Struttin' Heather Holmes at KTVU; Catfight with Julie Haener; Alyana Gomez and Leigh Martinez Around the Corner; Don't Forget Gasia; KTVU Divas Fight for Control

Heather Holmes

 SHE STRUTS ...PRANCES...walks around the place like she owns it. In theory, maybe she does. They treat her like a God. Maybe the KTVU little people that work in the building are scared of her. That's good because that's the way she wants it. Fear is a big part of her repertoire --even though management hasn't quite figured out where to put her. She's all over the place. Literally and figuratively. That part? Well, that part isn't in her playbook. Still, struttin' Heather Holmes makes her presence know at Channel 2, Fox2, part of the female elite Firm if you know what I mean and I think you do.

By the way, this is a newswoman? Uh, guess so.



Julie Haener

*And we haven't even mentioned her battle of control with stalwart Julie Haener. Julie isn't alone either, there's also femme fatale, Alyayna Gomez, the new kid on the block.

*Leigh Martinez (pictured with Gomez) has begun to get quite a bit of airtime on KTVU. We're possibly looking at a sea change. That has Holmes worried too. Are you beginning to sense a trend?

CONTROL!

There's a lot of female ego on display at Channel 2--most of it is legitimate competition for recognition and appreciation --quite apparent. But BEHIND THE SCENES!!?

Whoa!

I won't call it backstabbing because too many of the ladies don't want to go that far --but look out, there's a HUGE storm brewing.

(Truthfully, most of them can't stand each other and are ready for the KILL!)

So the characters are in play: Struttin' Heather Holmes; stable stalwart Julie Haener; Leigh Martinez and Alayna Gomez.

THIS IS WAR!

And I haven't even mentioned morning kitten, Gasia Mikaelian, observing the action from her AM perch --quiet for now but could soon be on the attack. She too is a control freak, that seems to be a common theme at the Bay Area's Firm. Heaven knows what's in store if the Gasser gets pissed.

WATCH OUT!




Gasia Mikaelian





Leigh Martinez (L) and Alyana Gomez

Monday Rundown; 415 Media Beat; News, Notes and Comments

 ON THE STREETS OF SF Sunday Night there was just plain bedlam because of that screw-up on the Oscars. C'mon people, get a life. I saw it. Life will go on. The sun is shining today, people are smiling. The weather gods say we'll be having blue skies till at least the end of next week. Just in time for some schmo to worry about another drought. And whomever that is? Deport he/she to Yuba City.

*Ronnnnnn will have his usual "Trash the Oscars" show this morn on KGO --a program that was mildly interesting about the time of the GWB administration. But Ronnnn will persist because you have to satisfy the 50 year-old housewife in Pleasanton --"Hi Ronn, first time caller, longtime listener!", thanks Gretchen, suburban yenta on line three.

*Meanwhile, over at the Cumulus whorehouse on Battery --better known as the "SF Cluster", the morning bozos on KNBR, paid a "tribute" to their fallen, fired update comrades with an extra salvo of "dudes" --the usual driven bs that was punctuated by all the serenity of a Daly City pawn shop. "Murph" exuded his usual "what a great bunch of guys bullshit"--about as genuine as his partner's fake New Jersey accent.

*Up until the "Oh Shit" moment, I actually thought the Oscars was pretty entertaining which hasn't been the case since the days of Billy Crystal hosts and actual, real movie stars in the theatre. Jack Nicholson we need you sir. Although Jimmy Kimmel was fantastic and had some great lines to boot. Loved the solo shot at Mel Gibson and bologna line re: OJ Simpson. Kimmel knows how to run the show. Too bad he'll be largely forgotten because of Wrong Best Picture Gate.

*Has Jon Bristow installed a cot inside the lounge at KCBS on Battery? He's not only on almost every day, it seems every hour. Bristow has taken over which is OK since Bristow en fuego is a hell of a lot better than an ounce of Jeffrey Schaub.

*Both Gary Radnich and Larry Krueger were supposedly shocked over the dismissal of Joe Hughes but in actuality, they both knew beforehand of Hughes' fate and didn't say a word to him. Classy.

*Anne Makovec is still doing street reporting and occasional anchoring at KPIX which is a story because she's clearly pissed off over her Sunday morning show anchor gig being taken from her. Makovec and Channel 7 are probably a good fit. The same too with Juliette Goodrich but looks like PIX suits are working out a deal for Jules to stay. At least they're trying.

