I think the concept of 'myth' is not very accurate. Polynesian culture is alive and well in the islands. To consider the belief of these people to be myth is to deny the culture altogether. I lived on Oahu for 5 yrs. and it was one of the most meaningful spiritual experiences in my life as a Pagan. I wish I could go back. A huge part of my heart will always belong to Hawaii.

I saw that too! I usually don't watch but I wanted to see if I could catch some arial pictures of the flooding and I saw when she said "Snots Berry Farm". All I could do was sit with my mouth to the floor and kept saying; "Oh my God. Oh MY GOD!"

"Snot's Berry Farm" Jason, do you think this would have happen with Bill Smith or Willa Sandmeyer? No. This is what happens when you hire rookies on the cheap. I think some of the new hires at KTLA need to understand the meaning of professionalism. I'm sure the people at Knott's are happy. Hal must be spinning like a top with what his beloved KTLA has become.

Frank,
I really feel for you buddy. The look on your face when that Alli woman said "Snot's Berry Farm" and then Michaela started laughing and snorting with her head down like a girl in Middle School....I feel for you buddy...

Paul and PLM -
I couldn't agree more with both of you!
That's why I like GDLA now! They give you both - Obama and his Press Conferences, and the Hollywood HOT TOPICS!
The news and some of the Fluff! They at least know how to space it out.
That's why I watch them regularly now from about 7:30 AM until 10 AM!

PLM posted:

"This was important information it's too bad I had to leave KTLA to hear our future president talk."

Fluff over facts. Heaven knows we may want to hear real news over where to shop in the morning.

Hey Dan,

I have to agree with you about this mornings news. They were showing Obama and then just cut him off just as he was moving on to discuss Tom Daschle, as well as a very important message about his plans to fix our helathcare problems. I immediately switched to MSNBC and saw the entire new conference.

This was important information it's too bad I had to leave KTLA to hear our future president talk.

where is Frank this week?

Isn't it interesting that while you have Asha in an Elf suit dancing around and the women helping Mark open a package that contains an opener to open packages easier....Good Day LA has some mundane Breaking News news conference with Barack Obama discussing that trivial news in your Corporate Headquarter's City - the corrupt Governor... and introducing Tom Daschle, the newly appointed head of Health discussing the urgency of our Health Care System. I mean HOW DARE they do that GDLA...No wonder they're #1!

one blog topic - but with so many different directions - thanks Jared for yet another diversion - which path shall I take... hmmm?

I think I'll stick with the recent discussion on Tribune. Jozielee, I would just like to respond to your comment about viewership. Others who have posted are right in their assesments. I do not think anyone is blaming the whole Tribune mis-fortune to one local morning show. It wasn't that bad.

No need to re-hash everything brought up months ago with regards to the show and promised improvements. I just would like to comment that your analogy of comparing apples to oranges might be better if we were looking at one apple in a bushel of several apples. Since I feel the morning show is just one apple and therefore it is partly related to this recent filing for chapter 11.
The Tribune problems are no different than the many other companies, sectors and industries that are having to make major economic adjustments. It is not due to one thing, it is a culmination of factors. But I do think there is some correalation.

It is a business, and unless the product offered is not what the intended audiences want, then viewership declines, which leads to less advertising, on to less revenue, and so on... It is happening everywhere as business models change.

However, what I find more interesting of a topic is Tribune's other problems in Chicago and its political connections and stories...

ok, just my two cents....

-m

In an earlier comment I posted a link to an abbreviated discussion between Tavis Smiley and Arianna Huffington. If interested, find their full conversation at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-discusses-huffpos_b_149803.html

They talk about why people blog, how the Obama campaign utilized blogging and how they'll continue to connect with supporters, and the future of news reporting.

Enjoy!

Somewhat in the vain of military.

"Mandatory national service" That is force servitude regardless of if it is to help the nation.

And if it is mandatory what would be the penalty for not doing something that would be mandatory?

