KTVU's Holmes Wants To Be Treated (And Paid) Like a Star; Wants Monday Through Friday Presence; Passed Over Diva Thinks Big Time

 Heather Holmes wants to be treated LIKE A STAR!

KTVU (Fox2) may have opened up a hornet's nest by passing by certain air talent (like, uh, Holmes) instead opting for out-of-towners for new platforms and thinking old standbys will do for the weekday "Mornings on 2." Time will tell if they're right.

Meanwhile...Holmes has put her foot down (through a proxy) to management:

1. Pay me or I may trade me. (Figure it out)
2. Holmes wants "immediate" weekday presence --somewhere.
3. Through Insiders, Holmes feels as if she has leverage --although some in the newsroom think she might be overplaying her hand. In fact, I would say, What hand?
4. Holmes wants significantly more money. (Good luck with that)
5. KTVU, though Fox2 management will dismiss this, is talking about playing hardball.

Stay tuned.

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Monday Media Minutiae

They don't need Ashley Madison to set up sensual nooners and discreet late evening romantic encounters. A fairly decent amount of Bay Area media mavens--male and female--plan their sexual rodeos on a nighty basis at some strategic media gulch restaurants--namely, Kokkari, to begin with just one.

*Dear Bay Area TV women: You can lampoon LA TV News women all you like. They're generally a lot more business savvy than YOU all are. One ex-Bay Area hottie now working in the Ell-Lay market: "This is the big leagues--San Francisco is Mayberry."

*KTVU's Heather Holmes has told her circle of friends that she wants "major presence" at the station or she's gone. Translation: Holmes wants a more weekday presence --anchoring one of the early evening newscasts and doing fill-in at 10. Only problem is that KTVU seems set in its line-up and would not be able to cater to Holmes' wishes. Expect some in-house Fox guidance to Holmes in the form of a goody bag, probably a little more money. They like her.

*KRON's weekend mystery: Veteran anchor beauty, Vicki Liviakis has been absent from the 11 PM newscast the past few weeks. Nobody wants to talk about it. Except me. I'm on it.

*Dear Jennifer Jones-Lee: When a serious news story is being read, your HORRIFIC giggle is not only out of place, it sounds pathetic and ridiculous.

*Another uber-annoying giggle: KCBS' sub-contractor traffic reporter, Kiffany Wittstrom.

*KNBR: "Thee White-Guy Leader." All-white radio station with 1 token gay woman and Black guy. Otherwise, it's all San Leandro.

*KGO-TV has a weekend night "issue" that will require something more heavy-duty than the News Director. Enter Disney.

*Dave Clark of KTVU no longer has that picture of himself and OJ Simpson on his desk. Good thinking, Dave.

*Da Lin and Erika Kato? You gotta be kidding me!

*Sal Castaneda could become the third highest-paid personality at KTVU when his contract is up if those in the know tell me the right stuff.

*On the radar: Peggy Bunker, NBC Bay Area (KNTV)

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KTVU's '10 O'Clock News' Is Still King In The Bay Area But Needs Fine Tuning

It's not entirely fair to state that the "10 O'clock News" is officially off the "must watch" TV News list in the Bay Area. After all, time has passed and the characters are all radically different. Then again, KTVU; its entire makeup and brand dissolved by owner, Fox, has fractured one of the best news programs in the country. It's not a disaster, thankfully, but it needs revision.

Frank Somerville is still anchoring, as is Julie Haener, and the show is still the best newscast, by far, in the Bay Area, but several startling and noticeable changes have taken place (mostly, Fox-driven)

The biggest change is the talk-back between anchor and reporter. It's not that radical and in fact, it is welcome for a legitimate breaking news event. But when it comes at a simple news story it seems mostly contrived and forced, awkward at best.

Then there's the teases. A whole bunch of teases. Too many teases in my book, particularly the weather teases. First of all, it makes Bill Martin look bad. One night I counted a whopping five, (5!) weather teases. Worse, there was no significant weather event to justify five teases. It's insulting to the viewer and only interrupts the pace of the newscast. Seems sort of common sense to me.

Then there's the new graphics --courtesy of Fox. Some graphics look fresh and crisp. Others not so much. The "AUTHORITY" graphic comes off as gimmicky and goofy. Better yet, I still don't understand the premise. Authority what? If it's there just for enhancement it doesn't work. It looks ridiculous.

Furthermore, it gives the impression that that the subject matter deserves your (the viewer) utmost attention. Really? No, not traffic nor weather unless there's a big accident or a massive flood, for instance. Otherwise, AUTHORITY needs to be 86ed.

Another thing. There way, way too many stories on the 10' O'clock News. I'd rather see more emphasis on a big story rather than a slew of stories, some of which don't merit airing. I don't particularly care about a new supermarket in Novato--maybe marketing does but not the average Bay Area viewer.

