Diarrhea in the Morning; KGO Radio's Insufferable Mark Thompson; It's Not 1983 Anymore, Mark; Friday Blunt

OK, KGO, YOU DID A REVAMP, CONGRATS, BUT DID YOU HAVE TO GIVE US RADIO FECES IN THE MORNING, LIKE THIS CRAP? Of Course you did.

I've listened for most of the week to KGO's latest iteration; a shift away from the obscure and useless to an attempt to be relevant and thought-provoking; you know, news-talk, that meaty format that was responsible for almost 30 years of #1 ratings and market dominance in the Bay Area. It's not 2000 anymore and KGO isn't its blue-chip special; you can't revitalize a decayed corpse but you can build on the offspring. Hope springs eternal and KGO has tried, I'll give them that. Pat Thurston and John Rothmann have been fine.

Then there's the morning. Oy vey what a catastrophe --a flat out embarrassment by a guy who used to have it but now spews out garbage and thinks his voice is the star of the show, meet Mark Thompson, or rather, Mark Thompson's pipes, a two-hour diarrhea of the airwaves that has about as much interest as a week-old burrito from the Daly City Chevron station. Actually, I'd settle for the burrito.

Thompson, the former KRON weather guesser who has been mumbling down in Ell-Lay for thirty years was brought back to KGO, I guess, because they think Thompson's audio feces would be popular and drive up interest and conversely, ratings. It won't happen. It can't happen. Thompson is in love with his voice and his chronic emphasis on that voice is out of control and therefore, the radio is dull and dreary. This isn't 1983 anymore, Mark, and it's been years since Flock of Seagulls had a hit. You of all people should know better.

Thompson has been trying his best to shake up the morning at KGO (10 AM-Noon) but there's no there there. You have a nothing burger talking about nothing. It's as evident as the suburban target logo on Target stores. Instead of just being himself and talking news, Thompson has relied on gimmicks and side-show banality; the little topics he's touched on are mere AP retreads that you hear some innocuous jock on FM bring up to fill time and play footsie with the listeners. Thompson is no better but a lot worse. It doesn't help matters that he's been paired with Bret Burkhart, KGO's 97 year-old news relic with all the personality of a Salinas strip mall. Burkhart was last relevant when Bill Clinton was in his first term. Thompson might as well be working with Gumbi as a sidekick because Gumbi would be more interesting.

Thompson doesn't talk nor relate. His voice is commanding and he could be a decent broadcaster, like, say, in news updates but his pontifications are nothing more than a bombardment of uselessness, a bore actually. It's like Thompson is saying, "Gees, I have these great pipes no matter what I say, it'll be just great!" Uh, no, Mark! You'd be better off talking about your hair plugs for heaven's sake. At least that would hold the audience. Tears for Fears mentions don't cut it --Mark, we're in 2018 in case you don't know.

Worse yet, Thompson allowed his pal, everyone's favorite mattress rep, Ronn Owens into the studio and Ronn did his usual blowing although this time it was especially gruesome and nauseating. The janitors at KGO, I'm told, had a collective vomit orgy in the main Cumulus bathroom. It was a mess just like Owens mass blowfest of Thompson's ego. Oh my god even the seagulls on Battery Street were fainting.

This much is certain. Thompson needs help in the worst way. It's only been a week but it feels like a year. Talk Radio is fairly easy and yanking a headline or two off SFGate to spawn listener interest makes sense. But so far, Thompson is meh times 10,000. He needs a jolt. Maybe he needs more rest too so as opposed to allowing limp biscuit Owens into the studio he should plea with Ronnnnnnnn for an extra temperpedic from Mr. Lowenstein and get more rest and better sleep because so far, KGO's morning man is a crap sandwich galore.

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Bay Area TV Stations Pack Wall-to-Wall Coverage on Big Storm Wednesday Night; 415 Media Highlights and Notes

RAIN/WIND STORM BRINGS OUT FULL-THROTTLE COVERAGE FROM BAY AREA TV STATIONS

KGO; KPIX; KTVU; KNTV; KRON 'Storm Center' coverage wall-towall

OK, so I didn't buy into it, (as always) because it's winter and we occasionally get bigtime storms like tonight's rain/wind onslaught that is currently playing havoc with the Bay Area, especially commuters and their transit and residents suffering mass power outages.

*Highlights and Notes...

