Why doesn't Channel 23 read the newspaper? - Talk of the Town - talkofthetown's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Jul 9, 2007 at 10:07 AM : 23 is a total joke....

23 is a total joke. They are the worst news station in town by a long ways

My weak blog gets more web traffic than their website. That is sad!

Jul 9, 2007 at 02:07 PM : ditto~I saw that...

ditto~I saw that myself and wondered if they are considering a run for President~the currant one does not read the paper either.Self promotion works a lot better if you have something to promote~like news.

Jul 9, 2007 at 03:07 PM : Being an ex-TV sales...

Being an ex-TV sales rep I kept a very close eye on the local competition, especially news competition (I worked for KGET TV-17)... and without sounding too harsh, their news is a joke and barely pulls any points what-so-ever. Meaning they would barely, if at all, show up in the ratings book. I agree that their self promotion is bad, but every media outlet tries to make the best out of what they've got so you can't blame them.

The only way to truly show you don't like it, is to simply not watch it. eventually they'll give up and show Seinfeld reruns instead of news. That would be awesome!

Jul 9, 2007 at 03:07 PM : You're right...

You're right Steve. Our article is inaccurate. I'm going to go fix the error. It is however the first in-depth interview for television, which I think is in the ballpark of truth.

Sage Fever and Bakersfield bubble: you guys are playing favorites! :)

What media or blogger isn't guilty of self promotion?

Nick Belardes, ABC 23

Jul 9, 2007 at 03:07 PM : I'd never have...

I'd never have known without this article. I never watch local ABC news. Or national for that matter.

Jul 9, 2007 at 03:07 PM : I'm in the ball...

I'm in the ball park of pretty much who cares.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I would never have...

I would never have known about this blog if it weren't emailed to me. I love how information flows. That's a good thing...

I guess Swenson could have just emailed the studio to fix the error. I already updated the article. But then, this blog is great self promotion for some of the Californian's Brothers' articles. Worked for me. I read every one!

Nick, ABC 23

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I just want to let you...

I just want to let you guys know that I am actually a big fan of your paper and have subscribed since moving here in 1989. For the life of me, I can never figure out why you guys get bashed like you do because I think you run a top-notch operation. As for the Margaret Kern Brothers piece, we may have been promoting the story too literally when we said this would be the first time the public would "hear" from her. I knew you guys had interviewed her before, but to my knowledge, this is her first television interview. Perhaps I'm mistaken on that front, too. As for your respondents on this blog, thanks for the input. Nothing fuels the competitive juices more than to be told one's work is sub-par.

Jackie Parks, ABC 23

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I find that Comedy...

I find that Comedy Central is a more accurate source for news.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : Here's a question...

Here's a question related to the local media, kind of off topic, so forgive me. Does anyone know what happened to Kat Anderson on channel 17? I have sent a couple of e-mails to 17 asking about her, but get no response. Their website lists all the newscasters, but her bio suddenly disappeared. The station did a "good bye" for one of the reporters leaving for Sacramento last week, but I didn't see anything like that for Kat. Was she fired, resign, die, get promoted, or what?

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : Pete: If by...

Pete: If by "source of news" you mean "someone who reads what other people have done and then tells you about it with jokes," then Comedy Central is the best source of news on the planet.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I quit watching this...

I quit watching this channel for news when the current weatherguy started ... I can't stand to hear him bellow...."Hellllooooo Bakersfield..!). Really.... I just can't take him. I always liked Jackie Parks, however.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : My sis-in-law works at...

My sis-in-law works at 23. I just recently did a voiceover for a commerical for her.

And I'm with Jackie (*HI*) on this one.....it's her 1st TELEVISED interview. Remember some people wanna read their news, and some people want to "see" their news.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : James, They did a...

James,

They did a study of actual news content on The Daily Show and Colbert Report and found they contained the same percentage of "actual news content" as the network news shows. Yeah, I'd much rather see it with jokes and less violence.

I actually get my news from a variety of sources, including overseas. The less corporate the better. They have nothing at stake, like defense contracts, etc.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : JamesG, doesn't...

JamesG, doesn't that pretty much sum up every television news broadcast? And you're right, Comedy Central *DOES* do it better than anyone else--by actual scientific study. Folks who watch CC for news get it more accurately than some who claim to be "fair and balanced."

