415 Media Exclusive: More Frank Somerville Turbulence at KTVU; Lead Anchor Misses Two Straight Nights after Shaky Tuesday Newscast; Source: 'He's on Thin, Thin, Ice'; Rampant Speculation; Tension High at 2 Jack London Square

FOX/KTVU SOURCE TO ME: "He's on thin, thin, ice."

The source is talking about Frank Somerville, who once again, for a variety of reasons, is in a no-man's land. There's nothing concrete, nothing official because all sorts of rumor and speculation have surfaced over the status of Chnnel 2's "face-of-the-station." A status that is becomming more and more scattered as time goes by. Frantic? Yes. Chaotic? Check. Disturbing? Yes, with emphasis. And another form of urgency is taking place at KTVU's Jack London Square studios.

HERE'S THE LATEST:

Somerville had another bad night on Tuesday evening's newscasts, and last week too--in addition to being ordered by Fox brass to stay off social media, his on-air persona was once again disjointed and unnerving. He misprounced names several times, looked awkward and uncomfortable. He was seen, once again, gripping his pen and fidgeting as if he was in some kind of distress. It was tough watching.

Somerville was OFF the air both last (Thursday) and Wednesday night. Andre Senior and Alex Savidge filled in for Frank. Fox offered no reason for Somerville's absence but it was clear something was up. A source told me that Tuesday's latest on-air bizarro (slightly similar to his May on-air slur and awful misadventure) was not some relapse and that "Frank is ok." Which was then followed up with a firm un=explained defense. The source insisted Frank was fine yet couldn't explain why he was ABSENT (again) from the news desk for two straight nights. Again, there is cause for concern. And now, people at KTVU are left having to defend and protect one of their own when there's a lot going on and taking place.

It's a rough time at the local Fox O and O --for the record, some people, some very BIG people, including some you watch report the news, have been told, almost THREATENED, not to talk to me or else face ultimate consequences. At the same time, the KTVU management --notably, it's ND, Amber Eikel and GM, Mellynda Hartel have gone out of their way to read Somerville the riot act and try to ward off his various misdeeds. It's a practice, so far, that hasn't worked or taken shape and it's caused much friction at KTVU with many folks who believe Somerville has been the recipient of way too many chances.

Somerville would have been away today,(Friday) anyway since his schedule is Sunday thru Thursday so perhaps, his bosses will hope that this latest bruhaha will allow him to breathe a little and have a normal return on Sunday night but that seems sort of problematic now. Nothing is official. As of Friday, Somerville is still working at KTVU but his status is ever more shaky and uncertain.

And at KTVU, where the atmosphere is filled with tension and distress; where the HR bosses and suits have taken to INTIMIDATION and THREATS to tthose that dare talk to me, the timing could't be any worse as Somerville's travails seem to have re-ignited.

Sunday night could be interesting.

*This story is copyrighted by Rich Lieberman 415 Media