The local TV stations have provided almost wall-to-wall "team coverage" and then some. Along with chief weather guy, Bill Martin, KTVU brought in morning traffic anchor, Sal Castaneda and had reporter/anchor, Alyana Gomez at the Bay Bridge Toll plaza for live reports throughout the night...KTVU anchors, Frank Somerville and Julie Haener, manned the coverage...KGO used three (3!) weather anchor: Spencer Christian, Drew Tuma and Sandhya Patel all worked the 5 PM newscast; KGO went with Dan Ashley and Kristen Sze for storm reports on the desk and Lyanne Melendez live from the Ferry terminal on commuter options should the boat ride across the bay be closed. As of 6: 20 the ferry was still operating...KPIX conducted business with Ken Bastida and Veronica De La Cruz at the anchor chairs with Paul Deanno providing weather updates. Deanno informed viewers that "the worst part of the storm {was still coming later in the night}and that "we won't be out of the woods until midnight."...Martin too on KTVU provided more lengthy forecasts with urgent warnings about more ominous rain later in the evening and possible thunderstorms ..An aside: I've been critical of Martin of late but on Wednesday night, he was spot to the point and his anchoring was quite precise and crisp. Informational too, kudos to Bill for a change...Jeff Ranieri on NBC Bay Area also provided vivid descriptions of the rain event and suggested this storm might be the most powerful in quite some time. So far, he might be right...KRON wasn't out of the ordinary with Ken Wayne doing most of the talking and reporters doing their VJing from various Bay Area locales. It was the usual unspectacular work from the independent albatross but better then expected...KTVU simulcast its "KTVU Plus" on TV36 with anchors Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes.

Is Jon Miller Going 'On Assignment' for Life Next Year?; The BS Continues; Speaking of BS, Dan Rosenheim KPIX 'Retirement' Tales; Duane Kuiper Loves His Peanuts; Simmons and Greenwald Were Better Giants' Tonsils; Somerville MIA at KTVU; A True, Scary Pete Wilson Story; Yours Truly and a Jimmy Kimmel Moment at NBA Finals Media Party; Blocking Tim Kawakami Update; Ken Wayne Short-Term Bounce at KRON; Back To Patio Commercials; Allen Martin Caught Smiling; Get the CC Out for 415 Media Thursday Extravaganza

Jon Miller

SO, LET'S SEE...Jon Miller has taken three series off and it's only a third of the season gone by adding fuel to the fire that Miller might be "on assignment" for life beginning next year; if you think that sounds far-fetched you don't know Larry Baer.

*I know, I've drudged this up before but can we 86 this "on assignment" bullshit and call it for what it is or are Giants' fans so booster clubbed zombies that they don't mind being kidnapped by a gimmick that lost its cute factor long ago. Dave Flemming was doing the ESPN broadcast of the Giants-Colorado Monday night; everyone with analog formats even could watch him yet the broadcast mafia known as "Kruk, Kuip, and Miller" dared mention ESPN and went with the on assignment dreck. How sad, a major-market, storied franchise with Albany technique.

Yeah, I'm pissing off a lot of you 415 fans but I'm betting the majority of you quietly agree otherwise you might as well go on assignment yourself.

Frank Somerville and Gasia Mikaelian

*I made a big deal about the bs that some of you bought regarding the decision to tell Dan Rosenheim he's being retired. Why? Because everyone in the know, including even his most ardent defenders, understands the consequences of lousy sweeps and last place in ALL newscasts, morning, noon and night. It is not my pleasure to rejoice of a person's dismissal but I'm not going to report out and out bull crap either, which again, is why you come here and not take the gospel of press release meccas and industry tout sheets.

*Have you heard Duane Kuiper on the air when he's doing radio? You can tell if the Giants are winning or losing just by the tone of Kuip's voice and mouth which lately is the sound of a hundred peanuts being consumed; Kuiper's mouth is also "on assignment." It sounds like I'm picking on the Giants' broadcasters which is not the case because I loved Lon Simmons and Hank Greenwald and Miller, Kruk and Kuip ain't no Simmons or Greenwald, sorry to report.

*Frank Somerville conspicuously absent this week on KTVU late end of Sweeps while the two blond yentas held court; yeah, real riveting at 10 PM I just hope Frank is OK and not freelancing if you know what I mean.

*Let's see: a real lousy morning show where the EP just split leaving the show in complete tatters; a noon newscast that about 16 people watch; a barrage of newbie reporters that have ZERO Bay Area connection; evening news slots that routinely get killed by KRON; an 11 PM show with more trouble than a Roseanne Ambien slumber party; still also, NO face of the station. Oh, and an impending veteran anchor who is about to leave come the fall. Yeah, KPIX, just swimming in luxury, I'm absolutely SHOCKED they canned the conductor! This can't be.

*Echoes in the hallway at 855 Battery around 10: 20 from some chick anchor reacting to DR's "retirement": GAME OFFFF!

*Last night I was at the Jukebox Marriott for the NBA Finals Media party (yeah, I was invited and decided to go because freebies are just wonderful) and ran into two guys and woman from The Jimmy Kimmel Show --a couple of writers and a producer who were LOLing over my fedora gestalt and NY humor. Of course they asked "who are you?" To which I responded: "Well, who the hell are you?!" The woman laughed and the two guys gave me a look. So, yes, women are smarter then men. (God, what a pussy I am)

Heather Holmes

*Heather Holmes: slightly less intelligent than Melissa Caen.

