SATURDAY Quick CoffeeIN HIS THINKING, Jon Bristow paid his dues.
Sure, he was only at KCBS barely three years but working as a fill-in in virtually all time slots and currying favor with all the higher-ups, Bristow believed that his eventual path to a fulltime anchor gig was imminent. So much so, quietly, he felt the wrath of mainstays like Stan Bunger and Jeffrey Schaub. Bristow believed strongly, especially since he was a prominent KGO broadcaster way back when, that he would be given a permanent slot. His strong voice, (pipes) and interview technique only added to his resume.
Only KCBS didn't feel the same way or at the very least wasn't ready to commit to Bristow at least on a fulltime basis. Bristow was still in the prime position until this happened and then Bristow went bonkers.
Jim Taylor, a Bay Area guy and a KCBS alum who spent a decade in the Big Apple for CBS Radio, changed the dynamic --to its credit, KCBS all but rolled out the red carpet for Taylor; Taylor's network cachet provided an ace presence for KCBS' news department plus oh yeah, he's damn good with a pleasant personality to boot. I'm a hundred percent certain Taylor is about to take over a shift, most likely weeknights --7-11 PM and maybe eventually the afternoon drive, either way, it's happening.
Which would lead to Bristow's conflict with Jennifer Seeling, the News Director who essentially told Bristow that he was not in KCBS' prime time plans. The quiet, but forceful ex-KGO tonsil, Bristow went over Seelig's head but to no avail. It didn't help matters that Bristow's action made matters worse when he threatened to go to the union. For what? Entitlement? Barely three years? Maybe Bristow dreamed Mickey Luckoff was the GM/VP at CBS here. Reality check: He isn't.
I can understand Jon's frustrations but Jim Taylor is simply better and he's a former KCBS alum returning home. KCBS management in this case made the right call
ReplyDeleteYou're in favor one day, out the next. Who hasn't had this same thing happen to them? C'est la vie. Bristow is a good broadcaster, that's what's important. He should have no trouble finding another job. Who knows, he might be invited back to KCBS one day, this time calling the shots. Management changes in the media business are legion.
ReplyDeleteMany puns - no substance
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Seelig doesn't blow this one, either. Jim Taylor still friendly with many remaining KCBS long timers, but as RL covers Seelig, nothing is guaranteed. Amazing that Seelig continues to coexist with Rebecca Corral & Melissa Culross, two long timers who take no crap from anybody, and will prove it to you with all the tire tracks of past management staff members.
ReplyDeleteBristow sucks. Worked with him at KGO. Egomaniac. His news sense is flawed. A big blow-hard. Taylor is a veteran with better pipes. A real newsman.
ReplyDeleteI worked with him many years ago. Yes indeed, his news sense IS flawed . Well-put.
ReplyDelete