Exclusive: At The Scene Of The Latest KGO Radio-Cumulus Purge; Eyewitness Account; Mark Thompson Knew It All; Nikki Medoro In Denial Up Until Death Notice; My Analysis: You Dance With The Devil...

INSIDE the Cumulus cluster--750 Battery St--which houses the Clouds' SF radio stations including KSFO, KNBR, "The Bone" and KGO.

The inter-office e-mail went out the night before --Wednesday night became Thursday morning and it said be on time. It was so important they (Cumulus) wanted everyone there, including part-time workers and off-air and on-air alike. For those unable to show up, a Zoom camera was in place.

After about fifteen minutes of waiting, the boom was about to be lowered.

But an employee in the conference room told everyone they were worrying about nothing. "It's no big deal, stop your grief, it's just a budgetary deal, they're gonna cut us back, that's all it (meeting) is," said Nikki Medoro, the KGO morning personality, who implored everyone to "get a grip" and not be scared.

A few minutes later, Cumulus SF Market manager, Larry Blumhagen fired the assembled 20 or so employees of KGO. In typical Cumulus corporate speak, Blumhagen said, "this is a hard day." Now give us your card keys and go sign your dismissal papers. And Medoro, according to an eyewitness who was right there, uttered out casually, "well, I guess I was wrong."

Mark Thompson, another fired host, was on the air at 10: 07 AM --a source told me Thompson was advised to announce to his audience--from his remote broadcast set-up in LA-- that a guest was waiting but "take a pause and go away from the mic."

Literally, a few seconds later, KGO (Cumulus) went to a looped, canned promo promising a "new Bay Area radio station" would debut Monday and crappy canned music with betting-themed words were heard. Thompson's voice was cut as was KGO.

Thompson was told (by Cumulus brass) about what was to happen even though he said he had no idea. Even his most ardent friends at the station were perplexed. Thompson was sensitive enough to worry about his action, he sent an email to Pat Thurston and John Rothmann, fellow fired KGO talk hosts, to have a Zoom meeting on Monday.

*THUS, another KGO Radio (Cumulus) purge, not as dramatic or shocking as the first one in 2011 or the last, in 2016, but shocking nonetheless which is dramatic enough because everyone knew it was coming, (the death notice) because KGO was hemorraging cash. By industry estimates, they'd lost $20M dollars over ten years.

Blumhagen himself told the assembled masses at the meeting. With all that, sadness, a few cries were seen inside the building, according to the eyewitness and even more so, when they left.

Cumulus barely advertised KGO; barely promoted its talk hosts, even the good ones. They tried everything, (albeit, half ass) give 'em that, but ultimately failed because ultimately you get what you pay for, even if you lease out pretty office buildings near the Embarcadero and buy expensive TV monitors and laptops. You still need human goods and working capital to engross your product and make it sustainable and Cumulus failed big time on that front, then and now.

For my part, the first purge in 2011 was the real death knell. The old KGO was gone then, its talk-show heritage shot and killed. An "all-news" format? That too died in 2016 (of course) and the latest iteration born and now its demise in 2022, with a fake station financed by gambling money and is only a temporary band-aid before it too is dead and it will be in a few years.

See, Cumulus is a radio destroyer. They don't know radio, that's pretty evident and they sure as hell don't know fundamental business. I mean, haven't you discovered this after almost thirteen years?

When you're owned by a hedge fund and have no clue as to how to run a radio station (not just here), then go about hiring middle-aged, uninteligent white men who have ZERO gravitas in directing basic broadcast practice, then you're doomed. And when you defend your ineptness by constantly saying, "we have no money," then look in the goddamned mirror! That's why you have no cash is because you don't know what the fuck you're doing!

Cumulus FUCKED UP KGO from the start and everyone with scant intelligence knew this all along so the latest killoff, while a bit unsettling, was not as sad; maybe for those losing their job and livelihood, that's another story. But in overall terms, it's not such a depressing moment.

I feel sorry for some of the people at KGO who did a lot of the heavy lifting. Those that stayed around in the past to make sure the buttons were pushed and literally make the station go on air. I do not feel sorry for some hosts who continued to blow Cumulus and bow to their knees, as if Cumulus would change and suddenly become the Levi Strauss of radio.

