SHE'S BEEN AWAY for months now on maternity leave; Ama Daetz, who co-anchors the KGO (ABC7) news with Dan Ashley, should be back next month, sometime; question is, according to a few murmurs inside 900 Front, does she really want to come back?"Look, (said an Insider), she's a new mother. Does she really want to get back into this hornet's nest? They work us hard here!", said the Insider emphasizing work us hard.
Let me make clear that I think Daetz will be back and ready to work. She's making good money and she has great presence on the desk; that said, a source told me she just as well could put her career on hold and pay more attention to her new baby and family.
Source:
This is what I believe.
In the unlikely event that Ama either wants more time off or a leave of absence (which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world; family over business) KGO has a back-up plan just in case. The shifting of anchors around various time slots of late has been no coincidence because I would bet KGO suits has probably heard the same thing I heard.
A side note: KGO still hasn't publically announced a new GM (vacated by Bill Burton); I reported through a source that ND, Tracey Watkowski, was the choice, but nothing's been announced leading to speculation that, A. they (management still doesn't want to announce it because of how most of the staffers there don't care for her) and B. they might still be looking for someone else and are hesitating on Trixie.
Stay tuned.
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"This is not a knock on her but Ama is more passive; more la de da; she's not gung-ho on her job. Others here are adamant about their career and sometimes go overboard, working late, working extra hours, it's a 'live to work for them--with Ama, it's work to live."Kristen Sze has been doing the bulk of fill-in for Ama while she's been away and has developed a solid chemistry with Ashley; they already had established themselves on the 5 PM Newscast. Newcomer, Dion Lim, has also been subbing for Daetz while she's been away and while, stylistically, there's been issues with Lim, she's getting better and seems to have found a groove. Obviously, KGO liked her enough to bring her out from Tampa and she's been getting a lot of camera time besides her weekend night duties.
This is what I believe.
In the unlikely event that Ama either wants more time off or a leave of absence (which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world; family over business) KGO has a back-up plan just in case. The shifting of anchors around various time slots of late has been no coincidence because I would bet KGO suits has probably heard the same thing I heard.
A side note: KGO still hasn't publically announced a new GM (vacated by Bill Burton); I reported through a source that ND, Tracey Watkowski, was the choice, but nothing's been announced leading to speculation that, A. they (management still doesn't want to announce it because of how most of the staffers there don't care for her) and B. they might still be looking for someone else and are hesitating on Trixie.
Stay tuned.
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Trixie must be sweating Mickey fries. The Mouse generally makes quick GM decisions. Heather lawsuit? Everyone hates her guts?
ReplyDeleteIts the bay area...moms need all the financial income they can get.
ReplyDeleteIt's no secret that when Bob Iger visited KGO-TV last fall, he hated seeing the mess that existed in upper and middle management. The Heather lawsuit and the fact that Circle7's most prominent personalities lost their respect for Trixie long ago leaves ABC HQ hesitant to keep Trixie. In fact, jettisoning her may not be a bad thing in their view. I think that would be a big step forward. Because, unfortunately, the Bay is filled with too many ill-fit GMs and NDs. Getting Trixie out and putting in someone with both credibility and likely upcoming high regard from the Ashleys and Finneys of the 7 world can only help fulfill the request of Disney's biggest man.
ReplyDelete"Others here are adamant about their career and sometimes go overboard, working late, working extra hours, it's a 'live to work for them."
ReplyDeleteThat's why I got out of the business 12-years ago--after the birth of our second child.
For the first 6-months, I was depressed...feeling that my "identity" was lost. But I then realized that there is WAY more to life than TV: Nobody out there (read: People not in the TV news biz) really cares about those big stories you "break."
I now work in PR. I have regular hours for the most part (any overtime or "long" days are planned well in advance. I get weekends off...can take vacations during Thanksgiving AND Christmas...and get all holidays off/have a bunch of 3-day weekends. Best of all--I get to have dinner with my two kids (teen/pre-teen) and hubby. I don't watch local TV news anymore, either. (I can get all the news I need online/on station websites).
Life is good! Ama--you will LOVE being out of the business.
Same question about KGO Channel 7's morning traffic reporter Alexis Smith, who's been "on maternity leave" for what seems like forever. The birth was announced on the morning show some time ago -- is she ever coming back, or has she decided to stay home with the baby?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of maternity leave when is 7KGOTV morning traffic person returning?
ReplyDeleteLeft the biz two-plus years ago and haven't been happier. Money was nice, though.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Kristen Sze is a strong anchor working well with Dan Ashley and Larry Beil. Dion Lim is okay, but I still prefer Katie Marzullo as a substitute anchor which I know is not likely.
ReplyDeleteThis seem a bit... Unbelievable. What was Chris Filippi and Dean Danos then??? https://twitter.com/SovernNation/status/958525576217747457
ReplyDeleteKGO Radio - yes, I know, not on the ball about any thing. BUT after the State of the Union speech - you can't get Jon Rothmann? It has to be a friggen' taped Ethan Loserman show? Geezuz. I am not yet conditioned to turn away from KGO. Even after almost 7 years of bad radio there.
ReplyDeleteErnie and Bert just said "Ginormus". What straight dude that's almost 50 says that? Prince and Dylan having an impact on SB? One is dead other doesn't live there anymore. Amateur hour...
ReplyDeleteAma is one hottie!!
ReplyDeleteAma really is. She's a knockout! Her husband/boyfriend/significant other is a lucky man
DeleteI think Ama was happier when she was doing weekends. Part of that might've been she was still new at the time, and it wasn't an everyday thing. It's probably a different deal being the regular weekday/weeknight anchor.
ReplyDeleteHopefully she comes back. I forgot she's been on maternity leave. Hopefully she's enjoying time with her baby as well.
I cannot wait to see her come back ASAP, I cannot stand Dion Lim voice and that concerning look during the newscast. Kristen could have took over Ama spot, but the station wanted a new staff, Dion.
ReplyDeleteDion Lim is a fake and likes to be in front of the camera. Get rid of her!
ReplyDeleteDion Lim is so annoying to watch. She continues to smile all the time, she needs to go, I have to change the channel on the times she is on
ReplyDeleteI LOVE AMA and am soooooo glad to see her back! But, I too cannot stand Dion Lim. There is simply no comparison between the two. I simply cannot watch her on the screen. She comes across as disingenuous and fake. Ama looks MORE gorgeous than ever! So having that baby obviously agreed with her!!!!!
ReplyDelete