Radnich Wife to Raddy: Lose Some LBS Or Else; KRON Surge Taken Into Context; SF Market Lowest in Viewership; Griego at 'PIX: No Sparks Fly; New Ladies' Men 855 Battery Competition; My Cheryl Hurd NBC Bay Area Appreciation Because I'm a Feminist; Bastida Pay Cut Probable; Dennis Richmond Wasn't KTVU's Best; Vern Glenn Hot Take; Too Much O'Donnell; ABC NY Execs Still Trying to Woo KGO's Dan Ashley; Friday 'Basta Extravaganza

Gary Radnich

WHEN YOUR WIFE Insists you get off your ass and shed some lbs, it's not that big a deal unless you're Gary Radnich and that's maybe why he's taken to the exercise bike before she tells him to hit the road, Jack!

*By the way, who the hell wears sunglasses indoors anymore? Wait a minute.

*OK, OK, yes I know about KRON's sudden surge in numbers but before there's a party let's cease in the outdoor patio ads and 86 the plastic surgeons pimping on Union St. on its airwaves and then maybe I'll reevaluate my opinion about KRON.

*HEY, WAN'T PROOF ABOUT OUR DIMINISHING TV NEWS MARKET? Read This.

*Michelle Griego: No spark. No action. No bright lights. Dullsville. She'd be great over at KQED hosting a pledge break.

*Competition at KPIX for unofficial ladies man, now entering the building, Dennis O' Donnell, he better watch out because hell, cameras are everywhere! Trouble Den? Ask your buddy, Joe Vasquez.

*The other night at Original Joe's in North Beach, a rather loud man on TV News who should know better had one of his sloppy seconds giggling like a college prom girl --she had to be reminded he had to get back to work for the 11 and no, they were NOT talking about the gnocchi and Caesar salad, trust me.

Michelle Griego

*I'VE DECIDED a wholesale lifestyle change is in order; why, you ask?

Because some of the few people I believe in have turned out to be total posers and jerks; not that I'm a boy scout but I never pretended to be otherwise; I am who I am and that will never cease unless I hit the lottery and marry Cheryl Hurd and we jet off to The Hague, The Netherlands and eat some salmon and drink like sailors.

*My obsession with Countess Hurd dates back several years ago when we met and she graced her presence on the Bay Area news scene with a winning smile, terrific personality, and obvious attraction to me, then an unknown celebrity blogger and former assistant to my good friend, Gabrielle Union.

Cheryl Hurd

Hurd was always intrigued about me especially the night I met her at the Van Ness Holiday Inn bar and told her, point black, "baby, I'm going to make you a STAR!" At which she told me, wait, I have to use the ladies room so it ended up there was a "meetin' in the ladies room."

*Bastida might have to take a pay cut if he wants to stay on the desk. A "paycut"!? How dare they! Yeah, ask Ken Wayne, Mark Ibanez about such atrocities.

*So Alex Savidge gets a "promotion" to anchor two of the least-watched shows on KTVU which should tell you something about 2's direction.

*Gregg Kelley has a new idea to boost morale at Fox2 in Oakland: he's agreed to stay an extra hour each day and split at 3: 30. Yavoy!

*Yeah, I know about all the Dennis Richmond stories but the biggest one that never got any traction was Dennis's offer to stay on past his retirement for a few years only KTVU wasn't interested and basically told him to take a hike which never got out but I was on it.

*BY THE WAY, The Very Best and Most Talented anchor, ever, at KTVU was also its most troubled: Leslie Griffith. She was smart and very good on the air but she had "Play Misty for Me" -like tendencies that made people very nervous.

Ask Mark Ibanez.

*The feminist that I am I take offense to the notion that I only write about Bay Area women anchors in a sexual motif --that is simply wrong and misunderstood because in fact, it is I that has championed women's rights and have been on the forefront for people like, say, Darya Folsom, of KRON have the right to make great journalism like this.

