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 Monday: Paul Deanno Leaving KPIX

Paul Deanno leaving KPIX

Veteran KPIX weatherman, Paul Deanno, is leaving the local CBS O and O (owned and operated) outlet on Battery and Broadway --parts unknown, 415 Media has learned exclusively.

Deanno, I'm told by a few of my PIX spies has a gig but hasn't told anyone at the station just yet and is mum about his destination to even his closest friends. But a high-level station source confirmed to me he is headed elsewhere; this post may accelerate that announcement.

I wrote earlier in the year (and even prior to that) that Deanno was mulling a hybrid gig (news and weather anchoring) offered by PIX top brass but Deanno was royally ticked off by the money that was being discussed.

In fact, I'm told it was essentially a "peanuts" offer and that it would involve more work, more responsibilities, and less money. A recipe that didn't please Deanno, obviously, and may have influenced his latest move. He came to PIX via Seattle from KOMO, the ABC affiliate there, and that may be on his itinerary but he may also be headed east too. I'll know more soon.

Deanno is a good guy. A very talented personality to boot; one of the few PIX assets that garners local praise and attention in an Internet world that marginalizes local news talent. (Among other venues) It's therefore, highly surprising and unbelievably incompetent (but not entirely shocking) that PIX would let one of its prized assets leave the building.

This is not a good move but then again nothing makes sense anymore in these fractured times at local TV newsrooms.

I will post you any detailed updates as I gather more info.

Exclusive: KTVU To Allow Schlum/Cub Reporter Broadcast Weather So Bill Martin Can Have His Days Off

DOES Bill Martin have one foot out the door at KTVU? Or does he just not give a damn?

A station source tells me, starting next week, the Fox Bay Area outlet-- for the first time in its history, will have a non-meteorologist, cub reporter fill in for weather so Martin can have his days off.

The source joked, "can't wait to see the promo."

'Watch the KTVU Weather Team...or anyone else we can throw on the Green Screen or hell, just look at your phone!"

Inside the offices at KTVU, veteran staffers are SHOCKED that the suits have resorted to this practice. Martin himself has supposedly lost his status as chief power as head of the Weather "Authority", which presumably was to have one of the other forecasters broadcast when he was off.

"Bill used to care," said the source. "Guess that party's over."


^#EXCLUSIVE

Bay Area TV Stations Pack Wall-to-Wall Coverage on Big Storm Wednesday Night; 415 Media Highlights and Notes

RAIN/WIND STORM BRINGS OUT FULL-THROTTLE COVERAGE FROM BAY AREA TV STATIONS

KGO; KPIX; KTVU; KNTV; KRON 'Storm Center' coverage wall-towall

OK, so I didn't buy into it, (as always) because it's winter and we occasionally get bigtime storms like tonight's rain/wind onslaught that is currently playing havoc with the Bay Area, especially commuters and their transit and residents suffering mass power outages.

*Highlights and Notes...

The local TV stations have provided almost wall-to-wall "team coverage" and then some. Along with chief weather guy, Bill Martin, KTVU brought in morning traffic anchor, Sal Castaneda and had reporter/anchor, Alyana Gomez at the Bay Bridge Toll plaza for live reports throughout the night...KTVU anchors, Frank Somerville and Julie Haener, manned the coverage...KGO used three (3!) weather anchor: Spencer Christian, Drew Tuma and Sandhya Patel all worked the 5 PM newscast; KGO went with Dan Ashley and Kristen Sze for storm reports on the desk and Lyanne Melendez live from the Ferry terminal on commuter options should the boat ride across the bay be closed. As of 6: 20 the ferry was still operating...KPIX conducted business with Ken Bastida and Veronica De La Cruz at the anchor chairs with Paul Deanno providing weather updates. Deanno informed viewers that "the worst part of the storm {was still coming later in the night}and that "we won't be out of the woods until midnight."...Martin too on KTVU provided more lengthy forecasts with urgent warnings about more ominous rain later in the evening and possible thunderstorms ..An aside: I've been critical of Martin of late but on Wednesday night, he was spot to the point and his anchoring was quite precise and crisp. Informational too, kudos to Bill for a change...Jeff Ranieri on NBC Bay Area also provided vivid descriptions of the rain event and suggested this storm might be the most powerful in quite some time. So far, he might be right...KRON wasn't out of the ordinary with Ken Wayne doing most of the talking and reporters doing their VJing from various Bay Area locales. It was the usual unspectacular work from the independent albatross but better then expected...KTVU simulcast its "KTVU Plus" on TV36 with anchors Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes.

