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.

415 Media Exclusive: KPIX Anchor, Veronica De La Cruz Recovering from Coronavirus

Veronica De La Cruz

KPIX lead anchor, Veronica De La Cruz, contracted the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus , I've learned, but she has recovered and told friends and associates that she's planning on being back at PIX within the next two weeks.

I reached out to her (De La Cruz) for a comment--at press time, De La Cruz did not immediately respond.

The KPIX anchor, who came to the Bay Area with much fanfare from NY in 2014, has been conspicuously absent from the CBS5 airwaves the past month.

According to sources I spoke to, who spoke under condition of anonymity, De La Cruz took a medical leave from KPIX when she discovered she had had the Covid-19 virus.

De la Cruz is the first Bay Area TV News anchor to have contracted the virus. We're obviously happy that she's apparently OK and due to be back on the air in a few weeks.

This is but the latest bad vibes to hit the local CBS O and O--things can only get better.

They hope.

#415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE

Two Inspiring Ladies Behind the Anchor Desk at 'PIX; Goodrich and Cook; What's Not to Like? Thursday Open

Juliette Goodrich (left) and Elizabeth Cook

KPIX has a decision looming --who becomes the face of the station? I'm going out on a limb. I like a couple of underrated anchors both highly rated --one on the week night and one weekend lady I've often thought was under-utilized and should be on the 6 and 11 paired with....well, that's another decision for another time.

I'VE always loved Juliette Goodrich, smart as a whip and quite the visible personality I think PIX should immediately move to the anchor desk, it's right there in front of them. Even if I'm dreaming and pretending I'm the wizard behind the curtain, it boggles my mind why Goodrich has not been offered the fulltime Monday thru Friday gig. Maybe because she's comfortable in the field and not reading the teleprompter during the week. Can that be it? I don't have an answer there but I know business and KPIX should know business too. If they did, they'd immediately make Goodrich switch to primetime.

My thoughts on Liz Cook are completely different than her rep in the market. I like her. Yeah, so she's a little wooden and robotic but she's pleasant, she reads well and she has a nice look and delivery. If Liz were to open up more, she'd be a solid A, but why quibble now, we're in uncharted territory these days and I'm only here offering my opinion which I now you love and admire.

PIX has made some amazingly dumb decisions in the past. They will need to revamp and retool --if push came to shove and they paired Goodrich with Cook, that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world and they'd probably get the entire PTA in Danville.

Yeah, two damsels not in distress but on the desk! It's not as radical as you may think. Girl power at 855 Battery, check me in. It's hella better than this!

Enough said. Grab your coffee and bagel and chew on it.

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Circle7 KGO Flirtation with Raddy More a Down Feeling about Bluster Beil; Saturday Nosh

MY REPORT about Gary Radnich schmoozing with a KGO suit (its GM, really) was more social than business --that said, it was a chance for the ABC folks here to engage with Raddy and explore if both parties are interested in a potential deal. There's a lot more to negotiate if KGO (Disney) shows a strong interest --and by extension, if Radnich is serious about some sort of deal, a comeback, if you will but we're no close to any deal now because all the variables have to be discussed, but there's a bigger point to be made here and it doesn't involve Radnich.

Yet.


The fact KGO is having talks (albeit, nothing official) speaks volumes about its feelings about current weeknight anchor, Larry Beil, who hybrids both news and sports. Beil, if he doesn't already know, is not the flavor of choice at 900 Front. His arrogance is beyond reproach. He is not liked by many of the KGO staff. But as bad as that is, at least that's off the air. Here's the issue(s) with Beil on the air: he is perceived (with good reason) as an asshole by many viewers, many of them women, a key demo in local TV news, especially the 25-54 women who watch. Beil comes across as a loudmouth and total wise guy (he is so there's no denying that) plus he has ZERO traction on the comfort meter (an industry term) therefore KGO has a problem; Beil is hardly a warm and fuzzy guy which is a Disney attraction, (no shit) --it's not an official trademark but it counts in the numbers and it's an advertising platform that the salespeople love to mention to the brick and mortar businesses. Beil is not the face of the station but he's on enough newscasts to form an identity and he's not exactly a benchmark guy. If you watch, you know that. I do.

So a Raddy fascination by the Circle7 gang is more than smoke and mirrors. If Gary lacks for substance he certainly doesn't lack for style. He still has an "IT" factor whether you like him or not and he may just join the local Mickey Mouse club if there's a ways and means. We'll see.

As they always say, stay tuned.