*Vern Glenn, I didn't know there was this big vitriol against the PIX second sports anchor; I'm a huge Vern guy but I do agree with some of Glenn's most fiercest critics that his Radnich mannerisms are unbecoming and don't play well on the air. The constant copy-shuffling; the voice inflections; the VO on the highlights that reek of Gary; it's one thing to emulate the RAD, it's quite another to just imitate him. That should be a no-no on Vern's chalkboard. Vern has a nice personality of HIS OWN and should emulate that. He's quite a good writer and generally anchors a decent sportscast. But his Gary habits are indeed annoying and it is there that I agree with the critics.

Vern Glenn

Keep in mind too that Dennis O'Donnell, who worked at KRON for years when Radnich and Glenn were there, has a huge influence on the Vern. But Vern is secure enough now to tell DOD that it's time "I make my own style" you, Dennis, keep to having beers at the Old Ship and quit telling me what to do.

Dan Ashley

*ABC NEWS NY Execs; high-level guys who wear the expensive suits and eat lunch regularly at "21" continue to weigh prying KGO (and ABC-owned and operated KGO) lead anchor, Dan Ashley, away from the Bay Area and straight into Manhattan--in spite of Ashley's repeated missives that he doesn't want to leave KGO and is quite comfortable at KGO. Then again, Ashley, according to Circle7 sources, tell me his contract (still a few years to go) has yet to get ironed out and extension negotiations haven't even been discussed. My best bet is KGO doesn't want to lose another prominent anchor and something like this on its hand again.

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415 Media Exclu: Anchor Shuffle At KGO-TV; Zse Takes Over For Cheryl Jennings At 5 PM; Thomas To Solo-Anchor Weekend Nights; Zouves And Aqui New Morning News Anchors

 Kristin Zse will take over

 departing Cheryl Jennings's 5 PM co-anchor spot and Eric Thomas will be anchoring weekend nights at KGO-TV, (ABC7), according to a knowledgeable broadcast source.

Both Thomas and Zse, as reported by 415 Media, are leaving KGO's Morning News. And, according to the source, both are "very happy" at the change. They should be: Thomas wasn't thrilled working with the temperamental Zse and Zse had some issues with the veteran, Thomas. Thomas will also do weeknight fill-in for Dan Ashley and Larry Beil.

Meanwhile, I've learned through the source the new morning anchors will be Natasha Zouves and Reggie Aqui, the "new kids" on the block.

KGO's anchor shuffling comes at a time when the ABC local "O and O" has strong ratings both late night and early evening. I haven't been thrilled with Zouves' perpetual "happy face" and quirky voice but moving her to mornings makes better sense where her style and demeanor might be a better fit.

KRON Malaise Aided And Abetted By ND Aaron Pero; Staff Morale Reaches Crisis Point; Station Legacy Tainted By Lack of Leadership And Vision

 Nobody; not a soul on the planet; not anyone in the universe; all living particles; disputes the incredible task of running KRON. More like making KRON be more un-KRON-like than anything else for the sake of KRON and its staff and the few actual people who watch what was once San Francisco's most respected and heralded TV News station.

It's been a rather downward spiral since all hell broke loose almost 15 years ago when KRON was sold, lost its NBC affiliation and was slowly on the verge of its impending demise. Staff morale was at its seeming worst. Attitudes exposed the general malaise. Productive people--on the air and off--sent out resumes and began pursuing other stations. In and out of the market.

KRON became so toxic that the people who worked in the old building at 1001 Van Ness thought the place was haunted. Seriously, haunted, like, for instance, a well-known producer who asked the assistant news director, in 2005, that the building be sterilized. He wasn't kidding. The building wasn't sterilized and the whole idea was lampooned (it made the rounds in the newsroom) but the point was the producer wasn't kidding. So much so that even when his idea was laughed at he wrote to HR to see if the job could be executed. They politely declined but the degree to which its own workforce felt about walking into the old building speaks volumes of how they acted and offered up crazy ideas. To this day, at the old fort (where a new housing development is coming) some of the old KRONvicts (ex-KRON staffers) walk peacefully by and take a look. The old building is still there of course but some still think there's voodoo in the ground. I didn't make that up, a KRONvict told me. She too wasn't kidding.

