"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.". At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". Fred was one of the few people in broadcasting who had the courage to hire the cosmetically challenged, including me, said Randy Shandobil, another Zehnder hire and longtime political editor, who retired 10 years ago. One of the finest anchor persons around. https://plaing.smugmug.com/Friends/KTVUs-George-Watsons-60th/i-PVT68BG. At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". She resigned from KTVU in 2006. I remember when Doug passed away. (She finished the May 30 newscast alone after Somerville disappeared from the desk, without explanation, 15 minutes into the program). Thanks for the update, Rich. george watson ktvu where is he now - redstarcapitalllc.com Real No-BS professionals. wine startup leaves customers with thousands of Steph Curry adds to his Warriors legend by lighting up Kings for 50. Asked if Somerville was sick, Haener replied: No hes doing well taking a little time for himself and should be back soon!. He has filled in this week alongside Holmes. 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." He is a general assignment reporter with a focus on writing feature-length obituaries. The rest of the nation did too. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. 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. He lives in San Francisco and walks three miles a day on the steep city streets. Drunk on TV?A viewer could have been killed with this carelessness.Have you all gone mad? He talks to me here at 415 Media, his first public interview in over two . You were a bright shining start in a dark, dark world. UPDATE, 8: 31 AM PT: A source tells me Somerville was asked to leave after the first segment. "When I first watched it, I had no idea it would be as impactful as it was. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . I have had severe depression a few of times in my life. I told my wife I bet KTVU pulls him off the air at the commercial break, which they did. You can email her at agraff@sfgate.com. "I'm loving retired life, really have left that stage of my life." KTVU began taking on water under his reign and frankly it's amazing it's still [barely] afloat. It's nice here in Arizona even when it gets baked," Watson tells me. > Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have > Melanie Woodrow on their website under> Newsteam? He had spirit and energy and passion; he wasn't just an emotionless bean-counter. I'm just glad at the end of the day there is no smoke over the cubicle and I haven't shut down the station. She was a force of nature.". Fun to follow. "But more like feeling for the first time that I really could make it. TV Streaming | Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. "I feel good, awesome actually. Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. George Watson is safe and sane. Leslie Griffith, Longtime KTVU Channel 2 Anchor/Reporter, Filmmaker He looked off last night. People get sick while working, all the time. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. ", Watson's re-entry into the workplace was easier than he had expected, he says. The 54-year-old newsman says he had been in and out of 12-step programs for many years. Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. A job that former KTVU boss/GM, Kevin O'Brien got him. 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. Fred Zehnder, longtime KTVU news director, dies at 87 after being hit by a car in Alameda. Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. Can't help but notice that the name 'Elaine' didn't appear in the list of reunion participants. 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. Loved watching when KTVU news still held the bar that other stations tried to match. That would be a dynamite idea and count me in as a interested observer. 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. For eight years, he held two full-time jobs, one in TV and one in print. Another source who watched the program was more blunt. PDF st Annual NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED ?A: 1 Year sobriety !Quick.Somebody call George Watson. Born in Texas, Griffith started her journalism career as a newspaper reporter for the Associated Press and Denver Post. 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. He returned to KTVU News a short time after. 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. 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. He always had faith in his people, and we always had faith in his judgment.. The EMMY statues will be handed out at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Saturday, May 18th. Sad for Frank. Once after my divorce, which I asked for by the way. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf. 1993 KTVU news anchor George Watson sign off asking for help - YouTube 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. Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother I thought it was a big deal when I started working with her and Dennis. Covered the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks in New York City . 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. Hope he can get some help. He mainly anchors in the mornings, but expect to see more of him in the evening hours. 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. 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. Longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith dies Jasmine Gaffett suffered these bruises at a May 29, 2020 George Floyd protest in Oakland. ", At his lowest point, Watson was homeless, destitute and near death, he says. Frank's on-air situation on 5/30, and his "explanation," was Savitch-esque and very sad. "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. Related Articles Maybe if McCormick feels good enough, he might come down from Oregon. Fred just liked to do the real work of putting out a newspaper, the nuts and bolts of it, said Jim Knowles, managing editor of the San Leandro Times. