There’s an elephant in the room nobody ever mentions: FOX news. The blatant propaganda on KTVU that pops up from “corporate” turns a lot of folks off. Inevitably it is some weirdo we have never heard or seen, spewing disinformation like it was Candy at Easter. I think a lot of bay area viewers see this stuff and change the channel immediately. When you sleep with dogs, one should not be surprised to wake up with fleas.
100% agree. Anyone who disputes that never worked with or around Amber. She earned no one’s respect, didn’t know how to run a news operation and didn’t know how to treat people. At least Simone is warm and positive and treats people with respect, unlike that witch Amber. Also, unlike Amber, Simone tries to create a collegial and positive work environment. It’s an impossible, uphill battle but at least she tries which is a refreshing change.
Oh for fuck’s sake, stop with the same diversity hire cliche bullshit. Look at her resume, she’s more than qualified to be a news director. And guess what, most ND’s are disliked by the rank and file. It’s par for the course. That’s the case across the board, across the country. Sure there are some who are beloved by their staff but that’s the exception not the norm.
"So anyone with darker skin and natural hair is a diversity hire? Was Dennis Richmond? Or Lester Holt on NBC? What a moronic statement."
Not a moronic statement at all. Yes, Dennis Richmond was a diversity hire. He didn't understand most of the news he was reading, which is why he kept silent at most meetings, just as Clarence Thomas doesn't understand the content of most cases he hears, which is why he is known for keeping silent during arguments. Fred Zehnder famously said to Catherine Heenan that Dennis Richmond wouldn't know a story "if it bit him on the ass," and he was right. Aponte's record of baking cookies and taking people out fishing when there's breaking news reveals she is about as intelligent and aware of what is going on as Kamala Harris, who stutters nonsense whenever asked a question about...anything that's part of her job. And she's the VP for crying out loud. How hard a job is that? (Humbert Humphrey famously complained that he did nothing while waiting for the phone to ring, traveling for photo ops and attending funerals of foreign dignitaries. KH has shown she can't even do those modest three things.)
*Most* blacks are diversity hires, be they Neil deGrasse Tyson, who has contributed no original papers to the scientific literature but instead ran a planetarium—you know, that job that third-rater Howard Wolowitz did on The Big Bang Theory? I have never worked around Lester Holt but I *have* worked around Richmond and Aponte, and if it weren't for white intervention they couldn't get jobs mopping toilets. Facts.
"So anyone with darker skin and natural hair is a diversity hire? Was Dennis Richmond? Or Lester Holt on NBC? What a moronic statement."
Don't know about Lester Holt, but Dennis Richmond definitely was. He came to the position knowing NOTHING about news. He retired still knowing NOTHING about news. Or, as Catherine Heenan has said multiple times, Fred Zehnder often said DR wouldn't know an important story if it bit him in the ass. KTVU is in Oakland serves the Oakland area. Dennis, who sat quietly at meetings and rarely spoke, the way Clarence Thomas rarely speaks when the justices meet, didn't understand what was going on. He didn't need to. His image was what the station needed. Other brains—mostly white and Asian ones—do the work behind the scenes.
Dear 11:01 and 4:10: Perhaps I should come back with some sassy little quip in rebuttal to your racist replies. But I don't have time right now. I'm sure you two are busy as well, you know, startching those hoods and all. Sincerely yours, 4:23
You have no rebuttal. I didn't say anything that you could rebut. DR was a diversity hire. He didn't know news. I worked with him for 10 years and he didn't know about much besides having power over the newsroom and his golf game. He was feared, he was disliked, and he held himself aloof. Or I should say above, because he knew he was the *one* person in the building who could not be fired. And the reason is melanin. If you don't like the truth, I can't help it. Oh, Copeland's son on the radio, that's a diversity hire, too.
Alright, already. I get that you were not a fan of Dennis Richmond. So you decide to paint an entire race with a broad brush because of that pesky melatonin issue. But in other news, do you also startch the robe part of your uniform as well as the hood? Or do you just use a nice poly blend so you can throw it the wash and easily and get those soot stains from the burning crosses out with no ironing needed? Must save you time, right?Inquiring minds want to know!
