SUMMER IN THE CITY ...the media white shirts came running out of the KPIX Building at Broadway and Battery to partake in an early evening of adult beverage libation at the Old Ship. The news was both good and bad; someone in HR spilled the beans that "a well-known anchor at 'CBS-SF is about to get their comeuppance the middle of the month." Yeah, it's that BIG.*The minute you think you know everything; that these guys are too big; that you figure the biggest, baddest media companies --like, oh, CBS, can't do no wrong, well then you hear about 855 Battery and its coming inferno, then you pause and stop and get a stiff one at John's Grill. Ole!
*I mean, it's not the biggest deal at PIX but wen you're about to commence more body shuffling and it involves a whole bunch of people including some of the big people, you realize no one is safe. Yeah, even Babe Ruth was traded.
*New word going around town: Gary Radnich/Catherine Heenan video is KRON's Asiana: Ho-Le-Fuk!
*A STAR is born. KTVU's Cristina Rendon was filling in as co-anchor on the weekend "10 O'clock News" and everything moved along so smoothly, so effortlessly, just the opposite of Heather Holmes.
*"Rich, what's your deal with Heather Holmes?" She's a drama queen. She comes off like a spoiled rotten kid from Burlingame with a thorough diva pedigree. That may sound harsh but you come here for stark analysis and that's what you get.
*Biggest irritant in current Warriors' euphoria: reporters, especially the newbies who begin wearing Warriors gear and/or screaming out "Go Warriors!"--the bandwagon never smelled more gross. Hey, dudes? Without using Google, tell me who Chris Washburn is. *Those that say that KRON got a huge publicity gift from El Garro video are wrong because all the pub has been bad. It has brought a lot of derision, negativity and embarrassment to the station, which in KRON's case, says a lot. Sure, it may have given some exposure to the station in an unpleasant way --like, for example, the sales department can't sell those awful infomercials and the patio furniture have departed KRON for Channel 998.
*What would Henry Tenenbaum be thinking? Hank was last seen in 2008 munching the Beef Burgundy at Tommy's Joynt.
HEY, THIS JUST IN: KGO-TV (ABC7) is indeed about to debut a "massive, state-of-art" studio sometime in July that I'm told is supposed to look great and awesome, dude! Which explains why KGO's Newscasts have been emanating from dark offices in the newsroom. I'm told even Pete Giddings will be impressed.*There were far more national media covering the Bernie Saunders Oakland visit on Monday than there were local media which doesn't surprise me anymore --hardly anyone mans the news cycle here especially when it's Memorial Day --a holiday long ago that lost its significance because majority of Americans don't even know why it exists other than BBQ's and beer.
By the way, I'm not a Bernie voter so don't go there; merely pointing out our local news-gathering apparatus has gone to the crapper. What else is new.
*KRON seems intent on covering news--a lot of news, including more newscasts, but darn it would sure be nice to see the news covered in a more professional manner. Guys, rehashing old stories in 20-second "news" flashes and stuffing a thousand "updated" weather reports in our faces is not anything new. It looks pretty shitty in fact; I watch and watch hoping for something new and innovative and I keep seeing the same thing, basically weather and "People Behaving Badly" segments. It's old and tired and nothing original. It has zero spark. What KRON needs badly, is an earthquake or a really bad fire; something nasty that would make viewers switch to extended coverage while the others stick to regularly scheduled programming. That's sort of gamble too because even the other guys ace away from the net and hover in, CNN-style. KRON needs better people too. They seem to think lots of doses of JR Stone and Stanley Roberts is nirvana. I like both but their onslaught is over the top and ignites viewer boredom.
One more time too: the new 10 PM News broadcast is essentially a total rehash of the 5, 6 and 8PM programs. There's not a new thing at all here except rewrites and old content. The only new thing is the open and even that looks stale and forced. How about new stories? What about mini-interviews, say, with Ed Lee? What about expanded segments on the Election? And PLEASE KRON, FIX your horrible audio problems --they RUIN the program! Hello? Master Control needs HELP!
