Somerville was long ago let go but today marks the literal end of a 32-year reign at KTVU and over a decade at "The 10 O'Clock News"--who'd have thought it would end on such a sad note. It should be interesting at the Fox2 studio. I'm sure it will be on many people's minds, good, bad, or indifferent.
*For his part, Somerville has gone into a complete disappearence mode--even his family doesn't see him and he's not returning any calls or texts from them or friends from KTVU or even personal contacts. He visited a Concord 30-day rehab center but it's unclear if he's still at the facility. Sources tell me he's left. And both his personal and legal travails are just beginning.
*Several media contacts told me there's no way Somerville would ever resurface again, at least publicly--most certainly not on a TV News screen. He could take a year off, get his life back (hopefully) -perhaps speaking out on issues and talking to people in need who are dealing with crisis and addiction. We're a long way from that.
*After several weeks of contemplation, there is still a great degree of ANGER at KTVU over Somerville's downfall. Those close to him (one, who used to sit right beside him) are angry because they invested tons of time and effort to help out Frank. And I do mean anger.
The thought from them was that Frank was given several opportunities to get his act together. He'd told many that everything was cool and that things would be OK, including his own situation, even though this was most definitely not the case.
"He conned us all," said a close KTVU contact. "We went out of our way to help him and he just basically thumbed his nose at us." "We were at this on a constant basis. It's sickening."
I'm am happy he's gone. I'm only sorry he didn't leave years ago.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like an addict . The George Watson video explained a lot.
ReplyDelete"He conned us all," said a close KTVU contact. "We went out of our way to help him and he just basically thumbed his nose at us." "We were at this on a constant basis. It's sickening."
ReplyDeleteSounds more like an addict in extreme denial spiraling out of control that needs help. We'll see the true colors of the "conned" if FS manages his addiction and if/when he approaches the "conned" with the sincerest of apologies.
All the "tons of time and effort" aren't going to accomplish anyone that hasn't hit his/her personal bottom (or maybe a car).
I've seen a disheveled FS wandering down Broadway, barefoot, save the bandaids on his feet, walking his dog, personable but clearly under the influence of something, just thinking how sad this is.
I hope he gets whatever help he needs, and ends up stable enough to have a meaningful relationship with his kids, and can make amends with his ex such that a decent co-parenting can occur.
I’ve seen FS that way as well. Dirty and unkempt. Let’s all pray for him. Thank You, Rich.
Delete"After several weeks of contemplation, there is still a great degree of ANGER at KTVU over Somerville's downfall."
ReplyDelete""He conned us all," said a close KTVU contact. "We went out of our way to help him and he just basically thumbed his nose at us." "We were at this on a constant basis. It's sickening."
Yea, well, tell them to get over it and get over themselves. You are supposed to help others. In the end, on judgment day, your "disappointment", "anger", and "sickness" won't matter a damn.
"He conned us all...."
ReplyDeleteI hope someone didn't really say that. This situation appears to be someone (Frank) in dire need of help. From what I've learned, addicts sometimes need to go through rehab 3x or so. Any of this "conning" was I'm sure more of a desperate struggle for Frank to hang on than to "con" coworkers, who seem rather myopic and self-centered.
Well, I think his sanctimoniousness didn't help his case. They didn't treat George Watson that way, and it's because GW wasn't the bullshitter Frank is. Check out all his posts and videos about *other* people's failings over the years.
DeleteI just checked the KTVU website. Frank is still listed as being on staff.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's the same reason the old weather forecast stays up there for three days sometimes. Kyla Grogan was listed in the weather section for three weeks after she officially left. You think they have someone working on that full-time? There's almost no one at KTVU full time at this point.
DeleteTechnically he is still on staff through today (28th), but even then there's no law that says they have to remove it immediately.
DeleteFrankie boy, AKA Frank the Tank. I'll miss you fumbling easy words, taking a big breath in to start talking because your lungs are messed up due to your constant off air smoking. I'll miss your bad hairdo with all that hair spray, which is single handedly causing global warming. I'll miss you being a tv sanctimonious gas bag who can't even keep his own life in order.
ReplyDeleteWill there be a tribute video of him, with the last few seconds consisting of his DUI arrest stumbling out of the car? You're a loser Frank, get lost.
