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.

The Warriors' Hangover; KGO-TV Is Giddy; The Last Time The Warriors Won The NBA Finals Was 1975; Visuals For Those Who Care; Patty Hearst; 'Do The Hustle' And President Jerry Ford Outside The St. Francis

 

 If you think KGO-TV personnel are happy now (like presumably every other Warriors fans this morning) just wait for the next few weeks.


For starters, KGO killed in the May Sweeps. They blockheaded the competition at all-important 11 PM and did very well at 5 and 6 PM too.


Now, they get the NBA Finals and ratings nirvana (ABC broadcasts the NBA Finals and of course KGO is ABC's O and O (Owned and Operated) station in the Bay Area.


Take that, everyone else!

Which means everyone at 900 Front will be donning yellow and blue and the sales department will be eating a lot of cake.


The last time the Warriors were in the NBA Finals was 1975 (as pointed out) --they played at the Cow Palace, the dilapidated dump in Daly City.

In 1975 Jerry Ford was the POTUS. (Sarah Jane Moore tried to assassinate him in September outside the St. Francis Hotel) Joe Alioto was SF mayor. Patty Hearst was living on Morse Street with Bill and Emily Harris of the SLA. The Streets of San Francisco on ABC was #5 on TV and the local news was dominated by "Channel 7 News Scene"


#1 hit: "Do the Hustle"--Van McCoy. "When Will I See You Again."--The Three Degrees


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Suddenly, The Mellowed Me? Not Really

 I got an e-mail from a longtime reader: "you've gone soft--what's happened to your edge?" Yeah, the snarky me has temporarily left the building which is bad for business--less hits, less fuss, more, well yes, happy snarky me, your loving media blogger who has this dilemma.

Part of the appeal of this site is that people react to bluntness--want honesty. Maybe too much honesty. It's like the ultimate driving on the freeway and stopping to view the blood from the accident and bodies. I'm generalizing but you get the gist. We complain that the only news is bad news yet we're not interested in good news --in fact, years ago, some TV channel promoted the first "We only report good news"--no murder stories, no funerals, no armed robbery surveillance video, etc. and guess what? Nobody watched. The channel went dead. So good news is really bad business apparently. The National Enquirer's picture of Elvis's dead body was its most popular cover ever. Millions bought it. A cute and cuddly cat appeared on the cover of Time Magazine. It too sold well but nowhere near the figure of Elvis's corpse.

Which brings me back to my buddy saying that I've pulled back and become too mellow. I really haven't but maybe some of you think I have. It's hard, frankly, to go poke at others when you yourself have been in a personal funk like me for the past month or so. There are those journalists out there who have an amazing ability to compartmentalize and perform their work even under the most dire of circumstances. That's why I'm a blogger, I guess.

Even those of you that have been the recipient of my scorn know (most of you at least) that my rants are based, mostly, on my opinion of your work. I seriously try not to make it personal but any criticism, any rip, verbal snipe, el-snarky supreme, is always personal. Some of you get it and know how to play the game- others simply don't get it. It's just my opinion. Nevertheless my current pretzel state instead of the spicy meatloaf has transformed me which is great for the mind but delivers lousy Google checks. So help me, what should I do?

When you're dealing with life issues everything else becomes uber-secondary. I know a lot of you guys love pictures of black Bentleys parked in handicapped zones and ripping the morning talk host who does mattress ads but I'm not in the mood. Not now at least. They'll be a day when things go back to normal but right now is not the time. Or is it? Never mind.

This may sound trite but one thing I've really discovered is that no matter how much we think something is important; some job, some ex-wife; a girlfriend/boyfriend issue, ego, weight, the 'who pays the bar tab', me taking a shot at Ronn; it's really not that important. Surprise. Sure, I can still think that Ronn sold out but I don't wish Ronn any ill health or bad vibe; never have, but going through what I've been through the past six weeks makes it seem, in retrospect, utterly trivial and in reality it is. All of it. I'm beginning to sound like Dr. Phil and that's annoying but I think you get the point.

In due time, God willing and if I'm in a better mood and not worrying about what other people think about me, I'll get back to throwing out some darts and extra cheese on the burgers. Until then, please excuse my detour from Glenn Beck into Mother Teresa.

