A Samantha Mohr Reunion at KTVU? Rumors Swirl in Jack London Square; Martin Uncertainty; But Fox May Want More Pizazz

ON SUNDAY, I wrote about the weather personality uncertainty at KTVU and speculated that they might be looking for someone new for their nightly weather presentation.

Underline speculation because in this instance I have no factual evidence to back up my hunch here only a handful of rumors circulating on the street and some industry buzz.

KTVU, I do know, is less-than-thrilled with veteran weeknight and early-evening forecaster, Bill Martin, who seems to have lost favor with upper management suits with his lack of on-camera zip and blasé style. It's not something earth-shattering mind you but it has teetered into a non-Fox style that doesn't excite the senses, at least Fox's version.

Now comes the rumors: Former KPIX and Weather Channel forecaster, Samantha Mohr, left the Bay Area ten years ago under mysterious circumstances. She wasn't fired but she was hardly given any vote of confidence and left town for stints at the Weather Channel and now, the NBC affiliate, WXIA, where she has a family and is entirely comfortable with the city and her gig. In fact, she's in the process of signing an extension but, and here's the big "if"...

In an extensive phone interview with Mohr late last week, I asked her if she would consider coming back to the Bay Area if she got a solid offer. "Well, I never say 'never."

I also asked Mohr about her time here and she's still fond --"we (her husband and kids) loved the area--who wouldn't?" "But Atlanta is changing (for the good) and we're happy here but no, it's not the Bay Area."

Mohr indicated what we all know here: the cost of living there versus the cost of living here. "It's light night and day." Of course it is.

Mohr said while she'd love to come back and that she's familiar with Fox's ethos and has friends at the network it would take a "significant financial commitment" to bring her out west.

KTVU (Fox2) has the financial resources to do such thing and there is no doubt a Mohr reunion would provide instantaneous buzz not to mention a new energy, especially at night. Bill Martin is vulnerable; let me say unequivocally that while I respect and think Martin's work is still first-rate, I know first hand there's also a feeling he's been mailing it in the last few years and it shows. It might also explain why the rumors (and they are rumors) that KTVU wants a dynamic new personality that can move the needle.

Mohr would certainly provide that element; she's smart, knows her stuff and has amazing on-screen presence that would certainly liven up the newscast especially at 10 PM.

As they say, stay tuned.