Exclusive: At The Scene Of The Latest KGO Radio-Cumulus Purge; Eyewitness Account; Mark Thompson Knew It All; Nikki Medoro In Denial Up Until Death Notice; My Analysis: You Dance With The Devil...

INSIDE the Cumulus cluster--750 Battery St--which houses the Clouds' SF radio stations including KSFO, KNBR, "The Bone" and KGO.

The inter-office e-mail went out the night before --Wednesday night became Thursday morning and it said be on time. It was so important they (Cumulus) wanted everyone there, including part-time workers and off-air and on-air alike. For those unable to show up, a Zoom camera was in place.

After about fifteen minutes of waiting, the boom was about to be lowered.

But an employee in the conference room told everyone they were worrying about nothing. "It's no big deal, stop your grief, it's just a budgetary deal, they're gonna cut us back, that's all it (meeting) is," said Nikki Medoro, the KGO morning personality, who implored everyone to "get a grip" and not be scared.

A few minutes later, Cumulus SF Market manager, Larry Blumhagen fired the assembled 20 or so employees of KGO. In typical Cumulus corporate speak, Blumhagen said, "this is a hard day." Now give us your card keys and go sign your dismissal papers. And Medoro, according to an eyewitness who was right there, uttered out casually, "well, I guess I was wrong."

Mark Thompson, another fired host, was on the air at 10: 07 AM --a source told me Thompson was advised to announce to his audience--from his remote broadcast set-up in LA-- that a guest was waiting but "take a pause and go away from the mic."

Literally, a few seconds later, KGO (Cumulus) went to a looped, canned promo promising a "new Bay Area radio station" would debut Monday and crappy canned music with betting-themed words were heard. Thompson's voice was cut as was KGO.

Thompson was told (by Cumulus brass) about what was to happen even though he said he had no idea. Even his most ardent friends at the station were perplexed. Thompson was sensitive enough to worry about his action, he sent an email to Pat Thurston and John Rothmann, fellow fired KGO talk hosts, to have a Zoom meeting on Monday.

*THUS, another KGO Radio (Cumulus) purge, not as dramatic or shocking as the first one in 2011 or the last, in 2016, but shocking nonetheless which is dramatic enough because everyone knew it was coming, (the death notice) because KGO was hemorraging cash. By industry estimates, they'd lost $20M dollars over ten years.

Blumhagen himself told the assembled masses at the meeting. With all that, sadness, a few cries were seen inside the building, according to the eyewitness and even more so, when they left.

Cumulus barely advertised KGO; barely promoted its talk hosts, even the good ones. They tried everything, (albeit, half ass) give 'em that, but ultimately failed because ultimately you get what you pay for, even if you lease out pretty office buildings near the Embarcadero and buy expensive TV monitors and laptops. You still need human goods and working capital to engross your product and make it sustainable and Cumulus failed big time on that front, then and now.

For my part, the first purge in 2011 was the real death knell. The old KGO was gone then, its talk-show heritage shot and killed. An "all-news" format? That too died in 2016 (of course) and the latest iteration born and now its demise in 2022, with a fake station financed by gambling money and is only a temporary band-aid before it too is dead and it will be in a few years.

See, Cumulus is a radio destroyer. They don't know radio, that's pretty evident and they sure as hell don't know fundamental business. I mean, haven't you discovered this after almost thirteen years?

When you're owned by a hedge fund and have no clue as to how to run a radio station (not just here), then go about hiring middle-aged, uninteligent white men who have ZERO gravitas in directing basic broadcast practice, then you're doomed. And when you defend your ineptness by constantly saying, "we have no money," then look in the goddamned mirror! That's why you have no cash is because you don't know what the fuck you're doing!

Cumulus FUCKED UP KGO from the start and everyone with scant intelligence knew this all along so the latest killoff, while a bit unsettling, was not as sad; maybe for those losing their job and livelihood, that's another story. But in overall terms, it's not such a depressing moment.

I feel sorry for some of the people at KGO who did a lot of the heavy lifting. Those that stayed around in the past to make sure the buttons were pushed and literally make the station go on air. I do not feel sorry for some hosts who continued to blow Cumulus and bow to their knees, as if Cumulus would change and suddenly become the Levi Strauss of radio.