Simone aponte is why three investigative reporters left ktvu when she ran the department. Simone is also the one who started a cookie delivery business when she was working from home during the pandemic. As a result producers couldn’t get ahold of her. They were furious and told me so directly. Sumone also took the entire investigative unit on a fishing trip to bond. But she did it DURING the week. And one of the people she invited was the reporter who was supposed to be in court EVERY DAY during the Elizabeth Holmes trial. We had PROMISED viewers that we would be in court ever day. EVERY SINGLE DAY! but on this crucial day of testimony we weren’t there. Because we’d gone fishin. I was disgusted and told the news director that. Sadly Amber was good friends with Simone and did nothing about it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. As for the gm I have NEVER heard one person say something positive about her. She knows NOTHING about news. And thinks that bringing snacks into the newsroom makes it all better. I never heard her say good job to one reporter or anchor. I never heard her say specifically why she liked a reporters piece. Instead she put snacks n the newsroom. That’s not what a good leader does. And it’s why ktvu will never be the same as they were when Richmond and Summerville were there.
Darren zulberti should have been named news director. Period. And EVERYONE at ktvu…. Just like me…, knows that. Let’s hope they wil come forward and say that.
Oh I remember so well Simone taking them on a fishing trip. Up until then ktvu had promised to be in court for the holes case everyday. AFTER that happened they changed their promo to say that we will only be in court for signicant developments. I remember talking to Frank. He was furious. Because he’d gone on air promising one thing only to have it changed to something else. I still work at ktvu. But I can’t wait to get out of there. The place is disgusting. And sadly viewers are realizing the same thing. What a shame.
You’re absolutely right. Simone is nowhere near qualified for an ND role in a major market but she’s leaps and bounds better and infinitely more liked than Eikel ever was. Newsroom staff no longer have to walk on pins and needles, terrified they may run into the ND.
keep it mind it was Eikel, NOT Aponte, who had the brilliant idea to promote Mibach into Frank Somerville’s slot. Also, Like it or Not was launched under Aponto’s regime. Say what you want about that show but, with a couple of exceptions, over the past 90 days it has drawn higher ratings each night than their live 7:30 news.
Agreed. As we used to say about Eikel, "the last time anyone saw her was on the side of a milk carton." (in reference to her never being around). Some have made the same joke about Haener.
Reading all these comments from Simone Aponte apologists make me feel like I’m in the twilight zone. I work there and have been through the highs & lows and thick & thin. Yes, Aponte is better than Amber but barely. Is that seriously the bar though? My friend’s 9 year old son would’ve done a better job than Amber. Singing Aponte’s praises simply because she’s a smidge better than the assholish and incompetent Eikel would be like saying China is better than Russia because it’s slightly less communist…or Dahmer wasn’t as bad as many people as John Wayne Gacy because he didn’t murder as many people…or to use a lighter example, a $20 million dollar estate in Atherton isn’t that bad because it could be worse, the $22 million estate in Woodside.
Many of the GM’s in the market right now are not worth their wait and salt. Ktvu and Kron have both gone downhill and it’s because of very bad executive leadership.
If you looked at Rich's post and then two minutes later Simone Aponte walked past you on the street, you wouldn’t even recognize her as the woman in the photograph. Google her, and you’ll see more recent images in which she’s barely recognizable, if at all.
Agreed but the only way a man will ever be hired into a leadership role at a Bay Area station moving forward is if they’re a person of color OR a trans man. Ideally they’d be an lgbtq person of color. But maybe I’m wrong, time will tell.
In our little corner of the world there is absolutely no chance an employer with a widely-recognized name would pass on hiring a woman of color so long as they meet the minimum job requirements. Employers have been conditioned to fear the possible repercussions and blowback effect of not doing so. And an employer like ktvu, who everyone knows, will never take that risk. Doesn’t matter if it’s the reincarnation of Fred Zehnder.
