June 2007 ff amera The CNational Academy of Television Arts and Sciences www.emmysf.tv San Francisco/Northern California Chapter

EMMY® 2007 - LOTS OF NEW WINNERS

By Bob Goldberger Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com The theme for the 36th Annual Northern Cali- judged by true television “peers,” Spanish language fornia Area Emmy® Awards was set early and awards increased to 14 (from just one last year). repeated often during the ceremony at the Palace of KUVS (Univision 19) in Sacramento ended up with Fine Arts in San Francisco, when the presenters of eight winners, the third highest of all stations, the very first award announced, “We have two topped only by KNTV (NBC 11) and KPIX (CBS 5) in winners.” We heard some variation of that phrase San Francisco. KNTV led all stations with 14 winning 18 times during the May 12th ceremony (two of entries, followed by KPIX with ten. those times, the announcement was three win- It also was a good night for Hawaii stations. ners). A major change in judging this year had the KITV (ABC 4), KGMB (CBS 9) and KHET (PBS 11) expected result: many more Spanish language walked away celebrating two wins each. entries were deemed Emmy®-worthy now that the Best newscast statues went to KNTV and KPIX people judging them actually speak the language. In for large market, KSEE (NBC 24) and KFSN (ABC 30) previous years, Spanish language entries were at in Fresno for medium market, and KSBW (NBC 9) in the mercy of English speaking judges who relied on Monterey for smaller market. translations or interpreters. This time around, continued on page 3 Off Camera, June 2007, page 1 EMMY® NIGHT: A SHOW TO REMEMBER

By Keith Sanders, Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com & Marty Sohl Emmy® Show Producer th Emmy® awards to each recipient after their speech. The 36 Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Stage Manager Rick Warren was exceptional as he took on a cosmopolitan tone as America’s top politi- controlled the action backstage with the help of cal satirist Will Durst took the stage with America’s Governor Tamar Sarkissian and Stage Assistant most beloved politician, San Francisco Mayor Willie Joanne Jung Wohlers. Governor and serial Emmy® Brown. Each man approached an opposing podium award winner Wayne Freedman even stood in for as if to begin a debate. But all the audience heard the presenters during rehearsal so the crew could was good political humor, San Francisco style. run through mock presentations. Host Durst also did an opening monologue and Governor Wayne Philippo called the shots as presented the final awards of the show to the Director of the show. Former Governor and Produc- delight of everyone. Presenters from all regions of tion Manager John Murray worked tirelessly to the chapter maintained a swift pace by giving away make sure the technical quality was perfect. Gover- 80 Emmy® awards in less than three hours. The nor and Technical Coordinator Gary Schultz made show never slowed down from Musical Director numerous suggestions to keep the show sounding Michael Hatfield’s melodious introduction, to Jack great. La Lanne’s Emmy® Exercise Minute video, to the Governor Alison Gibson produced the vital “Voices of God” (Terry Lowry and Fred LaCosse) Scholarship presentation with the help of Stanford when they ended the ceremony by calling everyone student Alana Dong. to dinner. Governor and After Party Producer Terri Maria It was no accident that this show moved. It Amos organized the Knight’s Catering menu and started with Governor and Design Director Deanne worked with Lance LeDrew of Glow Lighting to set Moenster-Poitras’ ingenious two-podium design of up the ambience. She arranged for the return of the a set built by John Mayne. Separate podiums band Masterpiece and worked with Governor allowed presenters to announce the winners at one, Deanne Moenster-Poitras on the beautiful decora- while Emmy® Guardians Paulette Bleam and Doug tions and floral centerpieces by Floradora Designs Johnson handed out awards at the other. and Carolyn Compton. The back-stage crew had the timing of a Swiss President