Gimme a fucking break.

You dance with the devil and you get the consequences.

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How KGO Radio Could Dominate the Morning: Combine Nikki Medoro and Chip Franklin --Too Simple; Thursday Thirsty

THURSDAY THIRSTY

This is too simple. KGO wants to have a successful morning show. It can. And I'll lead the push.

Nine weeks into its new morning-drive program, KGO, specifically Nikki Medoro, needs tweaking. Nikki is good but she's running on fumes now. Her AM enterprise is in need of a makeover. Mind you, there's a lot there to like but overall, it's a tough listen from 6-10 AM. Here's some free help, courtesy of yours truly.

This is evident: Medoro needs Chip Franklin and to a lesser degree, Franklin needs Medoroa. So do the obvious: bring Chip to the morning and let both have at it. What's created? A dynamic new, fresh, morning-drive show that would kill in the ratings and offer a crisp entertainment venue for Bay Area listeners. I'm wondering why KGO didn't consider this package in the first place. They should now.

First, the obvious: Medoro needs help. She's not awful nor lousy but she's close. She can interview. She has a good voice. But that also works against her. She's too centered on being a wife and mother and tells us every day which is fine but when there's little effect and mucho annoying side elements, then nobody cares, nobody listens. Medoro doesn't captivate; more often she irritates. It's painfully evident. We should care about her. We don't. She sounds like the bitchy mother-in-law or girlfriend. When that happens it takes away from her talents and provides constant frustration.

Medoro works best as a second fiddle to Franklin. The give and take between them was at first, a liability. It got a whole lot better as time moved forward. Both could use each other. More Nikki than Chip but combine the two and you have a terrific duo and one that would rock the morning. Franklin has vastly improved. I know his critics have complained about his chatter-style and while that's occasionally murky, he makes up for it on interviews and compelling guests. But his chief strength was the give and take with Medoro. It made for entertaining and profound radio which is difficult in today's terrestrial world. KGO would have to hire a new afternoon host but the good news is that it would have a nice enterprise during the morning.

Egos would have to be massaged but the overall project would be infinitely improved --which is why I think it would work. Because they both have worked together, there's no need to sell the idea. It's a project that would be successful. And it would kick KCBS in the ass which is why it should be implemented immediately.

415 Media Exclusive: KGO to Schedule Rothmann and Franklin on Saturday and Sunday Night as Coronavirus Pandemic Intensifies

John Rothmann

KGO Radio  has you --the listener-- in mind and is stepping up to the plate.

With the Coronavirus pandemic in full crisis-mode, a KGO source has told me the news-talk, 50K-watt, giant will have LIVE, weekend programming on its talk schedule.

Weeknight talk host,  John Rothmann, will be on the air Saturday Night (tomorrow) from 5-8 PM and Chip Franklin, Sunday, 5-7 PM.

This is both a smart move from KGO and a strategic plus as the virus is Topic A around the country, the world and its center vortex here in the Bay Area.

I know Rothmann has been talking about this for over three months when it wasn't at the top of the news domain; Franklin has been nonstop and has talked it virtually all his 3-6PM slot on KGO.

It's good too because KGO will be fulfilling its live and local audit to the community and there is no such thing as "too much virus talk" on the radio these days.

I'm glad KGO and Cumulus sees the light.

Chip Franklin

Thurston and Rothmann on Trump Impeachment; 2020 Election; They Both Want Weekend Time. KGO Should Oblige

Pat Thuston

WITH IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN HIGH GEAR; with a 2020 presidential election just nine months away; with the Donald Trump spectacle nowhere leaving in sight; there's a lot to talk about and especially on talk radio. Yet even with a talk format suited for the very essence of the above, there's very little time on KGO Radio, the Bay Area's 810 AM talk juggernaut old and new.

Which is all the more reason KGO should have an extended program on weekends-- Saturday would work great and have both Pat Thurston and John Rothmann in studio and taking calls. Interviewing political analysts and pols too. It could be both entertaining and cathartic.

This is an historical year no matter what. It is also what KGO used to be in its prime. And it could make money for the station because it's three or four hours that could be sold to a local bank or car dealer in a sponsorship that would offset KGO's taped shows that are boring but make money for the station. We all get that. But it would tap a good reservoir for the local listening audience and the Bay Area yearns for political discourse --especially when live and local.