Aponte was at the meeting where it was revealed Defense Sec'y Lloyd Austin had checked into a hospital without alerting anyone. Someone around the table mentioned he hadn't notified the Joint Chiefs. After the meeting Aponte buttonholed me in the hallway to ask what a "joint chief" was. DEI at its finest.
Here are the three main differences between Aponte and her predecessor, Amber Eikel: 1. Aponte is consistently present in the building on most days and maintains a regular schedule. She genuinely wants to be at work. In contrast, Eikel was seldom in the building. Her presence was notable when she was around. Most of her business was conducted via phone and text while she went shoe-shopping, took four-hour lunches down the street, or took her 'mental health' breaks, which also lasted hours at a time. 2. Aponte is more liked as a person. She treats both men and women with respect, unlike Eikel, who clearly played favorites with men. Aponte avoids speaking in a condescending or belittling tone and endeavors to create a positive work environment. Despite her lack of qualifications, these personality traits make a significant difference. Staff had to walk on eggshells fearing they might run into Eikel, whether in the building, in the parking lot, or around the station. Not because they did anything wrong, but because she emitted a very uncomfortable energy that made people not want to be around her. She was also extremely cliquish, and if you weren't in her clique, you felt like an outsider, and all interactions were fake and phony. 3. Aponte is marginally better as an ND. More like a smidge better, which isn't saying much because she's totally unqualified for the role. I'm of the opinion that Darren Zulberti should be ND. The reason I say she's a smidge better mainly goes back to #2. Aponte is at least willing to listen to people and hear others out when it comes to news-related decisions, unlike Eikel, who would pretend to listen but only truly listened to those in her little clique.
I agree with this. Simone treats people with RESPECT, that is what was lacking with Eikel. Eikel was a demon, and treated people, women especially, horribly. Simone is not toxic and at least tries to create a supportive work environment for everyone still there.
11:49, completely agree with all you said. And I’d add a 4th point which is to simply look at the number of on air talent and newsroom staff who voluntarily left under Eikel and compare that to the number who have voluntarily left under the Aponte regime. The attrition rate under Eikel was astronomical.
The Aponte haters crack me up. I actually work at KTVU and know her personally. Is she Fred Zehnder? No. Is she a highly qualified and highly competent leader, more than capable of being an amazing News Director? Absolutely. It takes time to grow into a role and gain your footing. It also takes time to earn the respect of the newsroom. From everything I've seen, Aponte is making the best use of the resources available while advocating for more. She's doing great and will only get better as she gains more experience.
There’s an elephant in the room nobody ever mentions: FOX news.
ReplyDeleteThe blatant propaganda on KTVU that pops up from “corporate” turns a lot of folks off. Inevitably it is some weirdo we have never heard or seen, spewing disinformation like it was Candy at Easter. I think a lot of bay area viewers see this stuff and change the channel immediately.
When you sleep with dogs, one should not be surprised to wake up with fleas.
Simone’s a graduate of the Leigh Martinez School of Liberal Fuckery, with Amber Eikel as Chancellor.
DeleteI'm sure your lord and savior MSLSD spews all kinds of truth daily.
DeleteSimone is an absolute godsend compared to our last ND.
ReplyDelete100% agree. Anyone who disputes that never worked with or around Amber. She earned no one’s respect, didn’t know how to run a news operation and didn’t know how to treat people. At least Simone is warm and positive and treats people with respect, unlike that witch Amber.
DeleteAlso, unlike Amber, Simone tries to create a collegial and positive work environment. It’s an impossible, uphill battle but at least she tries which is a refreshing change.
That's like comparing dog shit with Moose shit. They both stink. She is awful and awkward as hell personally. Zero leadership skills.
DeleteTwo words.......Diversity hire.
ReplyDeleteSo anyone with darker skin and natural hair is a diversity hire? Was Dennis Richmond? Or Lester Holt on NBC? What a moronic statement.
