9 am can be lighter, that's fine. The reality is that unless there's breaking news, there's only so many times I can hear the same three lead stories repeated.

The problem I have with 9 am, while I don't mind personal opinions on an hour that's clearly not "newsy," is that once a particular reporter's bias is known, I'm less likely to want to hear that person delivering the hard news.

I know the days of Edward R. Murrow are long gone, but it's one thing to give a different perspective, another to bash a politician or a policy. That used to be called an editorial.

Donna,

I don't mind the "guitar-playing interludes" as much as I do the skits. The song they did for Ginger Chan was very funny. The skits on the other hand are LAME, I get the feeling that Sam has a lot to do with them.

Another day in a dark control room, another painful 60 minutes. At least I got paid to watch KTLA today. The upside? Our producers in San Diego told us that San Diego shows are making inroads. Now we don't get L.A. numbers but we do know the XETV 9am hour has shown 18% growth since April 1. I did catch the "...Bulgarian Producer..." reference. Sounds like the classic "Punch Down" style of management at work. Well, John H and other TPTB's running the Morning Block, Rock On! You are guaranteeing that people like me stay employed in San Diego. Now I get paid to watch/record your broadcast on the very slim chance you actually air something of value like the Restaurant take over robbery. It was flagged and tagged. Beyond that, KTLA just continues to provide fodder for our own cannon's. Mr. Kriski. The first couple times you made fun of Aunt Gail's sweater was mildly amusing. About the third time and beyond, just MEAN! And who gives a rat's patoot about Older folks dating younger folks? Talk about the 14 year old girl that killed her mother with a claw hammer. What drives a teen to think killing a parent is the best solution to a problem. Talk about the 5 family members of the same family killed and not noticed for 3 weeks or more. Television news is changing but KTLA had a winning formula less than 12 weeks ago. Drop the Water cooler droll. Bring back Hot topics and make them worthy topics. Less OFF CAMERA team members. Who cares what John H. Thinks? And a former intern to producer? What happened to the path, Intern to Production Assistant to Segment producer? IS the blood bath that wide reaching? Sigh, at least I can say that "I remember when..."

Some of you are complaining about the skits and yeah some are tasteless and lame, I don't mind them much I can live with them.

The one thing i'm sick of is the 5 to 7am newscast. They seem to be shuffling anchors, and have been doing it for months. KTLA it's time to put in a permanent anchor team in the early morning. There's another station in LA that does this and it's annoying. Stop with revolving anchors ok.

Please have Jessica Holmes call me. I didn't read this blog.

Happy to see sam and you back well at least for 22 minutes. but you barely can get a word in with the ladies yelling over you. seriously its really irratating. yes the guys are back but do they get to speak? nope. and i really don't about the off-camera people's views. thats why they are off-camera. michaela please lose the diva attitude. even though you're probably rolling your eyes reading this its worth bringing it up again. that is why i will never move to california. you get this diva attitude like everyone outside of your hollywood bubble is beneath you. not all people do, just some and you happen to be one of those people. i know its harsh but it had to be said.

Hi Paul,

I don't know who's in charge of the skits, but they are truly awful, aren't they? Not what one would expect from a top-notch morning news show. Oh wait...what am I thinking???

I love how the same people keep bashing the show and commenting on other people's comments. Why are they so obsessed if they hate the show so much now? Join a chat room people. Mark and Sam, you guys are awesome!

Hey Deb glad to see that you love the complaints. Well here is another one for you to put in your pipe to smoke on.

The cross talk that you guys do on the show is worse than that of a CB Radio. Just imagine having Elizabeth Espinoza and Jessica Holmes locked in a closet talking to one another non stop. Simply aggravating. Enough with the fashion shows, is there anything else to talk about. Every time I go to the gas station to pump my 91 octane gas I thinking of something interesting to say. When I go to the grocery store and notice that pretty much everything has gone up about 50 cents I can come up with something to talk about. When I see NASA clapping and parading around because they have accomplished a new feat, I think what does Mars give us? Are we conducting research on how to obtain gas, could we use that money to provide shelter, rehabilitation and education to our vast homeless community? Things that make you go hum.

We get it, you have provided us with all of the fashion tips we can handle. Talk about things that make a difference that what your (previous) viewers want. Real News, Not Fluff! Still love you Mark.