Both Rothmann and Thurston have already, on air, signed up for the gig. They have both willingly stated on air that they want to talk about what's going on now and what takes place in November. In fact, there's a rumor Rothmann never wants to leave the studio these days. If KGO wanted 24-hour broadcasts, he'd be there. His passion is obvious and Thurston's vigor is equally pronounced too. She'd be an excellent co-pilot.



The Vanity of Ronn Owens

*The man who bragged endlessly about an affectation --placing two "n's" in Ronn to stand out because, well, because he had an "ego." His word.

*The guy who didn't use his real last name because he's Jewish and didn't like a Jewish name that sounded "too Jewish." His words.

*The guy that went to shamelessly promote himself with a Cumulus goon about a month after the death of his old KGO colleague, Gene Burns.

Not a month after the old KGO purge, Burns had a heart attack and died. More than a few people, including some medical folks,said Burns demise was probably caused by a broken heart.

*Ronn Owens: a guy who fought to have an obscure "report" on air after being forced to retire so he could curry favor with a travel agency that gives him free cruise trips for PR plugs.

*A guy who ripped into Bill Clinton after the Lewinsky affair while he himself, (Owens) had an extra marital relationship.

*A man who detested Mickey Luckoff because Luckoff  was a terrible human being. Owens is kinda worse. Read on.

*Because he's more a white guy with very few Black friends, Owens carried on a career's worth of BS sincerity with an ex-KGO Black man, host, now suing KGO and Cumulus. Of course Owens never mentions the guy's name anymore. Such a loyal man, that Mr. Lowenstein.

*Owens was asked point blank about a decade ago if he were OK (health wise). The blogger insisted that Owens be comfortable in answering his question, or not, but just be truthful whatever the response. It was a lie.

*Owens made a point of publicly ripping his AFTRA union membership dues until it was that union that paid for his various medical costs and maladies.

*When the Cumulus purge began in earnest, it was Owens that went to lunch with a Cumulus Cretan named Randall Bloomquist. When Bloomquist was shown the door, Owens took his picture off his desk.

*Owens first introduction to e-mail was advanced by a former media writer for the Oakland Trib, Bill Mann. When Mann was basically thrown out the door by Luckoff (when Luckoff was KGO VP) for writing a mildly critical piece on KGO, Owens parted company with Mann.

*Owens likes to have his food and wine porno friends on air so he can get his free meals and wine bonanza still en fuego even though his tour of duty ended.

*This is yuge: It was Ronnnn Owens who OUTED the whistle blower's name on his "report"--the only Bay Area media person to do so which sort of tells you all you need to know about Ronn Owens.

*Owens is the only person who brags about his ego. Even Howard Stern has his modest moments. Not the case with Ronnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

* The guy that took a bright-eyed 17-year -old kid (me) to Candlestick Park to watch a baseball game--while driving to the game in his car, he took out a marijuana cigarette and smoked it while I was watching and sorta freaked out.

*The "Voice of Reason" is a total sham. Ask various alive and dead KGO talk hosts.

415 Media Source: KGO Radio Is For Sale But Is Anybody Interested

I WANDERED through a maze of tables into the back corner and began munching on a club sandwich --lunch was on the guest who wanted to talk shop and overall schmooze --we do this a lot --I wasn't expecting a whole lot and really concentrated on the delicious bacon and turkey I devoured and accompanying fries, and then came a shocker from the lunchmate, an industry veteran:

"KGO is for sale." "What?, I gasped. "KGO Radio?" For Sale? That can't be right, I thought.

Then again, the news of Cumulus selling a big-market radio station is proof positive, enter WABC in the Big Apple.

It can happen and then some.

Here's the skinny:

Cumulus is selling its big top stations so it can liquidate some of its more lucrative assets to keep in line its BK status and raise some much-needed cash to stay alive, not just now but for the future. Which is why selling KGO in the Bay Area makes sense and getting Top 10 market money for it.

