Severe Channel 8 Layoffs Spare the on-Camera Staff

After weeks of maddening uncertainty and rampant rumors, KFMB-TV (Channel 8) gradually announced last week who would lose their jobs in extensive cuts.

Management didn’t release totals, but at least 10 people were laid off. Most were camera assistants, writers and producers--the lower-paid people behind the scenes that make television news work, writing the words the anchors speak and producing the pretty pictures.

Of the on-air staff, reporter Marianne Kushi was a surprise cut. Three veteran photographers--Bill Bushmaker, Dana Clay and Jim Myers--also were among the victims. Eileen Brennan, who once headed the now defunct “Eight Cares” project, was another casualty.

Management has consistently claimed that cuts won’t affect news coverage, but that’s hard to believe. In television news, photographers are as much a key to covering stories as reporters. Even before the cuts, the station photographers complained about the workload.

Several employees contacted last week complained bitterly about the handling of the cuts, saying seniority and job performance seemed to have little to do with the choices.

Instead of one big layoff, employees were laid off one by one throughout the week, increasing anxiety among employees.

Everyone was “uncomfortable” in the building, according to company spokesman Tim Hnedak, who expressed regret at the agonizing slowness of the process.

“There was a lot of paperwork involved in properly terminating someone, and it really overwhelmed the accounting department,” Hnedak said. “Unfortunately, it dragged the problem out.”

The newsroom staff is the largest in town because of the number of newscasts the station produces, Hnedak pointed out.

“After reading the headlines last week (about the national economy), my feeling is that we’re not going to be the only one cutting staff in the media in San Diego,” Hnedak said.

Management blames the economy for the cutbacks, but several staffers found little solace in tales of the economy.

“The whole situation is disgusting,” said one staffer, who asked not be identified. “There is an attitude of quiet (in the building), like it is not happening. People are just disappearing.”

Several employees said they have been particularly offended by the blase, seemingly insensitive attitude of management. They noted that, at a time when so many veterans are losing their jobs, news director Jim Holtzman’s college-age son is working as a writer in the newsroom.

It didn’t help spirits when employment notices for jobs in places such as Tulsa and Des Moines appeared on bulletin boards.

A clear separation has developed between the on-air personnel and the behind-the-scenes staff, which has been decimated by the cuts, they say.

“You walk through the anchor area and they act like nothing is happening,” said the same staffer.

Adding to the staff’s distress was KFMB’s decision to focus the cuts on long-term employees. Firing workers with 10 to 20 years experience sends a nasty message to the staff, suggesting that loyal service won’t be rewarded.

Staffers also grumbled about Tim Flannery, who, to the surprise of no one, survived the cut. The former Padre’s career is the beloved project of News Director Holtzman. But he produces little more than the “Good News” segment for the 4:30 p.m. newscasts, and his rough on-air manner hasn’t improved in the last year.

Newsroom employees questioned how management could rationalize keeping Flannery and his reportedly high salary at a time when so many long-time employees are losing their jobs.

In addition, the station kept three sports reporters, including Ted Leitner, who only works the 5 and 6:30 p.m. newscasts and not the 11 p.m. show.

Newsroom workers questioning the whys of the cuts found plenty of those types of situations to ponder.

“Morale is really at rock bottom,” one reporter said.

In this age of puritanical drum beating, it is ironic that KGB-FM (101.5) has been singled out for the largest single fine for indecent programming in FCC history--$25,000--for airing two parody songs two years ago. KGB management is hardly known as a radical loose cannon out to titillate listeners. If anything, it is a relatively conservative operation . . . .

This year’s Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, running Saturday night through Sunday afternoon on Channel 8, will feature “one of the strongest lineups ever,” according to a press release. The stars: Hal Clement, Larry Himmel and Susan Peters. Be still my pounding heart . . . Among Himmel’s top 10 reasons, taken from a spot promoting the telethon: “Hal Clement won’t sing,” and “There will be no mimes” . . . .

The San Diego State University film production department will “cease to exist” if the administration follows through with plans to cut teachers Greg Durbin and Jack Olfield, according to graduate student Bill Neill. . . .

A desire to plug the final “Murphy Brown” episode gave Channel 8 an excuse to interview yet again Clement’s mother, a former television scriptwriter . . . .

KKLQ Program Director Kevin Weatherly’s last day is Friday before he heads to KROQ in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, General Manager Bob Bolinger denied reports that Gary Edens is preparing to sell the AM/FM combo . . . .

The feature series last week may have been rather run of the mill, but Channel 8’s “Got a Gripe?” consumer guide, available to the public through the station, is a relatively comprehensive and easy-to-use package of information, directing people where to turn with complaints. . . .

The local commercial television stations haven’t shown much interest in the local elections, but Channel 39 will televise a live debate of the mayoral candidates, Sunday at 8 p.m. Cox Cable will air an informal “conversation” with the major candidates, Tuesday at 7 p.m.