Mistreatment by PIX Hastened Deanno Move to NBC Chicago; Master Nice Guy, Broadcaster, Pitchman, Sean O'Callaghan Dies

Ken Bastida (left) Veronica De La Cruz and Paul Deanno

PAUL DEANNO TAKES THE HIGH ROAD

Much like the pro he is, Paul Deanno, has taken the high road and on social media said what a blast its been at his soon-to-be departing workplace, KPIX.

The Chicago-bound weatherman had a mostly positive run here when he began his tenure back in August, 2012. In fact he loved his gig.

But along the way and most recently, Deanno was big-time pissed off at what he regarded as disrespectful treatment by the upper bosses at KPIX. Sure, Deanno was not someone that would kill the station by leaving but his presence at PIX made the CBS O and O here at least watchful and relevant --he wasn't Superman by no means but he had that "it" factor and was widely respected by both friends and colleagues.

The beginning of the year started out with station officials approaching Deanno about a singular position as a hybrid anchor--Deanno would do his standard weather \forecasts and when neeed, he would also do some news anchoring and not in some crummy time slot, very much prime time and after football games perhaps. CBS saw him as a budding newsman and anchoring was on their radar.

That was an especially giddy moment for Deanno who loved the idea until he heard the nitty-gritty details, first and foremost, money. CBS (KPIX) wanted Deanno to handle both positions at roughly the same deal he was getting. Around $350K per year is no peanuts but when you're working dual gigs, it's almost an insult. At least that's how Deanno viewed it.

A source at PIX told me much the same: "They made this huge hullabaloo about him becoming a big news guy but yet they INSULTED him with the numbers." Which then set off a years-worth time where Deanno secretly began scoping other markets with an eye on leaving SF and beginning a new journey.

He was used to the good life coming from Seattle and living in the Bay Area made him comfortable and happy. Remember, he was more than satisfied doing weather and settling in for life; it was CBS here that brought up the idea of doing news too which intrigued Deanno until the fine print arrived.

Chicago NBC, here I come and SF, CBS see ya later.

Sean O'Callaghan doing a Western Appliance commercial

*If you were here in the 70's and 80's you know doubt heard the amazing voice of Sean O'Callaghan, a superb broadcaster best known for his Western Appliance commercials. I'm sorry to inform O'Callaghan passed last month. Good man. Quality voice. Just a superb guy full of joy and laughter. Thoughts and prayers to Mr. O' Callaghan's family. Here's the obit.