Gimme a fucking break.

You dance with the devil and you get the consequences.

#EXCLUSIVE

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Clarity and Transparency: Shedding Light on the Dennis O' Donnell Story--415 Media Exclusive

The latest Dennis O'Donnell posting has caused quite a stir, both pro and con. Many of you have taken issue with me on whether I should have made public a situation that should be private.

So I want to address with you my feelings and try to explain both the O'Donnell situation specifically and other aspects with regard to my reporting in general.

It's important.

The O'Donnell matter is particularly sensitive and deserves furhter explanation and clarity.

I had no intention, now or in the future, of trying to either hurt or exploit Mr. O'Donnell and his very private (in theory) situation. That's not my MO. In fact, I had no knowledge of what was going on. I only became aware of something unusual when I got emails and tips from readers asking me "where was Dennis?" He'd been absent for a few weeks in August from KPIX and I assumed he was on vacation and I told people as much. I myself, reached out to a friend of his (O'Donnell) and the friend told me, yes, Dennis was on vacation (in early August).

Turns out that was either simply incorrect, deliberately misleading, or out and out a lie.

I became alarmed when I noted Dennis's absence from the first 49ers' pre-season game, at home in August. A game that is broadcast by KPIX. Its coverage includes O'Donnell on the sidelines and for which KPIX pays a lot of money to carry exclusively in Bay Area homes. The fact O'Donnell was not present sent out alarms and I immediately began to make calls and wonder aloud. Even at that, I figured, maybe he decided to take an extended vacation before the beginning of football. It made sense. Covering sports in the fall can be demanding. No big deal, I thought.

Then O'Donnell was MIA on the sports anchor desk at PIX. For a week and then, more weeks. And not a word from the station and not even any mention of his name. Weird, I thought.

So I reached out to some of my KPIX sources, some of whom work at the station, some, who are usually privy to what's going on and such. They knew nothing. Swore they had no idea, which triggered immediate red flags. Because some of these people always know, they'd have a direct line to the boss's office. They were always dependable in most prior circumstances, they HAD to know, at least that was what I was thinking.

I became frustrated because clearly, something was going on. I remember receiving emails earlier in the year ('21) from people saying O'Donnell was slurring his words; was he "drunk?"--was he OK? I didn't think anything of it at the time and passed it off as some over-reaction. Then I began to watch O'Donnell and he didn't look right but I put it aside.

Until KPIX hired another sports anchor. And O'Donnell's whereabouts were still unclear and not explained. By both PIX (sources) and my contacts. O'Donnell's invisibility stretched into the holidays and the new year with continued silence and mystery. There is something going on. Something amiss.

CLARITY and backgound.

I began to get info from various sources, mostly sketchy and nothing concrete. I put two and two together and began to realize, indeed, that O'Donnell had some sort of "medical issue"--he'd been gone now several months and he was nowhere to be seen, outside a dinner event in February and at a SF restaurant a few weeks prior. He hadn't said a word to friends at both locations but a source told me that he didn't sound so good and that "he was done at KPIX".

The source even told me that PIX continued to pay O'Donnell's health coverage so he could continue to receive a doctor's care. The source added that CBS (PIX) paid off O'Donnell indicating he would not be back at the station. There was no way of corroborating that part of my info but the source was dependable.

Even with all this information, plus, a detailed account, unsolicited, from a source with knowledge of O'Donnell's current and prior (health) status; an account that said he had some sort of neurological malady; I was hesitant to write anything. Even if I had total confirmation, I passed. I didn't want to write anything because I myself was sensitive to the matter, O'Donnell's and in general.

I understand both sides here. KPIX's responsibility to its employee and Mr. O'Donnell's right to privacy. But I also understand the very legitimate concerns of the Bay Area public who were mystified over Mr. O' Donnell's continued absence; where is he? what is going on? Is he OK? Where's Dennis? It's not something anyone was losing sleep over but there was a want to know what was happening--why are we not being informed? I know firsthand because of the lengthy emails I had received and continue to receive.