I'm also mystified by the dramatic extra weather reports--why? It's especially annoying when there's no weather to report to begin with. If anything, Martin should be sent on assignment to report on, say, all the talk about the upcoming El Nino winter which the experts predict could be a deluge from Fall to Spring. That's weather.

Overall, KTVU, (Fox2) still puts out a pretty decent 10 PM newscast. They own 10. And when you consider the dud at KPIX opposite it, 10 PM on 2 is still a significantly superior program. It just needs to work out the kinks and tweak some of the elements.

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KRON's 'PBB' Stanley Roberts Suffers Stroke But Is All Right; Friday Night Lights On Bay Shore Freeway; Miller/Krukow A The Others Meh; Saturday 415 Media Breakfast Items

 Yo, You People Behaving Badly --your tormentor, KRON's Stanley Roberts announced on his Facebook page that he had apparently suffered a stroke. But he's OK --as OK as anyone can be suffering a stroke.

Take it easy, Stan and get some relaxation on the agenda and the heck with the speeders on Fifth St.

*Anyone can have an affair --yes, nobody's business, even if you're a SF TV anchor who should know better than putting your personal info on a credit card to Ashley Madison.

*A certain KGO Radio announcer this (Saturday) morning on the closure of the Bay Shore Freeway: "It's a good thing the 49ers are playing in Denver." Yeah, but the Giants are playing a few miles up the freeway at 1 PM. Might be good to look at your Bay Area sports schedules.

*Speaking of the Bay Shore Freeway PG&E/Power accident, could you have imagined if that had happened at commute time?

*Early on, I knew something was weird watching the Giants game Friday night when all of a sudden the scoreboard went kaput and the players looked to the skies: Friday Night Lights.

*Where was Journey Friday night when we needed them? When the lights go down in the citay.

*That loudmouth reporter who tried to pick up the hot brunette at Grumpy's Thursday night should know better. His girlfriend was at the bar only a few feet away sipping her 3rd Corona --fortunately, there was no lime in the bottle.

*The conspiracy nuts are out in full force: How did that crazy guy know the TV gal and her cameraman would be at a live shot at 6: 45 in the morning? Uh, he worked at the station--seems he probably knew how to call the Assignment desk and inquire about certain business.

*As I write this it's spritzing outside and feels like 72. Welcome to San Francisco, New York in the late summer.

*I'm clinically depressed but operational which means I can deal with all the shit --for now.

*Damon Bruce, of 95.7 FM 'The Game' once again went off on the SF Bay Area market. "This is such a soft sports market." Damon, I've been saying that for years and everyone said I was a jerk. Welcome to the club. Free brisket for Damon.

*If you place pineapple on a pizza you should be locked in a room and forced to listen to the KNBR Morning Show.

*Question: If you're in the bathroom doing your business and working Twitter, would it be that you're twooping?

*Vester Flanagan --eerily, the makeup of a 21st century Rupert Pupkin. Sort of.

*Jennifer Hodges, late of KGO Radio, was swooped up by King Swanson and is now tonsiling in the South Bay for KCBS.

*Miller and Krukow--on NBC Bay Area--now that's A-Rate. The two other guys? Meh. Perfect for cable.

*A perfect Saturday: Breakfast at Miller's East Coast Deli listening to KCSM.

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Did Ashley Madison Accounts Extend To Bay Area Media?

Of course I heard the rumors and have received a few of your tips.

(Many of them are quite delicious)

I'm referring to the whole Ashley Madison accounts that apparently has extended to the Bay Area media world. We'll, maybe, maybe not.

I'm investigating and will report soon if there's any meat and potatoes --or not.

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Of Course, Show The Video, It's News

The big debate among news directors: show the Virginia killings video or not? Easy call here. You show it. It's NEWS!

It's always puzzled me why we censor videos like this? Would we have not shown the images in Guyana? What about the Vietnam War? Auschwitz? So now we're not going to show Virginia? It's too violent and disturbing. Really now, any more violent than parents taking their kids to the movies to see exploding heads, blood and guts, your standard retail carnage, but that's OK? Please.

Let me get this straight. We're not going to show the video but we have no problem with our kids playing violent video games. We're going to sanitize our own social being because suddenly we're worried about the kids seeing three people getting shot by some lunatic on live TV? Please.

Let's face it. We're a violent society to begin with. America, land of guns and butter. I'm not preaching about gun control now so don't start a debate here but overall, it seems to me we're a bit hypocritical. We deal with violence every day in this country in one form or the other. Therefore I find it rather odd that we're going to censor some video that was on the Internet already and was probably watched my millions of people. Including your teenage kids too.

Seriously now.

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KPIX Posts Info That Virginia Gunman Worked For KPIX

Some of you were angry that I mentioned that the Virginia gunman who killed two journalists live on the air, once worked for KPIX.

Well, how did I get that info? From KPIX itself which posted the news almost immediately after the news first broke.

Maybe they're looking for an identity after all.