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : PP2, it's my...

PP2, it's my favorite hour of the day.....Stewart and Colbert for PRESIDENT!.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : What media or blogger...

What media or blogger isn't guilty of self promotion?

Check the web stats for May 2007. I kicked you behind.

Tell Craig J I said hi. LOL.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : Agree. Get rid of that...

Agree. Get rid of that HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOO BAKERSFIELDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD guy

That would move the ratings up by 50%!

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I agree with...

I agree with Bakersfieldbubble, that has to be the worst thing on Bakersfield news. Worse than reading MaryLee even.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : The Daily Show and...

The Daily Show and Colbert are mostly accurate, but they do absolutely no actual original reporting. They read the papers (Colbert will even show you the papers) and the wires, and then they'll send a correspondent to follow.

Now, for analysis and commentary, they're as good as any other opinion show on TV (and better than most of them). But that's all they do -- analysis and commentary.

Which is not to say you won't learn something from them. I'm a professional news junkie and I've seen stuff on the show that I'd missed on the wires. It's handy.

And my understanding of the scientific study was that TDS viewers knew more than viewers of news from other sources, but that's not necessarily because they get all their news from TDS. If you don't follow the news and know how many members of Congress there are, you won't get half the jokes, so you have to be well-informed to watch the show in the first place.

Jul 9, 2007 at 04:07 PM : I think there are a...

I think there are a few good television people in town. Most of them are the veterans (like you Jackie). I still miss Marge Styles amazing talent at writing backwards on the weather window, and of course, I really miss Burleigh Smith engaged in an uncontrollable giggle fest after a 4 Martini lunch.

I know speaking to thousands live is a daunting task, but some of these people are on a par with George Bush for verbal skills.

Anybody that doesn't self promote will be left behind.

Jul 9, 2007 at 05:07 PM : James, they're...

James, they're not intended to do original reporting (although they *DO* it, mainly on the oddball middle-America stories.) Sadly, though, even the Daily Show viewers didn't do as well as they should have on the survey. In how they set up their jokes, they occasionally do the media's job for them, putting things in context.

Most people think The Daily Show is a satire on politics. It ain't.

It's a satire on the American media. That's why it's about 32 times better than the Faux News copy. TDS
gets" it, Faux News can't afford to.

Jul 9, 2007 at 05:07 PM : I do think you're...

I do think you're right about not getting the jokes if you aren't informed, but I believe they are about equal as far as original reporting with the other major networks national news programs. Of course local news does run quite a bit more original stories.

Being a news junkie, I'm sure you're familiar with sites like The Raw Story and dailykos.

I can't count the number of times I've seen both sites scoop all the major networks. Although dailykos is a blog site, there are a lot of people posting and not many users there put up with bogus stories. Raw get's stories from a very wide variety of sources, but it also does do quite a bit of original stories as well.

Jul 9, 2007 at 05:07 PM : Words...

Words matter:"1st Television interview" see, easy! That said self promotion is all good,just be sure to give a shout out to your homies,as it were.In a weird way i kinda like the shouter~his pointers are funny,maybe toning down the yelling a notch~which I believe he has from the first appearance.

Jul 9, 2007 at 05:07 PM : Pete, it's...

Pete, it's starting to drive the national news, too. The US Attorney scandal grew originally out of volunteer reporting over at http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com. (Another good place for early heads-up on news stories, if you ignore the "tectonic plates shifting, more soon" announcments. :)

And coming back to James' comment, that wasn't original reporting so much as tying together overlooked local reports to produce a national picture.

Jul 9, 2007 at 06:07 PM : With corporate America...

With corporate America pushing the MSN to be fair and balanced, it makes them more and more irrelevant when the give equal time to certified ~~whackos.~~

Jul 9, 2007 at 10:07 PM : Random: That sort of...

Random: That sort of tying stuff together that TPM did is the same thing that Charlie Savage of the Boston Globe did to win a Pulitzer. I suspect there will be quite a bit of handwringing over whether TPM is eligible for the Pulitzer next year.

Jul 9, 2007 at 11:07 PM : I agree with both...