DeleteOh for fuck’s sake, stop with the same diversity hire cliche bullshit. Look at her resume, she’s more than qualified to be a news director. And guess what, most ND’s are disliked by the rank and file. It’s par for the course. That’s the case across the board, across the country. Sure there are some who are beloved by their staff but that’s the exception not the norm.
DeleteHey 430. Get your facts right. NO ONE disliked Fred zehnder. NO ONE.
Delete"So anyone with darker skin and natural hair is a diversity hire? Was Dennis Richmond? Or Lester Holt on NBC? What a moronic statement."
DeleteNot a moronic statement at all. Yes, Dennis Richmond was a diversity hire. He didn't understand most of the news he was reading, which is why he kept silent at most meetings, just as Clarence Thomas doesn't understand the content of most cases he hears, which is why he is known for keeping silent during arguments. Fred Zehnder famously said to Catherine Heenan that Dennis Richmond wouldn't know a story "if it bit him on the ass," and he was right. Aponte's record of baking cookies and taking people out fishing when there's breaking news reveals she is about as intelligent and aware of what is going on as Kamala Harris, who stutters nonsense whenever asked a question about...anything that's part of her job. And she's the VP for crying out loud. How hard a job is that? (Humbert Humphrey famously complained that he did nothing while waiting for the phone to ring, traveling for photo ops and attending funerals of foreign dignitaries. KH has shown she can't even do those modest three things.)
*Most* blacks are diversity hires, be they Neil deGrasse Tyson, who has contributed no original papers to the scientific literature but instead ran a planetarium—you know, that job that third-rater Howard Wolowitz did on The Big Bang Theory? I have never worked around Lester Holt but I *have* worked around Richmond and Aponte, and if it weren't for white intervention they couldn't get jobs mopping toilets. Facts.
Hey, 5:37 learn to read. 4:30 said "Sure there are some who are beloved by their staff but that’s the exception not the norm."
DeleteWhat part of that don't you understand?
"Two words.......Diversity hire."
DeleteWell, DUH.
"So anyone with darker skin and natural hair is a diversity hire? Was Dennis Richmond? Or Lester Holt on NBC? What a moronic statement."
DeleteDon't know about Lester Holt, but Dennis Richmond definitely was. He came to the position knowing NOTHING about news. He retired still knowing NOTHING about news. Or, as Catherine Heenan has said multiple times, Fred Zehnder often said DR wouldn't know an important story if it bit him in the ass. KTVU is in Oakland serves the Oakland area. Dennis, who sat quietly at meetings and rarely spoke, the way Clarence Thomas rarely speaks when the justices meet, didn't understand what was going on. He didn't need to. His image was what the station needed. Other brains—mostly white and Asian ones—do the work behind the scenes.
Dear 11:01 and 4:10:
DeletePerhaps I should come back with some sassy little quip in rebuttal to your racist replies. But I don't have time right now. I'm sure you two are busy as well, you know, startching those hoods and all. Sincerely yours, 4:23
You have no rebuttal. I didn't say anything that you could rebut. DR was a diversity hire. He didn't know news. I worked with him for 10 years and he didn't know about much besides having power over the newsroom and his golf game. He was feared, he was disliked, and he held himself aloof. Or I should say above, because he knew he was the *one* person in the building who could not be fired. And the reason is melanin. If you don't like the truth, I can't help it. Oh, Copeland's son on the radio, that's a diversity hire, too.
DeleteAlright, already. I get that you were not a fan of Dennis Richmond. So you decide to paint an entire race with a broad brush because of that pesky melatonin issue. But in other news, do you also startch the robe part of your uniform as well as the hood? Or do you just use a nice poly blend so you can throw it the wash and easily and get those soot stains from the burning crosses out with no ironing needed? Must save you time, right?Inquiring minds want to know!
DeleteWhoops...predictive text got me. I meant "that pesky melanin." See, even white people make mistakes!