*I never said I disliked Brian Hackney on the air; quite frankly I like his style and knowledge. He's very good. I did say at times Hackney acts as if he's the second coming of Walter Cronkite.

*The new Martin and Lewis? Ken Bastida and Dennis O'Donnell with their supposed comedy act at the end of the newscast. Two words: Not funny. GAME OFFFF!

*Was there a reason Veronica De La Cruz was spotted at 30 Rock /NBC in NY a few weeks back? I'm sure she was just a tourist watching the Tonight Show but I'd be damn wrong.

*PIX has no clue as top how you mix and match anchors. They're horrible. I could tell the schmucks over there what's a winner and what's not and I'm not even a consultant.

*Entercom has in its corporate culture (surprise) to cut and cut. They will no doubt apply that missive when it comes to screwing around with KCBS, which they will do when the merger is OKed later in the year. Yes, they will have to get rid of some FM stations in town to satisfy the newly lame FCC. In the meantime there will be no noticeable changes on the air except for Jon Bristow's 500 hours-a-week.

*Believe me there ARE people at KCBS royally pissed off at Bristow's growing stature and they're not so much pissed at Bristow but how some of them got passed over. Personally, I think Martin Lenz is better than ALL of them.

*The honeymoon is over for the new ND at KNTV (NBC Bay Area) --Stephany Androuny is dealing with a few unhappy campers who killed during Sweeps and were largely ignored. She has her first test down in San Jose.

*Raj Mathai: too happy.

*Janelle Wang: out of the loop for no apparent reason. At least they didn't stick her in the "We Investigate" unit: total irrelevance. Which reminds me: Just what the hell do they investigate?

D Day at KNBR; Kolsky and Hughes Get Heave-Ho at KNBR; Wittmayer/Cumulus Cut Cut; Inside Story from 415 Media

Matt Kolsky speaking at Sag-Aftra rally last year

 

ALTHOUGH he made it clear he didn't think his pro-union speech at a Sag-Aftra -KNBR rally last year, was keynote in his firing, it certainly didn't help matters. In addition, Matt Kolsky's  colleague, Joe Hughes, also involved in a pro-union video was also fired by KNBR late Friday.

Ryan Covay, an evening talk host and producer at KNBR with less tenure and vocal union talk, was not terminated.

Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.

Friday was a telling day at KNBR. Cumulus' cash cow sports station --one of the few successful stations it runs in SF, was its usual self, only management was about to slash and dash two daytime hosts and put an end altogether to sports updates, which were nothing more than more commercials.

The first host to get the heave-ho was Joe Hughes which caught many staffers off guard, including Gary Radnich and Larry Krueger; Hughes was their own update guy and took part in their morning show. Beyond that, Hughes's dad was friends with station Opps Mgr, Lee Hammer and his job seemed safe. Only, Hammer wasn't directly involved with Hughes's ouster. Cumulus' SF VP and Market manager, Justin Wittmayer, 86ed both Hughes and Kolsky.

The firings weren't that shocking and their unlucky recipients didn't involve anybody even remotely "special" at KNBR but they did surprise staff inside the building and almost immediately, rumors hit that more layoffs perhaps involving even "star" personnel were on the horizon.

KNBR is still rocking and rolling for the most part in its key demographic constituency: adult males between 18 and 49 who love sports, beer, and boobs. In addition, its own cash cow, the SF Giants baseball games were just around the corner and that's where KNBR makes the bulk of its money.

Yet, the dual canning exposed the non-harmonious atmosphere inside the studios where the hungry, ambitious "little people"; those producers, occasional hosts and go-to guys who do all the heavy lifting and coordinate a lot of the station's weaponry; a station that took in over $20 million in revenue the past few years, weren't immune from being axed by the notorious cloud company from Atlanta.

Welcome to the real world.

It's not a pretty picture at the Cloud Company SF Cluster.





 

KNBR Fires Union Organizer/Anchor Kolsky; Also Eliminates Sports Updates; UPDATE: Joe Hughes Also 86ed

Matt Kolsky

 

 KNBR is doing away with its idiotic and insipid "sports updates" --in doing so, they also let go with midday anchor/updater Matt Kolsky. It might be noted that Kolsky was the lead initiator of a union movement at KNBR that has apparently reached a stalemate. (Some cockeyed "agreement" was supposedly ironed out last October)-- Nobody is budging --but Cumulus management has the edge--don't they always?

