I like the "10 o'clock News"--still think of it as KTVU's most valuable franchise and is, for my money, one of the best newscasts in the Bay Area.But I'm mystified as to why KTVU (Fox2) instituted a bizarre ending to its 10 PM show--every night.
Sports anchor, Mark Ibanez, gives his two or so minutes --standard sports news...and then, a close-up on Mark who then closes the show with no full shot of anchors Frank Somerville and Julie Haener. Bill Martin is gone too.
It's goofy-looking. What? Does KTVU think this is a cool close? It isn't and in fact seems to diminish the other anchors--as if to say, "we're gonna ignore our feature talent on our most successful newscast and do a close-up on Ibanez --alone." Again, I like Mark, but that's not the issue.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is simply another FOX idea that is not so good, actually kind of lousy. Why mess with such a successful formula that has worked for so many years? And moreover it looks completely out of focus and Neanderthal --goodness gracious!
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I totally agree. Doesn't make any sense. Irresponsible production values.
ReplyDeleteI concur...it gives the impression that the anchors get to head out the door early to have their martini's at Finley's. Or in Brian Flores' case, a Cherry Coke at the local Burger King. Chump-Ass.
ReplyDeleteKevin M's suggestion was my first thought. But, I wonder if there might be some obscure AFTRA rule that costs some sort of on-screen fee, if the entire "team" is seen together during closing credits.
ReplyDeleteI remember when an AFTRA member, who was going to record a commercial, received a $75.00 "rehearsal fee," just for reading through the copy.
I don't mind the experimentation going on at Fox. If something isn't working, though, they need to bite the bullet and change it back. This is how a newscast is supposed to learn, grow, evolve, develop.
ReplyDeleteYep, definitely gives the viewers the feeling the other anchors have already stepped off the set and are on the way to their cars zipping out of the parking lot. It's lazy and cheap.
ReplyDeleteI do however enjoy Heather Holmes sitting in for Julie this week.
ReplyDeleteHaener >>> Holmes
DeleteIn all respects.
Kind rude actually. Like inviting guests over to your home and they leave without saying goodbye.
ReplyDeleteFox is like the petulant tech guy who wants to make a scene by disrupting what has been a successful format. KTVU News is more than The Sporting Life. Fucks (not Fox) wants to make a mark. They've left a big skid mark on the underwear of news.
ReplyDeleteI don't object to it. Sports is placed last in many newscasts so viewers will stick around for it, I get that even though I don't follow sports. Was it on another SF station, or did I see it in LA, where the sports was for all intents and purposes a separate show. It got a few promos during the regular news (or a short sports highlight if there was a big sports story) but the sports segment lived on its own. No reason for the other anchors to hang around (unless they're interested).
ReplyDeleteYou mere mortals will never understand the great wisdom and courage being displayed in this experimental and highly secret production procedure.
ReplyDeleteDo not question it.
It is not for you to understand...just obey and continue to watch.
Courage.
Prediction: One day, a Bay Area Tv station will have the anchor giving the news from a Lazy Boy Recliner. They'll be dressed like Hugh Hefner wearing a billowing red robe, silk pajamas and bunny slippers.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Will the red robe be open or closed (for the children).
That's almost how Pete Wilson did the news in Sacramento. (Channel 40, if I remember right.)
Delete> Why mess with such a successful formula that has worked for so many years?
ReplyDeleteRemember: these are the people who have Keba Arnold do police crime interviews with a background graphic that says "Fire Line, Do Not Cross." Brain surgeons they ain't.
I'm talking about Fox, of course. Management at the station is helpless, just puppets. As for messing with something that works, the've been doing that since Fred Zehnder retired. They were going to blow things up and have ratings that were even bigger than Zehnder's, because "Fred was just lucky." It's been an elevator ride straight down ever since.
Again, brain surgeons they ain't.
Fred Zehnder was the ultimate news director. He knew the Bay Area. He knew how to do a news program. And most importantly he knew how to instill high standards, quality and value with each telecast.
DeleteThird from last Anonymous: That is true, KCAL (Channel 9, CBS-owned) in Los Angeles ends at 11 pm with the sportscaster signing off, but it is a separate program starting at 10:45 after the anchors say good night. I'm reminded that a friend of mine's father was a director at an SF station. One night years ago, just after the 11 pm news close, the sportscaster, who had been a pro athlete, was so angry at having his segment cut short, again, that he rocked the anchor desk, so hard that it almost came off its moorings.
ReplyDeleteI'm like Kathleen in that I think the experimentation is OK, but I also think it's way too early to assess the effectiveness to what they're doing. It takes about 6 months for the general public to start locking in to something new, especially 25-54 year olds that advertisers covet.
ReplyDeleteI saw the close tonight with Ibanez closing and saying Bye "with Frank and Heather"...and it looked OK. It took about 5 seconds and NO I did not miss the shot with them sitting around doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteI tuned in to the end of the news just to see the close. It was different and at first I didn't like it. But then thinking about it, the ending is just a shameless plug for their next newscast. Sometimes it is rushed and offers nothing to the content of the news. Mark did mention Frank and Heather, so it was polite and friendly. If they choose to continue this way, I see nothing wrong with it and see it as a better use of people's time.
ReplyDeleteOn balance, I think they are the most likable, engaging, and genuinely attractive group of newscasters, even if they side with the SF-centric play-down-Oakland school. I just don't like Dave Clark, something about his manner; he seems to lust after crime reporting.
ReplyDelete