By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Franklin (Fox Sports Net), Leslie Griffith (KTVU), Mark Ibanez (KTVU), Deanne Moenster (KTVU), Tom Pellack (Fox Sports Net), Steve Shlisky (KTVU), George Watson (KTVU), and Rita Williams (KTVU). Even for those wit sky high alcohol tolerance, it can ruin your innards over time, irreversibly in many cases. Longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith dies Produced by Mooj Zadie , Luke Vander Ploeg and Clare Toeniskoetter. It was not a splashy story, said Knowles, the managing editor. He hired Randy Shilts as a reporter covering gay issues before Shilts went to The Chronicle. Frank's on-air situation on 5/30, and his "explanation," was Savitch-esque and very sad. Walter Cronkite famously had a bug and had to ask for a blanket to wrap around himself after delivering a newscast while so afflicted. Big shift in weather is headed to California. I miss a lot of these past greats. Somervile did not appearr on the 6 PM newscast. Over the years, Savidge has contributed to KTVUs coverage of several major stories, including the Napa earthquake and the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa area. "He (Somerville) looked drunk. I am hoping he stays sober and maybe if a local news station takes a chance on him they can use his considerable talents. What happened on first day of CHP drug dealing crackdown in S.F. While there, he was introduced to broadcasting through a part-time job at a Eureka radio station. > Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have > Melanie Woodrow on their website under> Newsteam? Fred Zehnder, the news director at KTVU for decades, died after being hit by a truck while walking in Alameda. They've let better people go. I have a feeling they decided to limit the coverage of Fred's good old days, and there's been no follow up about a memorial, or more info on the alledged drunk driver, since. Watson also didn't realize how much the segment would have on his life later, even the more than twenty years later. They're not like another Bay Area station, that has a mediocrity [*cough-cough* Ken Bastida! Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . TV Streaming | KTVU began taking on water under his reign and frankly it's amazing it's still [barely] afloat. "As a reporter, she led with passion for the craft, for getting the story, for pursuing what is right," Sasaki, who is now the public information officer for the Oakland Unified School District, wrote in an email to SFGATE. ", Watson's re-entry into the workplace was easier than he had expected, he says. Fun to follow. Edited by Anita Badejo and Marc Georges. And I wouldn't rule out Ms. Corral attending, either. Sam Whiting has been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1988. He knows what his vulnerabilites are, and attempts to deal with this truth. Reply Delete ;-). "Sad news," KTVU reporter Sal Castaneda wrote on Twitter. Griffith, probably not. I hear George is doing fine --as best that can be expected --but the former Bay Area/KTVU anchor/reporter has a long road to hoe. Amen, Rich. As editor and publisher of both the San Leandro Times and the Castro Valley Forum, Fred Zehnder had an outsize role in putting out weekly print editions of the East Bay papers. I watched Sommerville on Sunday's 10 p.m. newscast and noticed right away that he was having difficulty reading the teleprompter and speaking clearly. He has filled in this week alongside Holmes. Did he use a different name on air? G Watson was that hard-working and effective at KTVU. It's nice here in Arizona even when it gets baked," Watson tells me. Sad. Johnny Depp was surprise difficult on set of comeback film, reports say, Coronation organizers wonder if Prince Harry will be a no-show, report says, Summer movies 2023: 21 reasons you should be eager to return to theaters, Tucker Carlson: How early rejection by hippie San Francisco mom made him shameless, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. Welcome back.. Zehnder founded the San Leandro Times in 1991 while still working as news director at KTVU. Have you never heard of diarrhea? I totally had a crush on her. In March, Somerville missed over two weeks from KTVU and told me that he was battling an alcohol-abuse issue and that he spent some time at a North Bay recovery center. Thanks for the update, Rich. The rest of the nation did too. Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, dead at 79 A few years later, he bought the Castro Valley Forum. Born in Texas, Griffith started her journalism career as a newspaper reporter for the Associated Press and Denver Post. He just worked.. Even Corral's predecessor, one-time KSFO talker Barbara Simpson, admitted to being saddened, possibly attending as well.Fowler, Roth, Kauf, Bruno, can see all of them coming. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez, Evan Sernoffsky is an investigative reporter for KTVU. Zehnder was 87 and second youngest of four brothers, all still alive. He's The Peter Principle in action. Unfortunately, he let booze control his life and he lost everything ! A group of about 1,000 people broke off from that main rally and headed down to police headquarters. Calls to Somerville and Fox spokesperson Victoria Gurrieri Thursday morning were not returned. He took the wrong medicationThe vodka instead of the Scotch. You were a bright shining start in a dark, dark world. Covered the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks in New York City . Don. The ones that put me to sleep." And that's fine with him now. Aaron Rodgers Mural Removed in Green Bay: WATCH (That role was reserved for Andrew Finlayson, who was Zehnder's successor. ", Frank Somerville finally returns to KTVU: Are, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), H-1B: Feds want criminal charges over application fraud for Silicon Valleys favorite visa. