JUST AS WE'RE GETTING BOMBARDED with promos and teases for this fall’s new lineup of prime-time TV shows, one Bay Area station is about to air a “two-hour season finale like you’ve never seen.”
The Bay Area’s ABC O&O, KGO-TV, is set to produce a very special episode, not on the air coming into your home, but instead inside a courtroom in San Francisco’s Civic Center, just a few blocks from Circle Seven’s former home on Golden Gate Avenue.
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| Heather Ishimaru |
A “who’s who” of ABC7 on-air talent appear on the witness list for the upcoming trial pitting KGO’s former ace reporter Heather Ishimaru against the station and its news director, Tracey Watkowski-Silva. Ishimaru is demanding more than $80 Million in a lawsuit that blames KGO’s management of creating a stressful work atmosphere. Attorneys for Ishimaru believe that stress led the mother of two to suffer a catastrophic brain aneurysm in 2013.
Ishimaru continues to suffer from speech and motion impairments related to her sudden illness. Because of those conditions, it is highly unlikely that Ishimaru will ever be able to work in an on-air capacity again, after doing so for more than 20 years.
If the case proceeds to the trial stage if the two sides cannot reach a settlement, several of KGO’s most prominent anchors and reporters will swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth about their experience working at KGO for Countess Watkowski.
Dan Ashley will you raise your right hand, thanks for joining us today, Michael Finney and is that your Super Bowl ring ,Mike Schumann? Those three are just some of the current KGO reporters whose names appear on a witness list that appears on the San Francisco Court System’s website. Others who appear on that list include multiple-Emmy winner, Wayne Freedman, City Hall reporter, Carolyn Tyler, Lyanne Melendez, former 5pm anchor, Cheryl Jennings, morning reporter/anchor, Matt Keller, and Lilian Kim.
That’s just for starters. Ishimaru’s witness list includes some 115 names. Other KGO managers, producers, and reporters appear on it along with her doctors and others who’ve played a role in caring for someone left permanently disabled by a tragic episode at work.
Ihsimaru’s attorney’s will also inquire about KGO’s pre-Trixie bliss, calling former ND Kevin Keeshan to the stand. Keeshan assigned Ishimaru to many high-profile stories including the San Francisco Dog Mauling and the Scott Peterson trial. Keeshan now plays a major role in overseeing local news operations at NBC’s O&Os. One of his past KGO subordinates and current KNTV/NBC Bay Area News Director, Stephanie Adrouny, like Keeshan, has been called by both Isihimaru’s and KGO’s attorneys.
Win or lose, can ND Watkowski return to confidently command a newsroom where so many of her charges could deliver damming and costly testimony against her? As we have said in 415 Media all along, this case will likely cost KGO’s parent company Disney millions.
Even if the news team doesn’t make it to the witness stand, moving forward might be next to impossible after a perception that numerous subjects will take the stand against their queen.
Can my Special Assistant "Jock" help me at the trial?
ReplyDeleteIn the unlikely event that this goes to trial, the on-air types will not risk their own jobs by telling too much truth. They will do what they always do when the going gets tough, they'll play dumb.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. If they did anything else they'd never work in the industry again. There are no "friends" in the news business, only people waiting to take your job.
DeleteThey could still reach a "confidential settlement right before the trial starts where KGO ABC Disney would not have to admit guilt and just issue a b.s. statement so KGO could say we want Heather to avoid a stressful trial and we wish her well. I'm sure the other KGO news people have made pre trial depositions under oath under oath so everyone knows what they are going to say. Even if they try to "play dumb" they are smart enough to know they testify under penalty of perjury so it would be hard for them to lie under questioning by skilled trial attorneys. If KGO management is stupid enough to start retaliating against staff members who testify in favor of Heather by assigning them to nights and weekends or suddenly disciplining them or not renewing contracts they could be subject to more lawsuits
DeleteBill Burton's incompetent infatuation with Trixie definitely hasn't helped. But I assume Burton and the Disney higher-ups will know better than to confront Circle 7's most respected on-air personalities. If Burton continues to stand by Trixie, may it be curtains for him at KGO-TV, as it should be.
ReplyDeletePul-lease...
DeleteThis isn't Trixie's first rodeo. She was sued in Fresno & Philadelpia. Even the Mouse has limits.
DeleteIf it goes to trial there's some chance of a Lifetime reality movie eventually. Would the characters play themselves?
ReplyDeleteWill any of the competing local news stations cover this?
ReplyDeleteRich, unfortunately I just went through a lawsuit for wrongful death, my mom. No way in hell with Mickey and Co. let this go to trial.
ReplyDeleteThey will settle out of court, putting Dan Ashley and the many other professionals that come into our living rooms on the stand would be suicide for Mickey.
Oh, and the ND will be shipped off to Boise Idaho and pushed off a cliff.
Waiting to hear Heather wins, hope Trixie and her loudsy morning team will all get let go. Regggie can be a Castro Distict reporter, Natasha can be a medical disable reporter.
ReplyDeleteBreaking News!!
ReplyDeleteVincent Nicholas, a producer and fellow joker, of Armstrong & Getty Show has been FIRED for unstated reasons, as of 9/5/17.
Many of us from Michigan and Ohio will have a case of the Sads today. Why? Why?
Is he the one who was dropping fake laughter?
DeleteIf so, then he deserves this.
Vince was the one who has described himself as the 'Asian' or Philipino guy who lost over 100lb via Medifast (I think it was). He spent a lot of time describing his life off radio, living with Mom, dating a new girl, the foods they ate. Vince also knew of music bands and trends I would have no idea existed, me being over the hill @ 61. In short, he was fun.
DeleteMaybe he talked too much on the Podcasts, that A&G did not set up or control. The Podcast was reachable through their official A&G website.
Lawyer: Mr Freedman, can you tell us how many Local Emmy's you have "won"
ReplyDeleteMany Bay Area TV news veterans probably remember the Steve Davis age discrimination lawsuit against KGO-TV in the 1990s. See https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1111363/davis-v-kgo-tv-inc/ and http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Reporter-s-Ageism-Award-Upheld-20-year-KGO-TV-2973186.php
ReplyDelete