From: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/military_futureforce_personnelreport_120908w/

Report suggests radical personnel changes

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 9, 2008 9:25:15 EST

A bipartisan think tank takes controversial positions involving military personnel in a new report about national security strategy.

To deal with recruiting and retention problems, the Center for National Policy recommends lifting the military’s ban on open service by gays, barring the services from using stop-loss orders to keep people on active duty beyond their separation dates, and requiring every American youth to serve the nation in mandatory national service — with military duties as one option.

Called “Agility Across the Spectrum: A Future Force Blueprint,” the report, released today, also recommends phasing out the use of civilian contractors as private security guards by 2014, which would require an increase of 92,000 active-duty personnel.

Underlying the proposals is a concern that seven years of war have taken a toll on the military and that relief is needed. “The tempo of combat operations has been unprecedented for an all-volunteer force and strains are beginning to show,” the report says. “Aptitude levels for new recruits are dropping while inducements for recruitment have increased dramatically.”

One sign of the problems, according to the report, is the use of more than 100,000 private contractors in combat zones performing duties traditionally done by service members. The report says private contractors are operating “outside the chain of command,” which causes additional complications.

The report also says multiple combat tours have led to “the highest level of suicides, desertion and mental illness in the armed forces in a generation.”

“Our national security depends not on high-tech weapons systems alone, but on the men and women who make them operational in combat situations,” the report says.

The report says its recommendations are aimed at increasing the pool of volunteers to fill the ranks, something a mandatory national service program could accomplish by making military service an option that people otherwise might never consider.

Mandatory national service, an idea sometimes pushed as an alternative to a military draft, would produce the added benefit of reconnecting the military to typical Americans, the report says.

President-elect Barack Obama spoke during the election campaign of a voluntary national service program, something quite different than the mandatory concept recommended in the report. But Obama said last summer than he thought national service could end up leading some people to serve in the military.

Stop-loss, a policy that Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week will continue into 2009, has helped to provide full manning of units deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, but has also “created a measure of resentment from affected service members and distrust from the general public,” the report says, calling the postponement of separations and retirements something technically legal but “counterproductive.”

“Just as economies cannot prosper without clear contract laws, military recruitment will suffer if recruits feel that hidden clauses in their enlistment agreements could spring upon them at any time,” the report says.

Repealing the military’s policy that prevents gay people from serving openly — which Obama has said he wants to do as president — is a change whose time has come, the report says.

“It is time to end this outdated and misguided policy,” the report says, noting polls show that the majority of Americans support allowing gay people to serve.

Jozielee posted:

You didn't like "Huff"?

Jozielee, I was a big fan of Huff. It was well done and had a great cast. I have been a big fan of Blythe Danner for years and was quite happy she won for doing that series. There has been a lot of shows that have not won Emmy's, either for writing or acting. Deadwood was one. The Emmy's seem to go for more main stream shows.

As for giving KTLA another try. I did. It's still bad. When I have the time, I watch GDLA.

I may give KTLA another try when more positive changes are in place.

More than a year ago I recall the anchors bantering during a morning segment. They lamented their low ratings and were asking the audience for ideas to help boost interest. I seem to recall they hadn't been #1 in a while.

They dared to try ideas received from emails, message boards, blogs and their internal meetings. Some were good, others were not so popular. Eric, Sam, Mark asked for more ideas, more feedback. They got it, which resulted in a change of management and some subtle changes like Mark, Sam and, sometimes Eric, rejoining the 9am segment. You try. You see. You adjust.

Lately they've claimed the #1 spot a number of times.

When I think about all the Emmys won by the "Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Murphy Brown" and "Boston Legal" I think Emmys are bestowed on quality shows more often then obscure oddballs. "Huff" . . . ah, yes, the Hank Azaria series. You didn't like "Huff"? That was a great series victimized by HBO's strange on-again-off-again scheduling. Hard to find, which made the storyline almost impossible to follow. But I digress.

