A Weather Personality Firestorm at KTVU; Huge Egos Involved; Martin at Forefront; So Too Orozco, Paulson, and Tamayo in Mix; Decisions, Decisions in Jack London Square; Tuesday Open

Bill Martin and Julie Haener

THE ODD MAN OUT?

I'VE SAID KTVU weeknight weatherman, Bill Martin is more than likely headed off the 10 PM News roster, either gone completely or maybe offered a buyout (his contract is up in March) --Mark Tamayo seems to be Martin's eventual replacement but KTVU has an issue (or two) and a BIG one at that.

What to do with Rosemary Orozco? The star-studded diva who wants a primetime gig gig but I'm told the FOX people don't think Rosie is ready for primetime. While I have my moments of disgust with Orozco, I'm not ready to say she can't cut it at 10 O'clock but that's what the suits at Channel 2 think, maybe, stay tuned.

Rosemary Orozco

ANOTHER Weather dilemma: Steve Paulson seems content and happy in the morning on KTVU's wildly popular (still) "Mornings on Two"--he's apparently being considered for a night gig but again, how do you consider him for another time slot and risk pissing him off and messing up a significant part of "MO2"' mojo? Decisions, decisions.

A person with knowledge told me with confidence that Fox heavyweights are still confident Orozco is a future market superstar because she's "totally hot" and fits the Fox M.O: glamour women who show gusto on TV News.

Which is why Rosie continues her KTVU campaign. I would bet her profile is better suited for 10 but that's where the back-office meetings take place and see how the weather personality conundrum is made clear. There's a lot of money and egos at stake.

The weather quagmire comes at an inopportune time at KTVU's Jack London Square complex in Oakland as FOX cuts major personnel and even with good ratings, there's a lot of tension in the newsroom.

Tension at KTVU? You betcha. Weather or not.