Unfortunately, too often it's routinely butchered. It can be both the savior and undoing of a reporter in the field. There's a gargantuan amount of live reports, lately, that are not exactly, "live" and have been pre-taped, I can tell. And that's pretty bad in my book. If you're unable to report live, you're pretty much useless in TV News. I loved Rita Williams' live shots for the old KTVU. Nowadays, nobody stands out. Sign of the times.
*This is beginning to sound like a broken record: Frank Somerville was OFF last (Wednesday) night on KTVU--the night before, several of my readers told me, he was rather off too, on camera. Somervillle was seen looking and sounding disoriented, again mispronouncing names, acting disjointed and apearing out of the loop. Again, this seems to happen more and more. Frank was NOt on the air last night. Oakland, we have a problem. Fox is trying to bury this from you all, but it ain't going to work.
*I got a few e-mails and comments about my "sanctimonious" post about mom and how I would RIP someone else (presumably on TV here) who did the same--I've NEVER ripped anyone who wrote/reported a tribute to their mom/dad. Never. Posting baby pictures on-line, maybe. The irony here is I've resisted many times writing little tributes to mom who would have offered back a years worth of "oy vay's" my way.
*John Atkinson re-surfaced the other day to broadcast PM sports on KCBS and it was a refreshing, crisp, no-nonsence, sports broadcast devoid of political spin and view. I probably agree with 99% of "Kevin 'The Rat's' takes but I don't need political takes in my sports report.
*SPEAKING of CRISP and REFRESHING: Jack Kulp and Carolyn McArdle on 98.1 FM, The Breeze. I'm usually critical of most FM content thses days, but these guys know how to move a show. It's straight talk and non-gimmicky. Culp is funny. McArdle is the perfect second fiddle. They have genuine chemistry and they appear to sound real. And they mix the music with real thought and current events. It's all very engrossing and authentic, something that should (and does) garner popular appeal from Bay Area audiences.
*Pushing 70 and wanting to finally enjoy life, the esteemed Bay Area (KCBS/KNBR/KGO Radio) sports reporter, Bruce Macgowan, texts me to announce his retirement. I don't really believe that because it seems, to me, Brucie's life consists of a microphone and press box. Without both, he's just not whole. Just kidding, Brucie.
*Most people in their cars today don't listen to talk radio anymore. If they're listening to any AM radio, it's for traffic reports and that's about it.
*Pat Thurston is the ONLY KGO talker I listen to and Thurston was on her game Wednesday discussing the state water crisis and drought situation with amazing reasonableness and clarity. Thurston has emerged as a clear-choice KGO "must-listen" and NO, I don't always agree with her politics, but she moves the needle. That's all I need.
*No clarity: Pam Cook on KTVU. No idea why she's been gone from the AM news desk but I think it could be an extended vacation.
*I WAS IN THE CITY last night and saw my buddy, the one and only, Johnny Love --the owner, character of The Blue Light on Union --Johnny still RULES the Union St. corridor. Felt like 1990 all over again.
*KRON DESTROYED ALL LOCAL OUTLETS (except KGO) last Thursday and that is historic. Telling too. Maybe the new guy (GM) is for real.
I have no idea why Pam Cook is ON KTVU.
ReplyDeleteMan Rich, people complained about your writing about your Mom? This is how bad the world has become, when a guy can't even write a diatribe about his own Mom without that offending somebody! It's your blog Rich, and you keep writing whatever you want! I like what you do, and I don't know of anyone else in the bay area that does what you do, so keep it up! Thanks Rich!
ReplyDeleteI would have been shocked if Rich wrote a "diatribe" about his mother. He loved his mother. This is not evil. If he had not loved her, then a "diatribe" would have made sense. Perhaps you meant, "tribute"?
DeleteI'll second that.
DeleteIt's the man's blog. It's his right to do whatever he wants. If you don't like it, go listen to the mindless racket on KNBR and The Game. And don't forget those conservative conspiracy theorists on KSFO and other related stations. That fits those who are rude and mean. Birds of a feather flock together.
DeleteThose who belittled Rich for sharing what most of us feel? That most of us, though not all, were close to their mothers (and I am close to mine)? These belittlers wished the previous four years kept going, and are continuing to obstruct efforts to find common ground among different people. To them, unlike most of us here on the 415 blog, care and empathy are weaknesses. Which of course is not close to true, as care and empathy are basic human strengths and conditions. The proof is in most of Rich's posts, and even in most blog readers' comments. The belittlers hate that. Smh
DeleteAnonymous 3:11PM; just what I was vaguely talking about. There is nothing wrong with the term "diatribe". It basically means a long lengthy writing or speech. "Tribute" would also have been a good word too; not knocking that. I am just writing because of the sheer sensitivity that is out there over really, nothing. That is what is wrong with the world today...
DeleteSee dictionary..."diatribe" means a rant of insults. Your ignorance of what it means is not charming.The lazy use of words is an indicator of a sloppy mind.
Deletechristine craft; I guess it depends on what dictionary you are using, but here is what I just found:
DeleteWhat is a diatribe meaning?
