Thursday, January 27, 2022

Ask Rich Lieberman

YOUR TV/RADIO/INTERNET QUESTIONS, I will do my best to ANSWER all--please, name and city.

76 comments:

  1. The KNTV weekend team of Mcsweeney and Asistio are better than what most other stations put on during the week. any thoughts?

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    1. I've always liked McSweeney and said as much. I'm just warming to Asistio so I can write something soon.

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    2. Asistio is solid. A good Teleprompter reader, serious when the story calls for it, looser when it's lighter content. Very easy on the eyes, and plays well with whoever the co-anchor happens to be on a given day. The only knock I have with her is she sometimes gets a little too animated, almost giddy, but that generally only pops up during a toss to the weather or sports person, so it's not really much of a knock on her. The weekday people better watch their backs, she showed up on Day One already ready for prime time.

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    3. Asistio is solid. A good Teleprompter reader, serious when the story calls for it, looser when it's lighter content. Very easy on the eyes, and plays well with whoever the co-anchor happens to be on a given day. The only knock I have with her is she sometimes gets a little too animated, almost giddy, but that generally only pops up during a toss to the weather or sports person, so it's not really much of a knock on her. The weekday people better watch their backs, she showed up on Day One already ready for prime time.

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  2. Rich , why the disdain for Bay Area legend Gary Radnich !?! he cut himself out a new career in tv and radio ...not to mention a basketball icon in the South Bay ...

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    1. No "disdain" --none at all. Critical thinking, yes. And Gary loved it. Trust me, Raymond.

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  3. Heather Holmes has disappeared from KTVU suddenly. Been gone over a week and a half now. Usually if she takes off somewhere she writes about it on Social Media. This time...nothing. In fact her Social Media timelines have been barren since she disappeared except for two tweets about 9ers beating Green Bay. Something's going on. COVID maybe?

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    1. Maybe Frank rear-ended her car? ;-D

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    2. Actually at the end of the noon news today Gasia said to allie Rasmus it was so nice to have her as co-anchor and Allie said "One more day, one more day." So maybe Heather returns Monday? Maybe it was just vacay.

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    3. Probably upset that she didn't get the top spot.

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  4. I just saw her recently, I think it's vacation or maybe she asked for time off. I don't think it's a big deal now, if she's away for another few weeks? Then we'll worry.

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    1. You're seeing Heather Holmes? Very cool.

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    2. Nope, I was right. It was COVID. Holmes confirmed it today on social media.

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  5. Christine Craft, why do you post her comments? As Woody Allen said in Annie Hall, she's nothing but a pseudo intellectual. Always thinking that she is smarter than the next person.

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    1. Because I try to let everyone in, even Christine, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's wise.

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    2. Which stinks worse? Another defensive comment from Christine Craft or a truck stop mens room in Fresno?

      Nick Jang from San Carlos

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    3. Christine usually offers thoughtful,interesting comments that are based on first-hand experience. And she usually is smarter than the next person.

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    4. Kermit at 4:11 PM, = "Christine", burner account

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  6. I'm guessing her dream date would be Al Franken. She's always finding excuses for liberals that are "off the ranch", witness Bernie Ward.

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  7. Hi Rich,
    Wally from New York (formerly from San Francisco). Wish I was still in SF.
    Can you find out if Larry Gerston is still with KCBS. He used to do a 5 minute chat on KCBS Sundays at 7:20am Eastern but he hasn't been on the last few weeks and no mention that he was off the day. It was usually an interesting chat.

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    1. Hi Wallee, yeah I liked his schmooze on KCBS too and it was cool even if some of the anchors couldn't ask him a decent question.

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  8. I am still eagerly awaiting Bill Martin's departure from KTVU Fox2. Is there any news on that front?

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    1. Me too.
      Martin was retiring only KTVU wanted him to say on, ostensibly o they could hire a fulltime weather anchor. Any day now a permanent hire is on board and Martin can babble at home.