I agree with both sides to this blog... one the Californian did a awesome job covering the Brothers case... u guys had everything covered... it was great... and KERO did a good job getting this interview.... it was the first time u actually hear Marget and her mom... get crazy at Vincent.. i mean I WOULD KICK HIM IN THE FACE... i think i heard from his daughter crazy.... the reason why i think it was a good self promotion was that it was true that they are the first to get her on video... like one comment before said, some like reading well others like listen... good job... and for the crack about KERO being the worst station... come on, Ive watch news in this town a long time... one every station has declined... but i really think that 29 has just gone the worst... i hate watching dumb stories about.... the dam breaking... we all know that the dam isn't gonna break.... or about someones dog isn't letting the mailman deliver mail... those are just a waste of time... and also sticking with 29... it looks dumb when i hear in a story... WE ASK THEM THIS AND THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID!....come on cant u think of something better to write.. i dunno thats just me...anyways its nice to see Jackie responding in here... sometime u don't get a response from both sides...kudos...

Jul 10, 2007 at 10:07 AM : I've been up to...

I've been up to my neck in pirahnas and haven't paid enough attention to this blog.

So, I want to thank Nick for making the correction.

And I want to tell Jackie I have loved you since you first came to town. You are truly one of the classiest news women we have in this town. Thanks for reading.

Now, I'm off to the ballpark.

Jul 10, 2007 at 11:07 AM : Coolness. Thanks...

Coolness. Thanks Steve... :)

Jul 10, 2007 at 04:07 PM : Love Jackie Too! Kat...

Love Jackie Too!

Kat Anderson was axed. (Can you blame them? She had a knack of making the morning news cast very awkward and uncomfortable) Kiyoshi is Awesome and I love that they put Katie on with him, they make a great team.

Jul 10, 2007 at 04:07 PM : Katie's pretty...

Katie's pretty good, but she talks to danged fast!! Slow down Katie and maybe you won't stumble as much. As for Kat Anderson, good riddance! I don't think that woman could have pronounced her own name correctly.

Jul 10, 2007 at 06:07 PM : novelboy~I am planning...

novelboy~I am planning on ten hail 23's as penance...I am playing favorites..

Jul 22, 2007 at 06:07 PM : I have been lurking n...

I have been lurking n the sidelines on this one until now.

I too am a news-junkie. National, international state and local, I just can't get enough. The ACCURATE reporting of the news is essential if the public is to understand how badly the government is screwing the populous every chance it gets.

Whenever the providers of the news skew the news to their particular political bent, everyone suffers. Liberal newscasts portray Conservatives as demons and the conservative newscasters demonetize the liberals at the expense of the truth. Having said that, every single news provider falls on it's face when it comes to truly balanced journalism. Unfortunately, it's necessary for me to spend a couple hours on the Internet each day to get a truly balanced view of the news.

In the local market, KGET is the best at smooth transitions, "pretty" people, generating donations for their "charity of the month" and telling you how great they are. News reporting is sometimes good, some times bad but never excellent. --Mostly fluff with occasional substance.

KBAK is the best television news provider usually getting the story straight the first time. UNLESS the issue is illegal immigration or hispanic related issues. (yes, it shows!) Then Jose Gaspar leaves objectivity behind and his credibility goes into the toilet. as he bends over backward (and forward) to show his solidarity with the illegal aliens. -- Not so much fluff and a whole lot more substance.

KERO is a (very) distant third in a market of three. It is painfully obvious KERO devotes almost nothing to their news budget. Here's a hint KERO: If you actually want to be good in the news market, you are going to have to spend some of your profit and invest in good equipment, good talent and a decent set.

I equate KERO's coverage of the news to their handling of the weather. The obnoxious ranting of a weather guy while unique equates to changed channels which in turn equates to lost revenue. Like the guy in the chicken suit at a Condors game, your weather guy simply is not credible. Get a clue management and fund the News Department properly and your newscasts will no longer be the subject of bad jokes. Your personnel have been working with sub-standard equipment for years and it shows in the caliber of your on-air talent and the overall quality of the news.---- No glitter, No substance. Perhaps Seinfield re-runs are not such a bad idea after all.

Jul 22, 2007 at 06:07 PM : I miss Rusty...

I miss Rusty Shoop.....hope he's getting better....I've always stuck with 29 for the news, they're #1 with me.

Jul 23, 2007 at 05:07 AM : Can anyone in...

Can anyone in "the business" give us an update on Rusty Shoop??

WoofWoof isn't the only one missing him!