be a step up if you're looking at working in a top 10 market. But salaries overall, in all markets, have generally taken a dive compared to years past.
ReplyDeletePIX Poo????
ReplyDeleteToo funny.
So is 55 Hawthorn infected with KGOOOOOOOOOO?
you've now resorted to writing about fill in hosts who comment on your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Christine sitting in for Ronnnnn.
ReplyDeleteShe's so much better than Thurston and Copeland.
Wait! She's too busy with that highly successful law practice/spelling and grammar institute to be taking that kind of time away. What will all those clients think? (please don't say the obvious "what clients?"...PLEASE don't).
DeleteJob interview: "Can you work more as a 'volunteer' rather than as an employee? Well, it never hurts to ask".
ReplyDeleteDana King didn't do anything for me (aside from mildly putting me off) her first time around, so I don't see myself tuning into KPIX if she came back...
ReplyDeleteChristine Craft is one of the most venomous figures on the air. Who can stand her hateful positions? She wreaks of anger, as if permanently locked in a hissy fit. If you, Rich, and KGO think so highly of her, why not give her a regular gig?
ReplyDeleteBTW: Why do you never comment on Pat Thurston? I'd be interested in your critique of her act. I think with superior direction, she could go much father. And you?
I agree
DeleteFor all her faults (and there are plenty), it is my opinion that Christine Craft is spot on regarding Israel. Didn't listen to her fill in for Matress Mannnnnnnnnn but I am certain she supports the Iran deal. If not, then she's dumber than I thought. Btw it seems the politicization of the illegal immigrant murderer seems to have subsided. Interestingly the brother of the victim called out Trump and told him to shut the hell up using his sister as a political tool. Good for him. That's all.
ReplyDeleteIt's sickening how the leftists are describing a "politicization lf the illegal alien murderer", but forget how leftists politicize illegal aliens "plight" to allow more illegals in to destroy our society and economy!
DeleteCan we deconstruct their morning show? Specifically KPIX weekends with no reporter and no weather?
ReplyDelete