Those were the days...Remember the time when Dennis Richmond and Elaine Corral graced your screen? Do you miss Rita Williams grilling Gavin Newsom? Recall Lloyd LaCuesta doing a live shot from the Santa Cruz Mountains? The late Bob Shaw's lucid movie reviews. Bob McKenzie's brilliant commentaries on anything. Fred Zehnder commanding the ship. KTVU in its heyday.
Now: A zombie-like workforce. A bunch of misfits that have wreaked havoc on a once-prestigious TV News outlet. Good people still on the payroll with an uneasy acknowledgement that this place is really gone to hell. A new reporter every other day. Over-worked producers and writers. A management that sits in denial unwilling and unable to provide any adequate vital communications not just for bloggers but so-called, "legitimate news-gathering" operations who seek some semblance of inquiry.
Question: Has anyone ever even heard a whiff out of News Director, Lee Rosenthal, the boy wonder? And Tom Raponi, the allegedly good-guy GM from the sales dept. no less, become a virtual ghost in the upstairs back office? It's called basic public relations that has been lost in the shuffle or maybe the teleprompter is providing bad names again.
Channel 2 is a mess. I have no axe to grind because those who know me wish remnants of the old KTVU were in place. Thank God Sal Castaneda is still there, ditto Somerville and Rob Roth and Ken Wayne. There's others too but unfortunately they're in the minority. The place looks old. The newscasts lack spark and energy. The feuding sports guys on the weekend jealous of Mark Ibanez. The once-congenial weeknight weatherman who suddenly has an attitude and is befuddled by the slightest bit of constructive criticism.
The "10' O' Clock News" is still king but has lost considerable luster. There's more teases than a strip joint on Broadway. The jaw-dropping obscene amount of fake "Breaking News" sounders that has become an industry-wide joke in an industry that is overload on fake breaking news.
They're still good. They have some fine people. But they continue to destroy and marginalize the brand. Part of that is not their fault because of the nature of the business but a lot of their current look and feel has been fast-forwarded by a clueless management team that has brought forth a system-wide dysfunctional and frankly, lackluster news operation.
Sorry to say nothing even remotely resembles the old place. And that's too bad.
*That Cumulus-KGO/KSFO meeting that took place regarding programming the other day was NOT the "powwow" some of you thought I was referring to; a couple of people, one, whose name is Bloomquist, had their own meeting and you don't even wanna know what they were talking about, then again, it's Cumulus and nothing is a surprise when it comes to the cloud people.
**Oh, they named a new horrible morning guy with a fake name at KSFO. Brilliant move, does he get to bring his dog into the studio?
*Follow me on Twitter
Don't leave out bay area icon Betty Ann Bruno.
ReplyDeleteAnd my post on morning bay area TV about the passing of Jim Lange? How could I leave out Dialing for Dollars and Pat McCormick?.."Oh Lord wont you buy me a Mer-cedes Benz?, Dialing for Dollars is trying to call meee...."
Betty Ann Bruno is a delight. She's teaching hula in Sonoma these days! http://www.hulamai.org/
DeleteVery disappointed in KTVU management for not calling out Campbell's Asiana mistakes. Why should she (or Clark for that matter) care if their bosses don't. I can't trust ANYthing those anchors say anymore. I wish they would watch an air check of themselves-I wonder if they'd be surprised.
ReplyDeleteUm, they're not renewing her contract. What else can they do, execute her and televise it?
DeleteThey're just so cheap that rather than show her the door now and pay the rest of her three-year contract, they're making her work it off and then they're making her walk the plank. I don't know what else you want--thumbscrews?
At least she should air a personal apology to re-establish her credibility. The apology will help her in her future plans as well.
DeleteGood god who is the new KSFO guy? Don't tell me they hired Jose Hughes? Barf!
ReplyDeleteWell who is he? I don't turn to KSFO am anymore for the morning show. It ususally takes less than 10 minutes for the host or co host to say something that makes me annoyed. Still, I'd be interested if there was a change. I turn to their website, but only see a pic of Sussman 'firing' a large gun, and Katie Green. When does this new guy come on? Or are you talking about that ultra early show that comes on at 3am? I dont have any big problems with him, sort of a neutral, by the book host.