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. The EMMY statues will be handed out at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Saturday, May 18th. Related Articles A job that former KTVU boss/GM, Kevin O'Brien got him. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. KTVU fired him too !! Zehnder started his own paper, the Scotts Valley News, in his hometown of Lakeport (Lake County), using a childs printing press set when he was age 10. KTVU anchor calls out racist who disapproves of his family - SFGATE Was a regular KTVU News viewer back in the days when George worked at the station, and I always really liked his work. He and Leslie Griffith worked well together, and it is great to see her lovely self in those pictures. KTVUs The Ten O Clock News long has been the Bay Areas highest-rated newscast. This photo is from 1990, early in Leslie Griffith's KTVU tenure, when she was a weekend anchor. Police were on edge that night, because a few days earlier, during a May 29, 2020, protest, protesters set fires, threw Molotov cocktails and separately, a federal agent was killed by a member of the Boogaloo movement in an undisputably chaotic night. George was an excellent anchor. I don't know if that's true or just folklore.I wish the best for this man. The Cliff House was once a colossal Victorian mansion that met a Californias historic snowpack remains massive. For the last year, civil rights attorneys and some city leaders have called out the police behavior, saying that officers violated city policy and a court order, prohibiting them from using tear gas and fire off specialty munitions as there was no proof of imminent danger, among other things. "I feel good, awesome actually. No one said a word. Zehnder also helped mold the on-air persona of popular feature reporters Bob MacKenzie and George Watson. Western Bride 26/05/2022. Unfortunately, he is not the only Bay Area news anchor with a substance abuse/alcohol problem Doug Murphy, KPIX 5 died in a house fire at his home in Lafayette in 2005, Dec. 4th. One month ago, Sandobil took Zehnder out to lunch just to thank him for hiring him and bringing him along, 40 years later. KTVU anchor Frank Somerville remains off air after Sunday exit I just screwwed up (and took wrong medication) The ones that put me to sleep." He was a great reporter ! God Bless You and George for all that you do. Lisa Fernandez is a reporter forKTVU. Q: What does George Floyd have, that Frank doesn't have?? A family member told KTVU that Griffith died "from the effects of Lyme Disease since she was bitten by a tick while living in Oregon in 2015.". He returned to KTVU News a short time after. Griffith has been off the air for more than 10 weeks in what the station characterized as a leave of absence. The years rolled on and the alcohol continued to flow. RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA: George Watson --a KTVU News Anchor - Blogger Former longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith has died. It is up to you to calm them down. We knew what our job was and we did it, primarily because of Fred.. "What an idiot I am!.". You know the story. "Her focus on animal welfare is the most prominent example, as she worked for years to highlight the mistreatment of elephants in circuses and elsewhere.". Frank Somerville , KTVU 5, 6, and 10 p.m. anchor. TV Streaming | Ken Bastida!} Hopeless. I've noticed that KTVU, which has a (bad) habit of repeating stories over and over to fill time and hide the fact that they have about half the staff they did ten years ago, did very little repeat playing of the Fred Zehnder sendoff. Just KTVU Channel 2. Despite the acknowledgment, the contents of those reports and what discipline was meted out, and to whom, were not revealed. On July 1, the San Leandro Times came out, with the usual uncredited grunt work that Zehnder always contributed. He was great. I watched the show, he was having a hard time delivering the words, slurring a few words. george watson ktvu where is he now - redstarcapitalllc.com Don, to take its toll at the news studio at Jack London Square. We got Mike Mabach, Andre Senior, Frank Malicoat to take over his spot. He looked awful and sounded worse. George Watson is safe and sane. Title not meant as any sign of disrespect, just a piece of retro bay area broadcasting history. TO THIS DAY, I STILL GET ASKED, "how's George Watson doing?"No news is good news. Buy Photos. Related Articles I miss George Watson on the nightly news. > Haener seems like a landing strip kinda girl.Or at least a strip kinda girl ;-). In that sendoff staffers talk about how great things were back then, with Randy Shandobil saying "If you like us at all now, it's because of Fred." Leslie Griffith resigns at KTVU - East Bay Times Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. Zehnder walked there from home and refused a ride back to his place, preferring to walk, as always. Andre Senior is a relative newcomer to KTVU, having arrived in 2018 after