Cumulus propped up KGO in March with a revamped weekday line-up of talk hosts and went back to its original news-talk roots; so far, it hasn't set the Bay Area on fire with only modest buzz and barely a ripple. The upcoming election is always a ratings boon and there's tremendous interest in a race featuring the unpredictable and zany current Prez, Donald Trump. That said, KGO is still largely underperforming. Does KGO Radio even make money anymore? Ask 12 people and you'll get 12 different answers.

In its heyday, KGO used to bill more than $50 million dollars yearly but it's not 2000 anymore. KGO has a supreme dial position but hardly anybody listens to AM radio anymore except me and the commuter crowd interested in traffic on the approach to the Bay Bridge which is largely why KCBS exists.

What could KGO fetch and who would buy it? In a perfect world, a guy like Jim Gabbert, who used to love the originality of the old KGO and its top-flight format but Gabbert isn't interested in such a venture preferring to live out his remaining years flying airplanes in Mexico.

If a WABC could fetch only $12M; a legacy station with historic call letters could KGO Radio be a steal? My contact told me the magic number to Cumulus was north of 8 million bucks.

Let the negotiations begin.

415 Media Breaking: Former KGO Radio News Legend Jim Dunbar Dies

Jim Dunbar: dead at age 89

I'VE BEEN INFORMED by a local broadcast figure, that legendary broadcaster, Jim Dunbar has died. Dunbar passed away yesterday (April 22) cause of death unknown --Dunbar was 89.

Dunbar spent the bulk of his career at both KGO-TV and KGO Radio --the latter, as a talk-show host and for many years, the partner with Ted Wygant on the "KGO Morning News."

Wygant died in 2018.

I talked to a local broadcast veteran: "He was a giant in the industry and a treasure too, personally."

Funeral services are pending.

Mark Thompson Reaches Ratings Abyss At KGO; No One Is Listening; Former KRON/KFI Host Asks Ronn Owens 'Why Am I Not Connecting?' While Thurston And Rothmann Show Promise, Thompson Gets Crickets; 415 Media Analysis

Left to Right: Mark Thompson, Pat Thurston and John Rothmann

WHILE A FEW OF THE NEW KGO RADIO TALK HOSTS HAVE registered some feedback (mostly positive) its major hire, former KRON weatherman and a KFI Radio personality in LA, Mark Thompson has been a DUD.

"A total disaster", says a KGO source who tells 415 Media Thompson is not only not drawing an audience, worse yet, he's not drawing any feedback whatsoever.

"They might as well hired a canary," said industry figure based in the city. Only the canary would have been cheaper.

How bad is it for Thompson? I LEARNED that Thompson had lunch with former KGO host, Ronn Owens and Thompson repeatedly asked Owens, "Why am I not connecting?" I'd suggest to Mark asking Owens that questions would be like Mel Gibson asking someone "why do the Jews hate me"?

Thompson has a three-year contract worth nearly $350K a year. It's not the kind of money that will make Cumulus CEO, Mary Berner, stewing, which she reportedly is. It was KGO brass that convinced Berner to sign off on the deal in hopes of revitalizing KGO as a legitimate news-talk outlet; sure, not the ratings kingpin it was in the late 90's and 2000's but enough to make it relevant and a soundboard for politics and news. Wrongo.

While Pat Thurston (Noon-3 PM) has registered better than average numbers (the full ratings are not out yet) and John Rothmann (6-9 PM) has cultivated a following amongst SF-based listenership) Thompson's mixture of topics and interviews have been received with near zero significance. Like a capital Z.

Making matters worse, KGO (really Cumulus) spent major bucks on billboards and TV commercials promoting Thompson's return to the Bay Area. Only nobody really listens to Thompson and those few that do have NO IDEA who Thompson is and that he was indeed a highly popular figure at KRON but that was over thirty years ago.

KGO, word on the street says, thought Thompson's Bay Area past would catapult him into a strong morning position and would at least offer a true "live and local" personality that not only was Bay Area centric but had major personality to boot. Wrongo!

Thompson is a disaster but a lot of it is not his fault. He's irritating and insulting with his extended and disingenuous voice emphasis but it's radio, OK, not that big a deal. Only Thompson sounds contrived and phony as if he were on a fourth-tier market audition. Part of what made him popular and engaging at KRON was his genuine humor and shtick --almost making the weather report irrelevant and centering all the attention on him. At KGO he's just another vanilla voice and not that big a deal. When the best thing anybody says about you is, "he's better than Ethan Bearman", then you know there's a problem. Lots.

