Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Somerville isn't the problem at KTVU


Frank Somerville is not the problem at KTVU. Not even close. He is one of the biggest assets to the station and has had a smooth transition since taking over for the retired, Dennis Richmond, almost five years ago.

I will say this: I think Frank would be better suited, (and the station too), would he be on at 6 and 10 PM as opposed to 5,6, and 10. In fact, just Tuesday, Ken Wayne and Julie Haener were paired together and provided a very solid show. No knock on Frank, (full disclosure: yes, I've had Somerville on my radio show but I've ripped him every now and then. He gets it and there's no hostility, so get over that.)

Somerville gets chided because he's a good-looking guy and knows how to read the teleprompter good, but that's just lazy. He's a very talented and capable #1 anchor and he's been at 2 Jack London Square for over twenty years. It's not Somerville. It's over-exposing him and thus, diminishing his star power. That's not good.

Some other KTVU notes---


*A lot of you hit on it too: many of KTVU's anchors are tone-deaf, almost robotic. They need to loosen up and show some element of we're here, we're human. Claudine Wong, for whatever reason, refuses or simply can't warm up or offer a smile. Maybe she's deliberately being wooden and frozen, I don't have a clue but Wong's cold shoulder is getting old.

*Mike Mibach is an acquired taste. Initially I thought he was below-average but he's grown on me, (and viewers too), and seems to have become comfortable in his weekend anchor/reporter post. He's a keeper.

*Ken Wayne: The unassuming Wayne is Channel 2's most underrated and exceptional anchor. He should be re-signed immediately but as of now, Wayne's status is up in the air. His contract expired in February and he's working without a contract, although insiders tell me a deal could be reached any day now. Hope this is the case.

*Too many weather anchors. I like Steve Paulson quite a bit and Bill Martin is steady although Martin needs to get the chip off his shoulder. He knows his stuff, that's pretty evident, but sometimes he can be far too serious. Weather is not theatre, Billy, it's the 5-day forecast and outta here. Especially here in the Bay Area where it's fairly routine stuff, (fog, sun, fog, an occasional shower, etc).

*Station GM,  Tom Raponi, known for his candid and openness to staff, would do well and even better, if he managed to become even more transparent when it came to returning calls to reporters asking about station personnel. It's not just me that's been ignored. Yo, Tommo, is e-mail better?

Thanks for not trusting me.




37 comments:

  1. Agreed, Frank is not the problem at Ch. 2. But like I said in the last post, the problem *for* Frank is 5, 6, AND 10. Try Mark Ibanez with Julie at 5; ken Wayne and Gasia at 6; and continue with Frank and Julie at 10 (for now).

    I felt the same way about Mibach when he started but now he's much easier on the ears.

    What else is there to say about Ken except put him on during the week (at 6).

    Too much weather team?! There's Bill, Steve, Mark Tamayo (the best of the team) and Rosemary on the weekends. Where's the excess?

    As the great John Hambrick use to sign-off, "thank YOU for having us in for news."

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  2. But Richmond was robotic and stoic but that's what we loved about him- I thought. Straight news. No BS. Wong is cool. I like her delivery. The weatehr staff is strong. Mibach rums me the wrong way. Some of his repoting comes off as mean in the field in certani communities. Sommerville- cool cat. Very personable. I remember he pulled up in front of a medical supply store in Berkeley across from the Bowl in his fancy sports car and acted like a regular guy. Didn't act scary. Just a what's up and went about his business.

    I don't care for the weekend lady Orozco... she's not bad- I guess.- meh. The kid- Mark Tamayo is solid. I remember when he started on KRON and seeminlgy had like one or two cheap suits but has found a good nitch as the understudy to Paulson and Marton in the Storm Center.

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  3. Sorry. That last post is in need of some serious editing. My bad.

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  4. I checkout 2 every once in awhile, Frank Somerville is a real pro. I really can't stand the sports guy! I tend to watch ABC7 where they are always on point!

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  5. Rich, I'm curious to know what you think about Dave Clark, since he seems to get slaughtered in the comments section in many of your KTVU posts.

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    1. Supposedly, a very nice guy. Problem is he doesn't come across well on the screen and his scowl doesn't help matters.

