Clarity and Transparency: Shedding Light on the Dennis O' Donnell Story--415 Media Exclusive

The latest Dennis O'Donnell posting has caused quite a stir, both pro and con. Many of you have taken issue with me on whether I should have made public a situation that should be private.

So I want to address with you my feelings and try to explain both the O'Donnell situation specifically and other aspects with regard to my reporting in general.

It's important.

The O'Donnell matter is particularly sensitive and deserves furhter explanation and clarity.

I had no intention, now or in the future, of trying to either hurt or exploit Mr. O'Donnell and his very private (in theory) situation. That's not my MO. In fact, I had no knowledge of what was going on. I only became aware of something unusual when I got emails and tips from readers asking me "where was Dennis?" He'd been absent for a few weeks in August from KPIX and I assumed he was on vacation and I told people as much. I myself, reached out to a friend of his (O'Donnell) and the friend told me, yes, Dennis was on vacation (in early August).

Turns out that was either simply incorrect, deliberately misleading, or out and out a lie.

I became alarmed when I noted Dennis's absence from the first 49ers' pre-season game, at home in August. A game that is broadcast by KPIX. Its coverage includes O'Donnell on the sidelines and for which KPIX pays a lot of money to carry exclusively in Bay Area homes. The fact O'Donnell was not present sent out alarms and I immediately began to make calls and wonder aloud. Even at that, I figured, maybe he decided to take an extended vacation before the beginning of football. It made sense. Covering sports in the fall can be demanding. No big deal, I thought.

Then O'Donnell was MIA on the sports anchor desk at PIX. For a week and then, more weeks. And not a word from the station and not even any mention of his name. Weird, I thought.

So I reached out to some of my KPIX sources, some of whom work at the station, some, who are usually privy to what's going on and such. They knew nothing. Swore they had no idea, which triggered immediate red flags. Because some of these people always know, they'd have a direct line to the boss's office. They were always dependable in most prior circumstances, they HAD to know, at least that was what I was thinking.

I became frustrated because clearly, something was going on. I remember receiving emails earlier in the year ('21) from people saying O'Donnell was slurring his words; was he "drunk?"--was he OK? I didn't think anything of it at the time and passed it off as some over-reaction. Then I began to watch O'Donnell and he didn't look right but I put it aside.

Until KPIX hired another sports anchor. And O'Donnell's whereabouts were still unclear and not explained. By both PIX (sources) and my contacts. O'Donnell's invisibility stretched into the holidays and the new year with continued silence and mystery. There is something going on. Something amiss.

CLARITY and backgound.

I began to get info from various sources, mostly sketchy and nothing concrete. I put two and two together and began to realize, indeed, that O'Donnell had some sort of "medical issue"--he'd been gone now several months and he was nowhere to be seen, outside a dinner event in February and at a SF restaurant a few weeks prior. He hadn't said a word to friends at both locations but a source told me that he didn't sound so good and that "he was done at KPIX".

The source even told me that PIX continued to pay O'Donnell's health coverage so he could continue to receive a doctor's care. The source added that CBS (PIX) paid off O'Donnell indicating he would not be back at the station. There was no way of corroborating that part of my info but the source was dependable.

Even with all this information, plus, a detailed account, unsolicited, from a source with knowledge of O'Donnell's current and prior (health) status; an account that said he had some sort of neurological malady; I was hesitant to write anything. Even if I had total confirmation, I passed. I didn't want to write anything because I myself was sensitive to the matter, O'Donnell's and in general.

I understand both sides here. KPIX's responsibility to its employee and Mr. O'Donnell's right to privacy. But I also understand the very legitimate concerns of the Bay Area public who were mystified over Mr. O' Donnell's continued absence; where is he? what is going on? Is he OK? Where's Dennis? It's not something anyone was losing sleep over but there was a want to know what was happening--why are we not being informed? I know firsthand because of the lengthy emails I had received and continue to receive.

Of course, Mr. O'Donnell has a right to privacy. But there's no such thing as "absolute right." Maybe legally, but not in the everyday public domain.

