SUNDAY POTPOURRI KTVU's deep foray into chatter, talk, Happy Talk--they call it, would be more natural if most of the anchors and reporters were comfortable on-air performing the remarkably easy task of, get this, actually speaking with one another!
Imagine that.
Yet, because we're so accustomed to the previous Channel 2 brand of no-nonsense delivery; very little idle chit-chat; straight-forward news broadcast; the new KTVU of extreme verbal back and forth seems forced and contrived. Especially irksome is when, say, anchor and co-anchor just chat for the sake of chatting. It's real gimmicky and the viewers don't like it. Particularly, Bay Area viewers who know when they see a phony.
Frank Somerville and Julie Haener can pull it off because they've been at the desk together for many years and Bay Area viewers trust them. Newbie, out-of-towners not so much. Claudine Wong is a capable news reader but comes off artificial when she's talking extemporaneously. Veronica De La Cruz is a Bay Area native but when she chats with the other anchors, it's painful sometimes. Paul Deanno looks very natural when he's speaking off cue; he'd likely make for a decent news anchor. Ken Bastida is very good at talking off the prompter; comfortable and articulate --yes, Bastida too is a Bay Area native and news veteran. See a trend here?
*If you want to believe the rumors then munch on this: The Chronicle is losing a million bucks a week. Do the math. Ouch. Then again, have you read SFGate? The news site that also acts as a real-estate guide complete with pictures of mansions and bright images of dogs and cats, food, and tabloid faire. I'd read the Gate more but it still messes up my computer and takes ten years to load.
*Your news template for the coming week: extreme heat and fires near the Sierra. Reporters, get out the blue jackets and matching caps.
*Chuck Todd, sorry but you're no Tim Russert.
*A KCBS reporter told me that you can expect more non-traditional, un-KCBS-like content --that's right, a more "cheering" round-up of stories, teases, at the top-of-the-hour news, for instance. There's a new sheriff in town.
*"Talk 910"--why bother? You could put a canary behind the microphone and the numbers would be the same. Might even be an improvement.
*The new PD at all-sports 95.7 FM "The Game" is looking for a new morning show which is good since the current one has about as much appeal as a Modesto strip mall.
*Boy, did Gladys cause a storm. (Psst, which was its purpose).
*KGO Radio on the weekend: like going to a smorgasbord and the only thing left is Waldorf salad.
*The SF School district radio station is closing in on KGO.
*Sarah and Vinnie: I hear the rumors. But if you were to have me on the ratings would go through the roof because I'm the only one who says anything in this town. Which means Harville says "no-go."
*Speaking of CBS Radio, Steve Futterman is the best correspondent in the world plus he's on the West Coast. Extra crispy.
*Pam Moore has been noticeably absent from KRON lately; for now, it's an extended vacation. Or what Kronvicts would call an absence from local TV Gitmo.
*Gary Radnich needs a sports producer if you're looking for work. Duties include writing, gathering up copy, setting up interviews, and washing a used Bentley.
*Radnich and KRON's "Web producer", Mario Sevilla: he's Gary's tweeter, lapdog, and dinner gofer. KRON's unofficial snitch too. My KRON boys and girls: watch your back when crossing paths with this body part. Aaron Pero's "Super Mario."
*Pero had a good week: He only made two reporters cry.
*Off media reflection: remember the good old days when going to the movies was an escape from life's issues. Now it might cost you your life.
*Cheryl Hurd: NBC Bay Area reporter: damn, you are still hot, girl!
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| Cheryl Hurd: Goddess |
*Cheryl Jennings: not near Cher-like but fast approaching Joan Rivers before death.
*Oh hell, it's a fucking blog, get a hold of yourself!
*There goes my donations from Fremont.
*Catherine Heenan: extra beauty points: she has to work with the sports guy.
*The reason why Gary has to work; I mean, he really has to work and work is, yes, lots and lots of overhead, especially his ex-wife who nailed him pretty good on the divorce --or, about the price of two black Bentleys.
*Hey, KNBR: five minutes of dead air early Sunday morning otherwise known as the horse hour followed by some financial show out of Toledo with a guy that sounds like Daffy Duck. No, not Dan Dibley.
*Hey Pero: Most of your staff read this site because it's a relief from your personal global warming. Maybe it's time for a memo.
