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| Christin Ayers |
IT ISN'T SCHOCKING anymore that the majority of Bay Area Media outlets thinks you, all of you, are Dummies --albeit occasionally loyal dummies, but in simple terms, they regard you as Dunce Caps. If that's harsh so be it but how do you then explain the morning offerings on KGO-TV, for example? Questions: How can it be possible for such idiotic morons to be broadcasting on a respected O and O? Is KGO via Disney/ABC that shallow? No, once again, they think you're all idiots. A region of morons that KGO figures is simply a target audience they cater to. They won't admit it but it's the gospel.
The ultimate Dumbing Down of America right in our own 415 Media backyard.
Soon after Donnie and Marie took over, I was told by a prominent and veteran KGO News person that the morning job was offered with "very low numbers" --in other words, they (KGO) barely offered the minimum dough required by the union.
They were looking for low-brow talent; small market lads and lasses who would gladly take low-paying jobs to take part in broadcasting social media tripe and they got their chirpy participants. Now it appears they got an audience too, although a dwindling audience at this point, thank God. *Those in the know at KTVU tell me that Keba Arnold's demotion to KTVU Plus (although she's still on mothership Fox2) is management's indication that they're not impressed with her; so far at least.
Veteran staffer: "She's got to really pick up her game because right now she's not cutting it." Maybe it's more simple. Maybe Arnold is, how to say it, IS WHAT SHE IS. She can read a teleprompter; she's certainly not going to embarrass the company and her horrible voice is not her fault. I'll BE BLUNT: There's a reason why she was working in Sacramento.
Moreover, Arnold isn't helped by lightweight supreme, Mike Mibach, her co-anchor on "The 4." Mibach thinks he's just a terrific guy and was once seen off camera in the lounge looking in the mirror flexing his arms. It's a wonder, given the KTVU/Fox directives of late, that Mibach didn't take a selfie.
Mibach is all style and no substance. He's liverwurst on wonder bread; a superficial toaster-oven in a land of cheap microwaves. It doesn't hurt that he's a good-looking guy who has a quarter brain but he doesn't have the visual gravitas to carry a program which is why he's been sent to non-prime 4 PM. Just ask yourself this. Why hasn't Mibach been considered for 5 PM or 6 or 10? *A 415 MEDIA spy near the KPIX building said to me "you had it pretty good on 'Griego {Michelle). Well, thanks, but it was easy picking.
Griego essentially threw Frank Mallicoat under the bus (and thus accelerated his ouster but he's now at KTVU)
Even before that development, Griego was not the most beloved individual at PIX; in fact, she's regarded as the station's unofficial shit disturber.
*An EMERGING STAR: She recently subbed on the 10 PM News the other night and "killed," Eastbay reporter Christin Ayers is seen as an up-and-comer at PIX and why not? The Ebony Goddess has a natural screen presence and would make for a terrific spot anchor and then some. Watch out Griego.
UNDERATED: KRON's peripatetic reporter, Philippe Djegal; I've never seen a more hard-working, tenacious guy on the airwaves; of course, knowing KRON, he's now probably going to be off to covering fires in Clovis.
*YES, you heard IT: Might have been a first; the Warriors Playoff Game on Saturday Night was on KNBR, KGO and KNBR 1050. That's right, 3! AM stations all at once, but not on purpose as the Giants game ran late on 680 --that said, it was rather bizarre that 3! AM stations carried the game. Mind you, I love the Warriors but this seemed totally out of control.
ATENTION! ATENTION! ATENTION !!
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You either do Michelle's bidding or she makes you watch the noon news on an endless loop.
ReplyDeleteKTVU created a minor league for Keba. i'd consider that a signal that the bosses like her a little.
ReplyDeleteABC got what they paid for in Aqui and Zouves. If they paid 10 cents on the dollar can they afford 10% of the rating?
Considering the mess the mornings are in the bay area is NBC the gold standard right now?
For "dumbing down" look no further than Savage,Copeland, Palin and Trump.