anchoring and reporting in Hampton, Virginia and Tampa Bay, Florida. I never knew what happened until now. GEORGE WATSON OBITUARY. Also, during the Zehnder tribute there was NO Fox2 branding. I miss George Watson on the nightly news. I'm the cameraman that worked with George. Glad your health is ok and whatever you were going through., Another chimed in with, WAS SO HAPPY to see you back on the news tonight. Produced in-depth "think pieces" from throughout San Bernardino County. Several years ago George Watson worked for KTVU-2 in Oakland. TV Streaming | Indeed, Watson had a serious back issue; had to have surgery (he's now ok) but working would cause a great deal of hardship. Heather Holmes, a Texas native, has been at KTVU since 2006, when she started as a weekend anchor. Heres a quick look at some of the people we can expect to see more of in the coming days and weeks: Julie Haener, a Danville resident, goes way back with KTVU viewers. I was at their wedding and his other ones. He is 17 years removed from working as a reporter/anchor at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix. Sad. The discipline by the chief and the civilian board would be the same and run concurrently if both parties agree. Were it not for alcoholism, George Watson might have ended up with a Hall-of-Fame broadcasting career. "A terrible loss, what a man." What did Leslie do to get on FZ's bad side? He sold subscriptions and took in news items dead cows and broken-down milk trucks on the family phone line. I am going to honor him when I share my story. wine startup leaves customers with thousands of Steph Curry adds to his Warriors legend by lighting up Kings for 50. Watson, George D. 68 Aug. 09, 1944 Jan. 01, 2013 Public viewing will be on Tuesday Jan. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., at Terry Family Funeral Home. Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. "Long-time KTVU anchor Leslie Griffith has died. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! From April '93 former anchor and reporter tells viewers he had been in treatment for . He is getting old and maybe time for early retirement. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. "She had such a wild & wonderful personality. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Was at KNTV last I remember. As editor and publisher of both the San Leandro Times and the Castro Valley Forum . SAN FRANCISCO It's bizarre when someone calls me out with a sickening comment. 415 Media Exclusive: A Conversation with George Watson; Former KTVU Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf. After the series of reports aired, in 1987, Watson got a simple note from Zehnder ending with, Were lucky to have you. Watson put it on his fridge, and it was still there 30 years later. She currently anchors the 4 and 7 p.m. news at KTVU, but has filled in for Somerville several times already this week. I don't remember my 20's. I remember him, he was always really good at what he did. For decades he lived in an in-law unit behind the home of close friends Howard and Claudette Morrison, who ended up working with him at his papers. Abrupt closure of S.F. With Mary Wilson and Rikki Novetsky. Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother There was also a front-page news item about his death. I used to pretend he was my father. Here are their demands, Downtown S.F. Long investigative pieces that only air occasionally? George looks great, and he seems to be in good spirits. while a far more talented anchor toils away in the background {*cough-cough* Brian Hackney! Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. It was about his brothers John, 93, of Modesto; Bob, 91, of Sacramento; and Dave, 72, of Kelso, Wash. All three survive him, along with sister-in-law Isabelle Zehnder, seven nephews and one niece. No RL, he's a GREAT GUY, and one I admired all my years in Bay Area media. Starting in 1978, he had a 22-year run at the TV station, where he put together the anchor team of Dennis Richmond and Barbara Simpson, whom Zehnder later replaced with Elaine Corral, Leslie Griffith and Julie Haener, all during Richmonds 20 years as an anchor. With Frank Somerville away, who will KTVU turn to? Original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano . It seems apparent that, even at a time when athletes and celebrities are connecting with the public by opening up about their personal struggles, both Somerville and KTVU have chosen at least so far to ignore the incident, move on and take a business-as-usual approach. It includes footage of legendary transit historians Harre Demoro and Ted Wurm.. Tickets for the event are $85, with a $10 . I was tempted to make a George Watson joke, but(Jessica Savitch too). Alex Savidge normally anchors the 4 p.m. newscast on KTVU and the 7 p.m. news on KTVU Plus. "But more like feeling for the first time that I really could make it. Unfortunately her subsequent marriage to ski racer Bill Shaw ended in divorce. But that's . At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". I've often heard than most American Indians have a very low tolerance for it. She was a real psycho-lady. I'm sure current management heard that as a slap in the face. Watson's transgressions are in full display and at times it's a frustrating, sad and equally compelling segment. ?A: 1 Year sobriety !Quick.Somebody call George Watson. The Bay Area knows the story. Hope Frank gets the help