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| Cheryl Jennings: Not Cher yet |
*Darya Folsom to Radnich: "You know Gary, my favorite performer is Dianna Ross!" Gary back to Dar: "Yeah, great, if you were only 20 years younger, I'd consider it."
*Someone is stealing the toilet paper at KSFO and considering that only four people work there, that is an amazing story.
*Uh, so I understand Ronn and Byron Allen had the R and B joke hour on Friday.
*Dan Rosenheim is so desperate for ratings at PIX I hear he may call Terilyn Joe. Now that? I'd watch! Or as Joe might say, fucking watch, asshole!
*Vern Glenn is a nice guy and decent anchor but Vern, seriously, be yourself. Can the Raddyisms; the shifting of the copy; the pregnant pauses--real simple, then it's, GAAAAAME ONNNNNNNNN!
*Annie Hong: classy understated lady who should be on weekdays.
*Mark Matthews: A slightly less pompous Tom Vacar.
*Wayne Freedman: God's living at 900 Front.
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| Darya Folsom |
*Julie Watts, KPIX: You might want to buy lunch for the some of the photographers --they still think you're a bitch.
*BREAKING NEWS! Da Lin just beat the crap out of David Louie. Actually, he didn't, but that's what I dreamed about last night, I have a wonderful life.
*TRENDING!!! Veronica De La Cruz is looking at her fifth hair stylist --maybe the Sharon Stone short cut is in order? GAME ON!!!!
*Jan Wahl: KCBS Beast-Mode.
*"Hi, I'm Henry Schulman, Giants Beat Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, and my farts never stink!"
*Roberta Gonzales: "I never met a margarita I didn't like." Me too, Roby!
*THIS JUST IN: Gil Gross and his wife, Rhoda, will be doing a duet with members of Beach Blanket Babylon --after, of course, Gil interviews Dr. Drew Johnson on the hazards of cutting cactus in the nude.
*Follow me on Twitter
Does anyone have a bikini shot of Rosemary Orozco?
ReplyDeleteI'd love a Darya shot myself.
DeleteI have bikini shots of Marla Tellez! Very Hot!
DeleteI want to see Sandhya Patel in a bikini!!!
DeleteWatts looked and sounded like she was going to breakdown on the air during one in-studio segment last week. She was clearly upset about something, and it was kinda painful to watch. Atypical for someone who usually has such a confident presence.
ReplyDeleteJulie Watts has always come across - to me - as a snotty broad.
DeleteNot surprised the 'underlings' don't care for her.
Hey, talk is cheap, just like the turd on Bouley's driveway, so shut your hole & wash your ass!!
DeleteShe is a new mom...and just appeared on CBS Morning (national)....and looked competent.
DeleteWatched 10 o'clock news on KTVU last nite, sorry but the new anchor import from Sacramento taking Heather Holmes place not going to make it.
ReplyDeleteI should say sitting in for Heather Holmes
DeleteWatching now the 10PM....on Sunday, and they have Noelle Walker sitting in for HH with Ken Wayne. I will say I have always liked Noelle on all the channels that she has worked on. Noelle fits in! She is HOT as well!
DeleteSteve Futterman is good...
ReplyDeleteBut KFI's Steve Gregory runs circles around him. Gregory is now getting national exposure on George Norey
Now that's high point to the resume to be exposed via George Noory. Give me a break.
DeleteHe still runs circles around Futterman. Even Futterman will admit that.
DeleteJust tell me this: When does Elizabeth Cook begin her maternity leave?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping there's still a chance I can save my ground-down teeth.
Am I the only one that notices a pattern? The female anchors that seem the least likeable (both on this board and because...ratings), seem to be Liz Cook, VDLC, and Julie Watts? All self serving. All unrelatable. How does KPIX management not see this? HIRE SOMEONE BAY PEOPLE LIKE.
ReplyDeleteAnd please tell me that Terilyn Joe thing was a joke gone too far.
Let's be candid: Women - on the long haul - usually aren't likeable.
Delete'Gladys' for a one-niter, with lamb and booze on my breath, at the Jack Tar? That might be likeable.
UH...the best women move on quickly to LA or to National...!!!
DeleteSend Liz, Julie watts and VDLC back to Southern California KTLA or fox 11 or CBS 2 /KCAL 9. not good enough for NBC4 or Abc 7
DeleteAy caramba! Saw RoGo last nite doing 5's weather: Looking strangely like a chorizo, upright.