I said if this matter took place in LA, NY, Philly, Chicago, or any other major market; a well-known anchor, sports or news, was GONE for many months, unexplained, no matter the circumstances and no matter what type of rights, medical privacy, etc, there'd be at least a story, some story. But no such thing in the Bay Area, not even an ounce of speculation by the papers or some local Internet news site.

Which is why you come here.

I don't normally post such lengthy articles but I wanted you to know what I did and reported on this matter. There will be those who will still castigate me because that's what they always do no matter what. It's their missive.

I want to, as I always try to, provide clarity on matters such as this, as complicated as they sometimes are.

I also want to say this too: I wish and hope for Mr. O'Donnell's speedy recovery.

*Rich Lieberman 415 Media EXCLUSIVE

Eric Thomas Accepts 'Very Generous' Buyout from KGO/ABC; Last Day Wednesday; More To Leave Soon; NABET Staffers Offer

FOR YEARS, KGO veteran anchor/reporter, Eric Thomas, has been working hard to get a buyout offer from ABC.

You read it here first.

Now, Thomas has got his wish. His last day at 900 Front is Wednesday; after 29years at KGO, he's received a "very generous" buyout and is officially gonno.

KGO has plans.

The move isn't the last for ABC7 SF --in fact, several more senior reporters (including four-decade vet, David Louie is rumored to be a prime candidate to take an offer and split.) 

The move comes not only for on-air personnel. A prominent 7 source told me many people in NABET, both fulltime and over age 50 were offered but declined. The Mouse didn't like that so they might have to ramp up their offer. 

Thomas' tenure at 900 Front included both weekend and fill-in, weeknight anchoring. He also reported in the field and won numerous industry awards for a steady, if not spectacular stint at the SF mouse factory. Thomas wanted it that way, apparently in favor of never appearing to want to rock the boat. 

Gasia Mikaelian is still Gasia Mikaelian

 SHE'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAMED DOWN HER ACT..I haven't seen it, have you?


Gasia Mikaelian is still Gasia Mikaelian.


She may have a new, short haircut but it has not affected her brain nor demeanor.


Her anchoring style is still beset with chortling overdrive.


She can't interview worth a damn.


Her ad-libbing is brutal.


When there's a story that is sullen and depressing, like a murder, say, her idea of acting serious looks about as fake as Darya's doughnuts.


KTVU is proud, I guess.


Me? The same old GAAS!

OMG, There's a Storm Brewing; Really? TV News Can't Wait For 'Storm Center' Coverage; Kim Wonderley Medical Mystery on KCBS AM Traffic; There Really IS a Blue Box; Sarah and Vinnie's Lovely Uzette; More KPIX Dysfunction Update; KTVU Anchor Issues; Wednesday Wash

  RAINY WEDNESDAY IN JANUARY; What a surprise.

With the coming storm approaching this afternoon you would think we haven't been down this road before but we have. Even in drought years we have a few big rain events but the TV folks are acting as if Armageddon is near.

Cut to 5 PM --the obligatory live shots from Marin, probably Mill Valley and the hardware store guy answering the usual stupid questions: "Are you busy?" No, he's sleeping actually. Holy Smokes.

Let's not stop there. Let's go to the East Shore Freeway and show the commuters drive stupid as they do, always, in this area this time of year. Then the gas station in Emeryville live shot with the CHP officer telling us to slow down. He's right, we should. But do we need a parade of reporters capturing his every word? Dumb. You could file this statement and use it every time we have a storm, it's undated.

*Kim Wonderley has been off the KCBS air well over a month now and because of strict HIPAA laws, we don't know exactly what her medical issue is (which is fine with me) ; I'm told it's nothing serious but the more time she's away, the more worry. We wish Kim well.

Kim Wonderley with Stan Bunger

My report recently about fill-in Peter Schofield eventually taking over the AM drive traffic gig is more sooner rather then later.

*Yeah, I felt this morning's tiny earthquake up near the Oakland Hills in Piedmont; a 3.4 magnitude dinger. It did wake me up --so too, Doug Sovern, who called into KCBS' John Evans , but three minutes of play-by-play I'm not sure was necessary.

