KPIX Bad February Sweeps; Bastida/De La Cruz Team Should Be Front And Center; Martin Is Wooden; Cook Element; Monday Starter

 KPIX had a crummy February book--I told you that on Friday. The specific numbers aren't out yet but PIX had an across-the-board ratings tumble. How bad? Enough for News Director, Dan Rosenheim to reassign the evening EP to the morning and the morning EP to night. He also hinted there would be more changes coming.

One of the problems at CBS-SF is the constant shifting of a "team"--a solid team. PIX has no identity, certainly no anchor identity. Their best on-air anchor is Ken Bastida--he should be the face of the station but the way he's used he's largely confined to 2nd-tier status. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to suggest that a Bastida/Veronica De La Cruz pairing should headline the 5, 6, and 11 PM newscast. Period. I have been underwhelmed with De La Cruz for the most part since her summer arrival but in terms of star power and anchor coordination, she and Bastida should be front and center. They're PIX's most popular personalities. Which would spell bad news for Liz Cook and Allen Martin.

I like Martin and he's a solid newsman but his wooden appearance and stiff-look style doesn't exactly provide viewer warmth. In other words, Martin comes across as sullen. It's especially evident now; sometimes I think Martin gives the impression he's having root canal performed while reading the teleprompter. Every once and awhile Martin smiles and laughs, but not too often. He needs to reinvent himself and maybe a new time slot would help. Harsh? Sure, but needed. Along with certain other issues.

Cook is the subject of major derision at KPIX among Martin, notably, and to a lesser extent, weatherman, Paul Deannu. Cook's thanks-daddy way of getting the gig irritated the hell out of many but I've sort of warmed to her lately. She's much better at ad-libbing and does a decent job of reading the news. (We forget that they read copy on TV--that's what they do) Furthermore, and this might surprise you, Cook has a personality--she should use it. Her demeanor and dainty looks are not her fault; it's time for the jealous set to take a sabbatical and leave her alone. She's not as bad as projected. But she's also not nirvana--disadvantage, PIX.

Style and cohesion is not something that comes naturally. You have to work at it. In the old days, Dave McElhatton and Wendy Tokuda weren't exactly Donny and Marie but they eventually built up  good, convincing chemistry to the point where they both helped each other. It worked. Better yet, Mac helped Wendy at a time when she wasn't exactly lighting up the screen. Her frequent on-air flubs were neutralized by Mac being Mac. Stars. Add in Wayne Walker and you had quite a trifecta.

Not the case today at 855 Battery.

*Follow me on Twitter

The KPIX Catfight Between Elizabeth Cook and Veronica De La Cruz; Talk of Jealousy and 'Threat' at 855 Battery; Wednesday Opener

 There's a little mini-drama taking place at KPIX. I'm not so sure it has to happen because the characters in the play are good performers and talented news anchors.


Seems since the arrival of Veronica De La Cruz, a few people at 855 Battery have become jealous --one staffer, notably, anchorwoman, Elizabeth Cook.


See, it was Cook who began to emerge as the face of the station. Cook co-anchored the 5, 6, 10 and 11 PM news. Her popularity seemed to annoy a few people at PIX, most notably Allen Martin, who was resentful of Liz's lack of work credentials and inability to read a teleprompter. Clearly a major disconnect between Martin and Cook was the talk of the newsroom. Still is, although I'm told, the tension has lessened considerably with the emergence of De La Cruz which ironically has created more wrath --quite unexpectedly.


One of my moles at PIX says everyone is getting along, sort of. Any jealousy regarding VDLC? "There is some --but mostly it's more Liz versus Veronica. I think she, (Liz) regards her as a threat."

A threat? You betcha.


"They've had some catfights--it's all about power and perception. Everybody here sort of has been taking it in stride. It's part of the business."


De La Cruz has taken the high road and won't talk --sounds like a good plan.


Cook's working relationship with Martin is the one PIX suits should worry about--Martin has been noticeably happier and more engaging when working with VLDC--not so much with Cook, whom he feels is a spoiled brat and is resentful of her.


"Allen likes Veronica", says my mole. "Respects her. He still CAN'T STAND Liz and her superficial ways and lack of her experience."


Nothing like a good catfight at the PIX Battery Gulch.


Remember when watching the people who smile in front of the teleprompter; some hate their partner's guts.


You don't have to go too far to figure it out: It's happening right here in the city by the bay.









*Follow me on Twitter

Allen Martin Really Doesn't Care for Elizabeth Cook; KPIX Anchor No Love Letters for Colleague

  So, here comes a juicy little story live and direct, deep from the darkest chambers of the building at 855 Battery.

KPIX anchor at 5, Allen Martin doesn't hate fellow anchor, Elizabeth Cook.

No sir, he despises Liz Cook. Can.not.stand.her.

And he does the 5 PM news along side her.

I got this from a mole that knows the building inside and out and has great knowledge of the PIX operation.

Martin, according to my eye and ear, is livid about Cook's lack of credentials, lack of pedigree, lack of ability to offer even the slightest bit of care and thought. Allen's words, according to the mole, not mine. This comes to me, unsolicited by the way, just as KPIX has hired a new anchor, Veronica De La Cruz, from MSNBC,  to do the 6 and 10 news. Cook still does the 5 and 11 but used to do the 5, 6 and 11, the virtual face of the station. I smell something here.

Coincidence? You be the judge.

Martin's hostility toward Cook involves the general consensus inside PIX that Cook only got the job because her father is some higher-up Disney exec who supposedly schmoozed the hell out of upper management.