Radnich with wife, Alecia, and the family dog

Not So Happy Times at KGO-TV; Inner Turmoil at 900 Front Street; Zouves Drama; Ashley Contract Extension; Watkowski-Silva Still Hated; New GM Cibrowski Lack of Communication; 415 Media Wednesday Opener

YOU HAVE A MESS at KGO-TV (ABC7)

You would say things are rosy at 900 Front Street, home to KGO and ABC7. You would be wrong. Like, oh so wrong.

As a matter of fact, there's genuine turmoil; massive unrest; massive bad morale; deep division; heavy-duty favoritism; an ongoing battle with a news director almost everyone can't stand; exceptional distrust amongst the rank and file and a new GM that hasn't rallied the troops when there's hostility and anxiety in the newsroom and beyond. The Circle7 gang has a plethora of hurdles to overcome and no one is manning the conference room to restore order.

We haven't even touched the Natasha Zouves issue and the rancor it's causing; Oh, and still no contract extension for veteran anchor and station de facto ambassador, Dan Ashley. Hello, is anyone home?

It's Sweeps time too and it could hardly have arrived at a worse time for the ABC O and O in the Bay Area. The morning show is a certified mosh pit of overbearing egos and miscreants who think their poop doesn't stink. Reggie Aqui is still the lonely boy Prima Donna --an ego-maniac supreme who is detested by staffers. His love/hate relationship with Zouves seems to have abated with her return but so as long as the two work together, there's a great chance the gruesome twosome will be fighting again. Said a station source: "They have no chemistry together and while Reggie played good on her return, he still has no respect for her." Likewise, she has no love for him. All this poltergeist makes the morning more of a hazardous work environment.

Jessica Castro is stunning to look at, sure, but she's apparently doesn't have the chops to become a central character in the AM platform. Castro supposedly is more concerned about her hair and shoes and doesn't like skewing the news domain. Which doesn't necessarily make her incompetent but growing discontent amongst her peers is proof positive that she's nothing more than a pretty face.

I can't fathom how Tracey Watkowski-Silva, the embattled ND, keeps her job while KGO teeters on personnel disaster zone. We've been down this road before yet Watkowski is given a long rope. Some of the various issues confronting the station aren't her (TWS) her fault but the wide gap between staff and management; the ever deepening division; is all on Watkowski's watch. She is a terrible manager with over-the-top tactics; tactics that include managing like a dictator and displaying outright favoritism as if she didn't care one iota that her players think she's a total witch. ABC continues to employ her too despite numerous legal cases; most have been settled but at a considerable cost in the several millions. It would be trite to say Watkowski has pictures but at this point, it could be true.

Dan Ashley is almost a year away from his contract expiring --a time when most negotiations for a valued anchor would begin. GM Tom Cibrowski, has supposedly decided to put Ashley's extension on the backburner which is a mistake. Ashley has been at KGO nearly 30 years and more than their cornerstone news reader, Ashley does numerous station appearances and acts as its ombudsman --he is the face of the station. He has already received multiple offers from stations and networks back east but would love to stay in the Bay Area. He'll probably be taken care of but the lack of being proactive and getting his deal done makes Cibrowski look like an amateur. This, from a guy who was a big shot at ABC and its major cog in the AM, "Good Morning America." Cibrowski should take a few days off, rent a room at the Fairmont and read some history books. It wouldn't hurt.

Did I say Larry Beil is still walking around the offices telling everyone that he's Larry Beil and terrifying interns? Yes and yes. Beil once went behind Mark Ibanez' back when both were at KTVU and told the GM (Kevin O'Brien) that "I want Mark Ibanez' job. I'm a number 1 guy." To which O'Brien then said to Beil: "Well, that ain't gonna happen, good luck." So you know what you need to know about Larry Beil.

It's not exactly peaches and cream at the local mouse house. But I do hear the late afternoon tuna-melt and beers at nearby Grumpy's are awesome.


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Sex, Lies and Videotape Create Rancor on KTVU's Prized '10 0'Clock News'; Anchors Distrust Each Other; Somerville at Center of Storm; Haener is 'Nosy'; Martin's Aloofness Growing; Ibanez Stays Away from Fray (For Now) Mysterious Texts Abound; 415 Media Exclusive

Frank Somerville and Julie Haener on set of "10 o'clock News"

KTVU's Vaunted Franchise, Its "10 O'clock News" is beset with anchors who don't trust one another; have contempt for one another; routinely question its partner's personal and in some cases, professional behavior; there's more. But despite all this rancor, the TEN O'CLOCK NEWS is still far and away the ratings winner in the Bay Area news wars and still garners industry admiration here and beyond.

