Thurston and Rothmann on Trump Impeachment; 2020 Election; They Both Want Weekend Time. KGO Should Oblige

Pat Thuston

WITH IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN HIGH GEAR; with a 2020 presidential election just nine months away; with the Donald Trump spectacle nowhere leaving in sight; there's a lot to talk about and especially on talk radio. Yet even with a talk format suited for the very essence of the above, there's very little time on KGO Radio, the Bay Area's 810 AM talk juggernaut old and new.

Which is all the more reason KGO should have an extended program on weekends-- Saturday would work great and have both Pat Thurston and John Rothmann in studio and taking calls. Interviewing political analysts and pols too. It could be both entertaining and cathartic.

This is an historical year no matter what. It is also what KGO used to be in its prime. And it could make money for the station because it's three or four hours that could be sold to a local bank or car dealer in a sponsorship that would offset KGO's taped shows that are boring but make money for the station. We all get that. But it would tap a good reservoir for the local listening audience and the Bay Area yearns for political discourse --especially when live and local.

Both Rothmann and Thurston have already, on air, signed up for the gig. They have both willingly stated on air that they want to talk about what's going on now and what takes place in November. In fact, there's a rumor Rothmann never wants to leave the studio these days. If KGO wanted 24-hour broadcasts, he'd be there. His passion is obvious and Thurston's vigor is equally pronounced too. She'd be an excellent co-pilot.



The '7-F' BS That Failed KGO's PD Mike Anthony; Cumulus CEO Berner To SF MM Harvill: 'Make Changes'; Lee Hammer Says 'Yes' But What Now? Bearman on Short Leash; Copeland Might Be Back; Rothmann/Thurston Probable Keepers; Franklin Iffy; 415 Media Inside Story Monday

OUT at KGO and KSFO: Mike Anthony

NO MORE "7F" BS; hallelujah --maybe there is a god.

When Mike Anthony took over KGO Radio two and a half years ago, the station was in its latest doldrums; thinking forward, Anthony did one better: his first major move was to, a ha, change the format (again) back to talk from news; not the old KGO form of news-talk, but his version which amounted to lifestyle crap that never caught on and was the forefront of KGO's latest downfall. Yes, it was already in a tailspin with marginal ratings and severe reduction in advertising revenue, only Anthony seem destined to burn the corpse.

That he did. And now, finally, he's gone.

Here comes new MM, Doug Harvill, making his first significant move but the move was really made a few weeks back when I reported Cumulus CEO, Mary Berner said changes were coming to the once-powerhouse 810 AM.

Doug Harvill

Anthony, who had little PD experience and came from a small-budget San Jose station was never able to make KGO relevant. His managerial style was to try old has-been ideas only none of them worked and the few remaining people at the station weren't excited; his revamped morning slew of talkers were essentially old, tired, retreads who never registered with listeners. Rumors of Anthony's demise began percolating; once Harville was hired and got a directive to make changes from Berner, Anthony was gone.

So now KGO again is about to undergo another iteration under Lee Hammer, the veteran programmer who ran KNBR and will now run KGO and KSFO, although KSFO is actually a profitable operation despite its impish local morning show run by clowns who cherish the ultra-right. Its temporary fixture as a Bay Area conservative outpost keeps it going so Hammer will leave it alone until he doesn't.

KGO? Cumulus, and by extension, Harville, have to decide if its middle-dial station is worth the effort in dwindling terrestrial AM radio. The Bay Area has always been a news-talk bastion and even with KGO muddled in programming abyss, there is a market, still, for news and talk. Like, say, "newstalk radio." Anthony slaughtered that idea with his foolish lifestyle brand that sounded positively ridiculous especially when major news broke and a host would be talking about his favorite breakfast cereal. Seriously now, how does a programming director get away with that...especially in these uncharted times when there's a new story almost every hour with a Trump in the White House.