Frank is not a smoker. He has many vices, but that's not one of them.
DeleteHis lungs are "messed up." Are you his doctor?
DeleteI've never seen this repeated on-air big breaths, and he plays ice hockey and works out regularly. I'm sure his lungs are fine.
But people can have "messed up" lungs and not smoke. I personally know someone who died from lung cancer at 49, who was not a smoker and did not come from a smoking family. Another person of my acquaintance has COPD and again does not smoke and never has.
Did you know there were lung disease long before there was smoking? I'm not saying Frank has any, but sheer ignorance to is the only reason I can think of to believe a lung issue can only be explained by smoking. Educate yourself.
Brent Cannon still has his hopes up, that he'll get the 10 o'clock spot at KTVU!!
ReplyDeleteHe'd be better than Mike Mibach, who's a humorless little downer. He seems like the kind of guy who gives you a dirty look when you sit down near him in a coffee shop.
DeleteDon't know why everyone wants that spot. It's been bad lucky for everyone since Dennis Richmond. That chair is cursed.
DeleteAddiction is no joke. I've witnessed it first hand. Frank can be forced by his employer(now former) or by the court to get treatment, bottom line is, until Frank recognizes and admits that he has a problem and makes an effort on his own accord to get help, he will continue to have issues. The ol' you can lead a horse to water applies aptly to those suffering from addiction. At the end of the day, no amount of coercion or forced therapy will work until Frank himself makes the commitment to getting better. I wish him the best.
ReplyDelete> Frank can be forced by his employer(now former)
ReplyDelete> or by the court to get treatment
So why is it there are all sorts of crazy "people of color" running around off their meds and waving guns and axes at people, and when they get shot it their families couldn't do anything about it if they refused to take their meds and it's the POH-lice's fault for not being able to deescalate a violent psychopath?
Wow, everyone is so judgemental. Alcoholism is a disease. If he had cancer everyone would be wishing him the best. Instead people are just plain mean and holier than thou.I wish Frank the best. I hope he has the strength and will to get better. I hope he has a good support team to be there along the way.
ReplyDelete> Alcoholism is a disease.
DeleteEverything is these days.
Comparing alcoholism to cancer is ludicrous.
You're an idiot to compare Alcoholism to Cancer. With Alcoholism, you can go to services that will assist you getting your life together and possibly stop the addiction. That is not always the case with Cancer. People choose to drink. People don't choose to get Cancer. You don't know Frank and you go ahead and enjoy the pity party for Frank. What Rich has said about his sources are pretty close to the truth with regards to Frank's colleagues. I don't know Frank, but I know a lot of his coworkers and it sounds about right concerning the help that was given to him. His ego was huge that he thought he was invincible. He thought he'd use his power to go against his bosses to voice his fight for the people. He doesn't own the TV station, Fox does. As long as he's getting his 7-figure income from Fox, then he has to follow what Fox says. He doesn't like it? He should've started a podcast. But no, he wanted to get that pat on the back that he's a voice for the people but with a company that has rules.
DeleteSEVEN figure? Did he get a raise while he was suspended?
DeleteI saw an interesting tv ad last night (Thursday 1/27/22). Reno, NV, on its channel 11 simulcasts KTVU's 10pm news. There was one of those short commercials which included Somerville and Haener (separate shots of each) inviting viewers to watch Channel 11 for the 10pm news. I'm thinking KRXI wanted to get the last bit of "mileage" from that ad. KRXI-Reno is Reno's Fox affiliate and is related to KTVU-Oakland in that way.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Frank is done and is able to get his life back together. It takes what it takes and not everybody gets graced with sobriety. Speaking from experience I have also “conned and misled” people, some of whom didn’t want to know the truth and some who didn’t want to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know how others at KTVU "went out of their way to help him." How? Money? Hugs? Cheering him up? Something like that isn't really something others can do for him; he has to do the things himself.
ReplyDeleteWonder how his daughter is doing.
ReplyDeleteNo more Sommerville and there goes you 'ratings'
ReplyDeleteI guess you have nothing else of interest to say.
He'll be back in one way or another, diminished but some station will hire him. They said Lyin' Bryan Williams wouldn't come back, but there was a network with low enough standards to make him an anchor. They said Dan Rather wouldn't return, but he made it back with the full support of the media.
ReplyDelete