It's early in the game --Thompson began his KGO stint on March 11, barely three weeks into a long journey and he could get better. But he could get worse too. The problem, and there's many here, is Thompson is trying to force laugh. When you're really not that funny and you're trying to appear as if you are, and the people are not buying it, then you have to change the furniture. Thompson has no idea as to how to reset and altar the game plan.

He was lucky in LA because KFI had a need and he did well for the most part. He was also aided by a popular main cog named Tim Conway Jr; as a second fiddle, Thompson was bearable. He's not only not bearable now at KGO but worse, no one apparently gives a damn because no one is listening and that's the worst and only conclusion.

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Diarrhea in the Morning; KGO Radio's Insufferable Mark Thompson; It's Not 1983 Anymore, Mark; Friday Blunt

OK, KGO, YOU DID A REVAMP, CONGRATS, BUT DID YOU HAVE TO GIVE US RADIO FECES IN THE MORNING, LIKE THIS CRAP? Of Course you did.

I've listened for most of the week to KGO's latest iteration; a shift away from the obscure and useless to an attempt to be relevant and thought-provoking; you know, news-talk, that meaty format that was responsible for almost 30 years of #1 ratings and market dominance in the Bay Area. It's not 2000 anymore and KGO isn't its blue-chip special; you can't revitalize a decayed corpse but you can build on the offspring. Hope springs eternal and KGO has tried, I'll give them that. Pat Thurston and John Rothmann have been fine.

Then there's the morning. Oy vey what a catastrophe --a flat out embarrassment by a guy who used to have it but now spews out garbage and thinks his voice is the star of the show, meet Mark Thompson, or rather, Mark Thompson's pipes, a two-hour diarrhea of the airwaves that has about as much interest as a week-old burrito from the Daly City Chevron station. Actually, I'd settle for the burrito.

Thompson, the former KRON weather guesser who has been mumbling down in Ell-Lay for thirty years was brought back to KGO, I guess, because they think Thompson's audio feces would be popular and drive up interest and conversely, ratings. It won't happen. It can't happen. Thompson is in love with his voice and his chronic emphasis on that voice is out of control and therefore, the radio is dull and dreary. This isn't 1983 anymore, Mark, and it's been years since Flock of Seagulls had a hit. You of all people should know better.

Thompson has been trying his best to shake up the morning at KGO (10 AM-Noon) but there's no there there. You have a nothing burger talking about nothing. It's as evident as the suburban target logo on Target stores. Instead of just being himself and talking news, Thompson has relied on gimmicks and side-show banality; the little topics he's touched on are mere AP retreads that you hear some innocuous jock on FM bring up to fill time and play footsie with the listeners. Thompson is no better but a lot worse. It doesn't help matters that he's been paired with Bret Burkhart, KGO's 97 year-old news relic with all the personality of a Salinas strip mall. Burkhart was last relevant when Bill Clinton was in his first term. Thompson might as well be working with Gumbi as a sidekick because Gumbi would be more interesting.

Thompson doesn't talk nor relate. His voice is commanding and he could be a decent broadcaster, like, say, in news updates but his pontifications are nothing more than a bombardment of uselessness, a bore actually. It's like Thompson is saying, "Gees, I have these great pipes no matter what I say, it'll be just great!" Uh, no, Mark! You'd be better off talking about your hair plugs for heaven's sake. At least that would hold the audience. Tears for Fears mentions don't cut it --Mark, we're in 2018 in case you don't know.

Worse yet, Thompson allowed his pal, everyone's favorite mattress rep, Ronn Owens into the studio and Ronn did his usual blowing although this time it was especially gruesome and nauseating. The janitors at KGO, I'm told, had a collective vomit orgy in the main Cumulus bathroom. It was a mess just like Owens mass blowfest of Thompson's ego. Oh my god even the seagulls on Battery Street were fainting.