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  6. Too many weather anchors? Look at KGO--THEY have too many weather anchors (Spencer Christian, Leigh Glasser, Sandiya Patel (whose name I am sure I misspelled), Lisa Argen, and some I am sure I am forgetting).

    I agree 100% about Claudine Wong--really pretty, and talented, but she's either cold, or often on remotes sounds bored. "Good morning Dave . . . ". Smile! It won't hurt.

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  7. A staff of 4 weather people is not excessive, though for KTVU being #1 (as you say) I would expect better than Rosemary Orozco. Her and Claudine are very cold indeed, on weekends. No personality on either of them.

    I find absolutely nothing wrong with Dave Clark! You want to talk about annoying morning talet, look at KRON... 2 fake racks and the dough boy whose lung capacity is so lean he can barely get out a sentence without appearing exhausted. Clark's roubust voice is actually easy to listen to.
    Another no-chemistry morning team, ABC7. Kristen Sze and Eric Thomas seem very mismatched. I like Mike Nicco and have no idea what is up with their rotating traffic people, but I don't think Sue Hall is that good of a presenter. NBC has a lot of fun on their show. I think its severely underrated.
    I don't watch KPIX.

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    1. "NBC has a lot of fun on their show."

      This point leads me to suspect the issue is primarily how management wants the talent to "behave" on-air, rather than each presenter's belief as to what his/her on-air persona should be.

      Case study for your consideration: Diane Dwyer on KTVU vs. Diane Dwyer on KNTV.

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  8. Waaaah, Channel 2 isn't the same as it was in the 20 years period that Rich is cherry picking.
    Jeeeez

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  9. Claudine Wong speaks in a monotone. Even when she's reporting something tragic. She's fine out in the field, but she is a terrible anchor.

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  10. You're right Rich, Frank isn't the problem. Some might disagree and say Frank isn't good, but he's good enough to not carry the blame. A/A-

    I disagree with the opinion that Martin has a chip. He has an enthusiastic passion for weather that not every viewer may share, but that's his job. Ch2 is lucky to have him. A/A+

    I don't share the same love for Wayne. He's okay...B/B+


    I don't share your hate for Wong. She's ok...B/B+

    I WILL NOT watch a newscast with Clark, Haner, or Tamayo. Water board me, blast me with rap music, deny me the use of mustard, I don't care....they will not be watched. G/G-

    A special grade for the jack london staff for yesterday's prank of dog piling the blog with positive reviews. D

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  11. Like Anon @1:22 I do not think "chip on his shoulder" is fair to Bill Martin, and is a mis-characterization of whatever you are trying to describe.

    It has been obvious to me though, that within the past few years his delivery style has become much more "amped-up" in a way that it wasn't in his previous --what's it been, over twenty years? -- time on the local airwaves. I have assumed that this is due to some management (or consultant) imperative, though it rubs me the wrong way and borders on silly at times. Having said that, I still like him "personally" (in a through-the-TV sense) having watched him for so long, but had I just moved to the area recently without the history I would probably find it more off-putting.

    And if KTVU mgt. reads this thread (haha!)..YES! Re-sign Ken Wayne to a renewal immediately, before you go home tonight!



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  12. I just wish that KTVU also had a National Newscast, like ABC, CBS, & NCB do. That's the only serious thing missing from their lead-in as the local newscast.

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    1. KTVU is a local station in Jack London Square. ABC, NBS and CBS are national broadcast networks located in New York. KTVU is part of Fox, and they do have a national broadcast, though it's on cable and I don't know why anyone would want to watch it. Just download and read Mein Kampf instead...it's free on Amazon, whereas you have to pay for Faux News.

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    2. Bonbon:

      Get your facts straight. ABC, NBC, and CBS actually own their affiliates in San Francisco which is very rare. Most TV stations are not owned by networks, KTVU is owned by Cox Media, a private and family owned company from Atlanta. While it airs the Fox entertainment line-up line-up including NFL Football and the Simpsons, Fox has no say in KTVU's news operation. None. A right-leaning news network would never hold a #1 position on a local affiliate in the most liberal TV market in America, although Fox News on cable does quite well in the Bay Area. And, for the record, the Cox family is very influential in the national Democratic party, though I don't see that pushed onto the KTVU news operation, and it shouldn't be. KTVU's biggest mistake was forcing quality talent in their late 40s, 50s and 60s into retirement, ignoring their news value and institutional memory in a market with the highest per-capita education level in the nation. Age discrimination is every bit as bad as gender or racial discrimination.