The firing of Kolsky --again, he was an outspoken union advocate, leaves the door wide open for possible charges of Cumulus retaliation against a union organizer although Kolsky was staying away from that subject on his Facebook page.

We might be looking at something more sinister in a later date.

The canning of the updates is no sad development as all they were, in essence, was KNBR selling another commercial (disguised as an update)--they do that very well but even the advertisers were hip and understood that "updates" of sports scores and news that happened 24 hours earlier were a crock.

It's not known if all updates throughout the day will be shelved but I'm betting they're a goner. And good riddance too.



"Broadway" Joe Hughes
 

UPDATE 12: 22 PM PT: Also let go was morning tonsil, Joe Hughes. Looks like the scissors are in action.



Could You Imagine a Sports-Less Bay Area TV News Station? Thursday Tease

  Could you fathom a Bay Area TV News station that doesn't have a sports report? Of course you can because it's nothing so shocking anymore; in fact many stations are axing sports segments only to broadcast a sports report if there were something big, like a Super Bowl win or World Series victory --you get the gist.

Sports reports have become wasted time in these parts and around the country --there's simply too many alternatives and outlets. You can thank ESPN and others for that.

Mr. Radnich has said for years that local sports news often need spicing up (one thing I do agree with him on) and that's for stations that continue to offer sports during the various newscasts at night.

Remember the time when KTVU cut its sports news for a mere one minute not so long ago? That might be a highlight soon. KTVU is now owned by Fox so their emphasis on sports will remain the same being that they have NFL rights, including the 49ers NFL placement.

Other stations? Think again.

We'll get into this in more detail at a later time.

Sal Castaneda Might Be in Position to Cash In at KTVU

   SAL CASTANEDA is too modest (quietly) a man to acknowledge he's the MOST POPULAR personality at KTVU (Fox2) but we might soon find out if management agrees ...The well-liked Channel 2 Morning Traffic anchor and co-host of "The Nine" has a contract coming up and is well-positioned to become the HIGHEST PAID talent at KTVU.

Castaneda has been at KTVU in various positions for almost two decades. He grew from doing local radio traffic hits, landed the 2 gig and became instantly ingrained into KTVU's repertoire with an insatiably likeable personality among viewers and management alike. His give and take persona and simple-man disposition is a rarity in the business, so much so that Castaneda can handle traffic, reporting on the street and anchoring news as easily as a reporting a fender bender on 880 during a rainy day.

His always-smiling demeanor and upbeat 'tude resonates with viewers too, especially women. I've never heard anything negative about Sal nor has anyone said a bad word about the Bay Area native. That's a rarity in today's cutthroat TV News biz.

Castaneda makes roughly $400,000 (with ratings incentives) --I would expect he get a decent raise and sign long term at KTVU, a move which makes sense and keep Sal at Jack London Square for years to come: try 3 years (with a 4th KTVU/Fox option) at roughly $500,000. That's a lot of money in today's biz but Castaneda has earned it; furthermore, FOX has its local, homegrown talent in check. Makes too much sense.

Bristow KCBS Stature Has Some Rank and File Peeved

 AS JON BRISTOW'S STAR KEEPS RISING at


KCBS ...it appears some of the veteran staffers at the station are peeved at his growing stature.

More to the point, it appears two things are certain:

1. Jealousy exists at the all-news 740 AM and 106.9 FM outlet exists.

2. In bringing back a solid anchor, station bigwig and former KGO chief, Jack Swanson (where Bristow spent over two decades) appears to have his first challenge at hand: how to keep the natives happy and not show favoritism.


Only Swanson has and who could blame him.

We'll monitor the situation.



Let's Have a Quick 415 Media Talk on this Presidents Day

   Jon Bristow, late of KGO, has been subbing and anchoring pretty much every time slot on KCBS. Early morning, mid-morning, late night, weekends, weekdays, I'm beginning to think it should be KCBristowS.

Bristow seems to be on the verge of being a fulltime staffer. Duh!

