FACE OF THE STATION--or faces of the station. The TEAM. At KGO-TV, it's Dan Ashley and Ama Daetz. The two have been working along side one another for over a year now and it's no coincidence that KGO dominates the evening news ratings and even more so at 11 PM.
I've grown to really like Ashley and Daetz, more to the point I like their all-important chemistry. The two look so natural and well-paired together you'd think they'd been working together for years.
Especially impressive is the fact that after the sudden departure of Carolyn Johnson to LA, many industry types predicted KGO would tank after losing one of its most popular and respected news anchors.
In fact, the transition has been smooth and orderly and the two have developed a genuine bond; something viewers have grown accustomed to and come to appreciate. The numbers don't lie.
If nothing else, Ashley, (who recently re-upped) and Daetz are recognizable as KGO's face. There's no revolving door of different people other than the off-hour newscasts. That's an important asset in local TV News.
The same situation exists at KTVU with Frank Somerville and Julie Haener on the still-vaunted "10 O'clock News," KTVU's most valued franchise and the heart and soul of its nighttime content. Certainly when you think Channel 2 (excuse me, FOX2) you think Somerville and Haener. They've been at it multiple years. And while early on, the new, Fox-infused happy talk has been front and center, KTVU continues to shine at 10 PM and a good reason why is Somerville and Haener guiding the ship. Smooth sailing.
Familiarity and identity make up key ingredients to viewer loyalty. While other stations tweak this and that; have revolving-door anchors; create confusion and offer up mixed personnel, KTVU and KGO stay the course. That seems to work well for the long term.
*That exclusive jailhouse interview scooped up by KGO's Cornell Barnard has been the talk of the town among news execs and industry people in the city. Most common question: How'd he get it? The answer is remarkably simple, according to one of my KGO spies: "He simply went to the HOJ (Hall of Justice) press office and asked if he could interview the inmate and the inmate said, "OK." Imagine that, good, hard-working journalism in action. Or like in sales, if you never ask for the sale you won't get the business.
*Most overrated anchor ever, hands down: Wendy Tokuda.
*Most underrated anchor ever, hands down: Anna Chavez.
*OK, I'm taking off the gloves: I know FOX2 has a brand to sell, I get it, but the ridiculous "WeatherAUTHORITY" logo looks stupid and reeks of gimmick-central. The FOX people should know that the Bay Area market doesn't exactly warm to visual misfits like that, get rid of it immediately.
*Yeah, it's not just you: Rosemary Orozco has been getting a lot of face time at 10 PM and it's not only because Bill Martin takes days off and vacation. Pretty simple: Orozco is prettier than Martin.*Dear Gregg Kelley, GM, KTVU: You got a real bad union issue with your photographers. Fix it. And, oh, by the way, notice the excess amount of glitches on newscasts lately? Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.
*Lyanne Melendez: A little too smart. That's from a few of your co-workers. Frankly, I don't give a damn.
*The new weather chick at KRON has begun to receive the nightly wrath of Raddy and isn't exactly warming up to the shit which partly explains why KRON goes through weather women like I go through the lamb shanks at Tommy's Joynt.
*Speaking of STUPID: "GAAAAAAME ONNNN!"--Oh please, shut the hell up.
*And to the main sports guy at PIX: if you're going to take her (not your wife) for a drink it might be best to go to a place off the beaten path --your wife aside, how dumb can you be. GAAAAAME OFFF!
*Dear VLDC: Please, enough with the hair! Find a constant, girl, and stick with it. TRENDING!!
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