What did Leslie do to get on FZ's bad side? I'm sure current management heard that as a slap in the face. Unfortunately, he let booze control his life and he lost everything ! Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . I don't think anyone knows where those two are these days. Since then, he has helped launch the weekend editions of Mornings on 2, co-anchoring with Claudine Wong. He knows what his vulnerabilites are, and attempts to deal with this truth. I never knew what happened until now. Why is Rich Lieberman so absolutely giddy when other people face personal problems? Frederick Eugene Zehnder was born March 5, 1934, in Lakeport, where he grew up on a dairy farm run by his father, Joe Zehnder, and where the milking was done by Fred and his three brothers. Sad. But he had a profound impact on me as a child. During the Loma Prieta earthquake, we had no power and had to do our newscast in the parking lot. A group of about 1,000 people broke off from that main rally and headed down to police headquarters. Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. You can email her at agraff@sfgate.com. 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. He looked awful and sounded worse. The Bay Area knows the story. Thanks for the update, 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. He returned to KTVU News a short time after. TV Streaming | Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. Would be great to see some of his more recent reporting. Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. Last time in 2007 and 2008, the economic downturn hit me hard, I was working on commission only, and my business disappeared in a matter of weeks, because I was too late to face reality I also lost my condo. January 6, 2013. Aaron Rodgers Mural Removed in Green Bay: WATCH Kevin O'Brien was the station manager, Zehnder's boss. KTVU (FOX) : TV NEWS : Search Captions. Borrow Broadcasts : TV Archive Many honored Griffith in social media and expressed anguish over herpassing. (That role was reserved for Andrew Finlayson, who was Zehnder's successor. Dec. 1, 2015 Updated: Dec. 1, 2015 3:33 p.m. 11. Hope Frank gets the help he deserves. The Cliff House was once a colossal Victorian mansion that met a Californias historic snowpack remains massive. He had spirit and energy and passion; he wasn't just an emotionless bean-counter. She joined KTVU in 1986 as a weekend reporter and anchor, and with her alto voice and steadfast reporting, she worked her way up to become an influential force in Bay Area journalism, the East Bay Times reported. When someone you really admire, like Fred, says something like that, you tell yourself, Well, I guess Im doing OK, Watson said. It seems odd. I watched the show, he was having a hard time delivering the words, slurring a few words. Everyday I couldn't wait to see him on the news. 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. 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. 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. Aug. 11, 2022 Updated: Aug. 11, 2022 10:49 p.m. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith joined KTVU in 1986. I can't remember the last time I saw her on air. to FOX2. It's heartening to hear that he is well and sober. Title not meant as any sign of disrespect, just a piece of retro bay area broadcasting history. I saw it. Watched the KTVU newscasts when George worked there, and I miss his work and on-air presence. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf. 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. 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. Frank Somerville finally returns to KTVU: Are viewers owed an explanation? Male talent seems to bog that station. From April '93 former anchor and reporter tells viewers he had been in treatment for . TV Streaming | Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. And besides Haener, the Zehnder will likely include Ibanez & Vacar.Rich, absolutely keep us posted as to how many long-time KTVU alumni attend and reconnect. 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. 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." "Sad news," KTVU reporter Sal Castaneda wrote on Twitter. CPRA Executive Director John Alden said that discipline was also ordered in these cases, which range from failure to supervise, excessive use of force, failure to accept complaints and Miranda violations, to name a few. Zehnder also helped mold the on-air persona of popular feature reporters Bob MacKenzie and George Watson. You're in our thoughts. "It was not a call for help; I made the phone call initially to ask for money," he says. 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. Loved watching when KTVU news still held the bar that other stations tried to match. Watson and his wife plan to attend the memorial service for Zehnder when it takes place. I have since rebuild my life. Dozens of protesters have alleged in at least two federal lawsuits that they suffered bruising and even temporary blindness as a result of getting hit with toxic chemical agents and the equivalent of rubber bullets during at least two protests last summer, on May 29 and June 1, 2020. There was also a front-page news item about his death. His life is changed now, relatively stable and on an ordinary course. RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA: Mystery at KTVU: Frank Somerville - Blogger "Leslie Griffith was a consummate professional," wrote KTVU reporter Greg Liggins. Ask Amy: I put a security camera in my room, and what I saw was creepy, Ask Amy: My fiancee's family says I'm not invited, and she's going without me, The