News Directors' Dilemma: To Show Virginia TV Killings Video Or Not; Warning: Graphic Video

 One big dilemma for news directors--as a result of the ambush of two Virginia TV journalists Wednesday: whether or not to show video that captured the killings live on TV and which soon became viral.

An initial video showed reporter, Alison Parker interviewing Vicki Gardner, a Virginia Chamber of Commerce director.

Soon into the video, shots break out and Parker is seen and heard screaming and running away from the shooter.

Most news outlets, including TV stations in the Bay Area did not show the video in its entirety-- instead showed a variation of it --with Parker's screams and several gunshots clearly audible.

Both Parker and photographer, Adam West died at the scene. Gardner is recovering and was reported to be in stable condition in a Roanoke, Virginia hospital.

A more graphic video, posted by the shooter himself, showed the entire episode, including the gunman placing the weapon before the three individuals who were unaware of his presence. That video, (WARNING--Disturbing and graphic) shows a more detailed, disturbing account of the shooting. No mainstream news outlets showed its content.

Later Thursday, 415 Media hopes to talk to Bay Area TV News reporters about their reaction and feelings about the Virginia tragedy.

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Pogo: 'We Have Met...

Free content provided by the society of the Unites States of America; upon which, events like the one that took place on Wednesday is an ongoing cable edible we place in our belly and cozy up to like a sweet little pussycat.

Wednesday: Virginia

Yesterday One: Columbine

Yesterday Two: Virginia Tech

Yesterday Three: Aurora

And so on and so on: Sandy Hook Elementary School

The Players: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel

Pogo had it right.

Massacre Of Two Virginia CBS TV Journalists ( Warning, Disturbing Video) UPDATE: Shooter Worked At KPIX; UPDATE 2: Flanagan, Alleged Shooter Was In Process of Selling Home in Oakland

THIS video will be discussed en masse today...as it should. But frankly, I'm not surprised this hasn't happened much more frequently. 

It's disturbing, its frightening as all get-go and really tough to watch, but I think it needs to be seen.

UPDATE 1: The alleged shooter worked at KPIX

UPDATE 2: The shooter, Vester Flanagan, was apparently in the process of selling a home in Oakland.

CNN Women Vs Fox News Women

VOTE YOUR PREFERENCE:

CNN

FOX NEWS

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You can also vote on Twitter

Sorry For Monday's AWOL I Was On Assignment; Copeland The Next Urkel; KTVU Masses Not Impressed With Fox Soup; Happy Tuesday

.

 GEES --I TAKE A QUICK SABBATICAL TO CATCH MY BREATH ...AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE. C'MON PEOPLE. RELAX.

Besides which, I was on assignment.

*Dear Brian Copeland. You're destined to become the next Steve Urkel!

*Speaking of Copeland: Fire and Ice: Copeland and Christine Craft. Lots of history there.


*KGO Radio has No Program Director, no General Manger, no News Director: sort of a radio hamburger helper.

*Meanwhile, over at KTVU, the working masses are beginning to experience the real FOX. As in execs that have not a clue about the Bay Area but continue to inject very LA-like essence into the operation which is being received like, oh say, Mel Gibson emceeing a bar-mitzvah.

*By the way, Fox has essentially re-branded all its O and O's (owned and operated stations)--in case you haven't seen KTVU's website, here's the new look. Just a lovely mayonnaise look.

*Some schmuck KRON sports sub on Sunday night said the auto racer that was hit with flying debris from another race car was "in a coma." Even those the wire services had already pronounced the driver dead five hours earlier. KRON isn't hamburger helper--more like, chipped beef.

*KQED: Too many Peters popping Pollys. The money must just be pouring in.

*BREAKING NEWS! Copeland will be discussing race today--doesn't matter the subject. It's all black and white.

*OK, to be perfectly blunt and clear: No, I'm not a Brian Hackney fan. The man obviously knows his weather. That's good. It's just that he looks like a guy that thinks the whole world revolves around him and that's not quite accurate, Dennis O'Donnell is the most important person on the planet.

*Question: Why does Brian Copeland like the Oakland Raiders? Because their colors are Silver and Black!

*KRON's news set looks like the appliance department on the 5th floor of the Macys store in Union Square.

*As long as were talking about the mess at KPIX it should be noted that Juliette Goodrich is being WASTED --completely wasted on the weekend. Goodrich, who can be a load but a good load, should be front and center, Monday through Friday...somewhere. They.just.don't.listen.

*Does anyone actually read Chuck Nevius anymore?

*SF Gate, 2015: Pictures of mansions and food. News? Why bother.

*Dear Lisa Argen: I would like to read poetry to you and sip a few Coronas. I'll dress up.

*Leah Garchick: yenta stenographer --and the Chronicle wonders why nobody read the paper.

*Today on the Gil Gross Show, Gil will talk to himself about the benefits of cryonics.

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49ers--Giants Head-To-Head Sunday Night; 49ers Will Draw 4X The Audience; 'On-Assignment' Crap Irks Giants?; Christine Craft Yappy And All Is OK, But...