My main point is to restate that the Tribune company isn't in Chapter 11 because of the Morning News. The picture is far broader, and as the economy sinks deeper into the abyss other media giants will also feel the pinch. Just tonight on "Tavis Smiley's Show" he talked about the NYTIMES' plan to stay afloat. They're borrowing against the equity in their building to pay their bills. As his guest Arianna Huffington said, more newspapers will have to come online and make it their primary outlet. To me anyone who's comfortable being in front of the camera has it kicked, e.g., the popularity of YouTube and news websites that use a lot of video clips, like KTLA.

So I'm hoping KTLA will be all right, and that they'll weather the current economic storm.

TAVIS SMILEY
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200812/20081209.html#

It's my understanding that the KTLA lot has been up for sale for quite a long time now. Tribune's economic downfall is due to poor management across the boards in all of their market spots.
I truly feel that had management listened to the viewers complaints and ideas as we were asked for by Eric and I believe Frank last Spring after the uproar over the change in format, things may have been different at KTLA. They asked for our suggestions and I never heard or saw of any of them other than ONE big one and that's bringing back Miss Edwards for the Rose Parade - however that has nothing to do with the Morning Show. They've made some horrific decisions and changes and then as was mentioned before of a producer telling their viewers to grow a set and Michaela verbally "flipping off" the viewers with her get over it comment...
If I remember correctly there were very few if any positive blogging comments on the changes.
The producers trying to inflate their already over inflated egos with not even considering what the viewers wanted and were asking for, was blatant career suicide.
For them to let go the talent that they let go and replaced with the unprofessional schlock they brought in was beyond stupidity.
If they go billy up, then so be it!
I have no pity for them one bit.
Paul is absolutely right too about winning Emmys....so many times emmys go to undeserving people and shows, and they do get canceled - it doesn't mean they're doing something right, it's just luck that they won in the first place.
We will never know if they had listened to the viewers and gone back to the old format that worked...if things would be any different, but my guess is they wouldn't be as bad at KTLA as they are.
The chemistry was so different with the old format - so different!
I miss the old KTLA Morning Show. However I've become quite fond of their competition now. I really have.
One last idea in closing - if KTLA wanted to be #1 in the 10 PM news department - they should have gotten Ann Martin when CBS let her go. Even Ann Martin with Frank in the Mornings would be a ratings catch if you ask me!
Ann Martin is very well liked in the LA area and she doesn't come off as narcissistic or self absorbed and she's friendly. She wouldn't tell the viewers to "get over it" and she's also a news anchor I trust!

Jozelee posted:

"KTLA Morning News won emmys this year, which means they're doing something right. Someone's watching."

Jozelee, how many shows have won Emmy's and got cancel that same year (Huff comes to mind) because of bad ratings. Winning a Emmy does not guarantee viewership. It only means the Academy membership found it worthy in that category.

And how many times have we sat and watched an award show be it the Emmy's or the Oscar's and think "WTF, how did that win?"

I do agree with you that the Tribune's problems are because of lost revenue from advertisers and subscribers. I canceled my subscription due to the fact they could not deliver the paper to me after I called many times about the problem. I was a customer for many years. But this will effect all of the Tribune's holdings including KTLA. I can see changes at KTLA, we have seen some of the cost cutting already.

NBC said today they will be cutting back on programing. They will have Jay Leno's new talk show in the 10:00 PM time slot because it's cheaper to produce than an hour long drama. We will see more game and reality based shows in our future.

It is a pity that the terrible economy is now also effecting television and the film industry.

However I do agree with Jozie on the reason for the decline of Tribune. It probably has little to do with the KTLA morning news. More to do with declining newspaper advertisers as well as the fact that newspaper subscriptions are way down. More and more people are getting their news from the internet. Newspaper sales have dipped drastically within the last couple of years.

