Honoring Those...

Who gave their lives to save ours.

Van Amburg; Iconic KGO-TV Anchor in 70's and 80's; Part of 'Happy Talk'; Anchored 'NewsScene'

Van Amburg was one of the most popular TV news anchors in the Bay Area during the 70's and mid 80's. He was the lead anchor at KGO-TV and was instrumental in "NewsScene", (Channel 7's  news name), as the dominant TV news ratings king at the time. No station came even close to that of Circle 7's numbers.

Amburg was also the highest-paid anchor in the Bay Area pulling in close to a million dollars annually and developed his own investigative team. Along with the money, he also had considerable clout not only editorially, but up to the executive chain as well. So much clout to the point when he abruptly left KGO in 1986, there was a multitude of rumors that he was forced out or simply fired. No one, at least publicly, knows the full story. There was plenty of speculation, lots of it ego, control, and coin too.

Amburg's legacy was huge. He was part of a news team that was the birthplace of the industry term, "Happy Talk", plus he anchored with several other local station celebs: the late Jerry Jensen, weatherman, Pete Giddings, and sports anchor, John O'Reilly.

KGO's newscasts drew record audiences. As popular as they were with viewers, local rivals and critics often ridiculed Channel 7's news shows as nothing more than visual carnival acts with lots of murder stories and crime and grime. Indeed the term, "If it bleeds, it leads", got its origin at KGO. Whatever the case, it worked.

I've been calling around to inquire of Amburg's fate. He's still alive at age 81 and enjoying retirement in El Cerrito.

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The Evolution of the Magazine Show at PIX; Flashback Bay Area TV

At KPIX, they just dumped "Eye on the Bay." No great loss.

Especially when you consider the origin of the show began way back in 1976 under the umbrella name, "MTWTF Show", and later, "Evening Magazine." It wasn't Masterpiece Theatre, but it did OK and was watchable.

And get this! Hardly any restaurant reviews. I'm not kidding.

Enjoy a look back in time.

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Sort of 'Headless Body In Topless Bar''; SFGate goes NY Post

This story is one for the ages. Unintended Laughter.

Remember the scene in "All the President's Men"? A PR guy pitches a sordid tale and Ben Bradley, (Jason Robards), tells the guy: "Why don't you give (it) to the SF Chronicle!"

Really a sad post.


Not quite the infamous NY Post "Headless Body In Topless Bar", but close.

Be sure to read the comments.


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Uh, Tom Tolbert Morse Code Bullet Points

Kenneth, what is the frequency?

A. No more Ralph mentions.
B. Limit Vegas trips.
C. Steve Kerr is always a guest.
D-E. Maintain the bald doo because it makes me look cool.
F. Even though I knew Ralph was a goner months before, I still did the fake gasps. (Whoa Nellie!)

G. Thought Lieberman was dead three years ago...sorta like my career at ESPN.
H. "I phucking tweeted back Lieberman??!!
I. It could be worse: At least I'm not Byrnesie.
J. I have to work five days now.
K. Then again, my MMA fetish gets more play.
L. Another 5000 Arizona mentions.
M. Hey Alameda! I'm bigger than Ratto!
N. Sure, I can't interview worth a shit, but I do love my pop tarts!
O. If I got paid by the "Allright...comin' up" shit I say 63,000 times I could pay off the house.
P. I'm trying to be DeadSpin but all I really am is ESPN-lite.
Q. Hey Ralph, this gig is so much easier without you.
R. I don't do the horses but I pretend I do. (Call Sam Spear)
S. I sure as hell don't know a damn thing about hockey. (Go Sharks!) Wait, that was the other guy's line.
T. Lute is my God next to Kerr.
U. I'm a wacky ex-jock White boy--(prerequisite for KNBR hiring)
V. Yo, interns, roll call: write shit to Lieberman.
W. "I thought you died three years ago", but I still read you every day and tweeted.
X. Screw David Stern.
Y. Yeah, I stole money from the Warriors and all I ever got was a house in Alameda and Nellie phoners.
Z. White girls rule, dude!


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Glenn and Coyle; EOTB Out; Friday Notes

Vern Glenn got the weekend gig at PIX simply because he's better, much better than the person he's replacing. He has experience in this market, a good 20 years and change at the Van Ness corral plus he's funny and unique and will do a good job. Never cared for Coyle and apparently, I'm not the only one.

And for Vern, it has to be a huge sigh of relief to remove himself from the 800-lb. gorilla that often used him as his kick machine. Glenn would never admit it--but you bet it had to wear on him and, finally, he can now do his thing without the big face riding him.

*It's not 100% official, but word is that KPIX' ad-show maggie, "Eye on the Bay" is a goner.

*Let's not pile on KTVU for its gobble up of pool video the other night, Clearly it was not the right thing to do, but other stations have done it in the past and tempted, would probably do it in the future. Either case, "Special Ed" is hearing from all members of the TV news gulch.

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