KGO(ABC7) is in a sort of semi-turbulence now with upper management personnel moves; quite a bit of key talent vacating the circle7 premises and worse yet, a not-so-great Sweeps, just OK but bad enough to elicit industry chatter and figure out what's in store for the future at the SF ABC O and O on 900 Front.The under-performing November Sweeps report was worrisome enough for a high-level meeting to take place late this week. The high tops were there to gather and examine the data. Bill Burton, who is leaving soon was there as was Tracey Watkowski, the rumored-to-be new GM who is somehow in the mix in spite of a majority staff that has contempt for her over her people-less, people skills. In fact, the biggest question going around the newsroom is "How can 'Trixie get the GM job with all the 'shit that's on her plate?" Good question. Stay Tuned.
Some of KGO's ills are temporary and might just need a quick fix; other issues are far more compelling and will take some astute leadership and planning to work around and get back to basics.
KGO has extreme star power in steady anchor Dan Ashley and fan favorite, veteran Consumer Editor, Michael Finney but they clearly miss Ama Daetz, currently on maternity leave expected back early next year, probably mid-January. Daetz isn't Babe Ruth but her chemistry with Ashley has been missed and KGO can't wait for her return.
Kristen Sze has done a commendable job filling in for Daetz; enough to warrant serious consideration for a more prominent role than merely co-anchoring the 5 with Ashley. She (Sze) doesn't want to do 11 PM full-time (she has teenage kids) but maybe KGO might want to experiment. 11 needs some tweaking.
KGO is still reeling over the loss of popular reporter, Sergio Quintana, another loss for Circle7 who was promised a full-time gig and was rebuffed; Quintana was offered a gig at KNTV (NBC Bay Area) and pounced on it. In addition, should KNTV woo Carolyn Johnson back to the Bay Area, that would be significant move and embarrass KGO, most notably, Watkowski.
KGO needs to get back to smartness and utilize its MVP's; Ashley, Finney, and the relatively under-used, Larry Beil. Not that Beil isn't getting screen time but he's wasted at little-watched 4 PM and needs to be used better. I know this against the handbook, but a Ashley-Beil 11 PM Newscast would be a shot in the arm to KGO and it could use it.
Can't believe you're touting Finney so hard! He is one of the most annoying reporters on air...his smarminess, posture of self-importance, and lack of lips (really, none) makes it a must-turn whenever he comes on.
ReplyDeleteWhat? You have got to be kidding? He's a star for that station and people love him. My friends talk about him all the time and tune in for him!!
ReplyDelete...And most people who watch TV news have an IQ of 17...
DeleteHe's OK, except for his work on the the St. Patrick's Day Parade -- absolutely horrible. Just cause you are Irish, Michael doesn't mean you can mail it in!
DeleteABC7 has more on-air talent all the other Bay Area stations combined. Ashley, Biel, Patel, Finney, Marzullo, Daetz are all great. I probably forgot to list a few more. If there are miscues, I blame management. For example, they are currently running promos with Michael Finney. They have him dressed in a ridiculous royal blue cotton henley shirt with a navy blue blazer. He looks like a buffoon in that outfit, but I call that a management miscue to dress him like that.
ReplyDeleteIf Ashley and Beil anchored at 11 PM, I'd watch that. I also wish they'd give Cheryl an anchor position at KNTV. She's a pro.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Jennings?????
DeleteDion Lim is doing a teriffic job.
ReplyDelete... if you turn the sound off.
DeleteKatie Marzullo is sooooooo much better than Dion Lim. Her voice inflection is odd. Dion sometimes looks at the TelePrompTer and camera sideways.
DeleteWhat did Katie do to management to get banished from the anchor chair?
Plus, they should quit screwing with Eric Thomas and keep him solo on the weekends. He's good, he's fun, and he's funny. Seems like he'd be fun to hang out with
ReplyDeleteI hate to bash someone who is probably a very nice person but I cringe whenever I see Dion Lim. I'm sorry but she's unwatchable. Really looking forward to Ama's return. Or at least more of Kristen Sze.
ReplyDeleteDion is very well put together, seems to care a lot about her job and brings a fun/professional angle to the newscast. Go Dion go!
ReplyDeleteDion's voice is terrible and you can always hear her taking a deep breath during her readings.
ReplyDeleteAma has chemistry with Ashley? What are you watching? Ama looks like she is trying to force herself into conversations rather than naturally participate. Sometimes it seems like she's not even engaged in the topic of conversation. Ama can't even read the teleprompter correctly sometimes and we're talking about lines that don't require reading. Kristen Sze has the best chemistry with everyone and it clearly stands out to the viewer. And she's better all-around. Dion Lim has good chemistry with her colleagues, too, but she seems too fake. Larry Beil is very talented and does a great job outside of anchoring sports. He should have a bigger role, no doubt. And Eric Thomas does a great job keeping things lighthearted and casual on the weekend broadcasts.
ReplyDelete