Of course, Mr. O'Donnell has a right to privacy. But there's no such thing as "absolute right." Maybe legally, but not in the everyday public domain.

I said if this matter took place in LA, NY, Philly, Chicago, or any other major market; a well-known anchor, sports or news, was GONE for many months, unexplained, no matter the circumstances and no matter what type of rights, medical privacy, etc, there'd be at least a story, some story. But no such thing in the Bay Area, not even an ounce of speculation by the papers or some local Internet news site.

Which is why you come here.

I don't normally post such lengthy articles but I wanted you to know what I did and reported on this matter. There will be those who will still castigate me because that's what they always do no matter what. It's their missive.

I want to, as I always try to, provide clarity on matters such as this, as complicated as they sometimes are.

I also want to say this too: I wish and hope for Mr. O'Donnell's speedy recovery.

*Rich Lieberman 415 Media EXCLUSIVE

The Anatomy of Getting Ripped Off; How the Mercury News and SFGate (Chronicle) Lifted My "Somerville Story"

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I'VE HAD A ROUTINE.

Every other day, I'd text Frank Somerville, the KTVU anchor who was suspended, and ask him what was going on. I'd inquire if there was any news about the situation at KTVU. He indicated several times that "nothing was new." Most every time, I'd tell him, "Frank, why don't you go on the record." And he'd always tell me no.

Until yesterday, (Tuesday) when I said his story was getting murky; that Fox/KTVU was letting him dangle away and maintain this sort of quagmire. He agreed and said, "yeah, OK, let's 'go on the record." This was on the phone. I told him to text me some quotes and he did so in a few minutes.

HERE'S THE STORY, check the time stamp. I was both stoked and excited because my hard work paid off. I managed to get Somerville to go on the record and I immediately tweeted out my get. (Again, notice the time stamp). I then feverishly wrote a story to make the blog and it immediately gained traction and the buzz was official: Frank had said he'd most likely done his last newscast on KTVU and that he was clearly frustrated over the entire matter.

It was 9: 37 in the morning which was important to me because that would mean the trades could pick up my exclu and most likely, I might get local reaction.

Then THIS APPEARED.

Only a few hours AFTER my original story posted, Martha Ross of the Mercury News wrote almost an identical story. What a coincidence. Yeah right. I re-read the entire story and Ross made NO MENTION of my story, the story I reported FIRST. I was stunned. I had the Exclu. I had contacted Frank and had the entire quote(s). Had Ross LIFTED my story and not credit me? Did she give me attribution and her editor simply remove my name? I didn't care because I was steamed and angry. I worked my ass off and I felt my hard work was being stolen.

Then I really began to become ENRAGED when I saw this. A story by Joshua Bote of SFGate that was a virtual duplicate my original story. Worse, Bote (or his editor) had the chutzpah to credit the Merc story. The earlier piece that STOLE my story that was already published on 415 Media hours before. Incredible. So it then made me fume. I was livid. Talk about needing a stiff drink.

I took to the internet and looked for more evidence. I suddenly realized that all I'd do was get more angry and nauseated so I turned off my computer and took a walk. I shook my head. Maybe I was naive but I thought to myself, what the hell happened to professionalism in this world. Was it too naive to expect common decency? How could two main news sites publish a story so obviously LIFTED from me.

Was it to naive to expect to see this disclaimer, "Reported First, by Rich Lieberman?", something that is usually placed in stories like this. But no. Boy am I a sucker.

I then saw this link from SFist. Jay Barmann, the editor who noted my story (albeit with a 'hound" remark) nevertheless, an ATTRIBUTION. It was the right thing to do. Too bad the Merc and SFGate didn't get the memo.

I contacted both the Chron (SFgate) and Merc editors to ask about all this and got no response. How shocking. (wink)

A Few Things; again, I WORK HARD to bring interestng, informative, unique and yes, sometimes, ORIGINAL content. It's not an ego thing it's more a desire to get more and more people to the blog. Which is why I PUSH and PUSH for my stories. Because it's for survival and doing my best and all so that when I get the scoop, maybe more subscriptions pour in; maybe the donations increase. That's how I roll. Every day. So yeah, when I'm RIPPED OFF, I get angry.

