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| Michelle Griego |
LOST AMID THE KPIX 86ING of FRANK MALLICOAT: Behind the scenes, co-anchor, Michelle Griego, apparently didn't have Mallicoat's back. I'm not saying it was Griego who was responsible for Mallicoat's ouster; the ratings (or lack thereof) sealed his fate, but make no mistake, Griego is not crying an ounce over the move.Let's face it, it was Mallicoat who drove the car and Griego was simply along for the ride.
Mallicoat was never going to have an easy ride here; he replaced the extremely popular John Kessler and Sydney Kohara.
In order to have a successful news program, especially in the highly competitive morning news platform, you have to have, first and foremost, some luck. Then to have a complete buy-in from the players, including both staff and management --that goes without saying. Only Mallicoat, who is beloved in the newsroom and respected as a "team player" never had complete backing and support, most especially from Griego. One alarming first reaction from a prominent PIX staffer: "Not a fan of her (Griego)--she's just a reader and she's not the answer."
And here's the problem, I don't think Kenny Choi, (coming from Hawaii) is the answer either. I've never heard of the guy, but I can't imagine he's suddenly going to move the needle for PIX and improve the numbers. The viewers simply have turned off KPIX5 and given them a big thumbs down.
It didn't help matters that Mallicoat was making pretty big bucks (about $300K a year) all the while the ratings were getting worse. Combine that with Griego's lack of support and a disconnect from the bosses and you have the fateful outcome.
And don't look for anything even remotely more rosier on the horizon.
*Meanwhile, across the street at KGO-TV, the mood is not that much more happier; ND, Tracey Watkowski, is not a very beloved woman in the newsroom. KGO continues to lose good people to KNTV (NBC Bay Area); senior sports producer and fill-in, Colin Resch is off to San Jose.
This latest move, (another steal from former KGO ND, Kevin Keeshan and now involved high up at NBC in NY) has the KGO staff grumbling about Watkowski's reign and what portends for the future. "Future? What future? She's ruining this place, " said a disgruntled staffer. "Everyone hates her guts."
By my conservative estimate, about 23 people have left KGO since Watty took over in 2012. And while KGO enjoys fairly strong ratings in most time slots, Watty's penchant for playing favorites is the subject of derision inside 900 Front. Most ominously for Trixie is her latest habit of hiring mostly "women and non-heterosexual men"--those last words weren't mine. Yes, some in news are beginning to get royally pissed off and Trixie is at the forefront.
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Griego not supporting Mallicoat doesn't surprise me. She probably felt lucky the gun wasn't pointed at her head. And if you watch the newscast consistently, you can see Mallicoat give Griego good natured ribbing about her attitude. Like I write, it's good natured, but I think there must be some there there.
ReplyDeleteTake it from someone on the inside, Trixie is a fucking bitch. Nobody, except her few minions (all women), respect her.
ReplyDeletePerfect candidate to have the One That Knows All, workmen's comp lawyer Christine Craft, represent her. Christine, the $2-Dollar version of Gloria Allred.
DeleteWilliam...just so you know, there is no such thing as "workmen's comp. See if you can figure it out. Fees for California applicants' attorneys are set by statute.
DeleteOnce again, Christine, you took the bait & proved once again your misguided allusions that you are always correct & the world is always wrong. I distinctly remember when during the post-Bernie late night flux on KGO, you openly debated on-air whether or not to accept your current law position or leave yourself completely available for the open host spot. I feel sorry for whoever slighted you in the past to make you who you are today. Thank God Rich Lieberman allows people to post messages here under anonymous or fictitious names, otherwise, you would file lawsuits against named people at the first opportunity. Goodnight.
DeleteDear "Once Again William", despite your tortured syntax, no lawyers do "workmen's comp". Since half of the workforce isn't male, it's been "worker's comp" for a long time now. I don't know about your profound sorrow for the mythical person you think made me who I am today, or why you think GOD edits this blog, or why you would assume that people who file one case in a lifetime in their own behalf would care about a blog. As for the joys of talk radio versus the joys and intricacies of a law practice, I'm reminded of the much beloved, late host and lawyer, Duane Garrett. He often had his office hold his calls, unless they were from KGO. Despite a great practice, and his high profile roles as a political advisor to Al Gore and Bruce Babbitt, there was nothing he loved more than radio. That's not evil. Perhaps this is your first rodeo, in any event, your next fictitious name awaits. Hello "Misguided Allusions(sic)"!
DeleteIt's too bad Frank's co-anchor isn't the beautiful Maria Medina. They have really good chemistry together the times that she's filled in for Michelle.
ReplyDeleteFrank was not the problem. Michelle's face never moves when she speaks, just lips. Roberta needs to start wearing Muu Muu's. Nearly unwatchable, like the new KGO morning "talent".