Lynn R Friedman led the Emmy® watch. Governors Samuel Belilty and Annika Event Committee and was a vigilant time-cutter Wood made sure all presenters took the stage in a wherever possible. timely manner. Stage Assistant Terry Adams By the numbers, 15 presenters gave out a worked tirelessly behind the curtains to make sure record 80 Emmy® awards in 176 minutes in front of a the presenters were given the correct envelope, a record audience of 700. But numbers alone don’t most critical job. San Francisco Vice President and define a show or make it memorable. The people do. Awards Chair Javier Valencia and Membership Chair To everyone who helped out this year…Thank You. Brian Avery handed out the actual personalized The Emmy® show wouldn’t be possible without you! Off Camera, June 2007, page 2 EMMY® 2007: OH, WHAT A NIGHT continued from page 1 The three premium Station Awards went to KGO (ABC 7) in San Francisco for Station Excellence, KNTV for News Excellence (both repeat winners from last year), and KDTV (Univision 14) in San Francisco as well as KOVR (CBS 13) in Sacramento for Commu- nity Service. Emmy® awards, however, are rewarded to indi- viduals, not stations, and there were some stand-out winners worth highlighting. Three people took home three statues each: Anna Werner and Jeff Harris from KPIX and Gerson Sanchez from KDTV. One of the biggest upsets of the night had to be when neither Wayne Freedman nor Mike Sugerman won ABC 7 News VP, Kevin Keeshan the News Writing Emmy® award. KNTV reporter accepts for Valari Staab Noelle Walker seemed genuinely surprised as she acknowledged them both for setting the bar so high during her acceptance speech. Sugerman did walk away with an award for On Camera Reporting, while Freedman’s unprecedented string of 15 consecutive years winning at least one statue (47 total) ended. NBC 11 Asst. ND, Chapter President Lynn R Friedman also pre- Mark Neerman accepts for sented the Board of Governors’ Service Medallion to Jim Sanders Trustee, Activities Chair and Past President Cynthia Zeiden. In the end, out of 930 total entries in 63 different categories, 257 were nominated but only 80 were chosen as winners, 192 statues to 162 individuals, roughly the same percentage as past years. For all KDTV 14 EP, Mahelda Rodriguez those who came up empty this year, there truly is always next year. Following is complete list of Emmy® Award recipients: SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT: STATION AWARDS STATION EXCELLENCE KGO Station Excellence Valari Staab, President and General Manager NEWS EXCELLENCE NBC11 Covering the Bay Area and Beyond, KNTV James Sanders, Vice President of News COMMUNITY SERVICE Cien Años Después ¿Estamos Preparados?, KDTV 14 Mahelda Rodriguez, Producer CBS 13/CW 31 Cares, KOVR 13 Diana Penna, Dir., Special Community Projects NBC 11 Bay Area Today News Team NEWS PROGRAMMING NEWSCAST DAYTIME-LARGER MARKET NBC11 News: The Bay Area Today at 10 AM - 08/17/06, KNTV NBC 11 Kristi Lawley, Producer; Brent Cannon and Laura Garcia-Cannon, Anchors; Mike Inouye, Traffic Anchor; Craig Herrera, WeatherPlus Meteorologist; Lisa Bernard, Reporter; Kellie Onaga, Writer NEWSCAST DAYTIME-MEDIUM MARKET KSEE News at 4 PM, KSEE 24 Larry Johnson, Producer; Dean Schiro, Director; KSEE 24 4 PM News Team Jon Brent and Alex Delgado, Anchors; Matt Skryja, Reporter; Mike Hartman, Managing Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com & Marty Sohl Editor; George A. Garnica, Photographer continued on page 4 Off Camera, June 2007, page 3 continued from page 3 NEWSCAST DAYTIME-SMALLER MARKET KSBW Action News Midday, KSBW 8 Lawton Dodd, News Director; Kelly Duffy, Executive Producer; Shelley Harr, Producer; James Kimbrell, Director NEWSCAST EVENING-LARGER MARKET CBS 5 5PM News, KPIX CBS 5 KSBW 8 Kelly Peterson, Producer; Molly McCrea, Medical Producer; Jarrett Shelley McPeek, Director; Don McKinney, Technical Director; Ken Bastida Harr & and Juliette Goodrich, Anchors; Billy Poon, Weather Producer; James Samantha Mohr, Meteorologist; John Lobertini and Manuel Ramos, Kimbrell Reporters; Dr. Kim Mulvihill, Medical Reporter; Robert