IN THE END, KEBA ARNOLD TOLD KTVU TO STUFF IT...OR PROBABLY MORE SALTY WORDS...Her last day is July 9th.
My KTVU spy:
"It's so sad what this company is doing to the staff. This station use to be of such high standards. Fox, Gregg Kelly GM are bullies. They have no idea how to treat employees, people, or their viewers."
I was no big fan of Arnold; I thought she had little camera presence and wasn't ready for prime time. Her voice didn't help matters either.
That said, KTVU apparently treated her like crap; after running promo after promo touting her coming to Jack London Square, they (management) then subsequently began to diminish her --the end result, moving her to weekends. That wasn't the last straw but it most certainly hastened her decision to tell the station she was ready to leave.
In the end, KTVU looks bad. Arnold might be damaged goods but will probably find a new suitor. She is, after all, a high-profile, African-American woman who can read a teleprompter quite well even if there's question whether she belongs in a big market or smaller locale like Sacramento.
In the meantime, the craziness that is KTVU; an increasingly weary staff; anchor morale issues; continued embarrassing graphics miscues; and a rank and file embarrassed and overworked amid labor/management discontent permeates 2 Jack London Square.
Arnold is probably not the last big name to depart.
UPDATE: 12: 21 PM PDT: Arnold posts on Facebook; "I want my life back."
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No loss, she really wasn't that good!!
ReplyDeleteCarry on the legacy, Keba...
DeleteAny idea where she is going? Back to Sacramento, another Bay Area station or else where??
ReplyDeleteShe can't report; she doesn't have the intelligence. Then again, neither does Heather Holmes, Julie Haener or Gasia the McAlien either.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see her go. She was definitely not a good fit for KTVU. I changed the channel every time I saw her.
ReplyDeleteKeba has posted that she is leaving the news biz for good. And why not? It's on a serious downhill trajectory. I don't see anyone making over $150k-$200k going forward. (Sal at $400k? Unreal) Keba will go on to another profession and succeed. She'll do great.
ReplyDeleteI loved her and watched the news because of her; she brought a freshness to news reporting and will truly be missed.
DeleteSo she took the 1 year "out".
ReplyDeleteCrappy fit for both...move on.
That mean old Fox etc etc. The public is more interested in Ratto being ousted for Lund. Tolbert and Lund starting soon. What's the scoop, Dick?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Keba made such a god-awful farewell video. If you want to know where your life is Keba, just look down the toilet.
ReplyDeleteBay Area TV news is not kind to women of color (black women). I was happy to see Keba, a woman who is black, in a main gig on a popular channel. Athough she wasn't the best, I do appreciate her presence.
ReplyDeleteLook at KPIX. No blacks or WOC in the studio at all.
Christin Ayers is a sista who was lookin mighty fine on the set of 855 Battery over the weekend. Oh and she read the news just fine also. I know, I know... weekend holiday sub for a sub- but still. She WAS there.
DeleteBlah Blah Blah....the "Race" card, Yawn!!!!
Delete> Look at KPIX. No blacks or WOC in the studio at all.
DeleteIf they don't show up at job fairs with demo tapes you can't hire them, can you.
Here's KTVU that put a totally-unqualified, in-over-her-head person in a major spot because she's black. Worked out well, didn't it?
Ever see a lack of blacks on the basketball court? How come "racism" doesn't keep them down in that instance?
KPIX has Roberta G. but I get your point.In regard to"here's KTVU that put a totally unqualified, in over her head person in a major spot because she's black.......What about Dave Clark? 1. totally unqualified and in over his head....and black. Yet he stays....
DeleteYou go girl! Tell it like it is. Don't be a puppet for those assholes who run KTVU.
ReplyDeleteKeba was an instant channel changer for me. a visual kar for kids or screaming car lady.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what a screaming car lady is but she sent me scampering away too. Actually most of KTVU's "talent" does these days. I'm amazed they had the brains to hire Jesse Gary, the only person I've seen there lately who is worth watching.
DeleteI liked Keba a lot, she's a very attractive young lady who did a nice job. I wish her well.
ReplyDeletethanks Steve. do you often regret not taking the Knicks job?
Delete2:09 PM I know exactly who the 'screaming lady; is that poster 1:34 PM refers to. She used to advertise a service that provides quotes on auto prices in your area. This gal sounded as if straight from the wrong side of the tracks. Loud, harsh, maybe a 6th grade graduate if that. Everybody hated her radio spots.
ReplyDeleteNo one knew why she was kept on the air for almost two long excruciating years. Hope to nevah-evah hear her again!
Blacks in the work place must be twice as good as whites or any other race if they want success. Take a look at all of the non Americans who have good paying jobs in Silicon Valley yet blacks go begging for work. Go into major stores and the help doesn't speak English and yet there aren't any blacks.
ReplyDeleteKeba is perhaps an honest try at improving race relations at KTVU. She would not have been at KTVU if she did not exceed expectations.
I wish her well. We will see if next black hire at KTVU does better.
Who can they partner with Ross Palombo? That will be difficult as he's clearly not anchor material. Major weekend reshuffling ahead....
ReplyDeleteHe is not black but Frank Mallicoat has been doing weekend work.
DeletePoor Keba...I saw her one night on the KICU 7:00 PM Newscast during a weekday, sitting with 2 other Anchors at the desk...It was pretty crowded to say the least, Smdh.
ReplyDeleteKeep your head to the Sky, Keba!!! I enjoyed watching you...bigger and better things await you in this life.
ReplyDeleteWow,really mean,hateful and nasty views. Oh but that's how we are now. I enjoyed Keba I felt she did a great job and seemed professional, but I knew there would be trouble for her. I have watched this station change over the last 30 years, I'm not liking what I'm seeing now at KTVU getting tacky now. Get rid of management. Keba wish you well, you can and will do better. Move on try CNN.
ReplyDeleteThe programming for KTVU is looking bad. It is not consistent and the announcers are not matched and the 9 is a take off of the Real but with men. KTVU needs to revise or review program and management. Viewers are, we're changing channels. Wish you well Keba.
ReplyDeleteForget these hataz on here! They won't put one dollar in your pocket ! Do you Miss Beautiful Keba!
ReplyDeletei like ktvu. sad to here management sucks. i don't believe they are racist though. Dave, Gasia, Geninne, Sal, Rosemary. There is a good presence of people of color.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, all the racist on here, grow up.