The real embarrassment en fuego took place at night, where, unbelievably, Anthony ran a taped, earlier-in-the-day catastrophe called the Ethan Bearman Show --mind you if a big news event broke out, how lovely to turn on KGO and listen to a guy talking about lasagna recipes. DISASTER. Anthony was trying to score points for tight-fisted Cumulus by this moronic move (to save money) but it only hastened his demise.

Mary Berner

Thank God.

I don't know what the immediate KGO plan is; I don't think they do either but probably new and fresher voices. A weekend ensemble probably mixed with the dreaded taped financial crap but maybe something bold too. We'll have to wait and see. (I know, I'm dreaming.)

Bearman, who has zero ratings and no following is probably on a short leash. There is no way he keeps the 10-12 PM timeslot unless Hammer is completely brain dead because Hammer knows Bearman has no chance.

I'm not a Brian Copeland fan but if the rumor mill has it he might be coming back, he's better than Bearman (which is not saying much)

Chip Franklin has a contract but he could be bought out because his show is "7F" nirvana and that's not in play.

Lee Hammer

Hammer likes John Rothmann, a lot. I would love to see Rothmann have a gig, say 7-10 PM weeknights or at least his own show on the weekend. With politics and Trump in the forefront this would seem to be an easy call for Hammer.

Pat Thurston figures to be a keeper. Michael Finney's consumer show is a ratings draw and will stay aboard.

I'm sure there's a lot on the plate and changes are coming but if you read me you already know that.

#doublebasta
#415Media

The Trump-Eagles WH DisInvite Bruhaha is Red Meat Topic for Sports/News Talk Radio Everywhere Except in Bay Area

AS RADIO TALK-SHOW FODDER GOES, it's red meat for the ages, I'm talking of course about what everyone else is talking about ...on the Internet of course, here, here, here, ...oh and here too.

The Trump disinvite to the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and its consequences; politics; patriotism; race relations; all of it represents the issues that might describe our deepening division in this country. It's certainly being talked about at the proverbial office cooler and not even in hushed tones yet here in our Bay Area, you can barely get a sniff of the story on our supposed talk stations, news or sports. Other markets and hosts have jumped in on it including this one.

KGO Radio doesn't believe in investing in hosts who talk about the news (and this is news even on their vanity level); KGO's suits regard actual news-talk as something of a phenomena not meant for people that have even modest intelligence so I can understand its byzantine approach.

KNBR, which occasionally delves into social issues about as much as a snowstorm in Palm Springs, should be talking about this but it too has apparently figured better to concentrate on the relatively sublime booster club clientele business. Yes, I know it's a sports station but issues like this supersedes sports. Did you see what Steph and Lebron had to say? You would think this alone would generate phone calls but the Bleeder caters to the beer and boobs crowd which, by the way, is also talking about this and all associated with it. Common sense is a commodity, I guess, at the Bleeder.

This is not about whether you believe the president is pimping the flag to cater to his 30 percent base; his industrial rust belt brethren or if you believe the Eagles (and most NFL players) don't understand the constitution and its limits. It's a topic that's worth debating and both sides have strong opinions and arguments of course they do.

It's about what's driving the topic of the day and week and it's really frankly pathetic that it has been virtually ignored by the talk radio deficient Bay Area whose terrestrial listeners have once again been victimized by the abysmally inadequate Cumulus wrecking machine.

415 Media Election Special; KCBS Go-To Outlet; Sovern Nation Political Acumen; Local TV News Stations Plan Extensive Coverage; Rothmann on KGO Should Be Mandatory But...Matier/Caen Streaming from 8-10 PM; Good Times at North Beach Restaurant on Election Nights Past; Petroni; Willie Brown and Ronn Owens Schmooze; Depression, Me, and Mike Wallace

ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE of the state primary figures to be relatively tepid given the general malaise of a non-General Election. Turnout once again is expected to be low and the only intrigue is how much Gavin Newsom pulls in votes and the Democrats trying to win in congressional red district Southern California.