Moonan, Photojournalist; Ryan McKeel, Writer; Leona Wong, Senior Assignment Editor; Michael Konczal, Assignment Editor NEWSCAST EVENING-MEDIUM MARKET Action News at Six, KFSN ABC 30 Tracey Watkowski, News Director; Ann Marie Oliveira, Producer; Warren Armstrong and Nancy Osborne, Anchors; Maureen Naylor, Reporter; Richard Harmelink, Photojournalist BREAKING NEWS Officer Shot, KNTV NBC11 Marina Perelman, Producer; Scott Budman, Anchor Oakland Driveby Shooting, KPIX CBS 5 KFSN 30 News Team Manuel Ramos, Reporter; Robert Moonan, Photographer GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORT Horses Training Doctors, KNTV NBC 11 Marianne Favro, Reporter/Producer The Degrading Picture, KUVS 19 Santiago Lucero, Reporter; Miguel Solorio, Photographer/Editor CONTINUING COVERAGE Cien Años Después ¿Estamos Preparados?, KDTV 14 Flavio Lacayo, Reporter CBS 5 Investigates: Deportation, KPIX CBS 5 Jeff Harris, Executive Producer; Julie Christensen and Anna Werner, Producers; Abby Sterling, Investigative Producer INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Call Kurtis Investigates: Medical Mistakes, State Failures, KOVR CBS 13 CBS 5 5 PM News Team Kurtis Ming, Producer/Reporter; Dennis Lopez, Photojournalist; Peter Roney, Editor They Stole My Home, KUVS 19 Tatiana Bedoya, Producer/Reporter; Anthony Cisneros, Photographer/Editor; Felix N. Mendoza III, Editor FEATURE NEWS REPORT - LIGHT Free Land, KOVR CBS 13 Kurtis Ming, Producer/Reporter; Mike Lowry, Photojournalist; Peter Roney, Editor Pepe’s Inspirational Beat, KUVS 19 Christian Anguiano, Producer/Photographer; Pedro Calderon, Producer/Writer; Felix N. Mendoza III, Producer/Editor Austin’s Inspiration, KXTV 10 Tom Whitaker, Producer FEATURE NEWS REPORT - LIGHT SERIES Whale Science, KITV 4 NBC 11 Garrett Sprinkle, Reporter; Sonny Ahuna, Videographer Scott Queens of the Night, KUVS 19 Budman Mariana Castorena, Producer/Photographer/Editor & Marina FEATURE NEWS REPORT- SERIOUS Perelman Holy Hostel, KNTV NBC 11 Jeremy Carroll and Noelle Walker, Producers Burned Kid, KUVS 19 Santiago Lucero, Reporter; Miguel Solorio, Photographer CBS 5 FEATURE NEWS REPORT - SERIOUS SERIES Manny Unabomber, KPIX CBS 5 Ramos Jeff Harris, Executive Producer; Anna Werner, Producer; & Robert Alexander Gurevich, Investigative Producer Moonan John Doe 133, KUVS 19 Carlos H. Sanchez, Reporter continued on page 5 Photos © 2007 Marty Sohl Off Camera, June 2007, page 4 SPECIALIZED REPORTS continued from page 4 Investigate This, KPIX CBS 5 Jeff Harris, Executive Producer; Alexander Gurevich and Abby Sterling, Investigative Producers; Anna Werner, Investigative Reporter Mas Cerca de Usted, KUVS 19 Pablo Espinoza, Producer/Reporter; Alberto Garcia, Photojournalist/Editor NEWS AND PROGRAM SPECIALTY DOCUMENTARY The Bridge So Far - A Suspense Story, KQED 9, Professional Engineers in California Government, David L. Brown Productions CBS 5 “I” Team David L. Brown, Producer/Director ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT-FEATURE/SEGMENT In Wine Country: Cork Factory, KNTV NBC 11 Mary Orlin, Executive Producer, Mark Oltz; Creative Director; Mary Babbitt, Host ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT-PROGRAM/SPECIAL Truly California #203: Mighty Warriors of Comedy, KQED 9, Hatest Grits Kibi Anderson, Producer CHILDREN/YOUTH-FEATURE/SEGMENT Spirit Scholarship, KBCW, Annabelle Productions Robert Braunstein, Executive Producer; Amy Calderone and Kevin Thom, Reporters; Mark Kocina, Chief Photographer Mack Family - Coach Bordelon, KICU 36 Anna Kagarakis, Segment Producer; Alforde M. Joaquin, NBC 11 In Wine Country Videographer/Editor CHILDREN/YOUTH-PROGRAM/SPECIAL High School Sports Focus, KICU 36 KICU 36 Alforde M. Joaquin, Field Director; Brodie Brazil, Host; Anna Anna Kagarakis, Reporter; Robert Enriquez, Videographer; Kagarakis, Darren Brazil, Editor Alforde EDUCATION-FEATURE/SEGMENT Joaquin, The Gift of Education, KNTV NBC 11 Laura Garcia-Cannon, Reporter EDUCATION-PROGRAM/SPECIAL Eye on the Bay: On San Francisco Bay, KPIX CBS 5 Darren James Reid, Senior Producer; Karl Norberg, Producer; Brian Hackney, & Host; Colleen Kessler, Editor