*A real 'Blue Box' is a secret code that enables one to work in media circles in the Bay Area. Or Not. It's so secret I can't go into details only to tell all you assorted folks who thought it was my creation to basically go take a hike.

The secret coded Blue Box

Yes, there IS a Blue Box and if you don't have one, good luck, maestro!

*Dear Sarah and Vinne, your lovely Uzette on Alice 97.3 FM is a personal savior with a ton of positive virtue and excruciating intrigue. I will eventually hoist a few with you guys and girls at the Blue Light, courtesy of Entercom, they can afford it.

*Speaking of CBS, its alleged TV News station here is once again clueless. They can't seem to figure it out. The morning show is in serious disarray (for years now to be exact) because of the queen diva who continues to dish crap on everyone but herself. (When you have shitty numbers, MG, eventually your clout shrinks) The evening is a relative truck wreck with no direction, no planning, no real ideas and no enthusiasm from the troops who sit on the desk and wail mostly un-profound stories with a bunch of Fresno reporter-rejects who look as if they just graduated from the academy of talent-less TV Radio school in Barstow.

Sarah and Vinnie gang

Lucky for PIX: CBS has the Super Bowl this year. The sales guys need the money.

*KTVU anchor mystery: a slew of issues and personal crap that would make anyone else vulnerable and on high edge.

He'll be OK though because the company needs him.

KGO-TV Picks Up New Weekend Sports Anchor Via The Fresno Greyhound Line; Chris Alvarez Headed to Circle7 900 Front

Chris Alvarez

KGO has hired a new weekend sports anchor and they apparently went the cheap route: they plucked Chris Alvarez from Fresno ABC affiliate  O and O , TV 30.

He'll be anchoring and doing a lot of MMJ (multi-media journalist) work which translates into "I will work my ass off and work cheap."

Mindi Bach will also stay on and work in a limited capacity.

(Bach will handle anchor duty and do fill-in too.)

This is further proof that the local TV News business is declining and that the lovely Fresno Greyhound Depot continues to thrive!

KTVU's Claudine Wong Gets Robbed at Concord Costco

KTVU veteran anchor, Claudine Wong, was robbed at the Concord Costco Friday.

She writes about her experience on Facebook.

Yes, even local celebrities are subject to life's cruelties.

Wong wasn't hurt although her purse, cell phone and other belongings were taken.

Police are investigating.

Mark Ibanez Delivers The Sports (And News) Quite Nicely on KTVU

LET ME TELL YOU a few things about Mark Ibanez. He's been at KTVU for nearly 40 years; one of the nicest and most talented sports and news anchors in the Bay Area. Best thing about Mark is that he's real and genuine, not an insincere bone in the body.

Ibanez is one of the best writers at his craft. He's also quite versatile as the veteran personality has done news anchoring too and is extremely adept; it's not that easy a transition from sports to news but Ibanez pulls it off effortlessly. 

Ibanez doesn't have to showboat or mug the camera like others; he's good enough where ego doesn't trump output. You normally come here and look forward to my ripping someone, but I can't rip Mark Ibanez so you'll have to suffer with something positive today; what a shame.

And that's the sporting life.

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415 Media Exclu: ABC Courts KGO-TV's Rising Star Jessica Castro

  ABC NEWS is heavily courting KGO-TV Morning "Live Desk" anchor/personality, Jessica Castro, 415 Media has learned.

Any why not?

Castro is a rising star. Her news acumen is stellar. Her screen presence is profound. Furthermore, in an industry that almost begs resentment and jealousy, Castro has avoided both. She's almost universally liked and respected in the newsroom.

ABC News execs are planning a "massive offer" --a 415 Media broadcast source says the alphabet network would like for Castro to anchor from its LA news studio.

So far, no formal offer is on the table but a package is being formalized and the ABC7 star could be looking at a presentation any day now. That doesn't mean Castro could bolt; she loves the Bay Area and has settled in to a nice situation at 900 Front, say close friends.