*Remember the days when people actually watched local TV News and didn't have a smart phone and a backpack and chain-smoked American Spirit cigarettes and couldn't wait for Ronn Owens KGO Radio monologue and considered Mark Ibanez and Sal Castaneda the gospel? Remember?

Pete Wilson

*This is a very sad and very true story: eleven years ago, July 20, 2007, to be exact, KGO-TV news anchor, Pete Wilson, was about to undergo hip surgery --a relatively safe procedure but Wilson was nervous and went over to a reporter in the newsroom (I can't name him because he begged anonymity) and told the reporter, "I'm scared to death I'm going to die."

Wilson died due to a complication in surgery later that day --A few veteran KGO staffers know the story. I just got wind of it recently.

*The end of the month, or what's known as frigid time at Cumulus SF at Broadway and Battery. The natives always freak out and that's those that still have a job.

Might be busy at Grumpys around 6.

*The NBA has instructed media people not to show their Finals credential on social media threatening to confiscate those who do so which is great for me because my picture makes a DMV photo look like a Picasso.

*Oh, like everyone else, Warriors in 5.

*The most media savvy coach in Bay Area: Steve Kerr and I'm not necessarily saying that because of his politics it's just that he speaks in real terms and doesn't spew bullshit which is kind of refreshing.

*Today's BLOCK Update on Twitter: the always reliable Tim Kawakami, Ray Ratto, Henry Schulman, Ann Killion, --I'm upset because I thought y'all there was love in the air.

Kawakami is really, really pissed at Greg Papa who electronically bitch-slapped him by tweeting, "TOUCHDOWN RAIDERZ!"

*Wondering aloud if his employer sends a bad check, will Kawakami block them?

*That Ken Wayne bounce that KRON got a few weeks ago has disappeared so back to normal and more outdoor patio ads and hair-replacement commercials; paging Henry Tannenbaum.

*MY appreciation and admiration of the Black female Bay Area TV News anchors would be far more enjoyable if their were a few more Black woman TV anchors --see I complained and my fourth wife, Wendy Williams, agreed with me.

Wendy Williams

"HOW YOU DOIN?"!

*THIS JUST IN: Allan Martin was seen smiling at the Peets coffee on Battery.

*BREAKING NEWS: 415 Media is not a non-profit business and would dearly love the elite class of Bay Area media and PR officials to subscribe by lifting their wallet out and getting the credit card so Rich can eat and make go-go eyes to Cheryl Hurd.

Can you hear me know?

Thanks.

Maria Medina at KPIX; Am I Missing Something? Capable But Not Spectacular; Makovec Shines In Spite of Given The Boot; KGO's Daetz and Melendez Too; Cook and Aguirre Best of the Best; Top Bay Area Women TV News Anchors/Reporters

Maria Medina

 Maria Medina: Am I missing something? Please tell me.

Don't get me wrong, this KPIX anchor is quite a sight to behold (she's quite the presence) but I don't see why all the big fuss. She's certainly capable and serviceable but dynamic, a virtuoso? I'm not there, yet.

Which brings me to my point. I think we're so inundated with such less than mediocre talent in the Bay Area, particularly TV News, that anyone even remotely deemed "good" is catapulted into the greatness category.

Medina isn't the only one and certainly the only woman. She's better than average but is that saying anything these days? Hardly.

For a market that seems to think it's so superior than the rest; for an area that likes to brag about its diversity and esoteric presence; that it's sophisticated and supreme and all that; it's really all smoke and mirrors.

Since we're focused here on women, I'm going to give you my choices for some of the best female TV talent in the Bay Area; women I find both quality anchors/reporters and dedicated to their profession--in no particular order. 


Anne Makovec

*I've always liked Anne Makovec at KPIX. (Who I just find out was given the boot on Sunday Morning) She's very underrated in my book. Love to watch her on Sunday Morning on PIX's decent program. Makovec should be on more and in Primetime but she herself once told me that she prefers the relative calm and peace on weekends as opposed to all the hullabaloo on weekdays.

Here's the thing about Makovec that impresses me the most: she doesn't take herself too seriously and she's also quite beautiful but doesn't let that get to her head. She's also an intelligent news reader and above-average interviewer, full marks in today's environment of nobodies that are worshiped as if they're female Walter Cronkites.

UPDATE: Makovec was replaced by Medina b/c, according to a PIX source: "Maria is probably better looking."

Ouch.

Ama Daetz

*I love KGO's Lyanne Melendez; she's sort of a throwback reporter who just does her job and goes to work; doesn't make a spectacle of herself and is obviously hard-working and dedicated to her craft. She also covers a lot of assignments that are not glamour-oriented (like education and transportation) but makes it interesting.