Brodie HISTORICAL/CULTURAL-FEATURE/SEGMENT Brazil Spark: Binh Danh, New Memories of an Old War, KQED 9, Bay Area Video Coalition Dan Krauss, Segment Producer Esparto, KUVS 19 Anthony Cisneros, Producer/Photographer HISTORICAL/CULTURAL-PROGRAM/SPECIAL Fishbowl, KHET 11, Thousand Cranes Filmworks, Inc. Linda Barry and Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga, Producers; Kayo Hatta, Producer/Director/Writer SPORTS-FEATURE/SEGMENT True Warrior, KGMB 9 Steve T. Uyehara, Reporter/Writer; Mike Cherry, Photographer; John Allen III, Editor SPORTS-REGULARLY SCHEDULED KTVU 2 Parade Team Bonds 715 - Making History, KTVU 2 Pete Lupetti, Producer; Mark Ibanez, Host; Joe Fonzi, Fred R. Inglis and Rita Williams, Reporters; Tony Hodrick, Photographer; Ron Acker and Steve Shlisky, Editors SPORTING EVENT/GAME Giants vs Arizona: Winn and Alou Come Through, FSN Bay Area Ted Griggs, Executive Producer; Joe Washington, Coordinating Producer; Jeff Kuiper, Producer; Jim Lynch, Director; Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, Talent PUBLIC/CURRENT AFFAIRS-FEATURE/SEGMENT Fox Sports Net Bay Area California Connected: Sacramento Levees, KVIE 6 Joe Angier, Producer; Craig Miller, Correspondent Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com & Marty Sohl continued on page 6 Off Camera, June 2007, page 5 continued from page 5 PUBLIC/CURRENT AFFAIRS-PROGRAM/SPECIAL Natural Heroes, KRCB, GreenTreks Network, Inc. Valerie A. Landes, Series Producer INTERVIEW/DISCUSSION-FEATURE/SEGMENT Swisher Unscripted, KICU 36 Brodie Brazil, Talent; Darren Brazil, Editor INTERVIEW/DISCUSSION-PROGRAM/SPECIAL Check, Please! Bay Area - Show # 204, KQED 9 Tina Salter, Series Producer; Carol Gancia and June Mesina Ouellette, Associate Producers; Katherine Russell, Director; Leslie Sbrocco, Host SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE Chinese New Year Parade, KTVU 2 Jim Haman, Executive Producer/Producer; Jeff Green, Director; KQED 9 Check, Please! Bay Area Ben Fong Torres and Julie Haener, Hosts; Robert Handa, Reporter; Sheri Bernstein, Writer; Mark Metzler, Engineer in Charge; Don Thompson, Engineering Manager; Deanne Moenster, Design Director; Michael Krajac and Steve Shlisky, Editors SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS COMMUNITY/PUBLIC SERVICE Univision / Telefutura in the Community: Valores Hispanos, KDTV 14 Gerson Sanchez, Producer/Photographer/Editor Mobsters, KNTV NBC 11, BBDO West Jim Lesser, Executive Creative Director PROMOTION-NEWS PROMO-SINGLE SPOT En Vivo y Directo: Nuevo Espacio Informativo, KFSF 66 Gerson Sanchez, Producer Great Quake “A Centennial Morning,” KPIX CBS 5 Sultan Mirza, Producer/Writer/Editor PROMOTION-NEWS PROMO-CAMPAIGN ABC7News.com Web Services Campaign, KGO ABC 7 Jack Poorman, Producer/Writer/Editor PROMOTION-PROGRAM-SINGLE SPOT CBS 5 Sultan Mirza Comedy “Lineup”, KBWB Your TV 20 John Civiletti, Producer; Brian Dennis, Art Direction Telefuture-KMW: Como tu Ninguna, KFSF 66 KFSF 66 Gerson Sanchez, Producer Gerson Sanchez Dudes Getting Yelled At, KICU 36 Drew Gough, Producer/Writer/Editor; David Kaminsky, Graphic Designer PROMOTION-PROGRAM-CAMPAIGN Simpsons Superfan, KBHK UPN 44 Trish Herrera, Producer/Writer/Editor; Rob Genolio, Creative Director; Steven Squire, Graphic Designer COMMERCIAL DirecTV Brand Campaign, Various, BBDO West Jim Lesser, Executive Creative Director CBS 5 Nightlight, KTVU 2, PG&E, Venables Bell & Partners Mike Sugerman Allan Ng, Executive Producer CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT ON-CAMERA TALENT-ANCHOR-SPORTS-REPORTER CBS 5 The Uncelebrated Athlete, KXTV 10 Liam Mayclem Ryan Yamamoto, Sports Reporter ON-CAMERA TALENT-ANCHOR-WEATHER Farley Composite, KNTV NBC 11 John Farley, Chief Meteorologist ON-CAMERA TALENT-REPORTER Mike Sugerman Reports, KPIX CBS 5 Mike Sugerman, Reporter ON-CAMERA TALENT-SPORTS PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST Golden State Warriors Basketball Announcers, FSN Bay Area Bob Fitzgerald, Glen Kuiper and Matt Steinmetz, Talent ON-CAMERA TALENT-PROGRAM HOST/MODERATOR Best of “Eye on the Bay,” KPIX CBS 5 Liam Mayclem, Host continued on page 