Whether Hackney or Yu return remains uncertain; only time will reveal their fate. Bigger picture…it’s difficult to overlook the unusually high number of PIX anchors and reporters who have taken or are taking unexplained extended leaves of absence. It can no longer be written off as coincidence. Other Bay Area stations do not experience this level of disruption with their on air talent and don’t deal with this particular issue that constantly plagues PIX. During just the past few years we’ve had Veronica de la Cruz, Andrea Borba, Dennis O’Donnell, Wilson Walker, Betty Yu, Brian Hackney, Maria Medina…and I’m sure sure I’m forgetting some. Also, is it mere chance that three attractive and moderately competent Asian women at PIX seem to follow a similar trajectory (Veronica de la Cruz, Maria Medina, and now Betty Yu)? de la Cruz and Medina took extended and/or frequent mysterious leaves before departing, with their tenure at PIX ending in drama and unprofessionalism. We'll see if Yu follows the same pattern.
I just did some internet research on Maria Medina. She's currently the California-area Communications Manager for Alaskan Airlines. Apparently, many ex-TV anchors/reporters have moved to various private company and public agency employment over the years; not just a KPIX thing. I've seen various ex-tv folks on tv over the years, whether school districts, water districts, banks, city/county police/sheriff depts., and airports. Others have started their own companies or become consultants to some degree.
"L-2" yes, all who leave KPIX find employment afterward. I don’t believe any are independently wealthy enough to not have to work. The issue isn’t what they elect to do after they finally manage to escape, but rather what is going on at KPIX that causes all the drama and extended leaves. I hope Rich continues to beat this drum and gets to the root cause.
12:45PM Exactly. A basic Google or LinkedIn search will reveal where all these relics from the past have gone post-KTVU. And most on air anchors will either go to another station or a communications related job, such as PR. As far as the issue at hand, whether it's a TV station, tech station, or a department store, employees find excuses to avoid toxic and unhealthy work environments.
Funny how when VDLC went AWOL everyone on this site was saying all sorts of negativity about her. Now Betty Yu’s gone MIA and not a bad word is said. Strange days indeed.
I work at KPIX, and from my perspective, comparing VDLC to Yu at this moment is like comparing apples to oranges. With VDLC, we have the benefit of hindsight, looking back at her tumultuous tenure at PIX, which was filled with drama, excuses, and frequent leaves. However, Yu doesn't have the same negative track record as VDLC. This is Yu's first leave, albeit a mysterious one, in an otherwise uneventful career at PIX so far. Regarding your point, many at the station are skeptical of Yu's story and suspicious of her leave, which is referred to as ‘MIA.’ There's an uneasy feeling around the station, with some thinking, 'here we go again.' Many doubt Yu will return, believing she will exhaust her leave and PTO before resigning and potentially joining another news outlet, possibly outside of the Bay Area.
Oh, and regarding PIX staff being suspicious of Yu’s story…her only social media post since her leave is a single photo of a close up with an unidentifiable forearm with an IV in it with a vague, one sentence caption. I’m not saying she’s BS’ing (I don’t know her well enough to have an opinion either way) but there are people here who know her and her personality much better and are extremely skeptical of her story.
@9:18. If Yu was really ill she would be posting that all over IG. Highly unlikely she’s ill going on 2 months. A photo of an IV in an arm is dehydration.
Totally agree. She’s the dictionary definition of an attention-seeking machine. Her notably long absence from social media feels incredibly contrived given her years-long propensity to post anything and everything related to her life. Time for PIX to get rid of the deadweight and send her ass packing.
Why do we care so much? Wilson Walker seems to have returned and all is well. Also, I haven't seen Len Ramirez, a veteran, in a while. That being said, most of the amateurs they have on air are incapable of reporting basic facts so I haven't been watching consistently.
Rich, did you see 1:08’s comment? Wilson Walker is back! You can now stop reporting on all Bay Area media matters and cite Wilson Walker’s return whenever you’re asked about the status of any other tv personality.