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  9. Rich, as always, must read for me daily! Wanted to get your thoughts. As the crisis with Russia and the Ukraine was coming to a head Sunday night, Fox News devoted live coverage to, what I saw, as a major news event. I switched to CNN, my mainstay for news, and they were running Marilyn Monroe Reimagined followed by a tribute to the 80's. Do you ever notice how the quality and live coverage on CNN drops off in the evening? Sorry, long winded statement and question. Appreciate you Rich.

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    1. CNN, late night, especially on weekends, is amazingly short of covering major news events. Fox News, from time to time, is there when CNN isn't but you make a major point.
      Our go-to on cable has seen major short-comings of late.

      Thanks for your nice words too.

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  10. Why did Channel 5 feel the need to rebrand their weather segment, "First Alert Weather?" It sounds like some third rate news gimmick out of Montgomery or somewhere!

    Gus Savage- Trestle Glen

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    1. Gus, they're desperate to try anything these days.

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    2. Idiotic, wasn't it? I saw that last night and thought "This is the kind of stupidity suits come up with, and I'll bet the new ND is responsible to leave her 'mark' on something." They said this was to report on when weather impacts us. Newsflash: They already do that! All channels over-report weather and have been for the last 20 years, because it's relatively cheap to do and fills time. When KRON was sold to Young and the first of many incompetent GMs came on board, the first words out of his mouth at the staff meeting were, "I love weather!" When the second incompetent GM came on board a couple years later, he said the same thing. Every idiot suit thinks they're the ones to discover this, because none of them has ever had an original idea in their lives.

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    3. > Gus Savage- Trestle Glen

      That's called Oakland, LOL, but I like the way you want to distinguish it from 'da hood.

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    4. The "First Alert Weather" is a CBS local stations across the board. It just started here in New York on WCBS TV.

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    5. Is that the sponsor?... First Alert smoke detectors.

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  11. Do you think Christine has worn her "fuck me shoes" in bed any time recently?

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  12. Silky Johnson in AlamedaJanuary 27, 2022 at 12:29 PM

    I heard Steve Berman, the Bay Area Spirts guy, say he has a real feud with you. Are you both rivals because you report on sports media personalities? Is it a friendly rivalry or is there real disdain?

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    1. I scoop his ass every day. He's a schmuck. Quote me.

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  13. So, tell us. Since he doesn't have a commanding presence or a decent voice, or a great presentation, or confidence etc., etc., -- Why did KPIX hire RYAN YAMAMOTO ??

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    1. Actually, it was Mark Neerman that hired Yamamoto --only he was fired --KPIX has an alibi now.

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    2. @12:31 I can answer that in one word. Diversity.

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    3. Because KPIX, like KRON, KTVU, KGO and KNTV, wouldn't know talent if it bit them in the ass, because it often does, and it goes unrecognized. Meanwhile mediocrities float to the top and get promoted over and over. Someone who worked the business years ago told me it was a matter of who they thought was the most malleable, the most obedient to the suits' unending bullshit, and not talent. He was probably right.

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  14. This isn't a question so much as a statement, but you'll probably want to comment: The new weather pick who replaced the wonderful Kyla Grogan, Roberta Gonzales, looks like a recovering alcoholic/hooker. If she wears any more makeup she'll melt under the lights. Amber sure can pick winners. John in Piedmont

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    1. Bang Bang Niner GangJanuary 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. Isn't Roberta supposed to be temporary until KTVU hires someone permanent? But yeah, I hadn't seen her in years and it was pretty shocking to see her recently.

      You know who I don't want to see after 20 years of invisibility is Terilyn Joe. Talk about pleasant memories dashed.

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    3. "Isn't Roberta supposed to be temporary until KTVU hires someone permanent?"

      She's the permanent, even if they are paying her as a day hire. She's ethnic, but they're also cheap over there, and she has no other options.

      I swear she looks like a poster child for AA.

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    4. The stereotype is that men can age with grace on TV, women can't. Not sure if it's true or not. Dave McElhatton was overweight and valding, but was a professional and trusted. Elaine Corral had a long career.

