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A media critique... and then some!
Inside LA TV - KCBS not going soft in am, and a a KCAL/KCBS reporter goes to Denver. Check out Recent Issues 5-31-04 Monday's OTR 5-28-04 Friday's OTR
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DID KCBS LEAVE REPORTER TOO LONG?
About a month ago, you may recall the story about the two cousins who drowned in a pool in La Puente. I wrote about Walter Richards' version of that story, in which an aunt complained that the family wanted the news media to leave them alone.
It turns out that this was not a safe neighborhood, one that one insider tells OTR was full of gangbangers. With TV live trucks there, it seems that people in the area got especially upset when a media member flashed a bright light in the backyard of the tragedy, so that the KNBC helicopter could get a shot of it.
There were more than 40 people out there, yelling. The crowd got so rowdy, I'm told that all of the news crews left, except one. A KCAL/KCBS photographer called the assignment desk to warn of trouble. Yet, the desk said that KCAL/KCBS reporter Lora McLaughlin and her photographer and editor should stay behind to do a live shot. One insider tells me that things got so out-of-control that McLaughlin called the Sheriff's Department. Fortunately, deputies arrived in time.
I don't know exactly what the photographer said to the assignment desk, but it would appear that someone back at the station showed some bad judgment. This could have ended tragically, and fortunately, the law arrived in time.
I emailed both McLaughlin and station spokesman Mike Nelson; neither responded.
MORE CBS STATION COMPARISON
In our last issue, we compared how other CBS stations fared in the May book with KCBS. A couple of readers have sent along more information. First KYW in Philadelphia...
And there is KIRO Seattle, which I'm told has been #2 since October 2001:
JOYNER SAYS SHE IS STAYING
On Wednesday, the rumor got out there that Lisa Joyner was leaving KCBS to be replaced by Jackie Johnson, a weather anchor from Miami. I emailed Lisa and got this response yesterday: "I have heard that rumor as well. It is however just a rumor. KCBS has allowed me great freedom to pursue other opportunities while being part of the fastest growing morning show in Los Angeles. I am pleased with the progress we've seen and the exciting projects that are upcoming. Thanks for inquiring. I appreciate your interest."
Plus I got something I don't believe I've ever had before, an unsolicited comment from Mike Nelson, station spokesman of KCBS. Yes, the same Mike Nelson who didn't respond to my inquiry about the La Puente incident above. In any case, I appreciate his email: "Ron, I'm out of town on vacation, but just learned about an item on a gossip site suggesting that Lisa Joyner is leaving KCBS. I'm under the impression that you and Lisa have exchanged e-mails regarding this rumor. The station would like to back up what Lisa has told you... She is not going anywhere. Thanks!"
Another inside source at Columbia Square tells me that Joyner has been talking about doing a talk show for World Wide Pants, which would be consistent with her comment above.
That is Jackie Johnson. And I can't help but notice something of a resemblance with Lisa Joyner. And while it's been made clear that Joyner is sticking around, no one is addressing whether Johnson still might be coming to KCBS. I put in a call to her yesterday and sent an email to her, but have received no response. I also left a message and emailed Johnson's boss, and got no response. I asked one of her co-workers on the phone if Johnson might be coming out to LA, and she gave me a "no comment."
So could Johnson be coming to LA to replace someone else? I'll tell you on Monday what an inside source is telling me.
HOW SERIOUS WAS HE?
It's been reported that some months ago, President Bush told King Abdullah of Jordan that "you can piss on Chalabi." At first thought, you'd think it was just a figure of speech. But in light of the Abu Ghraib scandal, I'm wondering if George W was actually planning some personalized Iraqi abuse. And if so, would they let Chalabi wear a hood before the Royal urinating begins? Or maybe just the standard pink women's underwear. Or just maybe they'd decide later, letting Chalabi go with the flow.
YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN
You'll recall that story I told you about last week, in which friends do a makeover on a house. The following week, KABC did a follow-up so we could see the results.
In the anchor lead of that follow-up, Michelle Tuzee and Marc Brown said how the ABC home makeover show is popular, but not everyone gets on the show. So, they said, some friends and family of a Wilmington woman are doing it for her. Reporter Wendy Burch then told us that the family invited her in and told her not to mind the mess, because it was all about to change. Perfect. That would have been the perfect lead-in to her package. But for some reason, she continued "No the TV show wasn't commandeering their piece of property. Instead some friends and family were going to chip in to help a friend in need. And they did indeed."
The anchor lead already told us that the house was not part of the ABC show, and it told us that friends and family were doing the job. So why repeat that just seconds later? Just so she could rhyme "need" and "indeed?"
As you can see, the woman was pretty happy about it.
And yes, inside this 850 square foot house, there was quite a change.
There's a before and after of the same area. Burch reported that half the stuff in the house was thrown away and quite a bit went to Goodwill. Besides the massive reorganization, they also put in new tile and carpet.
WHO IS THE BEST SPORTS ANCHOR?
It's been a long time since we've done this one. So long, that Bill Weir won the last time we did it.
Please click on your choice and then hit "send." One vote, please.
NOT A VOICE FOR ANCHORING
She's obviously very pretty, but Betty Nguyen just doesn't have a good voice for anchoring. It's just a little too high, which can be grating on the ear after a while. There must be better news readers out there with better voices. Sometimes, I think TV news execs forget how important voices are on television. Good looks can only get you so far.
JOINS WITH?
How do you say it when one of your reporters voices over a pre-produced piece by Consumer Reports? Well, on KABC anchor Marc Brown said "Today our food coach Lori Corbin joins with Consumer Reports for a test of some popular diet dinners."
Well, considering that all Corbin did was voice it, introduce it, and put a tag line on it, I'd say "joins with" is stretching it a little. Of course normally Corbin does her own stuff, and she's quite good. Maybe this one comes under our "picky picky" department, but unlike the norm, she really didn't do much.
I DON'T LIKE THE FAKE LIVE SHOTS
Technically they're not violating any FCC rules, but no doubt about it, they can deceive. This is when a reporter looks like he's doing a live shot, but he's on tape. KABC's Leo Stallworth recently interviewed some National Guard people and volunteers who are sending care packages to soldiers. It actually began redundantly, as Michelle Tuzee said "our Leon Stallworth has the story..." and Stallworth then began it by saying "I'm Leo Stallworth." Okay, that doesn't exactly create a "live" feeling does it?
However, the entire story was a continuous roll, as he interviewed people there. And he ended the story by saying "back to you." Who says "back to you" when you're on tape? And then Tuzee said "thank you Leo." Since when do anchors thank reporters in the second person who are on tape? Well, that is a pattern we've seen on KABC before, but it's still not right. As I've mentioned before, I know that CBS radio has ethical rules against thanking a reporter who is on tape, since it implies that they are live. Why can't all local TV stations have the same ethical standards?
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY?
While doing a Memorial Day story, KCBS reporter Jennifer Sabih said "Happy Holidays." I suppose the plural was just a slip, because of what is often said during the Christmas season. But 'happy'? Are we supposed to be happy when we honor the war dead? It's like telling a Jew "have a happy Yom Kippur." Some holidays are solemn. But I suppose when every national holiday short of Christmas and New Year's Day is moved, just so we can have a three-day weekend, I can understand why happy and holiday might seem to go together. But sometimes, they shouldn't .
MISPRONUNCIATION
Who: Maria Quiban
Where: KCOP
What: "Extremist " she pronounced it "extra mist"
He commented on air how she has trouble with that one, so no, I don't think she was kidding around.
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