That said, Fox-owned KTVU brass is "extremely worried" that the tension gripping its hallmark newscast could become an issue if those tensions worsen and become more pronounced.

415 Media knows the full, inside story; the story you won't get anywhere else but here and now:

*Frank Somerville, KTVU's veteran two-decade anchor is beset with personal problems galore; he's become aloof to the point where even his closest friends are worried about Frank's suddenly "erratic" behavior. Somerville is getting a divorce and has left his house and wife while dealing with that and an ongoing station matter which has rocked the newsroom and proved embarrassing for Somerville and his closest friends. Why the divorce? Only Somerville's wife knows but it isn't a very pretty picture across the board. It's also a lesson: no matter how much you insist your daily dalliances with a very attractive 30-something intern is strictly platonic, the perception is otherwise.

Somerville has a new flame. His wife has a high-priced divorce attorney. It could get ugly. It already has. Frank is moody and irritable. He's distanced himself from close confidants. He doesn't laugh much anymore and is "not the same Frank", a staffer tells me who knows him well.

Bill Martin (l) and friend, Janice Huff

*Julie Haener was always; still is; considered a quality news anchor and steady influence on the set but her growing influence has colleagues both weary of her personal chit-chat and royally pissed off that she spreads gossip and innuendo. While ON THE SET! Haener asked an anchor recently off-air was that individual talking to 415 Media. "No", said the person although Haener wouldn't stop badgering --only a break back to news from a commercial put an end to the actions of nosy Haener.

*415 Media has learned through a reliable station contact that weatherman, Bill Martin, is openly chastised by co-anchors off screen, why? Martin is now leaving the station habitually, mostly after the early-evening newscasts to head home to Lafayette to have dinner with family, hardly anything unusual but at the expense of his weather research needed for later shows? Yes, a problem.

*Veteran 40-year Sports anchor and Director, Mark Ibanez, gets static from the team because Ibanez tries to stay away from the fray. In fact, he's been teased by friends because he's largely immune from all the other's chaos, and make no mistake, it's chaos.

*A potential whammy: a series of potentially embarrassing and slightly salacious texts that were sent to the intern that were leaked out and viewed by 415 Media. The texts are mostly innocuous but they do contain, shall we say, "interesting forms of communication" that don't appear to be anything about TV News business. And now, mysteriously, they're gone. Maybe a self-inflicted wound? Guilty.

Haener nosy? 

While all this is taking place, newscasts somehow happen and it's business as usual at KTVU, for now. If you believe word on the street, or certainly through the 54-camera newsroom, watched by overruling and take-no-prisoner HR bosses, if there's a crack in the armor, then "all hell will break out." 

And we'll be watching.

#415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE

Jason Brooks Droning at KCBS; 30 Rock Wants Raj Mathai But They'll Have to Wait; Ken Wayne KRON Experiment Not So Smooth; 415 Media Friday

Jason Brooks

HE JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING...Nobody doubts the business expertise of KCBS money reporter, Jason Brooks. He's on top of it from early morning to late afternoon.

But the voice. The vanilla monotony that dulls the senses. Yes, I'm getting personal, of course I am.

Brooks' voice drones on and on almost like a robotic bot that sounds almost computer-like. Brooks doesn't have to sound hysterical; he's positively blase. But it would be wise of him to pick it up a notch and get away from the monotone buzz switch. It's downer-central. And I'm being kind.


*Speaking of KCBS, their morning cacophony of ENDLESS commercial spots has begun to cause ear aches. It's especially evident after the prolific traffic reports where four-minute clusters of continuous ads borders on obnoxious. Sure, you have to pay the bills but this form of commercial spot overkill amounts to greed personified.

*Once again the rumor mill has heated up over the status of lead NBC Bay Area anchor, Raj Mathai, as the 30 Rock News folks are hot on the trail of Mathai who seems pretty much set to remain in the Bay Area and San Jose specifically. But while his partner, Jessica Aguirre, is working without a long-term contract, Mathai not only signed a long-term extension, but one which had several zeros in it and makes Raj near the territory of Frank Somerville at KTVU and Dan Ashley at KGO.. (The latter nearing his own extension which could make him the undisputed salary king of Bay Area TV News) And well deserved.

