The KPIX weekend anchor thinks he should be more primetime and a part of Bay Area TV News royalty, if not at PIX, er, CBS News Bay Area.
Somerville has been evicted from the Bay Area TV screen--hard to believe it's been a year now. After relative buzzing the social media circuit, Frank basically shut up. He's quiet with a gameplan: "mum's the word." Yeah, STFU and hope for a career resurection sometime in the next year or so.
I asked, (again) a current, bigtime Bay Area news anchor what odds were there on Somerville landing on a local newscast? "Zero", said the person.
I think Frank might have a shot --think Sacramento, 2024, but it's just a hunch.
Rose, say a few influential sages, has changed the culture for current KRONvicts but he's also missed the mark on several fronts too. And Nexstar, with several issues of its own is not too happy with its Bay Area TV station. It wants KRON to become not only a serious player, but a destination too. Which is why it plans to sink a few million bucks into the news opeation.
Rose hasn't complied with company objectives and his situation, I'm told, is MURKY at best.
*Vicki Liviakis is a good bet to be at Kokkari tonight--funny, a Greek restaurant on St. Patty's day--but the Vickster and her handsome hubby/bodyguard are Kokkari regulars and that's especially visible at the bar. Pass the olives and Greek wine.
*ADD KRON: though Sweeps aren't phenomena they used to be, KRON did routinely BEAT KTVU last Feb Sweeps--in ALL time slots and that includes 10 PM!! Wowsa.
*I was never a St Pattys day kinda guy--too boozy and too many dumb people looking for any reason to drink. Herb Caen hated the holiday.
Willie Brown loves it. Go figure.
*THERE'S NO THERE, There dept.: yeah, so Ama Daetz has finally, (sort of) begun to sit closer to Dan Ashley, at the urging of ABC7 suits, but it's only temporary. Ama is, well, still Covid paranoid and if that's the worst thing you could say about her, god bless you.
COVID paranoia is the new religion of the left. I still see wankers riding bikes alone, with a mask on, driving in cars alone, with a mask on, taking walks alone, with a mask on. They probably sit at home at 10PM watching KTVU news suck, alone, with a mask on.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously never had allergies, never had other medical conditions.It takes a Wanker to know a wanker.
DeleteLots of hostile and dangerous shit is happening in the world right now, involving some major world players. And if it keeps escalating, it would behoove the mask wearing COVID paranoid left and the left hating right to reconsider who the REAL enemies are.
DeleteLol, yeah, seen that myself. Ya gotta wonder...
DeleteMaybe that freedom we all cherish includes the right to wear a mask and error on the side of caution. Murica!
DeleteWhy would you possibly care if someone masks up or not.. Hurry now -Tucker is coming on.
DeleteHackney-You're on the weekends for a reason. Think about it.
ReplyDeleteSomerville-Learn to code? You may find yourself behind a news desk, but not in any CA zip codes.
Lovely Vicki L. Lady, you have to have your own Dorian Gray portrait hanging somewhere? Defying the aging process is not normal.
St. Patrick's Day-White Mans Cinco de Mayo. Of course, they act just as silly on that faux holiday too. Keep the green beer and pass the corned beef, cabbage and red potatoes please!
Ama- It's the flu.
Mouse-Find some cheese for DA. How many E-Tickets is that these days?
"Hackney-You're on the weekends for a reason. Think about it."
DeleteYeah, that makes so much sense. Juliette was on weekends till a couple months ago, now she's carrying the station. Was there some revelation?
Liz Cook was on 6pm, where Juliette now is, now she's on the noon with that wet-behind-the-ears kid. There's a reason for that? Really?
Donchey, whom Bay Area viewers had never heard of three months ago, is suddenly being hyped like she's something between Katie Couric and a Kardashian. There's a reason behind that?!?
You clearly think the idiots who run things are far more intelligent than they are. They throw crap at a wall to see what sticks. That's "management" today.
Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in Mexico, but St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with glee in Ireland.
DeleteHere Cinco de Mayo is brought to you by Budweiser, Corona, and Taco Bell. Much like Valentine’s Day, presented by Hallmark.
Give Hackney a raise and his choice of time slots and anchors. He has never been the same without Susan Blake
"He has never been the same without Susan Blake"
DeleteHackney and Susan Blake??? Sure you're not mixing him up with Mark Mullen?
@3:29PM - Wasn't there a post from Rich regarding Hackney going to make a big decision on where he will go...But truly Rich quoted Hackney was like "show me the money..." before he decides to move anywhere.