We'll be watching and waiting.

The Moment Of Reckoning At KPIX; 415 Media Tells It Like It Is; Blunt Force Analysis Of 855 Battery; The Real Thing You Won't Read Anywhere Else

 KPIX is at a pivotal point of time--its own moment of reckoning --and I say this matter of fact: The station has LOST ITS IDENTITY --wait a minute, KPIX HAS NO IDENTITY!

To be relevant to viewers, people have to care about the news anchors they are watching.  Nobody cares about KPIX --haven't cared for years. This is the point at PIX that has eluded its executives and is one of the main reasons why the CBS SF station has lost its mojo --if it ever had it to begin with you have to go back to the days of Dave McElhatton and Wendy Tokuda. That's a long time ago.


Today, PIX (Channel 5) is loaded with a bunch of bitter, no-talent, sub-prime news and sports anchors with a tremendous dose of blasé. There is NO there there. Nobody commands respect. The best talent, Ken Bastida, has been put out to pasture. Lost in the late-night abyss. Bastida should be on in primetime --everywhere. Allen Martin is a TOTAL failure. He doesn't warm the senses. He hardly smiles. Seriously, Martin sometimes gives the appearance he's having a colonoscopy on the air. That won't work to attract viewers, but Martin, unfortunately for PIX, is not alone.


Let's face it: The Veronica De La Cruz experiment is a bust! That's right, I said it. If De La Cruz put as much work into her news reading as she does with her hair and internet browsing, she'd be an extraordinary success. But she HAS NOT--(TRENDING!) De La Cruz looks completely LOST in space and often times sounds like a tortured canary. Please, GM Bruno Cohen and ND, Dan Rosenheim, something needs to be done here--trim the roster, cut your losses.


And what the hell is going on with Brian Hackney? Hey Brian, your pompousness has reached epic proportions! Hell, if you want to go audition for "60 Minutes", do us all a favor and get on the next red eye for JFK! You stink, Brian, that's right, I said it, you stink. Your air of superiority wreaks of cockiness run amuck --and get this? WHY? In order to pull off that bullshit you have to be someone, generate respect. Hackney, you come off as some dimwitted New Jersey public school teacher and I'm being kind. Go take a day off and try to reinvent yourself.


Then there's Ms. Prima Donna herself, Julie Watts--where do we begin? Honey, if your a consumer advocate I'm a stripper. It's not a pretty picture either way. Watts has all the warmth and gumption of an Oxnard Walmart clerk. "But she really works hard", I'm told by station staffers. So do humming birds in heat. Seriously, Watts is a complete tool and nobody takes her seriously --she ought to bunch up with Hackney and do Sunday community shows that no one watches--she's certainly not helping Monday through Friday.


And PLEASE, someone tell Dennis O'Donnell and Vern Glenn that this is NOT KRON in the 80's. Time passes, dudes. Just what the heck is going on in the sports dept? Dennis, we know you're a cute guy, we get it. But please, quit MUGGING the camera night in an night out--you're not Donny Osmond for heaven's sake. And Vern? Oh my god. Have you lost it, buddy? The copy shifting, the wink of the eye, the irritating-as-all-get-go frequent pregnant pauses --this is not good, Vern. You're beginning to act like some latent, Art Linkletter guy only this is 2015, Vern. Wake up and smell the teleprompter.


KPIX, you are a mess. I said what nobody will say. Management doesn't give a rat's ass, obviously, they're too busy drinking beers at Kokkari and staring at women's tits. Hey guys, the only reason you're in game is because New York only cares about the bottom line and, big deal, if I ran PIX, I too could maintain its profitability --better yet, I alone could make this chicken shit into chicken salad. You want proof? Ask the main man at Black Rock. Yeah, that guy!

The anchor who could not smile, Allen Martin

Seriously, now, PIX, your Moment of Reckoning has arrived only I'm not so sure many of you know it.