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks. Is she still working there? Male talent seems to bog that station. It includes footage of legendary transit historians Harre Demoro and Ted Wurm.. "George is a great writer with a strong knowledge and interest in local history," said KTVU News Director Andrew . The family emigrated from Switzerland in the 1880s and homesteaded 160 acres. No one said a word. I was at their wedding and his other ones. How much will be revealed is yet to be determined. I definitely noticed when he did not return after the commercial break. RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA: George Watson --a KTVU News Anchor - Blogger She will forever remain part of a lengthy list of talent that made KTVU a destination station for news. TV Streaming | Mike Mibach grew up in the Bay Area and attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco (Class of 94) and College of Marin. Armstrong, who was deputy chief at the time, also said that the June 1, 2020, protest got out of hand. He hired Randy Shilts as a reporter covering gay issues before Shilts went to The Chronicle. It seems odd. 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. Many honored Griffith in social media and expressed anguish over herpassing. KTVU 10 p.m. news anchors from left: Bill Martin, Dennis Richmond (seated), Mark Ibanez, Leslie Griffith (seated). Might want to ask your spies if I'm right. Frank was definitely impaired last night. Fred would not have wanted that.. Aaron Rodgers Mural Removed in Green Bay: WATCH George was an excellent anchor. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Somervile did not appearr on the 6 PM newscast. How Two Generals Led Sudan to the Brink of Civil War Everybody could depend on him.. ", 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. KTVUs The Ten O Clock News long has been the Bay Areas highest-rated newscast. 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. 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. At that time I thought professional help and it did help. Altamont Press Discussion Board :: Discussion :: Re:George Watson I can see all of the KTVU alumni that RL mentioned getting together to remember Fred Zehnder. That liquid person can cause permanent damage to the brain; hence the addiction is harder than ever to overcome, though we do read about successes.Saunders-Shaw ended up being a pretty good news executive. As a news reader, he's average and somewhat stiff, but his health is more important. Produced in-depth "think pieces" from throughout San Bernardino County. He wasnt like the idea that people have of a publisher sitting behind a big desk smoking cigars. 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. But he also had a remarkable middle career as news director and on-air talent scout for KTVU in Oakland. They've let better people go. to FOX2. Amen, Rich. Kevin O'Brien was the station manager, Zehnder's boss. Watson's transgressions are in full display and at times it's a frustrating, sad and equally compelling segment. 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. ", UPDATE 10: 28 AM PT: I just received a text from Somerville: "I took the wrong meds last night. This photo is from 1990, early in Leslie Griffith's KTVU tenure, when she was a weekend anchor. Since then, he has helped launch the weekend editions of "Mornings on 2," co-anchoring with Claudine Wong. by | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch needs these 5 sites to thrive so the city can recover. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. George Watson, former KTVU (Channel 2) weekend news anchor whose struggle with alcoholism cost him his job six years ago, was rehired as a reporter and writer last month.. Watson will write and . And I wouldn't rule out Ms. Corral attending, either. Tickets for the event are $85, with a $10 . I'm sure current management heard that as a slap in the face. It wasnt until four days after the bizarre incident that a New York-based spokesperson for Fox the network that owns and operates KTVU announced that the veteran anchor would be taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus on his health., KTVU also offered no prior notice that Somerville would be returning this week, although Julie Haener, his longtime co-anchor, did briefly broach the subject in a July 28 Facebook post. Now I can watch again. Categories . With Frank Somerville away, who will KTVU turn to? He was speaking more slowly than normal, and he was mispronouncing and slurring some words. He arrived at KTVU in 2005 as a general assignment reporter. She currently anchors the 4 and 7 p.m. news at KTVU, but has filled in for Somerville several times already this week. What did Leslie do to get on FZ's bad side? > It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on> their main anchor desk.They don't have much male talent they could bring in. at KTVU (Mann was one of the station's first hires), O'Brien and Zehnder brought in newcomer Leslie Griffith to join veteran KTVU reporter George Watson on the weekend anchor desk. Former longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith has died. The George Watson You May Have Never Known; KTVU Anchor - Blogger I totally had a crush on her. In a now famous NBC "Dateline" story, Watson talks about his bout with the bottle. His answer is an unequivocal "no." "Long-time KTVU anchor Leslie Griffith has died. TO THIS DAY, I STILL GET ASKED, "how's George Watson doing?"No news is good news. Can I say that I was just absolutely shocked by that video? 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? Fred Zehnder, longtime KTVU news director, dies at 87 after being hit His voice and presence was so incredibly comforting to me. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Zehnder also hired or nurtured weather reporter Bill Martin and sports anchor Mark Ibanez, whom hed seen on TV while on vacation in Tahoe. 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. Title not meant as any sign of disrespect, just a piece of retro bay area broadcasting history. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Oakland police officers disciplined following deployment - KTVU FOX 2 He arrived at KTVU in 2005 as a general assignment reporter. 