*To be serious about Darya Folsom for a change is that she's generally awful; not because of the look, the fakeness, the insincerity, the "gee! I'm on TV! glee", it's here utter lack of professionalism and demeanor --she acts as if she were auditioning for "America's Got Talent", it's embarrassing even by KRON standards. Folsom is there because her boyfriend, the News Director, likes her and allows her to get away with all the stupid stuff that happens on a daily basis. It wouldn't be all that bad if the middle-aged Darya began to tone it down and read her copy without the giddy style of a schoolgirl singing "Tomorrow", but Darya takes it to the extreme and thinks she's actually talented. Yeah Darya, they love you in Bakersfield.
*The Warriors/Thunder Conference Finals Game 7 almost quadrupled Sharks/Penguins Stanley Finals Game 1 Monday Night. Enough said.
When Folsom first came to KRON, I thought she was good. Professional and upbeat for the morning. Now, it seems to me that she thinks she's the star and the content or news is just a byproduct of getting to watch her and her asides. I hate to tell newscasters, but it's the news that people are tuning to and the personality involved is the gravy. Mark Danon and James Fletcher seem to get that. Darya, not.
ReplyDeleteMark and James are two of the nicest guys I've ever met in this profession. (James started out as a producer; they decided to make him an anchor when KRON switched to this whole VJ thing.) That they both put up with La Diva is a testament to their professionalism and strength, especially considering there are heavy objects in the studio.
DeleteThis week she has amped up with the Bozo the clown makeup making her look even more desperate for attention. Pero, Radnich and her all deserve a life sentence at KRON
DeleteKPIX "Biggie Transaction"?? Hmph, by the sounds of it, I was hoping Biggie Smalls would show up & do some NWA ass-kickin. Slap dat ass!!
ReplyDelete"The Warriors/Thunder Conference Finals Game 7 almost quadrupled Sharks/Penguins Stanley Finals Game 1 Monday Night."
ReplyDeleteDeciding games always draw higher numbers, Einstein. And we've long been aware that basketball is 10x more popular than hockey in the bay area. The horse is dead so you can stop beating it.
Nice....
DeleteIs this why Rich hasn't mentioned VDLC's absence?
ReplyDeleteI don't normally comment here but Veronica's absence has nothing to do with the post; she's dealing with a personal matter.
DeleteHer mother passed; she announced it on FB and other soc media.
DeleteGot it. Thank you, Rich & 10:56AM, for the clarification. I await the PIX anchor surprise.
DeleteAllen Martin is going to smile.. that is the big news
DeleteThe first day Radnich was TELLING people to see the vid. THEN, when it became a backlash...he and KRON have done everything to remove the vid and media talk from the internet.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't doubt KRON and Raddy have those internet reputation wipers.com on call.
I kind of like KGO's broadcasting "in the dark". I caught the nine o'clock last night after having not watched in a while, and Ama who is already beautiful was absolutely gorgeous as her light brown skin literally glowed in the darkened newsroom against the soft lighting. Bump a new set... or at least keep that lighting-- my GOODNESS!
ReplyDelete> It wouldn't be all that bad if the middle-aged Darya
ReplyDelete> began to tone it down and read her copy without the
> giddy style of a schoolgirl singing "Tomorrow"
Okay, Rich, you owe me another cup of coffee. The current one just came out of my nose from my laughing.
Kate Cagle where have you been all of my life?? I'm in love....
ReplyDeleteIsn't she a cutie? I don't know why more people who get all excited over Britany Battleshipp don't notice Kate and those gorgeous eyes!
Delete@2:06
Delete"I don't know why more people who get all excited over Britany Battleshipp don't notice Kate..."
Because most men like women, not girls.
Hi battleship.
DeleteThe KPIX personality about to get said comeuppance -- it's not an AM anchor -- or is it?
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't fuck with Hackney. He's the one anchor at KPIX who has talent and brains.
DeleteKenny Choi.. its over
DeleteMy gawd. I totally agree with 10:35AM - Ama looks absolutely stunning under the mood lighting in the newsroom. Generally, KGO's main studio lighting is pretty good and Ama looks gorgeous. Hope they don't mess with it. Both KPIX and KRON look like they're using search lights in the studio. It ain't doing anyone any favors -
ReplyDeleteespecially Darya.