ReplyDeleteHow about supporting a candidate just because she's female?
DeleteCan't forget Fox News, right wing radio, most of the South, Congress with an (R) in front of their name, Dr.Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Michelle Bachmann..etc,..I can go on and on. The t-baggers have destroyed a once decent party. HRC 2016.
DeleteIs it just me, or does that "I'm with Hillary" logo look a lot like the "I'm with Stupid" t-shirts?
DeleteEast Bay JAPS for Trump 2016!
Ayers barely moves the needle on TV.
ReplyDeleteMan Rich; I don't know why you don't like Natasha Zouves! I have said it before; I really liked Kristen Sze and Eric Thomas in the mornings on KGO, but I do have to say that Natasha Zouves is WAY better than Kristen, and I do like Kristen. But Natasha has a completely smooth delivery, and she seems genuine. And she has the best eyes in "da' bidness"!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with Keba. Some viewers want to see a different face on their TV set.
ReplyDeleteHer high, squeaky voice is difficult to listen to. And like a lot of newly-hired news personalities in the Bay Area, she's too young to have a lot of gravitas.
DeleteMichelle Griego suffers from a Napoleon Complex, or Short Girl Syndrome. It was always hilarious whenever she and Frank Mallicoat did a stand-up promo during the morning news. Somebody had to find her a box to step on so she could at least reach Frank's shoulders.
ReplyDeleteFrom a native, KCRA is the gold standard in the Bay Area. Local stuff is manure.
ReplyDeleteWatching a lot of small-market newscasts, at the bottom of the pay scale (e.g., Salinas-Monterey), I see a mixture of talent, or its lack. I guess it's true that like any profession, the good ones make it look easy and the not-so-good make it look difficult. Now in the era of ever-shrinking budgets even major markets have to offer low numbers which attract commensurate talent.
ReplyDeleteThe dumbing down of America in Democratville USA...yea, makes sense. I can see it.
ReplyDeleteUh, silly Con, you have it all in reverse. Just the fact that Trump is leading the GOP clown car just shows how very very dumb the intolerant, racist bigots on the right have become. The whole world is laughing at you idiots. BTW, common fact that Libs are way smarter, more talented than the Cons in all walks of life. Educators, scientists, Hollywood, high-tech industry, etc..but you guys got Rush, Beck, Ted Nugent and Victoria Jackson....lmafao!!
DeleteI had to laugh when you claimed Scientists and the high tech industry are Libs. The majority have conservative views.
DeleteAnd someone pointing out the high school educated pretty boys and girls that become Hollywood stars is somehow a reflection of how great the left is is laughable on so many levels.
"I had to laugh when you claimed Scientists and the high tech industry are Libs. The majority have conservative views."
DeleteI agree. I used to work in a team of over 100 engineers (people who use their reasoning skills to make a living). We got to know each other pretty well and I can't think of one of them that was not a conservative.
I've been seeing the commercials for Keba Arnold's news program where she blares "We're on when you're home" and each time I wonder who would want to listen to the news presented by someone with such an awful voice. I was thinking maybe I was just being too critical but I'm glad to find out that it's not just me.
ReplyDeleteGreat commercial - it actually shows you why you don't want to watch what they're advertising.
Me too, 10:59. Her squeaky Valley Girl nasal delivery is irritating and non-professional, not fit for TV Anchorism. On the other side of coin...I could listen to Christin Ayers talk all day.
DeleteI remember Carolyn Johnson, ABC7. She had a calm, soothing and easy to listen to voice. She had the ability to make horrible News events, not sound so bad.
Wouldn't call it Valley Girl necessarily but that tone, coupled with a halting delivery that suggests she sometimes doesn't understand the copy she's reading, has made me tune out. Permanently.
Deleteat least they stopped her frantic hand waving, face contorting body language! like she's so involved and so very concerned...way over the top. what freaking idiot recruited her? sheesh!