On radio, I will go to KCBS and follow updates with political reporter, Doug Sovern, who does a good job and has a staple full of contacts up and down the state.

He's also been conducting excellent interviews with the mayoral candidates in the city; given ranked-choice voting, there's a good chance we won't know who wins the race for several days.

Speaking of the election if you're a political junkie like me you can go to the KPIX website tonight from 8-10 PM to watch political commentary with Phil Matier and Melissa Caen.

* Most local TV outlets plan election night updates and expanded coverage. You know the usual suspects.

*I'm shouting to an empty room on this but it would be rather standard operating procedure for KGO Radio to have John Rothmann in the studio for an hour or so tonight after 8 but I guess lasagna recipes are more important on the next generation station.

Doug Sovern

*Give credit when do: the Monday overnight sounded really cool with ex-KGO reporter, Scott Lettieri, on KCBS. The man has great pipes and a sense of humor too --which sounded original. I'm not much of a giggle guy but it worked here.

*Election Night in the old days (80's/90's) used to be a time to head over to the North Beach Restaurant and watch Ronn Owens and Willie Brown schmooze over prosciutto and cabernet with bombastic owner, the late Lorenzo Petroni.

 

Lorenzo Petroni

Those were the days my friends.

*Of course I went serious yesterday describing a fractured mind and received positive feedback and the usual asshole trolls who pollute the Internet which is their job and they do a fine and dandy job.

Being in this state of mind is not as unusual as I thought. Depression doesn't discriminate against age, race, religion or money.

For years Mike Wallace battled depression and who'd have thunk it.

The "60 Minutes" host looked relatively happy and sanguine. Looks can be deceiving.

*Yes, I know you hate the constant pledge breaks but c'mon, you come here to relax and read a troubled man blog media and good golly, would it be nice to breathe a little easier every day now and then, so do this. Please?

Thank You.

Oh, for sure, as always I will call and/or e-mail you personally to thank you for supporting the Bay Area's only 24/7, daily media blog.

*415MEDIA
  Tuesday
  Election Day
  Bay Area; SF-Oakland-San Jose

The Bay Area TV News Anchors That Could Or (Could Not) Moderate Tonight's Clinton-Trump Presidential Debate; 415 Media Monday Opener

 TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. The Main Event we've all been waiting for --most of us at least. An estimated 100 million people around the country and globe will watch at least parts of the first Presidential Debate --Trump versus Clinton, with NBC anchor, Lester Holt moderating. That might be the bigger story, perhaps.

Holt's task seems unfair and borders on him be criticized no matter what. We'll have to wait and see.

But it reminds me of a question: What Bay Area anchor could moderate this debate? Who has the gumption to ask the tough questions and be versatile enough, (or not) to pull off a herculean task to say the least?

Not many, if at all--let's go down the line. First, the contenders. Later, the pretenders. (Mixed sample)

*Dan Ashley : KGO (ABC7) would have the chops to moderate. Ashley has tremendous knowledge of politics and both foreign and domestic affairs. He's also a cool customer and fair. If confronted with an edgy moment, I'm sure he'd be able to neutralize the situation and proceed.

*Raj Mathai: KNTV (NBC Bay Area) This might surprise you because the youthful Southbay native seems to some extent unworthy to moderate a debate but Mathai has a wealth of political acumen and a strong demeanor. That would certainly be a plus given the tension-rising environment that exists between these two candidates.

*Frank Somerville: KTVU (Fox2) Although I've been critical with Frank's overly-righteous takes on Facebook, I also acknowledge he's an intelligent, well-informed and professional anchor that would be able to execute this endeavor. Somerville asks, for the most part, good questions and is no pushover when it comes to follow-ups. I'd expect him to be fair too which as previously noted, is the toughest part of this gig, just ask Lester Holt.