DeleteSimone aponte is why three investigative reporters left ktvu when she ran the department. Simone is also the one who started a cookie delivery business when she was working from home during the pandemic. As a result producers couldn’t get ahold of her. They were furious and told me so directly. Sumone also took the entire investigative unit on a fishing trip to bond. But she did it DURING the week. And one of the people she invited was the reporter who was supposed to be in court EVERY DAY during the Elizabeth Holmes trial. We had PROMISED viewers that we would be in court ever day. EVERY SINGLE DAY! but on this crucial day of testimony we weren’t there. Because we’d gone fishin. I was disgusted and told the news director that. Sadly Amber was good friends with Simone and did nothing about it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. As for the gm I have NEVER heard one person say something positive about her. She knows NOTHING about news. And thinks that bringing snacks into the newsroom makes it all better. I never heard her say good job to one reporter or anchor. I never heard her say specifically why she liked a reporters piece. Instead she put snacks n the newsroom. That’s not what a good leader does. And it’s why ktvu will never be the same as they were when Richmond and Summerville were there.
ReplyDeleteDarren zulberti should have been named news director. Period. And EVERYONE at ktvu…. Just like me…, knows that. Let’s hope they wil come forward and say that.
ReplyDeleteOh I remember so well Simone taking them on a fishing trip. Up until then ktvu had promised to be in court for the holes case everyday. AFTER that happened they changed their promo to say that we will only be in court for signicant developments. I remember talking to Frank. He was furious. Because he’d gone on air promising one thing only to have it changed to something else. I still work at ktvu. But I can’t wait to get out of there. The place is disgusting. And sadly viewers are realizing the same thing. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteJulie and Mark setting in a tree..k_ss_ng...
ReplyDeleteHave Mark and Julie set a date yet? And do we know if they’ll have a destination wedding or do something local?
Deleteare you kidding me? Simone is a welcome gift compared to the former ND monster Amber
ReplyDeleteYou’re absolutely right. Simone is nowhere near qualified for an ND role in a major market but she’s leaps and bounds better and infinitely more liked than Eikel ever was. Newsroom staff no longer have to walk on pins and needles, terrified they may run into the ND.
Deletekeep it mind it was Eikel, NOT Aponte, who had the brilliant idea to promote Mibach into Frank Somerville’s slot. Also, Like it or Not was launched under Aponto’s regime. Say what you want about that show but, with a couple of exceptions, over the past 90 days it has drawn higher ratings each night than their live 7:30 news.
ReplyDeleteSadly I work there too. To me Simone is no better than eikel. Both of they are completely unqualified. The job should have gone to Darren.
ReplyDeleteIf Darren is white you know why he didn't get the job.
DeleteAgreed. As we used to say about Eikel, "the last time anyone saw her was on the side of a milk carton." (in reference to her never being around). Some have made the same joke about Haener.
DeleteReading all these comments from Simone Aponte apologists make me feel like I’m in the twilight zone. I work there and have been through the highs & lows and thick & thin. Yes, Aponte is better than Amber but barely. Is that seriously the bar though? My friend’s 9 year old son would’ve done a better job than Amber. Singing Aponte’s praises simply because she’s a smidge better than the assholish and incompetent Eikel would be like saying China is better than Russia because it’s slightly less communist…or Dahmer wasn’t as bad as many people as John Wayne Gacy because he didn’t murder as many people…or to use a lighter example, a $20 million dollar estate in Atherton isn’t that bad because it could be worse, the $22 million estate in Woodside.
ReplyDeleteMany of the GM’s in the market right now are not worth their wait and salt. Ktvu and Kron have both gone downhill and it’s because of very bad executive leadership.
ReplyDeleteIs she this cute in real life? If so, she should be on air.
ReplyDeleteShe is pretty. Also along with Heather Holmes, Julie Haener , Cristina Rendon and Gasia M.
DeleteAponte looks nothing like the photo Rich used. She’s aged about 10 years and rarely has that vibrant smile. Nowadays she looks like a crazy tia.
Delete7:43, you need glasses.
DeleteI worked with her and would never identify that photo as her. Literally looks nothing like her.