DeleteThat dunce cap is the reason I flunked Sensitivity Training the first time. When the instructor said you are not suppose to stare at beautiful women, I raised my hand and said, "For a man it is humanly impossible not to stare at a beautiful woman!"
ReplyDeleteThey made me stand in the corner, back of the room for 5 minutes. When I refused to wear the dunce cap, that's the moment when they decided to flunk me!
KNBR has a history of running 49ers games on multiple stations. It's a weekend, they've rightly assumed even less people are listening to them at that time, so why not lie to advertisers and tell them they're getting even more audience. I think this is done in other markets.
ReplyDeleteGone are the days of responsible journalism. It's all about sensationalism, social media likes/favorites/shares/Instagram hits and not about substance. They're lazy people and considering how media companies are treating their employees, why shouldn't they be? If they don't care about them, why should the care reciprocate?
> UNDERATED: KRON's peripatetic reporter, Philippe Djegal;
ReplyDelete> I've never seen a more hard-working, tenacious guy on the airwaves.
You got that right. He's terrific and a really fine writer too. Notice how he tells a story without histrionics and with tight, focused writing. KRON could use about ten of him, instead of the Jeff Bushes, Who. TALKS. LIKE. THIS. and Gabe Slates, who think a "tech" story is a new phone app that adds neat echo effects to downloaded ringtones. (They should call him KRON 4's Gimmick Reporter instead.)
"UNDERATED: KRON's peripatetic reporter, Philippe Djegal; I've never seen a more hard-working, tenacious guy on the airwaves"
DeleteTHIS! It's about time you finally gave Djegal his due. Class act with effortless delivery and definitely a key reason to watch KRON p.m.
One of the smartest and most intuitive radio producers I've ever worked with ...by a mile, at KGO radio, at 900 Front in the Gene Burns era. Phillippe Djegal is the real deal.
DeleteIt's a lot easier to push a button than it is to develop talent. Lee Hammer isn't going to ask payroll for a few hundred to put someone on the air when he can push a button. Makes no difference to him as he races toward retirement. I was told Justin Wittmayer hired John Lund and not Hammer because Hammer doesn't do anything. Wouldn't surprise me one bit. Also doesn't surprise me KNBR doesn't develop anyone. When do you do that? When there's a game on one station and nothing on the other. Nope. KNBR/Cumulus keeps costs down, develops nothing, and broadcasts the same thing on 3 channels. Classic Cumulus.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of Christin Ayers!! There are women who don't look good with short hair, she isn't one of them! Great Lady!
ReplyDeleteHey Rich, did the FCC contact you yet this morning. I register a complaint with them yesterday about all the "verify tests" I had to take all day long yesterday. I hate tests!
ReplyDeleteI quit High School because of all the "tests." I showed them, I joined the Military. I ended up taking more tests in the Military, than I did in High School. I hate tests!
Calm down you're getting testy...
DeleteI called "Scotty" on my Spacephone. He said, "Let me know when you are ready, all I have to do is press a button."
DeleteWhat really pisses me off is when I "flunk" a verify test, and I have flunked many, what happens, I get another verify test!! The World sucks!
Cunning Stunts...That was one of my best ones! Took a long time to figure that out using my computer and calculator.
DeleteWhen I realized it wasn't posted, I immediately called the FBI. Didn't do any good, they always tell me the same thing, "QUIT BOTHERING US."
Love your site, keep up the good work!
I do find it interesting that for all the pictures we see on this site of on-air talent we never see any pictures of them like, BEING journalists. They seem to be too interested in mugging for the camera and posing (apparently for those "lifestyle mags" so popular in the higher income zip codes) to asking questions. It's really weird.
ReplyDeleteHere! Here!
Delete"Veteran staffer: "She's (Keba) got to really pick up her game because right now she's not cutting it."
ReplyDeleteAnd an anchor who's constantly decked in animal gear is?
Please.
The anchor in animal gear does seem to have a sizable male following though.
