ON THIS...The Tenth Anniversary of Bay Area anchor (at KGO and KRON ) Pete Wilson's unexpected, tragic passing, I'll always remember one indelible image: his innate ability to temper the idiocies of one Gary Radnich.Truth be told, Wilson couldn't stand Raddy; thought he was a self-absorbed boob always mugging for the camera and promoting himself. Remember, Wilson worked with Radnich when both were in Sacramento early in their career.
Not that Wilson was a boy scout but he had respect for the news business and was always ticked off that Radnich was in the business of being eternally goofy. Remember those close-ups of Pete looking severely annoyed at a frequent Radnich ad-lib? They weren't phony. Wilson had an issue with Gary being Gary. Being the pro that he is, Wilson tried to make it work and deal with it; he wasn't in the mood for eternal friction because Gary clearly had formed a bond with then KRON GM, Amy McCombs, who was a Raddy fan no matter what. In fact, it was McCombs who personally signed Radnich to a lucrative contract extension before KRON went independent. Wilson wasn't ready to stir the shit but he clearly wasn't happy with working with Radnich.
"Pete couldn't handle what he perceived as 'this showboat ass who wanted to make himself bigger than the newscast. He resented it. He thought it was petty and immature but he knew Gary had a lot of power," said a longtime KRON observer who knew both well.
Even with all of that as a distraction --the Wilson, Wendy Tokuda, Radnich team was one of the best newscast teams in Bay Area TV News history. The shows had a frenetic pace and offered some great reporters too; Vic Lee among its standouts. It established itself as tremendous news journalism on the screen and a dedicated, passionate news force behind it all. Too bad we don't see any team like it today, not even close.
Radnich is a Grade A Asshole. Every time he comes into my restaurant, he thinks he's fucken funny by wearing a Burger King paper crown, pouring steak sauce on the carpet and saying "KaKa!!" every few minutes.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you, a 10 year old or a frustrated wanabe funny man??
DeleteMaybe 'Kimberley' is really the guy who used to prank-call Radnich's KNBR noontime show and try to set a record for saying 'Poopoo' before they finally cut him off.
DeleteThat's funny. It paints a picture.
DeleteI caught Aveson and the other guy- Grant whats his name fawning over a Radnich fake story about his family "You're a great Dad" said Aveson while Grant beamed and mumbled something in his honor.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of Trump's cabinet doing that godawful tribute of greatness to him.
Trump and Radnich.
All that's wrong with society right there.
Yea, whatever you say Johnnie Cochran.
DeleteDid you cheer when OJ got off the first time?
Too bad the good anchors, like Pete and Van are gone. They were like the gold standard of the anchor desk. There are a few others that fit that class, but can't think of their names atm.
ReplyDeleteActually, they were perfect for each other, mirror images in many ways.
DeleteWhere's Bob Jimenez and Sylvia Chase when you need them!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYep they were the team at KTXL TV 40 NewsPlus!!! Way, way before becoming FOX 40
ReplyDeleteVic Lee got demoted pretty bad with KGO without the KRON fame and respect. For Gary, without him, KRON will go even downhill more.
ReplyDeleteThat is one interesting and revealing observation from an insider who knew both Pete Wilson and Radnich.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, no one should be surprised. Just common sense.
Pete Wilson, Pam Moore, Janice Huff and Tom Nettles
ReplyDeleteBob Jimenez
ReplyDeleteEvan White
Mark Thompson weather
Tom Nettles sports
Wayne Shannon commentary
and Bob McCarthy in telecopter 4