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.

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.

Flash: 415 Media Exclusive: Neda Iranpour Leaving KPIX

Neda Iranpour leaving KPIX/KCBS

Neda Iranpour, I'm told by a 415 Media source, is leaving KPIX/KCBS. She recently put in her notice and will depart the Bay Area sometime next week.

Iranpour has been doing radio and TV reports in both station's morning weather broadcasts plus she also did PIX's noon weather presentation.

The reason?

Supposedly it's personal but Iranpour's husband lives in Los Angeles.

Rosemary Orozco Has a Leg Up on All of Us

KTVU meteorologist, Rosemary Orozco, showing her weather prowess.

Uh, sure thing, whatever.

Happy Monday.

Storm Seriousness Highlights PIX Primary Weather Anchor Paul Deanno And He Steps Up To The Plate; 415 Media Tuesday

Paul Deanno/KPIX5

 I've slowly warmed to KPIX (CBS5) chief meteorologist,  Paul Deanno, but better late than never.

As the storm and ensuing rain events have hit the Bay Area en masse, the weather folks have become, in essence, as central as the news anchors.

The storm(s) are now news with major flooding in and around the nine-county Bay Area.

Deanno is smooth and steady; calm and collected too and what I like most about him is that even as the weather gets extreme, he doesn't. That's a big plus.

There is no on-air histrionics --there is accurate information, statistics and forecasts and Deanno doesn't miss a beat.

At first, I didn't like his ultra-smooth persona, I thought he was too slick. Then I was informed by a PIXie; someone who knows Deanno real well said what you see is the real Deanno, no fake or simpleton --sincerity counts a lot here.

I'm also impressed by Deanno's A-grade forecasts and explanation to non-weather geeks like me just how powerful a "storm surge" is, like the one that seems to have centered over the entire Bay Area and Northern California area.

Keep up the good work, sir.

*SUBSCRIBE TO 415 MEDIA--WIN A PAIR OF WARRIORS TICKETS --This Thursday Night!

 

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Simply go to the Pay Pal icon on the right side of the blog and place your bid (and subscription too to 415 Media) Whoever bids the max FIRST, wins. I will notify the winner immediately after via e-mail.

Hey, Let Us All Back Off On Screwing with Roberta Gonzales (Including Me)

 ROBERTA GONZALES's problem is that some people forget she's really Roberta Gonzales, yeah, that Roberta.

Let me first state that I love Roberta; just can do with less Robertaisms until I note the fact its the Robertaisms that has men; young and old; women; parents, PTA members, the school principals, the girl-scouts that sell cookies outside Safeway that ADORE Roberta; heck, I think she's regional now.

Roberta Gonzales is KPIX's #-1 most-popular personality. She can be the most annoying human being on the planet; she can reek with what one might seem uncanny phoniness but for the most part, it's all very real.

And for the most part, the "very real" is fine--I mean, seriously, we have some serious shit in the world going on and the mother of all serious shit currently playing out, so a hunk of Roberta isn't the worst thing on the menu. Roberta raised some good kids and is a good mother and cares about her own mother so she's suddenly not turned into Kathy Bates' character, Misery.

She's sort of yucky at times; how do I know? Because I said it, here. But I also acknowledge she's been able to make it here too, for well almost three decades under some of the most difficult circumstances, on and off the screen. One thing, for sure, she's consistent. That's saying something particularly in today's nutsy environment.