ReplyDeleteI actually get to see the ratings of every TV station. The morning ratings are lousy across the board. LOUSY. KPIX happens to be at or near the bottom constantly but it isn't like another station is running away with things. Outside of KTVU's 7-10 AM show, the ratings in the morning are awful and no one should be excited about the viewer numbers. Basically no one is watching. No one. So the writing is on the wall with this move. The ratings likely didn't justify Mallicoat's salary. I would be willing to wager Kenny Choi will cost KPIX significantly less, perhaps as much as 50% less in salary. Bottomline gets fatter even if Kenny doesn't move the ratings meter and things stay stagnant.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see those numbers!
DeleteI'd like to see the numbers too. I heard KRON's morning show numbers are up.
DeleteAfter the overkill on super bowl city I just got so I could not watch any KPIX news - but especially in the AM. I no longer look at them as any kind of news source with so many others around. I think the new guy will last about as long as Goulean lasted at KGO. The days of Mac and Kate are long behind us. I also got tired of Matier (a good reporter but toooo chummy with Willie and the lot from the sinking chronicle) there on weekends. Matier makes good points but any news value is deluded by chummie news spinning Chronicle staff). I get my local news from the Examiner on line (fairly good) and hoodline which is very good.
ReplyDeleteNBC Bay Area has become an excellent news station with competent reporters and good anchors. They are an excellent alternative to KGO now that Reggie and Natasha share the anchoring. KPIX became mediocre after Kohara and Kessler left. KTVU used to be good, but now they have a "feel good" team. After losing NBC, KRON is awful. Corporate suits and news directors with no class have help ruin Bay Area news.
ReplyDeleteFrank was always nice to me when I was at KPIX, whereas the other anchors didn't acknowledge my existence. Here's a funny story: When doing stand-up promos together, Michelle needed to stand on a wooden box to get anywhere near Frank's six-foot-plus height and, thus, the camera frame, because she's so tiny. She's like four-foot-nothing in heels.
ReplyDeleteCan't watch Griego in the morning. Her dullness puts me back to sleep. As Trump would say, she is "low energy."
ReplyDeleteHas KGO 7 gone off the air or did Comcast fire them? It's off the air, called newsroom that transferred me to transmitter no answer. Only channel out.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me Frank and Maria were the best team. No offense but Michelle is only a reader. Her heart just isn't in it. In the morning we need to see some energy and eye candy. Bring in Maria and pair her with Frank. Those two had off the charts chemistry this summer. KPIX unloaded the wrong anchor!!!
ReplyDeleteFox (cable) figured out the "eye candy" concept 14 years ago!! Just might be the reason why they have been in the #1 spot for 14 years in a row. You want "ratings," go get the women who bring some visual pleasure to the game, or a reason to watch your channel. Have to sign off, Brittney is getting ready to do the weather!! Brittney, Rosemary, Natasha, and I hope more to come!
Delete@4:32 PM
DeleteI think Michelle's low energy is due to the fact that she has an Infant Daughter, and two other Children. That can not be easy, trust me!
How do you break long-entrenched viewing habits, at least as measured by Nielsen's contraptions? KPIX is in pretty much the same fix as its morning-show counterpart in Los Angeles, KCBS. People just don't watch it, they go elsewhere, and re-arranging those deck chairs never moves the needle an inch. This Kenny fellow is not going to help a bit.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, nobody at KGO got arrested today, as was the case at WABC in NYC.
ReplyDeleteMallicoat was too casual when he arrived but has improved since then. Can see why he can't draw a morning audience. Surprised he earns that much when compared to other news anchors who are better. He wasn't a good fit for the Bay Area audience to begin with.
ReplyDeleteWhat KPIX is lacking is energy, local roots, and eye candy.
ReplyDeleteThat has got to be the ugliest exterior color ever applied to a building.
ReplyDeleteFirst Lawrence Karnow and now Frank Mallicoat. These Pixies are really screwed up... It is NEVER the Ladies there that not the problem
ReplyDelete(which they can be due to their egos) No wonder that Elizabeth Wenger still has not come back yet from her baby leave. She might be next....
@ Feb.24,2016 ~ 9:56 PM
DeleteElizabeth Winger quit KPIX last year after the birth of her Baby. I guess she is now a "stay at home Mother."
From a loyal watcher we are very disappointed. The best three were John, Sydney and Roberta. They worked well together. Then you brought in wenger who was so awkward. Then out goes John and eventually Sydney (clearly stating that KPIX is no place to retire) and bring in Frank and Michelle. Why on earth get rid of Frank. Michele is the one that is boring and no fluff.
ReplyDelete