Actually I think Brian is the best kpix had/has going, at least compared to everyone else. I mean honestly how in the world did they come up with that crew? Sports w/Vern is good as is the main weather person paul haggen. But that other weather guy, the one with the surgically implanted *smile* in his little face...is a menace, I can't figure out why Rich likes him.
Darren Peck? He was off last weekend leaving Jessica & Paul to fill in. If Brian Hackney was there, likely he would have filled in all weekend long. I found him to be good and accurate on the forecasts.
I met Wilson Walker once during an assignment. He was friendly and conversational. His reporting is top notch. Brian Hackney is an excellent news reader and interacts with others on the set in intelligent ways. Viewers can see he enjoys presenting. Sure, he knows zero about sports but so what. RE Betty Yu, she is a hard worker, good writer and presenter. Sometimes people need time off. Being a roving reporter is stressful work and the hours can be brutal.
That's nice. At least he wasn't bum rushed out the door like a certain CBS senior investigative journalist right? Loathsome vermin CBS.
ReplyDeleteWho was that?
DeleteCBS Network reporter Catherine Herridge. Hackney is nothing but insignificant low hanging fruit. Her abrupt dismissal was a pure C-Suite CYA move.
DeleteWith Hackney’s IQ, he should seriously do his OWN science show or start a different business with the passion he has.
DeleteI don’t expect him to be a fill in on weather anymore (weekends or 3D weather).
I’ll go by your word and give it a week or 2 max. Otherwise I’m pretty skeptical he is coming back. Never say never
ReplyDeleteWhether Hackney or Yu return remains uncertain; only time will reveal their fate. Bigger picture…it’s difficult to overlook the unusually high number of PIX anchors and reporters who have taken or are taking unexplained extended leaves of absence. It can no longer be written off as coincidence. Other Bay Area stations do not experience this level of disruption with their on air talent and don’t deal with this particular issue that constantly plagues PIX. During just the past few years we’ve had Veronica de la Cruz, Andrea Borba, Dennis O’Donnell, Wilson Walker, Betty Yu, Brian Hackney, Maria Medina…and I’m sure sure I’m forgetting some. Also, is it mere chance that three attractive and moderately competent Asian women at PIX seem to follow a similar trajectory (Veronica de la Cruz, Maria Medina, and now Betty Yu)? de la Cruz and Medina took extended and/or frequent mysterious leaves before departing, with their tenure at PIX ending in drama and unprofessionalism. We'll see if Yu follows the same pattern.
ReplyDeleteI just did some internet research on Maria Medina. She's currently the California-area Communications Manager for Alaskan Airlines. Apparently, many ex-TV anchors/reporters have moved to various private company and public agency employment over the years; not just a KPIX thing. I've seen various ex-tv folks on tv over the years, whether school districts, water districts, banks, city/county police/sheriff depts., and airports. Others have started their own companies or become consultants to some degree.
Delete"L-2" yes, all who leave KPIX find employment afterward. I don’t believe any are independently wealthy enough to not have to work. The issue isn’t what they elect to do after they finally manage to escape, but rather what is going on at KPIX that causes all the drama and extended leaves. I hope Rich continues to beat this drum and gets to the root cause.
Delete12:45PM Exactly. A basic Google or LinkedIn search will reveal where all these relics from the past have gone post-KTVU. And most on air anchors will either go to another station or a communications related job, such as PR. As far as the issue at hand, whether it's a TV station, tech station, or a department store, employees find excuses to avoid toxic and unhealthy work environments.
DeleteWell can they make more money and live in lessor markets if they leave? If so good for them.
DeleteWilson Walker is back, I saw his report last night
DeleteFunny how when VDLC went AWOL everyone on this site was saying all sorts of negativity about her. Now Betty Yu’s gone MIA and not a bad word is said. Strange days indeed.