*Allen Martin: KPIX (KPIX5) Look, I've never doubted Martin's news depth and acumen. It's his demeanor and presence that I have issues with, that said, Martin would be great as a moderator in this situation. You read right: great. Why? Because Martin doesn't take a lot of crap. He's supposedly tough as nails which I believe even though he comes off sometimes as holier than thou. If Martin were to take the mask off and present himself more candidly he'd be even better as an anchor. But there's no denying he could officiate tonight's Trump/Clinton showdown.

*Carolyn Tyler: KGO (ABC7) I've always admired and respected this underrated newswoman on the weekend with over thirty years of experience and a vast knowledge of both the local and national political scene. Tyler isn't the most glamorous anchor but she has no fear either and she knows her business. And she's one tenacious interviewer too. Which is semi-foreign in this market. Tyler would be spectacular for this position.

The Pretenders.


*Pam Moore: KRON: Friendly, professional, hard-working, fairly decent anchor. But debate moderator? Nope. That's not to denigrate Moore who is fairly adept and politically knowledgeable it's just not that easy a job to carry this particular gig off.




*A Final Note:

This is a tough assessment but I do believe accurate. Of course it's all subjective; I'm sure you can add some people to the list and subtract too.

You'll notice that I chose only one woman to the Contender list and that's not a knock on women, just a frank evaluation of who I think could execute the role
and those that could not and it just so happens there's only one woman (in my opinion, duh.) who is able to do so.

You may feel otherwise. Of course you do.

Savage to Trump on KSFO: 'Don't Go Soft, Stay Strong'; Wednesday Opener

 DONALD TRUMP's big win on Tuesday night in the New Hampshire primary was predicted by virtually all the polls; that said, Trump seemed rather muted for most of the week and that was brought forth by SF-based, national radio talker, Michael Savage, who told The Donald, directly, on his KSFO radio show "Do Go Soft, Stay Stronger."

This might have been the most unusual, and frankly, entertaining interview Savage has conducted. And yes, Savage has been unabashed in his support of Trump and has formally endorsed him.

Listen to Trump's response and how he reacts to Savage's missive--it's great radio; HERE'S THE FULL INTERVIEW.


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Trump Supporter Michael Savage Critical of Trump's Anti-Muslim Statement; Powerful National Radio Figure Calls Trump Remark 'Fatal' to Candidacy

 

 Michael Savage, the Bay Area-based radio talk show host and supporter of GOP Presidential contender, Donald Trump, said on his national show Tuesday that Trump's controversial remarks about Muslims "would be fatal" to Trump's run at the Presidency.


"Do I agree with his (Trump) statement--that's not the issue--I do believe what he said was fatal and that it would cost him because the 'middle of the road' voters would not vote for him," said Savage.

Savage, who has interviewed Trump numerous times, said that, "although I will still vote for him I do believe his statement on Muslims is not something I would have said."

Savage is the second most-listened-to national radio host in the country behind Rush Limbaugh and has authored numerous books on politics and has a current best-seller.

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Star Political Reporter, Carla Marinucci Leaving Chronicle To Join Politico

 Carla Marinucci, the star political reporter, is leaving the Chronicle and is headed to Politico.

Marinucci will write the "California Playbook" --essentially what she's been writing for the Chron, but now, the political media Internet heavyweight, Politico.

Marinucci leaves a void at the SF daily. Her state political reporting has been a mainstay in the Bay Area for over two decades.

This is the second big byline departure for the Chron--crime reporter, Henry Lee, recently left to become same for KTVU.

A Donald Trump--Michael Savage 2016 Ticket? Don't Laugh

 By now you already know that Donald Trump has announced his plan to run for the Presidency --but what you don't know is that if Trump is in it for the long run he'll need a running mate and that person could very well be none other than mega-radio talk-show host, Michael Savage. Don't laugh.


Savage on Tuesday endorsed Trump.

"He would win by a landslide --he would. He'd beat 'Hillary handily --I hope he runs."

He's running.


Savage has had Trump on his radio show and will have him on again pretty soon. "He'll be on again too--he has to do TV and he'll eventually do my show," said Savage.