I RESISTED the urge not to write this post. I didn't want to bore you, the readers, over my own frantic situation and a situation involving a story about a local news anchor's future, but it had to get out. I hope you all continue to read 415 Media.

Mark Thompson Reaches Ratings Abyss At KGO; No One Is Listening; Former KRON/KFI Host Asks Ronn Owens 'Why Am I Not Connecting?' While Thurston And Rothmann Show Promise, Thompson Gets Crickets; 415 Media Analysis

Left to Right: Mark Thompson, Pat Thurston and John Rothmann

WHILE A FEW OF THE NEW KGO RADIO TALK HOSTS HAVE registered some feedback (mostly positive) its major hire, former KRON weatherman and a KFI Radio personality in LA, Mark Thompson has been a DUD.

"A total disaster", says a KGO source who tells 415 Media Thompson is not only not drawing an audience, worse yet, he's not drawing any feedback whatsoever.

"They might as well hired a canary," said industry figure based in the city. Only the canary would have been cheaper.

How bad is it for Thompson? I LEARNED that Thompson had lunch with former KGO host, Ronn Owens and Thompson repeatedly asked Owens, "Why am I not connecting?" I'd suggest to Mark asking Owens that questions would be like Mel Gibson asking someone "why do the Jews hate me"?

Thompson has a three-year contract worth nearly $350K a year. It's not the kind of money that will make Cumulus CEO, Mary Berner, stewing, which she reportedly is. It was KGO brass that convinced Berner to sign off on the deal in hopes of revitalizing KGO as a legitimate news-talk outlet; sure, not the ratings kingpin it was in the late 90's and 2000's but enough to make it relevant and a soundboard for politics and news. Wrongo.

While Pat Thurston (Noon-3 PM) has registered better than average numbers (the full ratings are not out yet) and John Rothmann (6-9 PM) has cultivated a following amongst SF-based listenership) Thompson's mixture of topics and interviews have been received with near zero significance. Like a capital Z.

Making matters worse, KGO (really Cumulus) spent major bucks on billboards and TV commercials promoting Thompson's return to the Bay Area. Only nobody really listens to Thompson and those few that do have NO IDEA who Thompson is and that he was indeed a highly popular figure at KRON but that was over thirty years ago.

KGO, word on the street says, thought Thompson's Bay Area past would catapult him into a strong morning position and would at least offer a true "live and local" personality that not only was Bay Area centric but had major personality to boot. Wrongo!

Thompson is a disaster but a lot of it is not his fault. He's irritating and insulting with his extended and disingenuous voice emphasis but it's radio, OK, not that big a deal. Only Thompson sounds contrived and phony as if he were on a fourth-tier market audition. Part of what made him popular and engaging at KRON was his genuine humor and shtick --almost making the weather report irrelevant and centering all the attention on him. At KGO he's just another vanilla voice and not that big a deal. When the best thing anybody says about you is, "he's better than Ethan Bearman", then you know there's a problem. Lots.

It's early in the game --Thompson began his KGO stint on March 11, barely three weeks into a long journey and he could get better. But he could get worse too. The problem, and there's many here, is Thompson is trying to force laugh. When you're really not that funny and you're trying to appear as if you are, and the people are not buying it, then you have to change the furniture. Thompson has no idea as to how to reset and altar the game plan.

He was lucky in LA because KFI had a need and he did well for the most part. He was also aided by a popular main cog named Tim Conway Jr; as a second fiddle, Thompson was bearable. He's not only not bearable now at KGO but worse, no one apparently gives a damn because no one is listening and that's the worst and only conclusion.

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I'm Coming Back Soon. Well, Maybe, Maybe Not. You Make The Call.

 I'M TORN.


Pay attention.