P.S. I forgot to say I give you guys a C- for effort. You can do better I know you can just keep pressing towards the mark and you can be A+ again. Review you old tapes previous to March 17th and just do that and you'll be good.

Deb, you know what I love? (besides responding on other peoples' comments, of course.)

I LOVE hearing discussions about "skid marks", watching top-notch comedic skits performed by talented actors, a panel of informed speakers politely discussing the news at hand, an interview conducted by someone who has done (a little) research prior to asking a question, oh, these are a few of my favorite things.

But, I absolutely LOVE your suggestion about "they should join a chat room." That's BRILLIANT!

How about a forum, where individuals, let's call them "viewers", get to discuss what they like/dislike about a program? Maybe, the "viewers" might be asked to comment? Or, better yet, we could write only positive comments but from "different" people, of course so the negative mean people will never bash the show and they could take their obsession elsewhere?

However, I am sure you will get your wish of not seeing the same names over and over on these forums, because I would imagine many of the people commenting or "viewers" will call them, may soon not give a damn anymore.. and the happy people will learn to "get over it" and everything will be ok...

I'm sorry, but enough is a enough! TPTB - you have been given serious feedback to improve your show. It might differ slightly from an expeienced focus group. What the hell do us lowly viewers know anyway? We'll watch anything right? We ALL know it's a train wreck, will there be survivors?

-m

I love you all! I have to admit it though, the blogs from the gals seem to have disappeared! What happened to them?

Hi Deb, glad to see you post. I'd like to throw in my two cents about one of the topics discussed at the 9:00 hour. How about the time Michaela got out of her car and stepped in _hit. Jessica responded about how slippery it can be. Wow! That's an interesting topic to me. One I can relate to. I was a mail carrier for over 30 years and you know what, we have to read the mail as we walk. Would you like to hear some of my stories? I've got plenty!

La Toya I sure can imagine Elizabeth and Jessica being locked in the closet together - WITH ME!

Hey we're on Mars looking for signs of past life, water and minerals. The way we're treating this planet we need all the help we can get. That's another topic that could be discussed more thoroughly.

O.k. Deb, I'll say it for you. Elizabeth and Jessica, fat chance with me. The planet doesn't need help, I do. Uh, I don't show any signs of life.

Glad the 9:00 hour switched off the "View" format. One group of girls all we need. We need the mix the guys give. It would be nice if there was a little less over-talking. My main problem now is Why is Eric gone? What's with KTLA? Don't they have any allegiance to their dedicated employees like Eric, Gayle and Bill. What happened to promoting from within? There used to be a family on the morning news that was fun to watch. If I wanted deadpan news or strained relationships there are plenty of other stations. I may have to go check out Carlos' new gig if you guys can't get it right!

Glad the 9:00 hour switched off the "View" format. One group of girls all we need. We need the mix the guys give. It would be nice if there was a little less over-talking. My main problem now is Why is Eric gone? What's with KTLA? Don't they have any allegiance to their dedicated employees like Eric, Gayle and Bill. What happened to promoting from within? There used to be a family on the morning news that was fun to watch. If I wanted deadpan news or strained relationships there are plenty of other stations. I may have to go check out Carlos' new gig if you guys can't get it right!

I'm so sorry Deb that we've inconvenienced you by bashing the show especially when the title of this particular blog is; "The Power of the Viewer" and from our said "bashing" as you put it, changes are coming - slow, very slow, but still coming!
I'm so sorry too that it bothers you that we comment on other's comments...perhaps you can enrich all of us on what the correct definition and protocol is for "COMMENTING" to a blog, I mean since you seem to be the expert!

Deb you must have been lost in your "awesome" feeling for Mark and Sam or busy in a "chat room" and missed when both of your "awesome" Mark and Sam have encouraged ALL viewers to go to the blogs and comment whether it be "awesome" or "bash"!

I watched the 9 am Topics and Mark Kriski I think you're cool but I really wish Gayle would have broken her foot off in your behind for your comments on her sweater. I don't know if you were kidding or serious but come on man chill.

George The Rat you should change your name to George the Dog, lol. If you had them in the closet would you tape their mouths shut, lmao? If not you would be just as crazy as Mr. Grow A Set. I'm sorry I could care less about Mars right now. Why concentrate on past life while life here on earth is going to hell in a hand basket? Just as I don't care about a daily bathing suit fashion show. There just has to be more to talk about.