This much is certain. Thompson needs help in the worst way. It's only been a week but it feels like a year. Talk Radio is fairly easy and yanking a headline or two off SFGate to spawn listener interest makes sense. But so far, Thompson is meh times 10,000. He needs a jolt. Maybe he needs more rest too so as opposed to allowing limp biscuit Owens into the studio he should plea with Ronnnnnnnn for an extra temperpedic from Mr. Lowenstein and get more rest and better sleep because so far, KGO's morning man is a crap sandwich galore.

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Rothmann, Thurston Loyalty Pays Off (Finally) in New KGO Radio Gigs

John Rothmann

WELL, ABOUT TIME

KGO Radio, in announcing its morning, midday, and evening line-up reshuffle, finally added longtime hosts, John Rothmann and Pat Thurston (12- 3 PM and Rothmann, 6-9 PM)

Along with new morning guy, Mark Thompson, KGO suddenly has a pulse and Cumulus, after years and years of dubious experiments, is suddenly recharging its 810 AM 50K-watt news talk powerhouse, albeit in the fractured universe called AM Radio. It's not perfect but it's a good start.

In light of the political climate called "The daily President Donald Trump" it is highly logical that KGO, notably, PD, Lee Hammer, found the gumption to get political guru, Rothmann on the air to gauge the machinations of Trump and his frequent news-making items and policy. Trump is a daily laundry box of news-talk zeitgeist; not having someone on the air to talk politics, especially in this Bay Area, was almost illegal. Rothmann is a center-left talker but has enough savvy and objectivity to fry the fish both ways. He'll be good at night and his callers skew educated and enlightened. It should make for entertaining radio.

Pat Thurston

Thurston has a good mix of present-day politics and pop culture, well versed in almost all talk-radio minutiae and an ability to mix and match, she's in her element at the noon hour. She's also popular with women and can opine on certain family, lifestyle issues.

The reshuffle isn't nirvana; it won't single-handily catapult KGO to its familiar top-10 but it gives it hope and an air of fresh AM relevance --something it has needed for almost a decade.

Ethan Bearman is OUT at KGO Probably Because Too Many Tofu Recipes

ETHAN BEARMAN is OUT at KGO BECAUSE:

*His ratings pretty much sucked. The few ratings he had, in fact, Bearman was about to get sacked but KGO acted first. Even Cumulus has standards.

*Bearman did the show from LA so the idea of "live and local" was pretty much ludicrous on all fronts.

*Bearman is about to take the bar so maybe he's a better lawyer then a radio talk-show host because the show was boring as hell unless you like dissertations on tofu and yoga. Pass the alfalfa sprouts.

The next host from 10-1? Frankly, I don't give a damn, do you?

Breaking: Ex-KGO Radio Talker Brian Copeland Sues Cumulus. But Case is Far Different Then Barbieri

Brian Copeland

Former KGO Radio talk host, Brian Copeland, is suing Cumulus over racial bias and age discrimination. He was subsequently let go.


My immediate reaction: long, long time before Copeland sees a dime, if any. Copeland is looking for Cumulus to settle this suit and pay out a big sum for this to go away. Good luck with that, Copie,.


There is precedent in this situation as former veteran sports talker, Ralph Barbieri, sued the Cloud Company and the suit was settled out of court.


Barbieri was represented by Angela Alioto, who coincidently is representing Copeland.


Barbieri ended up settling for a nice chunk of change although I do not see that ending in this particular lawsuit. Far too many variables.

Bill Martin Days Numbered at KTVU After Grogan Hire; Low Ball Offer to Sam Mohr Doesn't Help; Sal Castaneda Wants More Money; The 'Gaas' New Haircut; Rothmann Demanding Wife Impedes KGO Progress; KNBR: Too Many Black Crows Not Enuf Bald Eagles; Fong-Torres Kiss Ass to Cumulus SF Boss Harvill; NBC Bay Area Blew It with Christina Loren Canning; HBO Doc on Sandra Bland Worth Watching; Hey, Brighten Up 415 Media With Holiday Donation; Rich Loves Turkey and Happiness; Thursday Nosh

Bill Martin

THURSDAY MEDIA NOSH

KTVU has 4; Four! Weather yellers; the latest hire, Kyla Grogan, (lots of teeth and mileage) so my spies say someone might be needing to update the resume. That individual? Veteran Bill Martin who only a few years back was a mainstay.