dad whose wife and child were among 5 killed by a neighbor in Texas describes how the massacre unfolded, 'Total dominance': Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, Dear Abby: The reason her fiance hid his phone was something she never guessed, Mortgage fees to rise for buyers with high credit scores, fall for those with lower scores, Kurtenbach: Steph Curry built the Warriors dynasty. I will keep you informed of any information I obtain. Photo Sharing; About SmugMug; Browse Photos; Prints & Gifts The plan was set, and just as O'Brien expected, KTVU became even more phenomenally successful. ), Best part about the Leslie/Mark (short man) story is that she was upset at losing him (refer back to short comment), LIVE AND DIRECT FROM SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONE, GEORGE WATSON IS ON THE PHONE. A few years later, he bought the Castro Valley Forum. Abrupt closure of S.F. Fred Zehnder, longtime KTVU news director, dies at 87 after being hit I wish him all the best, in his efforts to overcome Drinking. He is 17 years removed from working as a reporter/anchor at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix. The motorist, identified as Michael Williams, 30, of Hayward, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. 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. She currently anchors the 4 and 7 p.m. news at KTVU, but has filled in for Somerville several times already this week. Bay Area Transit (1984) is a locally-made documentary about the history of transit in Oakland and the Bay Area. Thanks Rich and George - so glad to hear he is enjoying life. I watched the first 10 minutes of the 10 PM news and Somerville seemed pretty impaired. Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother A slightly more up to date update on George. This began a string of jobs in TV broadcasting as a news director in Eureka, a cameraman at KPIX, and an assistant director on Van Amburgs news show on KGO-TV. Frank was definitely impaired last night. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks. This photo is from 1990, early in Leslie Griffith's KTVU tenure, when she was a weekend anchor. KTVU announced this week that anchor Frank Somerville will take an indefinite leave of absence to focus on his health after the veteran newsman was seen slurring and stumbling over his words during a May 30 newscast on Channel 2. KTVU will take an all-hands-on-deck approach while Somerville is away, relying on several newsroom regulars to fill in. Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have Melanie Woodrow on their website under Newsteam? You did what he told you because you loved him and didnt want to let him down, Shandobil said. I am a computer illiterate. You know the story. No I was not deliriously happy, but I was not depressed. Life has returned back to normal! However, I urge anyone who is depressed to get some help, life will get better. Watson worked with KTVU news boss, Fred Zehnder, who was killed by a suspected DUI driver in Alameda last week. Get well soon, Frank. How could it be an element? > It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on> their main anchor desk.They don't have much male talent they could bring in. He always had faith in his people, and we always had faith in his judgment.. One of the finest anchor persons around. Drinking can help relief stress, but it can ruin someone lives and his career if you have no control over the abuse. Review: Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love is an old-school special for an old-school talent Im soooo happy to see you back anchoring the news! one reader wrote. Just KTVU Channel 2. Can't help but notice that the name 'Elaine' didn't appear in the list of reunion participants. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). George Watson - Writer - Self-employed | LinkedIn ", At his lowest point, Watson was homeless, destitute and near death, he says. 415 Media Exclusive: A Conversation with George Watson; Former KTVU He hired Randy Shilts as a reporter covering gay issues before Shilts went to The Chronicle. This is the department's first acknowledgment that there were missteps taken during last summer's protests over the death of George Floyd. I remember when Doug passed away. A news anchor was visibly intoxicated on the air. The Press-Enterprise. A native of Jamaica, he grew up in Miami. It shows a sympathetic person, Watson, in his most darkest days. Walter Cronkite famously had a bug and had to ask for a blanket to wrap around himself after delivering a newscast while so afflicted. Fred Zehnder, the news director at KTVU for decades, died after being hit by a truck while walking in Alameda. Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. He talks to me here at 415 Media, his first public interview in over two decades. Fred pulled us aside and said, Everyone is on edge. This S.F. He was a man of the printed word and resisted all indications that he should go fully digital. She has been at the station since 1997 and was on the desk the night Bay Area news icon (and Somervilles predecessor) Dennis Richmond tearfully signed off in 2008. I remember him, he was always really good at what he did. He is a general assignment reporter with a focus on writing feature-length obituaries. Andre Senior is a relative newcomer to KTVU, having arrived in 2018 after anchoring and reporting in Hampton, Virginia and Tampa Bay, Florida. No one said a word. Great to report he's living in Scottsdale and enjoying retired life, sober and tranquil many years and sounding very much the same as he did when he was an anchor at KTVU. Oh stop!He was drunk.Stop enabling him and make him get help. Western Bride 26/05/2022. Covered the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks in New York City . A job that former KTVU boss/GM, Kevin O'Brien got him. george watson ktvu where is he now. "I'm OK.", UPDATE 10: 44 AM: I asked Somerville if he was going to be back tonight (Monday) on air at KTVU: He texted back: "Yeah, I'm totally fine. With Mary Wilson and Rikki Novetsky. But the call led to a job offer as a maintenance man at the center, which led to his sobriety. Zehnder also hired or nurtured weather reporter Bill Martin and sports anchor Mark Ibanez, whom hed seen on TV while on vacation in Tahoe. He was great. I used to pretend he was my father. They've let better people go. 