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Dana King Was Ready To Return To KPIX But The Bozos Who Run PIX Would Have Nothing To Do With It

 A month ago I wrote that Dana King would "strongly" consider coming back to KPIX--"if the situation was right."


So, what's the latest?

Pretty simple: King was ripe to return to PIX and would have gladly been open to talking about it --seriously.


Only the people who run PIX: notably, News Director, Dan Rosenheim and GM, Bruno Cohen, would have nothing to do with it.


In other words, the sinking ship known as KPIX's news operation would be "too proud" to bring back someone as noteworthy as King--a dynamic news personality and beloved Bay Area figure who still has major gravitas here. But that's PIX.


A source extremely close to King told me "Dana was (and still is) ready to talk to 'Dan and 'Bruno' but that neither of them made any overtures to her."


Nobody has said King would be a savior --but considering the current lack of identity at Channel 5 involving anchors--one would think the idea of reuniting King would be a shot in the arm to a news outlet that sorely needs it.


New York, are you listening?


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Jessica Aguirre Most Powerful Anchor at NBC Bay Area; Veteran Commands High Respect; Both Admired And Feared; But Well-Liked Too

 Still on TOP of her game--a seasoned veteran anchor of the Bay Area TV News society, Jessica Aguirre, from KNTV (NBC Bay Area) is not only well versed and well respected, she's become one of the most powerful anchors in the market.


Aguirre commands top status in San Jose and has built a wall of top-tier gravitas and elite status at the NBC O and O--how so?

Aguirre meets with the GM and ND almost daily --not your run-of-the-mill idle chit-chit mind you, but heavy-duty in-house dialogue with a secret goal in mind: DOMINATE the market. Mind you, Aguirre is well-liked and admired in the NBC BA newsroom, but more importantly, FEARED too. Why? You don't want to know. Classified material and even the big suits in NY don't know the scope of Jessica Aguirre's influence in San Jose.


Except 415 Media.
Stay tuned.


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Anger And Resentment At KGO-TV Over Aqui/Zouves 'Hottest' Hires; Staff Pissed Off At GM Burton; Potential Rift With ND Watkowski Over Moves

 There is a great degree of concern and anger inside the KGO-TV (ABC7) newsroom regarding the recent hires of Natasha Zouves, and now, from Portland, Reggie Aqui.


KGO's President and GM, Bill Burton, I've told you here, appears to be on a missive to bring forward younger anchors who are extremely adept in social media functions --how much so? To the point, according to a KGO informant, that "the 'social media element is almost more important than their actual job.'"


Really now? I asked the source to embellish: "Burton seems to have got a directive (from Disney, which owns KGO) to hire more "LA-type" of talent--that 'KTLA type of look and style." Double really? "He thinks social media and those (young) anchors that embrace it are important for Channel 7."


I don't know for sure whether Burton is working on orders from Disney but I do know that whomever is pushing this new emphasis it most certainly does not involve News Director, Tracey Watkowski, who had little if any say in the Zouves and Aqui transactions. That extra caveat might be a potential problem for Burton who might be usurping Watkowski's power. Watkowski isn't the most popular manager in the building but Burton's actions have many staffers angry, disappointed, and disillusioned.

Reggie Aqui

Zouves, who will start her weekend anchoring here Sept. 8, was named "San Diego's 'hottest TV News 'girl in 2014." And Aqui, a Portland anchor and former CNN news reader, has the distinction of being one of "People Magazine's 'hottest TV anchors." This is not earth-shattering news that a GM in a big market would want to bring a couple of perceived lightweight anchors to the city but it's not a typical Burton move and is interpreted by staff as an affront to the relative peace and tranquility at 900 Front.

Natasha Zouves

"Look, the people here (at KGO) are pissed off," said the station source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not allowed to discuss station personnel issues.


Burton's moves come at a time when KGO is at or near the top of the SF TV ratings --Circle7 dominates the numbers at 11 PM and is neck and neck #1 in the early evening news. Furthermore, KGO is tops during the weekend ratings which can only add further mystery to the Zouves/Aqui hires. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?


