George Watson --a KTVU News Anchor We Care About; His Bout with the Bottle Continues

George Watson

TO THIS DAY, I STILL GET  ASKED, "how's George Watson doing?" No news is good news. I hear George is doing fine --as best that can be expected --but the former Bay Area/KTVU anchor/reporter has a long road to hoe.

The last time I wrote about Watson, things seemed positive. I hope this is the current status and I'm working on talking to George because I know he reads 415 Media and I know and share some of his hardships --it's not that easy to overcome.

George Watson was a talented, ferocious, outstanding anchor at KTVU at a time when it was the gold standard for the industry. Watson was one of its most popular air talents and won numerous awards and was respected by his peers here and across the country. He was a great anchor but he was great out in the field too. He became a fixture at KTVU which soon mushroomed into bona-fide star status.

Watson with Leslie Griffith

Then things began to unravel. Watson had an alcohol issue. It wasn't something most people knew existed but his close friends at the office knew and figured that he'd take care of it and not let it affect his personal and professional life. It was not to be the case and began to take its toll at the news studio at Jack London Square. There was subtle evidence of his drunken state but it seemed to evade viewers; Watson was mysteriously away from the station for over three months and rumors mounted as to why he was MIA.

He didn't have to do what he eventually did and confronted his alcohol dependency head on with this message to viewers. After that sign-off, he was embraced by staff at the KTVU newsroom. Those that knew his condition and were aware of his battle were still amazed that he took to the air to announce his status. Some sensed that his acknowledgement was a first step to recovery. It seemed reasonable but it was, unfortunately, short-lived.

He had backing from then, GM and VP, Kevin O'Brien who did his best helping after repeated episodes of violating his own recovery steps, O'Brien had to let him go. It wasn't easy but he could no longer control the situation and with heat from Cox Media (KTVU's owner at the time) Watson was shown the door. At that time, many of his friends, including his girlfriend at the time, Suzanne Shaw, a fellow Bay Area anchor, worried about his future. They didn't care about his anchor life --they were more worried 'bout  his life--his body began to show evidence--benders caught many people alarmed that he'd be dead at a moments notice.

Like I said, I don't know George's status but I know people who know him and I will ask how he is because I know you want to know and so do I. He's a good guy. Here's hoping everything is OK.

I'll let you know.