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New Channel 2 Graphics; More Fox, Less KTVU But I Like It

 KTVU has begun to quietly rebrand itself with new Fox-infused graphics and look on its newscasts. The graphics have more "FOX" Id and a middle-screen, blue streak with the headline. It's not that dramatic a new look other than Fox2's new emphasis and less KTVU--"Channel 2."

I actually like it and think it's a cleaner appearance. If you like it you're in luck because you're going to be seeing more of it. If not, you might not be a happy camper.


Again, it's not something that would make me not want to watch Channel 2--the real early bona fide difference is actually on the screen where anchors are more noticeably in a chit-chat mode. That's the most significant new entity since Fox took control of KTVU in mid-October.

KRON Has To Shed Little Sisters Of The Poor Image; Move Into New 900 Front Building Inspires Hope For Personnel

 As KRON slowly moves into its new digs, (in the 900 Front/ABC building that houses KGO-TV), it has to shed its little sisters of the poor image and take advantage of what it does best: provide a consistent, if modest and lean, all-news product to Bay Area viewers.

A KRON staffer told me that morale, while most of the time still in the dumper, has become a bit more cheerier as personnel gets entrenched in its new Embarcadero studios. Where 1001 Van Ness was a windowless stale edifice, the splashy waterfront office if nothing else, inspires hope and inspiration for a work force that desperately needs both.

KRON is still an albatross but what it does have going for it can be maximized and utilized --outside the constant 24/7 barrage of infomercials and third-tier programs, is a dedicated, if sometimes sloppy news force that can churn out some decent news content for a market that is capable of supporting a variety of news operations.

 KRON's issues, and it has plenty, has to do with its meager corporate budget; fewer camera trucks and equipment; horrific mismanagement galore orchestrated by News Director, Aaron Pero, who is universally despised by most of the rank and file. Pero runs the newsroom like he's some brute dictator on a mission to demoralize everyone in the building. He's done a great job, supposedly. Until someone at Media General, (KRON's corporate owner), gets in Pero's face and reads him the riot act, Pero will continue his reign of fear and loathing. One would hope the new address may inspire Pero to change his tactics. Don't hold your breath.


KRON will never be a NY1 but it can and does have extra time for newscasts. The 8PM show is sharp and consistent if occasionally dull. But so what, bring us news. KRON's staple of reporters are not the most highlighted but are hard-working and pretty good for the most part.


We often take quality anchors for granted here but keep in mind the presence of seasoned veterans like Pam Moore, Catherine Heenan, Vicki Liviakis, and yes, his sports highness himself, Gary Radnich.


Because of its own status as an independent and not beholden to network obligations, KRON can take a negative and turn it into a mild positive. Sure, it hasn't happened for over twelve years and there's nothing to indicate a dramatic departure from the present. It is what it is, as the cliche goes but that doesn't mean the station has to go into a deep retreat. It has much too many good news people.


Time will tell.

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It's Time To Ask Rich Lieberman

 Oh, should be a fun day. Can't wait for the brigade.

OK, fire away. No subject is off the table. I want compelling questions and I shall do my best to provide compelling answers because I'm a compelling sort of guy.

No morons, please. (Fat chance).

Detour on the porterhouse steak dinner--instead opted for Chinese. Yung Kee saves the night. Kung Pao chicken for everyone.

GAME ON!

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*Rich Lieberman and 415 Media are not responsible for comments made by others on this website

Here Comes the Inevitable Drought Stories; NBC BA IU; Bruce/KNBR Watch; George Watson; Tuesday Quick Hits

  TUESDAY QUICK HITS

 

*Why do Bay Area TV/Radio broadcasters need to tell us "we need the rain" about 6000 times every day? As if we already didn't know. Yeah, it's been awhile since Mother Nature has delivered her dew on our lawns and pavement. We get it but we've also been down this road before. All we need is an Alaskan cold front with three straight days of moisture and snow in Tahoe and we'll be OK. Get the hell over it and refrain from the inevitable drought stories. Besides, if it gets real bad we live next to an ocean, remember?

 

*I wasn't ripping the NBC Bay Area 'Investigative Unit'--I was just mentioning the fact that for a specialized news division, they weren't delivering the goods given their enormous budget and nonstop ad blitz highlighting their illustrious reporting.