DeleteTurned in to Spencer Hughes this morning and learned that he is the new 9 a.m. to 12 noon guy. He is not great, but I don't see he is any worse than Hannity, Savage or Levin. Certainly he is better than Sussman, who still is on mornings. There is much choice anymore, I did listen to Pat Thurston who I like, but just out of curiosity I turned to see what Hughes had to say. He had a fun hour, asked who would you take to the Prom if you could chose anyone, dead or alive (my choice Paul Newman, sexy, classy, nice) it was a welcoming break from all the Obama bashing, which as soon as Savage came on at noon was back on. Just can't listen to him and his negativity, he thinks because Obama hosted a dinner for Aretha Franklin the President is mentally ill, he actually called him a nut, and he was dead serious. Then he went on to praise Putin, seriously, is his hate for Obama so deep seated that he has to praise Putin, who was/is a real COMMUNIST? I like Spencer Hughes when he supports gays, the callers get very interesting, because most of KSFO listeners cannot fathom someone who calls themselves conservative, can be for gay rights. Must we all fit into little boxes, depending whether we are liberals or conservatives? I'm a liberal, but I'm a strong supporter of Israel (having lived there for a short time) I get the same from my liberal friends.
DeleteSo they gave the 9 to noon to Spencer. It should be fun. Spencer can be a bit tedious when he's 'handling those Greek Worry Beads', tedious in a Chicken Little type way, but he's a sweet guy who loves life and his wife. I was hoping someone had been hired to put the 'Whup-Ass" on the Morning Show, in other words, to take Brian's place. Until that happens, I stay out of Mr. (NOT) Rodger's Neighborhood. I've been pall-ing around with Armstrong and Getty.
DeleteRich made a comment a week ago as kind of a dig, but he was as the Brits say, Spot On. Rich said A&G are perfectly matched with their broadcast city of orgin; Sacramento. I suppose that is true, they do remind me of people I used to meet at The White Castle or Stucky's back in Ohio. I loved my college days in Columbus, Ohio. So, yes, they are of the Proletariat/ Wage earner ilk, just like me. Something you won't hear me asking; "Hey Dude, Where's My Trust Fund?".
Toe the line.
ReplyDeleteTikki
I guess the only good fake name is Wiener's?
ReplyDeleteHows this observation? Has anybody ever heard Julie Hayner add lib in all the years she's been at ch2? The woman has said absolutely zilch about herself and personal life. I don't know a thing about her. Married? Ski's? Is from where?..she reveals NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteI never saw another anchor so secretive or reluctant to give an opinion on ANYTHING.
In the far future, "Alas poor Julie,I knew not ANYTHING about her!"
Stan, she is there to read the news. Her personal life is none of our business. Also, you might want to learn how to spell her name.
DeleteI might. If she had in her 20 years here had been memorable. Sort of my point.
DeleteActually it's an idiotic observation.
DeleteWonder if "Stan" is being deliberately stupid. Normal people understand that a broadcaster's personal life is no one's business but his or her own.
Calling her "secretive" for not revealing her marital status is insane.
Stan is a piñata. I think Rich posts his comments just to watch him get beat up. No matter how moronic Stan is it provides for some entertainment and amusement. Surely no one can be that stupid. Not even Al Davis in his last years...
DeleteStan the Stalker. Coming to a news station near you!
DeleteStan's comment, "Alas poor Julie,I knew not ANYTHING about her!" is incredibly misguided and creepy.
DeleteStan the stalker, needs to know more about these public personalities so that he can imagine he actually knows them and believe they are part of his life and vice versa.
Yeah..the same repub males who post vile racist posts of Obama here and all over the net don't like Stan? I celebrate that..see my finger raised high?.
DeleteI laugh at how your takes on me are fools fishing...try this, try saying that insult. Trying to see what sticks-lol. Because you got nothing.
Meanwhile I say prove me wrong. And nobody does.
Rich posts me because he's a businessman. I make money! NOT a single Republican and his views can do the same thing. They are EMPTY pinatas you might say..hee...
Even here... I say she's tight lipped on her life for a celebrity..and do the angry white republican males post proof that she has revealed herself in magazine articles? NO,'cause that would take proof the angry white male republicans who read this blog never have!..about ANYTHING!
DeleteAnd Dennis Richmond used to tell us all about his personal life, right?
DeleteI'm sorta getting the impression that stan has a low opinion of white males. How can they possibly survive without his support?
DeleteI'm a life-long Democrat and want to be clear that although Stan calls anyone who disagrees with him a "republican", his misuse of that word and his crazy comments are entirely his own.
DeleteRational members of the Democratic party (and rational members of any political party for that member) have no connection with Stan and his idiotic comments.
Stan asks, "Hows this observation?"
DeleteAnswer: Moronic.
I'm a life long Republican,and I think those who post here are the degenerate right wingers of our party.