7 Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com & Marty Sohl Off Camera, June 2007, page 6 continued from page 6 DIRECTOR Sketching the Silk Road, KFTL, D3 Productions, Inc. Duffy Wang, Director Seeking 1906, KQED 9, Luna Park Productions Kate Schermerhorn, Director WRITER-NEWS Walker Composite, KNTV NBC 11 Noelle Walker, Writer WRITER-PROGRAM The Search for Shangri-La, KITV 4 Pamela Young, Writer PHOTOGRAPHER-NEWS-WITHIN 24 HOURS Directors Duffy Wang Pike Composite, KGMB 9 & Kate Schermerhorn Richard Pike, Photojournalist PHOTOGRAPHER-NEWS-NO TIME LIMIT Maya Tanka, KFTV 21 Carlos Gaviria, Photographer Perspiration, Inspiration, and Determination, KXTV 10 Tom Whitaker, Photographer PHOTOGRAPHER-PROGRAM Oltz Composite, KNTV NBC 11 Mark Oltz, Photographer EDITOR-NEWS-NO TIME LIMIT Carroll Composite, KNTV NBC 11 Jeremy Carroll, Editor EDITOR-PROGRAM Drum Composite, KNTV NBC 11 Photographers Carlos Gaviria Jonathan Drum, Editor & Tom Whitaker AUDIO Kiho’Alu (Loosen the Key) Keola Beamer, KHET 11, Jazz Alley TV- Maui Reflection Films Ken K. Martinez Burgmaier, Audio Engineer GRAPHIC ARTS-GRAPHICS & ANIMATION-NEWS South Bay Home, KNTV NBC 11 Bobee Padilla, Graphic Design GRAPHIC ARTS-GRAPHICS & ANIMATION-PROGRAM The Bridge So Far - A Suspense Story, KQED 9, Professional Engineers in California Government, David L. Brown Productions Charlie Canfield, Animator; Rick Pepper, Graphic Artist Audio Ken Burgmaier GRAPHIC ARTS-SET DESIGN FSN Bay Area Hero Shots, FSN Bay Area Jim Iacona, Tom Pellack and Richard Americo Tomassini, Set Designers LIGHTING FSN Bay Area Hero Shots, FSN Bay Area Jim Iacona, Tom Pellack and Richard Americo Tomassini, Lighting Designers MUSICAL COMPOSITION/ARRANGEMENT Indie’s Great Teddy Bear Hunt, Marin’s Public Access 26, Juno Baby Belinda Takahashi, Ph.D., Composer TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT Music Belinda Takahaski Outside with Sam, KPIX CBS 5 Zack Heene, Photographer and Tech Operator

KUVS 19 Team Emmy® Stretch with Jack LaLanne Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com & Marty Sohl Off Camera, June 2007, page 7 WHO’S REALLY JAMES BEARD #1 IN NEWS? AWARD TO KQED The annual May “sweeps” period ended with two Bay Area TV stations sending out releases claiming bragging rights as #1, and our review of the Nielsen ratings they provided shows they’re both correct. KTVU (Fox 2) in Oakland and KGO (ABC 7) in San Francisco both ended the May book in different top spots. KTVU won mornings and prime time news (10:00 p.m.), while KGO won at 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. Both wins apply to total households as well as the key 25-54 year olds demo coveted most By Michael Isip by advertisers. And probably most important to I am extremely proud to announce that KQED’S both stations, each added additional viewers in that Check, Please Bay Area has won the James key demo to their winning evening newscasts, while Beard Foundation Award for Best Local Television their competition all lost viewers. KGO ended the Show! month #1 from sign on to sign off, while KTVU had the most total news viewers in the demo (278,000 total viewers when you add up all 7.5 hours of its news, compared with 196,000 total 25 – 64 year olds throughout KGO’s 7 hours of news). Here are a few of the key numbers from A.C. Nielsen: Mornings: 5:00-9:00 a.m. (25-54 Demographic) KTVU - 121,000 viewers KNTV - 71,000 viewers KGO - 46,000 viewers Series Producer Tina Salter and Host Leslie KRON- 40,000 viewers Sbrocco were on hand at the event in New York KPIX - 35,000 viewers City to accept this national honor. The other nomi- (Note: This comparison includes the 3 network nees were KNTV’s In Wine Country and KRON’s Bay morning news shows as well, but KTVU easily Café. won the purely local 5-7am hours as well.) The James Beard Foundation Awards, held each 5:00 p.m. News (Total Households) spring, honor professionals in the food and beverage KGO – 4.1 rating industry for their achievements. The Awards are the KPIX – 2.4 rating culinary industry’s most prestigious recognition KNTV- 1.7 rating program. Jacques Pepin, for example, has been