Delete10:02's "crazy tia" reference is the perfect way to describer her current look. The picture Rich used is nice but laughably outdated.
DeleteIf you looked at Rich's post and then two minutes later Simone Aponte walked past you on the street, you wouldn’t even recognize her as the woman in the photograph. Google her, and you’ll see more recent images in which she’s barely recognizable, if at all.
DeleteAponte's a news director, which means she's behind the scenes and not on camera. With that now established, why do her looks matter?
DeleteSimone Aponte looks sexy to me.
DeleteTime to put men in these roles. The females don't seem up to the jobs.
ReplyDeleteAgreed but the only way a man will ever be hired into a leadership role at a Bay Area station moving forward is if they’re a person of color OR a trans man. Ideally they’d be an lgbtq person of color.
DeleteBut maybe I’m wrong, time will tell.
In our little corner of the world there is absolutely no chance an employer with a widely-recognized name would pass on hiring a woman of color so long as they meet the minimum job requirements. Employers have been conditioned to fear the possible repercussions and blowback effect of not doing so. And an employer like ktvu, who everyone knows, will never take that risk. Doesn’t matter if it’s the reincarnation of Fred Zehnder.
DeleteAponte was at the meeting where it was revealed Defense Sec'y Lloyd Austin had checked into a hospital without alerting anyone. Someone around the table mentioned he hadn't notified the Joint Chiefs. After the meeting Aponte buttonholed me in the hallway to ask what a "joint chief" was. DEI at its finest.
ReplyDeleteLook at all the drooling mouth-breathers getting boners over some average looking office girl.
ReplyDeleteHere are the three main differences between Aponte and her predecessor, Amber Eikel:
ReplyDelete1. Aponte is consistently present in the building on most days and maintains a regular schedule. She genuinely wants to be at work. In contrast, Eikel was seldom in the building. Her presence was notable when she was around. Most of her business was conducted via phone and text while she went shoe-shopping, took four-hour lunches down the street, or took her 'mental health' breaks, which also lasted hours at a time.
2. Aponte is more liked as a person. She treats both men and women with respect, unlike Eikel, who clearly played favorites with men. Aponte avoids speaking in a condescending or belittling tone and endeavors to create a positive work environment. Despite her lack of qualifications, these personality traits make a significant difference. Staff had to walk on eggshells fearing they might run into Eikel, whether in the building, in the parking lot, or around the station. Not because they did anything wrong, but because she emitted a very uncomfortable energy that made people not want to be around her. She was also extremely cliquish, and if you weren't in her clique, you felt like an outsider, and all interactions were fake and phony.
3. Aponte is marginally better as an ND. More like a smidge better, which isn't saying much because she's totally unqualified for the role. I'm of the opinion that Darren Zulberti should be ND. The reason I say she's a smidge better mainly goes back to #2. Aponte is at least willing to listen to people and hear others out when it comes to news-related decisions, unlike Eikel, who would pretend to listen but only truly listened to those in her little clique.
I agree with this. Simone treats people with RESPECT, that is what was lacking with Eikel. Eikel was a demon, and treated people, women especially, horribly. Simone is not toxic and at least tries to create a supportive work environment for everyone still there.
Delete11:49, completely agree with all you said.
DeleteAnd I’d add a 4th point which is to simply look at the number of on air talent and newsroom staff who voluntarily left under Eikel and compare that to the number who have voluntarily left under the Aponte regime. The attrition rate under Eikel was astronomical.
The Aponte haters crack me up. I actually work at KTVU and know her personally. Is she Fred Zehnder? No. Is she a highly qualified and highly competent leader, more than capable of being an amazing News Director? Absolutely. It takes time to grow into a role and gain your footing. It also takes time to earn the respect of the newsroom. From everything I've seen, Aponte is making the best use of the resources available while advocating for more. She's doing great and will only get better as she gains more experience.
ReplyDeleteAnd you forgot to add “Is she Amber Eikel? No. And thank god for that.”
DeleteKGO-AM is getting better! At this moment, they're off the air!
ReplyDelete