I didn't expect the response I got from many of you; even my most ardent critics; that you missed my 415 Media rants and news and commentary. Many of you wrote to me extensive emails and comments that you liked my material for the most part and even those of you that thought I was a pain in the ass, you were deprived of your daily fix. I'm sure you didn't lose and sleep but I did. (Wink)

Frankly I don't know what to do. I'm still wondering if this is all worth it; contrary to what you think, it takes a lot of time and energy to write a daily blog. Time that I don't have a lot of now (due to another development in my life --which is good) nonetheless, writing 415 Media is a laborious task and not just as simple as you think. And I'm no longer nor at any time doing this as a hobby. Remove that from your vocabulary immediately. Those of you that have consistently donated to my site, again, I thank you. Without you, there's NO 415 Media. Then and now.


Yes, a multitude of events have taken place --the Larry Baer video (and his subsequent resignation) that you want me to write about; especially when your pansy SF Bay Area media refuses to give you the real Larry Baer in perspective. And Jeff Adachi, the SF Public Defender who died a week ago and you got the press release story. How sad, how pathetic. You deserve the truth and all you got was benign coverage, WONDERbread before your eyes and ears.


I'm coming back. Or am I? This is not a tease. But there's so many variables. For one, my time is extremely limited now but I'm a good multitask --and don't even suggest an every now and then blog. It's either all or nothing.


But again, if you want me back, you have to step to the plate. Or not, it's up to you. Those of you that have supported me in the past and present are not obligated to carry on but I'm not going to turn you away if you want a daily dose of my 415 Media. I know, it's addictive. That's not bragging, that's a fact. Read the comments. I certainly did. Which prompted this response. Simple as that. This was not some scheme to generate donations. I was ready to say goodbye and I did. And am still prepared to take a hike but I will await your response and act accordingly.


It's your call now. Or it isn't. If you are desirous of a daily media blog that goes beyond the normal placid BS that you're given every day then you know what to do now.


Or not.

415 Media Suspends Its Account Indefinitely

415 MEDIA is suspending its account indefinitely.

Which is to say while I'd love to be up and running, I simply cannot be.

You know the reason.

I'm not going to ask you again for donations and subscriptions. Been down that road before. You have made your decision --and regrettably, so have I.

I thought the Bay Area could afford a daily media blog that broke news (sometimes) and published scoops (sometimes) --I was wrong.


I thought you all wanted someone to make the Cumulus warts accountable and be your defacto ombudsman --I was wrong. Cumulus needs to be taken to task but now they are not. Oh well.

I am not going to "whine anymore" as some of you have opined. That's fine. Until you need a little whining and one day you will.

I have said "account suspended indefinitely" because I hope one day I'll be back, just not now. Who knows about the future. Maybe you'll miss me and wish I was back and had never left. (Wink)

Those of you that have repeatedly made donations and subscribed I thank you all so much. And even those that did not, thanks for reading. Too bad we're here at this moment but that's life. I can deal with it, there's far more important things to consider. Nobody died.

Take care, for now.

Don't ever believe anybody.

And never let the bastards get you down.

Saturday Brunch; The State of 415 Media; Tooting my Horn Because if I Didn't, Who Would? Reality Time

 SATURDAY BRUNCH


LOOK, NOBODY FORCED YOU HERE SO IF YOU FIND MY MUSINGS TOO HARSH, THEN GO READ THE GUY IN THE SUNDAY PINK SECTION, HE'S FAR MORE MELLOW AND SAFE AND QUAINT.


I always try to be honest and edgy, not to be shock for shock's sake. If I'm guilty of anything it's that I'm not honest enough. And if that means losing a friend, then so be it. I don't have any real friends anyways because friendship is such an overrated deal. Friends are those that take the initiative and act, not react.


True friends do extraordinary things and favors and are not expecting anything back. They just do it. It's not something spelled out. I don't want nor seek friends in writing this blog. Its main intent, and by extension, my intent is to provide an entertaining read and be as honest and blunt as possible.


Because this business involves massive egos and untold inner circle material, sure there's a few people that are off limits but they are in the minority. In fact, one who I counted as a "friend" turned on me and it was totally out of the blue. It's a good thing the individual really doesn't matter --by the way, no guesses, I'm not in the mood.


*Saturday morning. Coffee is strong and black. The rain has subsided which I knew would happen when the weather folks said we'd have a massive storm and wind galore. If they got paid on the basis of accuracy, they'd go bankrupt.