We still subscribe to the LA times in my home. But several months ago they eliminated several newspaper sections that had been around for years. The Real Estate section was one. They then inserted some RE in the business section, but it is definitely not as good as it was.

The Newspapers readership decline and the fact that Sam Zell paid top dollar last year for a paper that stock plummeted, definitely had a huge impact and contributed greatly their problem.

The morning show is probably such a small piece of this puzzle. However the result could mean that restructuring or even layoffs could hit the KTLA staff as a way to cut cost, and the large salaries of the talent could be in jeopardy either in a way of salary cuts or layoffs.

Maybe it will encourage them to revise their format again. I must admit the topics that are discussed some mornings during the after 9 segment are really a lot of fluff in this economy.

Maybe now that it has hit home (KTLA) we will cover more relevant subject matter. They did do a couple of stories today, like how to position yourself when looking for a job.

I like the whole morning group, before 9 and after. But they could be a little more sensitive to the world we are living in right now.

In the last 2 mornings they featured 2 stories on throwing christmas parties.... okay got that.

What about stories that are more budget considerate such as:

How to do christmas on a budget?

Who is offering the best deals on skiing over the holidays?

Where can you buy christmas items (toys, electronics, etc. ) at a super low prices?

Give us information we can use in our present world. I don't know many people who are throwing extravagant parties this year!

These are times that the program director should be more sensitive to the audience state of mind.

We are the viewers and I kind of think now they will listen even if they didn't before.

Re: KTLA & viewership.

Aren't we talking about apples and oranges?

KTLA and the entire Tribune family is in financial trouble because of lost revenue from advertisers (personals because of increased use of online advertising via sites like Craig's list), related companies suffering their own lost revenue who can no longer afford expansive advertising, and declining newspaper subscribers. Additionally investments and stock market returns have added to their problems.

KTLA Morning News won emmys this year, which means they're doing something right. Someone's watching.

So those who want to believe March 17th is the sole reason for the Tribune's current situation may be simplifying the Tribune plight.

While I agree with Mike and Jared that Chapter 11 will give Tribune time to restructure, the move could lead to layoffs. Hopefully not but how can they avoid what's happening at so many other companies every day?

I'm glad to see so many of us care enough to be here wanting to support one of our favorite programs. Whether we criticize to help improve the show or support the Morning News as is at least we're checking in from time to time to see how they're doing and care enough that they're still around.

VIVA la KTLA Morning News.

Re: KTLA & viewership.

Aren't we talking about apples and oranges?

KTLA and the entire Tribune family is in financial trouble because of lost revenue from advertisers (personals because of increased use of online advertising via sites like Craig's list), related companies suffering their own lost revenue who can no longer afford expansive advertising, and declining newspaper subscribers. Additionally investments and stock market returns have added to their problems.

KTLA Morning News won emmys this year, which means they're doing something right. Someone's watching.

So those who want to believe March 17th is the sole reason for the Tribune's current situation may be simplifying the Tribune plight.

While I agree with Mike and Jared that Chapter 11 will give Tribune time to restructure, the move could lead to layoffs. Hopefully not but how can they avoid what's happening at so many other companies every day?

I'm glad to see so many of us care enough to be here wanting to support one of our favorite programs. Whether we criticize to help improve the show or support the Morning News as is at least we're checking in from time to time to see how they're doing and care enough that they're still around.

VIVA la KTLA Morning News.

Sean,

Good post. It will be great to get back to what brought us all together in the first place. KTLA.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in an attempt to strong-arm the newspaper into firing editorial writers who had criticized him.

Take politics out of the mix and i'm back into agreement with many here...

Great post Sean.

Sorry, Frank, but other than the heated political season, this was probably our favorite topic.

Chapter 11 is only a re-structuring, sort of like a second chance...