*The pratfalls of AM Radio: This Monday Morning on KCBS during the Phil Matier spot at 7: 50 --just as Matier was making a salient point about the feds withholding govt. money from high speed rail, anchor Susan Leigh Taylor warned Matier, "we only have 30 seconds left" --why, to get to another useless traffic report? (There was really no traffic, little accidents on this holiday, even Kim Wonderly said so countless times) --just one time I'd love to kick the format so someone like Matier can finish his report and embellish. It's healthy for the listeners too. Interesting radio, what a concept.

*Presidential historian and astute political analyst, John Rothmann, will guest on Ronn Owens KGO show today from 10-11 AM --it's "Presidents Day", what a coincidence.

*Underrated weather guy: KGO-TV's Drew Tuma. Smooth delivery, compact and straight to the forecast which is the way it should be --not too much to ask for. And better yet, Tuma gets it right most of the time.

*The Ken Wayne beard experiment is just a winter deal. Expect the beard to gone any day now. Wayne is KTVU's ace in the place.

*If I ever hear radio/TV media tonsils say "we really need the rain" if there's two weeks of sunshine I will throw a stone at my 7 dollar flip phone. (I really have an IPhone 6 but who's asking)

*"Drought" about as useful a word now as "millennial." Both are irrelevant.

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Oh, Right, Today

 
 

Mark Danon Worthy of 'Survivor Award'; Capable KRON Morning Anchor Works With Countess Darya Folsom; 415 Media Sunday

 I haven't written much about Mark Danon, the weekday morning, co-anchor on KRON's adequate newscast --I say "adequate" because the show is always marred by the gushy "look at me" embarrassment that is Darya Folsom --who gets worse by the day.

I've never met Danon but I know people close to the situation who tell me he just shows up to work and nudges along in spite of Folsom's daily histrionics and buffoonery.

You might say, "well, what's his alternative? The man has to earn a living."

Well, you'd be right but truth be told, I disagree. Danon is enough of a professional with limited clout that could ask the higher-ups for a different time slot but he does his job well in spite of Countess Folsom.

Countess Folsom is the "me, me, me" KRON High Priestess. In her early days at 1001 Van Ness (the old KRON fortress) Darya was somewhat respectable, slightly credible and overall, a decent anchor who read the news and didn't resort to cheap tactics.

Nowadays Darya is an on-going freak show better suited for a daily matinee at the Curran Theatre. The drama would be perfectly apt. I've often wondered what she'll do next, a mass singular "gee wiz" or hosted, giggle fest.

That Danon goes along and is able to maintain his professionalism is deserving enough for a local Emmy. Call it the "Survival Award."

And indeed Danon survives --initially I thought he was simply a stooge to Folsom's circus act but I was wrong. Danon seems to have a "hey, I'm just working, pardon me" look on his face while Countess Folsom looks as if she's appearing on a variety show.

I'm sure she still has a legion of fans but Folsom always goes to the extreme and flaunts her excess and I'm not even referring to any physical assets. Even those seem to be inflated this day and age.

Dear Darya: This is probably impossible for you to ascertain but do your viewers a favor: Grow up. Stop pimping for the camera. You're not Kelly Ripa. Hell, you're not even Ricki Lake. You allegedly co-anchor a morning news show in the Bay Area even though it's on an albatross station that long ago lost its luster. But it's still on the air last I checked.

Amazing.

So, be straight, Darya. I know you can do it.

Saturday Combo: Bastida and Goodrich KPIX Winner Says 415 Media; My Two Cents

 HERE'S A COMBO WORTH CONSIDERING; Ken Bastida and Juliette Goodrich. Concise. Stand-Out. Special. Worth promoting. Hey, KPIX, no charge for the advice, now listen up.

You have an identity issue. Too many out-of-place faces and voices. Anchor limbo.

You're not registering any mojo with viewers at 5, 6, and particularly 11 PM.

The February Sweeps are in the mix now and I've heard you're not faring very well and the end-of-month report isn't going to be rosy. Hell, KRON beats you many nights. That's not good on any front. You need a fresh duo.

Despite all his naysayers at the stations, I still think Ken Bastida is a decent newsreader --and I think pairing him with wasted-on-the-weekend, Juliette Goodrich, would be a ratings winner. How do I know? Because in an ebb-and-flow world Goodrich and Bastida have a lot of fluidity and work well together --she {Goodrich} really wants to stay in the barn even though you've mismanaged her. Here's a good offer for keeps and she'll probably stay because she likes the Bay Area and most people like her.