I chide Roberta for the breathless delivery; she does it way too much and she needn't because Roberta without the cutesy persona is just as cool as Roberta, wonder bread. But I forgot: that's Roberta! So as much as I can't stand the uber-yenta presentation (especially on radio) I can take it in stride because, BREAKING NEWS!, Roberta is still something visually to behold. And in a market that reeks of plastic boob enhancement and overt phony persona University, I'll take Gonzales over the rest of 'em, most of whom couldn't match RG one iota if their life depended on it.

I'll say this too. Roberta works with a staff half of which don't particularly like her and a News Director that has tried mightily to ace her out of the main KPIX domain. It's one thing to object to an air talent you don't like professionally; it's another to go after her on a personal level. That's not cool. So she's not Mother Teresa, big deal. She's got a huge heart too. That's saying something.

This is not an endorsement for Roberta Gonzales.She doesn't need it. It's a plug for someone who has had to endure and persevere in a tough market and I salute her for that.

So there.

Christina Loren Has Cyst Removed

 Christina Loren, who was let go by NBC Bay Area a few weeks back, underwent surgery at Stanford Hospital to remove a cancerous cyst from her ovary.


Loren said on her Facebook page she's doing ok and "although not smiling", expects a full recovery.


We wish her all the best.










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UPDATE: Results of a biopsy of the cyst should be known this coming Friday.

Loren 'Angry Diva' Gets The Axe; NBC Bay Area Source: 'She Was 'Very Difficult' To Work For'; Inside Story; KGO-TV Memo Draws Chuckles From Staff; TGIF Starter

 Make no mistake, Christina Loren was one of NBC Bay Area 's most popular on-air personalities--and she surely knew it. But at the end of the May sweeps on Thursday, Loren was reminded that even a big-time air talent is not immune to getting the axe --and that's what Loren got most unexpectedly: her walking papers.


Loren, from a variety of insiders wasn't given a pink slip due to normal budgetary trimming--in fact, NBC paid her to leave! From multiple sources close to the matter, seems Loren was "difficult to work with."


A KNTV production staffer who spoke on condition of anonymity: "She was nice but she could be very difficult at times --it got to a point where she became an 'angry diva.'"


Another station source: "I like Christine a lot but you have to treat the people you work for with respect. She could be tough."


Loren indeed was very popular in the morning doing weather reports; she also did a ton of PR appearances for the station. This isn't going to break KNTV obviously but I'm pretty certain the decision to bounce the ultra-popular Loren probably was a combo-San Jose/NY move.


We'll be digging more. Stay tuned.


*Over at 900 Front, KGO-TV the talk amongst staffers was a memo distributed to staff from management: "Move around the camera more!" Among other things. Let's just say the initial chuckling has been off the chart.


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The Calm Between The Storm: KTVU Weather Maven Steve Paulson And The 'Angry Sky'

 There was a lot of weather going on in the morning and Steve Paulson of KTVU was in rapid-fire mode going on about our April downpour (which, yes, we really need.)

Paulson, at one point, referred to the mass precipitation (I like fancy words) as an "angry sky." I like that too.

It gets sort of repetitive when everyone in the Bay Area knows its raining like hell outside and damn, we haven't seen weather like this since the Dallas -Who shot JR episode --I'm kidding of course but you know what I mean.

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Finally

 At least there's finally a reason to say these things, oh, maybe 500 times today, give or take a few hundred:

1. Live Team Coverage

2. Anchor to weather person: "Every bit helps."

3. "This won't help us in the long run but we really need the rain."

4. "Don't forget to bring your chains if you're heading up to the Sierra." (No shit)

5. "Let's go to the storm desk."

Finally, the all-time topper to commuters: "Folks, give yourself extra plenty of time..." Thanks, I was going to leave at the last minute and head down 880 to the Santa Cruz Mountains and have my tea.

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