Back to this blog. I'm kvetching today which is nothing unusual because I kvetch for a living (another story one day soon) ; there's very little money in the checking account and once again I have to figure it out if this project is all worth it. I've thought about pitching advertising because my numbers are there and I'm the only guy in town that does this but that requires time and money and I have little. So I hope upon hope that those of you that come here regularly and even those of you that are new, would make a donation and/or subscribe so I can buy coffee and eat out every now and then. It's a great feeling to be able to eat.


*My blog, 415 Media, was intended to be a fast, breezy read based on the media/TV/Radio/Print biz coming and goings. But that's really in the background now because in the Internet age nobody really gives a shit about most media minutiae. That's why most of it is in the trades which is mostly read only by those in the biz. You can't pay for coffee and toilet paper if you stay squarely on biz items.


You need to have an edge. You need to be creative. I'm all for pissing off the people (mostly anonymous) cretins who regularly lecture me that I've committed major sins for my constant skewing and venom directed at the various worker bees, anchors, news guys, sports guys, weather people, writers, etc. I try not mince words and I have a hard time, sometimes, being tame. Some of you people call it insulting and disgusting, I call it my vision and you don't have to agree nor like it or me for that matter because, as I said, I'm not looking for friends. Frankly, friendship is overrated. It is one of the core reasons why our world is so fucked up now. With friends like we have now, who needs enemies. Friendship got us Trump. How's that been working out?


So belittle me, insult me, call me a Jew bastard, lecture my audacity to request donations to keep this blog afloat because I know I'm striking a nerve when I'm inundated with such muck. In fact, it makes me want to muck more and by god, do I have a knack for mucking. Fine, it beats reading press release Benny Fong Torres.


Oh my God, I wrote that some anchor is getting a divorce! How cruel. How thoughtless. How arrogant. Sue me. Good luck on getting a dime too. Public people are public. They knew the deal going in. It's part of having everyone in the living room being a part of your life. That's why you get pretty good money to read the teleprompter. It could be worse. You could be a roofer in Livermore during the summer. It sure beats working for a living. And you don't have to lift.


Once I had a well-known anchor in this area complain to me that "I didn't make your worst list, etc." He wasn't kidding. He gets it. I laughed at his proclamation but I understand. People read me and I'm proud of that and I'm also happy that there's a great amount of people that love and look forward to my read because it makes them giggle every now and then and so, giggle away.


I never said I was perfect and always maintained this is a blog and not the NY Times. Most of you get it, some, well, you can't please 'em all. If KQED can have over a hundred pledge breaks a month (maybe more) then I'm allowed to ask for money too. Unlike KQED, which is worth north of $500 million bucks, I've got limited funds but better material. KQED has cheap coffee mugs and a fake restaurant show. Local programming? Gimme a break. KQED has more slush funds then the Trump administration.


This is my life now. I dedicate a lot of time and effort to make this site worth reading. Yes, every now and then, I phone it in but that's rare. I need items just like Caen used to say and he had over seven assistants. So if you know something or someone getting busy, send me a tip (rich.lieberman@gmail.com) And another thing: PLEASE, if you have the means to make a donation, or subscribe, and you like coming here or even if you don't, if you help me, you'll get the best blog possible (scroll down the right side to you see the "pay pal" "donate" icon and follow directions, it's quick and easy.


LET ME REPEAT: I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR ASKING FOR DONATIONS. So go ahead and send in your insults and berate me (which makes me laugh since the biggest complainers are the ones who visit this blog every day) Imagine that!


In the meantime, have a great day. Enjoy February. Enjoy the rain. And thanks for reading 415 Media where pissing off the masses rules the day, friendship or not.