KTVU- 1.2 rating recognized numerous times, including for Lifetime KRON- 0.7 rating Achievement. Congratulations to Kurt Mendelsohn, Tina 6:00 p.m. News (Total Households) Salter, Leslie Sbrocco, as well as the rest of the KGO – 4.2 rating KQED production team and every one else in depart- KPIX – 2.1 rating ments across the station which make this series KNTV- 1.6 rating possible. KTVU- 1.5 rating This is truly wonderful news. KRON- 1.3 rating 10:00 p.m. News (25-54 Demographic) KTVU – 3.3 Rating, 97,000 viewers (Note: KTVU provided only demo numbers and KGO provided only household numbers for the 10pm and 11pm time period, so we could not compare them head to head.) 11:00 p.m. News (Total Households) KGO – 3.9 rating KPIX – 3.6 rating KNTV- 2.4 rating JOB BANK at www.emmysf.tv KRON- 1.1 rating Off Camera, June 2007, page 8 WORLD NEWS COMES TO SF

By Bob Goldberger on Bay Area business for that night’s newscast, You’ve heard him called humble, affable, and followed by anchoring World News live again with hard working. World News anchor Charles Gibson the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, followed by built a reputation during his years on Good Morning another plane ride to Seattle, where he started the America as one of the true “good guys” of the process all over again. broadcast news industry. There was narry a nega- Over breakfast at KGO, Gibson mostly talked tive word from a co-worker, and when ABC asked about his favorite subject, journalism: upcoming him to work a split shift many nights to also anchor election coverage, global warming and the like. But live evening magazine shows, he burned the candle his sense of humor was never far below the surface, at both ends without a single public complaint. pointing out the station treated him to a much What was left out of those descriptions was the fancier dinner the night before. He told everybody fact that Charles Gibson is a top journalist, and has to please call him Charlie, “It’s Charles on the air, been for decades. That’s the side that’s finally Charlie everywhere else.” And while complimenting being showcased on World News, and the side that the news staff over the previous night’s reports, was immmediately evident to everyone at KGO TV Gibson said the station only needs to “figure out (ABC 7) during the two days he anchored World how to solve its problem with the weather depart- News live from San Francisco. ment.” His good friend Spencer Christian laughed Don’t get me wrong, the work horse attitude is the hardest at the good-natured dig. The two still there. After flying cross country the first day worked together for years on GMA, and have re- and anchoring World News from KGO’s rooftop his mained close since Spencer left to do weather in first evening in town, Gibson schmoozed with the San Francisco. The rest of the Bay Area had an station’s top managers over dinner (he only half- opportunity to enjoy their banter in the afternoon jokingly told the staff, and the San Francisco when Spencer interviewed Charlie on The View from Chronicle, his primary reason for taking World News the Bay. In the end, Gibson’s visit gave the rest of on the road is to “suck up to the affiliates”), fol- the country the opportunity to see a bit more of the lowed by a station-wide breakfast bright and early Bay Area, and people at KGO the opportunity to see the next morning, followed by interviews for a story the many sides of Charlie. IN MEMORY: THOMAS FANELLA Thomas E. Fanella, president and 1988, Fanella served as chief operating chief executive officer of the KTEH officer for QED Enterprises and vice Foundation for 19 years, the parent president for Marketing for Metropolitan company of San Jose public television Pittsburgh Public Broadcasting. During station KTEH and Central Coast public the period 1975-1984, Fanella served television station KCAH has passed away. as vice president for Marketing at his The stations recently merged with KQED hometown public television station, in San Francisco forming Northern Califor- WCNY, in Syracuse, New York. nia Public Broadcasting. Fanella held the For the past year Mr. Fanella had post of executive vice president for been battling cancer. He died on May Television Broadcasting. 29, 2007 at the age of 60. Fanella is Prior to his move to the West Coast in survived by his wife, Susan Hayes. Off Camera, June 2007, page 9 FANTASTIC EMMY® SHOWCASE AT DOLBY

