Mark Kriski's First Blog
12:01 AM February 26, 2008
Lets think, lets share, lets have some fun but most of all lets not be afraid.
Recently, all of the television news anchors were asked to submit weekly BLOGS on the KTLA web site. The World Wide Web. The new frontier of unrestricted, unregulated expression. No rules. No laws. Sounds exciting? Yes!!! But let’s think about this for a moment. To date, my Web presence has been limited to my "MySpace" page (Mark Kriski). This BLOG is my first foray into the professional realm of Cyberspace. A daunting challenge - with a whole new set of responsibilities. It has been a desire of mine for quite some time to have the ability to express my views, thoughts and ideas beyond the boundaries of my primary job description. The Internet. The new wild west; untamed and still in its infancy. Moreover, unregulated. I was very excited about having this platform - an electronic interface with the entire world. However, being a long standing and conscientious employee of KTLA, I asked our News Director, our Morning News Producer and our Human Resources Coordinator what the official rules are as to what we can and cannot openly discuss. I queried them about corporate policy regarding the tone, angle and to what extent we may push the envelope on sensitive subject matter. What are the ground rules? On a scale of one to ten; what is KTLA’s tolerance for controversy? The answer is: there is no official policy. Excellent! Well, maybe not. Don Imus is still unemployed. After stating that there is no policy and procedure guideline for Web dialogue, each of the management reps noted above gave me an impromptu synopsis of their personal "take" on how the BLOGS should operate. Three sets of opinions. Three very different views. No continuity of purpose. Utter conflict. I am now more confused than ever. In my first BLOG I am asking a few questions, please help me out. Are you asked or required in your work place to perform duties that have no rules? Heaven help you though if management feels you’re out of line. Cruel and unusual punishment if they have not provided you with a simple line to follow. If you are in management would you put your employees in this position?
As we move forward. Lets think, lets share, lets have some fun but most of all lets not be afraid.
Mark Kriski
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I think Mark probably used a thesaurus in order to come up with some of the words he used to start his blog off. Nice try Mark we still love you. I've been watching you since you first came to KTLA and you've always been one of my favorites. I like many would like to read something that sounds more like how you are on tv. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Debbie, La Mirada | February 26, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Mark, I agree with Richard from Victorville. Be afraid...be very afraid...don't always say what is on your mind! Know your limits.
Posted by: Diane Thomas | February 26, 2008 at 09:49 AM
I think Mark probably used a thesaurus in order to come up with some of the words he used to start his blog off. Nice try Mark we still love you. I've been watching you since you first came to KTLA and you've always been one of my favorites. I like many would like to read something that sounds more like how you are on tv. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Debbie, La Mirada | February 26, 2008 at 09:49 AM
I think Mark probably used a thesaurus in order to come up with some of the words he used to start his blog off. Nice try Mark we still love you. I've been watching you since you first came to KTLA and you've always been one of my favorites. I like many would like to read something that sounds more like how you are on tv. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Debbie, La Mirada | February 26, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I think Mark probably used a thesaurus in order to come up with some of the words he used to start his blog off. Nice try Mark we still love you. I've been watching you since you first came to KTLA and you've always been one of my favorites. I like many would like to read something that sounds more like how you are on tv. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Debbie, La Mirada | February 26, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I think Mark probably used a thesaurus in order to come up with some of the words he used to start his blog off. Nice try Mark we still love you. I've been watching you since you first came to KTLA and you've always been one of my favorites. I like many would like to read something that sounds more like how you are on tv. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Debbie, La Mirada | February 26, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I agree with DIVA - Mark, you did not write this! If you did write this with such thoughtfulness and insight, why do you play the "Dumb One" on the show everyday?? ;-)
Posted by: Amy Z | February 26, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Mark, You not only make me laugh but you are often the only one willing to express an opposing (and refreshing) view point on the morning show. For example, I was so glad that you finally stated that people should be busted for lying about not having pre-existing medical conditions and making insurance unfairly high for everyone else. Please do continue to be the outspoken one who's not afraid to express your opinion. Lots of people will love you for it and then management won't be able to touch you because you are too popular. :)
Posted by: Lisa, Simi Valley | February 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM
mark k
sorry just not that good
i found it to be pathetic.
you have no talent and shouldnt write BLOGS.
YOURS TRULY; SCOTT COWELL
Posted by: scott destree | February 26, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Mark I have watched you for the last 15 years, I start my mornings with your show everyday. I love the way that you say what you feel, you don't hold back. You shouldn't have to! I believe that you wrote your blog, maybe people should see beyond the man that reports the weather everyday, there is alot more there than just a weather man.
Posted by: julie kennedy | February 26, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Write on Mark! I gave up entertainment gossip for lent, which means I gave up reading Perez Hilton, watching Sam (sorry Sam, it's only temporary!) but hey, I can watch the weather and check out the KTLA morning news blog, after checking out the BBC online and listening to NPR. So, write on no matter what the topic. We will all be reading!