Bill Martin Days Numbered at KTVU After Grogan Hire; Low Ball Offer to Sam Mohr Doesn't Help; Sal Castaneda Wants More Money; The 'Gaas' New Haircut; Rothmann Demanding Wife Impedes KGO Progress; KNBR: Too Many Black Crows Not Enuf Bald Eagles; Fong-Torres Kiss Ass to Cumulus SF Boss Harvill; NBC Bay Area Blew It with Christina Loren Canning; HBO Doc on Sandra Bland Worth Watching; Hey, Brighten Up 415 Media With Holiday Donation; Rich Loves Turkey and Happiness; Thursday Nosh

Bill Martin

THURSDAY MEDIA NOSH

KTVU has 4; Four! Weather yellers; the latest hire, Kyla Grogan, (lots of teeth and mileage) so my spies say someone might be needing to update the resume. That individual? Veteran Bill Martin who only a few years back was a mainstay.

Martin now continues to mumble more frequently and he isn't slowing down in that department; making matters worse: he isn't blond, female and possess big boobs so he doesn't fit Fox-like elements: my prediction and others: his days are numbered. Calling on Fresno!

*Had KTVU not low-balled former KPIX weather countess Samantha Mohr, they'd have scored something far more unique and compelling: a very smart, sexy, attractive, engaging, mature weather woman with flair and attitude to boot not to mention more eyes and ears.

Samantha Mohr

Yes, Sam is older but so what! She's incredibly easy on the eyes and has far more weather moxie then the latest yenta KTVU hired, more because she's willing to work for far less dough then Mohr who stated flatly to station brass that in order to pay for living in the Bay Area, you'd better pay. They did not. DUMMIES!

*Meanwhile in the morning grind at KTVU 'MO2' veteran traffic guy, Sal Castaneda, is complaining about his $400,000 yearly salary. A source: Sal seems to think for all he does at the station (not just the traffic) he should get a lot more moolah.

Some background: Sal is part of ball and chain he being more ball and his demanding wife almost all chain. Add a growing family and you get that he wants and needs more toys for the clan.

That said, asking for Somerville-like money you need leverage: NOT!

My feelings are that Sal has to work with chirpy, chatty, Gasia Mikaelian and on that basis alone he should be given more gelt.

Frank Somerville and THE GAAS

THIS IS BIG NEWS: The Gaas has a new haircut and supposedly has asked every KTVU employee including the janitor how it looks. A new haircut? Gaas might be auditioning for a future LA gig as is the chore for many FOX female anchors just be prepared for her eternal chirpiness and out-of-toon giggles and cackles.

*Another great Bay Area radio guy run shamelessly by his wife: KGO now and then political guru, John Rothmann.

His would-be rise at KGO would be significantly improved but Rothmann's power-driven wife gets in the way of those who want his career to once again shine and allow for his astute political analysis to be heard. Unfortunately, due to domestic reality, Rothmann's path has suddenly taken a off-road detour. Add to the fact that when you BLOW OFF a good friend when he's down and out, that portends negative things will happen. It's called karma.

Sal Castaneda: show me the money!

*KNBR is in the toilet the combination of no sports teams and emphasis on has-beens having to talk on the radio. KNBR has a lot of black crows in the studio and not enough bald eagles. They reek and smell like year-old cattle carcass. In fact, KNBR is so low now in the ratings they put the human waste machine on the air in the morning to fill in for one of the prime dudes. Leaving us entertained by Powlie Mac and some wasted LA chick that doesn't say a word but has nice gums and a great rack of lamb.

*THIS JUST IN! Hey, we found someone who likes Ben Fong-Torres. Or better know as Ben Press Release Torres.

Sad, really, Doug Harvill kowtowing to BFT who showed his incompetence by NOT asking DH about why Jack Swanson wasn't given any money to retune KGO.

Ben should write for Readers Digest --he'd be a great addition to the first wives club and bring in the Rossmoor crowd.

*MORE WEATHERING THE STORM; KNTV still hasn't gotten over dumping Christina Loren who was shown the door because she was caught sending resumes to other TV stations and reading my 415 MEDIA.

Loren was quite the package and then some but she emerged as a real, celebrated NBC Bay Area starlet. Problem is she should have been on at night because women don't watch nor like strippers in the morning it's an industry no-no but what do I know.

Christina Loren

*IF you didn't catch that HBO doc on the mysterious death of Black woman, Sandra Bland, you NEED to watch it.