Is Bernie Saunders a new candidate? Third party?
ReplyDelete"New word going around town: Gary Radnich/Catherine Heenan video is KRON's Asiana: Ho-Le-Fuk!"
ReplyDeleteNah. The fact that the sports guy didn't know Serge Ibaka's name is far more embarrassing.
And what hard ball questions would the local lefties have fired at Bernie Sanders?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Bernie would've been shaking like a leaf a la John Kruk at such Randy Johnson-esque high/hard chin music ...
Anon at 2:20...the right wing owns the media...and if you want the party line, watch KTVU....the news director gets the daily marching orders via email from Fox in NY every morning.what ten stories all the fox stations will do, what words will be used, what graphics etc.
DeleteNot that hard to find the status quo sheeple media narrative to tell you that teachers and unions are the problem and that corporations that pay no tax, ship their jobs out of country, and pay poverty wages are the job creating "good guys".
Perfectly said 5:04, we are living the Brave New World, the corporates are the message.
Delete5:04 you couldn't be more wrong. Wow.
DeleteAnd you couldn't be more naive, 11:01.
DeleteOr simply clueless.
Rich, I agree with you 100% about cristina rendon, she has style and looks great.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for KGOTV mornings romper room! With cubbies and nap pads.
Rich, the only reason that you bring up Heather Holmes is to get my blood pressure up. You know as well as I do that Claudine Wong is all that. Claudine happens to be the foxiest fox at Fox 2.
ReplyDeleteCristina Rendon is on the way up. I enjoy Cristina's presentation of the news.
Now I will go after my blood pressure pills.
How about a hint as to who is leaving CBS? You can do it!
ReplyDeleteKGO getting a set makeover, it'll be interesting to see which set design company the ABC O&O selected. Other San Francisco stations. FX did KPIX and KRON sets, and Devlin did new KNTV set. Fox has yet to give KTVU set a makeover, since acquiring the station from Cox. I could see KGO getting either Jack Morton PDG or Clickspring Design.
ReplyDeleteOf the other network O&O's... ABC: I would agree with WTVD and WPVI needing set makeovers soon, but don't know if it'll be late 2016 or early 2017. CBS: Hopefully WBBM is on the radar for a makeover, after KCBS debuts its new set. I'm not sure of the chances of WJZ getting a makeover either. NBC: WVIT is due for a new set. Fox: WNYW, KDFW, and KRIV are due for new sets as well. Non O&O's... fingers crossed that TEGNA is planning new sets for WKYC and WUSA over the summer, and WFAA later this year. Maybe Raycom planning new set for WMC. Hopefully Tribune planning new sets for WJW this summer, and new KTLA, WGN, and WGNO sets later this year.
You are THE set insider! I can't imagine anyone else knows what you're talking about though!
Delete"*Biggest irritant in current Warriors' euphoria: reporters, especially the newbies who begin wearing Warriors gear and/or screaming out "Go Warriors!"--the bandwagon never smelled more gross."
ReplyDeleteLooking at you Natasha Hooves. Dumb B-. But, I'm sure she's just following orders from the Trixie the Devil. That new set will have a a "social media zone." Guaranteed.
It's sad that the media treats the Stanley Cup Final like it's an irritant. The Comical sends Ann Killion, who rarely stepped inside SAP Center in her other life, is now the traveling columnist. They pulled Susan Slusser off the A's. And the best hockey writer is a FREELANCER. That blowhard sports editor doesn't care about hockey. Never has. That's why they run wire stories for away games during the season.
ReplyDeleteThe Comical is a joke.
If there were more local interest in hockey (or soccer for that matter) there would be better coverage. It is not their job to create interest.
DeleteI hear KGO's new set will be done by Disney with a mouseketters theme... Hi Kids!
ReplyDeleteI always thought KTVU news was spun by black lives matter not Fox. I thought KTVU got a new set when they went upstairs to the window with a couple of bar stools (a foxified set). Fox is so cheap they will use Superbawl 50 leftover temporary news booths for a new set.
I just saw Maria Medina do a report from the field, WOW... That woman is stacked!!!
ReplyDelete