DeleteI'm not fond of the early morning news on KGO with Reggie and Natasha either (I blame the ND and producers for that horrific mess). But I will have to give Natasha some credit -- she reads the teleprompter/script flawlessly, her enunciation is pretty damn good, and her voice sounds a bit more mature than what I expected from an obviously younger anchor. If the TV news thing doesn't work out she would be perfect on all-news radio like KCBS or KNX in LA, or a radio network such as CBS delivering the 5 minute news report at the top of the hour.
ReplyDeleteMike Mibach sort of reminds me of Ron Burgundy. Put a mustache on him and, voilà, you have Anchorman reincarnate.
ReplyDeleteReggie and Natasha are a couple of cute kids just having fun. Love to watch their antics.
ReplyDeleteThen they should be on Romper Room, not the news.
DeleteRich, I know you get all tingly inside over Christen.
ReplyDeleteBut, truth be told, she's only slightly better than the Disney girl.
You nailed it with Philippe. He's a very hard worker and has always been. A smart dude who is a positive person. Solid, solid guy.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really sad in bay area media is the way Cumulus came in and in a short 4 years, turned KGO from a still-very respectable station into a joke.
ReplyDeleteFiring almost the entire talk show roster when they took over in 2012 was bad enough, but at least they offered a reasonable alternative for awhile: 5am until 11 pm local news with only Ronn Owens on his talk show in the morning to interrupt that format.
And they had solid reporters and anchors. But the brilliant 'consultants' who gave the advice to Cumulus to go all news hd no concept of the SF radio market and it's history. If they did, they would no there was no chance when going up against the juggernaut of KCBS which has been running this all-news format to perfection over the last four plus decades. Sorry, no chance!
The ratings dip that KGO experienced when it lost half of its audience after the purge of most of the talk shows was fatal, and no matter how hard the news folks tried, they couldn't make major dent in KCBS's ratings.
It's a shame quite frankly, because KGO had some darn good news reporters and anchors. Now all we get is syndicated crap, Ronnnnn and Chip Franklin. Horrible!
Bret Burkhardt and Nicki Madora are doing their best to hang in there with news reports in the afternoon, but you know Cumulus, which is bleeding money like a stuck-pig, will soon be handing that remaining pair of news tonsils their pink slips.
The real tragedy here is that none of this had to happen. Unlike the newspaper business, which has lost more than half of its readers in the last 15 years since the arrival of the internet, and television, which is seeing more and more companies fighting for smaller shares of the cable money pie, radio has no such issues.
But the deregulation of the media which was signed into law by President Clinton of all people, back in 1996 allowed predatory companies such as Cumulus to buy more stations, and they now own six stations in the market, all of which they are running on the cheap. About six big companies now own 90 percent of the commercial radio stations in this country. That's not good for the public. That doesn't encourage responsible community involvement on the part of the stations to provide the best possible news coverage they can.
But despite the changes in reading and viewing habits, radio's listeners will always be there because commercial radio is something the other media is not: IT'S FREE! So it will always have a large and loyal audience wanting to hear local news, local DJs, local sports, etc.
Companies such as Cumulus don't care however. Do you think they give a whit what the SF public thinks of their operations? They'd love to have lots of ears listening to their stations, but they have obviously done everything in their power to downsize and ruin stations such as KGO radio, so what do they expect?
As a former employee at KGO who was cut loose in the latest purge, I feel badly for the public, many of whom still depended on us for their local news. More importantly, I really feel badly for good people such as Jon Bristow, Scott Letiere, Sunni Khalid and Rich Walcoff. Those are top level quality talents, and with the few jobs out there already filled, these guys are probably all probably going to have to get jobs in other fields of endeavor. Radio has gone to the dogs! Thanks Cumulus! What a joke!
If you don't care about the quality of the product you produce, the product you produce has no quality, or listeners.
DeleteJennifer Jones Lee - thank you for your long-assed commentary.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 2:48 is today's typical viewer these days and TV news can fill time with antics instead of information. Antics doesn't cost anything.
ReplyDelete