Today, KRON is loosely defined more or less by what it used to be than what it is and what it could be. It could be a thrifty news operation that centers on the Bay Area. It could be a valuable device when there's legitimate breaking news; an earthquake, a flood, a terrorist attack; in which KRON could utilize it's only asset: it is not burdened by network affiliations and their programming. In other words, KRON could try to model a local CNN (when CNN was in the business of reporting news) in which its forte was the "24/7 News Station", or something like that. Hire reliable reporters--they don't have to be stars and with KRON's budget, they wouldn't be--just basic benign reporters who can work the field and know geography. It sounds complicated but it really isn't. Unfortunately KRON can't seem to pull it off and is stuck in yesterday. Every day.

Part of that stagnation lies exclusively on News Director, Aaron Pero, who has been the recipient of my wrath a good deal of time on this site. Mind you, I've never met Pero but I have repeatedly made overtures (via phone and e-mail) to ask him if he'd like to clear anything up; issues like, for instance, reporters, producers, who have contacted me (and asked for anonymity because they feared reprisal) saying that Pero bullied them, belittled them, shouted at them, constantly. Bosses shout and are critical--its their job. It's called being a boss, but many of the letter writers said Pero went too far. One in particular said Pero's reign of rule sent a well-known reporter literally in tears coming out of his office. Many said Pero made it a living hell to come to work and be humiliated by the boss seemingly every day.

Again, for this article, I reached out to Pero for comment and was not answered. No problem because I never expected Pero to respond. He reads this blog because he's made it perfectly clear that anyone talking to me might as well update their resume and hit the door.

None of my correspondence about KRON was solicited. They come to me. I may have, at one point, sent an e-mail or made a phone call (in confidence) doing a follow-up to a note or something of significance sent my way. In other words, the weird things at KRON; the people who get bounced for no good reason, is something I didn't initiate. Whenever something bad happens it comes my way.

Pero, according to sources at the station, is still making life miserable for some people. He won't shout at the stars because he may be dumb but he isn't stupid. He is hellbent, say the sources, on making KRON relevant --at any cost, including the various scapegoats he uses as those he can pick off and tell corporate he's trying to make the station whole. Only corporate, it seems, isn't interested and instead seems to look the other way. The GM, as we've said in the past, is way, way over her head and the consensus is she doesn't know how to run the TV station. You get what you pay for.


It's not Pero's fault that KRON is and forever will be hampered by lack of money, a mostly indifferent staff frustrated by the lack of leadership both from the station and the owner. But he can help himself too. He can meet with staff and clear the air. It needs to be cleansed. Instead, Pero has chosen to rule by intimidation and fear. At least, that's what the rank and file tell me. If Pero and/or his minions want to counter that they know how to get a hold of me. I won't hold my breath.


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KRON Mayhem Prolonged By Pero Mismanagement; 'Fucking Bullshit' Stunt Highlights Rank And File Disgust; GM Apparently Listless

The KRON/Fucking Bullshit incident has propelled someone at the station to risk their career--and that they did, for orchestrating the "Fucking Bullshit" graphic that appeared as a crawl on KRON's Friday Morning News last week for a good six minutes.

Then again, this bit of shenanigans is indicative of a newsroom rife with deep and bitter morale issues and a major disconnect and mistrust of News Director, Aaron Pero.

Worse yet, it appears the only reason Pero is still barking orders and acting like a jerk is the word that GM, Ashley Gold Messina is way in over her head and doesn't know how to run a news operation let alone a TV station.

KRON is good at bungling --and the latest brouhaha --right after the Erica Kato firing; another indictment on Pero and his sycophantic misfits (few but plenty) shows that the inmates are running the asylum. Or, in KRON's case, maybe the gatekeeper hasn't been minding the store. You would think someone in corporate would take a look at their flagship Bay Area station but it's obvious the MG morons either don't have a clue, are incapable of conducting a business that is in dire need of leadership and a shake-up, or really don't give a damn.

If Pero had an ounce of a brain he'd call a station-wide meeting and clear the air. Yesterday. It's pretty obvious that Pero's brash, fear-embedded style of direction isn't working and has only intensified his major prickism that permeates the premises of 900 Front where Pero orchestrates his daily mayhem.

