IT'S COLD OUTSIDE on an otherwise sunny February Friday. I can hear the firecrackers all the way across the bay and down there in Chinatown where it's a Happy New Year, the Year of the Dog.Gung Hay Fat Choy.
What happened to the crisp and quick live shot? It's become an art to do 20 seconds straight and to the point without any flubs or mispronunciations. What a bummer.
Hey, where's Rita Williams when you need her.
*Jessie Gary at KTVU? Am I missing something or is there just something different about the appearance of Mr. Gary?
*The other day in front of Cumulus' edifice on Broadway were a bunch of white guys in black suit with black ties; they all seemed ordinary other than they all didn't smile and were rather official like, almost surreal in their gear. Like they were attending a funeral. Wait a minute!
*Patrick Connor: much ado about nothing. I'm as guilty as everyone else in writing about something so inane and irrelevant but that's the Internet.
*While the usual, predictable spin from the rightwing radio echo machine railed on about the latest massacre in Florida, Michael Savage said it's time for "limited gun control" and a ban on military-style assault weapons. "You don't need an 'AR 17' to go hunting," said conservative Savage on his syndicated radio show Thursday. Yeah, that Savage who calls it like h sees it.
*I was called the other day by a KGO Radio source to inform me that Chip Franklin was talking about "enlarged penises." On the day of the Florida massacre. Sticking to the Mike Anthony playbook because, as you all know, Chip has to feed the family.
*REMEMBER: KQED, I REPEAT: is worth about $500 Mill ...and even THEY conduct daily Pledge Breaks.
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*Ethan Bearman: tofu, cheesecake, and lifestyle issues, en fuego. What a fabulous talent.
*If you think I'm the only liberal in the Bay Area that listens to Savage then you're horribly out of touch and in denial.
*Tim Kawakami, the editor of that Internet thing, has a problem on his hand; not a big deal just something having to do with writer morale.
If it gets really bad Kawakami could always block someone on his Twitter.
*If Edith Rivera were to get canned, who would we call at KCBS?
*Frank Somerville's $610K gig at KTVU is good for Frank but I'll bet you Dan Ashley is even happier.
*If Larry Beil were to actually leave 900 Front and head back to Hawaii, expect KGO to pounce on Mark Ibanez; that is, if Mark isn't re-upped at KTVU, just a hunch.
*Jessica Aguirre remains un-signed at NBC Bay Area; her contract is up in March. Yet now I'm hearing maybe Jess stays in San Jose. I believe we're in a "who blinks first" mode otherwise known as "negotiations." I hope Aguirre and company work out a deal because I like her.
*Neda Iranpour: starting to sound like the Persian Roberta Gonzales. Eternal chirpiness and unnecessary cackles. Whatever happened to "just give me the darn weather report?"
*I'm not saying Bearman is Mike Anthony's puppet at KGO but there's a 400-mile string from LA to Anthony's office.
*Speaking of contract time: Ken Bastida at KPIX. I'd be shocked if CBS didn't take care of him but old native Kenny might be overplaying his hand. Remember Ken, Dana King's sculpture strategy didn't cut mustard.
*Veronica De La Cruz: prayers.
*A Larry Beil story told to me by an industry wag back east, 100% true: When Larry was the #2 guy at KTVU back in the 90's he went into GM Kevin O'Brien's office and said, something to the effect, "Look, Kev, I'm not a #2 guy, I want the #1 job here, right now." To which KOB said, "Well, if you're looking to replace Mark Ibanez you might as well take a hike." End of story.
*Damon Bruce haunted by the ghost of "Butcher Boy." As he should be.
*John Lund: Tolbert thinks you're a schmuck he just won't tell you because he too has to feed the family.
*By the way, Tom, I like you and you know I tell it like it is, so that's just my opinion but I know I'm right and I'll bet you a pint of Guinness.
*Larry David: the world's funniest billionaire.
*OK, I'm a believer: the new CBS Radio news top-of-hour sounders. At first, a little schlocky, now sort of cool.
*Radio poachers: KCBS fetching more ex-KGO peeps: Peter Finch, the latest. The only person they haven't hired from the once mighty 810 is Ronn Owens. Wait a minute...
*Ex-KRON reporter, Averi Harper, is back in NY working at a Long Island independent. She escaped!
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| Averi Harper in NY |
Hey 810 am ...... if you want your Chip Franklin ,you can keep your Chip Franklin !!
ReplyDeleteKNTV better keep Jessica. She gives the newscast a gravitas that nobody else there (including Raj) can match.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you catch KRON's morning show a few days agao. It was her highness and Robin Winston anchoring. Yeah...Robin Winston. That was weird. Darya couldn't have been thrilled.
Regarding Needa or Neda,just turn the volume down when it's her turn and you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteI love watching Bearman get tossed around on Tucker Carlson. Ethan the "subbie" they call him.
ReplyDelete> *Veronica De La Cruz: prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat's that mean?
"prayers" means that her 4-year old son was mauled by a dog this or last week....that's why she hasn't been on the CBS - SF 6:00 pm news this week.
DeleteI hope 3:36 didn't see Maria Medina's Facebook page photo of VDLC's son. Heartsickening. VDLC did return at the end of this past week when Bastida had Friday night off.
DeleteTerisa Estacio should be at that desk, mornings.
ReplyDeleteagreed
Delete(1) P Conn must have wanted to be fired. That is the only explanation for saying that on the air. ever.