Bastida has longtime Bay Area roots and is a team player. For God's sake, give him a decent star to work with. This is not a putdown of Liz Cook, who I like, just more an endorsement for Goodrich who has presence and star power --she should be on at 6 and 11 with Ken. It's a pretty obvious choice. Moreover, it would resonate with viewers.

My two cents.

If You Care That CSNBA 86ed Its Studio Shows You Should Read This Otherwise TGIF

YES, Comcast Sports Bay Area is doing away with two of its studio shows, uh, we had this back in November --you should really read this site if you're interested in small data like this, otherwise, have a great Friday.

News Director Departure Leaves Many 'Apprehensive' at KTVU; Gigglin' Stan Bunger and Roberta Gonzales on KCBS; Friday 415 Media News And Notes

 The News Director has abruptly departed KTVU --leaving many staffers both shocked and alarmed at the same time. Seems even though Dana Hahn is tending to her ailing mother and headed back home to Michigan, there is significant mistrust amongst the rank and file.

"If it were any other company other than {Fox} I'd believe it. I'm suspicious," said a Channel 2 veteran source close to the situation.

Although she's had a few business dalliances like this, Hahn was generally well-liked in Jack London Square and brought much needed cohesion to the station particularly at a time when KTVU is still dealing with new ownership from Cox to Fox.

"It's been relatively stable here for over a year and she's (Hahn} been the key reason, " another staffer told me. The person has a keen awareness of what's going on at KTVU but like all others, asked for anonymity. "We're all a little apprehensive."

Fox management rules a tight, rugged ship and even though its legacy station is still held in high esteem and respected throughout the Bay Area and beyond, Fox-instituted regimens exist. Nothing; nobody; is treated differently.

Hahn had little if at all involvement with pay cuts and anti-union tactics, and was deemed worker-friendly in Oakland --facts that may have heightened suspicion about her resignation even though those in the know insist her mother's health status was the reason for her departure.

Meanwhile, KTVU has a search underway for a new News Director amid an increasingly weary staff beset with skepticism and unease --whoever gets the gig has a lot on their plate.

FRIDAY QUICK HITS

*The 7: 20 AM weather hits on KCBS with gigglin ' Stan Bunger and the obnoxiously moronic, Roberta Gonzales are becoming instant tune-out material. Bunger lately seems to want to laugh at anything Gonzales says to the point of mass irritation. I mean, look, Roberta is Roberta--Bunger should know better and just trudge forward and carry on. The current model is el sucko. 

*In a round-about manner that have a few people up in KPIX5 management on edge, CBS Network honchos at Black Rock in charge of O and O (Owned and Operated) stations are planning on "extensive" meetings over a three-day period at the beginning of the month. No, they will not be discussing sourdough bread options.

###

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415 Media Flash! Dana Hahn Resigns ND Position at KTVU; UPDATED: Hahn Leaves Oakland Station To Deal With Family Health Matter

   -- Dana Hahn has just resigned as News Director at KTVU (Fox2-Oakland) 415 Media has learned.

*Newsroom shocked.

*KTVU source: "We're all, like, what? This came out of nowhere."

*No word on immediate interim replacement.

*Hahn well liked at Jack London Square studios ...

*We'll be talking to our sources to get the inside dope, if any exists.

THIS is a DEVELOPING STORY

*415 Media

 2: 34 PM UPDATE --A KTVU SOURCE tells me, exclusively, that Hahn's sudden resignation is due to her mother's health situation ...in fact, Hahn, who's been away from her desk at KTVU for the better part of two week, is moving back home to Michigan to deal with the matter.

Ask Rich Lieberman

 Answering your Bay Area TV -Radio-Internet questions; please, name and town.

Native New Yorker -415 Media Wednesday PM Video Finale

Brings back some great memories ...{Odyssey}

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I Love Women; Just Not Some 415 Media TV/Radio Women Anchors; Liviakis KRON Goddess Gets Better With Time; Pat Thurston/Rothmann in KGO Holding Pattern; My 'Love' Disclosure

 I LOVE WOMEN.

Some of the Bay Area Women TV/Radio journalists I can do without, there's a big difference.