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    3. Age discrimination is a bunk argument for local TV news. It's a visual media, so the talent needs to capture the audience's attention. The capture rate relates to: looks, personality, and ability. Local TV doesn't demand much talent/ability so the others matter even more. If they want to rely on talent alone, good luck, but it's not enough.

      National news or journalism shows like 60 minutes are a different kettle of fish. Ability matters most. Age or lack of visual appeal may help...Andy Rooney was an old cranky hobbit that made a remarkable connection with his viewers. Could he hold a job reading the local news teleprompter? No.

      Many things, including TV gigs are like gum...no flavor, too old, poor results and it gets spit out.

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    4. Except KTVU was #1 when it forced all the older folks out. You simply can't blame the ratings or say they didn't bring home the bacon. They did! Remember, KTVU wasn't just #1 locally, it was the highest rated local newscast in the nation! Old folks, and all!

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  13. Some of your expectations for local news anchors are WAY too high. "They're too stiff, not personable, too animated, not animated enough." Geeze! They're just people. And their job is to reliably deliver the news, not to be your best friend, or your drinking buddy, or your eye candy, or anything else. They're only there to tell you what happened in your neighborhood, the weather, and if it's a morning newscast, the traffic. They shouldn't be expected to blow glitter through the tv screen too!

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  14. I honestly can't think of anyone at Channel 2 who lacks the necessary talents, but I detest the biased manner in which certain stories are presented. The effort to convince the public that the police, the schools, and the government are responsible for the crime, dropout rate, and widespread failure endemic in African-American communities has done nothing but made things worse. Turning entire populations into victims may be good for ratings (and attorney John Burris, who's made a fortune through Channel 2), but it distorts the truth at great cost to the good people and dedicated public servants in those very communities.

    Case in point: the Rider's scandal in Oakland, where reckless and unfounded allegations (the jury thought the prosecution was a joke) cost the city more than ten million dollars, stained the reputations of a police department that was carrying out Jerry Brown's orders, and put the management of the department under the rule of a judge who spent his early years working for Black Muslim thugs.

    Listen next time Frank introduces an officer-involved shooting or announces the filing of a discrimination case: he almost hyperventilates. He's the worst, but not the only one. And that they continue to carry on this charade as their own crews are robbed and assaulted only goes to demonstrate their commitment to their ratings and politics, and their disregard for getting the story right.

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    1. Very true and this is why after nearly a half century (!) of AA programs (and I don't mean Alcoholics Anonymous) a certain race is still where it is, while others who were historically discriminated against have risen above that and are now doing very well--in some cases better than the white upper-middle classes that used to suppress them. The problem today is not racism against a certain group. The problem is the group. Period. No if's. No and's. No but's. The problem, Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves said the wise man. Until liberals acknowledge this truth that any bright ten-year-old could see before encountering white guil brainwashing, we will continue to slide into lawlessness and wasted money on foolish projects while the "Brothers" laugh.

      Another wise man, whom I'll call Marty, said, "I have a dream that someday we will be judged not by the color of our skin but by the *content* of our *character.*" That's what I'm doing. Today's liberals would prefer the old way.

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  15. Anonymous 1:07 PM

    I find your comment regarding Claudine Wong totally wrong. When she is at the desk she is sharp, professioanl and has a smile on her face. When she is in the fiels, she is also proferssioanl. But; in the field generally happy stories are not covered by her, therefore it would not be proper to smile.

    I believe that if Claudine were the lone newscaster at channel 2 from 5 PM to 6 PM, ratings would improve during that hour.

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  16. Frank is as nice a guy in person as he comes across on the air. Frank goes out of his way to introduce himself to the hoards of new interns that come through KTVU, giving advice and generally being a nice guy. "Hi, I'm Frank Somerville!" to young kids who clearly know exactly who he is. Frank is also a Bay Area native who has always wanted to stay right here in the Bay Area.

    Frank is also the master of the ad lib. Put the chopper up over the scene of a fire or traffic pile-up and he can fill up as much space as you need. Feed him tidbits new facts and new updates through the computer IM system and watch him soar. Frank has grown tremendously since he took over the 10 o'clock news.