Martin now continues to mumble more frequently and he isn't slowing down in that department; making matters worse: he isn't blond, female and possess big boobs so he doesn't fit Fox-like elements: my prediction and others: his days are numbered. Calling on Fresno!

*Had KTVU not low-balled former KPIX weather countess Samantha Mohr, they'd have scored something far more unique and compelling: a very smart, sexy, attractive, engaging, mature weather woman with flair and attitude to boot not to mention more eyes and ears.

Samantha Mohr

Yes, Sam is older but so what! She's incredibly easy on the eyes and has far more weather moxie then the latest yenta KTVU hired, more because she's willing to work for far less dough then Mohr who stated flatly to station brass that in order to pay for living in the Bay Area, you'd better pay. They did not. DUMMIES!

*Meanwhile in the morning grind at KTVU 'MO2' veteran traffic guy, Sal Castaneda, is complaining about his $400,000 yearly salary. A source: Sal seems to think for all he does at the station (not just the traffic) he should get a lot more moolah.

Some background: Sal is part of ball and chain he being more ball and his demanding wife almost all chain. Add a growing family and you get that he wants and needs more toys for the clan.

That said, asking for Somerville-like money you need leverage: NOT!

My feelings are that Sal has to work with chirpy, chatty, Gasia Mikaelian and on that basis alone he should be given more gelt.

Frank Somerville and THE GAAS

THIS IS BIG NEWS: The Gaas has a new haircut and supposedly has asked every KTVU employee including the janitor how it looks. A new haircut? Gaas might be auditioning for a future LA gig as is the chore for many FOX female anchors just be prepared for her eternal chirpiness and out-of-toon giggles and cackles.

*Another great Bay Area radio guy run shamelessly by his wife: KGO now and then political guru, John Rothmann.

His would-be rise at KGO would be significantly improved but Rothmann's power-driven wife gets in the way of those who want his career to once again shine and allow for his astute political analysis to be heard. Unfortunately, due to domestic reality, Rothmann's path has suddenly taken a off-road detour. Add to the fact that when you BLOW OFF a good friend when he's down and out, that portends negative things will happen. It's called karma.

Sal Castaneda: show me the money!

*KNBR is in the toilet the combination of no sports teams and emphasis on has-beens having to talk on the radio. KNBR has a lot of black crows in the studio and not enough bald eagles. They reek and smell like year-old cattle carcass. In fact, KNBR is so low now in the ratings they put the human waste machine on the air in the morning to fill in for one of the prime dudes. Leaving us entertained by Powlie Mac and some wasted LA chick that doesn't say a word but has nice gums and a great rack of lamb.

*THIS JUST IN! Hey, we found someone who likes Ben Fong-Torres. Or better know as Ben Press Release Torres.

Sad, really, Doug Harvill kowtowing to BFT who showed his incompetence by NOT asking DH about why Jack Swanson wasn't given any money to retune KGO.

Ben should write for Readers Digest --he'd be a great addition to the first wives club and bring in the Rossmoor crowd.

*MORE WEATHERING THE STORM; KNTV still hasn't gotten over dumping Christina Loren who was shown the door because she was caught sending resumes to other TV stations and reading my 415 MEDIA.

Loren was quite the package and then some but she emerged as a real, celebrated NBC Bay Area starlet. Problem is she should have been on at night because women don't watch nor like strippers in the morning it's an industry no-no but what do I know.

Christina Loren

*IF you didn't catch that HBO doc on the mysterious death of Black woman, Sandra Bland, you NEED to watch it.

Tense, powerful, chilling at times and infinitely watchable the Bland story is another reminder that America has a very deep disconnect with the African-American community and this doc is proof positive. I watched from beginning to end and had a chill up my spine; still do.

*IF YOU LIKE 415 MEDIA (and who doesn't) then please show me some love for the holiday (even if I can't enjoy this year) by making a donation to 415 MEDIA.

Go to the right side of the blog to the "Donate" button and CLICK ON IT and follow the prompters; it takes but less then a minute and you'll help me during the holidays and help sustain the Bay Area's most-read 24/7 media blog; I will e-mail and call you thanking you for your donation --any amount counts; those donations also help me pay my bills and eat turkey just like you and your family. Thanks to all of you.