ReplyDeleteRo, you used to be so body-conscious. Or was that only at Victorville High?
Given who does weather and traffic currently at 5, nutrition and body image are not top priorities at that station
DeleteWish I was into spectator sports; I'd love to hate Gary Radnich.
ReplyDeleteI would believe the chronicle is losing that amount of money. They closed all the news stands at all the bart stations, the daily paper is now one dollar and fifty cents, and its getting thinner everyday. The sfgate site sucks shit too. SFGATE was sweet once but not anymore.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at that Cheryl Hurd picture. What's the thing protruding from the right side, about two thirds of the way down?
ReplyDeleteHank Schulman is a cheerleader for the Giants. Did the Giants gave him three World Series rings for his unbiased journalism?
ReplyDeleteThe state of local TV and radio news makes one ponder: why do we watch and listen?
Cheryl Jennings is going to hurt herself grasping on to rings to save her collagen injected body. If she didn't look like an advertisement for unnatural health, she may be worth watching.
Fatnich is fatnich. Who cares anymore? He can keep the USPS afloat because he mails everything in. Why doesn't he get the boot? At least sportscasters like Hal Ramey were still working hard and giving their reports substance before he was "asked" to leave.
Can Ms. Wonder Bra deduct her anatomical support purchases as an expense?
You obviously don't read Henry Schulman because you are completely wrong about his being a Giants cheerleader.
Delete*A KCBS reporter told me that you can expect more non-traditional, un-KCBS-like content --that's right, a more "cheering" round-up of stories, teases, at the top-of-the-hour news, for instance."
ReplyDeleteI hope that Taylor Swift and Nicki Manaj can patch things up. Will I find out at 8AM?
Alas...Poor Vern can't help himself for doing Raddy, he has been doing it for soooo long, its a bad habit that he can not break. Dennis O'Donnell does the Raddy shtick also...ugh?!
ReplyDeleteAwww, leave Vern alone. Shtick or not, he's personable, has impressive sports knowledge and doesn't park in handicap zones.
Delete11:18,
DeletePersonable, yes. His level of sports knowledge is unremarkable.
2:26,
DeleteVern is a genuine sports fan whose knowledge isn't gleaned from busty colleagues or sitting at home watching TV.
Olh Rich.
ReplyDeleteEven though you write well., this was a meanie day. You can do better.
"Catherine Heenan: extra beauty points"
ReplyDeleteHuh? When I see her on TV, it feels like I am watching retro television from the seventies. And that laugh! A slow, flat, annoying string of loosely connected "ha, ha, ha". Like a smoke alarm battery dying.
"Gary Radnich needs a sports producer...Duties include writing, gathering up copy..."
ReplyDeleteIn other words, he needs someone else to clue him in besides Darya.
In no particular order: Annie Hong is very good, I have to turn down the volume during the Darya/Radnich segments - the worst on television. Re: managing, and this could apply to Pero - Fear and intimidation is never a good long-term management technique (see Billy Martin). Employees will run through a wall for you if they think you have their back and give a little appreciation for their efforts. Some managers never seem to figure this out for some reason.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing - Vern Glenn is the worst. His pregnant pauses and screen presence where he tilts down his head is hyper-dramatic in the worst ways.
ReplyDeleteAgree. He was in typical head jilting form these past nights. He's gotten worse overall as he's gotten older.
Delete@11:17 and 7:33
DeleteAnd yet no criticism leveled at the guy he's said to emulate.
Your posts are quite revealing...
Revealing, how? Vern Glenn is his own caricature.
Delete@10:46
ReplyDeleteNice try.
KGO weekends AND weekdays: Owners consider anything but dead last to be "winning." Even if the station is only ahead of the airport parking lot station at 1690.
ReplyDeleteAll the ladies referenced on this board are divas, including Anny Hong. Don't let the chromakey fool you. The only exception is Catherine Heenan who is a true gem. KRON is lucky to have her.
ReplyDeleteBeen watching KRON, and (not) needing to mute or flip to another channel...Darya's on vacation....or something? The morning newscast is much easier to watch without her. Would love to see what happens if KRON brought in a female news director. KRON would likely look more professional...and less like 'the oldest profession.'
ReplyDelete