Would Savage accept Trump's offer to be on the ticket? Jut wait for the answer--it's coming soon.


"Go Donald Go!" uttered Savage Tuesday.


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Former KTVU 'MO2' Weekday Anchor/Political Reporter Mark Curtis Gets Cut in Providence; Posts Status on Facebook; 'I Have Many Good Years Ahead Of Me'

 Got a text from the great political reporter, Mark Curtis, on Tuesday: "I was let go today, Rich."

Curtis, you may recall, anchored and reported on politics for KTVU from 1993 until 2008. He was mysteriously and out of the blue replaced by current morning (MO2) co-anchor, Dave Clark.

For the past five years Curtis has been anchoring in Providence at the ABC affiliate, WLNE.

He took to Facebook to post the following:

Dear friends and viewers:
As of today I am no longer with ABC 6 News in Providence. As a 38-year media professional, I am available for work in all aspects of the communications business including: news, public relations, government affairs, lobbying, legislative relations and business communications. As many of you know, I also earned a Doctoral degree and am available to teach at the college level. For resume, work samples, and employment offers please contact me at Mark@MarkCurtisMedia.com .


The timing could not have come at a worse time for Curtis, as his forte, Washington politics and the upcoming 2016 Presidential campaign are about to commence. The Iowa Caucuses are less than a year away. Curtis's analysis and political acumen are second to none. He's been doing some reporting for KGO Radio here and appeared on the morning news with some thoughts about Hillary Clinton's news conference.


I asked Curtis about his  fallout: "Well, I'm already getting job offers and calls from all over the country."


I'm going to state something that will be met with controversy. Curtis is a damn good newsman; he's also victim of an industry that doesn't take too kind to middle-aged white guys with a little extra body girth. That's right, I said it.


Sue me.


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It's Election Night In The Bay Area And Too Bad Mark Curtis Isn't In The House On Local TV News Telling Us Who Will Win; Former KTVU Political Ace/Anchor Reporting In Providence

 Mark Curtis is the former anchor and ace political reporter for KTVU years back and is now featured on the ABC affiliate in Providence, RI.

Curtis was one of the best political reporters in town and his election night analysis was absolutely first rate.

He wrote a terrific book on the historic 2008 election. He singlehandedly picked nearly all the  states that Obama won in '08. Curtis is a seasoned pro and has a political Rolodex the size of Iowa. He's doing just fine and enjoying both his personal and professional life in the east but I know from people he'd love to be back in the Bay Area.

So why isn't he?

Is it because he's in his mid-50's, Caucasian, and such? I'd like to be wrong. I hope I am. (I'm not).

The Bay Area doesn't have a whole lot of astute political reporters on TV--hell, the Bay Area doesn't have many political reporters period! Yet, the Bay Area has a long and celebrated appreciation of all things political; John Burton, the fierce and hard-fought SF Mayoral elections and the gubernatorial races from Pete Wilson to Jerry Brown. We love our politics. It's a sort-of-passion even when there's a feeling that the turnout will be light, (like Tuesday night).

Mark Curtis reminds me a lot of the late, great, Rollin Post who was the political analyst for both KQED and KRON. Post's pontifications and election-night analysis and day-after summations were always appointment TV. Ditto Curtis, who is Peyton Manning with a keen ballot box perspective.


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Dana King Happy With Life; Former KPIX Anchor Is Serious About Her Political Run In Oakland; Friday First Take

 Dana King was on my mind recently; can't believe it's been nearly two years since the talented and beautiful King left KPIX, retired, and chose to begin a life of art and politics. Politics?

King is running for city council in Oakland, where she lives near Lake Merritt.

I asked King on my KSCO Radio Show on Tuesday why politics. I mean the volatility and all. She's supposed to be retired, right.

"Well, I want to help out my community. I think I can make a difference,"says King who was working late into the evening manning phone banks at her campaign office. This is serious business for Dana, not some publicity stunt.