 SUNDAY THIS AND THAT


--If I were the Giants, excuse me, yes, I would be a little annoyed if one of my more notable broadcasters--in this case, Dave Flemming, would be off, "on assignment", during the front stretch of a pennant race, doing games for ESPN and the like.


Just me.


--Speaking of sports and the Giants, the 49ers will play a meaningless exhibition NFL game tonight --while the Giants will play a meaningful road game in Pittsburgh --right at 5 PM PT...and guess what? The 49ers will draw at least 4 times the audience. Simply stated: The NFL is vastly more popular than Major League Baseball. Period. End of story.


--Cannot stand Christine Craft the person--but I do like Christine Craft the talk-show host unless she's talking about Israel in which Craft is the most un-objective, biased and Israel basher this side of Pat Buchannan . Birds of a feather...


--If Chip Franklin was more newsy-talkie, I'd be more inclined to listen to him on KGO but Chip has been hog-tied to discuss trendy BS "topics" taken out of USA Today and the latest Drudge headline.


--I'm already sick and tired of hearing about El Nino.


--KTVU is obviously trying desperately to insert weather lady Rosemary Orozco into a more primetime spot but shifting her all over the various time slots is counterproductive --make up your mind, FOX2.


--I said Brian Copeland is OK and decent enough --as a talk-show host, on race and race relations. I never listen to him when he's doing an interview, say, on politics. Switch the dial. And like other talk hosts, Copeland's incessant, repetitious --"EIGHT-Zero-Eight Zero-Eight -Zero" babble is too much to take. He does it every five minutes.


--Hey, KQED: Bring back "Newsroom." I dare you.


--If the Chronicle continues to LOSE $52 million  a million bucks a week then there's big trouble brewing because even Hearst isn't going to put up with that.


--Rumor mill: CBS Radio is about to unleash a BIG round of layoffs--which will only further fuel the idea of them being swallowed up by Cumulus. I can't even begin to fathom.


--Yeah, Brian Hackney looked weird Saturday night.


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KGO-TV News Director Bizarre Memo About Staffer Who Places Himself in Danger

Subject: Suspicious Vehicle

News Team:

During our recent safety meetings, we asked you to be aware of suspicious vehicles around our trucks.  ABC7 Photographer Lorne Morrison experienced a situation on Wednesday that we wanted to share with you.

 

Lorne stopped at the Trader Joe’s in San Francisco at 19^th and Winston near SF State.  He was on his way home at about 4:45pm.  When he came out of the store he saw a Gray Porsche Cayenne SUV pulled up next to the ABC7 van.  The car had damage to the left front fender.  Two men got out of the Porsche.  One went up to the driver side window of the van and was looking inside.  Lorne said the other man seemed to be acting as a lookout.  One man was driving and stayed in the car.

 

As Lorne approached the van, he said “hey, yo” to the men.  One of them asked if this was Lorne’s parking space. Lorne said yes.  They quickly got in the Porsche and drove away.  Lorne wasn’t able to get a license plate.

 

This is a good example of being aware of a suspicious car and people.  We wanted to share this information in case you are in this area and notice the same vehicle.

Please see me if you have questions.  And thanks to Lorne for sharing the information.

 

Tracey

TRACEY WATKOWSKI SILVA • VP, News Director

                    *The following memo was obtained through a local broadcast source --a concerned broadcast source.


What's wrong with this picture? Read the memo. Is there something glaringly wrong you read right away? Why is the KGO guy approaching the van in the first place? Dangerous don't you think? Yet the tone of the memo suggests Ms. Watkowski is fine with it.


"Lorne wasn't able to get a license plate?" How about Lorne should have stayed clear and called the police. End of story.


This is truly bizarre.

Moody's Mood; TGIF 415 Media Finale

{GEORGE BENSON}


*Thanks for ALL of your PAST and FUTURE SUPPORT of 415 MEDIA.


Have a great weekend.


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Copeland On Race; Race Relations; Probable KGO Replacement For Ronn Owens; Giant's Radio Broadcasters 'On Assignment' Too Cute? Friday Short

 FRIDAY SHORT



--Of course, yes, Brian Copeland seems to only talk about race issues, race relations, et al but while I have a host of issues with Copeland (no pun intended) this is actually an area where I like his work and look forward to listening to his reasoning. Hear me out.


Copeland, who has been filling in for Ronn Owens on KGO (while Owens recovers from surgery) has provided listeners a very genuine background on the history of race relations--back in the day, Copeland himself was stopped on the streets of the East Bay by law enforcement for no particular reason.  His comedic one-man show, "Not a Genuine Black Man" deals with growing up Black in mostly White San Leandro. It's both a poignant, surreal, funny, and a rather blunt assessment/ characterization of race in America. And definitely worth seeing if Copeland brings it back which I assume he will at some point.