DeleteBut yes, Hackney does deserve a raise given how he broke down many earthquake and science segments. Many of these segments except for the ones where he did science editing, he actually came during Jules' newscast and I think once during the 5PM newscast on a weeknight.
So you think Frank "Might have a shot in 2024" ?
ReplyDeleteI think frank has had plenty of "shots" already !!!
(rim-shot!)
I'm sure Frank will have many shots in 2024:
DeleteVodka shots and whiskey shots and cognac shots and bourbon shots..............
If a certain obese politician from Fla can run for President again then anything is possible.
DeleteIt takes a certain kind of POS to kick someone when they’re down. You people are disgusting. And for the record Frank s has worked his ass off to get better and he will be fine whether he works again or not.
Delete" And for the record Frank s has worked his ass off to get better..."
DeleteWhat's he done exactly and how do you know this?
Instagram posts of his will tell you the answer. I feel he is sincere about his words.
DeleteUnless Hackney is going to retire soon, I wish I could see both Frank & Brian anchor together; they’d make a great team.
You must believe everything online if you believe frank's instagram posts! Do you also believe that tRump won the election in 2020?
DeleteI won’t get into politics but I do NOT believe Trump won.
DeleteUnderstand that he messed up and is acknowledging it even if it means regretting it. He can always try at KPIX unless he did already and they all said ‘no’
We’re I KGO at this point I worked just say “See ya, Dan.”
ReplyDeleteMaybe if Dan is to leave - Frankie boy could take Dan spot over at ABC 7. Frank needs another shot
DeleteBrian Hackney and Juliette Goodrich would be an excellent pair at 6:00 pm and/or 7:00 pm. They were dynamite on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteTakes brains to see that. Currently the news-hating people in charge--and that goes for the GM and ND--think showing Donkey in ripped denim and Converse shoes is the way to attract the much-prized by financially bankrupt hipster crowd that's still living in their parents' basement and working at Peets or delivering for GrubHub. Because these are the people advertisers want to appeal to, for some reason. They're going to rush out and buy BMWs and Ozempic is how they figure it, though don't ask me what reasoning gets them to that conclusion.
DeleteVicki Liviakis is an excellent anchor who ages like a a fine wine. She’s gorgeous!
DeletePerhaps Hackney should think about calling it a career. He's had a long and noteworthy run in television.
ReplyDeleteSome have posted that Brian is a good guy off camera, but there are times when he really does come across as being a smug and cranky character on-air. And I've been a regular PIX news viewer, throughout Brian's entire tenure at that station. I also watched him regularly on "Eye On The Bay," back in the day. As for weather and science reporting, I'll take Heggen over Hackney any day.
"As for weather and science reporting, I'll take Heggen over Hackney any day."
DeleteYou've got to be kidding me!
Heggen is so generic it's painful to watch. He belongs in Iowa, not SF.
He is 65 for crying out loud and that is roughly the age (and later) at least that most folks I know have retired. My dad is 3 years older than Hackney but he retired at 63. Would not be surprised if he retired. It’s only a matter of time IF they won’t move him to the Mon-Fri gig.
DeleteAgreed on the weather part; Heggen or Peck are fine. And except for the jerkiness and ego of Peck, he does a great job and he doesn’t dress like Heggen; I like seeing him on the weekend or filling in for Heggen. Frankly speaking both do a fantastic job and same with Mary Lee (I keep quoting her because she still technically works at KPIX). So far I’m happy Hackney has NOT been filling in on weather, he has personality but boring and does not do much description like the way Heggen or Peck do.
I can give him a LOT of credit to the science segments especially on earthquakes. He broke it down in a crisp way that viewers can understand. Perhaps if he retires from KPIX, maybe he should start his own science editing thing away from CBS perhaps?
What’s the problem with Heggen? Don’t discriminate him just because he has a Midwest upbrining in Minneapolis. I have a few friends from there, they may not exhibit the same kind of behavior like Californians but they act like they’re aloof in terms of personality, but more like they’re direct in what they’re trying to say to you. But they’re usually more friendly. Peck on the other hand takes a while to be direct (something said in 10 seconds takes 2 minutes) but at least he has a more people centric personality.