    Richmond on the other hand couldn't work without a script. He was however very good at editing his copy and demanding clarification from his writers if he thought an important detail was missing.

    Dennis while a fine anchor was nonetheless a very unpleasant person to work with. He ignored the interns, threw his weight around to anyone below the level of show producer and of course was known to be a right bastard to many of his female co-achors.

    Clark's problem is really that he is simply too much the former L.A. anchor. His desk is crowded with photos of him with celebs and somehow that So Cal style just comes through no matter what's in front of him. A nice fellow nonetheless.

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    1. @April 10, 7:12PM...Excellent Post, imho!

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  17. I remember back in the 70s and 80s in New York, Channel 5, an independent (way before the days of FOX), had the top rated newscast. They were on at 10, with competition from two other independents. The network stations at 11 had half the audience that 5 had at 10. Yes, an hour does make a difference.

    But the station owned the city with a cast of characters; gruff anchors, cheeky reporters and commentators (two or three per night) who were all over the place in their views. One was blind (he wore sunglasses).

    People watched because there was a lot of news about New York (they hardly even left Manhattan and only occasionally ventured into the outer burroughs. Imagine that happening today!

    The point of this is simply that all of the newscasts here in the Bay Area are so overly predictable, it is hard to distinguish one from the other. All have been consulted to death. The late shows are re-hashes of the early shows, save a late breaking crime in Oakland or Richmond or a Muni accident in the city. The sports are overly narrow. You know you will get the weather at exactly 15 after the hour when the people meter starts up again.

    All of them are bland and 10 minutes of KCBS will give all you need to know and then some.

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  18. Not mentioned are Gasia - excellent, nary a mistake, would like a little more fun but maybe that is forbidden; Heather - OK but strange voice affectation and mannerisms, better reporter than anchor; Maureen - excellent and warm, amazing WPM. I watch especially for the south bay coverage and like how professional those reporters are. Who was/is that Matt? Gone? Anchoring somewhere? Keep Ken Wayne!

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  19. Why would anyone think Frank Sommerville is the problem? He reads words other people research and write, just like Saint Richmond did. He's at least as smart as Saint Richmond, thugh that's not setting the bar very high, but he's not required to be smart. Blaming Frank is like blaming the airline captain because the TSA has made flying miserable.

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  20. They need a Elaine Corral or Leslie Griffith anchor. Hanner is ok but she is kind of wooden to me. Frank is alright, very professional but lacking some things.

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  21. Steve Paulson is hunky! xoxox

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  22. KTVU's Frank Sommerville & Julie Haner are not the major problems though on occasion Frank "Stumberville's "on words. The main problems
    are not enough quality field reporters-Eric Rasmussen, Ken Pritchard & Rob Roth are consistently very good but San Francisco based David Stevenson is simply awful especially when doing a live report- even after 8 years he's still stiff, nervous and will inevitably stumble over words due to his lack of verbal fluidity. Sometimes when filling in for Ken Wayne on weekends, Stevenson really butchers his news script.
    Also the KTVU's studio cameras will show graphics for a news story when Frank or Julie are talking about a completely different story.

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  23. What about Amber Lee? When I do watch KTVU news (rarely) she always seems very solid as a reporter and easy to listen to.

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  24. I guess no one seems to be watching KRON these days. I just wanted to mention Darla so we don't forget about her.

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    1. HAHAHAHA....Obviously you are "mesmerized" by something else... because her name is Darya...NOT Darla.

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  25. if Tom Raponi ever responds to this blog he's a bigger idiot than you, Rich

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    1. We'll, seems to me then you're a bigger "idiot" then both of us because you actually responded. That's really hilarious!

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  26. Their morning show, "Mornings on 2" is very robotic, with Tori Campbell and Dave Clark(?).

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  27. I like almost any other male except Dave Clark in the morning, but he is growing on me, but not my favorite. Tori Campbell is so dull, and uninspired in the morning, and she obviously doesn't like Dave, and that makes it painful to watch. I much prefer Pam Cook who always has the right expression, correct inflection of voice, and really comes across as kind and genuine. Plus she seems like a real human in the sea of weird fake human news reading robots. I agree that Claudine Wong seems really bored whether in the field or behind the desk. Evening news people are okay, but then I was never a Dennis Richmond fan either.

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