Tense, powerful, chilling at times and infinitely watchable the Bland story is another reminder that America has a very deep disconnect with the African-American community and this doc is proof positive. I watched from beginning to end and had a chill up my spine; still do.

*IF YOU LIKE 415 MEDIA (and who doesn't) then please show me some love for the holiday (even if I can't enjoy this year) by making a donation to 415 MEDIA.

Go to the right side of the blog to the "Donate" button and CLICK ON IT and follow the prompters; it takes but less then a minute and you'll help me during the holidays and help sustain the Bay Area's most-read 24/7 media blog; I will e-mail and call you thanking you for your donation --any amount counts; those donations also help me pay my bills and eat turkey just like you and your family. Thanks to all of you.

415 Media Exclusive: Warriors' PA Announcer, Matt Hurwitz OUT; NBA Champs Go In 'New Direction'

Matt Hurwitz OUT as Dubs' PA announcer at Oracle Arena

Matt Hurwitz, the NBA champion, Warriors' PA announcer for over 18years is OUT, 415 MEDIA has learned through a source.

I reached out to Hurwitz who confirmed to me that he was indeed no longer with the team and not returning for the upcoming season.

"They (Warriors) indicated they wanted to go in a new direction. While I'm disappointed I had a great time --a great run for almost two decades," Hurwitz told me.

There's no word on a replacement as of this writing.

    The Warriors are scheduled to move into their new San Francisco arena, the Chase Center, for the 2019-2020 season.

Pam Cook Sends Out Memo to KTVU Staff on Me and I Respond

Pam Cook

PAM COOK, who knew KTVU had an official state spokesperson of what is deemed taste and what is not.

Madame Cook sent this memo out to staff  {Monday) morning.

Let's have you all see it and address things after...

Dear Colleagues,

I do not know who is feeding information to Rich Lieberman, but I do know that you are giving private, personal, and company information to someone who conducts himself in a deplorable manner.

He continually degrades women, asking his followers to rate female journalists in terms of their looks, and sexuality.

He tries to dig up dirt on all of us, and ‘reports’ his findings without concern about true facts, or care for how the information may affect someone’s personal or professional life.

It is cyber bullying.

Out of respect for our coworkers, and our profession, as journalists, we need to put an end to this.

I do not know, and cannot begin to understand, your reasons for giving information to someone who’s sole purpose is to exploit us, and undermine the professional work we do, every day.

It is important to bring up mistakes and problems in our workplace, but in a professional, productive manner.

I was raised to bring up problems.

But not to be part of the problem; be part of the solution.

Thank you,

Pam Cook

*Oh, Pam, the queen of etiquette...I Respond:

Pam, it wasn't me that screwed up placing Fake Chinese pilot's names on the air or not checking and re-checking their authenticity. YOU guys did it. You're a BIG, bad, TV station and you DEGRADED an entire Asian community, I DID NOT.

Pam, It's YOU GUYS that chose to publish one of literally THOUSANDS of pictures of Ms. Nia Wilson but you chose THAT ONE? Who is THAT AFFECTING now? Maybe the family of Ms. Wilson? Is that digging up dirt or does it just pertain to certain individuals and TV stations but the rest is fair game?

Pam, how am I "exploiting" you? You had no problem with this piece, how ironic.

By calling you guys out and attempting to place you accountable for your actions? Maybe having the audacity to respond, and to comment on some of your various cast of characters who are, in their own right, acting foolish on social media and displaying questionable judgement?  Did that cross your radar, Pam, or did you not get the memo? That's deplorable, Pam, if you ask me.

By commenting and questioning the activity of placing over 50 cameras in and around the KTVU building, was I being a "cyber bully" for being critical and questioning a practice I consider and believe to be concerns for employee privacy at KTVU?

Pam, you say you were "raised to bring up problems not 'be a part of problems--be a part of the solution'", eh?

Well, Pam, I'd suggest you, FIRST, take a look at your own house and observe your problems before you start looking at some bloggers' "problems."

And do a little practice what you preaching, Pam, because there's a whole lot more.

But thanks Pam, for the wonderful publicity and thanks for trusting me.