-m

Thanks for mentioning Gen Shinseki's appointment Mr Buckley. Gen Shinseki served this country with distinction. Too bad people like "cec" lump Gen Shinseki with the likes of Lt. Watada and Capt Yee. I have met Gen Shinseki in person, and true to the military code, he didn't speak ill of his former commanders even after he retired. He is a class act who presently works for veteran's welfare and will in the future.

It's just Chapter 11..

The business stays in business, they just work things out with creditors...

Jozielee,
It's actually very funny that you mention that exact thing about the ratings being a daily, weekly, monthly thing. Jillian asked almost verbatim that very question to Steve Edwards when they announced it on GDLA yesterday.
It must be like all the other televison ratings put out - a weekly ratings war.
I just find it very ironic that GDLA goes back to #1 on the very day that Tribune files Chapter 11.

Come on Frank, you've got an interest here in your regular bloggers wanting to blog about this.

We never did get our changes we were promised by Mark, Sam, and even you Frank! Now all of your jobs are in jeopardy and YOU ALL HAVE BECOME THE BREAKING NEWS!

What a shame that all of this probably could have been avoided, had a certain "producer" not challenged us "to grow a set", had a certain female anchor that shares the spotlight with you, not told us "to get over it", had a certain "entertainment" anchor addressed "the viewers" emails and comments.
How sad that all of our emails to Tribune went unanswered and fell on deaf ears.
I hope Tribune has learned - YOU DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.
The one smart thing they've done is bring back Stephanie Edwards for the Rose Parade...and may I say how beautiful Stephanie looks! I can't wait to watch her on New Years Day as I will now come back to KTLA for my Rose Parade Broadcast Station!

You should never have gotten rid of Willa Sandmeyer, and Bill Smith. That was a huge, huge mistake. Not listening to your avid viewers from 10 Am on March 17th, on was your other huge, huge mistake.

I hope you will blog about this Frank! Perhaps you can convince your colleagues to dawn a "white" ribbon in memory of "bailout", "peace" and "forgiveness" from your viewers...sort of "waving a white flag" you might say.
Of course it's probably too late now to save KTLA afterall it has been 3/4 of a year since Black Monday, March 17th.

Just my opinion, but I think it holds validity!

Sean,

It's not too ironic that GDLA is the number one morning show. Fox seems to know how to run a news show. They listen to their viewers. And they don't fix what isn't broken.

One does have to wonder how much the changes have cost Tribune/KTLA in ratings and revenues? So far they have fired well liked and experience reporters and replace them with younger and less experience ones and they have had to sell the studio where KTLA is located. What's next a garage sale at the studio? LOL Maybe someone can buy those great chairs from the 9:00 show that everyone loved? They could have save a lot by just listening to the viewers. After all, we (the viewers) make or break a TV show.

I am sorry that this may cost some employees at Tribune their jobs who had nothing to do with the changes or the stupid mistakes made by the powers that be. There is a part of me that is happy that Sam "The Grave Dancer" Zell may have to pay out a lot of money since he's such a greedy SOB and has cost many people there homes and life styles in there retirement years. He's do for a little karma payback.

You're so right, Sean, it'd be healthy to let us blog on recent developments for the Tribune family.

A few weeks ago Roger Lodge announced that KTLA was the #1 morning news show in LA. Is this a weekly, monthly, yearly or imaginary race? Didn't KTLA recently win a few daytime Emmys? Clarification, please.

So Frank, Is anyone there going to blog on the breaking news of Tribune filing bankruptcy today?

Kind of ironic on the same day that GDLA announces they're the #1 Morning Show in LA, eh?

I wonder if things would be a lot different had TPTB listened to the viewers way back on March 17th, and gone with what the VIEWERS wanted in their morning show, you know, NO CHANGES to the Good Ol' Format?

Just curious if there will be any blogging on the subject so comments can be opened up by the viewers!

Add to the last message: and how far we've come from the Government's ridiculous move to stick our fellow (Japanese-) Americans in concentration camps such as Manzanar. It's great timing and symbolism, not to mention the most relevant news here: that Gen. Shinseki is the best man for the job.