Copeland more than likely will be Owen's eventual replacement on KGO; I don't necessarily agree or disagree with that move but given the other alternatives, I'd much rather it be Copeland, who is a Bay Area native and certainly knows the community well.


*Has it dawned on you the amount of pharmaceutical ads on TV and radio? Would love to see their balance sheets.


*When Giants announcers like Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Dave Flemming and Jon Miller take a break away from their duties, the other broadcasters say "they're on assignment." Isn't that a little too cute? Why not just say that so-and-so is taking a break? Or is that too simple and unpretentious.

CBS Execs Set To Meet With KPIX Suits Soon To Find Out If There's a Plan; Those Crappy Yellow Pages Ads; If Cumulus Bought CBS Radio Would The World Come To an End?; Thursday Mid-Day Media Lunch

 MID-DAY Lunch File


*CBS Execs back in NY will make a visit to SF and inquire about KPIX's plan. They'll meet at the Hotel Vitale --right near 855 Battery. Funny, I was thinking PIX doesn't have a plan. Maybe the suits from Black Rock will make headway with Dandy Dan and mysterious Bruno.


*Those obnoxious Yellow Pages radio ads should be annexed to Siberia or KGO Radio.


*If Cumulus were actually able to buy CBS Radio please call God and ask if the world is coming to an end.


*A first? I went last night to have dinner at Tadich and was told "we're out of bread." Huh? Granted, it was near closing time but how can a restaurant like this one run out of bread? I mean, I've heard just about everything. By the way, just a few seconds later after my open-eyes befuddlement, bread was delivered to my counter. Amen.


*OK, if Paul Deanno seriously wants an anchor chair, he's got it but I hear he's really into the weather business. And good for Paul, one of the few decent professionals at PIX.


*KTVU newsroom grippers are at it again only they should know you don't mess around with FOX.


*Attention KGO Radio job applicants: KCBS is looking for a street side reporter. All interested stand in line and buy Jack Swanson a good bottle of scotch. Or a six pack of craft beer. That'll get you a return call.


*I wouldn't be surprised if Ronn Owens were to return to KGO in late September; as stated before here, I wish him and family all the best.


*Pat Thurston is perfect where she is right now.


*I don't know whatever happened to super Investigative Reporter, Spencer Michael, but I sure do wish he come back to KQED.


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The Moment Of Reckoning At KPIX; 415 Media Tells It Like It Is; Blunt Force Analysis Of 855 Battery; The Real Thing You Won't Read Anywhere Else

 KPIX is at a pivotal point of time--its own moment of reckoning --and I say this matter of fact: The station has LOST ITS IDENTITY --wait a minute, KPIX HAS NO IDENTITY!

To be relevant to viewers, people have to care about the news anchors they are watching.  Nobody cares about KPIX --haven't cared for years. This is the point at PIX that has eluded its executives and is one of the main reasons why the CBS SF station has lost its mojo --if it ever had it to begin with you have to go back to the days of Dave McElhatton and Wendy Tokuda. That's a long time ago.


Today, PIX (Channel 5) is loaded with a bunch of bitter, no-talent, sub-prime news and sports anchors with a tremendous dose of blasé. There is NO there there. Nobody commands respect. The best talent, Ken Bastida, has been put out to pasture. Lost in the late-night abyss. Bastida should be on in primetime --everywhere. Allen Martin is a TOTAL failure. He doesn't warm the senses. He hardly smiles. Seriously, Martin sometimes gives the appearance he's having a colonoscopy on the air. That won't work to attract viewers, but Martin, unfortunately for PIX, is not alone.


Let's face it: The Veronica De La Cruz experiment is a bust! That's right, I said it. If De La Cruz put as much work into her news reading as she does with her hair and internet browsing, she'd be an extraordinary success. But she HAS NOT--(TRENDING!) De La Cruz looks completely LOST in space and often times sounds like a tortured canary. Please, GM Bruno Cohen and ND, Dan Rosenheim, something needs to be done here--trim the roster, cut your losses.


And what the hell is going on with Brian Hackney? Hey Brian, your pompousness has reached epic proportions! Hell, if you want to go audition for "60 Minutes", do us all a favor and get on the next red eye for JFK! You stink, Brian, that's right, I said it, you stink. Your air of superiority wreaks of cockiness run amuck --and get this? WHY? In order to pull off that bullshit you have to be someone, generate respect. Hackney, you come off as some dimwitted New Jersey public school teacher and I'm being kind. Go take a day off and try to reinvent yourself.


Then there's Ms. Prima Donna herself, Julie Watts--where do we begin? Honey, if your a consumer advocate I'm a stripper. It's not a pretty picture either way. Watts has all the warmth and gumption of an Oxnard Walmart clerk. "But she really works hard", I'm told by station staffers. So do humming birds in heat. Seriously, Watts is a complete tool and nobody takes her seriously --she ought to bunch up with Hackney and do Sunday community shows that no one watches--she's certainly not helping Monday through Friday.