I guess it's wrong for me to comment on your comments Dan, and Jason but you guys didn't comprehend what Ms. Deb said, she said she loves how we keep bashing the show so just keep giving her what she loves.

La Toya! You noticed the 50 cent thing too??!! Why is everything EXACTLY 50 cents more at the grocery? Is it a rule? Is it just some sort of profit threshold? Or is it a result of still more focus groups telling corporate just how much they can raise prices before consumers stop buying products--oops. There I go again wanting to discuss a HOT TOPIC.

Oh, and KTLA bloggers? I refuse to watch this train wreck anymore. Y'all can have an intern from the market research department go back over our blogs, aggregate all of the changes we've suggested and figure out which ones are overwhelmingly repetitious. Then give the results to Gayle, have her visit an 8th grade economics class, and ask them what they think you ought to do to get your ratings up.
Gentlemen, I will NOT be duped into watching the 9am show to see the "changes" anymore. You just keep punking me. All 4 of you--Frank not so much, but the other 3 absolutely. As if moving back behind the desks was going to make a huge difference in--you know, whatever. I'm done talking about it. You owe me an apology. I am willing to accept See's candy, daisies, or a nice donation to the Fred Jordan Mission.
I flipped by the 9am show up at the cabin yesterday (not many channels up there) and everyone in the ROOM objected. No, I was not up there with Dan, LaToya, Bill from San Diego, and Laura from Palmdale. I think it is safe to say that our opinions are shared WELL beyond the blogosphere. At least with young (and youngish. ahem), college-educated people with disposable income.
So that, gentlemen, is the last time I will even linger on KTLA at 9am. Hey, and your 7-9 is starting to smell, too. You have lost me as a viewer. I am done. God bless America and parts of Canada. Goodnight.

Why are you guys married for life to the words "WATER COOLER BUZZ". If each of you say it over and over 100 times maybe just maybe you will hear just how really stupid those words sound not to mention the dumb ass sound effects that goes with the words. Where are the changes Mark? The changes I see are the removal of the Ikea furniture, the addition of 3 more cross talkers and Mark changed his shoes that's it. Someone said they give you a C- well I will give you D- and if this charade continues into next month I am going to give you an F+ and leave.

I'm with you GA, I quit watching after 3 days of being promised "changes". I have no desire to watch the show no matter even if they do apologize.
The 7 - 9 is suffering too as you stated.
The skits, what is with the horribly lame skits? Why do they keep pushing those on us, they aren't funny!
They should save them all for the 9 hour when nobody is watching! KTLA you are about to lose this viewer for GOOD for the 7 - 9 hours - Do you care? My guess is YOU DON'T.

Shame on Sam, referring to Tina Turner's present tour as the "Miracle Tour". Sam, I only hope that you can move and entertain at the age of 68 like she is doing.
I think you did however come up with the appropriate title for your 9 AM show. If ever there were a show to be titled "Miracle" it would be yours. It is very "Miraculous" that your show is even still on the air!
Boo Sam Rubin Boo!!!! You blew it big time with me Sam Rubin!

Why is everyone complaining about the cross talk? Who cares they are not talking about anything anyway? Let them scream, tap dance and parade around with a Marching Band no one is listening anyway. Super job KTLA keep up the greeeaaatttt work. NOT!

Hi Mark thank you for the update and for caring. I have been watching it all the way through since last week as you have suggested. God knows that I really want to like the show because all of you are so special to me, but I can't say that I do. I don't know what else to say other than I am deeply sadden. I don't want to bash you guys I just want to say what's on my heart.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I met you guys last year on the "Make Us Dessert Contest" you all made me feel like family (especially Michaela). You all were kind, down-to-earth and genuine. Even Janet the producer everyone was so kind. I fell back stage and slipped on a rose pedal and your cameraman came to help me up (he was cute too). You guys were better than I had imagine you would be. You were exactly how I thought you would be crazy and hilarious. In fact I told you I was going to get you for giving me an "8" Mark and I haven't forgotten. But Mark something is really wrong with the chemistry on the show now. The topics are not very good or interesting at all. Please fix the formula soon, I don't know where else to go. Love you all.