The Bay Area used to be a hotbed of distinguished TV and radio anchors and reporters; Rita Williams had a legendary stay at KTVU; Belva Davis is a rock star and helped many women of color make it through the business; Carolyn Johnson, Wendy Tokuda, and Marcia Brandwynne all had significant stints in Bay Area TV News.

Nowadays, it's pretty much el stinko on the women TV and Radio beat.

I like Pat Thurston at KGO. Ditto Lyanne Melendez at KGO-TV. Melanie Morgan and I don't agree on politics that much but I love Mel as a broadcaster. Christine Craft makes me uncomfortable at times but I would listen to her on a radio talk show in a nanosecond. I love Cheryl Hurd, Carolyn Tyler and Christin Ayers, but they're all exceptions.

Most of the women talent in the Bay Area are marginal at best. Too many amateurs now who can't report, can't ad-lib, are generally lousy and disgusting to listen and watch but that's just me.



Vicki Liviakis

I don't think I'm alone.


*I can't say enough about KRON stalwart Vicki Liviakis continues to flourish and get better and better as she ages. "Ages?" Almost sounds ludicrous but Liviakis is still stunning and magnificent to observe. Yes, she's a beautiful news anchor --a sight to behold, and that's just being honest. Of course she's a gifted journalist and knows her craft --I'd love to see her on Monday thru Friday.

*Thurston and fellow KGO talk host, John Rothmann, continue to be in a holding pattern. Nothing permanent on the horizon as KGO management won't proceed with a formal nighttime schedule--my gut tells me they don't have enough money and that they're trying to buy time. Either way, it's most frustrating for both listeners and hosts alike. Look for a decision by the beginning of March, another hunch.

*NOTE TO READERS: As a matter of policy if I were to have a relationship with a Bay Area TV woman news journalist I would disclose such an arrangement. IT'S NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST if I open it--on the other hand, if I kept it private I would be withholding important information to you, THE READERS.

I will have no other formal comment.

Right Wing Radio Still Defends Trump; KSFO's Sussman Mostly Mum; Ronn Owens Usual BS; A&G Flynn Free

 As the ramifications over the resignation of Trump NSC head Michael Flynn began percolating Tuesday, curiously (or not so) the major right-wing radio shows mostly evaded the topic.

On KSFO, Brian Sussman gave it scant attention if at all (I didn't hear all the show)

On KGO Radio, Ronn Owens argued incredulously that he found it "very surprising" that Pres. Trump could show a bias in his praising of Putin (Mr. Softie at his finest!)

Armstrong and Getty were mostly Flynn-free and boy, aren't we shocked there too.

Rush Limbaugh was his usual El-Rushbo defending The Donald. Not a bit shocking.

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Back Tuesday.

Rothmann Performs Hybrid Duty on KGO Radio Sunday Night; NewsTalk and Oroville Dam Updates

 KGO RADIO, which still staffs not a one single news person on its weekend schedule, was rescued nonetheless by its invaluable political analyst, John Rothmann on Sunday night.

Authorities in Sacramento issued evacuation orders in Marysville and Yuba County as the Oroville Dam spillway situation reached dire straits.

Rothmann, with an assist from producer, Lynn Sloan, provided updates throughout his show; even fielded calls from listeners in the area. It was actual "news-talk" on the run only Rothmann played hybrid host discussing news events of the day including the Immigration ban ordered by the Trump administration.

Live and Local radio never sounded so good from 4-7 PM on 810 AM with Rothmann and a heady news and talk producer manning the situation.

Saturday News and Notes; Weather Ego; Juliette Goodrich Hunch; Bristow 'Pipes' on KCBS

 SATURDAY NEWS AND NOTES...

Five straight days of blue skies and sunshine which is driving Bill Martin, Roberta Gonzales and Spencer Christian nuts.

Weather people have this enormous ego problem, it's all about them, them, them..!

I'm half-kidding but knowing most of them they really like the extra air time. And that's just fine but please, before the drought when it was the same weather pattern day after day KTVU's Martin looked silly with that "WeatherAUTHORITY!" graphic behind him. Absurdity really. At least now there's something to talk about. Finally.