ReplyDeleteMaybe because Yu actually has some talent. VDLC was a hot mess with zero talent.
DeleteI work at KPIX, and from my perspective, comparing VDLC to Yu at this moment is like comparing apples to oranges. With VDLC, we have the benefit of hindsight, looking back at her tumultuous tenure at PIX, which was filled with drama, excuses, and frequent leaves. However, Yu doesn't have the same negative track record as VDLC. This is Yu's first leave, albeit a mysterious one, in an otherwise uneventful career at PIX so far.
DeleteRegarding your point, many at the station are skeptical of Yu's story and suspicious of her leave, which is referred to as ‘MIA.’ There's an uneasy feeling around the station, with some thinking, 'here we go again.' Many doubt Yu will return, believing she will exhaust her leave and PTO before resigning and potentially joining another news outlet, possibly outside of the Bay Area.
Oh, and regarding PIX staff being suspicious of Yu’s story…her only social media post since her leave is a single photo of a close up with an unidentifiable forearm with an IV in it with a vague, one sentence caption. I’m not saying she’s BS’ing (I don’t know her well enough to have an opinion either way) but there are people here who know her and her personality much better and are extremely skeptical of her story.
Delete9:18, Yu is lying through her teeth, creating some bogus leave of absence with a strange pic she grabbed off the internet as her excuse.
DeleteHe’s not back today and at this point I’m very skeptical
ReplyDeleteYeah, but Andrea Nakano said last night that he was away or off or some such thing, & that's a good sign.
DeletePossibly! But the problem is she has said that many times for the last 2 months but eventually time will tell.
DeleteWhen Ryan Yamamoto filled in he acknowledged both their absences
@9:18. If Yu was really ill she would be posting that all over IG. Highly unlikely she’s ill going on 2 months. A photo of an IV in an arm is dehydration.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. She’s the dictionary definition of an attention-seeking machine. Her notably long absence from social media feels incredibly contrived given her years-long propensity to post anything and everything related to her life. Time for PIX to get rid of the deadweight and send her ass packing.
DeleteWhy do we care so much? Wilson Walker seems to have returned and all is well. Also, I haven't seen Len Ramirez, a veteran, in a while. That being said, most of the amateurs they have on air are incapable of reporting basic facts so I haven't been watching consistently.
ReplyDeleteRight, Wilson walker returned. Shit down this blog. All is well in the world now that this reporter is back.
DeleteLen Ramirez has been doing even the recent Superbowl reports. The newest reporter we have is Loureen Ayyoub.
DeleteRich, did you see 1:08’s comment? Wilson Walker is back! You can now stop reporting on all Bay Area media matters and cite Wilson Walker’s return whenever you’re asked about the status of any other tv personality.
DeleteMark Sayre?
ReplyDeleteIs it true that Gary Radnich is contemplating reviving KGO as a Sports powerhouse? The Rumor Mill is grinding hard.
ReplyDeleteActually I think Brian is the best kpix had/has going, at least compared to everyone else. I mean honestly how in the world did they come up with that crew? Sports w/Vern is good as is the main weather person paul haggen. But that other weather guy, the one with the surgically implanted *smile* in his little face...is a menace, I can't figure out why Rich likes him.
ReplyDeleteDarren Peck? He was off last weekend leaving Jessica & Paul to fill in. If Brian Hackney was there, likely he would have filled in all weekend long. I found him to be good and accurate on the forecasts.
DeleteI met Wilson Walker once during an assignment. He was friendly and conversational. His reporting is top notch. Brian Hackney is an excellent news reader and interacts with others on the set in intelligent ways. Viewers can see he enjoys presenting. Sure, he knows zero about sports but so what. RE Betty Yu, she is a hard worker, good writer and presenter. Sometimes people need time off. Being a roving reporter is stressful work and the hours can be brutal.
ReplyDeleteThere you have it, March 2, Brian Hackney is back. 3 months without him
ReplyDelete