As I noted the other day, King sounded at peace and relieved to be out of the local TV news business.


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40 Years Ago Today Richard Nixon Resigned; 1974 Memories

August 9, 1974:

Nixon resigns.

Gerald Ford becomes 38th President of the Unites States.

A month later, pardons Nixon.

Country gradually moves toward Inflation. Economy tanks. Origin of "WIN" buttons emerge.

Bay Area: Patty Hearst, six months into captivity, kidnapped by SLA. Shootout in South Central LA --"Cinque", aka: Donald Defreeze, among dead.

Chanel 7 "News Scene" dominates local TV News.

A's en route to third straight World Series Championship over hated Dodgers.

#1-rated movie: Godfather, Part II.

Owen Spann on KGO Radio.

KTVU: "Creature Feature" and "Charley and Humphrey" most popular local TV shows.

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The Right-Wing Schmuck on KSFO Against Immigration Reform Whose Parents Were Latin American Immigrants

He's a schmuck--we know that.


He's also a charlatan --a guy on KSFO from 9- Noon, "Spencer Hughes" who is ruthlessly anti-immigration reform, ANY kind of reform.


An Obama hater. (Probably an act.)

This, in spite of the fact his parents were IMMIGRANTS!From his lovely Web page: 

  Spencer was born and raised in San Francisco to Latin American immigrants. He learned from a young age the value of the American Dream and watched his family work hard and persevere in this wonderful country.

Hey, bonehead, you want a REAL debate? Never mind.


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Would Michael Savage Ever Want to Run for POTUS?

Never...I would not want to shake greased palms, eat greasy food and have to grease the skids for liars and thieves.


Michael Savage--5-2-14...I asked him if he could ever imagine running for President of the US.




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Busted Leland Yee Received Honor from Journalist Society for 'Efforts to Bring Greater Govt. Transparency'

 You want irony? You got irony and you got it FIRST from 415 Media!


Senator Leland Lee, who was arrested by the feds on Wednesday, just last week received an honor from the Society of Professional Journalists "for his efforts to bring greater government transparency."


It gets better:


“I am honored to receive this award," said Yee.  “I’m proud to share the stage with so many who have done so much to keep our government open and accountable.”


Yee received the award in recognition of his opposition to efforts to weaken the California Public Records Act by loosening disclosure requirements for local governments.


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Has Rush Limbaugh Jumped The Shark? Question For The Fan Base; Tuesday Starter

 I want to talk to those of you that are Rush Limbaugh fans. You are out there, right? Rush is still the king of the world and undisputed #1-rated talk-show host, I'm pretty sure, but the past few years his popularity has waned. This is not the gospel, just my own impression and I read and explore a lot of this type of thing. He still commands a lot of attention in the so-called flyover states but even there his Rushness fervor seems to have evaporated. Again, not the gospel just an impression. And past controversy confirms this.


Limbaugh used to be worth listening to, (and still is, for the most part), because of the entertainment quotient in his program. I'm negating the overt rightist political leanings and GOP bastion that defines him because that's a given. Rush will always be Rush but even his most liberal critics agree, or at one  point agreed that Limbaugh's program was popular because the guy was a complete broadcaster, possessed quite a brilliant vocabulary, offered funny and snarky asides, (Philthydelphia) and knew how to move the needle, as they say in broadcasting.


Or am I missing the beat now? Which brings me back the point of this article. Who listens to Limabugh? I already know about the loyal Republican minions who still view him as the GOP messiah and he continues to garner considerable clout within that base but I'm speaking of the general public. There was a time that even those people who didn't buy Limbaugh's politics and cast him aside as nothing more than a GOP talking head still listened intently because he was interesting and provocative. Matter of fact Limbaugh used to be a daily presence in the news domain, at the top of the masthead but I don't see that these days. It's not overly-dramatic nor earth-shattering but still relevant.