*Just a hunch: Juliette Goodrich will probably leave KPIX and head to another local station. My best guess is that PIX doesn't want to pay her and just takes her for granted and Jules will end up somewhere else and become the major talent she should have been at 855 Battery but his highness wouldn't step to the plate because he's simply incapable --unless it involves obscure talent from Hawaii. Kenny Choi, Betty Yu? Yeah, that's just genius talent that nobody in the Bay Area watches nor cares.

*This is my issue with Jon Bristow --it would be nice if he didn't sound like an FM DJ about to let loose with some Top 40 tunes...Bristow has, as we've described here, great "pipes", a booming, baritone voice but he could soften the pitch and apply to the fact he's doing AM News on KCBS and not AOR --it would sound a lot better and that's the truth. You can do it Jon.

Fake News

 *ARMSTRONG and GETTY are truly heroic and entertaining radio hosts with compelling, hysterical, wildly entertaining content. They should be in the Radio Hall of Fame.

*Ronn Owens is the most sincere radio talk-show host in the Bay Area. No ego, no self-centered ness, not an ounce of outlandish behavior, a voice of reason.

*Jan Wahl is a relative breath of fresh air and her movie reviews offer hope and inspiration. Jan is a theatre literate individual with straightforward, humanistic film reviews devoid of syrupy jabberwocky --the Mother Teresa of critics, what a joy to listen to on KCBS.

*If you looked up "Chef Ryan Scott" in the dictionary, you'd find the word, "genius" next to him. Chef Ryan and 15 minutes of pot roast recipes. Pure heaven.

*Brian Copeland is the glue that sticks the next generation of KGO Radio together. If Brian and Ronn Owens are not the greatest radio guys around, I'm Queen Latifah.

*Liam Mayclem, the foodie chap on KCBS and KPIX? Call the Pulitzer people!

*Ross Palombo is the Walter Cronkite of KTVU News.

*Heather Holmes is the Diane Sawyer of KTVU News

*If Reggie Aqui keeps this up he could eventually be the Eric Sevareid of KGO-TV.

*Determined, passionate, unrelenting; the sports version of Woodward and Bernstein: Kate Scott.

*Aaron Pero is a thoughtful, distinguished, humanistic TV News journalistic GIANT: his leadership not only bond the good people at KRON, but the entire Bay Area. What a nice man, a sensitive fellow with compassion and virtue. You just want to cuddle with him.

*Dear Mike Anthony: Your genius has KGO on the rise. I respect your pragmatism. You, sir, are my God.

*Dear Chip Franklin: You are the Arthur Godfrey of our time. Your professionalism and sales technique are the cornerstone of true radio crafting. I'd eat a bottle of toenail fungus for you; I'd swallow a MyPillow for you; you, Chip, is the reason I live life for, you are my inspiration.

*Allen Martin and Melissa Caen are Peabody material talents at KPIX. If you say otherwise, you are my enemy.

*Da Lin: Every time I watch him the only thing that comes to mind is he's the Asian Larry King.

*Damon Bruce: spontaneous, unrehearsed, loving and careful. Simplicity in its purest form.

*Ethan Bearman: A true legend. Art Finley?  Owen Spann? Jim Eason? Who?

*Brian Murphy and Paulie Mac: They are warm and fuzzy. They make you want to hug your radio.  They exude hope for all of us. They are just, well, awesome. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

*KNBR: You are the sunshine of my life. You make me feel like dancin', gonna dance the night away. The music, the passion, the sports, the commercials, just freakin' fantastic.

*Lee Hammer: You and Churchill are in the same league.

*Gary Radnich: Just a great human being with family values to boot. He is my hope and inspiration every time I visit the Tenderloin.

*Bob Fitzgerald: the smile. The laugh. The unassuming giggle. Just a gem of a guy who really gets it.

*Roberta Gonzales: Joan of Arc lives on at 855 Battery.

*Larry Baer: Larry is a humanist. Modesty and love will reap rewards. You and Ed Lee: awesomeness.

The Mysterious Woman at Bay Area TV Station; Jaxon Van Derbeken's Juicy Strip Club Story on NBC Bay Area Got a Lot of Play Only Not on KNTV; Katie Marzullo's Lack of Presence on KGO-TV; VDLC Experiment Hasn't Worked at KPIX; Boring Steve Aveson at KRON; Thursday 415 Media Rundown

  TRY IMAGINING TO BECOME ONE OF YOUR STATION'S VIP'S ...from a local college staff intern that "nobody gave a damn about except every heterosexual guy in the office wanting to take her out and bang her later" to quite possibly the next key power broker for the station. Someone so off the chart, so elusive, even she doesn't know her future status. Except here.