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  15. Rich, when will Sara Donchey join KPIX, as you previously reported?

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  16. She's due any day now--was supposed to start in mid January. But she's on her way, some day soon.

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  17. KRON now has a noon broadcast, going against KTVU. It's Noelle Bellow vs Gasia. Who wins best pecs?

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    1. I like the Noon on KRON and I like Bellow. Nothing great but it's sincere. I can't stomach the Gaas.

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  18. I listen to KCBS a lot when I'm on the road. I don't think I've heard Eric Thomas in well over a week. Any news there?

    Arthur from Brentwood

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    1. Arthur, I can only guess he's on vacation --my best guess.

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  19. I know you only report local media, but any idea why CNN didn't hire Smerconish permanently in the 6pm slot? Now they have some goofy "America in Peril" show.On the bright side, I now watch Channel 7 from 6-7, a very good news hour.

    David, San Jose

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    1. Dave, I have no idea why but I love Smerconish --he's smart and knows his stuff --love his show.

      CNN must not think he's ready for prime time, I don't get it.

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    2. Smerconish is a big bore, that's why.

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  20. Hey Rich: What would be your ideal future for the media (TV, Radio, print and online) in the Bay Area? Or do you see a future?

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    1. I'm an optimist Mark, because I don't group things together. I believe quality and creativity win out and that if you provide unique and interesting, no matter the complexity like "the media", you will thrive.

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  21. Mike needs a complete makeover, stylist, better clothes sitting next to stylish Julie H. also needs to smile more!

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    1. STYLISH Julie H???? Between her animals prints and her puffy sleeves and blouses with little ties in front like it's 1982, I'd hardly call her stylish. And let's not forget the loud patterns that cause retina burn.

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    2. Is that Heather @7:34?

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  22. Hey Rich,
    3 words. Roberta Gonzales, WHY??

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    1. Because KTVU has no other options available and pretends it's 1990 when Roberta was last relevent.

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    2. I live in Pleasanton and frequent a certain steak house in town, I've seen her there on a few occasions and ouch baby, very ouch. It's amazing what proper lighting and makeup can do.

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    3. > Because KTVU has no other options available

      The point is they DID have another option, Kyla Grogan. She doesn't realize it, though (or maybe she does) but she dodged a bullet. KTVU gets what they deserve.

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    4. One of my relatives lives in P-town and knew a letter carrier that used to drop mail at the Gonzales residence. The carrier actually met her once. This was long long ago.

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    5. Roberta Gonzales is what happens when you've decimated your reputation as an employer. Word travels fast in broadcast media circles, and the gossip that us viewers know is just a fraction of what those on the inside know.
      At this point the only people who would willingly go to KTVU are kids right out of college trying to get their foot in the door (before they jump ship at the first opportunity), or washed-up, "has been" drama queens like Roberta with reputations that precede them and no other job prospects.

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    6. Since the Rady Hahn divorce she's gone a little downhill, sure. But also, she's in her 60's now. She's not going to look the way she looked in her 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. The only thing I find wrong with her is her choice of really tight dresses on air. Her stomach is huge now and when she turns sideways its not the most flattering angle. She still is attractive tho.

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  23. Suppose you find yourself confronting a sketchy situation in a dangerous neighborhood, on a dark night. Which local news reporter do you want backing backing you up?
    I say Da Lin... I think he can handle himself.

    Who would you choose?

    Arnold/Oakland

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    1. Veronica De La Cruz.

      She'd yell "GAME OOOOOON!!!!" and they'd run away.

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    2. I think Da can whip any female in the neighborhood.....

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    3. I'll take Mike Mibach after he's just gotten off a double shift with Gasia.

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  24. No question just am observation ...I laughed like crazy at a few of your responses. Boy, did I need those laughs. Keep bein' cool.

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  25. Heather Holmes was back today. She looks as beautiful as always. I know she gets a lot of criticism here but I think she is great.

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    1. Yeah, she was out with Covid, just like Dr. Jen Ashton at GMA, along with Amy Roabach and Robin Roberts.

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