ReplyDelete(2) Yes, the sports networks need more women on them. But, if they are only going to be used as token people, then no.
(3)Hire Mindy to replace P. Conn.
Who the fuck wants to listen to a woman talk sports? Amy Lawrence is an anomaly, the WNBA is a failure, and womens soccer only appeals to a fringe minority. Nothing would say ratings death more, sorry.
DeleteI enjoy Mindi Bach locally and Erin Andrews on the network level.
DeleteWhat did p-Con say??
Delete4:38 See Rich's post from yesterday, especially the comments.
DeleteHow about Charrisa Thompson?
DeleteWho is the GM at KGO-TV?
ReplyDelete"If you think I'm the only liberal in the Bay Area that listens to Savage then you're horribly out of touch and in denial."
ReplyDeleteDamn dirty liberal. At least you admit your bias openly now, Richard.
Rich, if you'll allow another miscellaneous media topic , what's going on with that potty problem advertisement heard on KCBS? "My number two doesn't look like a number two! Is there a number three?" Disgusting visualization, and a major ear-sore. Why does KCBS allow it?
ReplyDeleteRevenue has priority over taste.
Delete*Neda Iranpour: starting to sound like the Persian Roberta Gonzales. Eternal chirpiness and unnecessary cackles. Whatever happened to "just give me the darn weather report?"
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more...
Rich i hate to break this to you but even if some liberals listen to Savage or other right-wingers no under 35 is listening to any of the stations at all so it doesn't matter. Give savage some credit for standing up to the right wing. I guess years of being a liberal are starting to seep back into his brain now that he doesn't need the money from towing the right wing memos.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, noone under 35 is listening to left wing radio either....
DeleteThen they hit around age 40, wake up, and start listening to right wing radio.
the women in my wife's school (and now her) listen to podsave america and other liberal podcasts so your assumption about "left wing radio" may not be wholly accurate. they have over a million subscribers.
DeleteI wonder how Savage's base reacted to the common sense comment that Savage made after the Parkland nightmare took place.
DeleteRich-you are right. There is definitely something different about the physical appearance of KTVU South Bay Reporter Jesse Gary. When Jesse worked for both KRON & KTVU from 2000-2005 he had a full beard plus he was slimmer. After leaving the Bay Area he went to work in the Los Angeles & Philadelphia TV markets before he was hired back by KTVU in the fall of 2016. Not only is Jesse now older(53-years-old) he is both clean-shaven & somewhat heavier. Still a good solid GA Reporter.
ReplyDeleteExplain about Damon Bruce ? Isn't 95.7 the JV team ? Bay area Radio is becoming Stale, going to re up my Sirius Subscription
ReplyDeleteI don't like the new CBS news sounders, but I do have to give 'em credit for keeping the classic 'bong' tone even though it's technically no longer needed. What I really hate is the sponsor plug in the announcement now ("CBS News On the Hour, Presented by Your Mother's Ass Insurance Company").
ReplyDeleteTangent: Why does CBS news anchor Jim Chenevey pronounce his name "shenavee" at the top of his spot and "shenavuh" at the end?
I turned on 95.7 The Game this week and found Matt Kolsky on there. I literally threw up in my mouth. He's got to be the worst sports talk personality in the history of sports talk. I literally have to change the station right away. Glad he got canned from KNBR...now he shows up on The Game....I'm boycotting The Game until they fire him.
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with him? I find him quite measured and not over the top plus he doesn't sound like moron. With Lund over at KNBR and the rest of the idiots Kolsky seems pretty good!
DeleteHe needs seasoning, no question, but he's already better, though not saying much, than Lund, Covay, Hoffar, Frandsen, Fitzgerald, Brooks, and now Copies son...
DeleteAgree 12:54, pretentious fool; while they're at it management ought to jettison Bruce and Fortenbaugh.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Ratto on the station, smart , funny and seemingly genuine guy.
Negotiating contracts is not simple. As a news director, you have some basic instructions from the GM and ownership; where the talent is now and what to them is reasonable. Then you have to negotiate with the agent. Everyone has an agent. Agents want their 5% and the more they can get, the more they want. There are clothing allowances, usually a trade out deal, cars, vacation time, anchor time, selection and rejection of assignments. It ain't easy and it often takes six months to a year to close the deal.
ReplyDeleteTo give you an example, I had an anchor who was earning $250K. That person wanted $500K and a host of benefits. We came back with our own demands including removing the "right to reject an assignment" clause which was removed in return for a daily hair and makeup session. In return for a car, we got the job classification changed from anchor to anchor-reporter.
The challenge is when you give one person a perk, everyone else wants it as well.
Good contracts are compromises. They benefit each side, without being greedy.
As far as the anchor above is concerned, there was a slight raise in addition to the car, hair and makeup. We got the flexibility to bring in new talent and try them out on the anchor desk. After four years, the anchor retired and the transition to the new anchor team was essentially seamless.
S**t always happens to Veronica life. A single mom raising her son after the father runs away as listed when you google her past info, family member passing one after another and now this, luckily she is still a reporter lets hope.
ReplyDelete''The John lund Tolbert Show''. At your Service.
ReplyDelete- Gotta watch some Casablanca again!
ReplyDelete- I miss Rita Williams too. Talented, team player, sweet smile.
- Yes, contract negotiations are complicated. Can go either way at all TV stations. Stay tuned.
- Keep Curbing Your Enthusiasm, Everybody!