General Shinseki, Lt. Watada, Captain Yee -- our Asian-American officers have done a lot of the heavy lifting and paid the price in this crazy war.

I'm glad the Veteran's will finally have a voice in Washington and especially in a man that has shown he would stand up to the posers that be for his beliefs and principals even to his own detriment.
Also, I hope this furthers the Veteran's cause upon leaving the service and receiving their proper due and proper medical care I believe they are entitled to for serving our country. For lsacrificing their own lives, and the putting the lives of their own families on hold and in peril at times, they deserve the respect and honor and care our nation and political leaders should provide. The fact that the out going "war happy" administration, so hell-bent on getting back at Saddam in Iraq, that we sacrificed many brave men/women willing to serve, but that upon return, some find that they are even if injured, "nickel and dimed" by the very same goverment and maybe denied medical benfits and coverage due to some technicalities or other B.S.! THAT IS SHAMEFUL! If a soldier returns injured from service in combat in service, (verified by Army personnel where combat occurred)they should receive FREE MEDICAL COVERAGE FROM THE US GOVERNMENT, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! That is the least we could do in return for their sacrifice of life and/or limb!

Yes. A man who stuck to his principals and his belief to be right for the best interest of the soldiers even to his own detriment against the political powers above him. Hopefully, Veterans will get a true voice now and will get the respect and benefits deserved during service and post service. On the Extreme Makeover Show last night prior to the main show at 8-they showed military families getting some help that are struggling with finances while loved ones are deployed overseas,ect.. They also showed one veteran that had returned that was crippled -walking with a walkeror cane-A Seargent Patterson I believe, and they said he is not able to pay his surmounting medical bills. Now they didn't fully explain if his current condition was caused by injuries sustained during his service(if he was in combat), but that was the impression the story was leaving upon me. Of any people who have served our country, any soldier who has returned from the field of battle injured, I believe should receive free lifetime medical from the goverment. That is the least the government can do in return for someone agreeing to put their lives and limbs on the line for service. Any disease or medical condition or injury caused because of being in a "arena of war" where he/she is placing themselves of jeopardy should not have to worry about covering their medical expenses for anything that happens to them. No questions asked! We have not taken care of our veterans the way we should. This war-mongering administration that was so eager to send so many men and women into harm's way then turn around and try to "nickel and dime" these very same brave soldiers when they returned injured and maimed and need care. Truly shameful and non-compassionate and it dishonors the country that treats the soldiers this way! I may not always with agree with a decision of the necessity to go to war, but I never would disrespect the soldiers who want to fight for our freedoms and lay their lives on the line. That service and dedication should always be honored, respected and returned in kind. I just wish our political leaders will remember that little motto or phrase before they make the hard & (last resort) decision to go to war.

America/Americans might not of hated the Japanese so much if FDR would have come clean..

From: http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/pearl.html

President Roosevelt (FDR) provoked the attack, knew about it in advance and covered up his failure to warn the Hawaiian commanders. FDR needed the attack to sucker Hitler to declare war, since the public and Congress were overwhelmingly against entering the war in Europe. It was his backdoor to war.

FDR blinded the commanders at Pearl Harbor and set them up by -

1. denying intelligence to Hawaii (HI)
2. on Nov 27, misleading the commanders into thinking negotiations with Japan were continuing to prevent them from realizing the war was on
3. having false information sent to HI about the location of the Japanese carrier fleet.

Frank -

Retribution or not, it appears the selection of Gen. Shinseki is based on merit and well-deserved.

With hindsight being 20/20, one can only imagine what if his recommendations back in 2003 were realized, that may be a future necessity for a surge may never had been needed. Would the view of the war be different if it was handled more properly? We don't know. We do know, his selection shows good judgement.

-m

I share your pride in General Shinseki's appointment. It signals how far we've come as a society and pays homage to the brave Japanese Americans who served in WWII.