Kibi Anderson, Lynn R Friedman, David Brown Story & Photo by: Cynthia E. Zeiden

We had a blast again at the Emmy® Showcase sponsored by the Professional Engineers in California at Dolby Labs Screening Room. First we screened Government. Addressing what State Senator Tom the Emmy® Recipient Best Historical/Cultural Pro- McClintock calls “one of the great fiascos of the gram/Special: Mighty Warriors of Comedy, KQED/ 20th and 21st centuries in California history,” this 57 minutes: documentary finds both the humor and the drama in Mighty Warriors of Comedy is a rousing introduc- that story. During the 16 years since the Loma tion to one of the most devastatingly funny comedy Prieta earthquake collapsed a section of the east troupes of the past decade, the 18 Mighty Mountain span of the Bay Bridge, numerous delays, setbacks, Warriors (18MMW), an audacious Asian-American and reversals have left its replacement literally up in sketch comedy troupe hailing from San Francisco, the air. Even today with a design finally selected, no and now trying to break into TV and movies in LA. one knows what the project will eventually cost or But most people in mainstream America have when it will be finished. never heard of them. Why? Is it simply because This is a matter of great concern. Seismologists they haven’t enjoyed break-out success past the lay the odds at 67% that another major earthquake, confines of their San Francisco home, or their prima- possibly on the scale of the 1906 disaster, will shake rily Asian-American fan base? Or is their brand of the Bay Area at any time during the next three humor simply not accessible to an average American decades. The Bay Bridge is one of the nation’s major audience? Or could it be that the current Hollywood transportation arteries and is especially vital for machine would never give an Asian American troupe California’s economy. Will the replacement span for the big break they need, to see if they could indeed the Bay Bridge be finished before the next Big One cross over? Or, are they simply not that funny? strikes? Until it is, the State will remain “in sus- Mighty Warriors of Comedy allows you to judge pense.” for yourself. The documentary provides an entertain- Filmmaker David L. Brown (“Surfing For Life,” ing glimpse into the world of the Warriors and an “Bound by the Wind”) tells the story of the Bay eye-opening exploration of why a troupe like the Bridge fiasco with a light-hearted touch. Warriors, no matter how funny, may never achieve The film, including never-before-seen archival mainstream popularity. Utilizing a combination of footage and humorous animation, tells the story personal interviews and live concert footage, the behind the headlines of the now $6.2 billion project. documentary traces the struggle that the fringe Actor Geoff Hoyle hosts the show. artist faces, and how that battle is complicated After the screening we had a Q&A session with further by cultural identification. the show producer, David L. Brown. Then we had a Q&A session with the producer, You can order your own copy of these award Kibi Anderson. She said the comedy troupe is now winning programs by going to their web sites: split between San Francisco and Los Angeles. “Mighty Warriors of Comedy” Next, we screened the Emmy® Recipient Best http://catalog.asianamericanmedia.org/film/249 Documentary: A Bridge So Far-A Suspense Story: “The Bridge So Far-A Suspense Story” a documentary news special on the wild and troubled http://www.thebridgesofar.com/order.htm history of the new east span of the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge. The film is produced and di- rected by Brisbane filmmaker David L. Brown and is Off Camera, June 2007, page 10 CONAN IN SAN FRANCISCO