A few years ago Michael Zwerling, who owns KSCO Radio in Santa Cruz and whose station carries Rush was seriously considering dropping the program but relented. He agrees with my assessment that the Limbaugh portfolio is still in the heavyweight division although greatly diminished. Even with that Zwerling said renewing El Rushbo was a no-brainer.

"We've had many interesting, very lively and contentious talk shows and even run polls on the subject, 'Would KSCO be better off with Rush or without Rush?'", offered Zwerling.

"Thus far we opted to keep Rush, even with the advertiser stigma because after all is said and done, Rush Limbaugh continues to bring in the mega-audience that tends to stick around for our other programs -- he still brings in the enormous audience and enormous audiences are what enable advertising-revenue-based businesses survive and thrive."

What about you out there--and again, I'm looking for Limbaugh fans, do you still listen with urgency or has the star diminished. Is he no longer 'appointment radio? I'd like to know.

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Sunday Classic: SF Mayor Joe Alioto

 

The Most Powerful Figures in SF Media: Chronicle's Matier And Ross; KGO-TV Still Doesn't Acknowledge Stricken Reporter, Ishimaru; Thursday Opener

Phil Matier and Andy Ross, the Chronicle's Investigative dynamic duo, "Matier and Ross", are the most powerful figures in Bay Area media.


One of the town's leading PR figures, (the person asked for anonymity), noted Matier in particular with his multiple platforms, (KPIX, KCBS), carries huge cachet in SF media circles and beyond.


"On the BART strike and its aftermath alone, both the unions and management felt the wrath of their, (M&R), reporting. I'm sure BART was just thrilled the public got wind of the $3 grand cost of sandwiches.", offered the PR person.


Beyond the BART imbroglio, Matier and Ross were all over the new Bay Bridge fiasco and its continuing issues involving safety.


More than just having name access to some of the biggest and most influential politicians in both the city and Sacramento, the pair can often set the tone of the day's biggest news story and subsequent pick-up by newspapers and TV and radio.


Sometimes this access can be problematic particularly when it involves Willie Brown who is a frequent mention in Matier and Ross' column and appears regularly every Friday morning with Matier on KCBS and KPIX too. Then again, stories like this tend to lend credence to the notion that Brown tries diligently not to appear overly cozy with SF's Woodward and Bernstein. Skeptics wonder what would happen if Brown were to become the target of an investigation, how would Matier and Ross cover it, or would they? Of course they would.


*Whoever is responsible for the PR over at KGO-TV must be asleep at the wheel or severely incapable of doing their job. The ABC O and O station at 900 Front continues not to even acknowledge the situation affecting one of its longest-tenured reporters, Heather Ishimaru, who recently suffered a stroke and is unable to speak. Presumably, KGO is sensitive to possible pending litigation involving Ishimaru and management. That's understandable but saying nothing is both insulting and insensitive, not only to its viewers but employees too.


We hope this policy might be altered soon.




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The Best Five Minutes on SF Radio: KCBS' Washington Political Analyst Mark Sandalow

 I've been knocking KCBS a lot lately because of the absurdity of their overly-prolific weather reports; OK, it's freezing outside and everyone's miserable but for god's sake, enough, chill guys, wait, stop chilling. Get me more news, more interviews, more Mark Sandalow, for example.

 

Sandalow is KCBS' Washington political analyst and usually comes on the station's morning news blocks at 7: 30. (Times vary).

 

Sandalow talks politics. More specifically, he breaks down the BS and tells you the real story and goings-on of Washington Inside and Out-- and more recently, histrionics. You want Tea Party playbook? Sandalow is there. Why Obama hasn't fired some of his political advisers? Cue Sandalow. The Govt. shutdown? He's right there.

 

And Sandalow knows his business. You might recall he was the Chronicle's beat man in DC before Hearst decided to cut back. Sandalow also teaches a political class. He's well-versed because what some people might consider Washington minutiae is for others, a pure delight. Sandalow gives you an honest, inspired and plain-spoken take on our politicians, including Bay Area pols. He is appointment-listening.

 

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