he deserves. Though station management has said it will welcome Somervilles return when he is ready, in the interim KTVU must scramble to fill the void left by one of the Bay Areas most visible journalists a man who co-anchored the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. Police, by law and court order, must use de-escalation techniques first, before deploying such harmful, although less-lethal, agents and tools. One of the finest anchor persons around. Everyday I couldn't wait to see him on the news. https://plaing.smugmug.com/Friends/KTVUs-George-Watsons-60th/i-PVT68BG. I will keep you informed of any information I obtain. Posted to Fort Bliss, Texas, he worked at an Army public information office run by Sam Donaldson, later a famously brusque TV news reporter. to FOX2. OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland police officers have been disciplined following the deployment of tear gas and other less-than-lethal projectiles at last summer's George Floyd protests, KTVU has learned. At Lakeport Union Elementary, he fell under the spell of a teacher who had been a news reporter, and she encouraged him. He arrived at KTVU in 2005 as a general assignment reporter. She has been with SFGATE for more than 10 years. (She finished the May 30 newscast alone after Somerville disappeared from the desk, without explanation, 15 minutes into the program). I told my wife I bet KTVU pulls him off the air at the commercial break, which they did. The brotherly reunion was still scheduled for July 9 but it was not about him. He also put out the garbage, pulled weeds around the offices, typed wedding announcements and calendar items, took pictures and did every job that goes into getting free publications into circulation. RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA: Mystery at KTVU: Frank Somerville - Blogger TV Streaming | Fred was vibrant and in excellent health and still working more than full time. At that time I did not seek professional help due to finances. Not sure what you mean by "Fox 2 branding" but "Fox 2" as a concept didn't exist during the Zehnder era, so why would it be an element? He looked off last night. It's tragically intense and real. However, I urge anyone who is depressed to get some help, life will get better. Another source who watched the program was more blunt. "I would quit drinking only in order to keep my job, but I always started again because that was never the right reason to quit," Watson says. He started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. Sad for Frank. It's heartening to hear that he is well and sober. Frank was definitely impaired last night. Ex-news anchor back at KTVU as writer, reporter - SFGATE Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. TV Streaming | I definitely noticed when he did not return after the commercial break. But the Berkeley native, USC alum and lifelong Warriors fan will likely see a lot more camera time at the desk in the coming days and weeks. KTVU reporter Watson spent two weeks on the South Pacific island of Guadalcanal to film a comprehensive 45th anniversary report on the storied landing by U.S. Marines in World War II. George Watson does not know this. We had wanted to do it sooner, but Fred delayed the whole thing because of his work with the paper, said Isabelle Zehnder, a sister-in-law, who confirmed his death. For eight years, he held two full-time jobs, one in TV and one in print. He was an excellent writer and speaker. But his post Wednesday was his first since late May and rather than addressing his situation at KTVU, he presented high school senior photos of his daughter. He always had faith in his people, and we always had faith in his judgment.. KTVU 10 p.m. news anchors from left: Bill Martin, Dennis Richmond (seated), Mark Ibanez, Leslie Griffith (seated). For the last year, Armstrong has promised transparency and has told the community on several occasions that if the police made mistakes, he would let the public know. Can't help but notice that the name 'Elaine' didn't appear in the list of reunion participants. And let us know who else besides Griffith might have ended up on the wrong side of Zehnder's life. Pray constantly for pain to go away. To me it seems like Haener, who has been sleepwalking through the news for at least the last year, perked up and seemed to be trying harder last night after Frank departed.Just an observation. PDF Class of 1996 - emmysf.tv Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. I watched the first 10 minutes of the 10 PM news and Somerville seemed pretty impaired. Frank Somerville says he believes he won't be coming back to KTVU Johnny Depp was surprise difficult on set of comeback film, reports say, Coronation organizers wonder if Prince Harry will be a no-show, report says, Summer movies 2023: 21 reasons you should be eager to return to theaters, Tucker Carlson: How early rejection by hippie San Francisco mom made him shameless, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. She replaced Elaine Corral on the Ten O'clock News in 1998, becoming a staple on the program as Dennis Richmond's co-anchor. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. One day at a time. Everybody could depend on him.. We all need help at some point.I personally am too embarrassed to ask for help currently.Severe depression going on 4 years now. I can't remember the last time I saw her on air. 1994 KTVU flashback of George Watson drunk on the air Maybe he can come back to KTVU some day even if doing special reports part time. Courtesy KTVU. Well, have to say I never heard of Zehnder till now. You look and sound great, it seems like taking the time off was beneficial to you., One person even wrote that Somervilles absence led to a temporary alteration of viewing habits: I changed news channels when he left. Betty and family Margaret are sorry for your lost.but remember he is in a better place god is holding him now ,our prayers are whith you all. Significant piece of retro San Francisco bay area broadcasting history. He lives in San Francisco and walks three miles a day on the steep city streets. I asked Watson if he has any interest in getting back into the biz, even on a limited basis doing special projects, a few bits here and there. Loved watching when KTVU news still held the bar that other stations tried to match. UPDATE, 8: 31 AM PT: A source tells me Somerville was asked to leave after the first segment. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email Lisa atlisa.fernandez@foxtv.comor call her at510-874-0139. That would be a dynamite idea and count me in as a interested observer. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most notably anchored the Ten O'clock News on KTVU Channel 2, died at the age of 66 on Aug. 10 in Lake Chapala, Mexico, where she had home, KTVU reported. Click this link to see pics of George on his 60th birthday. We were normal-looking people who you wouldnt expect to see on TV news., Starting as an assignment editor, Zehnder was promoted to news director because of his news judgment and popularity with the staff. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. He wasn't missed. Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". ", Liggins added: "She was professional, engaging, and adored by her audience. Altamont Press Discussion Board :: Discussion :: Re:George Watson Watson and his wife, Diane, whom he met randomly at a Bay Area restaurant are avid followers, still, of the business. Watson worked with KTVU news boss, Fred Zehnder, who was killed by a suspected DUI driver in Alameda last week. She stood up for good reporting on so many occasions. Political chaos has erupted in this Peninsula city over one issue: Housing, Flower Moon, a lunar eclipse and a meteor shower unfold this week, Oakland teachers set to strike starting Thursday. Since then, he has helped launch the weekend editions of "Mornings on 2," co-anchoring with Claudine Wong. Drunk on TV?A viewer could have been killed with this carelessness.Have you all gone mad? "During my first stint at @KTVU in the 90s, my first chance to sit on the anchor desk was to fill-in for Leslie, who then solo-anchored weekends. Drinking can help relief stress, but it can ruin someone lives and his career if you have no control over the abuse. To date, police have not yet provided evidence of those Molotov cocktails and dozens of witnesses have told KTVU that no one was causing imminent danger to police at 7:45 p.m. that night, 15 minutes before curfew, when police threw tear gas into the crowd. He is a general assignment reporter with a focus on writing feature-length obituaries. Licensed to Oakland, California, the station has been owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises since 1964, making it the largest Fox affiliate by market size that is not owned. Can I say that I was just absolutely shocked by that video? I remember seeing him on a program a few years ago that was about his life. After graduating in 1952, he attended Humboldt State College, where he majored in journalism. He was an excellent writer and speaker. Watson said Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong will hold a news conference this week to explain more. Fred pulled us aside and said, Everyone is on edge. Somerville, 63, has been at KTVU since 1991. Somerville, one of the Bay Areas highest-paid and most visible TV journalists, has been at KTVU since 1991. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith joined KTVU in 1986. "Leslie Griffith was a consummate professional," wrote KTVU reporter Greg Liggins. Male talent seems to bog that station. I can see all of the KTVU alumni that RL mentioned getting together to remember Fred Zehnder. George is a solid reporter and anchor. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks.". KTVU's George Watson's 60th - plaing - SmugMug But he had a profound impact on me as a child. "You have to quit because if you don't, it will kill you. One final lapse crossed the line and that one signaled George's exit from Channel 2. It was O'Brien that was the same boss that had to let Watson go after repeated bouts with alcohol abuse. In 2008, he received a highly publicized promotion when he was named the co-anchor of the station's 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing Bay Area icon Dennis Richmond. Thanks Rich for running this again. Now I can watch again. Kevin O'Brien was the station manager, Zehnder's boss. You did what he told you because you loved him and didnt want to let him down, Shandobil said. Nice entry, Rich. "George is a great writer with a strong knowledge and interest in local history," said KTVU News Director Andrew . "The hardest thing to deal with -- this is going to sound silly -- the computer system is the most difficult thing I'm dealing with right now.
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