And PLEASE, someone tell Dennis O'Donnell and Vern Glenn that this is NOT KRON in the 80's. Time passes, dudes. Just what the heck is going on in the sports dept? Dennis, we know you're a cute guy, we get it. But please, quit MUGGING the camera night in an night out--you're not Donny Osmond for heaven's sake. And Vern? Oh my god. Have you lost it, buddy? The copy shifting, the wink of the eye, the irritating-as-all-get-go frequent pregnant pauses --this is not good, Vern. You're beginning to act like some latent, Art Linkletter guy only this is 2015, Vern. Wake up and smell the teleprompter.


KPIX, you are a mess. I said what nobody will say. Management doesn't give a rat's ass, obviously, they're too busy drinking beers at Kokkari and staring at women's tits. Hey guys, the only reason you're in game is because New York only cares about the bottom line and, big deal, if I ran PIX, I too could maintain its profitability --better yet, I alone could make this chicken shit into chicken salad. You want proof? Ask the main man at Black Rock. Yeah, that guy!

The anchor who could not smile, Allen Martin

Seriously, now, PIX, your Moment of Reckoning has arrived only I'm not so sure many of you know it.






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Ask Rich Lieberman

Your TV/Radio questions --I'll be here until noon.

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KTVU's Steve Paulson When The Little Big One Hit; 'Oh My Goodness'

Here's KTVU Super Weatherman Steve Paulson doing an otherwise routine Monday Morning forecast at 6: 49 AM PT when the Bay Area Earthquake struck--it was only 4.0 on the Richter Scale but keep in mind Channel 2 is but about 3.5 miles from the epicenter --near Broadway Terrace and Hwy. 13 on the Oakland-Piedmont border.


Therefore, certainly, Paulson had a right to almost pee in his pants. "Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness, oh my goodness", he said nervously.


Good, exciting television...with AUTHORITY!






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KCBS Goes GaGa Balistic Over 4.0 Earth Fart; Wonderly Mocks Bunger/Taylor; 'I Felt The 'Minor Quake'; Happy Monday

 Holly Smoke, QUAKE! --More like, quake. We're getting worked up over 4.0 "jolts?" Seriously now. We're such pussies.


OK, for the record, I was awakened by this (Monday) morning Earth fart. It was jolting and jarring but it was over quickly. What's going to happen when a 7.2 hits? We'll all be shitting in our pants and hope we have cable and water.


Immediately went to KCBS and heard Stan Bunger giggle, "yes, that was an earthquake", as if to say, shit, that was kinda, sorta, big...and then immediately, my new heroine, traffic anchor, Kim Wonderly, acknowledged "I felt the MINOR quake." Then Wonderly, in her subsequent traffic reports referred to the "minor quake" (twice--with emphasis)--a direct rebuke to both Bunger and co-anchor, Susan Leigh Taylor's overreaction.


Furthermore, just after the fart, Bunger went to a phone hookup to reporter, Holly Quan, in the Oakland Hills, right near the epicenter. Quan: "You know, I have a day off and you all have to get me up and working." Huh? Hey Holly, grab yourself. You're not that big and your ego isn't either to begin doing sarcasm and comedy in the early morning.


OK, back to coffee and bagels.


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KGO Radio Cans Weekend Sports; Weekend News Probably Next; Bye Bye Olson And Macgowan

KGO Radio has done away with weekend sports news as both Larry Olson and Bruce Macgowan were let go last week. No surprise there and really no surprise as to what's coming.

My various broadcast sources say that KGO's weekend news is next to go, then probably in the next few months, the weekday afternoon news will be eliminated.


KGO's ratings keep on dwindling down --the talk-news hybrid will be taking the place of "news and information." And be ready for more of those taped financial and real-estate shows. Aw, Cumulus, gotta love ya.


The official end to one of the greatest radio stations ever is in progress.


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The Best Overnight Radio Anchors; KCBS' Evans And Chiaroni; Smart And Final Art Finley; Marcia Brandwynne Made Terilyn Joe Seem Like Mary Poppins; Saturday Heat Wavers

 SATURDAY HEAT WAVERS


There's something serene about overnight radio news anchors--we've had, and currently have some of the best here--including, KCBS stalwarts, John Evans and Larry Chiaroni. I also was a big fan of Dean Danos before he was given the axe last year.


The overnight anchor is supposed to exude a calm presence and be ready when a big news event exists; I recall just that very precise situation when the Napa earthquake struck almost a year ago. Danos' steady demeanor that early morning was first rate. -- Evans is superb and knows how to command a microphone; reminds me a lot of the late Bob Donnely, who manned many overnights in the 70's for KCBS. And Chiaroni keeps it moving all the time; one of the best.