DeleteAnd " I think everything Stan says is a must read and I cant stop myself from posting a comment on it".
Two can play that game.
btw Where's the proof I'm wrong?...never comes does it? I'm sure Rich has forgotten more of what Dennis Richmond said over the years then what he remember anything Julie Haenor ever uttered. Geddit?
And as Kap's mom said the other day...Those who name call "are the result of an unimaginative illiterate mind".
DeleteAin' it the truth.
The Scorcese film, "The King of Comedy" is about a sicko like Stan who obsesses about celebrities he sees on television and irrationally believes he has a relationship with them.
Delete1143? See above's 919. And don't project on me your own twisted thoughts huh?
DeleteRelationships..lol...
A little gossip then: A couple of years ago I received a call at our SF Design Center showroom. The caller ID said Jule Hayner and a voice that sure sounded like her said she wanted to buy some product, said she had a resale number and wanted the interior designer discounted price. Quoted her a great price but never heard back.
DeleteWow, that's fabulous gossip. Julie Haener may have made a telephone inquiry about some furniture a couple of years ago.
DeleteRich, this doesn't describe just KTVU. This describes AMERICA.
ReplyDeleteAdd Leslie Griffith to the list of KTVU's past talent that is sorely missed. I watched their news every weekend, and most weeknights, in the '80s and '90s. Haven't watched it at all in the last 10 years, and it sounds like I'm not missing anything!
ReplyDeleteLeslie's got a blog if you want to keep up with her.
DeleteBut she hasn't posted anything on it in over a year.
Is it possible that "the once-congenial weeknight weatherman who suddenly has an attitude and is befuddled by the slightest bit of constructive criticism" simply doesn't value your criticism? Just cuz you say it doesn't make it gospel. Peope DO have a right to ignore you, right?
ReplyDeleteRich you keep hammering the point that KTVU overdoes the Breaking News graphics but I find them to be the most conservative of all the bay area stations.. KGO is absolutely shameless, things that were "developing" yesterday on KTVU are still breaking on Chan 7, same with KNTV. Who knows what KPIX is doing, they seem to be on another planet, and KRON well, you know.
ReplyDeleteYour criticism is valid, but like another commenter said this is the state of local news all across the country, and KTVU is still light years ahead of the other stations in this market. "in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king"
Just spent a week in LA. Believe me when I say "Breaking News" is officially a local news mania everywhere. The local SoCal NBC station went with a Breaking News' update on a plane that disappeared from the radar screen and tied it all in via the Airline (Malayasia) flies in to LA airports but the flight was a from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Now there's a local breaking news stretch....
DeleteAh....KTVU....Romper rooms' finest.
ReplyDeleteI think the big problem is the stations are so formulaic these days. Works one place surely it will work in another. Also a lack of diversity in ownership is a killer. The little guys simply don't have the pure resources to hang with the huge ownership groups. The biggest problem is how obsessive they have all come with the bottom line. Experience is one's own worst enemy because that means they have to pay you. Instead of some seasoned vet who has been at it for 10-15 years you hire the kid who has been doing it 2-3 years because they are cheaper. Who cares about knowledge, you just saved yourself 25 grand.
ReplyDeleteThis market is just odd. 2 and 7 along with 11 to some extent go breaker happy. 5 is like as someone said, in its own world. A different breed of news.
Agree with both of you, but I was disappointed that Tori's gaffe got others fired. At the very least, she should have volunteered to serve a brief suspension. That would have
ReplyDeleteshown a little character.
Tori grew up wealthy, went to boarding school in France, and is basically "Town and Country" born and bred. Other people??? Who?? What?? Come now dearie!
ReplyDeleteKTVU launched their HD newscast back in 2006, but their field reports and remote cameras are still in SD.
ReplyDeleteIt's embarrassing during the weather reports to have HD graphics surrounding pixelated live camera shots.
When will the pilots names of the Malaysia Airlines flight be released? I am waiting to hear this information.
ReplyDeleteFound this post because I was curious if it was just me or if anyone had noticed. Yea, KTVU is dead to me. It used to be my screen saver from 5-9, as of spring 2015 it's unwatchable. They just went from 4-9. But that seems to mean that they run 2-day old stories with no updates and no significance (and therefore no reason to keep in rotation) on a repetition cycle of about 15 minutes. Laughable. Just as there's something in Oakland to talk about OTHER than gun violence, civil unrest, incompetence at OPD or City Hall. Or maybe THAT'S why th enlace has gone to hell. No more easy targets...
ReplyDelete