 

*Damon Bruce/KNBR watch: the firestorm has abated but both the show and Bruce himself sounds a little tainted. Bruce was to have emceed the Guardsman luncheon in anticipation of the Big Game but that was shelved. Wonder why.

 

*George Watson is alive and kicking. The former KTVU anchor has battled an ongoing problem with the bottle and we wish him all the best.

 

*The Radnich-Larry Krueger sports show on KRON was to have debuted last Thursday. Technical glitches aced that out. Look for the show to launch sometime this week.

 

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Lieberman Live Switches To New Station/Primetime Oct 1-7; KSCO 2-4 PM Monday-Friday



Rich Lieberman with MLB MVP Vida Blue

RICH LIEBERMAN LIVE MOVES TO NEW STATION, (KSCO); PRIMETIME --OCTOBER!!

 

We're moving on up.

 

We're going to KSCO, Monday-Friday, 2-4 PM beginning the week of Oct 7, (or sooner); Immerse yourself with original, unique, entertaining and riveting, thought-provoking and enlightened and LIVE radio content like you've NEVER heard before.

 

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The Blog and the Radio Show; Rich Lieberman 415 Media and KSCO/KOMY; State of the Union

One of the biggest complaints I get is that now that I'm on radio, the blog has suffered. Oh, and another thing: I haven't been ripping more people because I'm afraid they won't do the show.

Let me assure you that neither are true.

As for critical comments, they'll continue, when I see fit. I don't compromise this site so I can have news people on the show. Dan Ashley, for example, the prime anchor at KGO-TV has seen a lot of my riffs here and yet he's been on the show multiple times.

I needled KTVU weatherman, Bill Martin, for having a chip on his shoulder at times, yet Bill and I communicate all the time and I've invited him to be on the show. Raj Mathai of KNTV, I said, didn't look comfortable on the air initially as a newsreader but now he clearly commands the screen and does a good job.

I've teased Janelle Wang on occasion about her ad-libbing--legitimate criticism--yet Janelle has been on the show and, oh, by the way, her ad-libbing is much better. She's not Diane Dwyer, but she's shown vast improvement and has become one of the Bay Area's more notable anchors.

Frank Somerville gets a lot of praise here and it's deserved: he's on my top 5 list of favorite TV anchors which includes, Ashley, KTVU's Ken Wayne, KGO-TV's Carolyn Johnson, and KPIX5's, Ken Bastida.

*I'm trying to do something unique here: maintain the blog and continue to give you inside information that you look forward to and the main reason you come to this site. And you'll continue to get that info, I promise.

At the same time, I'm doing a radio show and periodically, I'll have guests on--some will be Bay Area media people, some not. I've established myself enough to where people want to do the show. Not all, but many. There's a few folks who are afraid to come on; no need to ID them and that's OK, hey I'm not everybody's favorite flavor, I get it. Fortunately, they're in the minority.

Another thing: if you listen to my show, (here's the link: http://www.ksco.com/lieberman-live) we're doing a lot of news-talk. The show isn't always centered on media so I've become more diversified. And I'm beginning to do a lot of shows guest-free which is great because I'm opinionated and can talk. That's a good thing.

By no means do I take you folks for granted. I'm always willing and able to want your feedback, even those of you who can't stand me, which is fine as long as it's clean and constructive. I'll grant you there's been times where I've responded sarcastically and not answered your gripes; entirely on me and I'm sorry, I'll try to improve there, after all, I dish therefore I should be able to handle legitimate criticism.

To my critics: do me a favor. Give me some time. Obviously, there's going to be perpetual pissed-off peeps that will never accept me. Fine. I'm a big boy, I can take it. But those of you that are neutral, don't care, or just plain suspicious, take some some time and give a listen. And if you feel like venting, give me a call and we'll go at it. I love a good debate.

As for the blog, I will continue to get you the info, provide my opinion; rant a little, rave too. Most importantly, be entertaining, offer my two cents, and write about Bay Area media and its society.

Feedback is vital. Again, you gotta gripe? Go ahead and post your thought(s). Compliments are welcome too. And oh yes, have I screwed up? Sure. So I'm human, forgive me.


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*Tips-E-Mail-Donations to 415 Media: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com