This would be easy: Pero to staff:  

"Look, I want to say to you all that I value your work; I appreciate your determination and hard labor, all of you, in making KRON, against all odds, a viable TV news operation in the #6 market."

How simple is that? But Pero's rule-by-intimidation and fear is quite obviously allowed and maybe even encouraged or is simply tolerated because there's no one else available to handle the job. Either way it's incredibly clear that the vast majority of the rank and file are fed up with Pero's reign and some are so fed up that they'd risk their professional life and livelihood --fucking bullshit, indeed.


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415 Media Exclu: Dan Ashley Re-Ups At KGO-TV 'For Many Years To Come'

 Veteran KGO-TV (ABC7) lead weeknight anchor, Dan Ashley, has signed a "long-term" contract extension that will keep the twenty-year veteran at the ABC O and O for "many years to come", according to a reliable SF broadcast source.

Ashley has been a stalwart for KGO's pm news blocks anchoring the 5, 6, 9 (on KOFY) and 11 PM newscasts.

Reached by phone, Ashley refused comment but his re-up was, according to the source, finalized last week and an official announcement from KGO should be coming any day now.

*415 Media Exclu

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KGO-TV, Channel 7, Circle 7, SF Anchors

KRON Kato Ouster Controversy Continues; The Heat Is On; Media General Review; Pero Pivots; Viewer Wrath Directed At KRON Management Over Move

 KATO OUSTER DRAWS IRE TO KRON MANAGEMNT

*The Erica Kato axe story has the eyes and ears of Media General big suits--how so?  Word on the street: Because their affiliate managers are having "independent reviews" on Kato firing. Translation: Don't be surprised if MG wants Pero to reveal his specific reason(s) why Kato was bounced.

These matters usually take a lot of time when it involves personnel so the process could become gradual --maybe, maybe not.

*Multiple KRON sources: "significant" turmoil and unease" inside studio. Morale at an all-time low. (Lower than low)

*Aaron Pero at center of the heat.

*Staffer: "We're all just staying clear of his (Pero) path."

*Producers, EP's, staff weary and "afraid"--"I'm scared, (one particular evening staffer) of him."

*Mysteriously, Pero's good friend was absent from the morning news show --she called in sick on Monday. (What a coincidence)

*KRON has been besieged with e-mail complaining about the Kato firing. A "Bring Back Erica" petition has circulated.

*Developing

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Breaking 415 Media: Erica Kato OUT at KRON; Pero on The Attack; Tension Inside The Newsroom

 Apparently, it's not too bubbly over there at the grand new digs of KRON on the Embarcadero.

Weatherwoman Erica Kato has been fired, out of the blue. She'd been forecasting at the indie since April, 2011.

My KRON spy said News Director, Aaron Pero made the announcement today (Thursday) to staff:

"Erica no longer works here." How poignant.

He also stated that he will "get ratings up by any means necessary." Good luck with that.

 

According to my spy, KRON personnel is worried and things are tense in the newsroom as he looks for targets to blame for station issues to keep the heat off himself.  We'll see.

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There's Already Talk Of A SSA Between KGO-TV And KRON; Word On The Street Wednesday

 They share a building, (separate offices notwithstanding)--they share a news helicopter, (it's KGO's). Now comes word from a few of my spies at 900 FRONT that there's talk of a Shared-Services Agreement in the offing.

Between KRON and ABC7 which has been rumored for months and now, and according to a source, has already been discussed with the union, (SAG-AFTRA). So, yes, your KRON reporters could soon be seen on Circle7 and some KGO reporters on KRON. Without elaborating on how much this potentially sucks, it unfortunately makes too much sense.

Nobody is talking on the record of course because this has just surfaced.  More ominous is what happens if it delves from merely air talent to producers, engineers and writers, (NABET), which it most assuredly would.

It's all about saving money you know --even in times when business is good and every one is happy. That's the numbing thing others at 900 Front are most worried about but we're a long way from that occurring.

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