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. Part-time? In 2008, he received a highly publicized promotion when he was named the co-anchor of the stations 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing Bay Area icon Dennis Richmond. 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, KTVUs Frank Somerville to take a break after bizarre newscast behavior. Hopefully Mr. Watson is doing well. "She had such a wild & wonderful personality. Frank Somerville finally returns to KTVU: Are viewers owed an explanation? Courtesy KTVU. He wasn't missed. Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, dead at 79, A drug company abandoned a treatment for bubble boy disease. After a 5-year fight, this little California girl is about to get it, Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother, Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life, Review: Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love is an old-school special for an old-school talent. The film blends the status of the (then) current-day BART system with looks at the amazing transit systems that existed . He really needs help. 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. He wasnt like the idea that people have of a publisher sitting behind a big desk smoking cigars. The ones that put me to sleep." Well, have to say I never heard of Zehnder till now. Indeed, Watson had a serious back issue; had to have surgery (he's now ok) but working would cause a great deal of hardship. He was already 12 years into his career when he was drafted into the Army, upon his graduation from Humboldt State, at age 22. wine startup leaves customers with thousands of Steph Curry adds to his Warriors legend by lighting up Kings for 50. Fred was vibrant and in excellent health and still working more than full time. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Watson and his wife, Diane, whom he met randomly at a Bay Area restaurant are avid followers, still, of the business. 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? What happened on first day of CHP drug dealing crackdown in S.F. I'm shaken. Long investigative pieces that only air occasionally? I have had severe depression a few of times in my life. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. TO THIS DAY, I STILL GET ASKED, "how's George Watson doing?"No news is good news. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. Even for those wit sky high alcohol tolerance, it can ruin your innards over time, irreversibly in many cases. Was a regular KTVU News viewer back in the days when George worked at the station, and I always really liked his work. I remember watching him in the 90s on KTVU, the years with Elaine Coral and Leslie Griffith when they still work for KTVU. When Zehnder wasnt working he was walking, and it was while out making his nightly round of his central Alameda neighborhood on the night of June 27 that Zehnder was hit by a raised pickup truck in an intersection. Real No-BS professionals. And it appears that many viewers are willing to cut him some slack. KTVU, virtual channel 2 (digital channel 44), is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the San Francisco Bay Area. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Thanks Rich for running this again. I miss George Watson on the nightly news. George Watson Obituary (1944 - 2013) - Portland, OR - The Oregonian ", UPDATE 10: 28 AM PT: I just received a text from Somerville: "I took the wrong meds last night. Unfortunately her subsequent marriage to ski racer Bill Shaw ended in divorce. TV Streaming | Maybe she's oldsteam? "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. Watson's email on Monday came an hour after KTVU published a story online saying that it's been a year since the June 1, 2020, George Floyd protests outside Oakland Technical High School, which was organized by teens. 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. Email Lisa atlisa.fernandez@foxtv.comor call her at510-874-0139. Zehnder lived alone in Alameda. Lisa Fernandez is a reporter forKTVU. One day at a time. I watched him for years. Once promoted, he showed a brilliance not only in personnel decisions but also in conceiving and launching the popular standing features Segment Two and My 20th Century.. Email Evan atevan.sernoffsky@foxtv.comand follow him on Twitter @EvanSernoffsky. Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life I am hoping he stays sober and maybe if a local news station takes a chance on him they can use his considerable talents. You were a bright shining start in a dark, dark world. Did he use a different name on air? She will forever remain part of a lengthy list of talent that made KTVU a destination station for news. He talks to me here at 415 Media, his first public interview in over two . Aug 2001 - Mar 20042 years 8 months. The rest of the nation did too. Frank Somerville, a veteran TV newscaster suspended from KTVU following a dispute over coverage of the Gabby Petito homicide case, said Tuesday that he believes he is not returning to the station . george watson ktvu where is he now KTVU's George Watson's 60th Read More. Click this link to see pics of George on his 60th birthday. It remains to be seen whether Oakland police consider the injuries suffered during last summer's protests as rising to that level. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith joined KTVU in 1986. Producing that show was a dream job. Leslie performed journalism the right way, focused on the story. A drug company abandoned a treatment for bubble boy disease. After a 5-year fight, this little California girl is about to get it And I wouldn't rule out Ms. Corral attending, either. 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"I'm loving retired life, really have left that stage of my life." And that's fine with him now. Once after my divorce, which I asked for by the way. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. "You have to quit because if you don't, it will kill you. Published by at 07/06/2022. 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. Several years ago George Watson worked for KTVU-2 in Oakland. A possible reunion of old KTVU on-air people, like Watson, Dennis Richmond, Rita Williams, Lloyd Lacuesta and others might be in the works too. while a far more talented anchor toils away in the background {*cough-cough* Brian Hackney! needs these 5 sites to thrive so the city can recover. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Zehnder was 87 and second youngest of four brothers, all still alive. After 15 minutes on the 10 PM News last (Sunday) night, Frank Somerville abruptly LEFT the news desk and didn't re-appear. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most . 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. https://plaing.smugmug.com/Friends/KTVUs-George-Watsons-60th/i-PVT68BG. 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. Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. At that time I thought professional help and it did help. I can see all of the KTVU alumni that RL mentioned getting together to remember Fred Zehnder. For eight years, he held two full-time jobs, one in TV and one in print. He doesn't sound drunk to me, and he doesn't move as if he were drunk. But I ended up being one of the lucky ones. I'm sure that was a subtle F.U. . Griffith, probably not. "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. > Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have > Melanie Woodrow on their website under> Newsteam? Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Ex-news anchor back at KTVU as writer, reporter - SFGATE > Haener seems like a landing strip kinda girl.Or at least a strip kinda girl ;-). Here are their demands, Downtown S.F. 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. Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. He looked off last night. Edited by Anita Badejo and Marc Georges. She later took over the 10 p.m. news spot co-anchoring with Dennis Richmond. 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've often heard than most American Indians have a very low tolerance for it. Toshua Sears was injured after getting tear gassed at an Oakland youth rally in honor of George Floyd on June 1, 2020. Great to report he's living in Scottsdale and enjoying retired life, sober and tranquil many years and sounding very much the same as he did when he was an anchor at KTVU. Watson also didn't realize how much the segment would have on his life later, even the more than twenty years later. ", 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. As a news reader, he's average and somewhat stiff, but his health is more important. I was tempted to make a George Watson joke, but(Jessica Savitch too). They were big shoes to fill! ", Watson's re-entry into the workplace was easier than he had expected, he says. We all need help at some point.I personally am too embarrassed to ask for help currently.Severe depression going on 4 years now. In addition, the use of force reports into what occurred one year ago have also been completed and "discipline has been administered," according to police spokeswoman Johnna Watson, who sent KTVU an email on Monday. Everybody could depend on him.. 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. Let's forget Fred, we came here to buy him not to praise him, seems to be the mantra of current (mis)management. He is getting old and maybe time for early retirement. I don't remember my 20's. Then, he disappeared. Was it throwing the shoe at Ibaez (urban mythnever happened, and I am ex-KTVU and in the know) or trashing his car and smashing in all the windows (did really happen, not an urban myth).Why they hell did they keep her? And let us know who else besides Griffith might have ended up on the wrong side of Zehnder's life. With Frank Somerville away, who will KTVU turn to? PDF st Annual NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED 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. John Sasaki worked with Griffith for 10 years, starting in 1986, when she was the weekend anchor he was the weekend nightside reporter. Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. Don. He held a news conference at the time saying that people were throwing rocks at police and "preparing Molotov cocktails.". She was a force of nature.". He was a calming and a guiding influence. He said that these findings and discipline are private under the police officer bill of rights.

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