Raj Mathai with wife and newest family member

Mathai seems to me to not want any part of NY even if it means working in Manhattan amping up his career, which it most certainly would. Mathai has a growing family and is quite settled down in the South Bay. A network gig might be prestigious now but Mathai could wait until his kids get older and then migrate to the east. Then, the money will be even better and his family situation is more ready for the move to Gotham.

Ken Wayne

*Nearing a year with KRON, Ken Wayne's migration to the albatross station hasn't produced any iota of buzz whatsoever, in fact, ratings are pretty much stagnant. Wayne left KTVU when they didn't offer him a contract extension (and took a massive pay cut). Seems his gig at KRON would be more conducive for the soft-spoken Wayne but that's not the case.

Wayne is a steadying anchor, for sure, but excitement is not his greatest virtue. He makes departed Steve Aveson look like a relative Ron Burgundy.

Showdown at KTVU: Somerville Contract Up; Will He Sign New Deal Amid KPIX Rumors; Monday Open

FRANK SOMERVILLE is the topic of conversation around the Bay Area TV News scene: why? Somerville's contract is up. No big deal he will automatically be renewed would be the logical thinking so what's all the commotion?

The word on the street is that, yes, Fox/KTVU will re-up the veteran Monday-Friday anchor --but at virtually no raise and perhaps even a cut. Somerville's annual salary is among the highest in the Bay Area at roughly $630K a year. It's a lot of money for an anchor even one as popular as Somerville but KTVU is awash in cash and still has record ratings particularly at nighttime where Frank leads the way at 6 and 10 PM. He's been at Channel 2 for over two decades.

Making matters more interesting is possible interest from other stations should Somerville want to jump ship if he doesn't get a contract that's suitable for his standing. A source close to the situation tells me one outlet that might pounce on Somerville: KPIX, CBS-owned and operated has lots of money and KPIX needs a face of the station. At the very least, a PIX offer would provide much leverage to Somerville who, I believe, would prefer to stay at KTVU and finish out his career in Oakland.

I would bet he get's a deal done --a new contract somewhere in the $700K a year frame is likely. Then again, these days nothing shocks me.

I will be on this and report back to you when there's news, or not.

KGO/Disney Plan For New, Cheap Journalists Exposed By 415 Media; Under-Scale Content Providers Soon To Be Hired; Dread in Circle7 Newsroom; Launch Date Within Months; KABC Also In Mix; Exclusive

415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE

KGO-TV --Disney plan "citizen journalist" hires; imminent program; union not thrilled but content; KABC also part of implementation; 900 Front Circle 7 newsroom livid 

IN A MOVE certain to be embraced by others in the market, Disney-owned, KGO-TV is in the process of hiring "citizen-journalists" and using them quite prominently in virtually all their news platforms; on the air; over the web; everywhere and every time, 415 Media has learned, exclusively.

The new hires --whom will also work at LA, Disney O and O, KABC, will have to join SAG-AFTRA, but will be paid considerably under the minimum scale, roughly $25 an-hour. Minimum part-time scale is around $350 a day so these new content providers will be working on the cheap but not that cheap.

I'm told the new hires will create stories; write their own copy; produce their segments; use station-equipped cameras to photograph their stories. They will encompass vast array of time slots and not be short-changed by full and part-time news/sports/weather on-air talents but you see the handwriting on the wall-- which is where rank and file KGO staff come into the picture.

As you can imagine they are livid. I'm being kind. They are angry, disillusioned, and apparently powerless as to the future business model. And that business model is Disney Incorporated, the multi-billion dollar behemoth behind the plan; the media company that doesn't even comp tickets to Disneyland for their TV employees. (They offer free parking and 20% discount on tickets that cost over $125)

Tom Cibrowski/KGO-TV President/GM

Even though he's rarely show his head since taking over earlier in the year, I hear staff is already barking at President/GM, Tom Cibrowski, a huge corporate cheerleader and enthusiastic advocate for the soon-to-be, modestly paid news squirrels --Cibrowski is said to be quite happy with the venture and plans a big newsroom party come launch date which is within a few months.

I'm sure the producers and staffers are simply doing cartwheels.

Calling on Costco for the cheese dip.

Major Decisions Loom at Bay Area TV News Stations; Bastida Future Murky at KPIX; Ashley Extension KGO Front Burner; Goodrich MVP Invites Intriguing Speculation; Pam Moore is Looking Around (Sort of) at KRON; KTVU Doom and Gloom; Holmes and Haener: Would Anyone Care or Notice If they Left? Overrated Nothing Yenta, Kate Scott; Cover For Bay Area Sports Horny Male Media Pugs; Thursday Rundown

BIG DECISIONS LOOM for some Bay Area TV News stations; among them...