--I said Larry Olson was occasionally funny --OK, so he isn't Wynne Elliot --but when he did the sports on the weekend KGO news, it worked sometimes--and didn't other times. Relax people. By the way, Olson co-hosts with Melanie Morgan on the M-F Morning Show on the Northbay's  KSRO 1350 AM and FM 103.5


--Mayor Art Finley had that unique radio element: funny, stubborn, smart as a whip and sarcastic with just enough edge to keep you glued to the radio. Oh, and he didn't need any stupid sound effects which currently pollute the airwaves. My first exposure to Art was when he was the 7-10 PM talk-show host on KGO in the 70's and mid 80's. Boy could that guy do a first-rate interview! Do rest in peace, Art.


--Old KGO great names: Larry Doyle, Bob Trebor, Monte Stickles, Gregg Jordan, Al Jazzbeaux Collins.


--Hey, Mike Pechner, how hot is it gonna be this weekend?


--The UC Berkeley radio station, KALX-FM (90.7): weirdly unique and interesting--especially if you want to hear Emerson, Lake and Palmer in the middle of an otherwise bland Friday.


--Dan Rosenheim KRON sports-anchor symmetry into PIX: Dennis O'Donnell and Vern Glenn. Mediocrity at its finest.


--Hey, given the current crop of female anchors here, Terilyn Joe wouldn't be all that bad.


--Marcia Brandwynne made Terilyn Joe seem like Mary Poppins.


--Jason Applebaum, don't look now but you're making Joe Fonzi nervous.


--"I'MMMMMMMMM KRISSSTIN HAYNES--KGO 810" (Modest gal)


--I'm not a misogynist I just think most of the women talent here on TV and radio suck. There's always exceptions and those who know me know why.


--Liz Cook is two weeks away from the big day.


--My inner source tells me that after a couple of Corona's Allie Rasmus would be a hoot.


--Debra Saunders, conservative columnist for the Chronicle, if you were just ten years younger, I'd have a commonwealth with you at the Commonwealth. Dammit, you're married. OK, I'll call Beth Spotswood.


--Gotta go now, I'm going to the mud baths with Pia Zadora.


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The Ballad Of John And Yoko--TGIF 415 Media Video Finale

{JOHN LENNON}


Thank you for supporting 415 MEDIA--Have a great weekend.


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The Case Of The Missing Chick Who Jumped/Fell Off The Bay Bridge Deserves Saturation Coverage

 THIS story is thoroughly BIZARRE, crazy and infinitely entertaining too.

So yes, for once, saturation coverage is perfectly justified and warranted --carry on.

Breaking: Larry Olson, The Funny Weekend Sports Guy On KGO Radio Was Just Shown The Door

 Larry Olson, the occasionally hilarious and talented weekend sports broadcaster on KGO Radio was fired Friday--Olson got his walking papers from one of the lower-level "market managers"--which in Cumulus speak is: "Go grab 'yo stuff and get on out!"


I don't know if Olson's blow-out (and others coming soon) is a precursor to the demise of the weekend news (Sat/Sun--5-10 AM) but it sure doesn't bode well for the 810 AM albatross.
















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Darya Folsom Wants Diva Status At KRON; Thinks She's 'The Most Popular' Personality At Station; Folsom/Radnich Buddy System Creates Wall With Danon; Staffers Fret Over Increasing Power

 Darya Folsom thinks she's the "most popular" personality on KRON. How much so? To a point, according to my KRONvict Insider, that the morning diva wants "major perks"--including the HIGHEST salary, her very own parking space at the station's 900 Front Street garage, and, get this!, her entire professional wardrobe funded by KRON's corporate owners! (Media General).


The latest demands by the ego-driven Folsom has touched off quite the firestorm at KRON with a major turf war emerging between Folsom and her allies (including sports guy, Gary Radnich) and Darya's own morning co-anchor, Mark Danon, who, according to the Insider, can't stand her and just goes to work every day to pick up a paycheck.


Says the Insider: "Mark puts up with all the drama (with Darya) because in reality he has no choice--'he's thinking, like, 'what, I'm going to fight Radnich  and her!"


Not coincidently, Radnich and Danon are not talking to one another and you can put the whole fire and ice situation between the two squarely on Folsom.


Another KRON Insider: "She thinks she's the greatest thing since sliced bread. And because Radnich is her enabler she can get away with pretty much everything."


Radnich, for his part, isn't talking. But his on-air (and off too) relationship with Folsom is considered a "major issue" at the station --in fact, it's common knowledge among the staffers: "DON'T MESS WITH HER (Folsom)--because messing with her is tantamount to messing with Radnich!"


Whoa Nellie!

That's some power.

The Weather Is Getting Hotter

{415 MEDIA}

Yeah, Things Are Just Too Peachy At KPIX For CBS To Bring Back That Yenta, Dana King

Dan Rosenheim

 They chuckled, apparently, inside the KPIX "Executive Offices" over the prospect of Dana King, (possibly) coming back to KPIX --as a primary anchor.

Bruno Cohen

They, being News Director, Dan Rosenheim, and GM, Bruno Cohen and some of their Black Rock brethren.


