Tuesday, October 5, 2021

It's Now More Likely Frank Somerville is Done at KTVU; Staffers Lose Faith; Tuesday Vibe

I'VE BEEN TALKING to various sources in and around the KTVU/Fox2 offices; we have had on-going texts and conversationss. The talk has CENTERED on the ongoing situation involving Frank Somerville, who's been on an indefinite suspension. I haven't really talked about the subjet matter which led to Frank's latest off-camera controversy; I'm more on his future at KTVU and I'm now in firm belief that Somerville is NOT coming back to KTVU.

In fact, there hasn't been any official news from both sides. Somerville isn't talking and KTVU (Fox corporate) hasn't said a word. There's no official timetable on Frank's return and that's news in and of itself. A KTVU source told me it's "highly unlikely" that Somerville would return and even if that's the case, surely KTVU would NOT renew Somerville's contract in March of '22. I believe that. I asked the station source if they believe Frank is done. They believed so. "People here have lost faith in Frank,"said the source. "They think he's milked the {'Gabby/minority missing women' story} and they're pissed."

Somerville has basically lost the station. And they've lost him. I hear KTVU and Fox suits are quietly waiting, (hoping) the noise goes away and are trying to figure out a way to let him go, legally. That would involve both sides agreeing to a settlement. Somerville's contract runs through March. Fox could PAY HIM out and say they don't want to renew his deal and part ways. He wouldn't be "fired", they would just say they're not interested in going forward and pay him the rest of his salary, it's a common, everyday experience. I think, and this is just a hunch, KTVU/Fox has began exploring that option.

As I've said, I can't fathom Frank being able to co-exist at KTVU. And I do not see how KTVU, the News Director (Amber Eikel) most especially, can work with Frank. It's not viable anymore. Frank has become the STORY; the newsroom staff at KTVU has TURNED on Frank himself. That would make it extremely difficult for both sides to work together. I'm not saying it's 100% that Frank isn't coming back but I'd say it's 70-30 he's done.

*Stay tuned, as always.

29 comments:

  1. Peter Felch at KCBSOctober 5, 2021 at 2:38 PM

    Do you think Frank would migrate to KPIX, Rich? Or is he too damaged now?

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  2. Why on earth KPIX 5 want to hire an old guy with love alcohol issues?? Adding on slurring on LIVE TV. Promote Brian!!

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    1. Promoting the best anchor in Bay Area TV would be too intelligent when you're looking for the best anchor in Bay Area TV. Better to hire a bimbette from Indianapolis.

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  3. I don’t understand how he’s ‘milked’ the situation? Last I heard he hasn’t made any public statements or public appearances since ktvu suspended him, let alone speak about his suspension. He had an opinion that apparently (according to source) resulted in a heated confrontation at work, but as far I’ve heard he has been 100% silent about the matter.

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    1. anchors aren't supposed to be doing "opinion", only news.

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    2. @3:03pm: I had the same thought as you.

      @4:42pm: When did he issue an opinion on the petito case? Please share the video or the social media post.

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    3. Aside from being disgraceful, Sommerville's virtue signaling has always been the worst self-aggrandizement in which any public figure could involve themselves, particularly with the tragedy surrounding the disappearance of Gabby Petito. Thoughtless, suspect, despicable.

      If he's a liability at KTVU, what makes you think he'd be an asset at KPIX?

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    4. He still has a loyal following, especially on social media.

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    5. > He still has a loyal following,
      > especially on social media.

      So why is that social media following an asset for KPIX but a disaster for KTVU I think is the question.

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    6. > anchors aren't supposed to be doing "opinion",
      > only news.

      And if you could read, you'd know he didn't do the opinion tag. He only asked to, and was told he couldn't. Then he was suspended, and hasn't been heard from since.

      So again I ask you, how is that "milking" when he hasn't done *anything* in public?

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    7. "He only asked to, and was told he couldn't. Then he was suspended"

      From what I read, he was told he couldn't add the opinion tag, but then he tried to include a shorter one, anyway. He got suspended after management caught it.

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    8. He still has a loyal following, especially on social media."

      In case you haven't realized it yet, "social media" is all about "high school."

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    9. "From what I read, he was told he couldn't add the opinion tag, but then he tried to include a shorter one, anyway. He got suspended after management caught it."

      Where'd you read that?

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  4. I've said it before, no other station in this market will touch him. Stick a fork in him...

    Just the same, let's hope he lands on his feet. Somewhere.

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  5. Hopefully KTVU cleans house and get rid of reporters such as Tom Vacar, Azenith Smith and Andre Senior. Would go a long way to making KTVU watchable again.

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    1. Azenith Smith always talks like she’s out of breath. I think she has stage fright.

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    2. What's wrong with Andre Senior? If KTVU can't bring Ken Wayne back to KTVU, then I hope Andre gets the main anchor job. That's certainly better than hiring someone from outside of the Bay Area.

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    3. Yeah, I don't get the Smith or Senior thing.

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    4. I like Senior. Don't know how he is to work with, or how he does when there's a breaker and you have to use your own "news nuts" and can't rely on the writer or a prompter. Aside from that, they could do worse, and probably will.

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  6. Frank has become the story, and he now needs to go.

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  7. Maybe KGO 810 Radio would be a good place for Sommerville. He can express his opinion there.

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  8. Can't see The Firm letting him work at a rival station, even after the contract buyout. Wouldn't be a surprise if Somerville has Vacar or a lawyer friend of Vacar's ready to try and stand up to The Firm. Perhaps drag the entire FOX News Network into this from the personalities to Peter Douchebag at the White House (Jen Psaki swats him off like a fly nearly every time). Somerville is a mess, no matter how big his social following is. Then again, how many social followings have seen through far worse actions than this. Smh

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  9. He should hire his legal team to save his job. Didn't Natasha and VDLC did the same???

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  10. Frank AND Amber Eikel the News Director should both have been fired after he went on air drunk. It wasnt the first time he'd done that it's just the first time he didn't get away with it. Management knew about it for years.KTVU will keep sinking until he AND Eikel are sent packing. And take.the ridiculous HR lady too who also knew. But Fox will push Frank out and leave Eikel. Until her next scree up.

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  11. "(Jen Psaki swats him off like a fly nearly every time)"

    That woman is a ghoul.

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  12. Haener is the one who’s milking this. She’s been off more than ever before because she knows The Firm won’t do anything to her now that Somerville is essentially gone and the station is being battered from every direction.

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  13. It’s time to get rid of Haener and Somerville and turn a new page. Make Cristina Rendon and Alex Savidge the new prime time team. They are qualified, they are respected, and they are great at what they do. Problem solved. This idea that only old farts and walking botox models are qualified to be a prime time anchor is outmoded.

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    1. I echo the opinion of @10:08 PM. Cristina and Alex would make a great team plus they have real chemistry when they're together. While your at it make Kyla the prime time weather anchor and replace Mark Ibanez when his contract is up. Make Andre and Heather the M-F 4/7 team, with Rosemary doing weather. For Saturdays evening try out different reporters to see who is good at the anchoring thing.

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  14. Will KTVU be relegated to the "Fox viewing positions" segments in Married with Children?

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