One thing is certain: Disney is known for being cheap. I'm told KGO practically had to beg to hire for the position Zouves ultimately accepted. Several suitors turned it down because of the lack of money. I don't know what Aqui, who will anchor and report in the field, gets but I'd bet it's much more than Zouves.


Meanwhile, in Portland at least, Aqui's exit has a lot of people bummed. Not so much in San Francisco.


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Notarangelo Leaving KPIX; Last Show Sunday; Veteran Anchor Says 'It's Time To Go'; Source: Goodrich To Handle Weekends For May Book

Ann Notarangelo/CBS

 Been a rough few days for Bay Area women TV anchors and reporters.

First, KTVU's Melanie Woodrow is sent packing and now comes word that Ann Notarangelo is leaving KPIX. Her last show is Sunday per her Facebook goodbye.

Notarangelo has been anchoring weekend duty on PIX for the past 14 years. She's occasionally anchored during the week but her mainstay has been Saturday and Sunday Night.

According to my PIX spy, word has it that Juliette Goodrich, the station's "Go-to fill-in" for all shifts will be called in to handle weekends for the May book.

By all indications from inside 855 Battery, the decision to split was Notarangelo's alone but another source told me she (Notarangelo) wanted more presence during the week and that wasn't imminent. Plus, with the hiring of Veronica De La Cruz, Notarangelo saw the handwriting on the wall and was tired of weekend anchoring. In other words, yes, it was the right time to go.

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Juliette Goodrich/CBS

 

Raj Mathai Commands The Screen At NBC Bay Area; Wednesday First Take

 Raj Mathai, it seems from here, is floating on cloud 9. It's been a rapid ascent for the former sports TV tonsil to chief news anchor at NBC Bay Area.

Hard to believe almost five years has passed since Mathai's move to news.

The transition has been remarkably smooth and steady for the South Bay resident who now commands the screen as if he's been doing news all along. Believe me, it's not an easy change. Viewers are notoriously picky and overly critical when it comes to their evening anchor routine.

Mathai's work on KNTV is a crisp and no-nonsense delivery. He's straightforward and simple--which sounds sort of duh, shouldn't that be the premise of all anchors? Sure, you just don't see it occurring on a regular basis. Maybe the pressure to perform is too intense --in any event, Mathai has jelled to the position and is now one of the leading Bay Area news anchors.

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KTVU's 'Mother Of All Mysteries'; Why Did Elaine Corral Quit?; Channel 2 'Urban Legend' Stories Grow By The Day

 At the Jack London Square studios it's still regarded as the "mother of all mysteries." So much unknown intrigue that it's an ongoing urban legend.

This much is certain.

Suddenly and emphatically, inexplicably too one night, KTVU anchor, Elaine Corral quit on the air.

Without any rhyme or reason. Without any formal or non-formal notice to management, nor even her closest friends as to why. We heard to pursue an acting career but almost everyone agrees that didn't seem right --now or even today, Corral, or Corral-Kendall hasn't had a really steady movie career. Moreover, Corral was a 20-year-plus news anchor veteran --the timing couldn't have been fraught with more questions than this move and only added to the mystery.

 Even today, Corral has never spoken publically about the specifics of her resignation--after all, she was making a high, six-figure salary and was one of the Bay Area's most popular TV news anchor. Was it her business relationship working with co-anchor, Dennis Richmond. Were there issues that came up that might have led to her quitting so suddenly. Nobody knows. Not a single person--even those close to Corral who swear they have no idea other than what was offered.

A former KTVU staffer told me it caught everyone off-guard. "We have gatherings every once and awhile to shoot the shit and talk about the 'good old days' and this, (Corral's resignation), always comes up--Nobody really knows--It's KTVU's urban legend."

Several Bay Area media has attempted to get more information from Corral to no avail, even off the record which gave much more impetus to various stories circulating that Corral's decision involved something far more murkier. Corral signed a confidentiality agreement and was said to get a hefty amount of money from KTVU as a parting gift. That figure too is a mystery: some said over a half-million, some said significantly more. "A lot more", offered a KTVU veteran.

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