Lyanne Melendez

*Let me say that I'm very impressed with Ama Daetz of KGO. This might sound sort of weird but it's difficult being that beautiful and also a top-notch anchor to boot.

I think Ama has improved night and day since her earlier tenure at ABC7; she's always read well but her demeanor is more serious and reserved when the story deserves it. Plus, she had to replace the respected and venerable, Carolyn Johnson, not an easy job.

Pam Cook

*Pam Cook, in my mind, is the most underrated anchor at KTVU. She's just plain solid and straightforward --unlike others, she's able to read the news and doesn't draw attention to herself. She doesn't have to. That's what makes her so good. Too bad we don't see more of her.



Jessica Aguirre

*Jessica Aguirre possesses the total package: beauty, talent and elegance combined with grace on the set. I've had some issues with Jess over the years but she's been able to persevere and get better with age. She's still got it and NBC Bay Area has a proven commodity.


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Finally

 At least there's finally a reason to say these things, oh, maybe 500 times today, give or take a few hundred:

1. Live Team Coverage

2. Anchor to weather person: "Every bit helps."

3. "This won't help us in the long run but we really need the rain."

4. "Don't forget to bring your chains if you're heading up to the Sierra." (No shit)

5. "Let's go to the storm desk."

Finally, the all-time topper to commuters: "Folks, give yourself extra plenty of time..." Thanks, I was going to leave at the last minute and head down 880 to the Santa Cruz Mountains and have my tea.

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Ask Rich Lieberman

 OH, It's another 'Ask Rich Lieberman'--a year-end edition and the most popular segment on the 415 Media Blog, so ask away.

You may also ask me a question on Twitter, because I'm accountable.

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Back to the STORM WATCH and TEAM COVERAGE; Weather Orgasm Saturation Continues; Thursday First Take

 Finally, what they've been waiting before. The real stuff is here! Get out the blue jackets. TEAM COVERAGE mentioned umpteen times! STORM WATCH!

Yeah, I don't get it. I'm continually amazed how much time we devote to weather. This time we finally have an excuse because the heavens decided to deliver.

An aside: How many times have you heard pompous reporter say, "You know, this may seem like a lot of rain but we're STILL in a drought--this is a drop in the bucket." (Oh, just shut up!)

At least this time it's real.

Wow, a sinkhole! Oh my god haven't seen that guy in awhile! And count the number of times you see the proverbial tree-falling-on-house story. It happens every now and then but here you get twenty or so daily.

Did I mention there's a sinkhole in the Richmond? Two! In case you didn't know. Back to the STORM WATCH and BREAKING NEWS!

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KGO Radio Changes Across The Board

 *Weekend talk-show hosts have been told they may be history.

*Heavy rumor that all weekend programming will be taped and chock full of syndicated real-estate shows and sweet nothings. In other words, lots of air mush and nothing else.

*News content devoid of ABC Radio by end of year; CNN rehash on the itinerary.

*News segments cut during week and all but wiped out on weekend except a few updates.

*One or two hosts might be hired, (Chip Franklin is already on board), for weekday nights.

*Developing...

*Check back for updates

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How Dare I Rip Renel, The San Francisco Giants PA Announcer But I Don't Think I'm The Only One

 You would think that all would be groovy from the 3rd and King Street believers--after all, the Giants just won another World Series and the Orange and Black can do no wrong in the Bay Area with their passionate fan base.

Well, everything is indeed peachy and everyone's happy.

The fans have gone nuts. They love their team. They love their rock stars. Larry Baer might as well be Mick Jagger.

Then there's this deal about Renel Brooks, the PA announcer..."FOR YOUR SAN FRANCISCOOOOOOOO GIANTS!"

I'm about to open a can of worms but what the hell, that's what this place is all about, right? CorrectoMundo.

I'm not a big fan of Renel. As a PA announcer, that is. I'm not crazy about her on the radio either but the radio biz is another story and I don't really navigate FM broadcasting anymore except to remind myself how crappy it is.

Renel gets too excited for me and she being a PA announcer one could assume being happy is a PA announcer- prerequisite and while that's somewhat true, I don't like Renel's screeching --I was going to say that her style is more Anaheim than San Francisco and that's not a knock on Renel as a person--maybe the Giants are pleased as punch with the arrangement--I'd much prefer someone more sedate and civil. You can be excited and enthusiastic and still be civil; I don't get that aroma with Renel; maybe it's just me but every once and awhile I hear Giants fans gripe about Renel so maybe I'm not alone.

Before I get besieged with the usual-suspect how-could-you-criticize-our-Renel? verbal assault  about to come aiming my way, let me state categorically this is criticism, hopefully constructive. I'm not asking that Renel be replaced with some barber from Mill Valley with great pipes, it's just that I'm not a fan.

Got it?

You can always argue with me on Twitter