Posted by: Liz Martinez, Brea | February 26, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Mark- I have always enjoyed you on the air. Watch the on air kibitsing of you and Eric. Want you on the air for years to come! I think you should talk about whatever makes you tick or you are compelled to. You are a top notch weather guy, but would be a great Game show host!
Posted by: Connie | February 26, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Mark,
Don't listen to these yahoo's who think you have a ghost writer on your 1st blog. I've always suspected that there was another side to you! Your a smart guy. Good job on your blog today. Keep up the good work. If KTLA has not given you any guidelines, GAME IS ON! Go FOR IT!
I watch KTLA because of you. You crack me up and start my day off right. Where is Carlos? Vacation? I've watched you all for years and I hope you will be there for many more years to come. Where is everybody gone? I miss everybody. Tell them to put your picture up next to that new girl Michaela and the other guy on the blog website. Michaela is okay, but honestly, I could do without her. She just doesn't seem happy. I need happy before I go to work in the mornings. Your by far the best looking, best personality on any of the news stations. Looking forward to more blogs. Rock on!
Kathy, Jim & Family
Posted by: Kathy | February 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Mark,
With everything you've said, and the crazy erratic opinions you've given LIVE on air while being on the morning show, I don't think you should be worried about what you write on your blog. Just be open to the responses you receive, because now *we* can talk back (in theory)!! Love you all!!
~ Amanda ~
Posted by: JustMyOpinion | February 27, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Congratulations, Mark.. great writing..I knew you had it in you!
I don't think there's any cruel and unusual punishment going on here. If you were my employee, I would TRUST you and your judgement. Remember what you'd want your kids reading!
Happy Wednesday! :-)
Posted by: Rita | February 27, 2008 at 07:26 AM
Come on Mark you know you can't even spell some of those words. LOL
Posted by: TOM | February 27, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Mark,
What were they thinking or not. Really I love your wild remarks on air. I have watched you from the begging, back when Barbara would be shocked by what you said; Carlos would just shake his head, Jennifer would do cartwheels, Eric shake his fist and Sam would just laugh. So GAME ON.
~~Laurie~~
Posted by: laurie | February 27, 2008 at 07:37 AM
I am looking forward to what you, and all your KTLA colleagues, have to say in the days, weeks, months to come. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your humor and honesty!
Posted by: Danielle Gross | February 27, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Really, I find this hard to believe that you wrote this all by yourself (and a few writers). Anyway, I've noticed you gotten really angry over the years...what gives all the allimony you are paying out. You can't be doing to bad to afford all the wives! Maybe if you were nicer you would get the game show you have always dreamed about hosting. Oh yeah, you are aging the best of the crew and HD does nothing for Sam.
Posted by: ljr-yl | February 27, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Mark,
I have never understood why they all pick on you so. You are fun and have opinions and are also very often quite frank about yourself. I love you just the way you are. Let your personality shine through.
I would love for you to write those things that come an hour or two after the nine o'clock discussion when the light bulb goes on and you think--I wish I had said that.
Posted by: Sandy | February 27, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Hiya Mark, love the blog. In answer to your question about having ever been asked by a boss to do something that is not spelled out. Yes, it happened to me and I was employed by a friend at a local community college. He used to come in and give us spread sheet tasks to do which involved gathering information and making it all work on a spreadsheet to get the information that he needed to present in meetings. This was not part of our job description at ALL, and the projects were so time consuming that we had to take them home to do. We were not being paid to do them essentially, but he was asking for the impossible on the time we had alloted to do our jobs. He then would have meetings with us and literally come down on us because our work was suffering, so we would ask him what the priorities were, and he would never give us an answer. It was so frustrating, and he was a much better friend than he EVER was boss, so I quit. He really sucked as a boss, and he took advantage of his staff getting them to do things that he should have been spending time doing himself. Bleh. He was the worse boss ever.
Posted by: Joy Smith | February 27, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Mark...we all know that you didn't write that blog yourself, so let's not waste time on the obvious.
Next time write it yourself and when we see something along the lines of: "See Dick run. Run Dick run." We'll know you actually took the time to write the blog yourself.
Posted by: Lisa | February 27, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Mark...we all know that you didn't write that blog yourself, so let's not waste time on the obvious.
Next time write it yourself and when we see something along the lines of: "See Dick run. Run Dick run." We'll know you actually took the time to write the blog yourself.
Posted by: Lisa | February 27, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Every now and then Mark has surprised me over these past years by showing some depth in his usually shallow presentation of the weather. It has been rare, but worth noting. So this thoughtful pondering of the "no rules" blog idea is no surpise to me! He always has shown a great sense of humor -- put some thought behind it, and I'll be a regular reader! Oh -- and as this is the first time Mark has written a blog, it is also the first time I've read a blog. Here's to us 40-somethings who don't know much about this Cyber-era!
Posted by: Lorna | February 27, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Mark, this is my first response to a blog but you're worth it. I think u're on target to check prior to blogging under the auspices of KTLA. As a former supervisor, I would have provided guidance to employees by informing them they are blogging under their employer's website. They're still on the JOB.
Posted by: BEVERLY THOMAS | February 27, 2008 at 08:20 AM