DeleteHeggen does fit a similar but a bit more aloof personality. But I have watched WCCO in Minneapolis when I lived there from Mar 2019 to Mar 2020 and the Chief Meteorologist with also a Midwest upbringing from Minneapolis like Heggen (His name is Chris Shaffer) is much better than Heggen in terms of his personality. Why not let them trade spots? Paul can go to WCCO and Chris Shaffer can come to KPIX; I think he’d get a long really well with the other PIXers.
Hackney ain't exactly a fountain of personality. In fact, Brian is downright awkward at times. And that problem seems to be getting worse, as he ages.
DeleteCall it a day, Brian. There are younger and better weather and science reporters out there, nowadays.
Yep! If I’m being honest, that could hold true. And as I pointed out earlier, I think he should retire.
DeleteGet another anchor for both news & weather - Heck why not bring in Kyla Grogan to KPIX to do both and replace Hackney’s weekend position?
"So far I’m happy Hackney has NOT been filling in on weather, he has personality but boring and does not do much description like the way Heggen or Peck do."
DeleteThank God. They go on and on with minute details to fill time (so they don't have to pay more writers, editors and producers) that you forget ten seconds after the weather segment is over. Who cares about all that stuff they yammer on about—most of which turns out to be wrong anyway. Just tell me how to dress for tomorrow and be gone.
Mary Lee can always replace him. Just cause she left the weather department at PIX doesn’t mean she is out of PIX. She is covering science & tech stories and I feel she is capable of covering something like earthquakes.
DeleteHackney is an excellent science reporter. He is leagues higher than anyone in the market. He makes the complicated subjects approachable. Science specialists? A rare commodity. His longevity lies there.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. To say Heggen is better just shows how the populace likes its material dumbed-down today, which is Hackney's problem. He has a Mensa-type IQ and he, like most people of that sort, is an introvert. And most Americans find introverts intimidating threatening. America is a country of back-slappers, always has been. (Read your Fanny Trollope for more on that.) In Europe they think we're lowbrow and obnoxious. They're right.
DeletePeck and Heggen are far superior weather and science reporters. Hackney can anchor, though.
DeleteI love all of them. But for earthquake break downs, I will give Hackney credit. He broke it down very crisply in such a way we can understand.
DeleteBut Peck & Heggen both do a great job on that. I would love to see more from Heggen as Peck has lately been taking over the Weather extra segments for a while. Typically they take turns each week but not recently
1:53,
Delete"He has a Mensa-type IQ... ."
You are nuts. I mean REALLY FUCKING NUTS!
I know some notable scientists who have worked in Silicon Valley, who have been interviewed by Brian. Those scientists hardly thought that Brian was some intellectual, or journalistic, standout.
BTW: If Brian "has a Mensa-type IQ," then why in the world is he reading a teleprompter for a living? And "most Americans" consider introverts to be socially awkward, maladjusted, creepy, and in need of some mental-health-related help. With regard to the latter, that is something you should consider.
"If Brian "has a Mensa-type IQ," then why in the world is he reading a teleprompter for a living?"
DeleteDuh! Because that's all they'll let him do. He has researched, written, produced, written the music for, edited and filmed his own documentaries back in his KRON days. No one else in Bay Area news can do all this. But no one today cares. They'd rather let Sara Donchey stand there in mismatched pants and jacket and talk about her tattoos. That's why America is in the dead middle of mediocrity, achievement-wise, and why most Americans find any form on intelligence and ability to be intimidating.
11:19,
DeleteI seriously doubt that Hackney has a Mensa-esque IQ. In general, he is a good veteran longtime locally-based reporter who works a pompous act. I do agree that he is versatile, in some respects.
I suspect that some people buy into Brian's supercilious tone, which can create the impression that he is some sort of intellectual. He does have an admirable interest in science and technology, I've heard that he did work at a science-based company at one time, he also likes to share factoids. Because those factoids are often esoteric, people don't realize that Brian will sometimes get the information wrong. I.e., he can be full of shit, at times! That doesn't deter him, however, from his demonstrations of professorial posturing.
With regard to so-called "American Mediocrity": a lot of people have gone to extraordinary lengths to live here. The US is considered to be one of the top 3 world powers, which is hardly mediocre status. Like other countries/cultures, we have our flaws. Top 3 worldwide, however, is a strong indicator that high-achievement is a frequent occurrence in these parts. And it is also a strong indicator that a good percentage of Americans are not easily intimidated.
Ama Daetz is a weirdo and still paranoid about COVID. Grow up and understand it's not that big a deal. What a Whack-a-doodle! I hope ABC 7 Builds a Better Bay Area and get rid if her. Dion Lim deserves to be sitting next to Dan Ashley. No one likes you Ama!
