Bailey O'Carroll Controversy Rocks KTVU; ND Amber Eikel Center of Storm; Uneasy Buzz in Jack London Square as The Firm Investigates Sexist Remarks; Sunday Report

PUSHBACK at KTVU --Bailey O'Carroll controversy rocks the newsroom.

And it's not just the alleged locker-room comments directed at Ms. Bailey; nobody doubts the infamous remarks, (and assorted other sexist comments) were uttered, (one by an unknown male anchor)--the initial anger has subsided but now the MAJOR ire has been directed at ND, Amber Eikel.

It was Eikel, who's already fighting for legitimacy inside the building, who hired O'Carroll despite her clearly limited resume.

"It's a Fox type of hiring," a newsroom source told me. "Once she (Bailey) came in front of the camera (from doing digital content), we knew what the 'MO was."

Eikel, for sure had Fox influence in promoting Bailey but didn't necessarily have to make the hire. Eikel could have waited until she, (Bailey) was more seasoned in front of the camera. Obviously, The Firm doesn't give a rat's patoon about experience. Clearly, O'Carroll's shapely appearence dictated her pathway, (Fox), toward on-air status.

And now, irony of all irony, sexual harrassment chatter by two prominent male actors, one, an anchor, have rocked the station. Something KTVU doesn't need.

While most have sympathy for O'Carroll, there's a good majority of people who say the entire matter could have been avoided had Eikel shown better judgement herself.

"She didn't take any of that into account--that's a fundamental aspect of her job!--she's already on thin ice here, " another KTVU staffer told me.

Fox has begun a "low-level" (their words), internal investigation into the matter but few people at KTVU think they'll be any serious repercussions. The male anchor, whoever he is, (and there's already wide speculation at KTVU who the culprit is), will probably get a pass, a warning, suspension --unles it's omeone at 2 who has a bad reputation when it comes to matters like this.