* At KPIX, there are a myriad of issues on the plate; the uncertainty; the chaos; the lack of viewing numbers in the morning; those are just trivial in comparison to the future of longtime, Bay Area native and evening anchor, Ken Bastida.

Bastida's status at PIX remains murky at best. He has been at 855 Battery for almost three decades but time has not been gracious to the veteran news reader. Bastida is just average on most nights and when he's not average he can be painful to watch; ad-libbing was never his biggest strongpoint and now, he's almost embarrassingly inadequate. Moreover, CBS isn't in the mood for paying going rate for mid-to-high market money for a guy late in his prime and whose "it" factor long ago left the news screen. In other words, Bastida doesn't generate the buzz he used to albeit in an industry that doesn't possess the status it once held either. That said, local TV News, here and beyond, still garners significant revenue even with declining viewership.

Ken Bastida: future murky at KPIX

Bastida makes in the mid $500K range, a significant number even today and is under contract until the end of the year. Word is that he might be tempted to take a company buyout and retire. I don't think CBS would extend him such kind of money and even if they did he'd most likely have to take a significant pay cut.

We should know sooner rather then later.

*KGO-TV management hasn't officially begun negotiations with ace veteran news anchor and star reader, Dan Ashley, in spite of his impending contract closure next year. By all indications, a deal will get done simply because KGO needs Ashley more then Ashley needs KGO. That doesn't mean a deal is front and center on the plate of the big suits at ABC7 but it should be. KGO can't afford another Carolyn Johnson embarrassment and lose one of its most valuable anchors. The Johnson loss still haunts KGO today and losing Ashley, who has offers on the table from back east outlets, could make for another departure and leave the ABC O and O in dark waters.

Dan Ashley: new contract looming at KGO

This much is certain: Ashley, according to sources at 900 Front wants to remain in the Bay Area. He has family here and is comfortable. On some days, he works an astounding 5 shows a night (4,5,6, 9, and 11 PM) He is an extremely hard worker and the face of ABC7. He is mostly well-liked and admired by his peers. He is the highest-paid anchor in the Bay Area and deservedly so. And deservedly so, he would like to be paid in accordance with that status. Disney is not known for lavishing big bucks to even its most prized talent even someone in a larger market but Ashley might be the exception. I've heard a three-year extension somewhere north or south of $2M is destined to be offered to Ashley, probably with a few option years. That sounds just about right.

Pam Moore

*Mass confusion at KRON: what else is new? Plus, rumors are very strong about Pam Moore leaving and looking for suitors. Moore, my contacts tell me, is still quite comfortable at the lowly albatross in spite of significant departures by key personnel including EPs and anchors like Gary Radnich and Stanley Roberts. Those are not earthshaking developments and the station is not going to hemorrhage but whatever star appeal KRON possessed, it has lost two of its most popular air talents (although with Radnich, it was KRON MGT that gave Raddy an ultimatum he rejected and was summarily dismissed)

Moore could be a valuable asset for someone like a KNTV (maybe) or more prominently, KTVU, which ironically allowed Ken Wayne to trudge to KRON. Moore has a strong Bay Area identity especially with women and women of color at that. She makes in the neighborhood of $300K a-year. She's not actively working the negotiation trail with others but she's made it know through friends that she would definitely listen to offers. Stay tuned.

Juliette Goodrich: MVP of Bay Area TV News

*MVP on the loose and could be had for the right money: PIX's underrated Juliette Goodrich is quite comfortable reading news on the anchor desk during the weekend and reporting in the field during the week. That said, she is too valuable a commodity in her current role. KPIX seems to take her for granted and I wouldn't be surprised if someone out of the blue swooped in and offered Goodrich a primetime anchor weekday shift. Goodrich is not just a pretty face; she's a damned good news reader and commands the screen. She could easily be a #1 anchor in LA or NY but she has kids here and doesn't want to leave the Bay Area. That said, a Goodrich departure from PIX would not surprise me because she's simply too good to be wasted on the weekend. Watch this closely.