1 : a bitter and abusive speech or piece of writing. 2 : ironic or satirical criticism. 3 archaic : a prolonged discourse.
So I was utilizing the word diatribe to mean "prolonged discourse", which in this case, would be correct. He wrote a long piece, so it would qualify as a prolonged discourse. Nothing wrong with that, as it is his blog.
No, you weren't.
DeletePam Cook was on this morning doing the business reporting.
ReplyDeleteI think talk radio is suffering for a couple reasons -- it's tough to screen calls well enough to keep the dialogue from going south (and thats where social media posts/replies become easier to cherry pick and keep the discussions moving along). And time-shifting! My drive time is frequently spent listening to the podcast of same-day APM Marketplace, which has a supporting podcast that interacts with social media. Classic style KGO talk radio is too much of a time investment, especially when the internet focuses discussions on topics. The major exception -- breaking news discussions, when the classic talk radio host who can help discern what news is pertinent, can bridge between live reports and authoritative responses, etc. and reflect the common man reaction.
ReplyDeleteI can't get enough of watching Frankie boy's demise. He literally has to read out loud, what a cushy job. He's literally the reincarnate of Ron Burgundy.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean Ron Burgundy at SeaWorld? ��
DeleteWhat's "the reincarnate"?
DeleteSomerville has been a caricature of a TV news anchor for a long time. Blustery buffoon who went off the deep end; he was paid a lot of money, so he'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteAs for Bruce Macgowan, sadly, his "retirement" comes at the cost of how the talk radio business is these days. Cheap talent, inexperience and stupidity is preferred over polish and experience. I don't think he wanted to retire. He was forced to retire. It's this lousy business.
ReplyDeleteThe guy was a pest in the press box Full of BS and I mean it the guy is full of himself
Delete@1120 -- LOL! You are so right about that. He was quite full of hot air and so self-promoting. He won't be missed for sure. But you can't deny that the business is going to hell. And if you miss him that much, you can read his Facebook posts which reflect his self-serving personality.
DeleteI used to like Bruce but then as the two people above have posted he simply became insufferable. If it makes you feel better Bruce that you "retired" then enjoy retirement. The next time you sit in the Giants press box, shut up, watch the game and leave other people alone!
Delete> I loved Rita Williams' live shots for the
ReplyDelete> old KTVU. Nowadays, nobody stands out.
Not Emma Goss?!
KPIX TV 5 has announced a new 3 PM M-F local newscast, beginning Monday 9/27, followed by CBS Norah O'Donnell network news.
ReplyDeleteMust be trying to hook everyone early. Interesting.
Bruce Magowan always seemed like a very nice man, but he might be the only person in the world who could give Marty Lurie a run for his money in the boring department. I guess it has to do with their single-minded baseball obsession.
ReplyDelete99% of live shots are totally unnecessary. They're typically a reporter standing in front of a building...on some street...or at a place where something happened days or hours ago. I'm no longer in the business...but recall back in the 90's when our ND went ballistic because we didn't have a live shot in our 11pm newscast. I (the producer) told him "There's nothing going on "live" at the scene." His response?: "GODDAMMIT! I DIDN'T SIGN OFF FOR $500 GRAND FOR TWO GODDAMN LIVE TRUCKS..TO HAVE THEM SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT!"
ReplyDeleteThat's when I knew I had to get out of that shop...and the business. That was 30+ years....and countless free weekends/holidays ago.
Frank has never been the same old Frank since his return to KTVU after that embarrassing druken night on LIVE TV
ReplyDeleteMacGowan retired? Yea he's TIRED alright
ReplyDeleteAgree, Rich. If you cannot handle a LIVE shot, you do not belong in the business. Amy Holyfield is the best in the Bay Area. The crew at KRON - Sarah, Camila, Yoeli, etc. are rank amateurs.
ReplyDeleteYoeli is the only LIVE reporter in the Bay Area that has never been seen LIVE onscreen. Da Lin is a joke on PIX. He consistently breaks eye contact with the camera.
Hey Folks: Do you see that the Chronicle website is posting entries from their PR department to promote their news interns and the return of a reporter? Scary that this kind of content makes the front page of their website. Tells you the state of the newsroom. Let's also not forget the story they did about the remodel of the newsroom. Who the hell cares? You won't see this in the New York Times or the Los Angeles Times.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody show station 98.1 how to add or alter their song lists?
ReplyDeleteThey have a 'collection' of about 17 core songs, which are played over and over. I was thrilled, 11 months ago, when they finally took a few such songs out of circulation. Fast Forward to now: Those overplayed songs are BACK!...Get rid of Delilah, the Lady problem solver who comes on at 8pm. She has an even smaller collection of songs and brings nothing new. I would bet anything most her callers with romance problems are fakes. They describes detailed domestic issues in a clear, ressonant voice, then suddenly they are helpless with choosing a Special Song. Only Delilah can chose it for them.
Bring some NEW or NEWER MUSIC, Delilah, otherwise, we don't need ya.