Having heard the mini-trial balloon (cooked up by their own San Francisco station staffers), NY CBS bosses apparently had no interest either.




Ok, well that all makes sense.


Because all of us know how swimmingly things are at KPIX these days, right? We know the mojo that is front and center in the newsroom is just way too groovy to bring back a lightweight like Dana King, right?


I mean, it's really no big deal--who gives a rat's ass--nobody really cares, right?

We know the staff is just overwhelmingly giddy about such great recent hires like the change-it-daily hair chick whose greatest asset is to yell "GAME ON!" every shrieking night on a news program that 37 brain-dead people are watching--how's that been working out?


We know that the main male guy that works the 5 PM cast with Daddy/Disney girl is everyone's favorite grunt and he still can't stand DD/girl to the extent that he's told almost everyone of his feelings except the security guard. Good morale booster, how's that's been playing in the lunch room?

Oh, please, DANA KING? Are you kidding us---we killed in sweeps and we have Da Lin! on staff--who has Da Lin? WHO THE FUCK has DA LIN?!


And while we're at it, look at our ratings! WE RULE! OK, so we're getting beat by KRON at various times in the early evening, but shit, we rule--and we have DA LIN and Don Ford and our secret weapon, Vern Glenn, GAME ONNNN!


Why the hell would we want to screw up the serenity now by bringing back that a-hole, Dana--I mean, it's not as if she's liked by just about everyone, every demo, men, women, ---25-54, shit, that's why they pay us the big bucks, right?


Absolutely. Peachy


Who needs that yenta, Dana King!




















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Dana King Was Ready To Return To KPIX But The Bozos Who Run PIX Would Have Nothing To Do With It

 A month ago I wrote that Dana King would "strongly" consider coming back to KPIX--"if the situation was right."


So, what's the latest?

Pretty simple: King was ripe to return to PIX and would have gladly been open to talking about it --seriously.


Only the people who run PIX: notably, News Director, Dan Rosenheim and GM, Bruno Cohen, would have nothing to do with it.


In other words, the sinking ship known as KPIX's news operation would be "too proud" to bring back someone as noteworthy as King--a dynamic news personality and beloved Bay Area figure who still has major gravitas here. But that's PIX.


A source extremely close to King told me "Dana was (and still is) ready to talk to 'Dan and 'Bruno' but that neither of them made any overtures to her."


Nobody has said King would be a savior --but considering the current lack of identity at Channel 5 involving anchors--one would think the idea of reuniting King would be a shot in the arm to a news outlet that sorely needs it.


New York, are you listening?


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Old Close Out At KTVU Monday Night

Who says 415 Media has no clout.


By the way, the old close-out is better. Crisp too.


Of course they'll probably go back to Mark Ibanez alone after this but that's life.

The 415 Media Morning Report; KCBS New Intros; White Men At KGO-TV Draws Response; Emily Turner At KRON Up And Comer; Plus More; Happy Tuesday

 KCBS has a new intro and outro: "106.9 and AM 740" --pretty sooner rather than later, you'll be hearing more splashy, tabloid-like headlines too --GM Jack Swanson wants a more old KGO-like, breezier, entertainment element to the KCBS model. The old KCBS "news" standard will remain just conforming to the times.




--Yes, Erica Kato is doing part-time traffic on KCBS but is looking for a TV gig...as is Christina Loren.


--Those three male, white guys on KGO-TV News Saturday night: Matt Keller, Mike Shumann, and Drew Tuma prompted a line from a KGO staffer: "I didn't know we (ABC7) looked like the Republican Convention."


--Stupid me, I thought Melanie Woodrow was a complete lightweight, but I was wrong: She's pretty darn good.


--Dear Keba Arnold: Sorry to put you in the blasé category after just a couple of months but truth be told, try to do something about the voice. The perpetual whimper is annoying as all get go.


--Emily Turner is a new reporter at KRON and if she continues to light up the screen she'll be headed to another station soon.


--The multitude of problems at KPIX doesn't involve merely anchors--most of the reporters are awful too. And dull.


--Yes, the Tuesday print edition of the SF Chronicle is thinner than Karen Carpenter's corpse.


--PIX factoid: One black woman reporter. No black anchors.


--MIA: Don Knapp. Which is a shame because he's still good.


--KCBS: There's a woman reporter who's supposedly stirring up quite a bit of shit (she anchors too) --don't try to cross her either or you pay the price, supposedly.


--Oh, notice that Katie Marzullo was absent Saturday night? She wasn't sick.


--Dave Clark: Your ad libs with the high priestess, Gasia are about as satisfying as a one-legged hooker.


--Who's the genius at KRON who thinks the Stanley Roberts' threats are worthy of a promo? Moron.


--Mario Sevilla: Radnich's bitch.


--Condolences to the friends and family of "Mayor" Art Finley, late of the old KGO Radio, KCBS and KRON, who passed away last week.


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