ReplyDeleteI like Ama. Dion Lim will be MIA after she becomes Mama Dion.
DeleteI like Ama. And I'm glad she stopped straightening her hair as well. She's beautiful just the way she is, curly locks et. all.
DeleteABC 7 has a whole history involving black women anchors and policing certain hair styles back dating back to the late 70's. News stations in general have been doing the same until recently, really. Nice to see they've evolved over the decades to where professional is how one's hair grows out of their head, naturally. And thank goodness for The Crown Act. To quote Billy Joel or Bruno Mars (depending on your era) you're beautiful...'just the way you are'.
And if they wanna change it up, so be it. I'm always happily surprised to see what hairstyle her fellow morning anchor Jobina Fortson might be sporting this week, month or year.
Ama's a good news reader. Likable and easy on the eyes. Lim is the new kid on the block so to speak. She's good too. Surprised Ming hasn't run her out. (Look...growth. Is that you, Janelle?? lol) Anyhoo, New baby on the way. So Lim will probably manage between the two while waiting for her opportunity to advance. (Lest this turn into a newsroom version of All About Eve. lol)
Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night building a better bay area!!
Ama needs to fix that horrendous hairdo!
DeleteReggie Aqui and Drew Tuma are the only reporters Ama should stay 20ft or buildings away, nothing wrong with Dan. She is just picky and wonder is she 1000% vaccinated or else no need to be scare
ReplyDelete@3:55 'Reggie Aqui and Drew Tuma are the only reporters Ama should stay 20ft or buildings away, nothing wrong with Dan.'
DeleteJeez...what a silly statement and an awful thing to say. Dan is probably out every other weekend in clubs playing with his band. I understand what may be Ama's concerns. And we really don't know what has transpired behind the scenes as well. (Didn't they have a Covid outbreak over the last holiday season?)
If she wants to stay safe and protect herself and her family as much as he can, so be it. Her choice. Not yours. Not mine. And as for your other statement...Grow up. This is San Francisco, for chrissakes!! (Can't stand bigots.)
Any chance Frank Somerville could serve his exile time as a bad boy as a KRONvick?
ReplyDeletePeople, Frank Somerville is unemployable, for insurance reasons. GET OVER IT!! He's never coming back. No station would be stupid enough to hire a liability like him, not even Community Channel 71. "What about George Watson?" I hear idiots cry. George Watson didn't crash his car into another car after getting smashed AFTER having already been suspended for being smashed. They aren't comparable, and even Watson was risky. Somerville is a six figure gamble. They're not going to bother when they can hire a newbie who says "Pin-o-lee" and costs $75K.
DeleteYou have no idea what you’re talking about. People who have gone thru dui program are hired all the time.
DeleteI can't wait until the next round of Ask Rich. Why is the TV news media so filled with drama, ego, and angst? The personalities seem to be the unhappiest of people. Most ordinary people go to work, do their jobs, and go home.
ReplyDeleteFrank looks like he's had a few too many in that picture you use, Rich.
ReplyDeleteJim Rose has been a god send for KRON. The old guard may not like it but they aren't the reason the ratings are going up. Plain and simple what he's doing is working and Rose won't be the change KRON's corporate makes. There is still some dead wood there from the old days. Not on air people for the most part but some that are on the inside who are resisting change and would do themselves a favor to move on before they're rightfully shoved out the door. They know who they are. Dead weight is never welcome on a rocket ride. Zoom Zoom!
ReplyDeleteHackney. Is exactly where he belongs. i.e. weekends
I’m not surprised Rich covered this topic about Hackney. I remember there were days where Hackney came anchored alone at times in August and in December and he really does sound frustrated and very sad especially since Goodrich moved to the weekday evening time slot. I could especially see it when he did not greet the viewers with Good Evening or introducing his name, which everyone else does. With any coanchors he would do it. One time I think on live tv Andrea did ask if he was going to greet or say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteSeriously he should retire, he has had a good career run in at PIX. I think he has been there since 2004 like Alan Martin only he is there 1 year longer and I think both are the same age…Rich, please give us an update about this if possible.
Brian was absent from yesterday’s weekend evening news. Andrea was running it on her own and was superb.
ReplyDeleteHackney just doesn't have Goodrich to set him STRAIGHT anymore. In more ways than one.
ReplyDelete