Jaxon Van Derbeken

Which is to say, boys and girls too, be careful not to piss off the little people in the front answering the phone, checking the mail, and possibly later on, becoming your boss.

*Jaxon Van Derbeken had a juicy, informative, special report alleging SF strip clubs ripping off patrons --to the tune of several thousands of dollars...it was the kind of nifty, spot-on reporting that should highlight KNTV (NBC Bay Area) "We Investigate" promos; indeed it got a lot of play from outside Bay Area media including a hit on Drudge Report. Yet the dweebs in San Jose didn't even mention it in their daily rundowns much to the chagrin of its key coordinators --until the last minute when the station put it on the website. Too late guys. If you're going to tout your reporters repertoire --and this was prime picking--then make sure you get the good stuff.



Henry Lee

*By the way, if Van Derbeken sounds familiar he used to be a SF Chronicle reporter who migrated to TV, as did the Chronicle's Henry Lee, now a "Crime Reporter" at KTVU. Which, sadly, should tell you the state of newspapers these days.

*Katie Marzullo looks much better behind the anchor desk than she does out in the field for KGO-TV (ABC7) which is surprising given Marzullo's lack of presence when on air. Of course the politically correct thing would be to say that Marzullo is just fine and dandy but I'm telling you the truth.



Katie Marzullo

Katie Marzullo could be a legitimate star but her wooden and frozen demeanor, at least on camera, doesn't come across well. She doesn't have to be warm and fuzzy but the angry persona isn't particularly inviting either.

This whole subject has always been perplexing.

*Which just goes to further explain that the TV News business, especially on the local level, has changed quite dramatically. In the old days, reporters out on the street had years and years of experience and got to know their beat and develop a bond; credibility really, with both themselves and viewers.

Nowadays, reporters, for the most part, are only slightly better than rank amateurs and just merely get by with the basics. They often don't even know their geographical territory and couldn't ad-lib their way out of a paper bag. It's actually quite gruesome and embarrassing but so goes the state of the business which is more depressing each and every day.



Veronica De La Cruz

*The higher-ups at KPIX won't admit that the Veronica De La Cruz experiment has been an abundant failure. As much as I sympathize with her family issues both before and after she arrived in the Bay Area in 2014, De La Cruz's national connections has not measured well for PIX in spite of numerous CBS-SF promotion. She's definitely quite adept at the social media functions of her job but that hasn't brought about more viewers which might help explain the growing rumors that she's mulling a trip back to the East Coast.



Steve Aveson

Tom Sinkovitz

*I have tried to warm up to Steve Aveson on KRON but he simply doesn't exude any excitement. In fact, he's quite dull and dreary, which maybe by KRON standards is quite acceptable and lauded. Aveson comes across as a stiff-looking paper stick best suited for institutional PR videos. 

KRON could have hired a local treasure like Tom Sinkovitz at a quarter of the salary they gave to Aveson but that would required actual thought and creativity--something foreign at the local albatross station.

*There will be a lot of coverage of today's latest rain storm wreaking havoc in the Bay Area, particularly in Marin, Napa and the South Bay and Santa Cruz. As there should be. But wouldn't it be great if a station were to go beyond the usual endless live shots of Hwy 17 mud slides and Marin flooding updates? These are important stories, don't get me wrong, but as they become so repetitious and standard faire they lose focus. Viewers become bored unless in the immediate vicinity. Why not an anchor doing a two-shot with a local meteorologist as to what is happening? I'd much rather listen to a Paul Deanno or Bill Martin rather than the obligatory live shot from the Napa River but that's just me.

*The best TV anchors always prefer going outside and reporting in the field. It's the meat-and-potatoes of actual TV News journalism --the pros will tell you that, especially the great ones like a Sinkovitz or the late Pete Wilson.

Mark Ibanez and Alyana Gomez

*Today's 415 Media Picture of the day: KTVU's veteran sports anchor, Mark Ibanez, and up-and-coming news anchor, Alyana Gomez. Yes, there's only one 2!