Ken Bastida told Bay Area viewers last (Monday) night he's retiring in a few weeks. More like CBS is telling him to split, but that's a story for later on.
THE REAL STORY? Bastida's exit from KPIX ...OPENS THE DOOR for a NEW HIRE: ever heard of Frank Somerville?
It is RUMOR CENTRAL in Bay Area media circles. It's already a HOT TOPIC at Black Rock in NY. It's a longshot, sure, but guess what? PIX will be looking for a lead anchor. It does not currently have one and even in this MARGINALIZED world of TV News, there is room for a TOP DOG. Somerville is at best, a LAME DUCK at KTVU, where's he's still on an indefinite suspension. Somerville and KTVU, as I've said, are heading for a DIVORCE. It's highly unlikely Frank can return to Fox/KTVU because the obstacles are MASSIVE. A Somerville return...at CBS on 855 Battery? Don't rule it out.
Pretty cruel stuff for Fox to be hanging FS out to dry. FS needs to get the hell out!
ReplyDeleteAgreed.... No to Somerville.
DeleteDo they have a large font teleprompter at PIX? If Sommerville can't read at 2 how will he be able to read at PIX?
ReplyDeleteSo is Ken Bastida contract up or is he getting a buy out. Stay Tune
ReplyDeleteSaw Amanda Starrantino's first appearance on KPIX today via Instagram. Very fetching. She's definitely got the energy. She and the boyfriend drove from Indiana to SF. She mentioned they stopped in Moab. I flashed back to Gabby Petito-Brian Laundrie. Amanda said she's now living in North Beach, noting she's Italian. Pisan!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo why can't Liz be the lead? Does it have to be male? She's come along, done some solo anchoring, and done it well.
ReplyDeleteBut PIX will do what it always does nowadays, and hire from outside, from a lesser market. If they can't get Dion. Or maybe the new morning gal is it, but I doubt it.
Bastida was fine. I preferred him to Ashley, Somerville, and certainly Raj. Not as folksy as McElhatton, but of the same mold, and the last of them.
I agree. Sorry to see Bastida go. He lent credibility, stability, and professionalism to the broadcast. Martin or Hackney would be a suitable replacement. Hire from within. These people are familiar to the audience and are Bay Area staples. I would have to stop watching if Sommerville were hired as a replacement. There is no reason to believe he will be any less of a liability at KPIX than he has become at KTVU.
DeleteBrian Hackney should replace Bastida.
DeleteKPIX would make a huge mistake hiring Frank. Personal problems do not go away with a change of scenery; they will follow him across the Bay. Be it a poor doctor, teacher, mechanic, police officer, etc, they are who they are.
ReplyDeleteIf Ken retires, I believe that Terry McSweeney at KNTV is the best known local anchor that can be an immediate relacement. He brings vast experience and competence as a reporter and anchor.
Why not try and promote Anne Makovech to the evening news to replace Bastida. She deserves the opportunity...
ReplyDeleteNO.
DeleteNo, not Makovech.
DeleteDamn...I used to work at 'PIX...and loved working with Kenny. Great guy in the newsroom. He was also great to be around when he worked at KCBS radio--showing up at a lot of the same stories. Good dude.Good luck w/the next chapter in life, KB.
ReplyDelete