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 started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA: Mystery at KTVU: Frank Somerville - Blogger Watson and his wife plan to attend the memorial service for Zehnder when it takes place. Fred still had his great laugh and was as engaged as ever in journalism and in life, said Sandobil, now a communications consultant in Alameda. 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. Sam Whiting has been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1988. (That role was reserved for Andrew Finlayson, who was Zehnder's successor. "Leslie Griffith was a consummate professional," wrote KTVU reporter Greg Liggins. George Watson does not know this. One of the biggest stories he ever worked was the trial of George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin. He was speaking more slowly than normal, and he was mispronouncing and slurring some words. Did he use a different name on air? declines to files charges against armed Walgreens guard, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, Barbie debuts Anna May Wong doll for AAPI Heritage Month. He talks to me here at 415 Media, his first public interview in over two decades. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Somerville, 63, has a reputation for making frequent and heartfelt Facebook entries (He has more than 560,000 followers). 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 . 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.. Zehnder walked there from home and refused a ride back to his place, preferring to walk, as always. clinical psychologist jobs ireland; Tags . It shows a sympathetic person, Watson, in his most darkest days. 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. SAN FRANCISCO It's bizarre when someone calls me out with a sickening comment. KTVU (FOX) : TV NEWS : Search Captions. Borrow Broadcasts : TV Archive Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most . 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. Just KTVU Channel 2. 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 . Always liked George Watson, hope he's doing well Wow, Suzanne Saunders Shaw was his girlfriend! The film blends the status of the (then) current-day BART system with looks at the amazing transit systems that existed . I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. I am hoping he stays sober and maybe if a local news station takes a chance on him they can use his considerable talents. Buy Photos. A native of Jamaica, he grew up in Miami. His life is changed now, relatively stable and on an ordinary course. He and Leslie Griffith worked well together, and it is great to see her lovely self in those pictures. Would be great to see some of his more recent reporting. When there's a bit of hope, all of a sudden, darkness emerges. He also had the pleasure of being on hand for a couple Warriors championship parades. Hope all is well, George. Unfortunately her subsequent marriage to ski racer Bill Shaw ended in divorce. Toshua Sears was injured after getting tear gassed at an Oakland youth rally in honor of George Floyd on June 1, 2020. He was intoxicated. Somewhere along the line, George either got help or knew he just had to pull himself out of the situation. She has been with SFGATE for more than 10 years. When someone you really admire, like Fred, says something like that, you tell yourself, Well, I guess Im doing OK, Watson said. We got Mike Mabach, Andre Senior, Frank Malicoat to take over his spot. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks.". KTVUs Frank Somerville to take a break after bizarre newscast behavior Watson's first report, on the Marin shipyards, aired on Sunday. No I was not deliriously happy, but I was not depressed. 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. Don't know what her latest role is now. The source told me the producer said "Frank looked haggard." Surprised that he was working so recently - I don't see any online mention he was a reporter / anchor at KPHO .- the CBS affil in Phoenix. I am a computer illiterate. I remember watching him in the 90s on KTVU, the years with Elaine Coral and Leslie Griffith when they still work for KTVU. I thought I was going to get fired when I had him back to do My 20th Century at KTVU. Zehnder also helped mold the on-air persona of popular feature reporters Bob MacKenzie and George Watson. 1994 KTVU flashback of George Watson drunk on the air Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. They're not like another Bay Area station, that has a mediocrity [*cough-cough* Ken Bastida! PDF Class of 1996 - emmysf.tv "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. 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. He had his last drink on Oct. 6, 1996, after a phone call to his former rehab center. God Bless You and George for all that you do. I'm delighted and happy that Watson has turned his life around. Zehnder lived alone in Alameda. I watched him for years. 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. 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. Former longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith has died. Email Evan atevan.sernoffsky@foxtv.comand follow him on Twitter @EvanSernoffsky. 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 . Unfortunately, he let booze control his life and he lost everything ! What happened on first day of CHP drug dealing crackdown in S.F. 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. I really appreciated and enjoyed George's on-air work and presence. "He (Somerville) looked drunk. 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. Thanks for linking that gallery! George Watson is safe and sane. Despite the acknowledgment, the contents of those reports and what discipline was meted out, and to whom, were not revealed. RIP, Leslie.". Drinking can help relief stress, but it can ruin someone lives and his career if you have no control over the abuse. This is the department's first acknowledgment that there were missteps taken during last summer's protests over the death of George Floyd.