Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Ed Baxter Interview; KTVU Love Letters; Bay Area Media Notes

Ed Baxter joined me on my radio show on Tuesday. Some of you ask why I have promoted the radio show and, in this case, Ed Baxter.

Baxter spent 35+ years at the old KGO Radio. He developed a loyal following in addition to being a quality newsman and excellent interviewer. You don't get to have 35 years at one radio station if you're some dork from Idaho. Baxter earned his stripes and then some.

In addition, if you listen to the podcast on KSCO/KOMY, you'll note that Baxter was tremendously forthright and candid in discussing his own fate at KGO, (he left in May, 2011), and revealed much info that you won't and don't get on any other radio station around here any beyond.

It's refreshing every once and a while for those of the readers who want some insight into the internal goings-on of a radio and/or TV station. That's why I'm here. Every now and then we interview newsmakers and those that report and broadcast the news on the screen and radio dial. Thanks to those of you that enjoyed the interview.

*Dan Sileo, the ex-KNBR morning zooish has again been fired from a South Florida radio station for making and anti-Semitic comment. Ho hum. Sileo spent some time at Knibber mostly offering up some lame bits and unfunny material. This latest offing might be his last. Good riddance.

*Seems some folks at KTVU with a lot of time to kill have been sending me some love letters about my alleged "gossip" regarding Dennis Richmond and various other assorted items. Good for you; keep 'em coming. And while your at it, tell the big boss I appreciate his spirited return call.

*An impending broadcast tsunami is about to hit the Bay Area and I'll just leave it at that...of course this coming development could just all be gossip. Mark the calendar around the middle of March.

*The fact that the former laughing-stock station in this TV market has begun to not only churn out some respectable news content, and done so in extended time for that matter is admirable. Furthermore, the ex-albatross station has not only looked better, but even some of its station management has offered up a quiet olive branch to this critic. That's not only pragmatic, but sound reasoning. A quality virtue indeed.

*Then there's the sanctimonious prima donna reporter at KGO-TV who likes to lecture about what we have right here, (at 415 Media), and what we have wrong. Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil.

*Was there a light show on the Bay Bridge? I heard something.

*Follow me on Twitter


*Tips/E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com

14 comments:

  1. "An impending broadcast tsunami is about to hit the Bay Area and I'll just leave it at that...of course this coming development could just all be gossip. Mark the calendar around the middle of March"

    "The fact that the former laughing-stock station in this TV market has begun to not only churn out some respectable news content, and done so in extended time for that matter is admirable. Furthermore, the ex-albatross station has not only looked better, but even some of its station management has offered up a quiet olive branch to this critic. That's not only pragmatic, but sound reasoning. A quality virtue indeed."

    I wonder if both of these comments refer to KRON. Perhaps NBC Bay Area is losing the NBC affiliation back to KRON? KRON is solid, I never turn on NBC Bay Area. I can't get behind their anchors or their content.

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    1. NBC owns KNTV (NBC Bay Area). I would not expect to see an affiliation change anytime soon.

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  2. What I have noticed about the Golden Years local channel (Funny I mention Ysabel and two days later she's retiring- how do I do it ?) Is that Radnich has if not crossed lines..blurred them in his banter with those like Jacky the weather woman. She gave him the finger the other day as Radnich relayed to viewers,and he's tried to put it on her that she's the problem in not playing along with his sexist bits. Of course she's never going to blow up on air..and I know Radnich gets away with murder by holding up the wife and family and say "I do it for them"..but he was an ass-hole single and he's still an asshole now. btw, Since that weird bit where Radnich said he was going to show Cathy Heenan "How a man covets a woman" those two haven't done any segments together. Hmm? Cathy's husband doesn't covet her?
    Well,I guess there goes that bouquet of KRON roses..

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  3. LOL, 12:27!

    I hardly watch local news anymore and used to think Radnich was rather charming and that Rich and other folks were being quite snarky.

    Because of the Bay Bridge lights (woo hoo!), I tuned in last night for a while and caught Radnich on camera. Was it just me or did the two other anchors--both female, and sorry I am so out of it I don't know their names or rank--barely control their contempt for him on camera?

    It almost makes it interesting enough for me to watch a bit more!

    On the other hand, nah, I got Netflix.

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  4. I used to work at WQAM, and quite frankly, MUCH worse has been said time and time and time again. By both Neil Rogers and Sid Rosenberg (and countless others). I can't speak to this guy's history because I don't know him from Adam, but this seems quite tame for what passes as offensive in Miami.

    That city has without a doubt the lowest brow humor allowed on public airwaves. - David Weintraub

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  5. Sanctimonious prima donna at 7? Gotcha. He's no Mike Sugarman, is he.

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  6. If you or your readers have Comcast..then they have to see the KRON news repeat at 6pm from Thursday night. Radnich must be goiing through some serious mental issues,as he's made the small talk into a uncomfortable "top man" with Jacky and even Pam Moore for control of the newscast I mean,Raddy is coming across like he's having a breakdown with putting both woman on the spot or his best effort to do so. He even called the head of KRON as "looking like the Devil to Pam" She,of course, denied that.
    Whats wrong with that guy?

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  7. I wish Rich you would let people talk. I listened to the Ed interview and you kept interrupting him saying he did not have to talk about Ron or other behind the scenes things when he was in fact trying to say something even at the end when you were pressed for time.

    I understand the host has to help the conversation when the guest is boring or quiet but when the guest wants to talk, let them talk!

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    1. No one is perfect, and I'm sure Rich is reading the comments and criticisms of his work, which is a work in progress. He's on the right track. I'm glad the Santa Cruz station owner's son took a chance on a local program.

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  8. Happy to see you interviewing some of the folks many of us have listened to for years. Ed Baxter was great. Keep it up and keep interviewing 'em on your radio show. It has a real local feel, like old-time community radio when radio was a blast to be in.

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  9. Ah, one more comment. I have also been pleased by KRON, if that's the station you are referring to. I used to watch it all the time when it was in its Glory Days, back when Gary was a rookie. Anyway, with a bit of fine-tuning, it could become even better.

    I think most journalists have thin skins when it scomes to criticism, and I include myself. I know that's a generalization but it is based upon my many years spent managing newspapers and two news departments in two different radio stations. Can't speak about TV.

    By the way, thin skin includes me at times. Most of the time, I just ignore criticism unless it makes me better. Other times, I probably act like a prima dona.

    Keep up the good work, Rich.

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  10. Ed Baxter was a self-absorbed, know-it-all egotistical blowhard, who's disappearance from KGO has been a blessing for that station.

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  11. It is funny how harsh comments seem to make me more interested in this subject then the kind ones do. I have a big respect for anybody that spends this much time in an industry as competitive as radio.

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  12. Ed Baxter is not a "newsman." Only if it's your definition of reading the daily paper (or newspaper website) to repeat the news. Has Ed Baxter ever actually been out in the field and outside the radio station? This is the problem in general with radio "news". Rarely do they do anything original. Not never, but rarely.

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