PIX has enough anchors already in place to fill Bastida's role but CBS network suits are in agreement that NO ONE currently at 855 Battery has a large enough presence to take over as a "face-of-station" candidate. I agree. Even in a marginalized world of local TV News, stations in a Top 10 market (like CBS-SF) feel the need for a "dominant anchor"-type.
As I said here recently, I believe a Juliette Goodrich-Frank Somerrville PAIRING would be a DYNAMIC DUO of BUZZ for PIX but I'm quite sure the want to get something like this down would require massive creativity and ingenuity; something CBS local is incapable of. So instead, they'll hire some boring, adequate guy from Florida (probabaly) and settle for mediocrity. It's in the play book and it's CHEAPER and easier. No one will know or care about a new guy and that'll be that. Isn't it always?
*SOME THOUGHTS about Bastida--
Personally, I really LIKED Ken and think anyone who makes it in a market for 30plus years, is deserving and credentialed. Bastida is a Bay Area native and worked at KFRC, KCBS and PIX. He's a survivor. And he's a good guy too. We have had some meetings over the years and I like Ken.
On the other hand, I thought Ken was too blase with his PIX gig and that he coasted at the end. Way too bland for my taste. Not that you have to yell or scream, but I wasn't crazy about Bastida's bland style of delivering the news. He felt the need to hybrid and go out into the field and report from various locales. I thought that was a good, strategic move because Kenny was MUCH BETTER outside the studio than inside. He could have really prospered as a reporter-extra in the field. But I guess that wasn't in the cards, long-term or otherwise.
Even as vanilla a move CBS will offer, they NEED badly a good, solid pick for their Bay Area/PIX anchor desk. PIX has badly UNDER-PERFORMED as an O and O. Their news presentation is barely a blip on the local radar. They could use a decent hire--someone, anyone that has some presence. But again, I won't hold my breath.
Rich - Is it possible, in the times we live in, that *nobody* is ever going to move the needle again as a local news anchor? Not because there aren't interesting people out there, but but because there is an inexorable decline in the percentage of people who care about local news on TV.
ReplyDeleteMy teenagers have never watched local news except when their parents make them, which is increasingly infrequent (our TV is normally tuned to CNN, except during Brian Williams).
I think local news as a relevant cultural and business force is rapidly running out of both altitude and airspace.
I agree with everything you said about Ken Bastida. The difference in the perception of him on air now, is especially noticeable this week because KPIX has been showing old clips of him in his glory days. Your term "coasting" is really apparent when looking at the old clips. And I agree too, that the guy does deserve credit for sticking it out for 30 years. The days of people doing that anymore in the media biz are pretty much long gone, except for those already approaching that degree of longevity, such as Dan Ashley over at KGO, and we already know about Somerville. I honestly don't see anyone hiring him, because anyone in HR who does even the slightest background check, is going to come across the reports of how he has acted at KTVU regarding his alleged health issues. He is done, and I am quite sure he has enough money to enjoy a nice retirement. But right now, KPIX is going to have nobody as the face of the station, and the only area where we disagree is with Juliette Goodrich. While I would love to bang her, I just think she is overrated as an anchor and should follow her friend Roberta Gonzalez and retire too.
ReplyDeleteBastida is a nice guy, no doubt. But the days of Van Amburg, Dave McElhatton, Pete Wilson and Dennis Richmond are long gone. Maybe Dan Ashley comes close, but there ain't no there there. Because of multiple ways to get news these days, the networks don't even have people with cache any more. Before streaming and cable TV, maybe a Norah O'Donnell or Lester Holt could have some weight. Not any more. And would you trust anyone from the conservative news network known as Fox? Or the collection of liberals on CNN? Tucker Carlson couldn't even be compared to Andy Rooney.
ReplyDeleteHey don’t forget also Evan White too...
DeleteI'm gonna miss his spot on ad libbing. No one did it better!!
ReplyDeleteAnother missed opportunity for Brent Cannon!!!
ReplyDeleteMost likely they (CBS) will hire outside of Bay Area. However if they did local hire Terry McSweeny would be an interesting choice but I think he might just better off staying at NBC Bay Area...
ReplyDeleteI told you weeks ago...
ReplyDelete1) No one in this market will touch Somerville.
2) KPIX will replace Bastida from outside.
Here's a longshot prediction... that Bastida does a short-term at KTVU. It'll increase ratings, rescue the brand, and give Fox more time to find a permanent. At which point Ken can retire for good and take it easy.
Goodrich and Hackney will stay weekends, where they shine. Meantime, KPIX will slide, and take years to recover from its hiring/firing mistakes.
Rich,
ReplyDeleteI just saw Dennis O'Donnell as part of a group of current and former KPIXers in the tribute video for Ken Bastida.
Yeah -- looked like he was on a fishing trip.
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