415 Media Exclusive: Campbell Leaving KTVU On Her Terms; Asiana Gaffe Played No Part In Decision; After Two Decades Ready To Travel; Inside Story

 It would be extremely convenient and a logical assumption that Tori Campbell leaving KTVU was hastened by her direct involvement in the Asiana Airline pilot's name gaffe.

It would also be wrong too.

According to multiple KTVU sources, Campbell is leaving on her own volition; she wasn't pushed out the door and simply feels it's time to move on and enjoy life and travel. Furthermore, Campbell's husband lives in Seattle and the grind of frequent commutes to the Northwest took its toll and Campbell decided, among other reasons, that it was time to leave.

My KTVU spy told me that Campbell informed the "Mornings on Two" staff about her decision yesterday (Wednesday) and insisted that the decision was "hers alone." No one else at the station other than a few management figures were notified.

Said one of the sources:

"She's had 20 years in the biz; she just turned 50 and she wants to travel a little, see her family--she's gonna get a nice pension and she's going out on her terms--it's as simple as that."

It should be noted that right before the Asiana affair, Campbell signed a contract extension that was for three years--two years and an option. That would have taken her to June, 2015. Her last day at KTVU is June 19th.


Campbell, by all accounts, is a nice person. "A real pro," said a staffer. Her tenure at KTVU, unfortunately, might be highlighted, or maybe lowlighted, by her reading of the fake names on that infamous newscast back in July, 2013. To some, Campbell's action was worthy of instant termination. Others said she was simply caught up in a monumental, momentary brain fart that most likely will be embedded for years to come.


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Breaking: Tori Campbell Leaving KTVU; KTVU Source: 'Nobody Saw It Coming'

 Tori Campbell is leaving KTVU in June. She made the announcement on "Mornings on Two" and also on her Twitter account.


Did this play a part? Stay tuned.

There's a myriad of reasons and explanations to roam through here and we'll be right on top of it.


*Developing...


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Dave Clark And Tori Campbell; Deconstructing KTVU 'Mornings On Two' Anchor Pair; Friday First Take

 Dave Clark, one of the anchors on KTVU's 'Mornings on 2", is often the recipient of negative anti-positive e-mail in my message box.

Most people say he looks uncomfortable, that he gives off a bad vibe and seems angry. I'm paraphrasing of course but the overall impression of Clark isn't warm and fuzzy.

Which is interesting because almost every person at Channel 2 has told me Clark is a good guy, or, "he's a real nice man."

I bumped into Clark a few years back; it was some industry event in the city and didn't say much, it was mostly small talk. He was cordial and pleasant and in a brief time, there was nothing to indicate that he was some crummy jerk, not even close to it.

Part of Clark's low-grade appearence, at least on TV, appears to be his facial scowl, which makes him look sort of cranky. But along with the eternal scowl comes the frequent smile afterward so there's every indication that Dave Clark's look can be interpreted as angry but those who know swear he's Mr. Sunshine.

 Then there's Tori Campbell. Tori looks and sounds a lot more careful these days. I wonder why. That last statement was intended to be sarcastic.

Ever since you-know-what, Campbell seems more dazed and plain, just do the job and get out of the building kind of vibe.

Maybe it's fair, maybe it's not. I'll give Campbell credit; few people in the business could have survived the whole you-know-what and come back strong seemingly able to put all of that behind her.

While I said my thing on that old deal and wondered aloud why Tori Campbell wasn't given the ax, I also commend her for being able to move forward and onward. True, she has little choice but nevertheless, the stigma of 16 months later is still there and an indelible mark on her career.

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Tori Campbell, KTVU: 2013 SF Bay Area Media Person of the Year

 Time Magazine has its annual "Person of the Year"--it features a person or persons who had the most impact, for better or worse, on the year's news.

 

In the Bay Area, I'm inaugurating the " SF Bay Area Media Person of the Year"and in 2013, it's a no-brainer.

 

Tori Campbell, KTVU's inimitable morning and noon anchor is my unanimous winner.

 

If you just got out of a coma or were on a Mars vacation, it was Campbell that read the infamous fake Korean airline pilot names. It caused a storm. It stained prestigious Channel 2. It made otherwise normal media people ponder.

 

Stephen Colbert was handed a double-size buffet of red meat.

 

There were consequences, of course, over the big TV news brouhaha, but the bottom line was that it was Campbell that evaded the sudden fate and wrath that begot others. Why, some people wondered, myself included, was Campbell allowed to carry on without nary a mild suspension or outright termination? Good questions.

 

In any event, this still mind-numbing event; the talk of both the local and national TV/Radio newsrooms to this day; a parody only it was real and SNLish, is, hands-down, unequivocally, the Bay Area media event of 2013 and Campbell, the 415 Media "Person of the Year."

By the way, did she really read it? I must still be dreaming.

 

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Tori Campbell was Not on KTVU Monday Morning But There's a Reason

Tori Campbell was NOT on the air Monday Morning on her KTVU "Mornings on 2" program, but there's a reason. A convenient reason but nonetheless interesting.

A source close to the station told me that she wasn't suspended nor reprimanded over "Namegate." In fact, Campbell had a long-ago-planned family vacation.

In this case, the timing could not have come at a better time for Campbell; not so much for KTVU.

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Tori Campbell and KTVU Namegate; An Honest, Politically-Incorrect Viewpoint from the 415 Media Blogger

The non PC Dept.


I don't know Tori Campbell that well but I've been told she's a total pro. I don't doubt that but her reading of the fake pilot names that has caused considerable angst both for her and KTVU still continues to befuddle me.

Like this: TORI!! A 5th-grader would have immediately known those names were FAKE! How in God's name could you have then carried on without stopping and saying that, for example, "we're going to a break and look at these names--something needs to be checked." COME ON, THIS IS FUCKING COMMON SENSE!!

**Campbell isn't going to be fired because she just recently re-upped and is being paid pretty good money but her performance here is flat-out mind-boggling. If I'm to be castigated to suggest here that she should be held accountable, so be it.

I mean, shit, did you see what Stephen Colbert had to say?!!

The easiest and most politically-correct take here in the Bay Area is that Campbell is a solid anchor and therefore should be given a pass. Bullshit. She royally screwed up. She has major company but she did the deed. Again, this sounds harsh but it's the truth.  (Can't wait for the, you're a misogynist, Rich!, crowd to come out from hiding.)

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The Darkest Day at KTVU? You Betcha; Heads Will Roll; The Mistake from Hell; A 21st Century TV 'BabaBooey'

Uh, you can't make this up.

A few things:

Heads will roll, not necessarily Tori Campbell, but someone in the newsroom, trust me.

Editors, I'm sure too. Producers, Assignment Desk guy? The GM? This is stunning.

Several people at KTVU might be updating their resume.

Oh, and some folks are no doubt getting shitfaced at every known Jack London Square tavern.

Wonder if the KTVU Marketing Dept will run any promos? (OK, too easy, sorry.) By the way, noted Howard Stern prankster, Captain Janks, was not involved with this caper.

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