By Bob Redell energy translated to the tube. You would’ve never What follows is a random collection of thoughts known it watching Conan’s first show in San Fran- and observations from the week I covered Conan cisco, especially considering his energy, but he was O’Brien’s visit to San Francisco. Conan’s visit to actually sick with a stomach bug that first night. We San Francisco couldn’t have been timed better from know this because he told everyone who shook his his point of view. He was able to visit the newest hand to wash afterwards. The downside of being the member of his family. His sister who lives in San star of the show: can’t call in sick. Surprisingly, Rafael had given birth a week or so earlier. His Late nothing about the show was set in stone. During Night show taped at 4:00 each afternoon to a full many of the commercial breaks, Conan and his house. People lucky enough to get free tickets lined writers huddled for last minute ideas / changes to up hours earlier outside the Orpheum. About 15 the scripts or guest interviews. It was lots of work minutes till show time, one of the writers warmed up for the cue card guys who had to rapidly make the audience. One night, they had the crowd record changes. By the way, they’re both named Steve different kinds of applause and laughter for editing and both are left handed. purposes (i.e. light chuckle that progresses into After the show each night, fans waited outside roaring laughter, etc.) The band would then play for the stage door to get autographs from Conan, Max a good 5-10 minutes. The producers seamlessly Weinberg and other members of the band. One transitioned into the taping once they felt the crowd night, the show sent out Jerry Ruck, the Conan was juiced enough (at least, that was my sense.) look-a-like from Martinez. The fans fell for it for a They went completely nuts when Conan walked good 8 seconds. Suckers! So, what happened to out across a mockup of the Golden Gate Bridge that that Golden Gate Bridge? The show did not scrap it. was the centerpiece of the set at the Orpheum. It Instead, word is they kept it and sent it back to was like a rock concert; took a good minute to get New York (as if Manhattan needs another bridge.) the audience to chill. I’m not sure how well that

OUR EMMY® PRESENTERS

Photos © 2007 Cindy Lang Off Camera, June 2007, page 11 EMMY® NIGHT: PARTY TIME

Photos © 2007 MerrittGrooms.com Marty Sohl, Lynn R Friedman All photos available for purchase go to www.emmysf.tv THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OFFICERS: Lynn R Friedman, ABC 7, President Javier Valencia, KRON 4, VP, SF (Awards) Thomas Drayton, Fox 40, VP, Sacramento Nancy Osborne, ABC 30, VP, Fresno Terri Russell, KOLO 8, VP, Reno Duncan Armstrong, NBC 8, VP, Hawaii SAN FRANCISCO Tamar Sarkissian, Freelance, VP, Sm. Mkts. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Keith Sanders, SJ State University, Secretary 4317 Camden Avenue Sharon Navratil, KTVU 2, Treasurer San Mateo, CA 94403 David Mills, CBS 5, Past President (Alt. Trustee) NATIONAL TRUSTEES: Linda Giannecchini, KQED 9 (Museum) Kym McNicholas, Freelance Alison Gibson, Media Cool (Education) Deanne Moenster-Poitras, KTVU 2 Cynthia Zeiden, Zeiden Media (Activities) Jeanette Pavini, CBS 5 GOVERNORS: Wayne Philippo, CBS 5 Dan Adams, KXTV 10 Sheraz Sadiq, KQED 9 Terri Maria Amos, Independent Tamar Sarkissian, Freelance Brian Avery, Avery Media (Membership) Gary Schultz, ABC 7 Samuel Belilty, Univision 21 Annika Wood, Independent John Burgess, KFTY 50 Pamela Young, KITV 4 Joe Cherubini, KRON 4 COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Martin Christian, KVIE 6 John Catchings, Catchings & Assoc.(Museum) Christopher Conybeare, Univ. of Hawaii Darryl Cohen, Cohen & Cooper (Legal) Janice Edwards, NBC 11 David Perry, David Perry & Assoc. (Marketing) Wayne Freedman, ABC 7 James Spalding, Spalding & Co. (Finance) Alberto Garcia, Univision 19 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Bob Goldberger, ABC 7 Darryl R. Compton, NATAS Justin Kanno, KOLO 8 Off Camera Ronald Louie, KTVU 2 Bob Goldberger, Editor Terry Lowry, LaCosse Productions Darryl R. Compton, Publisher Danny McGuire, Spirit Productions Off Camera, June 2007, page 12