Holmes (l) and Haener

*KTVU staff manning the daytime computers resenting 415 Media could be better spent laying out the various 4-5 thousand grievances on display (and not on display) at Fox-owned Channel 2 which seems to have a new controversy everyday. The station with revolving anchors and out-of-place reporters somehow, to their credit, carry on in an environment that at best could be called troublesome. There is no mojo at KTVU; there is quite a bit of uncertainty and weary staffers afraid of a management that rules by intimidation and force. (Just the other day, an intern was read the riot act and screamed at in the newsroom because the person was a minute late on getting info from an email to the assignment desk) YOU WANT TO SEE GLOOM? Take a look at KTVU anchors especially at night. Frank Somerville is sullen because he has a bevy of issues off the scenes and is trying his best to squelch rumors; Bill Martin can't wait to leave the station at night and become a kid at Disneyland when he's in his car leaving. Watch him forecast, you'll see. Mark Ibanez just recently signed a three-year extension in March but is sick to death when he enters the studio and reads the sports copy. Julie Haener has now been exposed for the lightweight she is as serving as Somerville's gossip-filled caddy who couldn't ad-lib if her life depended on it. Heather Holmes continues to advance the miniskirt doctrine and shout "hey, I know I'm big here and although I'm sort of out of place, find me a home. Somewhere! Anywhere!"

Holmes and Haener could just as soon be senior saleswomen at the Macys cosmetics counter where they would be more valuable. Shocking? Harsh? You want the truth and you got it. Feel otherwise? Ask yourself this question: if BOTH Holmes and Haener were to vacate KTVU would anyone notice? Would anyone care? I rest my case.

*That angry KCBS sports anchor at night went berserk when he failed to get his copy ready for the 8: 15 sports update. Good news: less of him means peace in the neighborhood hell he SCREAMS every time he reports.

Karma is a bitch: if the guy stopped talking behind people's back (including yours truly) these things may not take place.

*KGO Radio: talk about uncertainty. There is no formal plan evident yet. Same old tired format --basically, they've punted any concrete new idea and haven't a clue as to what they wanna do which is par for the course.

Still trying to find out the ID of the lame brain ditz that turned down a Bob Woodward phone interview.

*Someone at night at KNBR supposedly got the heave-ho which is good news for Uber --more drivers. Maybe had he cut the "what-up" shit he'd be getting his $15 an hour.

*Kristen Sze: so much potential; so much looming large; a mini, bigger-than-market woman; KGO royalty. Sad now because so much is lost. Practice what you preach. Don't offer the world and produce Melba toast. Without any butter no less.

*"I'm Julie Chen-Moonves." Yeah, I'm sure money has not an iota to do with that.

The GAAS! (l) and Alyana Gomez

*Alyana Gomez and GAASian Mikaelian: birds of a feather...

*There's a rumor at KTVU that Gasia would host the new morning quiz show, "Chirping for dollars." I'm kidding of course but these days, why the hell not?

*Tough night on the street for Amber Lee who actually did her report without looking at notes. Praise the Lord!

*Melanie Woodrow Update: she hasn't stalked any man as of this writing.

*Dennis O'Donnell: Akron is waiting.

*A famous PR woman (she requested anonymity via email) went to KTVU to drop off a packet to one of the station's more higher profile female reporters: PR woman tells me she was flabbergasted when said woman blurted out, "you don't know my name?" Take a wild guess who. Think ex-KGO temptress. Bingo.

*Roberta Gonzales: hey, I'm not the one who posted a picture of myself on social media! And besides, there was nothing wrong with that photo, just all your ass' warped sense of humor so don't give me shit, take a cold shower too.

*Randy Hahn: priceless.

*Duane Kuiper: massively overrated.

*Ray Fosse: too much homer stuff beginning to sound like Monte Moore's ghost. More Dallas Braden, less 'Foss.

Randy Hahn

*Chris Townsend: lucky to have family money as a back-up.

*Brent Musburger: horndog with a microphone; perfect for Vegas. Just keep him away from the cheerleaders.

*Ted Robinson: I like and appreciate steady over fake theatrics.

*Larry Krueger: the guy is such a poser plus talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Kate Scott: just why?

*Kate Scott: a nothing-burger with mayo and butter on the seedless bun. What a complete waste of time; she gets points though for exploiting the horny sports guys who she gives cover to: "Gees, she's hot!, she's blond!, she's even gay!" Let's kiss her ass because, well, we have to.

Scott would be better served being the day waitress at a Ruth's Chris, I'll say it again: she adds NOTHING to a broadcast. She is vanilla pudding. She is Wonder Bread with a capital W and she exudes about as much interest as week-old toe fungus.

She's lucky to have enablers like Bruce Jenkins wax poetically about her "greatness", whatever the hell that is and is proof positive of a PC world run amok.

She'd be barely passable in Bakersfield. Wait a minute!

You want the truth, you got the truth.

Now put on a happy face.